Meshu Map Jewellery is SO COOL

OK, this concept and the resulting jewellery are SO FREAKIN' COOL.  Meshu will create a graphic based on geographical points, and then make it in to earrings, necklaces, cufflinks, and more.  It could be all the places you lived as a kid, the stops on your honeymoon, the cities you visited on your first trip to Europe, or all the places you want to visit before you die.  Meaningful without being in-your-face kitchy, the designs are modern and stylish - not words you would normally associate with such a keepsake.  I love the personal subtlety. You can read more about the interface here or plot your own design here. The mind boggles.  What an amazing gift - and would it not be an awesome tattoo?

Found on a Fast Co. Design article by Mark Wilson.

Lost in Deep Dark Africa

I love this online shop Deep Dark Africa, which features beautiful hand-made contemporary African design objects.  It's like Etsy, but just for Africa!  I know that while in South Africa, I found they had such a strong craft and artisan community (although my perspective is suspect since I was immersed in it from the get-go).  Not surprisingly, the flavour of the hand-made objects and art pieces in South Africa so very different from anything I had been used to in Canada, a little edgier and more provocative, even in something as simple as ceramics.  I brought home as much as my bags would allow, but that was over 10 years ago (!!) and my taste has changed so much I feel like I need another trip back!  Or maybe I can save on airfare and just dive in to this great store.  See how online shopping just saved me all kinds of money??*

*PS I am also happy to justify other people's purchases.  Let me know if you need help explaining something, and I will send you at least 5 reasons your purchase made perfect sense.


Via The Style Files

Parkdale Bazaar

I was reminded by birthday-girl Emma today that this fun event is tomorrow!  Full of amazingly talented Parkdal-ians (many of whom are Etsy sellers) the Parkdale Bazaar is an awesome opportunity to get some quality hand-made or vintage items for the holidays and put faces to the names of some of your favourite artists.  Oh, and you also get to relive your glorious past with the help of a Christmas special marathon (I LOVED this episode of My So-Called Life - poor Ricky) and also get those professional Christmas card portraits done (for free).  See you there!

 

Vintage Covers for eReaders

Somehow in my internet travels this evening I came across these wonderful covers for Kindles, Kobos, Sony Readers (do they have a name?) and iPads.  I know that when I got my Kindle last Christmas I spent forever trying to find a unique, stylish and affordable cover.  Randy Belyk from Victoria had the same dilemma, only he got crafty and made his own.  An IBM technician by day, he quickly got enough orders from friends and family to fill up his evenings and weekends!  I love this idea, since choosing the cover can be such a personal choice.  He uses traditional bookbinding techniques with all new materials (except for the covers of course) to create custom-made covers for any sized reader.  The options are endless!  Here are some of my favourites...

One of the boys' current favourite books... which also was my brother's favourite (he had the entire thing memorized)... I love the inside:

This one would get you some looks... check out the back:

I read every single Nancy Drew book - and most of the Hardy Boys too...

For the more "sophisticated" person on your list...

Such a great idea Randy!