HYmini is a handheld, universal charger/adapter device that harnesses renewable wind power and conventional wall plug power to recharge almost all your 5V digital gadgets. Capture wind energy to power your iPod, mobile phone, PDA, or digital camera. SHFT selected the HYmini for one of our WIRED pop up stores. It is a great design and functionality at a great price point....read more
Spinning sun and wind into wattage, Ikea's newly released Solvinden (Swedish for "sun-wind") Pendant Lamps provide a smart and sustainable source of illumination for the home. Solar-powered lamps are nothing new, but Solvinden spins in the slightest breeze, generating enough battery juice to keep it charged for up to 12 hours. The whimsical design comes standard......read more
Here's a nice windowsill garden solution from Sprout that hits on every green note. Made of recycled steel, the Windowsill Grow Box comes complete with Japanese microgreens seeds including organic mustard greens, daikon radish and shungiku chrysanthemum. A bamboo lid doubles as the perfect fitting saucer. With a sunny window, a bit of water, and some love, this home gardening unit will deliver......read more
Sustainable [R]evolution brings together urban gardeners, native seed-saving collectives and ecovillage developments in a lavish book about the burgeoning permaculture movement. Edited by anthropologist Juliana Birnbaum and award-winning filmmaker Louis Fox, the book features the work of a worldwide network of visionaries, including journalists, activists, indigenous leaders and......read more
A while back we posted some Anna Mia Davidson images of small scale farming activities in the Pacific Northwest. Now that series of photos is being collected in a book, Human Nature: Sustainable Farming in the Pacific Northwest, alongside an essay from the photographer: "Davidson’s photographs highlight over ten small farms throughout the region; the book opens with an honest and......read more
Project No. 8, the NYC brand behind the concept shop at the Ace Hotel, recently revamped its online shop and introduced new edibles like this array of delectable jams from Long Island's Youngs Farm. The 120-year-old orchard is revered among locals for its homemade pies, creates jams and preserves made from the same seasonal bounty. The selections include classic fruit jams like raspberry, peach......read more
With frosty temps, pervasive cold and flu bugs, and dry indoor air, winter creates plenty of breathing challenges. A good humidifier can be the answer for breathing easier in the cooler months, but the typical design is boring and bulky and can leave your sense of style congested. Enter the sleek, teardrop-shaped Middle Colors Humidifier by Japanese designer Takashi Hiroshi Tsuboi. Available......read more
Oh you think you bad, huh? You bad enough for this beast? Because the mighty Hand-Forged Nata Hatchet, a collaborative effort from Bridgetown Forge and Hand-Eye Supply, is on some Paul Bunyan business. (A nata, for those that don't know, is a traditional Japanese hatchet with a square blade and a slightly curved handle.) Each Bridgetown nata is forged by hand in Portland, OR by......read more
Upstart outdoors brand Scout Seattle brings style and beauty to the generally performance-oriented camping gear market. The Field Bed is a nice example of the company's approach. Harkening sleeping bags of yore, the Field Bed features an exterior made of organic selvedge denim, a comfy interior made of Japanese chambray, and Climashield APEX insulation in between. When rolled, a handsome leather......read more
Growing up on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, Shino Takeda was surrounded by a rich history of ceramics. When she relocated to New York City, she began creating her own pottery based on Japanese traditions, but with a distinctly contemporary flavor. Her regularly updated Etsy shop is full of her organic creations -- objects that wed handmade beauty with modern function. This set of four......read more