Search results (tags) for: "dudes perspective"

Guest Curator: Geeky Gifts for Guys With Josh Catone

2009-12-17T16:00:00-05:00

Josh Catone is the features editor at Mashable, one of the web's largest tech blogs, where he manages all of the site's features and posts from guest contributors. Prior to joining Mashable, Josh was the Lead Writer at ReadWriteWeb and the Lead Blogger at SitePoint. A good portion of his paycheck goes to feed his Etsy addiction or to support local artisans at the Providence Open Market (which runs throughout the summer in his home city of Providence, Rhode Island). He very rarely leaves home without his beard.

It's tough being a nerdy guy, but even tougher buying gifts for one. There are a ton of great items on Etsy to appeal to the computer dork in all of us, but a lot of them are aimed at the geek girls in our lives. From Pacman rings to earrings made from RAM, there's a lot out there for geeky girls, but what about the tech dudes in your life? This guide is full of gifts that any gadget-loving male would be thrilled to find under the tree (or menorah) this year.

Strappy. a leather macbook case by FULLGIVE

Your laptop is your faithful companion — it's always there for you (unless the hard drive dies, more on that later), and it does whatever you need it to do without question, so of course it deserves a dapper case. The Strappy is one of the nicest laptop cases I've ever come across. With this stylish bag slung over your shoulder everyone will assume you're some hotshot startup founder (bonus points if you actually are). By fullgive, $207.

9-pc Emoticons Magnets

Magnetic poetry is a lot of fun, but who needs all those words? Internet geeks long ago learned you can express pretty much any feeling with just a few pieces of punctuation, cleverly arranged to form emoticons. Mymimi's emoticon magnets set has just about everything you'll need to express your mood (without all of the unnecessary language). $15.

Rock Dock - Nintendo Controller iPhone/iPod Dock

The iPod/iPhone is slowly becoming this generation's gaming device of choice, so what better way to charge it than in the cradle of the choice game playing machine of yesteryear? GeekUnique's Nintendo Controller iPod/iPhone Dock merges two of my favorite pieces of hardware to reach a rare level of meta geekery. $39.99.

Esc Geek Chic Pillow

Sitting in front of the computer all day can be murder on your back. One thing that could certainly help is this super chic Esc key pillow. It's perfect for a little back support, and might even come in handy when you try to "escape" work for a few hours to catch a quick nap. By diffractionfiber, $22.

Padded iPhone, iPod Touch Sleeve with Pocket - Black White Weaving

The iPhone presents a dilemma for male Etsy shoppers. On the one hand, you don't want to scratch up your phone's case (and these things are made of a material with the approximate scratch resistance of a stick of butter), but on the other hand, most of the iPhone cases for sale are decidedly girly. thameowdesigns has you covered with a very masculine black and white tweed iPhone/iPod case. $22.99.

RECYCLED CIRCUIT BOARD Geekery LARGE CLIPBOARD LC6

Try to cast your mind back to the last time you had to write on real paper and you'll remember one of the tricky things about it — it's thin and hard to write on unless there is a hard surface behind it. Enter: the clipboard! If you must use paper, there's no better backing than a recycled circuit board clipbard. By DebbyAremDesigns, $24.50.

Rainbow Ribbon Cable belt

Decidedly less masculine is this rainbow ribbon cable belt. Made from recycled 1 1/4" conductor ribbon cable, this stylish piece instantly adds some geek cred to your outfit and goes with anything (that's how rainbow works, right?). By digiBling, $14.

Clock made from a Computer hard drive

I was initially supposed to submit this post last week, but shortly after I started writing it, my hard drive decided it was time to completely stop working. That got me thinking — what sorts of things could one do with a busted hard drive? The answer, according to pixelthis, is to turn those useless hunks of metal into beautiful clocks. This one would be at home on any man's desk. $33.

QWERTY ) Bifold Wallet

At the end of a long work week it's always nice to spend a relaxing evening out on the town. Show off your inner geek by sporting a QWERTY bi-fold wallet. The heavy canvas wallet has a standard keyboard printed right on the front. By QuietDoing, $28.

Recycled FLOPPY DISK made into a Geek Gear Notebook ORANGE

Sometimes even hardcore nerds need to go analog. The recycled floppy disk notebooks from heavensentcrafts are a great way to inject some digital flavor into old school tasks like writing on pieces of dead trees. They're also a great stocking stuffer. $6.

Circuit board coasters set of 4 recycled geek chic

One thing you definitely don't want next to your pricey electronic equipment is a sweating drink. The geekiest way to keep your computer (and table) safe from the pool of condensation around your ice cold glass of cola is to use one of these handy recycled circuit board coasters. By MissMotleys, $14.

Personalized Laptop Computer Key Cufflinks

I'm a blogger, so most of the time that means sitting around in my PJs and staring at a computer screen. However, on those occasions when I am forced out of the house to socialize with other fleshy beings, I want to look my best. Capitolagirl's custom computer key cufflinks are a way to look downright spiffy while still keeping that familiar connection to your keyboard. $22.50.

2 GB FLASH DRIVE / Qombee Blue

When I was younger, my brother and I used to play a game in which we'd smash together two matchbox cars. The car that didn't flip over was the winner. We called the game "Crack Up." Why? Because we were 7, and that's what 7-year-old boys do with their matchbox cars.This has to explain why I am so drawn to the die cast car USB drives from dhhdesign. $25.

Question Mark Block Nintendo Mario

Remember those question mark blocks in the old NES Super Mario games? You'd whack poor Mario's head into them not knowing what you were going to get — maybe you'd grow bigger, or throw fireballs, or become invincible — you just knew it was going to be worth the headache. I'm not sure what the purpose of a real life question mark block is, but isn't it worth buying for a chance at that elusive 1-Up Mushroom? By lostmitten, $12.

Looking for past Guest Curators? Check out our archive!

Artistic Endeavors: Matt Revelli of Upper Playground & Juxtapoz Magazine

2009-10-22T16:45:00-05:00

Upper Playground is a design force for a new generation, where underground artists emerge and art shows up on T-shirts, baseball caps, online videos as well as gallery walls. Bridging art and fashion, Matt Revelli, creative director of Upper Playground (which he founded in 1999), recently took on the additional role of editor in chief for Juxtapoz Magazine. It's hard to describe just how influential its pages have been for artists who insist on breaking down the barriers between fine art and pop culture.

Matt is a mixture of brain and athlete, "the last of the bohemian jocks."

"Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong, but we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us... In the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain...and an athlete....and a basket case...a princess...and a criminal...Does that answer your question?... Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club."

What got you interested in independent artists?
I'm a contrarian by nature so I think I'm drawn to handmade things and art because at the root of it there is a desire amongst the creators to go against the grain and make things that don't fit into a particular category.

The rainy season is coming and I'm looking forward to spending Saturday afternoons putting together all my paper dollies. Woody Allen Paper Doll by littlegreygoose.

Do you have any collections?

I don't collect anything except original art, and I only collect things from people that I like personally.

Caroline Hwang showed her art in the FIFTY24SF Gallery a while back and I've always liked how she can translate fine art into a craft format. Let's Rethink This Pillow by carolinehwang.

I started to realize that the things that you collect become a part of your life, and no matter how great a painting is, if I don't have a positive personal connection to it I don't want it in my life.

Do you make anything?
I don't really make things myself. I consider myself more of a producer, more comfortable behind the scenes.

I like how this photo manages to make pigeons look regal. Fantastic Blue and Gray Pigeon 8 x 10 Photograph by allisonostertag.

What do you love about your job?
The best thing about my job is getting to interact with some of the most creative people in the world. They allow me to see the world from a completely different perspective and challenge me to raise the standards of what it means to be innovative. Street art really only intrigues me when I see people trying to push conceptual boundaries — people who interact with the outside world and treat the outside as a larger extension of what was once only encouraged in the galleries and museums.

What emerging artists do you have your eye on?
People who inspire me in that world include Herbert Baglione, David Ellis, Blu, and Mark Jenkins to name a few. For pure graffiti and murals Augor, Saber, Mac, Retna, Revok, QS, and MQ off the top of my head, but there are literally hundreds of people whose work I enjoy...

Are you a producer, working behind the scenes? Which artists and creators inspire you?
Tell us in the comments below.

Guest Curator: Kitsune Noir

2009-10-07T14:30:00-05:00

Bobby Solomon is the creator of Kitsune Noir, a culture blog that focuses on art and design but dabbles in a little bit of everything. Located in Los Angeles, Bobby works from his apartment and posts daily about the things he finds enjoyable. Recently he got rid of his car and has decided to exclusively bike and take public transportation around L.A., so he might have some kind of death wish.

Not too long ago, handmade items weren't considered a luxury, they were the only option. Okay, maybe that was before most of us can even remember, but it seems like handmade is definitely having a revival. After the plastic craze of the 60's and 70's, people are over mass-production and want something unique and well-crafted. Not that mass-production is going anywhere soon, but it's certainly nice to have some alternatives.

My list of Etsy picks, as well as my personal style, is a mixture of vintage and contemporary things. I definitely have a love for both the new and the classic, so finding items that mesh well together is the challenge. The list also journeys not only into items for the home but personal accessories as well. I hope you enjoy my choices, I had a lot of fun putting them all together.

Antique New York subway rollsign

I found this beautiful New York Subway Rollsign and fell in love immediately. I love the boldness of this and the faded white font on the deep black looks amazing. It's also double-sided, so you can pick your favorite side.  From luckylittledot, $335.

Search results (tags) for: "dudes perspective"

Guest Curator: Geeky Gifts for Guys With Josh Catone

Artistic Endeavors: Matt Revelli of Upper Playground & Juxtapoz Magazine

Guest Curator: Kitsune Noir

Guest Curator: Uncrate

Guest Curator: ReadyMade Magazine

Special Subscription Deal for Etsy Members:

Guest Curator: Share Some Candy

Happy Father's Day!

Etsy Finds: Biggest Weekend Deals Ever!

Etsy Finds: Just for Him

Business, Home, and Travel

Accessories and Apparel

Tools, Gadgets, and Games

Gift Ideas Under $30 USD

A Dude's Perspective: Life as an Etsy Widower

Guest Curator: Father's Day Fun with Extreme Craft's Garth Johnson

Etsy Finds: Adventures with Dad

Your Dad is in Luck!

A Dude's Perspective: Squashtoys Gets Creative with Fatherhood

Vote! What Will Make Dad's Day?

Etsy Finds: 48 Hours of Deals for Dads

The Art of Collecting

Etsy Finds: Geeks Need Gifts Too

Etsy Finds Vintage: Classic Good Looks for Guys

Quit Your Day Job: gorjuss

Etsy Finds: I Know What Boys Like...

Etsy Finds: Shop Live with Extreme Craft

Gift Ideas: To Grandpa with Love

Shop Live: ExtremeCraft's Picks

Etsy Finds Vintage: Man Hunt

Holiday Shopping Lists: Let's Hear It For the Boys

Etsy Finds: A Manly Quest

Etsy Finds: To My Beloved Geek

Fresh Shops: DiscreetCharm

A Very Manly Fall