Man Made DIY

I love coming across a stellar piece of student work. It just makes me excited that there's always a new crop of amazing artists and designers coming along to inspire us with their risk taking and creativity.

Los Angeles-based animator Mike Ko created this stunning video of an animated city scene that takes place on top of an iPhone as one of his graduation pieces from Otis College of Art and Design. The 24 second long video, which is at the end of this post, took 3 months to complete, start to finish.   … read more

Let this be a reminder: If you weren't yet aware, Mother's Day is less than 2 weeks away! We don't want you to be that kid who buys mom a last-minute Garfield card from the gas station (she doesn't like that...I know from experience). How about this year you get mom a nice, handmade card? No time to make a card yourself? No big deal, because we've compiled a roundup of 15 great handmade cards from Etsy that mom will surely love.  

Perhaps this weekend, you'll find yourself about a campfire: a trip outdoors, a gathering with your friends, an excuse to build a campfire. And perhaps, if you do, you'll want to take advantage of the warm, smokey heat, and whip up what may be one the tastiest, and manliest, meals of all time: campfire brisket, slow, wet, and amazing.   … read more

In the era of smartphones and tablets, you may be noticing something you haven't seen since early elementary, provided you aren't a criminal: your fingerprints. Artist Ingrid Aspöck began to notice her own prints smudging up her shiny new iPad, and instead of reaching for the screen cleaner, she embraced the grime and turned it into art.   … read more

L.A.-based artist Sol Jeane has created what is likely the world's tastiest looking fiber art: a knitted "happy meal." Entitled "Triples," the work… read more

When you work from home, you look forward to little things that help break the day up: the mailman coming, the tornado siren test on Wednesdays at noon, the kids skipping along the sidewalk walking home when school lets out, and, most importantly, snack time. Often, it's just a handful of nuts, a bit of leftovers, but usually, a simple piece of fruit.

Which, after I saw this video last week, I've been turning into puzzles. Every day.   … read more

"I think we're all done with living in a disposable era. Most people are seeking out quality that comes from our country."

So begins this fascinating and, (I'll say it), hopeful look into the process of making sturdy, well-made and hand sewn shoes and boots from Oak Street Bootmakers, which are designed in Chicago and handcrafted in Maine.   … read more

There's an ice cream shop in my neighborhood with a "margarita sorbet." I tried it once. By "margarita," they mean lime. Perhaps a bit of orange...but basically only one of the essential flavors that make this classic cocktail continue to stick around.

This recipe for salted margarita cream pops, on the other hand, has all the goods: lime, yes, but also plenty of tequila and salt.

It's May 2nd today, so you've got a cool three days to whip these up for Cinco de Mayo.   … read more

Each Wednesday, I post some of my favorite can't-miss links, images, and otherwise mindblowing goodies from across the web.

A man who calls himself "Captain Auburn Beard" had a dream...a dream to one day have facial hair in the shape of the Batman logo.   … read more

"Melvin the Mini Machine" is a suitcase- (well, two suitcase-) sized Rube Goldberg machine that, when executed, creates a postcard, sending well wishes from Melvin himself.

It is, like all kinetic art, better viewed in motion, so take a look at the video to see it in all it's adorable action.   … read more