It's back to school time, which for many means a new way to reinvent yourself. Forget the usual mass-produced attire, teachers gifts and run of the mill home decorating solutions. Indie art, nerdy gifts and cool dorm decor will provide a better outlet for personal expression.
For the dorm, one might need a new shower curtain. Whether you're a math major or not, this cool shower curtain featuring 2000 digits of the Pi value is a fun way to dress up the bathroom. Kind of minimalist really, but also a little nerdy:
You might be more of the survivalist or prepper and prefer to turn your shower into a bomb shelter:
Expressive tee shirts are always a sure bet for expressing yourself. To find the most unique t-shirts, consider shopping at any of the following sites, where some of your dollars spent go to indie artists:
http://www.gurugoods.com A variety of designs from the irreverent to academic to political
http://www.cafepress.com/omshanti1 Yoga, buddhist and positive thinking
http://www.cafepress.com/antiquitees Vintage, pin-up, nerdy and classic art tee shirts
These are just a few of the many places one can find fun tee shirts on the web. At any rate, the uniquely self-expressive is easy to find in this great big artsy world on the internet.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Fractals, Lichtenberg Figures and Visionary Art
Can the forces of nature be captured and made into an art form? Take lightning, for example. It can be argued that lightning is art. Many of nature's own templates follow the same forms found in lightning. In fact, every living being is, in a sense, lightning in a bottle. It fascinates me that these forms, known as Lichtenberg figures, are inherent to and happen every second in nature. Before I get too esoteric here, let me show you. Take our anatomical layout for instance. The respiratory system, the lungs in particular; the vascular system; trees and plants; river tributaries and most anything that grows takes a fractal path.
If you haven't been able to tell already, this natural synchronicity excites me. It all began when, as a child, I found a rock that appeared to have a black tree etched into it. What I later found out was that this was a Lichtenberg figure, an etching made by lightning. How I wish I still had that rock. What a find! It is one of the things that set my artsy planet spinning.
Though the Lichtenberg figure seems to have its own category with its more "tree-like" form, it really falls under the larger category of fractals. Fractals can take many paths and like Lichtenberg figures are found throughout nature. This is evident in crystal growth, like snowflakes and geodes and even the most minutia of specimens as viewed through the electron microscope.
Fractals and Lichtenberg figures inspire me because they are seemingly spontaneous, yet they follow an underlying rule of order. This blend of order and chaos ignites all sorts of image-making potential and often inspires visionary art such as that of the artist, Olivia Curry. Visit her website www.DreamNectar.com for more of these beautiful images.
Fractals in general, whether formed through lightning, other forces of nature, or science crafted into art, evoke awe and inspiration. Here are just a few more examples:
Nerds like me would love to own one of these: electron charges, lightning, literally captured in glass.
From the Etsy Shop, Element 83, named after chemical 83 (Bismuth) on the periodic chart, comes beautiful Bismuth crystals that make stunning jewelry pieces or sculptures for the home.
The Lung
The Tree
The Amazon River
If you haven't been able to tell already, this natural synchronicity excites me. It all began when, as a child, I found a rock that appeared to have a black tree etched into it. What I later found out was that this was a Lichtenberg figure, an etching made by lightning. How I wish I still had that rock. What a find! It is one of the things that set my artsy planet spinning.
Though the Lichtenberg figure seems to have its own category with its more "tree-like" form, it really falls under the larger category of fractals. Fractals can take many paths and like Lichtenberg figures are found throughout nature. This is evident in crystal growth, like snowflakes and geodes and even the most minutia of specimens as viewed through the electron microscope.
Fractals and Lichtenberg figures inspire me because they are seemingly spontaneous, yet they follow an underlying rule of order. This blend of order and chaos ignites all sorts of image-making potential and often inspires visionary art such as that of the artist, Olivia Curry. Visit her website www.DreamNectar.com for more of these beautiful images.
Olivia Curry
Olivia Curry
Fractals in general, whether formed through lightning, other forces of nature, or science crafted into art, evoke awe and inspiration. Here are just a few more examples:
Nerds like me would love to own one of these: electron charges, lightning, literally captured in glass.
Available from Stoneridge Engineering
From the Etsy Shop, Element 83, named after chemical 83 (Bismuth) on the periodic chart, comes beautiful Bismuth crystals that make stunning jewelry pieces or sculptures for the home.
$349.95
$24.95
Oh, what our artsy planet creates!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Design Your Own Fabric and Homegoods and Send the Artsy World Spinning!
With the latest advances in technology, the artsy planet has carried us into a whole new galaxy of creative possibilities. There's no limit to what one can design with little more than a few clicks of a button at one of many different print-on-demand websites. You can design anything from iPhone cases to pillow cases to fabric you can then use to sew into other creative wonders.
If you're an artist, you'll have an edge when designing at these websites and you may even be able to generate some additional income for yourself. Even if you aren't an artist, with a good eye for aesthetics and an image manipulating program such as PhotoShop Elements or Illustrator, you can create designs to be imprinted on tee shirts, gifts or create material that can be used in your next handmade sewing project.
Here are just a few of the many websites where you can do this.
Cafepress:
Always adding new items to their products, Cafepress offers tee-shirts, mugs, bumper stickers, the usual line-up at most print-on-demand websites. But they also have some extraordinary products such as Gaiam yoga mats, pillow cases and duvet covers, shower curtains and stadium blankets. One can have a ball decorating their home with coordinated designs you create yourself. Take a look at this home decor set!
Zazzle:
Zazzle has some pizzazzle in that they offer Keds sneakers, skateboards, and now teapots too! The fun you can have at zazzle is endless. A favorite of mine is a coffee mugs that's made of thermally sensitive material. Your design disappears when cold. Your designed image suddenly appears on a plain white mug when filled with hot liquid. These Morphing Shakespeare mugs feature a Shakepeare quote on one side and an image of Shakepeare on the other when filled with hot tea or coffee.
Another fun item is the neck tie you can design, or choose from those designed by others. You'll never be at a loss for unusual ties to lighten up that serious business suit with ties like this one, a field of waves populated by rubber duckies:
Imagekind:
Here you can upload high resolution images of your artwork for reproduction. The cool thing about imagekind is that art can be matted and framed and previewed with their virtual tool. You know how hard it is to pick out and visualize those mats and frames at the frame shop? Here you can see it before you buy. Fun!
Society6:
You'll never be at a loss for the coolest iPhone cover ever again, because at Society6 you can design your own. You can pick other's designs or create your own. I think it's more fun to create your own. It kind of makes the fact that you are one of a billion people to own an iPhone seem just a bit more unique.
Here's my latest design on Society6...my Quan Yin painting on an iPhone. Whoever thought I'd float her from her 4 foot canvas onto such a high-tech little gadget? But I did and I like it.
Spoonflower:
This is the go to spot for crafters and quilters. Here you can find fabrics with just about any theme and if you can't find it, you can design it yourself. Everything from mid-century to cutesy to downright bizarre is at your fingertips. I especially like the designs created by the fabric designer Leah VanLutz.
So if that's not enough to get our artsy planet spinning, here are a few other sites worth a look.
http://www.threadless.com
http://www.spreadshirt.com
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com
http://www.printfection.com
http://www.skreened.com
http://www.designbyhumans.com
If you're an artist, you'll have an edge when designing at these websites and you may even be able to generate some additional income for yourself. Even if you aren't an artist, with a good eye for aesthetics and an image manipulating program such as PhotoShop Elements or Illustrator, you can create designs to be imprinted on tee shirts, gifts or create material that can be used in your next handmade sewing project.
Here are just a few of the many websites where you can do this.
Cafepress:
Always adding new items to their products, Cafepress offers tee-shirts, mugs, bumper stickers, the usual line-up at most print-on-demand websites. But they also have some extraordinary products such as Gaiam yoga mats, pillow cases and duvet covers, shower curtains and stadium blankets. One can have a ball decorating their home with coordinated designs you create yourself. Take a look at this home decor set!
Indian Woodcut Peacock Queen Duvet
Indian Woodcut Peacock Matching Pillow Case
Indian Woodcut Peacock Matching Shower Curtain
Zazzle:
Zazzle has some pizzazzle in that they offer Keds sneakers, skateboards, and now teapots too! The fun you can have at zazzle is endless. A favorite of mine is a coffee mugs that's made of thermally sensitive material. Your design disappears when cold. Your designed image suddenly appears on a plain white mug when filled with hot liquid. These Morphing Shakespeare mugs feature a Shakepeare quote on one side and an image of Shakepeare on the other when filled with hot tea or coffee.
Another fun item is the neck tie you can design, or choose from those designed by others. You'll never be at a loss for unusual ties to lighten up that serious business suit with ties like this one, a field of waves populated by rubber duckies:
Imagekind:
Here you can upload high resolution images of your artwork for reproduction. The cool thing about imagekind is that art can be matted and framed and previewed with their virtual tool. You know how hard it is to pick out and visualize those mats and frames at the frame shop? Here you can see it before you buy. Fun!
Society6:
You'll never be at a loss for the coolest iPhone cover ever again, because at Society6 you can design your own. You can pick other's designs or create your own. I think it's more fun to create your own. It kind of makes the fact that you are one of a billion people to own an iPhone seem just a bit more unique.
Here's my latest design on Society6...my Quan Yin painting on an iPhone. Whoever thought I'd float her from her 4 foot canvas onto such a high-tech little gadget? But I did and I like it.
Spoonflower:
This is the go to spot for crafters and quilters. Here you can find fabrics with just about any theme and if you can't find it, you can design it yourself. Everything from mid-century to cutesy to downright bizarre is at your fingertips. I especially like the designs created by the fabric designer Leah VanLutz.
So if that's not enough to get our artsy planet spinning, here are a few other sites worth a look.
http://www.threadless.com
http://www.spreadshirt.com
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com
http://www.printfection.com
http://www.skreened.com
http://www.designbyhumans.com
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Unique Gifts from across the Web
Gummy Bear Lamps!
http://www.jailbreaktoys.com/Gummylamp_p/lpgum00.htm
http://www.jailbreaktoys.com/Gummylamp_p/lpgum00.htm
The Nest Thermostat, created by former ipod developers...
Pre-order just in time for Christmas at http://www.nest.com/
Watch the video here:
Glow Glux...Luminouse Super Putty for the Nerdy Nerd
from Copernicus Toys
For the Wannabe Tattoo Artist, a Henry Rollins Tatto Whiteboard
from Topatoco
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Ten great ideas for unique Chistmas gifts and cards
Unique and economical Christmas gifts and cards are at the top of everyone's list this year and the internet is full of gifts with character. If you are looking for a gift that won't break your budget and is a little off the beaten track...not your average mall purchase, you've come to the right place.
1. Oops Pin-up Girl Chistmas Card
To start off the season right, cards always help set the tone for your holiday. Here's a funny card. A pin-up girl on a Christmas card that says Ooops.
The inside reads, "I slipped on the gift budget this year so here's a kiss instead." with a lipsmack design in the middle. You can buy this card and the Oops Girl on ornaments and other items as well here.
2. Scrooge Christmas Stocking
On another note, for those who like to celebrate Christmas with a Charles Dickens flair, here's a Scrooge Christma Stocking. Do you have a scrooge in your family? Give them a Bah Humbug stocking and you're sure to make them laugh.
Get your Bah Humbug Christmas stocking here. Also available imprinted as a Christmas Card, and on aprons, t-shirts, sweatshirts, buttons, magnets, stickers and more.
3. Zen Christmas Cards
For those of you who like to celebrate the season by adding a bit of Buddhist love, these Zen Christmas cards are very unique. Inside an Om symbol appears with the simple message "Peace."
4. The Elf Diet - Novelty Gifts for the candy lover
The Elf Movie has become a favorite in so many households. Why not celebrate Christmas the Elf way with the Elf Diet...lots of candy syrup, candy corn and cnady canes!!! This cute design brings a smile to everyone this season. It's available on Tee shirts, aprons, mouse pads and more from the Gurugoods.com novelty gift store.
Better yet, fill a mug with candy and you'll have the perfect gift for any elf on your gift list.
5. Elf Diet mug
6. Santa Pause Cards
Know someone who needs to just relax and take a santa puase. Send them a card that shows even Santa takes a break now and then. These cards feature a realistic Santa from antiquity.
7. Think Snow Stadium Blanket
The perfect gift for anyone who loves winter or the snowboarder on your gift list. A blanket to bring to the lodge, the football stadium or skating rink. Find this unique gift here.
8. Snow Queen Keepsake box
Continuing on the snow theme, for the women and girls in your life, a keepsake box featuring art nouveau fine art will make a special gift. This frosty snow queen is enchanting and an unusual find.
8. Snow Queen Season's Greetings Note Cards
She's so enchanting, how can one resist her magical Christmas vibes. Available as note cards, Christmas cards and postcards here.
9 . A Naughty Pin-Ups Girl Clock for the collector of all things retro.
Which pinup model are you? Choose your mood by the hour. From clumsy to flirty to girl next door, these enticing retro ladies will be the highlight of your room decor.
Click here for more products with this design .
10. iPhone Cases Covers to protect the iPhone 4
And to top it all off, for the iPhone user on your gift list, choose a cool iPhone case to match their personality. Here are just a few of the iPhone 4 cases available to stuff into someone's Christmas stocking this year.
The Bee Calm and Carry On design for the Queen Bee on your list:
The I Love Edward Cullen Design for the Twilight Fan:
Happy Shopping! For even more ideas, visit the following links:
http://www.smilingbuddhaboutique.com/
http://www.gurugoods.com/
AntiquiTees
1. Oops Pin-up Girl Chistmas Card
To start off the season right, cards always help set the tone for your holiday. Here's a funny card. A pin-up girl on a Christmas card that says Ooops.
The inside reads, "I slipped on the gift budget this year so here's a kiss instead." with a lipsmack design in the middle. You can buy this card and the Oops Girl on ornaments and other items as well here.
2. Scrooge Christmas Stocking
On another note, for those who like to celebrate Christmas with a Charles Dickens flair, here's a Scrooge Christma Stocking. Do you have a scrooge in your family? Give them a Bah Humbug stocking and you're sure to make them laugh.
Get your Bah Humbug Christmas stocking here. Also available imprinted as a Christmas Card, and on aprons, t-shirts, sweatshirts, buttons, magnets, stickers and more.
3. Zen Christmas Cards
For those of you who like to celebrate the season by adding a bit of Buddhist love, these Zen Christmas cards are very unique. Inside an Om symbol appears with the simple message "Peace."
4. The Elf Diet - Novelty Gifts for the candy lover
The Elf Movie has become a favorite in so many households. Why not celebrate Christmas the Elf way with the Elf Diet...lots of candy syrup, candy corn and cnady canes!!! This cute design brings a smile to everyone this season. It's available on Tee shirts, aprons, mouse pads and more from the Gurugoods.com novelty gift store.
Better yet, fill a mug with candy and you'll have the perfect gift for any elf on your gift list.
5. Elf Diet mug
6. Santa Pause Cards
Know someone who needs to just relax and take a santa puase. Send them a card that shows even Santa takes a break now and then. These cards feature a realistic Santa from antiquity.
7. Think Snow Stadium Blanket
The perfect gift for anyone who loves winter or the snowboarder on your gift list. A blanket to bring to the lodge, the football stadium or skating rink. Find this unique gift here.
Continuing on the snow theme, for the women and girls in your life, a keepsake box featuring art nouveau fine art will make a special gift. This frosty snow queen is enchanting and an unusual find.
8. Snow Queen Season's Greetings Note Cards
She's so enchanting, how can one resist her magical Christmas vibes. Available as note cards, Christmas cards and postcards here.
9 . A Naughty Pin-Ups Girl Clock for the collector of all things retro.
Click here for more products with this design .
10. iPhone Cases Covers to protect the iPhone 4
And to top it all off, for the iPhone user on your gift list, choose a cool iPhone case to match their personality. Here are just a few of the iPhone 4 cases available to stuff into someone's Christmas stocking this year.
The Bee Calm and Carry On design for the Queen Bee on your list:
The I Love Edward Cullen Design for the Twilight Fan:
The Stargate Universe TV design for the Sci-fi fan:
http://www.smilingbuddhaboutique.com/
http://www.gurugoods.com/
AntiquiTees
Sunday, September 19, 2010
A Preview of Halloween Costumes
Halloween Costumes For Avatar fans!
Halloween Costumes For Twilight Fans and Vampire Lovers
Cute Halloween Costumes for Babies
Unique Halloween Costumes for Kids
Halloween Costumes For Twilight Fans and Vampire Lovers
Cute Halloween Costumes for Babies
A way to keep it really simple.
Unique Halloween Costumes for Kids
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Halloween Gifts and The Fall Spirit
So with Halloween and Autumn around the corner, I found some fun items to help get into the spirit of things. Fall is the time when the spirits come out with all Hallow's Eve so it's no wonder that there's a whole market out there devoted to the holiday. Perhaps what makes Halloween so popular grew from the enticing and comforting idea that we can have a visit from our lost loved ones, as interpreted by The Day of the Dead in South American countries.
Or maybe it's just because we like some good old party-time fun, complete with sweets and costumes that allow us to entertain our alter-egos for a night.
Here's one that will get everyone thinking that this might be a walking advertisement for Travelocity. You have to admit it's adorable.
But whatever the case, Halloween is immersed in a whole season of mystique. In addition to the spooky, lengthening of darkness into our nights, Fall is typically the time to contemplate and to comemmorate. It's filled with the spirit of gratitude, bounty and the urge to take stock of life as we head towards the end of another year.
There are a slew of Fall-oriented products to help you get into this frame of mind. Yes, face it Summer is over. Now it's time to move into the cozy colors of Fall and introspective days of the season. Whether you like some nostalgic designs for Halloween Cards, and Trick or Treat Tote bags, or you take a Zen-like approach to the season, unique products make the most lasting impressions. Reach for those that support your online community of artists and cottage industries and you're bound to find the ones that are not so run-of -the-mill.
For example ....some one-of-a-kind Halloween Cards:
A cute nostalgic trick or treat bag, reusable and made of sustainable green cotton canvas:
There's nothing more joyful about the fall than that utter sense of gratitude and happiness we need to project. Whether 2010 has produced a plentiful harvest or not, to project these positive thoughts brings joy in itself and so we turn to the laughing Buddha. This little Buddha is glowing with the energy of prosperity and gratitude.
Currently available at BackbonesStudio2 on Etsy.
Or maybe it's just because we like some good old party-time fun, complete with sweets and costumes that allow us to entertain our alter-egos for a night.
Here's one that will get everyone thinking that this might be a walking advertisement for Travelocity. You have to admit it's adorable.
Available handmade to order at Etsy.
But whatever the case, Halloween is immersed in a whole season of mystique. In addition to the spooky, lengthening of darkness into our nights, Fall is typically the time to contemplate and to comemmorate. It's filled with the spirit of gratitude, bounty and the urge to take stock of life as we head towards the end of another year.
There are a slew of Fall-oriented products to help you get into this frame of mind. Yes, face it Summer is over. Now it's time to move into the cozy colors of Fall and introspective days of the season. Whether you like some nostalgic designs for Halloween Cards, and Trick or Treat Tote bags, or you take a Zen-like approach to the season, unique products make the most lasting impressions. Reach for those that support your online community of artists and cottage industries and you're bound to find the ones that are not so run-of -the-mill.
For example ....some one-of-a-kind Halloween Cards:
Ooo-la-la! A pin-up witch on a Halloween Card.
Available Here.
A cute nostalgic trick or treat bag, reusable and made of sustainable green cotton canvas:
You can find this retro design here. It's also available on several other textile products.
When Halloween is over, you may need a little relaxation, which calls for a bit of Zen style. Whether you like to just sit quietly and sip on some jasmine tee while you watch the leaves fall outside, or you're more on the go and like to srtetch both mind and body, these designs will fit the bill:
For those cold fall mornings with the message, "Live Simply That Others May Simply Live". Click here to see this sublime Coffee Mug .
Zumba, Rumba, fitness gurus and bootcampers who want to get in shape before the onslaught of holiday feasting will need a great little gym bag with a bright colorful design:
Available at The Smiling Buddha Boutique
A Happy Buddha Long Sleeved Tee for those cool Fall days and nights.
Also available as Happy Buddha Happy Baby Onesies and Tees.
See them all Here at this Link.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)