the multi-purpose game

My six-year-old daughter and I recently started a new game where we choose an object and think of as many different ways that object can be used as we can. For example, a tree might be a home, mailbox, paper, maple syrup maker, etc. This portfolio piece, A Dozen Pencils, reminded me of that game. Manipulating size and context, the artist shows how an ordinary object can take on unconventional roles, if you let your imagination and creativity flow.

This also reminds me of Wallace Stevens' "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird," a similar concept. I did a copycat piece of the poem in college (16 Ways of Looking at a Bed) ... but I won't share that here :) To be honest, I wouldn't even know where to find it.

i want to hold your hand

As humans, we are always finding new ways to blur the line between nature and man-made creations. Point in case, a door handle shaped like a human hand. Ingenious. Why are doorknobs shaped the way they are anyway?

This one, created by French interior and product designer Naomi Thellier de Poncheville, offers a pleasant, although kinda creepy, parting gesture: opening the door is a partnership, a communal effort. I’d wonder, “Whose hand am I holding? I wonder if he/she is still alive?” while I’m reaching for my hand sanitizer.

(From GeekAlerts.)

things that moo don't just make milk

Welcome to Moo. This cool printing site is great for gifts and stationery items. It's main forte is mini-cards, calling cards that are half the size of a standard business card. They come in sets of 100 and the coolest part is that each card can have a completely different design. You can have up to 100 different cards in one order! What better way to let people know about your website or business? Make each one a cool and funky design that fits your personality!

You can also order custom sticker-books, something I know my two-year-old son would absolutely love! I personally love the note cards and think they are a wonderful way to keep in touch with people the old-fashioned way. Instead of dropping a rushed email to your mom or brother, why not take the time to send them a personalized note card with a hand-written note on the back?

free earrings from twisted silver

While browsing Design Mom, a great blog for unique kids designs, I came across this fantastic opportunity for free earrings from Twisted Silver. Yes, FREE!

All you have to do is go to Twisted Silver and a box will pop up, asking you to subscribe to their website. Fill in your name and email address, and the first 500 will get a free pair of ultra-light lithe earrings, shown above. I signed up today, and mine are already on their way!

Not to mention that Twisted Silver has some super-cool jewelry for decent prices, and has been getting quite the buzz recently. Check out their Celebrities section to see who's been spotted wearing their jewelry around Hollywood.

The thing I really like about Twisted Silver is that a lot of their pieces are "convertible" and can be worn in several different ways. As their site says, "Belts become necklaces ... become chokers ... become multi-wrap bracelets!" I'm saving up for the Trinket Necklace.

hydroseventyfour

Good luck finding any info whatsoever about this Joshua Smith' s (real name?) background/age/location (although I suppose you could find that out by his area code). He has no bio on anything that I could find...BUT his work is INCREDIBLE. Check it out! Hydro74

Win your chance to guest blog with us! The first person to come up with some information on Hydro74 will get to be a guest blogger for our Guest Blog Mondays!

find the artist in you

Deviant Art is one of my favorite websites for artistic resources. If you are in a creative slump and need some ideas or just a little inspiration, then this is a great site for that! I've downloaded tons of stuff for photoshop. They have brushes, textures, backgrounds, stock photos, almost anything. There is also a lot of art that you can purchase if you are looking for something in particular. I mainly just use it for the photoshop resources, but it has a variety of things to offer.

ultimate color wheel

I can't believe I forgot to include this in my top 5! However...that would have made it a top 6.

This IS the bee's knees (guest blog trivia! where did the saying "bee's knees" come from? 1st to post the correct answer wins!). Adobe's color wheel (FREE to use!) lets you view other ppl's creations by popularity, newest, tagged word index and even create your own palette! But that's not even the coolest part! It gives you the color schemes in RGB, CMYK, LAB and HEX! SWEET!

-Mandy