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Speaking from personal experience*, these paper puzzles are not for the faint of heart. They do require a bit more patience than the average puzzle, as there’s many complex parts. That said, this guitar (and violin) look amazing and could be a good gift for someone that has the willpower to finish it.

Detailed simulacrum of an actual guitar.
Instructions and display hook included.
Made in Japan.
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From our archives (originally published February 18, 2010), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.

As a self-proclaimed tea junkie, it’s difficult to describe just how important certain tools in the tea making process can be. If you’re dealing in loose tea, some infusers can be irritating in that they’re hard to clean, and if they’re hard to clean, you’ll probably get fed up and not use them anymore (which is the case with several infusers in my top kitchen drawer at the moment). Now, this Teaball Teapot not only looks easy to clean, but it looks extremely nice to hold and use, and I’d say that’s almost as (if not more) important.

teaball teapot by freud uk
six-cup teaball teapot, 18/10 stainless steel with removable stainless steel infuser for leaf tea. dishwasher safe.
5.8″h; 33 ounces.
not for stovetop use!

From our archives (originally published March 14, 2008), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.

I can picture this quite clearly upon my kitchen windowsill.

“Scandinavian in its simple, unadorned and practical design, this ceramic pot is an ingenious way of enjoying fresh herbs much like flowers: Insert a bunch in the enlarged opening, and keep hydrated by pouring water into the corner hole. The broad base ensures that all those little stalks have access to water, while allowing air to circulate so herbs keep from becoming limp and waterlogged. Easy to take apart for cleaning.”

15.75″ l x 5″ w

Stocking stuffer alert! These poplar stakes would be a perfect little gift for someone with a green thumb.

From French designers JF Dingjian and Eloi Chafai of Normal Studio, created for the design collective ENO.

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From our archives (originally published Oct 2, 2007), for your gift list consideration…to see more, visit our Gift Guide.

I’ve long admired this vase… designed by Marcel Wanders, of course.

“this piece is created by dipping a sponge form into fluid porcelain clay. After drying, the piece is fired in an oven where the sponge burns away leaving only the porcelain in its place. In this way porcelain products can be made without a mold.”

From our archives (originally published July 15, 2008), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.

This is super smart and so inexpensive it’s ridiculous.

Daniel Young, a New York-based inventor / designer…discovered that simply by cutting slits into the fluting of corrugated board he could harness its extraordinary capacity to hold and release inserted flat objects, like chess or checkers pieces. New Wave Chess comes with a carrying case and pouches for the pieces.

$12 plus shipping, from Paradoxy Products.

How’s this for a nice pairing with the Oblique Shelf? These modular contemporary planters have just now been made available to the public and are available in different sizes and finishes for indoors or out. Each planter is built by hand and made from recycled material. Take a look below for more pics and colors (pink!).

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Yeah, soap dishes are boooring in a major way, usually way too boring to even bother with. But, if you’re one that always finds bars of soap disgusting because of the ‘watery mess’, take note of this dish/brush. Yes, it’s soap dish and a brush in one. The brush is a silicone tray with pitched bristles, so after you scrub up, turn it over and there’s a tidy nook for soap so that it stays put. Details make a difference.

Shown above, Red on Bone Soapdish.
Other colors available: Black, Black on Bone, Blue on Bone ,

Surely you’ve picked up next year’s calendar by now, right? Either way, consider this cotton cloth calendar as a great keepsake to mark a special day (think a small embroidered circle or heart around the day, or a marker if you’re not handy with a needle). It also comes with 4 tacks to hang and 1 to mark the date.

What do you get the person who has everything? Well, a $75 handmade slingshot by Christopher Jarratt, of course*. 5 different distinct colors were chosen exclusively for (the-ever-so-exclusive) Moss, and each slingshot is made from a found tree branch in Epping Forest, England.

From a numbered and signed limited edition of 30 slingshots.

*(duh)

If this particular concept seems familiar, you might be recalling the Christmas Tree by Buro North. This tree by Modernica is similar in that it’s made from wood (environmentally friendly) and can be flat packed for easy storage, yet it has the distinct advantage in having stars for branches.

Made from natural baltic birch and is available in a small (22 1/2″, $115.00) or large (69″, $240.00) version.

Tom Dixon’s brass Etch light is digitally manufactured, which allows for intricate patterns without a too-terribly-expensive price tag. Apparently the geodesic shape creates some interesting shadows, too. (fyi, DWR carries it exclusively in the U.S.) Also, check out the Etch Candleholder ($55).

Start on your New Year’s goals early with these charming clipboards from Etsy artist Maiko Kuzunishi/Decoylab. Each clipboard comes with a notepad and customized pencil that says either, “Make my wishes come true.”, or “I will achieve my goals.” Would make a great gift too.

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Well, look at this. Back in 2007 when we first posted this clock it was around $80, and now, surprisingly, it costs half of what it once did. How often does that happen? I actually bought this clock for my own home (pictured here) and I still love it.

Update: Kikkerland is now producing the clock and selling it globally, hence the reduced price (it used to be handmade in Vermont). You can read a short interview with Rob Price of Thwart Design over at the Kikkerland Blog.

Agh, something so terribly ‘cute’ about this apron, very Donna Wilson-esque with clouds and polkadots and such. 100% handmade and hand-screened with with soy-based ink in Los Angeles.

Also available at zakka nouveau : market.
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