Eternal Helium Balloons By Clémentine Henrion Immortalize Childhood.

2013 update: Since this post, Clementine has closed down her etsy store and ceased her creation of these whimsical sculptures to focus on other projects. She now has an online boutique here.

Original post:
As a child, ever wanted your helium balloon to last forever? Never to be accidentally whisked away by the wind or to deflate sadly over time?

Well, 30 year old Paris-based stylist, illustrator and set designer Clémentine Henrion did and that's why she designed the Eternal Helium Balloon, a sculpture that looks just like a helium balloon, but will last forever.



As Clémentine describes them:
"Helium Eternal balloons are proposed as interior design furniture, but also as set design collections for photo shootings, stores windows, showrooms, etc. 
This “illusion” of an helium balloon is entirely made of precious or fancy fabric.

The balloon is stuffed with kapok, like a soft pillow. 
A tiny flap fixed at the top of the balloon helps hanging it to your interior’s ceiling, hook it to a curtain rod, the top of a wall etc.

The key thing is to hang it up as high as possible, in order to recreate the magic illusion of a real flying helium balloon!
The most beautiful effect is obtained in setting a bunch of several balloons together, forming a “balloons bouquet”.


All these pieces are delicately handmade in my own workshop in Paris, in limited edition. Special custom shapes can also be created on request."

Shark:

Icebergs:

Candy:

Cloud:

Rainbow:

Hearts:



If you want a special request, you can contact her here

Otherwise, you can find these charming Eternal Helium Balloons at the following places:
•Her Etsy store
•CITE nyc (New York)
•Lilooka (France)
•Madame LaMarchande (France)
•Mercredi (Belgium)
•Third Drawer Down (Australia)
•KolKid (Canada)

Cable Tie Jewelry By Ambre France.

Jewelry designer Ambre France has several unusual collections of jewelry. One of my favorite is her Cable Ties Collection in which she has turned the utilitarian device into rings, bracelets and earrings- even rings set with diamonds.

Rings:

Bracelets:

Earrings:

a Eur cable tie version of the ring:

Set with diamonds:


Available in sterling silver, silver plate, gold or gold-plate, the pieces look just like actual cable ties and in the case of an engagement or wedding ring, signify the everlasting (since we all know cable ties in reality can only be removed by cutting them).



In her limited edition "Plan B Kit" the cable tie engagement/ wedding ring comes in 18K (18ct) yellow gold, complete with a pair of gold plated tin snips.


Platinum and 9ct gold versions are also available.

In her own words:

The inspiration for my work is drawn from a variety of sources. I tend to reflect on intangible or conceptual aspects of the world and translate these into pieces of work. Primarily, I enjoy the process of subverting a range of materials that then become tools in which to highlight my artistic concepts. This, at present has manifested itself into the realm of jewellery.

Giving the audience an option to interact with the piece and ‘make it their own’ has also played an integral part in the relationship I have with the pieces. They are no longer completely mine and I enjoy the interaction the work has with each new audience.

My aim is to create work that in many ways makes us look at our surroundings and the objects that inhabit it, and then look again. The fascination I have developed between playing around with the conventional meanings of certain objects and our relationship with them is a constant driving force behind my work.

You can order directly from her site where her pieces are made to order and available in either sterling silver, gold-plate, sterling silver or all gold.

Or you can buy her sterling silver cable tie rings and bracelets online here at Jewel Thief


Make sure you visit her site so you can see all of her unusual work.

Bionic Skulls Series by Roberto + Colleen Crivello For Botanist

Over two years ago, I introduced my readers to the Designer Series of Botanist Benches in a post titled Botanist Designer Series: Benches That Give Back. Each designed by a different internationally renowned designer and whose proceeds benefited various charities.

Since then the company has increased their collection by adding clocks, lanterns and trays by various designers and again, part of the proceeds go to various charitable organizations.

One of the collections, the Bionic Skulls Series by Roberto + Colleen Crivello, benefits the Scleroderma Society of Ontario and features graphic skulls and line art similar to classic pinstriping.



Bionic Clocks (16L x 16W in) :




Bionic Lanterns, available in small, medium or large:


Bionic Trays (available in small or large):



The objects are made of powder coated steel and the trays and lanterns both have clear silicone feet to protect surfaces. Each item also features the authentic signature medallion.


More information about the Bionic Skulls for Botanist as well as many other collections can be found here.

Hair Dryers That Will Blow Your Mind From Ferrari, 2Much, Barbie, Ed Hardy and More.

Seems like lately everything utilitarian is getting into "design" and hair care tools are no exception. Blow Dryers from high-end salon brands like BaByliss, T3, Conair and even custom ones by designers are hitting the market.

The first one I'm sharing with you is more about what's inside the dryer than the look of it.

Hair Dryer engine made with actual Ferrari parts:



In 2010, a unique collaboration between BaByliss and Ferrari brought together the technological and engineering expertise of these two industry giants. The result puts the world's first Ferrari-inspired high performance engine into a professional hair appliance.


above left image courtesy of ModernSalon

Designed for maximum airflow, minimum weight, low vibration, extended life and turbo-speed power, the Ferrari engine makes this BaBylissPRO the ultimate drying machine, and creates a brand new category in styling: the performance luxury dryer.

Ferrari and BaByliss, both noted for speed, power and performance, are recognized and respected around the world. As a sponsor of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Championship, BaByliss is proud to lend its support to the greatest name in racing.

The BaByliss®PRO VOLARE comes in two sizes –a medium and a compact one- and in two colours –in black and in the worldwide original FERRARI red colour- and is the world’s first professional luxury hair dryer driven by a FERRARI engine.

The V1 - Ferrari designed engine Hair Dryers:


The V2 - Ferrari designed engine Hair Dryers:



The following hair dryers have all jumped on the Graffiti and Tattoo inspired bandwagon.

Custom Graffiti Hair Dryer
This custom hair dryer by Patrik Blundell of 2much was exclusively made for Millenium Hair Design and is embellished with Graffiti:




Ed Hardy Geisha Hair Dryer:


Dragon and Koi hair Dryers by Hair Religion:



The TS 2 Vintage Hair Dryer:


The following are simply hair dryers worth noting.

The Special Edition T3 Barbie Hair Dryer:

The T3 Barbie hair Dryer is available exclusively at Bloomingdales.

For when you're really packing heat, The 357 Magum hair dryer:


above images courtesy of this etsy listing.
There's also a similar hair dryer with various colored handles called the Western hair dryer.

And of course, there's a Swarovski Crystal Clad hair dryer by 77th and Park. The 1871 watt Ionic hair dryer comes in 3 color variations and comes in an alligator bag:




Not quite as blingy, and certainly not nearly as expensive is the Conair 213L Limited Edition Swarovski Crystal Infiniti Dryer:




Of course there are hundreds of interesting concept designs for hair dryers, but I wanted to you to see the actual produced ones.