have a good one

I'm hoping 2010 will be EIGHT THUMBS UP.

impermanence

The Zen principles of Aesthetics are derived from the Buddhism beliefs of Anicca or Impermanence where “everything, without exception, is constantly in flux, even planets, stars and gods”. (Wikipedia)

The Japanese design principles:

Fukinsei (imbalanced)
Asymmetry, odd numbers, irregularity, unevenness, imbalance is used as a denial of perfection as perfection and symmetry does not occur in nature.

Kanso (simple)
Elimination of ornate and things of simplicity by nature expresses their truthfulness. Neat, frank and uncomplicated.

Kokou (austere)
Basic, weathered bare essentials that are aged and unsensuous. Evokes sternness, forbiddance, maturity and weight.

Shizen (natural)
Raw, natural and unforced creativity without pretence. True naturalness is to negate the naive and accidental.

Yugen (subtle profound)
Suggest and not reveal layers of meaning hidden within. Invisible to the casual eye and avoiding the obvious.

Datsuzoku (unworldly)
Transcendence of conventional and traditional. Free from the bondage of laws and restrictions. True creativity.

Seijaku (calm)
Silence and tranquility, blissful solitude. Absence of disturbance and noise from one’s mind, body and surroundings.

via swissmiss, originally Thinking aloud, source: Aen Tan
(pretty much too good not to repost)

agelio batle

"Making jewelry from non-precious, non-traditional materials is proof that we are not merely motivated by material alone. I'm interested in making sculptures for the body, with a sensitivity to material that has no monetary value, the value is what's done to the material."

Agelio Batale

happy christmas!

Don't forget to recycle your tree!

momentum

Latest jewelry creations for Matt Bruening's fashion show. More here and here.

how to carve a watermelon t-rex

Because you've always wanted to know how.

elisa bongfeldt

"I am inspired by the industrial aesthetic of a material, finding endless design possibilities."

Elisa Bongfeldt

in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk

Vintage elephant heels

katherine sturgis

"After working for several years in corporate fashion, buying and merchandising mass-market items, Katherine concluded that big business wasn't for her. Instead, she opted to follow her passions."

Katherine Sturgis

rachel gilman

All at once now.

Rachel Gilman

made from poo!

If I had a Christmas tree, I would want to cover it in poo! And by that I mean with these adorable ornaments from The Great Elephant Poo Poo Paper Company. Their paper products are made by using crap collected from elephant conservation parks. The poo is boiled (and sanitized!) down to the fibery bits that help give the paper it's strength. No smell included.

earth as art

Aerial and satellite images of this great world:


Volcanic cones, Chilean-Argentinean border


Kalahari Desert, Namibia


The Dasht-e Kevir (or Great Salt Desert), Iran


Atacama Desert, Chile


Sahara Desert, Chad

via U.S. Geological Survey EROS

congrats to...

ELIZABETH of PRIMOEZA, the winner of the $100 Shopbop.com gift card! I asked my mom to choose the one she liked the best, and she thought Elizabeth's was the most creative and "I understand what this writer means. This is the winner!"


What Elizabeth said about her favorite Jenni Kayne item: "My favourite item is the flat snake skin boots. If I was wearing them I'd be transformed into an elusive nimble ninja jumping from roof top to rooftop with my mask and silver sword in the night. Must go now and put on my pj's...and where ARE my furry slippers?"