This might just be the most fun twist on traditional Delft pottery you’ll ever see. Dating back to the 16th century in the northern part of The Netherlands, the very Dutch craft involves artisans hand-painting intricate scenes of landscapes, windmills, and houses in beautiful Delft blue. Calamityware’s version takes those idyllic scenes and inserts Sasquatch, giant frogs, pirates, sea monsters, cephalopods, and a “devil blob,” among other horrors.

Available as sets of two or more cups and saucers, or saucers alone, the 8-ounce teacups add a new option to Calamityware’s previous 12-ounce “Things Could Be Worse” mugs. They’re all made and decorated at the award-winning Kristoff porcelain workshop in Poland using the traditional in-glaze technique and are food safe, microwave safe, and dishwasher safe.

By the way, Calamityware has a host of other “Things Could Be Worse” products on their website. To go with your new teacup set, you can purchase four different bundles of matching tea accoutrements, including a teapot, sugar crock, and creamer carafe. A special holiday edition of the mugs introduces giant robots, pterodactyls, and zombie poodles into a festive winter scene alongside Santa, Christmas trees, and giant gingerbread men.

As their Kickstarter page says, “Your Things-Could-Be-Worse Teacups and Saucers are sure to become treasured family heirlooms cherished for their beauty, utility, and humor. Plus, these teacups help you achieve inner peace by keeping life’s setbacks in perspective and promoting a healthy attitude of gratitude. Things could be worse. In-glaze porcelain is fired at extra-high temperatures to allow the image to melt slightly into the surface of the plate. Connoisseurs will appreciate the beauty of the in-glaze technique which the artists at Kristoff have been refining since 1831. This is the look of porcelain you see in museums. Sweet.”

The teacups are expected to be available in the shop later this year. A set of 2 teacups and 2 saucers sold for $68, while a full set of 8 of each cost $264. The original Calamityware mugs and other products are available on the company’s website starting at $21.

About Calamityware

The company website explains that “Calamityware is a tiny, five-person, one-dog company headquartered in Pittsburgh. We love bringing the darkly whimsical view of our founder and chief monster-maker, Don Moyer, to life. Our products are high-quality, meticulously manufactured items that make wonderful gifts for you and other weird-adjacent people in your life. Our goal is to make you smile.”

The post Things Could Be Worse: Teacups Adorned with Trolls, Zombies, UFOs, and Other Terrors first appeared on Dornob.

How can paper (even the toughest, thickest paper) be used as a vessel to hold liquids and transport them on-the-go? The answer becomes immediately clear upon an introduction to the genius design of the Uphold Cup.

Unlike the folded swans and fantastic folding fans of origami yore, the Uphold Cup isn’t made of paper. Instead, it uses polymer polypropylene (PP) as the basis for its construction. Stiff yet incredibly foldable, PP is malleable in its own right, allowing the user to fold over and over with relative ease while retaining a shape strong enough to hold both cold and hot beverages (up to 100°C in temperature).

Of course, in an age where more and more people are looking to sustainable materials in everything from their homes to their beauty products, a reusable travel cup is nothing new – many people have made the switch to things like reusable water bottles and straws in an effort to ditch unnecessary plastic consumption. But the Uphold Cup does edge out its competitors with one small (but very important) caveat: it’s not only portable and reusable, it’s foldable, transforming into a flat disc when not in use, making it both cute and super easy to store.

And it’s not just a novelty, either; the Uphold Cup’s materials are food-grade and BPA-free, so users can expect foldable functionality that’s both sturdy and long-lasting (not to mention fun to play with!)

There’s something hypnotizing about the Uphold Cup’s accordian-like unraveling that, similar to its traditional inspiration, instills thoughtfulness and peace — something extremely satisfying about the design that gives it that extra je ne sais quoi not found in your standard reusable coffee cups and water bottles.

A winner of the 2021 Goldreed Industrial Design Award, the Uphold Cup was, according to Yanko Design, “made as a rejection of single-use culture,” and it certainly delivers with its origami-inspired flair that’s both hypnotic and eco-friendly. Compact, reusable, refoldable, and most of all, fun, this cup is sure to fold its way into users’ hearts before long.

The post The Reusable Uphold Cup Folds Away Like Origami first appeared on Dornob.

Home improvement goods are always top when it comes to Black Friday. As many of the year’s most popular and trendy items go on sale, that appliance or home good you’ve been eyeing all year suddenly seems worth the splurge. Below are some of the online mega-retailer’s best home improvement deals for this year’s two-day event, taking place on November 25th and 26th:

Wireless Doorbell Camera

For those who have been thinking of installing one of these home security superstars but have been waiting for the right moment, the time is now. This Geekee Wireless Video Doorbell Camera comes with all the goods, including night vision, motion detection, and wireless capabilities. Best of all, it’s over $20 off on Black Friday.

Now: $89.99

Black Friday: $68.50

Cable Management Set

Looking to get organized and finally tame those unruly cords? Tidying up your tech is a great way to refresh your home, and an easy way to extend the life of your much-used gear. With the help of this Cable Management Set complete with clips and organizers, you’ll be tidied up in a flash.

Now: $36.49

Black Friday: $28.04

Air Purifier

Air purifiers are an essential item for any home, especially for those who are sensitive to allergens. This Airthereal Air Purifier is perfect for larger spaces, boasting a HEPA filter, smart controls, and a super-quiet sleep mode for the ultimate air purifying package.

Now: $129.99

Black Friday: $84.99

Bamboo Sheet Set

Sheets can be expensive even at the best of times, but if you’ve been looking for a bedroom refresh, Black Friday is the time to upgrade. This Hotel Direct Bamboo Sheet Set is super soft, comfy, and the ultimate in quality. Perfect for both those hot summer nights and cool winter evenings.

Now: $89.99 (King)

Black Friday: $54.99

Cold Brew/Iced Tea Maker

Cold Brew is all the rage right now, and with this Ovalware Cold Brew Maker, you can whip some up at home whenever you feel like it: fresh, flavorful, and a lot cheaper than that expensive cup from the local coffeeshop. Even better, this beauty can make tea, too (hot and cold), making it a real one-stop shop for your favorite beverages.

Now: $34.99

Black Friday: $23.99

iHome Robotic Vacuum

Now’s the time to jump on the robo-vacuum bandwagon, and this i-Home AutoVac 2-1 Vacuum is the perfect place to start. Complete with self-charging, super suction, mopping, and wireless pairing capabilities via the iHome Clean App, this robo-vac is also $100 off for Black Friday.

Now: $249.99

Black Friday: $149.99

Sous Vide Cooker

Speaking of trendy, sous vide cookers are a must-have in the kitchen arena right now. An alternative to slow cookers and even instant pots, sous vide cooks your food in a kind of hot water bath, and this Greater Goods Kitchen Sous Vide is complete with all the bells and whistles, allowing you to control your temperatures to a tee and get dinner on the table in a snap.

Now: $94.88

Black Friday: $81.29

Air Fryer

Air fryers have been some of the hottest kitchen items around for the last couple years, and they only seem to be getting better with additional features and capabilities. Take the OMMO Air Fryer Oven for example. A Rotisserie/Dehydrator/Air Fryer (and more) all in one, this beauty can bake, roast, and grill pretty much anything you throw at it – and it looks great on the kitchen countertop.

Now: $169.99

Black Friday: $124.98

Smart Pet Camera/Treat Dispenser

Black Friday wouldn’t be complete without a treat for your canine (or feline!) best friend, and this Wopet Smart Pet Camera/Dog Treat Dispenser is the prefect way to show them you care. With a full HD camera to livestream and monitor your pet, this dispenser also pairs with your phone so you can talk to your buddy and give them delicious treats no matter where you are. Genius!

Now: $129.99

Black Friday: $103.99

Toothpaste Holder/Dispenser

This holiday season, give your bathroom the upgrade it deserves. With this sleek VNYIFAN Toothpaste Dispenser and Holder, you can get organized and look hi-tech at the same time. Multi-functional, stylish, and efficient, this wall-mounted beauty is also a great way to cut down on waste, saving you some serious cash in the process.

Now: $26.99

Black Friday: $12.74

Other Hot Deals to Look For

Don’t forget to be on the lookout for these five bonus deals this Black Friday!

The VIMGO Mini Projector takes movie night to the next level, and on Black Friday, its $178.95 price tag dips to $142.87.

The WLIVE 9-Drawer Fabric Dresser makes storage look oh-so-good, and its going to be just $76.49 on Amazon this Black Friday, down from $114.99. Talk about a great deal!

Everyone needs a Pendrajec Foldable Wireless Charger in their lives, and on Black Friday, it can be yours for only $29.99.

Lapurete’s Alexa Smart Bulbs use voice and app control to turn your lights on and off remotely and even set a timer and schedule — talk about smart! For Black Friday 2021, their price dips from $25.99 to $20.39.

Who doesn’t want the trendy and efficient COOKLEE Stand Mixer on their countertop? It also comes with a bevy of useful attachments, and, best of all, it’s down from $215.99 to $144.49 this Black Friday.

While Amazon started early this year with a host of pre-Black Friday deals, their official two-day Black Friday event on Thursday, November 25th and Friday, November 26th is definitely the best time to score some really unbeatable bargains. And if home improvement is on your list this year, now’s the perfect time to pick up those upgrades you’ve been eyeing. Get ready to fill your cart this week with some of the most amazing sales of the season!

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commissions at no cost to you.

The post Upgrade Your Home with Amazon’s Best Black Friday Deals first appeared on Dornob.

Designed with a convex middle, this bowl reduces the amount of calories you can fit into one serving, and “the unique false bottom causes your brain to see 33 percent more food than is actually there.”

The creator of the IGGI bowl, Australian designer Roderic Andrews, was inspired to find a better path to weight loss after his doctor warned him that his liver problem would be irreversible in three months if he didn’t make significant changes. After diving into nutrition research, “I soon discovered dozens of little-known food psychology studies using ‘sensory perception manipulation’ and learned that only about a third of our hunger is actually biological,” Andrews explains. “The rest is lifelong ingrained bad habits and unguided emotional eating.”

“Many of us overeat because it’s all we’ve ever known. We never learned appropriate portion sizes and we’re surrounded by excessive eating out in public.”

Enter the IGGI bowl and the attached Meal Mindfulness system. Based on a study from the National Library of Medicine that proved a correlation between portion perception and feeling “full,” this 7.7-inch stoneware bowl takes out a third of the space that would be in a similar-sized normal bowl. It allows for no more than 600 calories at once, but after you fill it to the top with food, your brain is tricked into thinking you’re eating more than what’s on your plate.

The dish is also glazed in a Japanese-style red, not only for beauty but because Andrews found studies showing that eating from a red plate versus a white plate reduces consumption by another 22 percent.

IGGI is designed to be used with an app that provides meal recommendations created by dieticians and chefs, as well as Mindful Eating audio that teaches you to slow your rhythm during a meal to reduce your calorie intake. The system also comes with 15 recipe cards and 15 Mindful Habits Cards that encourage healthier eating habits.

The bowl is microwave and dishwasher-safe and comes with food-grade silicone inserts that can separate your foods into vegetables, proteins, carbs, and legumes. These inserts are easy to clean and heat resistant up to 450°F. They can even be popped out individually for reheating. Also included in the bundle are a bowl lid with a hermetic seal and a tight-fitting neoprene-style carry case for easy and leak-proof transport.

Andrews says the “calorie cloaking” bowl and Meal Mindfulness system was personally effective for him: “So, how did it go after using IGGI daily for 6 months? I refuse to play the ‘before and after’ game (that causes us all great psychological pain), but suffice it to say, I finally ‘feel good in my skin.’ I reached my targets, but more importantly, I haven’t relapsed for the first time ever. My habits have changed for the better.”

If you don’t want to take his word for it, you can buy a one full bowl kit on Indiegogo for $69, or a two-pack for $99.

The post This “Calorie Cloaking” Bowl Will Help You Eat Less and Feel Full first appeared on Dornob.

Depending on what the bolt is holding together, these mistakes could result in a chair leg that’s constantly wobbly, a shelf that collapses under the weight of its contents, or the kind of equipment failure that leads to catastrophic accidents.

Lucky for us all, a company called Stress Indicators Inc. is now offering one of those “why didn’t this already exist” products in the form of SmartBolts, completely eliminating the need for a torque wrench to ensure that bolts are properly fastened. Each one of these bolts boasts a red dot in the center of its head that disappears when you’ve tightened it just right, which means you’ll always know when you’ve hit the sweet spot. You’ll also get visual cues when you need to re-tighten bolts that have loosened over time.

Fasteners work like springs, the company explains. Every time you stretch a spring, it pulls back. That stretching force is known as tension, while the force that attempts to return the spring to its original size is called compression. And since tension creates a kind of clamp force, it’s perfect for holding objects together.

The SmartBolt’s built-in visual tension indicator shows you exactly how much tension is being applied to the screw, appearing bright red when it’s at its loosest and darkening several shades until it reaches the black color that indicates it’s properly tightened.

“Even though bolts may seem perfectly rigid, steel is an elastic material. This means that when they are tightened in a bolted joint, they actually stretch a tiny amount. Think of the bolt in a bolted joint as a stiff, metal spring. By tightening the nut, you are creating tension, a load or force that pulls on both ends of the bolt. As you increase the tension, the bolt stretches the way a spring would stretch when you pull against both ends.”

“From loose to tight and back again, the system is reliable and repeatable through countless cycles of operation. It is compatible with a wide range of fastener types, and we can adapt it to fasteners of nearly every available grade, finish, and coating.”

SmartBolts are available in a range of sizes, going all the way up to 2.2 inches in diameter for industrial usage in fields like mining. In fact, the largest ones weigh a whopping 25 pounds each. While they might be overkill for some applications, it’s clear that bolts with built-in visual indicators could offer a major safety boost for things like infrastructure and, say, roller coasters.

Perhaps in the latter case, if products like SmartBolts became the norm, people with anxieties about equipment failure could reassure themselves that they’d be fine to go on certain rides with just a quick visual assessment.

Where else do you imagine bolts like these coming in handy?

The post These Smart Bolts Change Color When You Tighten Them Properly first appeared on Dornob.

Here comes one of those convenient upgrades that are practically begging to be a sold via infomercial. “CassCaps” is a set of alternative caps for all your standard-sized spice jars featuring built-in measuring capabilities for 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon, which is sufficient for most cooking needs. To use it, all you have to do is select your chosen measurement, flip the bottle, and twist the lid to dispense the spice.

The creators are father-daughter duo Mark, who invented the pineapple slicer 30 years ago, and Erika, who helped bring her dad’s new idea to life through W.E. Cornell and REV Ithaca Prototype to Production Accelerator. Mike first got the idea 25 years ago, but it really kicked into gear as 3D printers became more common and he was able to print his first working prototype.

They explain that their “caps are proudly made in the USA with FDA-compliant and BPA-free materials. Our packaging is 100-percent recyclable, biodegradable, and made from recycled materials. Our glass jars are recyclable, made with FDA-compliant materials, and dishwasher-safe. Whether you want to measure out 1/4 teaspoon or a full tablespoon, CassCaps has got you covered. With each twist taking less than a second to complete, measuring your desired amount is fast and easy.”

“We’ve spent over two years crafting, refining, and perfecting CassCaps to provide home cooks (YOU!) the best experience while cooking. After over 100 iterations, 150 different 3D-printed models, and extensive testing, we are confident you will love CassCaps as much as we do.”

CassCaps just completed a round of Kickstarter crowdfunding to help get their product into the homes of both amateur and pro cooks everywhere. Packages start at $24 for two black CassCaps, two glass jars, and a set of labels, but you can save more by grabbing the Dozen Set for $89. Since they can be used with just about any spice jar you already have in your kitchen, they’re pretty versatile, too, and the ability to measure straight from the jar is definitely an upgrade. The fact that they’re made in the USA with 100-percent recyclable and biodegradable materials is just the icing on the cake.

A lot of products with a similar “As Seen on TV” vibe are viewed with skepticism about whether they’re actually necessary or just another silly gadget that’s going to collect dust in the back of the junk drawer. Whether that’s true for you might depend on how much you cook, and how judicious you are about following recipes to a tee. But if you’ve accidentally poured too much salt straight into your other ingredients one too many times, you might find the prospect of a little more accuracy to be worth the risk.

The post Measure Spices Straight from the Bottle With CassCaps first appeared on Dornob.

Turning potential waste into usable products is at the very peak of innovation, benefiting the planet by making the most of our natural resources while giving used objects new life in the way of everyday usefulness. One Canadian company called ChopValue has taken this idea and used it to turn post-consumer bamboo chopsticks into a variety of boredom-busting and organizational products in response to the recent coronavirus outbreak, building on their existing line of custom and pre-made items.

ChopValue typically uses the wood from donated chopsticks to make home decor, household, and kitchen items. But when the stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders started hitting the airwaves, the company shifted their focus to designing products that those making the adjustment to copious home time would appreciate. The result is recycled wood smartphone, tablet, and pocket stands, as well as a striking set of building blocks similar to those of the popular Jenga game. One more limited release product is a finger hockey game that acts as a serving tray when flipped to the other side.

In addition to tabletop items is a table itself. Actually a workstation, it offers two patterned designs for the wood top and a durable white metal base. There’s also a smaller steel-base side table that can be pulled up to a couch or chair or used as a side table in your newly-necessitated home office. Each product lists the number of chopsticks used to make it, as well as its overall carbon footprint, not only to keep consumers informed but also to inspire other businesses and individuals to understand that product manufacturing doesn’t have to be detrimental to the planet.Materials donated by those that purchase the zero-waste kit are rewarded with a free product of equal chopstick value. For example, donating 75 chopsticks can net you a 75-chopstick coaster. Plus, donating helps reduce city waste charges as well as the mess caused when chopsticks puncture garbage bags. For some perspective on just how many chopsticks are gathered before heading into the trash, the new basic phone stand is produced from 150 chopsticks, while the work table requires over 10,800.

In addition to the newest line for the stay-at-home set, the company offers a variety of wall decor items and a selection of cutting board options. There’s even a zero waste kit that comes with a cheeseboard, coasters, key chains, toothbrushes, chopsticks, stainless steel straws, straw cleaners, and a box that can be used to return old chopsticks to the company.

Before the pandemic hit, ChopValue was known largely for producing custom furniture and other items. For example, a single Community Table they created for Little Kitchen Academy diverted 33,436 disposable chopsticks from the landfill. Another big project saw the creation of wall paneling, restaurant tables, and entrance flooring for Little Bird Dim Sum that repurposed more than 330,000 disposable chopsticks. According to the company, their efforts have recycled more than 25 million chopsticks to date.

Most recently, ChopValue has created a virtual interactive trade show booth in partnership with WireWax as a result of the many canceled trade shows stemming from the COVID-19 crisis. Check it out here.

The post ChopValue Turns Recycled Chopsticks Into Boredom-Busting Games for Those Staying at Home first appeared on Dornob.

For many people, plastic necessities include packaging that helps keep food fresh, because food waste is just as big of an environmental problem as pollution. Americans waste an incredible 150,000 tons of food each and every day — about a pound of food wasted for every person in the country. Most of it is thrown away because it’s spoiled.

But if you look beyond the convenient plastic wrap and disposable zip-top bags found at your local grocery store, there are plenty of ways to make food last. Products that use vacuum seals without the need for disposables might even keep food fresher for longer than ever, and all without the environmental impact.

“Equilibric Vacuum Lids” are a new offering that aim to be just as convenient and easy to use as conventional methods, but with much better results. It’s a set of universal vacuum-suction “Freshy” lids that remove all the air from your food containers. The accompanying automatic pump takes just five seconds to “seal your meal” using a small motor.

The process prevents bacteria buildup, prevents oxidation caused by exposure to oxygen, and seals in just the right amount of moisture so food doesn’t dry out. The special silicone sealant on the lids also lets them fit almost all dishes, pots, pans, coffee containers, and drinking glasses. The three sizes fit any diameter from five to 40 centimeters (about two to 15 inches), and they’re dishwasher safe.

“Freshy! is a technologically advanced universal vacuum lid [that uses a] special silicone coating to form a vacuum seal with just about any size container, dish, or pan. Freshy! is so fast and so easy to use. Once the lid is placed on top of the container, you simply attach the hand-held turbo pump to the lid and in seconds, the air is pumped out of the container, allowing you to keep food fresher, tasting better, and [lasting] up to seven times longer than [it would in] a regular plastic container.”

“Equilibric! is here to put an end to food waste and to help stretch your food dollars by fighting off food’s number one enemy of spoilage — air (oxygen). The air left in a container that food is stored in can cause food spoilage in several ways. It can help bacteria grow and it can cause damage to foods by oxidation (the same process that makes metal rust). When it comes right down to it, Equilibric! preserves your food by preventing the growth of mold or bacteria. It’s those things that make food spoil. And by removing oxygen, mold and bacteria can’t grow.”

Fresh fruits and vegetables are the most obvious foods to use with the Equilibric set, but leftovers, coffee, chips, cookies, and other snack foods can benefit, too. As a bonus, the set’s included drink cap even works on bottles of wine.

Check out the Equilibric Kickstarter Campaign for more information on backing the project and preordering in the future.

The post Equilibric! Universal Vacuum Lids Keep Food Fresh Longer first appeared on Dornob.

The Australian bushfires have ravaged the continent, wiping out hundreds of millions of animals, devastating communities, and even taking human lives in their wake. In an effort to aid all those affected by the fires, fundraisers from a variety of sources have “popped” up recently, including this fun vinyl figure brought to you in a partnership between Popcultcha and Funko. The limited edition Bushfire Heroes Pop! Vinyl Figure is a nod to the thousands of volunteer firefighters who risked their lives to battle the blazes, taking the form of an adorably small firefighter with smoke-smudged cheeks offering affection to a clingy koala. The toy’s packaging features both a map outline of Australia with a heart in the center and the Popcultcha emblem to give credit to Australia’s largest and most comprehensive Funko online store.

If you haven’t seen the news in the past few months, extended drought coupled with record-breaking temperatures contributed to an early and intense fire season that burned over 25 million acres of land throughout Australia. For reference, that’s the total landmasses of Belgium and Haiti combined. This is bad news for everyone in the country, including the animals, with some estimates stating that over one billion of them had been lost. Another grim figure estimates that over half of the koalas in New South Wales died in the fires, and that half of all koala habitat in the country is eradicated, too.

Thousands of people were evacuated, and thousands lost their homes. Air quality was horrific, measuring off the charts at 23 times what’s considered “hazardous.” The smoke clouds were so bad, in fact, that they were captured by NASA imagery from space. Air quality was even highly concerning indoors, such as when it seeped into a hospital birthing center. Animals with no protection succumbed to the smoke inhalation or managed to escape to a new location, void of their natural habitat and left to face an entirely new set of challenges. Many other pets and livestock were evacuated along with their owners, leaving them no place to go at all. Local authorities and emergency agencies around the country took in the evacuees and their animals. They anticipate providing care for months following the fires.

“The potential impacts on wildlife are devastating,” Crystal Kolden, an Associate Professor of Fire Science at the University of Idaho who studied wildfires in Tasmania in 2018, said in an interview with The Verge. “There won’t be a full accounting for how bad it actually is for years.”

Finally, after a deluge of rain, the fires in most areas were declared contained just this month (February), bringing to a close nearly seven months of burning.

Other organizations have also stepped forward to provide relief for residents affected by the fire, including major shoe, beauty, and clothing manufacturers. These CC Beanies, Save the Koalas shirts, and Fight the Flames Hats are just a few examples. In addition, many celebrities have donated money or organized fundraisers to help fight the fires, resulting in millions of additional dollars in aid. Some notable contributors include US singer Pink, Australian pop star Kylie Minogue, Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman, British singer Elton John, and Australian actor Chris Hemsworth.

The Bushfire Heroes Firefighter is currently available for pre-order at $19.99, with an estimated delivery in June 2020. All profits will be donated to RSPCA National Bushfire Appeal, an organization aimed at funding supplies and equipment for veterinarians and government agencies responsible for providing emergency and ongoing care to the many animals affected.

Learn more about where the proceeds from the figure go, or make a direct donation, here.

The post Bushfire Heroes Pop! Vinyl Figure Made to Help Fight Australian Wildfires first appeared on Dornob.

Made with a base of blue-black glaze dotted with oily-looking spots, the bowls were likely unappreciated in China, where rainbows were considered unlucky. Somehow, a number of them made their way to Japan, where they were prized by collectors and valued for use in tea ceremonies. The style was eventually recreated by Japanese ceramicists, but today only a small number of artists still work with the style.

The beautiful crystalline patterns on the bowls appear spontaneously during the firing process, which are different from the “oil spots” found on other forms of pottery baked in the Jian kilns of China. Modern potters, for all their new techniques and technology, can’t seem to replicate the workmanship of the originals.

A new crowdfunding campaign called “TENMO” pays tribute to their uniqueness while enhancing the qualities that make them look like “the cosmos in a cup.”

The campaign’s official Kickstarter page reads: “Tenmoku, also known as Jian Ware, is a legendary, precious type of porcelain that produces unique designs that are both mystical and unpredictable. It’s impossible to produce two identical Tenmoku porcelains. The name of Tenmoku comes from the word ‘Tenmo(天目).’ It means the eyes of the sky in Chinese and Japanese.”

TENMO founder Tom Fu adds that “other than just being a cultural symbol, many elderly people from China and Japan appreciate Tenmoku for its potential ability to soften water and enhance flavor thanks to the special clay and glaze used to produce [it]. One time when I was getting my morning cup of coffee, I serendipitously used a Tenmoku teacup for my coffee instead of my normal coffee cups. The feeling I got when drinking my coffee out of the Tenmoku was unlike anything else I had experienced with common coffee cups.”

“Drinking my morning coffee out of the Tenmoku that day made me realize that there are no authentic Tenmoku coffee cups on the market currently and that the delicate and exquisite designs of Tenmoku perfectly match the elegant and fine flavors of coffee.”

The result is a Kickstarter campaign aiming to revive the tradition, created by an engineer of magnetic materials in collaboration with master ceramicist Sun Whenzha. They’re made of the very same natural iron-rich clay from Fujian, China that created the originals, and they feature a nano-porous surface that’s believed to enhance the flavor of coffee and tea.

The TENMO campaign page contains lots of fascinating details about the science behind the clay and why its iron content affects the glaze in a way that produces these gorgeous nebula-like patterns. And while the campaign itself may have already ended, you can still follow the project to be notified when the cups are made available to the public.

The post TENMO: Cosmic Coffee Cups Revive an Ancient Chinese Craft first appeared on Dornob.

What do a laundry bag, basket, bar, rack and hamper have in common? They are all clothes storage systems and drying solutions take up space – and tend to look rather out of place inside of a room. It is no wonder so many of us give up and simply turn our furniture into an ersatz dryer.

First, this system solves the classic problem of having a single object somewhere in your small space (such as fold-out rack that needs area on all sides) since each of these wall-leaning hangers can be placed against any spare surface.

Second, though the solution is more dispersed than a solitary unit would be it is just as collapsible as the alternatives – when not in use, you can simple stack and store these sorter hangers out of the way somewhere (or treat them as abstract modern decor!).

Finally, Stephanie Estoppey, the designer of these clever laundry hanging system, illustrates how they can animate a space. Suddenly, instead of laundry laying out and looking like an eyesore it becomes part of the aesthetic of an interior – almost like decorating the room (though it may perhaps be a good idea to skip this step with your more private undergarments).

Estoppey is now a member of sustainable design collective Studio Colony.

“Our claim is a promise we keep: we are at your service to develop products that meet your needs perfectly – with no risk of being blinded by the familiar routine. In our role as your external design department, we bring fresh insight into your business.”

“We listen carefully to make sure we fully understand your concerns. Then we go on to develop ideas and solutions according to your wishes and needs – always from a new starting point but without reinventing the wheel. We connect with our clients at a personal level and strive to build relationships that last. Our network of partners and industry contacts is a resource we gladly put at your disposal.”

“Beauty, to us, is a function of the product. It expresses appreciation and makes a product more durable. That, too, is sustainable design.”

The post Artful Laundry Hanging Solution first appeared on Dornob.

The post Loose Joints Kit Lets You Make Random Objects first appeared on Dornob.

The post 7 Functions in 1 Space-Saving Object first appeared on Dornob.

The effect is certainly visually interesting, like a little sleight-of-hand for your shelf, but the story of the sales pitch is where the real mystery unfolds. How does it work? Like a magician, its designer is not telling.

Paul Cocksedge is asking – and perhaps will also end up answering – a larger question of how much we need to know about something before we are willing to offer up our hard-earned money for it.

“The idea is it’s not about the object,” said Cocksedge. “It’s all about the fact there’s not anything interesting about the design, it’s just a great functional object.” Which begs the question: isn’t the mystery itself interesting? The explanation of the trick?

You can count this author, for one, as a (potential) skeptic – though the idea for this invisible bookend does provide good food for thought. After all, we don’t demand to see the inner workings of an iPhone before we buy it, so how much is enough information to make a judgment call?

The obvious guess: a hidden piece of metal lies below the line of books and can be extended to accommodate more, while the last volume in the row is merely a fake that keeps the rest from falling … but perhaps it is not that simple after all.

“Paul Cocksedge Studio was founded in 2004 by Paul Cocksedge and Joana Pinho. With a strong and dedicated team of collaborators, the Studio has won national and international acclaim for its original and innovative design, underpinned by research into the limits of technology, materials and manufacturing processes.”

“The key feature of the Studio’s work, in everything from product design to architectural projects, is a focus on simplicity and imagination in order to create unique people-centred designs. At the core of this focus lies an unrelenting attention to detail, a willingness to question previous assumptions about design, and an eagerness to take on a wide-ranging array of projects.”

The post Invisible Bookend Lets Your Stacks Defy Gravity first appeared on Dornob.

Vincent specializes in all things stringed: mandolin, guitar, yukulele, banjo, lap harps, you name it. He’s mostly self-taught as a craftsman and says he feels a connection with every custom project. Because every musician is unique, he works with customers to build their perfect instruments, deciding on whether it should be acoustic or electric, fretted or unfretted, and determining string and size preferences.
“Each one of these instruments is like a painting with nature exploding out of it,” he says. “The woods I have chosen and the flow of things will determine the final look and sound of the instrument.”
Aromatic cedar, walnut, rosewood, mahogany, cherry, maple and oak are just some of the woods he enjoys working with.

One customer raved about his custom Root 5 (see photo below):
“You play it with the pick and you get into some ancestral, medieval state, in between Irish echoes, dusty Mid-Eastern locations and Indian courts. Once you start playing with the bow, you fluctuate between India and Europe.”

Using reclaimed leftover wood, Vincent ensures that his process is eco-friendly, and also that each piece in genuinely one-of-a-kind.
“I want the buyer to instantly feel this connection to the instrument through the creativity I have put there, so when they play, they feel alive with all the tones of the instrument,” he explains.

Every Ray’s Roots instrument is more than a pretty face, as you’ll learn when you listen to them. But of course there’s no denying their beauty. Luckily, Vincent also makes handsome wall hangers so that you can proudly display your mandolin or banjo and bask in copious compliments.
So, whether you want to delight your ears, your eyes or both, Ray Vincent is definitely your man.

The post Works of Musical Art to Play and Admire first appeared on Dornob.

The Sipski Wine Glass Holder was developed as a way to reliably hold a glass of wine in the wet conditions of your bath or shower. Rather than worrying about toppling over your drink and spilling it all over the bathroom, the Sipski sticks to the side of the shower, molded into the shape of a wine glass and complete with an opening for the stem. Made from silicone, it offers a flexible design that cradles your glass in between sips while keeping it close at hand. It measures 5.5 x 4.25 x 4.13 inches. The company isn’t giving any clues about how it works, either, except to say that they use “patented technology” that’s “magic.”

You can install the Sipski in a matter minutes. It will adhere to most clean, dry, and shiny surfaces. Note that it is not intended for use on unglazed tile or stone, but it should work well in your marble, metal, laminate, or glass shower.

The shower isn’t the only place you can use your wine glass holder. Attach it to the windshield of your golf cart (as long as it’s vertical) or mount it to a glass-front cabinet while you work in the shed or garage. It also makes for a nice holder next to the hot tub or by the grill. Better yet, free up some counter space by mounting the Sipski to the bathroom or vanity mirror while you prep for your evenings out. Choose from seafoam green or marble gray color options, depending on your personal preference and coordination with your bathroom décor.

Once mounted, you’ll want to wait at least 24 hours before allowing the Sipski to get wet or bear weight. While it is kind of magic, it’s important to note that the company doesn’t recommend using glass containers with it due to the potential for breakage.

When it’s time to remove the Sipski for cleaning or a move, you’ll find that it easily peels off with no residue left behind. Then hand wash it or toss it into the dishwasher to keep funky bathroom spores like mold and mildew at bay. Once clean and completely dry, you can reattach it wherever you like.

We all know that not every day is a wine day, and that many people are decidedly not wine people. If you prefer canned beer, cider, or even soda, the Sudski might be a better option for you. Similar to the Sipski in its design, mounting, and removal, the Sudski is designed to stick to a nearby surface and hold a can of your favorite beverage. It measures 7.3 x 4.2 x 3 inches.

Because they’re so lightweight and flexible, the drink holders travel well and also make for nice gifts that are inexpensive to ship. They are now available for purchase at several other retailers, too, including Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Amazon, American Eagle, and Kohl’s.

The post Sipski Shower Buddy Holds Your Drink for You first appeared on Dornob.