SheWalksSoftly

Zollmen Fancy Toys

February 15th, 2016

This toy…is amazing. I mean, really, it stops you in your tracks with its globular golden head and triple fanged…whatever that look is. Seeing it made me wish I were more well versed in Japanese designer toys.

These are called Takemi and they come from Zollmen. Unfortunately, they’ll set you back $125, which some might not be willing to pay for such purposeful ugliness.

The company website was down, but here are some other incredible toys that show up in a google image search.

Look at this poor lonely fellow! I want to adopt him.

If you a bit about where to find more examples of outrageous fancy vinyl toys, please share.
Valentine’s Day Roundup

February 14th, 2016

Time is getting away from me lately with the fundraiser, so I’m making up for it by posting a collection of Valentine goodies.

Ransom and Mitchell: Dearly Beloved

24 Stuffed Creatures for Your Offbeat Valentine

Bleeding Hearts

Ron English: Peace, Love and Understanding

Printable Math and Science Valentines

Oh, she’ll be surprised:
Vinegar Valentines

February 12th, 2016

I could have sworn I posted these before, but they don’t turn up in the archives, so I suppose I just collected them years ago in a mad frenzy of right-clicking like I’m so often wont to do.

Vinegar Valentines were a great way to anonymously troll someone before the advent of the Internet (though arguably trolling had a lot more poetic flare circa 1840-1940 when these artistic tools of debasement were in circulation). There were Vinegar Valentines to suit many types and occasions.

For that annoying PDA couple:

The domineering gold digger:

The Cassanova:

The shrill neurotic:

The showoff:

The subtle slithering specimen:

These are clearly tame compared to modern insults, but one aspect of humanity consistent throughout the ages is that the Shadow side makes itself known. It should be a rule that trolls must provide a colorful handmade illustration with every hateful comment they leave (this would most likely cut down on the amount of “OMG ur so UgLy…gO dIe!” statements on perfectly nice YouTube videos).

See more at Collectors Weekly.
The Wellcome Book Prize Nerve Cell Trophy

February 11th, 2016

“Wellcome Book Prize, the annual £30,000 prize for literature that engages with the human experience of medicine and medical science, has unveiled this year’s winner trophy: a bespoke creation inspired by the nerve cells of the mind, from London-based artist, Kyle Bean.”

I’m amazed by the piece, particularly because it was not made from painstaking, intricate carvings or laser cutting…but by injecting a clear acrylic block with a 5 million volt particle accelerator to create what is essentially a fossil of electricity.

German physicist Christoph Lichtenberg discovered the technique circa 1777 when he succeeded in making branching electric discharges appear on the interior of an insulating material.

Best. Trophy. Ever.

Source
Loved to Death: Comparative Hearts in Lucite

February 10th, 2016

If you couldn’t tell, I’m not really a Hallmark card and Whitman’s chocolate sampler kind of girl on Valentine’s Day. A specimen sampler on the other hand…now that’s romantic!

This is a set of 5 genuine hearts, injected with red and blue resin. It includes 1. Fish, 2. Frog, 3. Snake, 4. Pigeon, 5. Rabbit and comes with a numbered key chart. Measures 6 1/2″ x 3″.

I maintain my extreme discomfort with specimens for which the creature was killed merely for the sake of display, and I haven’t asked the company how these hearts are sourced. But they are rather incredible to look at.

I haven’t seen too many new items that catch my fancy to post (hence the lack of “Valentine countdowns”). If you find anything amazing, please share!

Loved to Death: Comparative Hearts in Lucite

PS. For a limited time, I’ll be including the link to the page about my medical situation at the bottom of each post. We’re getting there!

Help Provide this Blogger with Life Saving Medical Care
Survival Quest!

February 8th, 2016

It’s been a long time since I’ve given a health update on this blog because I’ve wanted the focus to be on interesting and entertaining content. But the truth is, I’m quite literally in a fight for my life.

My amazing father created this page, which gives a great summary of the story and status:

Help Bring My Daughter Back to Life

As I said to some of my friends recently, I love this planet…I know some really great people on this planet…and I’d like to stay on this planet a while to make, do, and help things. The medical system gave up on me for 21 years, then miraculously diagnosed me, then found a cure, then denied me the cure. Time is now of the essence.

I know times are tough, so no pressure to donate. If you feel comfortable doing so, it would really help to share the link via social networking (and/or personal email if possible since things get lost in the FB shuffle). If you do donate, please make sure I have your mailing address. When I’m able, I want to send a handmade/written token of gratitude to everyone who helped make my recovery possible!

Much love and thanks…

Help Bring My Daughter Back to Life
The Football Dance (I Love Melvin, 1953)

February 7th, 2016

Many thanks to the lovely Rachel for the perfect Superbowl Sunday link (not for actual football fans, of course).

This incredible clip of prancing footballers and a leotard-clad Debbie Reynolds playing a football is from the 1953 musical I Love Melvin. The New York Times claimed this “musical comedy contrivance is almost too liberal for words.” You be the judge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1EZofVNgYQ%20
Tracy Lewis

February 6th, 2016

Tracy Lewis uses layered watercolor paint to give her gentle subjects a luminous quality. Each painting contains life (in the form of plants, flowers and roots) springing forth in a harmonious, fruitful fashion.

From her artist statement:
For almost twenty years I’ve lived in the Sierra Foothills. My home has a tree house view of the world that has made nature an integral part of my life and my art. The metamorphosis of seasons and the cycles of life and death are reoccurring elements.

A collection of curiosities, along with my love of fairy tales, Art Nouveau and Old Hollywood Glamour have also found their way into my art.

Tracy Lewis
Joyous Creations

February 5th, 2016

In my last Desktop Goodies post, I featured this mind-blowing piece of bead work, but had no idea who the artist was.

I could stare at that thing all day, as if it would actually come to life before my eyes.

A kind reader informed me that these are Joyous Creations, the work of Joyce Horn.

She fits so much ENERGY into these beads. They look like the primordial soup of alien worlds.

Incredible, no?

Joyous Creations
Karl Mountford

February 4th, 2016

The following skeleton serenade was my introduction to Karl Mountford.

His style reminds me of the vibrant retro illustrations I used to love as a kid (eg. Mary Blair, but Mountford really brings his own energy to his work).

Karl Mountford