A few weeks ago, I got a Media Beta Invite from a Social Media Strategist at Terpin Communications. They wanted me to check out a new company called Shapeways. I was informed that Shapeways is something that Philips is working on to bring 3D to reality. This is the pitch:

“Shapeways enables 3D artists, architects, product designers and consumers of all skill level to produce their 3D designs, reasonably priced, as physical printed objects easily online. Whether you want to create a new utensil, the ultimate toy or wacky piece of art, with Shapeways you can Do-It-Yourself (DIY) online. Users can create and modify their designs on Shapeways, or import from popular 3D modeling software In a few clicks, Shapeways checks whether the objects can be made and provides a real-time cost estimate. Within 10 working days, a tangible 3D product will be produced and arrive at the consumer’s home globally.” 

The image that you see above is a screen capture from my experience on Shapeways. I did not go through the entire process, because I don’t have anything to build right now. How could I? I didn’t even know this was possible! This would be great for people that wanted to pitch a new gaming idea or new character to represent a company for a more visual sale. That would bring characters to life before any mass production was even thought about. 

They have 4 materials to choose from to make your object, which are white, cream or transparent polycarbonates or acrylic-based photopolymers. Each material varies by finish, strength and heat resistance. While this is a great service for artists, we also have to think about these materials and how they will be effecting our environment in the future. Polycarbonate plastics are classified as #7 for recycling, but because these materials are chemically produced for long life and reuse, they are not recycled. So, they will end up in landfills….lots of small, cool characters will live well beyond our time buried in what I call “tellitubby” land a.k.a. the dump.

On my way to Alabama last weekend, we stopped where we usually do…a tiny little mountain town called Mentone, Alabama. I love this place. It is sort of a weird spot with local arts, spiritual healing camps and organic foods available within a beautiful natural setting. While we were there, I picked up some Good Earth Sweet & Spicy Tea.

Tonight, I am having a cup and the little tea tab says, “Art is either plagiarism or revolution.” This is a statement made my Paul Gauguin, a lead Post-Impressionist painter who lived between 1848 and 1903. His revolutionary paintings, though rarely sold, may bring a price of $39.2 million.

Why is this important, you ask? Why am I talking about this?

For about a month, I have been looking for a particular piece of art to hang above my bed. Something that I would enjoy looking at everyday. I looked through all my old art history books and looked online for this painting. I couldn’t remember the name of the artist and I certainly couldn’t remember the name of the painting, so I thought I was out of luck.

Tonight, I know what that painting is - The Spirit of the Dead Keep Watch by Paul Gauguin. My little tea tab told me where to look. 

Yeondoo Jung has done something fascinating!!! He has taken children’s drawings and made them come to life in photos. I really wish I would have thought of that. Way to use that imagination. I bet they were fun to produce. These were done in 2005, so there is a lot of other cool work on the site to see too. Check it out. .  

This was published on Apartment Therapy yesterday and someone shared it with me today, so I thought I would share it with you too. This is such a beautiful and simple installation by Sam Spenser from Goldsmiths College in London. Fabulous!

   

A friend just sent me a link to this….

Way Basics

This company sales furniture building blocks (zBoards) that are made of post-consumer recycled paper. The zBoards can be recycled with no waste when you are finished with them. This is easy shopping and easy assembly with no tools. Way Basics are also the founding members of the Sustainable Furniture Council. Their tagline says is all: Keep it simple. No waste. No rules. No tools.

 

notNeutral

This is purely a designer shopping site with lots of fun items for your home. I just love the simple and bold designs from the Rios Clementi Hale Studios in Los Angeles. This is where you go for alternative color palettes and contemporary design.

 

A friend of mine pointed out this designer to me and I think he is great, so I will pass it on. 

This is the blog with shopping.

This is his portfolio site with logos, print work and photogaphy….cool photography.