BRIMFIELD, BITCHES

1960s Ken dolls. I was tempted, but figured they'd best go home with one of the many gay male couples roaming around.

The vendor asked me if I was interested in brightening my smile. I said no, but that I know plenty of big mouths that could use this.

No need for a Sears personal steam bath on this 90+ degree day.

The Brimfield Antiques Show.

And this happens three times a year? I will be back. Oh yes, I will be back.

Kodachro-o-ome Curtains

Amazing diy-ed curtains by yarnzombie, as highlighted on the Craft blog.

Cord Decor

Minimalistic and like a 3D line drawing – what’s not to love?! Anybody could put their own spin on this great idea.

Maisie Maud Broadhead, Via Lifehacker, Via TheFrisky

Cassettes in the Crypt

Since cassette tapes seem like a distant memory in terms of media (for the most part), they may as well be melted into art, right? Atlanta-based Brian Dettmer seems to think so, and he makes it look easy.

Dettmer’s human skull creation is composed of 180 cassettes alone. He even uses the brown tape from the cassette spools in some of his ‘skullptures’ such as this pteradactyl-looking piece:

I guess I really have a thing for repurposing cassettes, considering two prior posts on different artists who paint on them and make lamps out of them.

Via Inhabitots via DesignBoom

Nate Page’s Carved Magazines

Never has the cover of a fashion magazine seen such depth. har har.

But seriously, talk about patience. I love these.

Via The Frisky

Cassette tape lamps by ooomydesign

Vanessa Moreno dreamed up these beauties. I love how they are held together with simple zip ties. If you happen to find yourself in Copenhagen at the end of August, check them out at the designboom mart at Code fair.

Via designboom

Garbage Warrior

Don't judge a man by his wild hair.

Michael Reynolds is another unsung hero trying to right some of the wrongs that humanity has accrued on Earth for far too long. Based in Taos, New Mexico, he has worked for over 30 years to create self-sustaining homes, which he and his followers call Earthships, made of recycled, natural and local materials.

One of Reynold's 'Earthships'.

Reynolds studied architecture, and upon attaining his degree decided it was all bullshit – that people were too focused on making all sorts of things that are just unnecessary. Now, he refers to his line of work as ‘biotecture’.

Biotecture n. 1. the profession of designing buildings and environments with consideration for their sustainability. 2. A combination of biology and architecture.

From the Earthship website:

The 6 Principles that define an Earthship:
1) Thermal/Solar Heating & Cooling
2) Solar & Wind Electricity
3) Contained Sewage Treatment
4) Building with Natural & Recycled Materials
5) Water Harvesting
6) Food Production

In other words, NO electricity or water bills!! Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? But you see it all in the documentary, and it seems so simple, you have to wonder why this hasn’t been done more. Reynolds has also taken his ideas and skills to places outside of New Mexico though, as mentioned in the film, and his work is catching on all over the world.

Bottles of glass and plastic, laid in the concrete look like gems. Reynolds also uses lots of old tires in his structures.

Not only is the work presented in this film just a sight to behold, but Reynolds himself is a very entertaining character. He’s as down-to-earth as they come, with a mouth of a truck driver, and a look that just screams brilliance. It’s especially funny watching his personality and style clash with those at the New Mexico House of Reps (or rather the lack of personality and style there).

Lastly, I’ll leave you with this quote from Reynolds, taken from an interview in The Guardian last summer:

“I have to say this whole green thing is a little bit hard for me. In the 60s every-one talked about love and peace but no one really knew what it meant. Now they talk about green, so that if you’ve put up a shelf made out of recycled wood, you’re green. Green for me is just too light a word for what we need. We need something much more radical.”

More about the film: Garbage Warrior.

For more on Michael Reynolds’ work visit his website.

Sold! by Sara

Finally uploaded my custom designed header for my eBay shop. Go on, check it out! Click the picture!

Pretty Funny!

I was lucky enough to visit one of my all-time favorite shops this weekend! Pretty Funny is in Tarrytown, New York, on South Broadway, easily accessible by the Metro-North and right near I87/287.

Pretty Funny has a fantastic range of vintage clothing.

Pretty Funny is a treasure trove of vintage clothing, books, knick-knacks – a lot of vintage globes this time – and my favorite – jewelry!

The colors! The colors!

I visited this shop so much while attending Marymount, that the owner Stephanie still recognizes me. Venturing down the hill to poke through the jewelry and other goodies in her shop was a treat, and often a much-needed respite from school stress. I still wear all of the goodies that I’ve purchased from Pretty Funny through the years, and get compliments on them all the time.

The shop has so many great vignettes.

In the basement.

When I first started visiting the shop, it was on Main Street, tucked into a narrow little space. I had to hold my purse close, so that I wouldn’t knock anything over! More recently the operation has relocated to a huge old Victorian home, occupying the main floor and the basement. Stephanie always graciously welcomes customers with sweets – this time cookies and iced tea – perfect on a hot day. Between the cookies and the decor it’s a miracle I ever left!

I am so happy to see that Pretty Funny expanded and is flourishing. I’d love to take my future children there someday, and I look forward to many returns – no matter where I hang my hat!

Visit the Pretty Funny site for more pictures and information!