Maker Stories

Inventors Month: the Joseph & Joseph Story

August 2, 2010

August is National Inventors Month, so to kick things off we interviewed twin brothers Richard and Anthony Joseph – the brains behind a collection of amazingly simple and well-designed kitchen gear. We love how they approach everyday kitchen problems with style, a pop of color and thoughtful design. Almost all of their products make us say, “Why didn’t we think of that?!”

Not only are Richard and Anthony great designers, they are also very generous! They have agreed to donate two of our favorite Joseph & Joseph products, the Nesting Prep Bowls & the Elevate Utensils, to our Uncommon Giveaway! Be sure to come back to the blog on Friday for a chance to win.

And now, on to the exciting interview!

When did you both become interested in design?

Our mother is an architect, and our father had a glass manufacturing business in the UK, so there was a strong creative influence when growing up. We were both quite artistic at school and this led to Continue Reading…

Maker Stories

Carolyn Parello Opening

July 30, 2010

Usually on a Friday afternoon, I’m looking forward to the weekend, but right now I’m looking forward to Monday!

That’s because we’re sponsoring artist Carolyn Parello’s exhibit at Piola Pizza. The opening is this Monday, August 2, from 6-8 PM.

Come out to see Carolyn’s fantastic paintings, meet some of us UncommonGoods folks in person, and of course, grab a slice of pizza.

Hope to see you there!

Maker Stories

Artists Bring Relief to Gulf Wildlife

July 13, 2010

Moved by the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Louisiana artist Thomas Mann and Florida artists Mike and Vawn Gray wanted to help bring awareness to local wildlife through their artwork.

Partnering with UncommonGoods, each artist has created a tribute to local shore birds. Ten percent of the proceeds from Thomas Mann’s pelican pins will go to support the National Wildlife Federation & The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and ten percent of the proceeds from the Grays’ pelican and sandpiper night lights will benefit Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research.

Click here to read the artists’ stories behind these projects

Maker Stories

Designer Harry Allen in NYC

June 9, 2010

Live in New York? Like interesting design? Like wine and cheese?

Then swing by the Apartment Therapy Meetup tonight at Knoll and listen to a Q/A with designer Harry Allen!

Harry Allen is an award-winning interior and industrial designer. His work is highly imaginative and surprising. He often casts unexpected everyday items into functional pieces of modern art. Here are a few of the items we sell at UncommonGoods.

Walnut and Peanut Bowls cast in white resin.

Paint brush vase hand cast from real brushes in resin and marble.

Slightly creepy, but I can’t deny that it is interesting! Harry cast this wall hook from his own hand.

Apartment Therapy is one of my favorite blogs. And Maxwell, who runs the Meetup does an awesome job of asking artists/designers/creative types interesting and probing questions. It’s really informative, fun and free! Plus, there’s wine and cheese and a drawing to win a piece by the designer!

Hope to see you there!

Maker Stories

Trade Show Round-Up

May 21, 2010

One of the best things about being a buyer for UncommonGoods is shopping at trade shows. This past week, we were at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, located on the west side of NYC, to check out some of the newest things on the market.

ICFF
The first show we went to was the 22nd Annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF). It showcases the latest in innovative and high design for home décor. Grace Bonney over at Design Sponge does a great job of defining some of the current trends we saw there.

And here are some of the people behind UncommonGoods that we got to catch up with at the show –

Meet Klaus and Chris!

They had a spectacular booth with wall sand art pieces, similar to the desktop sand art but in gigantic, custom-made sizes.

We were pretty excited when they showed us something new that is a little more accessible than covering an entire wall with sand art—desktop sand art that tilts.

What is new and cool about it is that this allows you to recreate the sand art at different “speeds.” You can expect to find this in our assortment in July.

This is Jamie Harris with his newest metallic glass creations.

He is an artist and designer of spectacular glass objects. His infusion sculptures were featured on our catalog cover in 2006.

Maker Stories

Get the Blues

May 20, 2010

Calling all New Yorkers!

Like jewelry? Like manicures? Indulge in some girly fun today (Thursday, May 20th) from 6:30 to 8:30 at Butterfly Studio Salon where Uncommon jewelry artist Laura Lobdell will be hosting a jewelry and polish party!

Inspired by the glossy blue doors of Paris’ shops, Laura created this steely-blue-gray nail polish to complement her silver jewelry and celebrate the beginning of summer! Come by Butterfly Studio Salon to receive a complimentary mini manicure and a bottle of Laura Lobdell 183 nail polish, and check out Laura’s latest jewelry collection.

Butterfly Studio Salon
149 5th Avenue between 21st & 22nd (Second Floor)

Make sure you RSVP – [email protected]

Have fun, girls!

Maker Stories

Tammy Roy at Green Festival

May 19, 2010

Attention Chicagoans!

Our favorite dumpster diver – Uncommon artist Tammy Roy – tipped us off about a very cool festival happening in your neck of the woods this weekend (May 22-23).

Green Festival is little get-together of about 350 diverse local and national green businesses. There will be how-to workshops, a Fair Trade pavilion, a Green Home pavilion, an Organic Food and Gardening pavilion, a Community Action and Green Careers pavilion…plus fun stuff for kids AND delicious organic beer, wine and cuisine! Makes me wish I could go!

Tammy Roy (shown here digging for metal) will be in the Green Home pavilion exhibiting some of her amazing industrial art pieces that she makes from discarded tools and recycled metals.

Tickets are $10 for one day or $15 for the weekend. Bike riders get in free! Schedules, speakers and more can be found on the Green Festival website.

Maker Stories

Congrats to artist Tammy Smith!

May 18, 2010

Just wanted to give a big shout-out to artist Tammy Smith who recently won Best in Show at the New Orleans Jazz Festival art fair!

Tammy joined the UncommonGoods artist team in the fall of 2009 – with her signature treasure boxes inspired by old-fashioned circuses and abandoned carnivals.

Tammy won the “best in show” award for her entire body of work which consisted of mixed media wall art and wire sculptures that teeter between joyful and eerie. In addition to showing her work, Tammy was also in a demo tent, and spent several hours a day showing people how she makes her wire sculptures. Very cool!

A little about the festival: The New Orleans Jazz Festival art fair is a national juried art fair that is
held every year in NOLA. This 10-day cultural festival not only consists of artists and craftspeople from all over the world, but also thousands of cooks and musicians serving up delicious Louisiana cuisine and world-renowned music. The show has three art areas: Congo Square, featuring mostly African American artists, Louisiana Marketplace, which features local artists, and the Contemporary Crafts area, which features artists from all over the country. Tammy participated in the Contemporary Crafts group with a focus on 3D mixed media.

Congrats Tammy!

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