Design – The Goods

Maker Stories

Udon Noodles and Buddha Bowls

September 30, 2011

Our first ever Uncommon Ceramics Design Challenge is underway! You can enter your unique creations by Oct. 31 for a chance to win $500 and a vendor contract with UncommonGoods.

Since we’re so excited to see all of your entries, we couldn’t wait to start talking ceramics! Copywriter Nina Mozes got the conversation going with Élan McPherson to learn more about how the designer develops her sleek, functional pieces.

It’s immediately apparent to anyone who encounters Élan McPherson that she is an inspired artist who looks at lemons and sees lemonade. And if you’ve ever held one of her bowls and felt how perfectly it fits in your hands, you know that Élan’s artistic goal is to take ordinary objects and bring out the beauty and utility in them.

Maker Stories

Pillow Talk

September 19, 2011

Ed. note. We’re pleased and excited to announce that Jono Pandolfi will be a guest judge for our Ceramics Design Challenge, coming soon. If you have dreams of selling your pottery or ceramics on UncommonGoods.com, get ready to enter!

A few years ago, Jono Pandolfi was working with Chef Daniel Humm at Eleven Madison Park, an upscale restaurant on Madison Avenue in New York City, collaborating on ways to present the food to accentuate its delicate nature. Although he was hard at work on some abstract designs, when the Pillow Plate popped into his head, he knew he was on to something.

“I pretty much abandoned all of the other ideas at that point, because I knew that the pillow would be perfect for what he wanted to do,” says Jono, who works in porcelain, ceramic, and silver in his New Jersey studio.

Design

Comments of the Week

September 10, 2011

Each week we share a few of our favorite comments from our community voting app here on our blog. This week’s comment selection is special, since our app is chalk-full of great jewelry designs from our Uncommon Jewelry Design Challenge!

Here’s what our voters are saying so far!

Glad you love Denise Harrison’s Beer Speak Jewelry, Sarah! I know what you mean. I could go for a refreshing summer ale right about now.

Maker Stories

Beauty in Boulders

September 9, 2011

New York City designer Anna Rabinowicz studied Industrial Design as an undergrad, went on to earn an MFA in Design and an MS in Engineering from the Product Design Program of Stanford University, and has a background in technology and medical device design. Of course, with this high-tech, industrial background, it only made sense that Anna’s next step was to start working with multimillion-year-old stones.

Anna works with agate, an exceptionally strong mineral formed from cooled lava as it changes over millions of years. The volcanic rocks look average from the outside, but crack them open, and you’ll see something extraordinary–beautiful patterns of color created by water rising and falling within the bubbles in the rock over time.

The stunning stone has been incorporated into jewelry for centuries, worn and treasured to symbolize truth and inner beauty. Now, in this age of technology, Anna uses her knowledge of modern design and production to bring the age-old talisman to a new generation. Her Agate Drop Necklace is a way to own millions of years of natural history for only $120.

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!

Maker Stories

The Science of Design

August 11, 2011

Do you have a formula for success when it comes to design? Do themes in your work emerge as a signature style? We’d love to see your original jewelry designs! Enter our first ever Jewelry Design Challenge for a chance to win $500 and the opportunity to sign a vendor contract with UncommonGoods.

Some people see math formulas, the Periodic Table of the Elements or text books and feel overwhelmed. Tiffany Ard sees these things and gets inspired. From her Chromosome Earrings to her Math Symbol Cufflinks, Tiffany is proud to produce beautiful jewelry for fashion forward nerds.

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.”

Design

Too Cool

August 1, 2011

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!

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