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Design

Top Comments of the Week

August 5, 2011

Product voting has been a huge hit so far, and we’re super excited that our community has helped us pick some amazing uncommon new goods. We get tons of feedback each week, so we’re shouting out to a few of our voting app users in response to their keen comments.

Adam said: “These portable speakers are totally awesome and perfect for UncommonGoods! Trash Amps are both sustainable and hand-made; what more could you want from a cool little speaker? Reuse It For Music!”

We’re glad you love the Trash Amp, Adam! Sounds like you’re a fan of that slogan, too. Could “Reuse it for Music” be your new mantra? We love that these little speakers are handmade, portable and an awesome upcycle.

Doreen said: “I would wear this ring every day! It’s such a lovely design that can also be considered hardcore. I like that it’s a subtle nod for those who will recognize that it’s a guitar string.”

Thanks for the feedback, Doreen! You’ll be happy to know that this item was approved by our community and it’s now available for purchase!



Jen said: “Of course you can find less expensive bags out there, but if your less expensive bags are anything like the one’s I’ve purchased, they wear out pretty quickly. Mail bags are known for lasting for ages. I think this is an awesome bag!”

Jen has a great point. Mail bags are heavy-duty. Since this tough tote is made from repurposed sacks once used by mail carriers it will stand up to the elements you face while walking your daily route.

If you enjoyed reading these fun comments from our community, visit our voting app to read more great feedback!

Design

This Just In: Avocado Salt & Pepper Shakers

August 5, 2011

Elizabeth said: “It’s so cool and green! Love it!”

Alice said: “Fun! And made in the USA! I can see it in a fruit basket on the table!”

Janishare great!ey said: “This is a great item, too cute. I know someone who collects salt and pepper shakers. I will have to tell them about these.”

Handmade in Brooklyn by Daina Platais, each salt (the pit) and pepper (the fruit) shaker is modeled after an actual avocado. Elizabeth, Alice and Janishare helped us add a little spice to our lineup by voting for this adorable avocado. You can help us choose our next great new product by sharing your feedback in our community voting app!

Maker Stories

Style Map

August 4, 2011

A few days ago, we launched our first ever Uncommon Jewelry Design Challenge and we’re already seeing some fantastic submissions! Is jewelry-making your passion? Did an “aha moment” lead you to a unique new piece? Stand behind your work and send us your best designs for a chance to win $500 and the opportunity to sign a vendor contract with UncommonGoods!


Jewelry designer Charlotte Leavitt has an eye for design and a talent for jewelry making. She also has a love for sailing and a collection of charts. The former may fit together, and the latter make a practical pair. Charlotte actually found a way to combine her passions wholeheartedly.

It started when she was inspired by a creative friend. “I spotted a cute pair of earrings on a friend,” she says. “I asked her about them and she told me she made them. I thought, ‘I can do that!’ and promptly drove to the bead store and bought some supplies. One pair in, I was hooked.”

Continue Reading…

Design

This Just In: Book Cases

August 4, 2011

Created with flickr slideshow.
Jeffrey said: “I like the old-fashioned-ness of it and the way it appeals to nostalgia while still doing something new. I vote for Darwin — It’s like saying, Look How Far We’ve Come!”

Melissa said: “This is a clever and unique product that gives a classic look to a new, technological product.”

Emily said: “What about some Jane Austen titles?”

We asked our community to choose from a list of possible titles for these classic book-inspired e-reader covers. The feedback came rolling in, and these new community approved covers are now available. Jeffrey will be please to know Darwin’s title was a natural selection. Although Pride and Prejudice wasn’t on our original list, Emily’s suggestion caught our eye, and we’ve added it to the library.

Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales earned the most votes. Enthusiastic readers also loved Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace and Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.

Our voters helped us choose the perfect titles for these handbound book cases. You too can help shape the future of UncommonGoods by voting and sharing your feedback on the new products added to our community voting app each week.

Design

This Just In: 100 Shapes

August 2, 2011

100 Shapes

Susan said: “Reasonable price and good gift for young creatives (and probably older folks too!)”

Katrina said: “What a great price and a nice idea for a gift!”

Bellah said: “I would purchase this in a heartbeat.”

Thanks to votes and comments such as those from Bellah, Katrina and Susan, we’ve added this fun stencil book to our assortment. 100 Shapes provides 100 imaginative stencils, which you can mix and match to make loads of fun designs. Whether you’re looking to create invitations, greeting cards, posters, or just have fun crafting with the kids, this book helps you get your art muscles in shape.

This stupendous stencil set is just one of our new community approved items, and more are on the way! Help us decide which new products to add to our lineup by visiting our community voting app, voting thumbs up or down and leaving your feedback.

Design

Too Cool

August 1, 2011

Corkcicle

Julie said: “PERFECT!!! I have a shower next month – hope its available!! Cant wait to buy one-or two!”

John said: “What a great idea, no more ice bucket or ceramic chiller.”

What’s one part icicle and one part cork? The latest addition to our voting app, Corkcicle. This cool wine bottle stopper looks like a frosty stick of ice, but it’s actually BPA-free plastic filled with a reusable freeze gel. Just pop it in the freezer for two hours before use, then insert it into a chilled bottle of wine after you’ve poured the first glass or two. Like ice, it will keep your drink chilled. Unlike ice, it won’t melt and water down your favorite wine.

Could Corkcicle be the perfect companion for your favorite Riesling? Would a Chardonnay fan in your life love to get Corkcicle as a gift? Visit our community voting app to let us know whether you think this quirky cork is perfect for UncommonGoods!

Design

Chop, Slice, Dash & Dice

July 31, 2011

Kylene said: “This is an adorable idea…this coming from someone who is definitely OCD! I love it.”

This beechwood cutting board is precisely marked to make sure your ingredients are cut to just the right proportions. You may not know the difference between a pinch and a dash off the top of your head, but thanks to this brilliant board, you won’t have to let that stop you from creating your next culinary masterpiece.

Do you agree with Kylene? If you can’t wait to start chopping pristine pieces of celery, mincing garlic to perfection and dicing onions like a pro, visit our community voting app and tell us you love the OCD Cutting Board.