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Design

Design

Warm Wishes

August 16, 2011

Pica said: “Love this, and think it would make a great hostess gift for my bread baking friends!”

Susan said: “Great item, great price! This is the kind of thing that makes a great gift or purchase for my own use. A really useful item!”

This terra cotta bread warmer lets you have restaurant-style warm bread right at your own dinner table. Pop the warmer in the oven for 10 minutes to bring it to the right temperature, then stick it in the bottom of your bread basket for soft, warm slices.

Would you give this bread warmer to friends, keep it in your own kitchen, or both? Leave your answer in our community voting app, and see what voters are saying about this and other potential new goods.

Design

Top Comments of the Week

August 11, 2011

We asked, you answered. Here are the top comments from our community voting app this week.

Lindsey said” If this fits in the back pocket of jeans – perfect!!! I have been looking for something like this for years. The one I have now is falling apart and the company stopped making them. I WILL buy this as soon as you sell it.”

Thanks for the feedback, Lindsey. We don’t want you sitting lopsided, so the need for a thin, durable, card case wallets is clear. Not only are these upcycled card case wallets sleek, they’re also made by fair trade artisans using old newspapers and cleaned up plastic bags.



Nicole said: “This is insane!! I love it!!!”

Sometimes a little insanity is just what you need to liven up your wardrobe. Thanks for the enthusiasm, Nicole!

Ann said: “Do we really need to promote more alcohol? Think about the children.”

Don’t worry, Ann. If these cufflinks are accepted into our assortment, they’ll only be available in adult sizes. Since these silver-plated cufflinks feature real vintage cash register buttons, and real cash registers sometimes ring-up booze, words like whiskey,” “beer,” and “wine” grace these shiny wrist accessories.

Do you agree with our vocal voters? Visit our voting app to leave your feedback and read more community comments!

Design

Meet the Judges!

August 11, 2011

Last week we opened our Uncommon Jewelry Design Challenge and are thrilled with the submissions we’ve received so far.  We’ll share the designs we like on the community voting app at the end of the month, then our panel of judges will pick the winner, who will receive $500 and the chance to join our lineup of unique jewelry.

Artist Kiel Mead knows good design when he sees it.  Kiel finds inspiration for his jewelry from common objects, then crafts them into unique, one-of-a-kind pieces such as the Forget Me Not Ring.  His work has been featured in a variety of publications, including Lucky Mag, ELLE, and New York Magazine.  In addition to designing jewelry and furniture from his studio in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, he supports emerging and established designers as a founding member of the American Design Club.

If you’ve ever bought any of our jewelry or accessories, you can thank UncommonGoods buyer Erin Fergusson for her great taste in daring pieces, including some that can’t be found anywhere else.  Erin loves bright colors and funky patterns, and is especially a fan of handmade jewelry and keepsake designs.

Style and beauty expert Jenn Falik is nationally known and trusted for her style advice, and is passionate about sharing her great finds.  Jenn has appeared on The View, The Today Show, The Rachael Ray Show, E! News and Tyra Banks, and is a regular presence on New York City’s own local media  such as NY1 and Fox5.

Think you’ve got an uncommonly awesome jewelry design that Kiel, Erin, and Jenn would love?  Send it our way by midnight on August 31 for a chance to show off your own creativity and talent!

Design

Paper to Silk

August 11, 2011

Finding that perfect gift for a special couple isn’t always an easy task.

We’re happy to provide a little advice and proudly offer our original Anniversary Book as a suggestion for a great wedding or anniversary gift. This hand-bound journal includes pages to help loving couples celebrate years the first twenty years of marriage, and features pages in 5-year increments for each year from 25-50.

You told us that you loved this little journal so much that we needed to take it to the next level. And with your suggestions, we developed a more complete Anniversary Journal featuring pages for each year up to that golden 50th anniversary.

Continue Reading…

Design

Give Us Direction

August 10, 2011

Crumpled City Map

Emmie said: “Great idea and reasonable price – most of my travel books/maps are damaged from the winds and rain and are useless after one vacation. GENIUS!”

Would a map of New York City make navigating the boroughs a breeze? Could you use a map of London on your next European adventure? Crumpled City Maps make bringing a map along easy. Since they’re made of a durable, waterproof, rip-resistant material, you can crumple them up and stick them in a pocket or pouch. If you agree with Emmie and think this idea is genius, find your way to our community voting app and share your feedback!

Design

This Just In: 4-in-1 Parenting Towel

August 9, 2011

Parenting Towel

William said: “This is a thoughtful product; both in quality and design. I appreciate that it holds its value over time as the children grow.”

Kara said: “I could have used this back when my kids were young. Most times the front of my shirt looked like I took a bath too.”

Trisha said: “Great idea in my opinion. Practical, useful now and later. Perfect item for UncommonGoods.”

Our buyers agree with Trisha that the 4-in-1 Parenting Towel is perfect for UncommonGoods. Thanks to community votes and feedback, this practical parenting apron, that doubles as a towel, triples as a baby wrap and quadruples as a comfy toddler robe, is now available for purchase!

We can’t wait to see which products our voters will help us add to our assortment next! Visit our community voting app to tell us which goods you love.

Design

Fresh Idea

August 9, 2011

Natural Air Purifying Bag

Ann said: “We need to keep the air cleaner! Plus if it gets rid of allergens-well that’s priceless. And it’s not that pricey either. Does it have an odor to it? How many months does it last?”

Ann may be pleased to know that this practical little pouch is stuffed with bamboo charcoal, a natural, non-toxic, odor-free material that’s been used as an air freshener for centuries in Japan. The charcoal is solar-activated, so you just set it in direct sunlight for an hour once a month and it sops up smelly particles and allergens in the air for up to two years.

Do you agree with Ann that cleaner air is a beautiful thing? If you want to see the Natural Air Purifying Bag in our lineup, go to our voting app and make a stink about it!

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!