Man Made DIY

Whether they're your fancy German chef's knives, your perfectly honed chisels, that Xacto blade you wield so well, or your razor-sharp, never-touch-paper fabric scissors, the DIY lifestyle most always entails sharp cutting tools. And the best way to protect these tools, keep their edges straight and nick-free, and store them safely?

A magnetic block. Which are, thankfully, quite inexpensive at a spot such as IKEA, but they're looks are a bit cold, and the metal surface can actually scratch your tools.

So, we're gonna give one a quick faux bois… read more

On Wednesday night, I caught the last 3/4s or so of a new American Masters on PBS on Jeff Bridges, entitled Jeff Bridges: The Dude Abides

It was actually pretty fascinating, and the highlight includes the actor's visit to the Little Lebowski Shop in Greenwich Village.

Click play to… read more

It's really cold today. There's snow in 49 states, and I'm doing everything I can not to turn on the thermostat before the program kicks it on at 3:30. And I need something warm to make it through. Not coffee. Not tea.

I need hot cocoa.

But I can't stand instant cocoa mix. Even the fancy ones are way too water-y. I need to be prepared for days like this.

I need to… read more

Inhabitat reports, "'Once Upon a Time in Knoxville' is a new documentary about Rollo, a man who erected a small town of buildings using recycled windows, doors, beams and shingles from forklift pallets and old house trailers. He’s created his own building style dubbed 'Appalachian Gothic,' from which he was inspired to create a low-tech, low-consumption community."

Click to watch this fascinating… read more

Of course you've heard of Georgia peaches, Alaskan king crab, and Idaho potatoes. But how about Rhode Island coffee milk? Or South Dakota… read more

Advertising, whether you like it or not, is essential to the way we experience media. It allow things like radio stations and alternative newspapers to be free, keeps the internet alive, and really can help you find out about new products and services. And when its done well, its seemless and helpful, and perhaps even creative and enjoyable.

But sometimes, PR firms and ad agencies have pretty unrealistic expectations concerning user reception and social media. Enter Things Real People Don't Say About… read more

Every state in the U.S. is covered in snow, except for poor Florida. Many are saying, "Snow? of course, it's January," while others totally freak out, cancel schools, close down roads, and populations go into hibernation.

But for my money, it gives me an excuse to start cooking. I love to spend winter nights trying new things; complex dishes that come out of the lack of amazing produce you wouldn't want to otherwise mask.

And though it means lots of door openning and closing, and tracking in a bit of extra snow, I love to grill in the winter. Standing outside in blankets of white, warming myself by my roasty dinner, with the smellls mingling… read more

Jakob went to visit Ernest and Olivia's Old-Fashioned Barber Shop in New York's West Village, and got all sorts of professional tips for getting the best shave from a straight… read more

ManMade reader Aaron sent me a link to the amazing, new Nerd Merit Badges store. Here, you can browse and purchase actual embroidered badges for contemporary, geek-leaning accomplishments, such as achieving a completely empty email inbox, providing tech support to every member of your family, or having a project appear on Boing… read more

It's official: I'm declaring today, Tuesday, January 11th 2011, Paper Day! Most of the country is under a winter storm advisory, so lots of us are stuck inside, eating from the fridge and looking for something to do. Since you might not be able to get out of the house and pick up supplies for a large scale DIY project, we'll be offering four sweet and FREE how-to or printable projects to keep you busy.

Paper Day, Part 4: Fold a Paper Wallet

Guess what I… read more