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Articles Written by Simon

Simon

About Simon: Simon has worked in the fields of graphic design, multimedia and production. He has an obsession with objects and their relationships with people. He enjoys making things and sketching in notebooks. Simon is currently studying Industrial Design and rides his bike everywhere in Portland, Oregon. (View Profile)

 
 

Woodcut by Bryan Nash Gill

If you’re bummed that the prices of the incredible tree cross-section prints from Bryan Nash Gill are a bit out of reach (I know I am), there’s some consolation in knowing you can at least own a book of his collected works without breaking the bank. Along with the pleasure of thumbing through hundreds of printed works, you’ll also be able to read up on his process (if you think it’s as easy as cutting a stump and putting ink on it, think again). Hardback book measures 9×8″, 128 pages.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $19.77
Available from: Amazon

Source: MocoLoco

Logitech Washable Keyboard

What’s more dirty and germ-filled than your toilet seat? Your keyboard. In a test of eight everyday items for dirtyness, it ranked a dismal number four (thank you to the Mythbusters for their research). You can now extend your good hygiene habits to your keyboard with this washable keyboard from Logitech. Great for any office environment or a shared computer setting (like a family computer). USB plug and play for Windows PC, but also Mac-compatible.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $59.99
Availability: Buy Logitech Washable Keyboard here

Source: Materialicious

Paint Pen

This is one of those no-brainer products that probably should have been invented a long time ago. When you finish painting a room, load up the Paint Pen and it will be in reserve for any quick touch-ups in the future.  Great for small apartments and condos where you can’t afford the room to store paint cans. I haven’t seen these in person, but it seems like these could be a great tool for artists as well.

Set of 2, $19.99

Purchase Information:

Price: $20.00
Availability: Buy Paint Pen here

Source: Incredible Things

Plydesign

PlyDesign: 73 Distinctive DIY Projects in Plywood is a new book by carpenter and author Philip Schmidt. It presents 73 sleek and smart home furnishing projects from common sheet-good materials.  All woodworking skill levels are taken into consideration, and only basic hand and power tools are necessary for every project. 

I’ve had a chance to thumb though the book, and there’s a lot to love. Besides the sheer variety (wine holders, credenzas, desks, chairs, organizers, headboards, doghouses, art panels) of projects, I especially love the introduction to the materials and tools. Wood types, carpentry tricks, and best practices are covered, giving the novice and even experienced woodworker a good basis before diving right into the projects. Each project is accompanied by a finished photo, as well as a list of needed tools and materials, cutting and assembly diagrams, and clear step-by-step instructions. Plydesign is printed as 320 page softcover bound book, and is also available in ebook formats.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $24.95
Available from: Storey Publishing

Eastern Collective Wrapped iPhone Cable

Take your love for cloth cord with you with these Wrapped iPhone Cable from Eastern Collective. They’re compatible with all Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPhone products, and available in four colors.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $14.00
Available from: Eastern Collective

Source: Apartment Therapy

Bicycle by Ugo Gattoni

Bicycle is a intricate and detailed drawing from artist Ugo Gattoni. The 8×13″ book is unassuming at first, but unfolding its ten panels reveals a London bicycle race featuring elite athletes, cycle couriers, commuters, bankers, delivery boys, mums with kids, youths on stolen mountain bikes, fashionistas, hipsters, a giant pig, and much, much more. Bicycle is both a book and frameable print. To really appreciate the dedication and talents of Ugo, be sure to check out this making-of video.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $24.95
Available from: Nobrow

Source: Booooooom

Halo LED Belt

“Be Seen, Be Safe” is the motto for San Francisco-based upstart company Halo. Their Halo Belt is a multipurpose light-up LED safety belt, providing high visibility for any night time activity. The red, green, or blue lights operate in two modes; solid and flashing. The battery life lasts up to 75 hours using standard CR2025 batteries. Halo blew their Kickstarter goal out of the water, but if you act quick you can still pre-order yours. Otherwise, stay tuned to their official site for updates and availability. Safety aside, the Halo Belt will be a big hit at your next Daft Punk party. Just sayin’.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $75.00
Available from: Kickstarter

Tressle Table Company

Patrick O’Brien of Tressel Table Co takes on the traditional trestle table and adds a few modern twists. Working off the themes of simplicity, affordability and functionality, each handcrafted birch plywood table is durable, breaks down easily, and is reasonably priced at $360. Would make a great go-to table for impromptu dinner parties, crafting, and working. Tressle tables are handmade in Melbourne, Australia and require a 14 day turn around time.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $360.00
Available from: Tressel Table Co

Source: The Design Files

Aviiq Ready Clips

These handy Ready Clips take the flat usb cable design and run with it. Their short 5.5 inch height is based on standard pen sizes, designed to be portable. The added side clips make them convenient for pockets or clipped to your notebook. Ready Clips are available Micro USB, MINI USB and Apple dock devices.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $29.99
Available from: Aviiq

Source: Svpply

Soapbox Furniture

Cheap flat pack-furniture? You know where to go. Durable flat-pack furniture constructed of quality materials that’s made-to-order? Call Soapbox. They offer a line of casegoods  made of hefty 3/4″ plywood with custom steel hardware. To further distance itself from its Swedish counterpart, Soapbox furniture requires no tools to assemble. Prices range from $90 to $400, depending on style and configuration, a reasonable price for handcrafted work and American design. New Jersey pride warning: Soapbox furniture is made in Asbury Park, NJ! Yeah!
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Purchase Information:

Price: $90.00 - 400.00
Available from: Soapbox

Twig iPhone Cable

We can blog our hearts out here with all the endless Apple dock accessories that seem to perptually come out, but we choose to be discerning. In the case of this Twig cable, we have an innovative product that elevates the iPhone cable from, well, just being an iPhone cable. Designed for portability, the 4″ twig won’t tangle itself traveling in your bag. The three bendable legs can be made into a tripod, perfect for video chats and pictures. Plugging to into an AC adapter makes an instant wall charger dock. What doesn’t the thing do? The Twig is curretly in its Kickstarter funding stage. Your backing goes towards tooling and production costs with a slated release date of September 2012.

Purchase Information:

Price: $20.00
Available from: Kickstarter

MoneyMaker Camera Harness

This one’s for our professional photographer readers. There’s nothing new about multi camera harnesses, but HoldFast decided that there’s got to better choices for photographers who don’t want to look like they just burst out of a SWAT van. MoneyMakers are made in classic materials such as duck canvas and leather which are hard-wearing yet tasteful. Prices range from $187 t0 $400 depending on your choise of cow, water buffalo or bison leather. Multiple colors are available, check out HoldFast’s official site for more information.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $187.00
Available from: HoldFast

Source: Bless This Stuff

Ikea Kvissle Home Office Series

A tidy office is a productive office, and with the new sleek Ikea Kvissle desktop series, you can organize all your supplies and stationery without breaking the bank. White steel and natural cork make up the unifying theme for this series, which include solutions for filing paper, stationery, pens/pencils, gadgets, books and magazines. If I only had to choose one it’d be the Desk Organizer, which is particularly striking.
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Woodsnap Wood Prints

If printing on glass isn’t your thing, how about wood? Southern California-based Woodsnap prints your artwork directly to maple canvas. By allowing the woodgrain to show through, the prints take on a natural, earthy look. Prices start at $30 for an 8×8″ and go up to $300 for a 30×40″; custom sizes are also available. Each print comes with mounting hardware.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $30.00 and up
Availability: Buy Woodsnap Wood Prints here

Orbit Ruler

True draftsmen and architects may scoff at this ruler, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is a beautiful object to grace your workstation with. Besides, drawing circles and arcs is just fun.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $17.00
Available from: Farm Store

Source: I New Idea