iPhone Leather Book Case

This iPhone Leather Book Case from Twelve South is both wallet and smartphone protector, and for those of you who like to read books on phone, it’s as close as you can get to that classic feel from the comfort of a smartphone. After all, with a Kindle app, iBooks, and the Nook application, you can bring in content from all of the various eReaders.

And if you’re the highly organized type, you can use the other side for storing ID, credit cards, and greenbacks. Last but not least, the iPhone Leather Book Case firmly holds everything into place, protects it against drops, and can even disguise the fact you’re carrying around a $500 device from any kleptomaniacs you may come into contact with.

$50-$100, Art & Design

By Aric Mitchell on March 28th, 2013

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$50 BUY

SurrealScapes Playing Card Deck

In keeping with the morning’s theme of tired inventions getting a fresh, vital look, we give you the SurrealScapes Playing Card Deck. This unique photography work and body art design combination isn’t your Granny’s deck of cards. In fact, it kind of has a Girl with the Dragon Tattoo vibe going for it as seen through the eyes of David Fincher.

Zaid Salman of San Jose, California, is the mastermind behind this design concept, which makes striking use of yellows, magentas, cyans and blacks. Packaging is a stark, yet colorful combination in keeping with the spirit of the deck itself. And if playing cards aren’t your thing, Salman has some larger prints available for art lovers everywhere.

Art & Design, Gaming, Gear, Under $25

By Aric Mitchell on February 20th, 2013

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$10 BUY

Walhub: Functional Switch Plates

A typical day in the working life of yours truly goes a little something like this. Wake up, get dressed, get coffee – approximately 1 hour. Look for keys – approximately 1 hour. Go to work – eight hours. Come home, place keys in a completely different location, so I’ve gotta spend another hour looking for them in the morning.

With the Walhub Functional Switch Plates, that routine could become a lot more productive. All one has to do is unscrew the existing switch plate and replace it with one that has hooks that are perfect for hanging your keys, stuffing your outgoing mail, hanging your umbrella for rainy days – you name it. All you’ve got to do is remember to use it.

Art & Decor, Art & Design, Gear, Lighting, Living, Under $25

By Aric Mitchell on February 11th, 2013

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$15 BUY

The Cube 3D Printer

The mind boggles at what’s possible today that wasn’t possible 20 years ago, and if this 3D printer technology is a sign of things to come, we could be living in a world of endless possibility. One of the latest entries into this market is that of The Cube 3D Printer from Cubify. This little miracle device can print virtually any 3D object you can think of.

Coatracks, toys, tablecloth rings, refrigerator suctions, pencil holders. Like we said, the mind boggles. As this technology continues to develop, we’re sure it’s only a matter of time before cars, guns, bows and arrows, and all kinds of other man-friendly objects get added to the mix. Until then, enjoy this portable printer – it weighs only 8.5 pounds – and print anything you want in dimensions up to 5.5″ x 5.5″ x 5.5″. Comes in silver, white, magenta, blue and green.

$1,000-$2,500, Art & Design, Gadgets, Gear

By Aric Mitchell on February 5th, 2013

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$1299 BUY

Makeblock – Next Generation of Construct Platform

Makeblock is a marvel of modern robotics and a reminder that we’re officially too old to keep up. Seriously, kids today have access to all kinds of things that will spur their creativity and put them ahead of the rest of us, that the future is starting to feel like a scary place. So what does Makeblock’s Next Generation of Construct Platform do exactly? What doesn’t it do?

The Kickstarter campaign, which has reached $185,576 as of this writing (with just a $30,000 goal), highlights a platform that is capable of making everything from toy cars and robots to 3D printers. And we’re not talking cookie-cutter stuff here, kids. You don’t have to build your car to any one set of specifications. You’re only limited by imagination. How does it all work? Well, if I knew that I wouldn’t be working, would I?

Art & Design, Gear, Tools, Toys

By Aric Mitchell on January 22nd, 2013

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$TBA BUY

Travelteq Pencil Holder

If you draw and like to look stylish doing it, the Travelteq Pencil Holder is a must-have. Sure, it’s not as fancy as the Faber-Castell 250th Anniversary Box Set, but it’s great for those on-the-go projects that don’t require an entire tool chest.

These holders were made by hand in Italy using Florentine Vacchetta leather and are capable of holding up to 19 pencils. Travelteq also added a set of high quality colored pencils from Bryunzeel to get you started.

Of course you could always ditch the colored pencils and take this with you to knock out those final exams, but that’s probably overkill.

$50-$100, Art & Design

By Jason Bacchetta on December 21st, 2011

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$85 BUY

Faber-Castell 250th Anniversary Box Set

Faber-Castell is celebrating its 250th Anniversary, but it’s the artists and graphic design lovers who are getting the gifts… at a price of course.

Being one of the world’s largest stationary brands, it only makes sense that Faber-Castell would create a colossal box set that includes creative tools such as pencils, pencil crayons, and pastels. But if you have any interest in owning one, don’t hesitate. The Faber-Castell 250th Anniversary Box Sets are limited to 1,761 copies – 1761 being the date on which the company was created.

Though we must say, using a crayon from this box almost seems like a crime. After all, the set is far from the 64-pack of Crayola that you were required to bring to art class in the 2nd grade.

$1,000-$2,500, Art & Design

By Jason Bacchetta on September 29th, 2010

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$1,425 BUY