SheWalksSoftly

2000th Post!

August 10th, 2012

Here we are at the SheWalksSoftly 2000th post! Let’s celebrate by looking at the predictions a German chocolate company had for the year 2000, circa 1900.

We are walking on water (supported by balloon devices, of course):

And here we fly like bats and birds!

The boat-train plows through the ocean…

20th Century visions of Skype:

See more here.

I want to thank my most frequent commenters (in order of frequency):
A Wren’s Life (You will get a prize in the mail!)
Real Monstrosities
My Pink Planet
The Headless Hearseman
And thanks to the creative, lovely Colleen V. (for whom I don’t have a site!).

I’ve gotten wonderful links and information from readers here. I’ve never promoted this blog anywhere and I make no money off it, but if you’ve enjoyed the site please spread the word in some small way so we like-minded oddballs may have a more enjoyable place to convene on the interwebs for another 2000 posts…and beyond! Thank you all!
Zach Bellissimo

August 9th, 2012

Today we have the lovely monstrous creations of Zach Bellissimo.

More fun stuff here.
Jitish Kallat: Aquasaurus

August 8th, 2012

This is a few years old, but isn’t a skeletal water-tanker morphing into a prehistoric creature always worth sharing?

Artist Jitish Kallat constructed this piece from steel, resin and paint as a commentary on the rapid transformation of Indian city life.

The rapid pace of India’s growth and unchecked urban development means that water is becoming increasingly scarce for millions of people. While pumps bore deeper into the ground and groundwater levels drop alarmingly, the Public Works Department provides a subsidised service to the people of the city, allowing them to buy tanker-loads of water delivered to their doorstep.

Source
Renovated Church House

August 7th, 2012

I have a bit of a thing for renovated church houses. Practicality aside, the architecture, spaciousness and design…transformed into a place of residence…can be quite a sight to behold.

Here is a particularly nice one.

A nondescript exterior and a yard dominated by headstones give no indication of the residential nature of this historic church in Kyloe, Northumberland. A couple decided to purchase and readapt the structure, investing nearly three times the purchase price into renovations over the course of several years.

Restoration is more prevalent than renovation, with original stained glass windows throughout, and repurposed church fixtures abounding. Much of the original seating in the church was refinished and placed throughout the home.

The outside:

See a few more images at the source.
The Butterfly Effect Cake

August 6th, 2012

Here we have a beautiful case of food imitating t-shirts imitating art. Threadcakes hosts a yearly contest for the best cake creations based on their t-shirts, and this one caught my eye in particular.

Here is the original art:

And here is the cake:

I’ve posted a submission to threadcakes before here and will most likely do so again. It’s great fun to look through the submissions.
A Child’s First Butcher Shop

August 5th, 2012

This great article features an 1840’s miniature butcher shop, complete with a series of strung-up meats.

A few different theories surround this incredible creation. Some believe it was intended for presumably less squeamish children of the Victorian era, while others call attention to the popular trend of miniatures for adults at the time. Either way, it’s an intriguing artifact.

This 1900 model, on the other hand, was made by esteemed German toymaker Christian Hacker (definitely intended for children):

See more (including doll houses and a pet shop) at Collector’s Weekly.
Laura Splan: Microbial Doilies

August 4th, 2012

I never considered myself much of a doily person until I stumbled upon this series.

Doilies is a series of computerized machine embroidered doilies. The design of each doily is based on a different viral structure.

The lace doily has traditionally referenced designs and motifs from nature. Furthermore, these decorative objects would be heirlooms, handed down from one generation to the next.

The work explores the “domestication” of microbial and biomedical imagery. Many recent events, epidemics, and commercial products have brought this imagery into our living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.

Bio-terrorism, SARS, and antibacterial soaps alike have all heightened our awareness of the microbial world. Doilies serve as a metaphor for the way we have adapted our everyday lives to these now everyday concerns. Here domestic artifacts and heirlooms manifest the psychological heredity of our cultural anxieties.

This is exactly the kind of veiled piece I love having in my home. Beauty to the untrained eye…worlds beneath to the knowing observer.

Another wonderful piece is the Brain Doily, of course.

Laura Splan
Made by Moxie

August 3rd, 2012

Plus creations are big in the craft world right now, but here’s a new twist I enjoy: the hungry little monsters Made by Moxie.

Needle felted monsters are great and all, but what they really need sometimes is a dash of plastic human limbs.

See more here.
Tim Liddy

August 2nd, 2012

I found a great collection of hyper-realistic vintage board game paintings by Tim Liddy.

These oil and enamel creations are impressive…taped edges and all.

The approximate dates are on the bottom of most…

I want to play!

Tim Liddy
Source
Wonderland Sticky Notes

August 1st, 2012

Here’s a cute little product for people who actually still use pens and paper in the digital age (I happen to be attached to the antiquated written list).

Wonderland sticky notes! You can’t see the one in back very well, but it’s a “While You Were Down the Rabbit Hole” office memo. How fun…

Product Page