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Vancouver's Union Wood Company finds inspiration -- and materials -- in the docks, foundries, mills, and factories of the city's past. This handcrafted Serving Tray, made from fir rafters reclaimed from an old stable near the Union Wood studio, has a rich and weathered patina only age can provide. Distressed steel handles and rubber feet are complemented by knots, nail holes, and cracks that add......read more
There aren't too many companies out that have produced the same product in the same essential design for over a century. In fact, we can only think of one: Opinel, the French knifemaker founded by Joseph Opinel in 1890. Opinel's signature beechwood-handled pocket knives look pretty much the same as they did in the late 19th century. For amateur mushroomers like us, this Opinel Mushroom......read more
In a filmmaking environment where directors can do pretty much anything with digital tools, we always welcome videos that steer clear of software in favor of classic, handmade craftsmanship. This lo-fi clip for The Ruby Suns' "Desert of Pop," from NZ director Samuel Kristofski, does just that. Combining live action with ink-and-watercolor animation, the video is entirely handmade, with......read more
Industry of All Nations works with craftspeople around the world to produce unique, local goods for an international market. This IOAN Alpaca sweater is crafted by a cooperative in La Paz, Bolivia using local fibers. Alpaca is native to the highlands of Bolivia and Peru and comes in various natural colors ranging from soft greys and blacks to browns, beiges and whites. As a hollow core fiber,......read more
If you like almonds (who doesn't?) and you're not yet familiar with the Marcona variety, prepare to meet your new favorite snack. Grown in Spain, "the Queen's almonds" are sweeter, softer and milder than their California cousins. Zabar's, the NYC specialty food store, offers plump Marcona almonds that are fried in oil then lightly salted, perfect for snacking, sprinkling over a salad, or serving......read more
With its newly launched Raw Induction Series, Odea Design aims "to create a piece of modern art which doubles as a wireless induction charging pad." The Cherry Charger is configured for a single device and features a square-shaped black cherry wood base with a soft felt top. The Raw Induction Series, which also includes a concrete-and-cork dual device version, is based on the Qi standard as found......read more
High-tech art outfit Sweatshoppe (aka artist-programmers Blake Shaw and Bruno Levy) are taking video art into new territory with their brand of "video painting," seen here in action in cities around Europe. Armed with a projector, a roller, and some homemade software, the duo hit the night streets to paste up short-lived video collages on city walls. But what......read more
A 55-turbine wind farm planned for a site in Texas will have at least one very large customer: Microsoft, which announced it has entered a deal to buy 110 MW of the wind energy to power a data center. The wind farm, located about 70 miles outside of Fort Worth, will be owned and operated by RES Americas and will go under construction next year (with power flowing in 2015). The deal is......read more
At Patagonia, product quality and environmental responsbility make perfectly cozy bedfellows. Case in point: this classic Baby Synchilla Cardigan made from 85% recycled polyester fleece, which is sturdy enough to last several generations of kids. With a hand-me-down label on the inside, passing the garment along is strictly encouraged. And what comfy and warm babies they will be, in an ultra-soft......read more
Ichiban number one! Featuring hand drawn artwork from Matuse homie Chris Del Moro, the Premium Tuna T is an ode to the one of the fastest swimmers in the sea. The custom sewn silhouette is made from super-soft cotton and printed with water-based inks. We're not going to vouch for Japanese tuna fishing, but that's a great graphic. Designed and made in California. ...read more
