Formal Falconry. Tiroler Goldschmied's Exclusive Diamond-studded Hawk's Hoods in Abu Dhabi.

My friend Jaci is traveling in the Middle East and taking fabulous pictures, a few of which included photos of Faloncry. This reminded me of an Italian Jewelry company I had read about that makes outrageously diamond studded, gold threaded, leather and crocodile falcon hoods for Abu Dhabi.



For more than 40 years Italian Jewelers Tiroler Goldschmied has been working in the profession of goldsmith's craft. Numerous international awards are confirmation for the particular team-work of the Gamper family and exquisitely designed jewellery has become their trademark. Driven by its passion, the Gamper family also designs exclusive refined and bespoke falconry and hunting accessories.



Tiroler Goldschmied developed its own new process to create exclusive diamond-studded hawk's hoods for those who participate in Falconry. Every hood is one-of-a-kind piece and designed according to individual ideas and tastes.








Each accessory can be transformed into a precious one-of-a-kind piece, as unique, mysterious, and graceful as the fascination of hunting and falconry itself. The diamond-studded falconry hoods can be engraved with your handwritten signature, personal initials, or coat of arms (for those who have one).




The well known artisan Mr. Giancarlo Pirrotta makes the falconry hoods out of the finest materials and Tiroler Goldschmied refines them with unique gemstones underlining the grace and magic of hunting and falconry.




Not quite as fancy, Mr. Pirrotta also has a collection of luxury falconry products for Tardini. "Royal Hoods" is a range of falcon hoods, made in American Alligator and embellished with precious feathers, lapis-lazuli beads and 18kt gold thread or rich heraldic embroideries for Tardini of Italy:


Tiroler Goldschmied Falconry Products
Via Castello 3
39019 Tirolo
Italy

Cutest Smoke Detector Ever. The Chick-A-Dee Chirps You To Safety.

Smoke alarms, which are traditionally functional rather than decorative, are a vital tool to help protect your home and your loved ones. That's why the Dutch Association of Insurers held a competition to design fire prevention solutions, with entries from students taking various design courses in the Netherlands.



The Chick-a-Dee® by Louise van der Veld was the winning entry. The Chick-a-Dee is a well-designed smoke alarm in the shape of a bird.





The bird is perched on a branch, which also serves as a mounting system. The Chick-a-Dee ® comes in 5 color variations and can easily be fitted to the ceiling.




The Chick-a-Dee design is based on the clip-on birds one often sees as decorations on Christmas trees. The designer chose this shape because birds have always been known for their warning calls. It is a well-known fact that that birds warn each other of danger by calling loudly. In the previous century, miners used to take canaries in small cages with them into the mine, because these birds are sensitive to poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide. These gases are both colourless and odourless and can hardly be sensed by man. As soon as the canaries showed even the slightest sign of distress (by no longer singing and chirping) it was a clear signal to evacuate the mine as quickly as possible. The bird's presence gave the miners both a secure and pleasant feeling.




The Chick-a-Dee ® takes its name and appearance from the American Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapilla). This name is a tribute to its warning call, the phonetic Chickadee sound. At the smallest threat, the bird calls chick-a-dee-dee, and in more serious circumstances, the call becomes a loud dee-dee-dee sound. As soon as smoke is detected a 85 db alarm signal is activated. The alarm signals that the battery is dead by playing by playing the alarm signal. Under normal conditions, a control light flashes once a minute. The Chick-a-Dee can be tested by pressing the test button. The batteries are easy to replace.



The Chick-a-Dee smoke detector was specially designed for the Baby and Kids market. The Chick-a-Dee smoke detector is equipped with a 1.5 year battery lifetime and a three-year warranty. Dimensions: length 17 cm, width 17 cm, height 12 cm


images and product description courtesy of Chick-A-Dee and The Initiator and Company

Buy it here

Or buy it directly from Chick-a-Dee in various colors here.

Nine New Novelty Jewelry Finds

Nine fun new jewelry finds.

If novelty or unusual jewelry is your thing, check out the work from Digby & Iona, Verameat, Franziska Venrath and more by clicking on the images above where you can purchase the items as well.

Whether it's solid gold, sterling silver or vermeil, you'll find the latest and greatest right here and on my list of Hip Jewelry at Thisnext.

See more of my If It's Hip Jewelry You Want, Here It Is. list at ThisNext.

BIRD CRAP

I'm getting dangerously Anti-Aviary. Why?

Well, If you've been even the tiniest bit observant in the past year, you'd have noticed how birds are everywhere. I don't mean in the sky, or on trees, I'm talking about as a design element.

Bird pillows, bird wrapping paper, bird wallpaper, bird jewelry.
At first it was sweet, then charming and now it's verging on absolutely obnoxious.

Don't believe me?
Just go to ThisNext and type in 'bird'. There are over 3,00 bird-related items on there and over 65 individual lists of bird products. Or etsy. Or, for god's sake, even ebay.

Admittedly, I'm happy to see the actual sport of "birding' increase, but must that be reflected on everything in the marketplace?