Blue Velvet Chair: Inspiration

Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts

Monday, May 21, 2012

Monday Brain Works

It's Monday! Time to get the brain churning to get us through the week.

And what does that take? I heard mind puzzles are good. And coffee.

Know what else works?

A dose of "What's That ?!"

So off we go. Can you guess what this fun and funky kitchen backsplash is made from in the very first photo?

No? Okay, I'll give you another picture to help boost the brain power. I understand, the week is young.

Are you like me, stopping and looking at the individual tile images for clues? I tried...but couldn't find any.

And when I saw a close-up photo of the tiles...still didn't register for me. How about you?

What? Really?

How can you go from this....

...to this!

Art of Board

With a whole lot of creativity and a wide awake brain, that's how!

Hmmm...my brain is a bit slower, and this is the only option I've got in my garage...tucked in behind the mower that I put to good use yesterday.

And I remember that K painted the backside to cover a very boring basic brown - so I flipped it over to have a look. Not bad color choice...I wonder if he'd know it's missing.

I mean I love him and all, but I've never seen him practice enough to try this...

...and he's young, so I definitely don't want to see this!

But I could definitely think about something like this.

via Green Parenthood

Or even this.

via broodr

And this is just TOO COOL!

via Wave Avenue

But alas, I've only got this to work with.

Anyone want to meet me at the skateboard park?

Until next time...

Mike

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Lego Street Art

I've seen knit bombing, sweater bombing, plastic cap bombing, and I've even been thinking about organizing my own hubcap flower bombing in my town. Now there's Lego street art - aka Lego bombing!

It seems to be popping up around the world, and after searching through tons of websites that all listed source after source, I finally landed on Dispatchworks.info with an interactive map of the world - just click the country of choice to find the lego bombs in action.

lego in Arnsberg, Germany

lego in Barcelona, Spain

Lego in Lausanne, France

Lego in Nabeul, Tunisia

Lego in New York, New York

Lego in Venice, Italy

There are plenty more examples to see at Dispatchwork. Are you inspired to go out and lego bomb in your area? If you do, make sure to send Dispatchwork your photos and location!

Until next time...

Mike

Friday, April 20, 2012

1 Top, 16 Ways to Wear it

Today has really been a day of 'how to see things differently'. And in the process, I landed on some great videos that really have me rethinking how to use my wardrobe. And there's a bonus - no sewing!!!

In this first video, the super cute video host shows 1 sweater and 16 ways to wear it! But I'm quite sure this could work with a nice long top as well - at least I'm gonna give it a try!

She also shows 30 ways to wear a button down shirt. I'm more keen to try the sweater, but what's more important here is that she really has me thinking about what's possible in a new way.

I absolutely loved seeing this example from a young lady who inherited a top from her dad. When I see someone this young that is willing to experiment with repurposing, I have great hope for the future!

There are so many examples out there - now I just need to get some pieces out and experiment! How about you? Would you wear any of these styles?
Until next time...Mike

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Recycled Road Sign Sculptural Fence

The latest edition of Artizen Magazine is published - turn to page 32 for my article featuring an unbelievable sculptural fence made from recycled road signs in Pennsylvania (United States).

You won't want to miss this project that took nearly 10 years to build, is as long as four (4) football field lengths, and represents a true commitment to community art and sustainability.

I would be so happy driving past something like this every day in my own community. Hmmm...maybe it's time to schedule a meeting with the city council! Do I dare? Do you?

Read full article here.

Until next time,

Mike

Thursday, April 12, 2012

10 Ways to Recycle Plastic Bags

Are you planning to go shopping this weekend? Don't throw out those plastic bags - I've got some fun DIY ideas from around the world that will get the "I need to try this" juices flowing!

During my (neverending) quest to find recycled arts and crafts inspiration the world over to share with you, I've recently stumbled on some seriously fun and funky ideas coming out of South Africa. There are some fabulous artisans being developed down there...like this colorful chicken made from recycled plastic bags from WOW Imports.

I'd have no problem being caught carrying around one of these little recycled plastic handbags of joy (also made in South Africa at African Home).

The South Africans are well recognized for their wrapping technique of recycled plastic bags, which inspired this limited edition Inkuku chair available at Ryan Frank, also made with recycled plastic bags.

Did you know that the United Nations Environment Programme estimates that there are 46,000 pieces of plastic litter, including plastic bags, floating in every square mile of ocean? That's why it's so important to support the creative individuals that are helping us all by reusing this 'nearly impossible to kill' material - individuals like Camila Labra in Chile who's boots are mostly made from fused plastic bags. They come in almost every color imaginable!

I keep staring at these bracelets to see if I can figure out how they are wrapped - these thrifted bracelets wound with recycled plastic bags are available from BTC Elements.

One of my dreams is to work with a company like rag-bag, a partnership between India and Holland to make these fabulous products made from recycled plastic bags, fused and repurposed. These are some of the best examples I've seen! And...if you have an extra 4 minutes to watch their motivational video, please do have a look. It's 4 minutes well spent.

It might not be breathable material, but this dress made from fused plastic bags at ThreadBanger is helping to reduce toxic plastic particles that enter our food chain via unsuspecting animals that accidently digest scrap plastic in landfills or on the streets.

I find the color combo in these recycled plastic bag trash cans to be as exciting as those found in recycled magazine page projects (like that mirror frame I made last year). Find these and LOTS of other recycled plastic products at The SPIRAL Foundation.

These massive mandalas on the wall by Virginia Fleck in the United States? That's right...recycled plastic bags fused together. Could you imagine such beauty from something that is destined for the trash each and every day?

And finally, our last showcase of the day is this fantastic recycled plastic bag carry-all from Smateria in Cambodia.

I don't want to bring down the party, but it's important to educate ourselves while we're having fun. When this little guy chews on scrap plastic found on our beaches and in our oceans, the sad fact is that he'll most likely die by starvation when the plastic clogs his intestines (info via Envirosax).

If you're not ready to DIY recycled plastic bags into a little something for yourself, make sure to find a plastic bag recycler near you - like Plastic Bag Recycling organization in the United States. Let's work towards keeping the plastic in our hands and out of the nature.

Until next time...
Mike

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

What's That ?!

Are you ready for this edition of "What's That ?!" Take a minute to get yourself a cup of coffee, kick up your feet, and settle in to the blue velvet chair. This time we're paying a visit to Borneo-born Hong Yi, a young architect by day, artist in the after hours.

Inspired by one of his songs, Hong Yi pays homage to Taiwanese singer Jay Chou with his portrait. Can you see what she 'painted' it with?

How exciting to be this young and talented.

Like many, Hong Yi begins her day with a warm cup of coffee. It's what she does with it afterwards that is genius.

Most people find it annoying when the coffee spills over onto the saucer, making a mess. Not so with Hong Yi. She's creating!

By now I don't have to tell you that this portrait was made with coffee cup stains. Did you see it in the first photo?

Relax for 2 more minutes and watch the video as she creates this beautiful portrait.

Not finished with your own coffee yet? Why not watch as she paints basketball star Yao Ming - using a basketball as her paintbrush!

Go on...you know you want to. Get out some paper and start creating with coffee in hand.

Until next time...
Mike

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

29 Recycled Easter Ideas

It's not too late to get inspired with 29 recycled Easter ideas!

Our local Metro newspaper reported that Swedes eat 6,000 tons of candy during Easter. With my very non-scientific figures that's equal to the full take-off weight of 12 Boeing 747s including passengers and cargo, or 3,600 Volvo S60s, or nearly 33 million bananas. My conclusion? That's a lot of candy!

We may not be able to recycle candy, but how about adding a recycled little bunny to your decor this year!