Whether it’s trash, treasure, or sunken historical cargo washing up on sandy shores around the world, there’s no doubt that what’s been washing up on the Texas Coastal Bend is undoubtedly the creepiest of them all: sand and debris-encrusted plastic dolls that would give even horror movie veteran Chucky a run for his money.

While the area, which is around 30 miles northeast of Corpus Christi, is no stranger to trash washing up onshore due to a “loop current” that pushes debris toward the area, these dolls are reoccurring visitors that are exceedingly unsettling. Often dismembered and deformed from their travels, some might even call them the stuff of nightmares.

Twice a week, researchers at the Mission-Arkansas Reserve at the University of Texas trawl the stretch of coast between Padre Island and Matagorda Island looking for wildlife like sea turtles, marine mammals, and even endangered bird species. What they often find instead is all the trash that washes ashore, including the uber-creepy dolls that have been showing their distorted and maniacal little faces for years now.

The dolls specifically seem to be drawn to the area. Haunted? Unlikely. A result of the area’s current washing up excess debris from Mexico? Probably. Jace Tunnell, the Director of the Mission-Arkansas Reserve, says: “Texas coastal bend beaches get ten times the amount of trash than any other beach in the Gulf of Mexico,” and this is perhaps why the dolls are so prevalent. However, this entirely scientific reasoning certainly does not detract from the eeriness of the dolls themselves — after all, the current explains the trash and debris, but what explains the dolls themselves?

While the researchers don’t have answers to this creepy conundrum, they do find it amusing, and even, as Tunnell has said, a “perk” of the job, posting images of the distorted dollies on a social media account that’s gone on to garner a cult following. “Everyday is something new,” he told McClatchy News. “Just when you think you’ve found everything that could possibly wash up on shore, something else comes up.”

If you find yourself on this lovely corner of Texas coast, don’t be surprised if you see the occasional deranged looking doll on the beach. They may not be haunted, but they’re certainly more evidence of the appallingly polluted state of our oceans.

The post Why Do These Deformed Dolls Keep Washing Up on the Texas Coastline? first appeared on Dornob.

But now all that may be a thing of the past with an incredible invention straight from one of the most ubiquitous pop culture gems of all time: The Office. Undoubtedly superfans will recall Dunder Mifflin exec David Wallace’s idea for an unfortunately named vacuum dubbed the Suck It designed to help kids clean up their toys. Later sold to the U.S. military, the fictional Suck It was a Shop-Vac-like machine and basically a souped-up vacuum. Like so many other inventions, it was a slightly tweaked version of an already existing device.

Fast forward to today, and enter Matty Bendetto, host of the YouTube channel Unnecessary Inventions. He’s also an already accomplished inventor with a resumé that includes “LEGO socks” meant to prevent wearers from mashing up their feet when stepping on the hard little blocks. Now, Bendetto says he was “inspired” to create a new LEGO invention from watching the aforementioned episode of The Office. Of course, Bendetto doesn’t want users to simply Suck It, but to Organize It, too.

The “It” in this case is, as you may have guessed, lost LEGO bricks. According to a recent AV Club article, Bendetto created his LEGO vac by “designing and 3D printing four canister inserts” that take simple suction one step further by adeptly organizing the errant pieces by shape — the next-gen souped up Suck It.

The canisters are conveniently transparent in this uber-modified Shop-Vac, allowing users the visual thrill of watching their truant pieces being separated before their very eyes. The secret here is Bendetto’s addition of increased air flow to allow pieces to be sucked up more easily in a virtual clog-free zone. Before you know it, you now have yourself a neatly organized quartet of LEGO canisters at the ready, no muss, no fuss.

Bendetto also provides a cool video to demonstrate his latest invention. Described as “unexpectedly hypnotic,” it’s easy to see why LEGO fans would be wooed by such a device — the latest addition in the charismatic Youtuber’s list of “unnecessary inventions.”

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The Danish toy powerhouse has continually upped the creative ante over the last couple of decades, with intricate play sets that have been everywhere from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to Star Wars’ galaxy far, far away. And while the sets all range in piece number, themes, and most importantly, price, there are plenty of opportunities for kids of all ages to find something LEGO that interests them, and then spend hours (or more) putting the little bricks together to form something truly amazing.

The toy industry is packed with collectibles that rise and fall and sometimes rise again in value over time (think the Beanie Baby craze of the 1990s, and their more recent return to popularity), and other more evergreen toys that never go out of style (think Barbies still in the box) – but LEGO has been a brand that has been conspicuously late to the party when it comes putting a price tag on their products’ potential collectible value.

But all that’s about to change, as a recent study by Russian researchers at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow discovered that prices for retired LEGO sets grew 11 percent annually between the years 1987 and 2015. Most surprisingly, this rate is even higher than that of other, more traditional investments such as stocks, bonds, and even gold. The takeaway? Purchasing LEGO sets is a long-term investment that is virtually unhampered by other dictates that rule the stock market, and thus are very likely to yield returns over time — especially years after the sets themselves are discontinued.

But what makes the sets so valuable, and which sets are most likely to increase in value? The study’s authors, Victoria Dobrynskaya and Julia Kishilova, offered two important reasons as to why the popular toy brand is making a splash in the market: quality and quantity.

Like other toy collectibles that see increases in value over time, LEGO sets are produced in relatively small quantities (in addition to even more limited runs of special edition sets). And with a virtually non-existent secondary market due to owners being unwilling to sell, or unable to sell because of lost parts, complete sets end up becoming even rarer, especially when they’re discontinued.

The durability and overall quality of LEGO also plays an intrinsic role in the sets’ value. They’re sturdy, well made, and have the capacity to create endless 3D iterations. The sky’s literally the limit when it comes to what can be created with just a little time and imagination (check out this Batcave and Wayne Manor created by @lego_leprechaun if you don’t believe us!).

Obviously, the sets that will likely increase over time are ones that are discontinued, but there’s also evidence that both small and large sets are rarer and appeal more to adults — making them even more valuable. Additionally, sets tied to famous places, holidays, and blockbuster movies also seem to see a higher growth value than your run-of-the-mill, more generic sets. Currently, some of the most valuable sets include the Taj Majal and the Millennium Falcon.

Thanks to their quality, quantity, nostalgic value, and endless potential, we may be looking to a future where those LEGO bricks could be like actual gold bricks in your bank account, as the recent study indicates that they’ll only continue to increase in value over time. Either way, we definitely won’t be getting rid of our Millennium Falcon anytime in the near future. Value aside, it’s just too cool to let go!

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Now, the COVID-19 pandemic is becoming even more entrenched in popular culture, but this time, in a more positive, hopeful way.

Mattel has created six new Barbies to honor frontline women of science that have been working tirelessly in the fight against the novel coronavirus, including British vaccinologist and Oxford University professor Sarah Gilbert, who was instrumental in leading the development of the Oxford/AstroZeneca vaccine.

In recent years, Mattel has focused on updating Barbie’s image into more relevant, representative, and diverse forms, including embracing new combinations of body types (including dolls with disabilities and health conditions), skin tones, and hair textures. Their newest line of “Women in Science’” dolls aims to recognize strong, intelligent women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers.

Lisa McKnight, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls at Mattel, hopes that Mattel’s “recognition” of these frontline heroes “shine[s] a light on their [frontline workers’] efforts…[and] inspires the next generation to take after these heroes.”

Mattel has repeatedly faced criticism in the past for failing to represent diverse images of women in their Barbies, sometimes coming under fire even when they attempt to do so. However, these recent additions to the Barbie family look to honor real-life women and their heroic efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, and, by extension, hope to show their appreciation for “all frontline workers.”

For her part, Sarah Gilbert told The Guardian in July that she hopes her Barbie will inspire young women around the world to enter into STEM careers. “I am passionate about inspiring the next generation of girls into STEM careers and hope that children who see my Barbie will realize how vital careers in science are to help the world around us.”

Gilbert’s doll is created in her likeness, with the vaccine developer’s long, auburn hair, signature glasses, and navy blue pantsuit. She also joins the likes of Eleanor Roosevelt, Marilyn Monroe, and Beyoncé, all of whom have also been made into Barbies. While she finds being a Barbie “a very strange concept,” Gilbert also recognizes its importance and possible role in normalizing women’s crucial role in the scientific community. She has also chosen the nonprofit organization WISE (Women in Science in Engineering) to receive a financial donation from Mattel.

Mattel’s other five honorees include Americans Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz, a frontline doctor in Las Vegas and fighter of discrimination, and ER nurse Amy O’Sullivan, who treated the first COVID-19 patient at Wycoff Hospital in Brooklyn; Chicka Stacy Oriuwa, a Canadian psychiatry resident and advocate for eliminating systemic racism in healthcare; Dr. Jaqueline Goes de Jesus, a Brazilian biomedical researcher who led genome sequencing of a COVID-19 variant; and Kirby White, an Australian doctor who pioneered a protective, reusable surgical gown for frontline workers.

British COVID-19 vaccine developer Sarah Gilbert is one of six women that Mattel will honor with their new Women in Science role model dolls, all in the hopes of honoring women in STEM and recognizing the heroic efforts of frontline workers. And with the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine reaching a milestone of one billion doses in July, Gilbert’s role in its development is more than worthy of recognition and appreciation, not just from Mattel, but from all of us.

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This set marks the first time in the iconic toy brand’s history that it’s releasing an official LGBTQIA+ set. LEGO’s Vice President of Design Matthew Ashton talked about the inspiration behind the project, explaining that he “wanted to create a model that symbolizes inclusivity and celebrates everyone, no matter how they identify or who they love…this model shows that we care, and that we truly believe ‘Everyone is awesome!’”

The colorful LEGO set is inspired by the Pride flag first created over 40 years ago by Gilbert Baker to symbolize a movement that lacked representation of its own. Since then, it has come to be an important symbol to show pride and support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Each color of the flag has its own meaning and symbolizes diversity within the community itself.

Included in the “Everyone is Awesome” set are Baker’s original flag colors, in addition to the transgender colors of baby blue, pink, and white. Also included are the black and brown stripes that were added to the flag in Philadelphia in 2017 as part of the More Color More Pride Campaign. Each minifig has its own matching color reflected on the display’s floor, and while the monochrome design symbolizes equality, each figure also has its own little added twist in the form of a unique hairstyle to show that everyone is different and beautiful.

With the set, LEGO joins other toy giants like Mattel in offering more inclusive additions to their product lineups. The latter has expanded their brand in recent years to boost diversity with more inclusive Barbies. This year, they also introduced a twist on the classic UNO card deck with rainbow-colored cards available exclusively at Target.

The popularity of minifigs has exploded over the years as the company introduced sets of everything from to The Simpsons to Star Wars. This set is an important step in increasing the diversity of the brand while also recognizing the diversity of its fans. Minifigs are known for being expressive and unique —the perfect medium for LEGO to expand their brand inclusivity and show support for their LGBTQIA+ fans. Through the message of “everyone is unique” and “everyone is awesome,” the company hopes to encourage its fans to “feel free to be [their] true, awesome selves.”

The buildable “Everything is Awesome” model is made up of 346 pieces and stands about 4 inches tall, ideal for displaying anywhere you want to showcase your pride. And as always, the sets are designed to be fun to build and display for maximum impact. Join LEGO in celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community this June by purchasing this amazing new set on lego.com.

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After announcing a $400 remote control model of the vehicle in early 2020 (that’s only just now hitting store shelves), Hot Wheels parent company Mattel unveiled a new $100 Hot Wheels 1:10 R/C Cybertruck package in mid-May of this year. At one-tenth the size of the life-size futuristic transport, the Tesla mini-me is pretty fast. “Collectors will love the insane detail and epic design features of the Cybertruck, while R/C enthusiasts will marvel at its speed, reaching up to 12 mph,” the company website says. Of course, that’s only about half as fast as the first toy model.

Part of those “insane details” are the working headlights and taillights. Just like in the highly anticipated real Tesla, the headlight bar wraps around the entire front end while the taillights comprise one solid bar across the back. Reviewers of the original model say that although they are mostly cosmetic, these lights are fairly powerful and could be helpful if the car were to get stuck in a small, dark space.

The new accompanying remote control is exclusive to this version, patterned after the actual Cybertruck’s U-shaped steering wheel. After three hours of charging, the battery on the truck can deliver up to 25 minutes of run time.

The newer replica lacks the removable body shell like the previous toy, and it’s certainly not as durable as the real-life stainless steel car. However, sneak peek reviewers have been impressed with the new R/C’s all-wheel drive powertrain, and its ability to easily maneuver through grass.

Also included in this cheaper update is a miniature free-rolling Cyberquad, Tesla’s mostly mythical all-terrain vehicle. While it’s not a power toy itself, it can be added or removed from the open truck bed just like it was in the original company presentation. Using it as a “one more thing” gimmick during the 2019 Cybertruck unveiling, company founder and CEO Elon Musk wowed the audience by loading his space-age ATV into the back of the truck, demonstrating its huge loading capacity. While the CyberQuad was later promised to be an add-on to Cybertruck package, little has been heard about it since.

As for the eagerly awaited Cybertruck itself, it’s likely to be delayed. It was initially supposed to start shipping in late 2021, but since Musk announced that the vehicle would be produced in the Gigafactory Texas, which also has not yet been completed, expectant buyers – including the 250,000 who preordered the $40,000 truck within the first week of its unveiling – should prepare themselves for a much longer wait.

The Hot Wheels copycat seems to be just as coveted. The limited quantities sold out within hours of being made available on the company website, even with limits of “two per person, five per household.” Those lucky enough to have snagged the R/C bundle can expect it to ship by September 15th, 2021.

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When the coronavirus pandemic first brought normal life to a screeching halt in March 2020, retired interior designer Annie Kampfe suddenly found herself with more time on her hands. She pulled out the dollhouse kit she’d purchased from Earth and Tree Miniatures in Amherst, New Hampshire in 2017 and got to work alongside her husband, Cliff Donnelly. Instead of faithfully reproducing the model, though, they subverted the kit, recutting almost every piece to achieve the midcentury modern vibe they were after.

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What began as a way to pass the time soon became a passion. The Kansas City, Missouri couple wanted their “mini modern house” to feel like a real space, so they spent thousands of hours throughout 2020 perfecting every last detail of the three-story, 13-room miniature home, working in 1 to 12 (inches) scale. Using tiny tools, they handcrafted the components as true to life as possible, often using real materials like wood, tile, mortar, and concrete, as would be appropriate for the full-scale versions.

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Kampfe was inspired by the house she grew up in, which her parents built in Omaha, Nebraska. She spent a lot of time searching for just the right pieces to put inside the miniature, which all had to be midcentury modern in style. Most of it is vintage and German in origin, but some came from contemporary artists and craftspeople she found online. She even sourced a few pieces from her childhood home, including cork wallpaper her parents had hanging in their den.

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Each room of the dollhouse is a marvel, with a lot to take in. The possessions are perfectly disheveled, as if the miniature occupants just stepped out. In the living room, which Kampfe floored with wood in a parquet pattern, there are tiny paintings, candlesticks, books, liquor bottles, drinking glasses, and textiles she needlepointed herself. The house is wired for electricity, too, so the lamps (custom-made by a friend) all work.

Before the pandemic began, the couple did a lot of traveling, allowing them to pick up miniatures from cities like Atlanta, Maine, New York, and Paris for the home. The tiger-shaped rug in the master bedroom, found in a local store, is the piece that started the whole project. “It intrigued me because I’m a lifelong needlepointer,” she told Today. “I asked the gal who owned the shop what it was used for, and she said, ‘Annie, I think it’s meant to be a dollhouse rug.’”

In January, when the home was more or less complete, Kampfe’s son posted about the project on Twitter, and interest in their design soon exploded across the internet. Since then, they’ve continued to modify and refine the dollhouse, adding a basement level with a functional garage door. They offer close-up views and details on each space on Instagram @minimoderndollhouse.

“We had no idea Scott was going to put those photos on his Twitter,” Kampfe told Today. “I thought he was teasing me — he was like, ‘Mom, you’re going viral.’ I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’ We don’t necessarily love all the attention we’re getting, but I love the joy and happiness that this little miniature world has brought to a lot of people. It’s just been so humbling that something we’ve enjoyed so much made people happy.”

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The LEGO Botanical Collection, announced on December 30th, 2020, is a range of “mindful models,” including a flowered bouquet and a seasonally changing Bonsai tree.

“While many people seek out green spaces to de-stress and relax, adults can now bring a touch of nature into their home and unwind as they create and customize their botanical builds,” LEGO said in its official press release. “And the great news is that LEGO plants don’t need to be watered to stay fresh.”

Those are some encouraging words for aspiring gardeners who don’t have much of a green thumb. And appropriately, both sets feature some components constructed from plant-based plastic, itself made from sustainably sourced sugarcane.

The 756-piece, first-ever “Bouquet” set consists of an assortment of roses, poppies, snapdragons, asters, daisies, and various grasses in a visually-striking array of colors. The stems can be adjusted to fit in any size vase, and the petals are repositionable for an endless combination of displays. The company suggests this bunch of beaming blossoms would even make a “special and unusual gift” for anniversaries and birthdays.

The Bonsai tree kit, with its 878 pieces, allows LEGO fans to experience the ancient art of carefully snipping leaves and branches to create an exquisitely shaped shrub. The green leaves can be swapped out for pink cherry buds to keep pace with the seasons, or simply whenever builder wants a change. Only astute observers will be able to tell that most of the blushing blooms are actually tiny and charming LEGO frogs. Standing in its included slatted wood-effect pot, the tree is a decent synthetic version of the real thing. Its soothing shape and hues could believably help liberate some of those feel-good neurochemicals that help people calm down.

“As adults look for new ways to switch off and relax, we’re delighted to be able to help them seek solace from their busy everyday lives as they immerse themselves in creating these beautiful botanical builds,” says Jamie Berard, Design Lead at the LEGO Group. “The customizable elements and mindful building experience will hopefully help them express their personality as their creativity blossoms.”

LEGO may have been right about adults using to play to relax, because within days of its January 1 release, the new collection completely sold out on the company website, as well as on retail sites like Target and Walmart. Once back in stock, the Flower Bouquet can be purchased online here, while the Bonsai Tree is listed here.

The LEGO Flower Bouquet perennials can stand more than 14 inches tall and are priced at $49.99. Plastic horticulturists can add to their arrangements with individually sold LEGO Roses and Tulips for $12.99 each. The completed LEGO Bonsai Tree reaches seven inches high and also retails for $49.99.

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The RoboMaster S1 was inspired by the international robotics competition DJI RoboMaster. Since being founded in 2015, over 20,000 students from more than 400 schools have participated in this thrilling event that tests wit, engineering, and problem-solving skills. The S1’s creators wanted to embody the spirit of the contest in a single robot, and the result is both part toy and part STEM classroom.

The educational robot arrives in pieces on purpose, immediately giving the student a lesson in both assembly and design. Following directions and online videos as needed, you can put the RoboMaster S1 together in a relatively short amount of time, even attaching some additional accessories if you like.

With the bot assembled, you’ll want to fire up the accompanying RoboMaster S1 app (available for iOS, Android, and Windows). This is the mechanism through which you’ll actually control it. Oh, and while it is technically a robot because it is robotic, it looks and acts a bit more like an RC car, with mecanum wheels that move in all directions for both side-to-side and front-to-back mobility options. Combined with its chassis and front axle suspension, this allows for virtually unlimited movement capabilities — in stark contrast to old-school remote-controlled cars that basically only moved from front to back or in circles.

The technology behind the S1 is advanced and impressive, supporting both Scratch and Python programming languages. This allows the student to learn coding on an easy-to-use interactive interface. Once in the app, simply drag and drop blocks to program the chassis, gimbal, and blaster and then test them out to see the effects of your inputted data.

You didn’t misread it when we said “blaster,” either. Even more than its RC car base or robot-looking upper, the most fun aspect of the RoboMaster S1 is undoubtedly its blaster, which shoots red infrared light or actual non-toxic gel bead “ammo” as the robot races across the floor. This makes it the perfect tool for races or battles with friends. You can even throw in some bonus abilities like electromagnetic interference or dizziness to throw opposing bots off their game. Pressure sensors on each Robomaster react to different “hits,” but you can always code a custom move to outpace the competition with an unexpected figure eight or full stop. To top it all off, you can film all the action with a touch of a button and share it with the world.

Intended to help young people practice coding, the RobosMaster’s easy-to-use programming software allows you to train your robot to identify people and objects or move along a specific path. The S1 also boasts six programmable artificial intelligence modules that allow you to work some hands-on AI coding into your education, too.

It’s a lot of software, engineering, and technology to take in at once, but the company website is loaded with tons of support material to back you up as you learn. This includes video courses and tutorials with detailed instructions, downloadable documents, a FAQ section, and even a comprehensive programming guide.

The post Part Toy, Part Companion: The RoboMaster S1 is All Robot first appeared on Dornob.

Can the holiday season be the same without a new Star Wars movie? Fans of the series may mourn the lack of a live-action flick this year, but they’ll still have something new to celebrate. A special titled The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special will premiere on Disney+ November 17th, referencing the Star Wars Holiday Special that aired on the same date all the way back in 1978.

The original 90-minute holiday special, which followed Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie after the events of Star Wars: A New Hope, wasn’t exactly a huge hit for CBS, and it’s never been made available again. But it did introduce the concept of “Life Day,” an important holiday for the Wookiee planet of Kashyyyk, which happens to fall on November 17th.

The new animated 45-minute special will reunite Rey, Finn, Poe, Rose, R2D2, BB-8 and, of course, Chewy for a “joyous feast.” It’s the first LEGO special to debut on the Disney streaming service, and with it comes a host of new holiday-themed merchandise like the 2020 LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar and sticker book.

An official synopsis for the special explains: “Set after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Rey leaves her friends to prepare for Life Day as she embarks on a new adventure with BB-8 to gain a deeper knowledge of the Force. At a mysterious Jedi temple, Rey finds herself hurled into a cross-timeline adventure through beloved moments in Star Wars cinematic history, coming into contact with Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and other iconic heroes and villains from all nine Skywalker saga films. But will she make it back in time for the Life Day feast and learn the true meaning of holiday spirit? You’ll have to watch to find out!”

It’s unclear whether the entire cast from the most recent live-action films is returning for the special, including Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Kelly Marie Tran. The animated film is directed by Ken Cunningham and written by David Shayne, who’s also co-executive producer.

Here’s some more info about Life Day, via Star Wars Fandom:

“Life Day was a Wookiee holiday celebrated by the inhabitants of Kashyyyk. It was a celebration of the planet’s diverse ecosystem and the many forms of life it encompassed. It was also a time to remember family members who had died, and the young ones who continued to bring new life to a family. Life Day was a sacred holiday, and many Wookiees considered it their duty to return to Kashyyyk in order to celebrate it. Life Day was held once every three local years for many generations, but it became celebrated more frequently as its popularity slowly grew to the wider galaxy. By the time of the Galactic Civil War, Life Day’s importance to the Wookiees had become more pronounced.”

The new holiday special is just the latest crossover between the toy company and the sci-fi franchise, who have also released collaborative films, television specials like The Padawan Menace, six video games, and many, many themed LEGO sets.

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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.

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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.

Microbes outnumber our own cells in our bodies. Virtually every last part of us is teeming with microscopic life forms, including fungi, archaea, and of course, bacteria. Recent studies have found that while we each have about 10 trillion cells of our own, primarily consisting of red blood cells, most of us have about an equal number of tiny living creatures populating our skin, digestive tracts and other body parts.

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Finished “Phagey” the bactetiophage, made for @tatwoodpuppets show #microbodyssey On this weekend at Centre for Life, Newcastle and Moving Parts Puppetry Festival in April. . #bacteriophage #microbes #sciencepuppet #scienceeducation #puppets #puppetmaker #puppetstudio #puppetworkshop

A post shared by Judith Hope (@judithhopepuppetmaker) on Jan 5, 2019 at 3:22am PST

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Tardy the Tardigrade off to her new home with @tatwoodpuppets ! She’ll be performing in #microbodyssey this weekend at Centre for Life and at Moving Parts Puppetry Festival in Newcastle in April. Highly recommended! . . #tardigrade #tardigradepuppet #sciencepuppets #puppet #microbes #puppetmaker #puppetstudio #puppetworkshop

A post shared by Judith Hope (@judithhopepuppetmaker) on Jan 5, 2019 at 3:29am PST

These “human microbiota” can be actively useful or harmful to us, though most of them just sort of peacefully co-exist with our own cells. But as important as they are, it’s easy to forget about them as we go about our daily lives. A recent project by British artist and puppeteer Judith Hope creatively magnifies microbes in puppet form, giving them fun and engaging movements.

One is a bacteriophage, more commonly known as a virus, featuring a mottled, stick-like brown body and six creepy movable legs. Another is a pink tardigrade, sometimes called a “water bear.” This phylum of water-dwelling segmented micro-animals is found virtually everywhere on Earth, from the highest mountaintops to the Antarctic. Water bears are so resilient, in fact they’ve even survived trips to outer space. Other puppets in the series include a fuzzy blue bacterium and the orb-like virus responsible for the common cold.

Created for Tatwood Puppets, a group performing puppetry, original music, and visual theater for adults and children in the UK, Hope’s unusual creations feature prominently in a play called “Microbodyssey.” The show explores the extraordinary invisible world of microbes, including bacteria found within the human body.

The puppets are fun to look at even in their stationary form, but they become especially captivating when their handlers bring them to life. People are so enchanted with the bacteriophage, Hope is considering offering them as DIY puppet kits you can customize on your own. She’s currently taking a poll on Instagram, so chime in if you want one.

Hope explains that “aside from commissions, my own work is an eclectic mix of ideas and materials, often sourced from trips to flea markets, where I love to search for curious objects. Fascinated by lost memories and fragments of former lives, I explore the possibilities of bringing together lost objects to create new characters and new beginnings.”

“My inspiration comes from far and wide, from stories I hear, to people I meet. From folklore and fairytale, an upbringing in the country, bare feet on warm earthy paths, the patterns on my Nan’s china; from childhood memories of a simpler life. A time when creativity flows without constraint and imagination knows no boundaries, a world to which we cannot return. Believing in a puppet means stepping into another world, one of awe and wonderment, where anything is possible. I seek to create the wonder, curiosity, and magic of these worlds through all that I make.”

Hope’s other puppet work is definitely worth checking out, too, including hares, birds, fish, people, and mythical creatures like mermaids. You can also see lots more of them (and puppets by other creators) in action at @TatwoodPuppets on Instagram.

The post Microbe Puppets Magnify Some of the World’s Smallest Organisms first appeared on Dornob.

“Cybertruck is built with an exterior shell made for ultimate durability and passenger protection,” Tesla says of the truck. “Starting with a nearly impenetrable exoskeleton, every component is designed for superior strength and endurance, from Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless-steel structural skin to Tesla armor glass.”

Car enthusiasts watching the livestream of the truck’s debut were already buzzing about the truck’s bizarre looks when a demonstration of its “bulletproof” glass went awry, smashing into pieces almost instantly. Seconds later, the Cybertruck was all over the internet, with some lauding its innovations and others deriding its wedge-shaped stainless steel unibody design.

Even toy company LEGO jumped into the fray, tweeting a picture of its own “Cybertruck” made from a single plastic brick on Twitter. The caption read: “The evolution of the truck is here. Guaranteed shatterproof.” Clearly a good-humored jab at Tesla, the tweet inspired fans of the toy blocks to get creative with their own interpretations of the Cybertruck design.

Turns out that one of them is so cool, LEGO might actually make it into an official kit. Shared on the official LEGO Ideas crowdsourcing website, where fans compete to have their own product ideas made into real building sets, the LEGO Tesla Cybertruck by user BrickinNick is a faithful representation of the real thing, and it even has moving parts like a fully articulating tailgate and “frunk” (front trunk).

“While its design may not be for everyone, many different elements and functions of the Cybertruck lend themselves well to an electrifying LEGO build,” says the creator. “At this time, only the frunk (front trunk) and tailgate function. Opening passenger doors, a full interior, fold or slide-out ramp, opening charging ports, steering, suspension, the Tesla ATV, and more could all be integrated (and are being worked on for future project updates) making for an incredibly fun building experience. LEGO motorization could even turn this into a truly all-electric vehicle in brick form!”

The design has already garnered more than 6,000 votes from the Lego Ideas community, so it has a real shot at becoming the real thing as long as Tesla grants LEGO permission to use the truck’s name and likeness.

The on-stage demo of the real Cybertruck may have famously gone wrong, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t excited about it and eager to get their hands on one of their own. Production is set to begin in 2021, and the starting price is $39,900. The truck is Tesla’s sixth vehicle design since its founding in 2003 and by far its most experimental. It will come in both a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive version that gets 250 miles per charge and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive version with 300 miles of range. If all goes well, a tri-motor version is expected to follow in 2022.

The post Fan-Designed LEGO Version of the Tesla Cybertruck Features Moving Parts first appeared on Dornob.

Today, as creativity and social commentary continue to push the boundaries across almost all genres, people’s interpretations of the event has become much more inventive, although many still prefer the classical interpretation of yore.

Here are a few of our favorite examples:

Barbie Nativity

In an effort to highlight the gaudy sense of consumerism that’s tainted the Christmas season over the years, Argentine artists Marianela Perelli and Emiliano Paolini created this Mattel-toy driven nativity scene called “Barbie, The Plastic Religion.” Ken and Barbie hog the scene in various costumes; the baby is the only original player.

Pork Lover’s Nativity

Back in 2010, one artistic Flickr user shared their bizarre take on the famous stable scene by making bacon and sausage the stars. The straw is made from sauerkraut, but the people and animals are 100-percent pork.

Vacuum Cleaner Nativity

If the spirit’s right, a nativity scene can be created from anything. A Brit with an appliance store in the UK’s Westcliff-on-Sea teamed up with his son to build this unique scene out of the line of Henry vacuum cleaners he sells to customers.

The Three Wise Aliens

Instead of bemoaning the commercialization of Christmas, artist Matt Henderson rewrote the nativity story altogether when he recreated the scene in a former church located in Portland, Oregon. Besides throwing an extra wise man into the mix (can’t have too much wisdom), he also invited Santa Claus to the party. The characters were hardly recognizable in the end, with the magi being portrayed by space aliens and Santa decked out as a shaman with antlers on his head.

Cats in the Cradle

Sisters Annette and Sue Amendola spent over a decade carefully building a traditional nativity scene on their lawn in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Then they added food to the display, and the local stray cats quickly spread the word, edging Baby Jesus off his perch for their own enjoyment of that cozy hay.

Hipster Nativity

When Casey Wright designed “The Modern Nativity Hipster Nativity Set,” he was thinking about how religions would be much more diverse if their hallowed texts and characters reflected today’s world. His details mirror his vision: Joseph has a man-bun, wears a denim shirt, and snaps a selfie with Mary, who’s holding a cup of coffee from a trendy shop. The Wise Men sport shades and cruise in on Segways with presents from Amazon. The event is shared on Instagram, and all the gadgets are powered by solar panels on the roof of the manger.

The post 6 Nativity Scenes You Probably Won’t See Around The Neighborhood first appeared on Dornob.

Warsies looking for “The Child” merchandise prior to the release of the series were sorely out of luck since the studio didn’t want to leak any spoilers regarding the storyline and the pint-sized Yoda look-alike. As a result, there’s been a notable gap in the release of official Baby Yoda merch, allowing a flood of knockoffs to fill the void. Several people have reported being duped by these third-party products, while others seem more willing to accept a “less than” version of the real thing. Either way, just remember to do your research if you plan on gifting “The Child” to your child this year.

Without further ado, here are a few of our favorite Baby Yoda pieces to be announced thus far:

“The Child” Tee

T-shirts are the long-lasting and frequently-used merchandise every fan should own, and this 100-percent cotton tee offers both the adorable character and the comfort. Available in white with just the image or dark gray with the character’s name printed above, there will be no doubt that the Force is strong with you when you’re wearing it. The same print is also available in a ¾-sleeve jersey-style tee with the words “The Mandalorian” printed below it. There are also black-and-white tee options for kids.

Jigsaw Puzzle

For Star Wars fans who also enjoy working on jigsaw puzzles, this is an easy choice. Unfortunately, it won’t ship until December 30th, so plan accordingly. But with 500 pieces and a bonus poster, you’ll be able to enjoy The Child’s adorableness again and again.

PopSocket

One item you can get in time for stocking stuffing is the licensed PopSocket with The Child’s image printed on it. PopSockets are obviously “pop”ular with all ages as a cell phone accessory, and they make a great way to show off your love for the little alien.

Bobblehead

There’s no better way to expose your Warsian ways than with a Baby Yoda bobblehead. Coming in spring of 2020, the Funko POP! doll will be available in two sizes. It’s a little bit creepy and a lot bit cute.

11-Inch Plush

Though it’s not expected to be released until at least February 2020, we thought this one was just too cute to leave off the list. The plush is currently on preorder and will likely be the most anticipated product in the entire lineup. After all, who can resist that face?

Disney’s decision to delay the release of instantly iconic “The Child” merchandise has been met with mixed reception, but with confidence in consumers’ ongoing desire to be part of the Star Wars story, the company now seems to be releasing new items almost daily.

“It was important to us that the reveal of the new character, the Child, be a special moment for fans, and we could not be more thrilled with the response,” says Paul Southern, Senior Vice President of Licensing and Franchise for Lucasfilm. “Today, we’re excited to release new products for preorder on shopDisney.com, and are continuing to work closely with our licensees and retailers to roll out additional items including toys, collectibles, plush, games, apparel, and more, allowing fans to celebrate the newest addition to Star Wars.”

The post The Mandalorian’s “Baby Yoda” Merchandise is Both Adorable and Frustrating first appeared on Dornob.