Featured Buyer: John F. from They Might Be Giants

Vanessa

Story by Vanessa

Published on May 28, 2008 in Shop

Photo by John F. Here's a picture of Flora making her own "artist face."

This week we have a very special treat for music fans and hip parents the world over: John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants is our special Featured Buyer in honor of Father’s Day. They Might Be Giants, an art rock band specializing in nasally-delivery, catchy lyrics and accordion-accompanied tunes, holds strong as college radio favorites. Interestingly, John and John have segued their career into creating children’s music, and recently, worked on a children’s book with Marcel Dzama. Public radio listeners may also be keen on their dial-a-song project.  We find their creativity to be boundless and so we voted them the coolest dads ever.  Read on for John F’s favorites from the Etsy marketplace.

John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants here. Recently I was hanging out with my friend Flora, who is turning four in a few weeks, and she saw my photograph on the cover of a magazine. She asked me why I looked unhappy. I told her I wasn’t unhappy, I just was making my “artist face.” Then I opened my email, and saw I was invited to selected a bunch of artist-made products in honor of Father’s Day for Etsy, a website my family wholeheartedly supports. So now I ask for you to do your part for Dad and all your artist-faced friends and get some of these recommended gifts available right here, right now on the one and only Etsy.

Squirrel Greeting Card by ArtByMarilyn. Perfect for your nature lovin’ dad. An interesting piece of art with a simple but touching story behind it, reproduced on a card for a highly reasonable, and highly specific price of $1.52.

Does dad love his wine?  winecorkcreations‘ Zen 3 Stone Wine Bottle Stopper (for a fin) adds a contemplative touch to Dad’s grown-up time.

Dad bugged by beasts? Get him a can of EyeOfNewt‘s Beast Be Gone, a anti-fear of the dark spray! Just seven clams!

Words can not explain Ole’ Crazy Eyes by ThingsThatBling. Just groove on him a while, and you’ll understand. Just twelve bucks.

Perhaps your dad is a They Might Be Giants fan and wants a piece of memorabilia that is graphically arresting and reasonably priced? Check out They Might Be Giants/ Chopping Block party posters for a mere $30.

If you’re traditional in your gifts, but your dad has a sense of humor that runs to the very loud side, may I suggest moesewco‘s Ugliest Tie in the World, for twenty smackers.

If you enjoy traditional gift giving, and your dad is into simulacra this tie themed tie is a must at $35.

Keeping with the simulacra theme, who wouldn’t love a camera-shaped camera-case? Created by my pal hine. It’s a steal at $38.



hine did an animated video for TMBG.

Turns any home into a faux shaux-place. It’s very contemporary, but still very cool. Chandelier Vinyl Wall Decal, thirty five big ones, by BadassCustomDecals.

If your Dad is a warlock or a wizard and needs to upgrade his magic wand, why not this maple number by IsleOfAvalon for seventy-five bucks?

For the Dad who has everything but an incredibly beautiful, high-end mod coffee table. I humbly submit the Diversion Coffee Table by upcycler.

And finally, for the Dad who has everything but is nuts for full-functioning, oversized, mechanical dragonflies made of gold, may I introduce the coveted Anax Imperator Machina selling for a reasonable fifteen thousand American dollars…

 

JesseDanger made this video to reveal the inner workings of the dragonfly.

We gotta say, John picked some of the most intriguing items! You can see our other Featured Buyer posts here.

Discuss: 36 comments

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  • SteppingStones

    SteppingStones says:

    Great man picks!! There is nothing hotter than Jesse Danger's dragonfly!!!

    4 years ago

  • lilfishstudios

    lilfishstudios says:

    What a great feature! I've been a TMBG fan since way back and now have the pleasure of sharing the joy with my wee ones. What an excellent choice of buyers, with excellent choices.

    4 years ago

  • esdesigns

    esdesigns says:

    i really enjoyed reading this- and i agree about the dragonfly

    4 years ago

  • berkleyillustration

    berkleyillustration says:

    Wow - I saw that robots shirt once before, really wanted it, and lost the link to it. I never would have thought John Flansburgh would be my t-shirt savior. Thanks John!

    4 years ago

  • absolutelysmall

    absolutelysmall says:

    Awesome picks! I love the camera shaped camera cases.

    4 years ago

  • TheChainmailleLady

    TheChainmailleLady says:

    Great harmony! I also love the dragonfly.

    4 years ago

  • EcoKate

    EcoKate says:

    flippin good stuff! that kid is a adorable besides...

    4 years ago

  • thelittlereddoor

    thelittlereddoor says:

    giant squids in videos is today's awesome sauce!

    4 years ago

  • SalmonStreetStudio

    SalmonStreetStudio says:

    We like TMBG and your picks! Love the Edison Museum song, kiddo was kinda appalled at the thought of all of that not being shared. (Maybe she'll turn out to be the type that votes for $ to be spent on Arts, and maybe you'll have hard a part in that : )

    4 years ago

  • RaeGun

    RaeGun says:

    Okay the artist face comment is way too funny. You're lucky you aren't a rapper I wonder what she would have said about that artist face. I love the monster and camera case pic thanks for sharing I'm off to go see if it'll fit my camera.

    4 years ago

  • JesseDanger

    JesseDanger says:

    Awesome article! Thanks John and Etsy! Those camera cases are pretty cool as well.

    4 years ago

  • GrandmaWasAFloozy

    GrandmaWasAFloozy says:

    Love TMBG! Here's a little something that 's been in my favorites for a while: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9922847

    4 years ago

  • alorinna

    alorinna says:

    TMBG is awesome :) Nice to have you here, and great article!

    4 years ago

  • sweetestpea

    sweetestpea says:

    yay! TMBG makes me smile. :) Fantastic choice for featured buyer!

    4 years ago

  • boygirlparty

    boygirlparty says:

    that was hilarious. I wish John F were the featured buyer every day!

    4 years ago

  • chakrapennywhistle

    chakrapennywhistle says:

    Holy Smokes! Fantastic!!! Love TMBG:) What a perfect fit!

    4 years ago

  • blestbeads

    blestbeads says:

    That's funny! My 2nd son, after listening to No! this morning said "Mom...can we listen to Flood? Cause it's "They Might Be Giants day" and all." He must be psychic!

    4 years ago

  • melaniehazen

    melaniehazen says:

    oh this is so fab...i fell in love with Flood in high school, and still to this day will play birdhouse in your soul on my iPod when i need to perk up for the day... ya'll are excellent.

    4 years ago

  • MissAvocado

    MissAvocado says:

    Whoopee!!! Best. Featured. Buyer. Ever.

    4 years ago

  • jillhannah

    jillhannah says:

    Some of the best picks EVER. Can he please start making treasuries or something? You know, in his free time?

    4 years ago

  • jodieflowers

    jodieflowers says:

    Sweet article! They Might Be Giants have been a favorite of mine for a long time! They keep the little bird house in my soul! ♥

    4 years ago

  • ArtByMarilyn

    ArtByMarilyn says:

    Dear John F., I understand you placed me on Storque. Thank you so my. I appreciate your appreciation of my work. I also appreciate that you like what I said about my squirrel greeting card. Thank you again. Marilyn of Art By Marilyn and have a beautiful day.

    4 years ago

  • ArtByMarilyn

    ArtByMarilyn says:

    Dear John F., I understand you placed me on Storque. Thank you so much. I appreciate your appreciation of my work. I also appreciate that you like what I said about my squirrel greeting card. Thank you again. Marilyn of Art By Marilyn and have a beautiful day. I am sorry for the error of "my"

    4 years ago

  • winecorkcreations

    winecorkcreations says:

    Cool I just realized I was featured! How exciting. There is an interesting mix of father's day gifts here!

    4 years ago

  • MissKnits

    MissKnits says:

    wow TMBG is just awesome! that video was so cool! love all these picks! nice!

    4 years ago

  • phippsart

    phippsart says:

    I've been a huge fan of the band since 1990 (hmmmm...figure that one out!). Still trying to figure out a way to get one of my accordion shirts to Linnell (Flans can have one too if he wants!). So cool to see this here...

    4 years ago

  • lolageek

    lolageek says:

    Yes! TMBG on Etsy!! I hope to see more of this collaboration in the future :o)

    4 years ago

  • ArtByMarilyn

    ArtByMarilyn says:

    I also want to say thank you to whomever placed my "Michael Landon" on the Storque. I am deeply touched that people like my work. I place all my emotions also in the writing I do about each painting. They are now all in jewelry for the asking. I am not too much of a tech so if I make a mistake of any kind please let me know. Again, thank you. Marilyn of Art By Marilyn

    4 years ago

  • chetart

    chetart says:

    I've been a long time fan of TMBG. It's great to see a related article and a wonderful section of items.

    4 years ago

  • CopperFrogStudio

    CopperFrogStudio says:

    I love They Might Be Giants and have been jamming to their tunes since cassette tapes were all the rage! :P

    3 years ago

  • sugarcookie

    sugarcookie says:

    Oh my gosh - I can't wait for John Linnell's picks !!

    3 years ago

  • purlhandknits

    purlhandknits says:

    Cool - I love those camera cases!

    3 years ago

  • livingstonandporter

    livingstonandporter says:

    I saw THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS in the 90's in CHICAGO and have loved them all along...No birdhouse shown? Well, it's fun to see my daughter listen to the new generation of TMBG tunes...THANKS for the collection!

    3 years ago

  • visualcreatures

    visualcreatures says:

    Excellent- I loved DIAL A SONG! Esp the slogan..."Free if you call from work", BRILLANT!

    2 years ago

  • NerdyTogether

    NerdyTogether says:

    Awesome comments from John F! Will we see a future post from John L or one or more of the Dans?

    1 year ago