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Maker Stories

Maker Stories

From Haiti to Your Home

June 24, 2011

We love getting customer feedback about our products, and lately we’ve had a few questions and comments on our home décor selections. The Community has spoken, and we’re glad you’re looking for fun, funky home accents like the uncommon items we have to offer!

One brand new Community Approved item, the Green Rhino Trophy Head, received some great feedback in our Community Voting App, and we’re excited to tell you more about how this terrific trophy came to be. Collaboratively conceived by Aid to Artisans designers, these paper mache heads are crafted by skilled fair trade artisans in Haiti.

Green Rhino

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Maker Stories

Let Your Dad Know He’s a Hero

June 13, 2011

Still looking for that perfect Father’s Day gift? Our new fire hose belt ($38) & wallet ($36) are made from actual fire hoses that were used by firefighters in Colorado. Give Dad a handmade belt or wallet with a unique texture and history, and let him know he’s a hero to you.

Designer Lori Burley talks a bit more about the collection and her inspiration below:

Got a good story about why your Dad is a super hero? You can enter to win a fire hose belt by Thursday, June 16.

Maker Stories

Super Hero Dads

June 10, 2011

Is your dad a super hero? Does he offer sage advice just in the nick of time? Is he always ready to come to your rescue?

Let us know why your dad’s a hero, and you’ll be entered to win a fire hose belt— a perfect gift just in time for Father’s Day.


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Maker Stories

Mother’s Day Gift: Retro-inspired Garden Art

May 5, 2011

Whether Mom loves gardening, has an impeccable yard filled with great decorations or just loves colorful art, Reclaimed Record Pinwheels make a great Mother’s Day gift. And if Mom’s a music lover, well that’s an added bonus!

Since she began painting in 1994, artist Christine Claringbold has embraced the use of reclaimed and recycled materials in her work. Her reclaimed record mandalas, the basis of these pinwheels, are now her signature design.

Christine took a break from painting her vibrant mandalas to tell us more about her process.


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Maker Stories

Handmade Jewelry in our Hometown

March 30, 2011

One of the wonderful things about working at UncommonGoods is getting to hang out in beautiful Brooklyn every day. Not only is Brooklyn our home, it’s also home to some incredibly talented artists.

Instead of letting all the Brooklyn pride well up until we burst, we decided to gush about a few of the artists that help make this borough great!

We’re kicking-off our “Made in Brooklyn” series with two local jewelry designers, Yayoi Inada, whose pieces contain little reminders to slow down (definitely something that can come in handy in a busy city like New York!) and Nguyen Le, who blends classic jewelry pieces with soft, knit accents.

Message in a Bottle
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Maker Stories

Guggenheim Features UG Artist Kathleen Plate

March 25, 2011

Glass artist Kathleen Plate is known for her creative passion, her bold yet uncomplicated designs and her use of recycled materials. She’s achieved much in her more than 17 years as a professional designer, and she just added another feat to her résumé.

Chosen to participate in the Guggenheim Museum Store’s Studio Program, Kathleen created a stunning spiral chandelier inspired by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. The handmade piece, which features a white globe light and recycled glass rings, debuted at the Guggenheim Store at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York on Monday, March 21.

Before the chandelier hit the Guggenheim, two of our buyers, Carolyn and Erin, had a chance to check out the piece at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show on March 18.

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