If It's Hip, It's Here (Archives)

More Geeky Icon Pillows, These From Throwboy

You may have read my post on the fun computer and social media pillows from both Craftsquatch and My Suite Stuff. Now another designer, Roberto Hoyos of Throwboy, has thrown his hat...er, pillows, into the ring.

Like the other two companies, these pillows are hand crafted of fleece with polyester stuffing.

The collection includes Chat pillows- text shorthand blurbs as well like LOL, WTF and TTYL.

And mac computer OS icons:

And the requisite RSS Feed pillow:

They even have Halloween versions of Mac Finder icon pillows! Available until Oct. 31

Meet Throwboy and their mac computer and software icon pillows:

From Throwboy's "About Us" Page: Roberto was at work. Brandon was at a Christmas party. Kaelin was, young. "Brandon." Roberto said in that dry, you-don't-know-what-I'm-thinking way he always talks. "You do designing, right?" "Umm. Yeah, Roberto, I do." Brandon replied, hesitant. They'd never so much as texted one another, much less talked on the phone. "Let's meet at Shari's. I've got something I want to talk to you about." After forcing a signature of nondisclosure upon Brandon and Kaelin, his dreams of pillow dominancy were unfolded before their eyes. An empire of geeky, soft and peppy pillows sewn with care in happily familiar shapes.

Roberto, the grandson of a Peruvian Seamstress, birthed his Icon pillows years earlier to impress a female of his same Nerd Clan. And thanks to the modern technology which they embraced, the internet caught wind and surfer's interests were perked. Almost a year after the bland dinner at Shari's, this website emerged in all of it's groovy goodness.

See the post on Craftsquatch and My Suite Stuff pillows here. Buy your Throwboy pillows here.

You're Never Too Old To Play With Blocks: The Coolest Wooden Designer Blocks Available.

Seems that many artists and companies are convinced that grown-ups, especially design-loving folk, still want to play with blocks. And from the looks of these, they are right.

Here's a round up of beautifully designed wooden blocks available on the market:

PhotoLettering Blocks from House Industries:

• 12 Wood Alphabet Blocks
• Blocks 1 3/4" (4.5 cm) square, Kit 11.625" x 4.625" (29.5 cm x 11.5 cm)
• Made in the USA!
• Replenishable Michigan-grown, kiln-dried basswood.
• Printed with non-toxic, lead-free child-safe inks.
buy them here.

Alexander Girard Blocks from House Industries:

• 12 Wood Blocks
• Each six sided block is 1.75" x 1.75"
• Includes wood tray
• Made in the USA from replenishable Michigan Basswood
• Non-toxic, child-safe inks
• CPSIA Compliant - ASTM-F963 / EN-71 Compliant
buy them here

Make Art Not War Blocks by Bob and Roberta Smith

A Tate Exclusive: Bob and Roberta Smith Blocks

These delightful wooden alphabet blocks have been created exclusively for Tate by London-based artist Bob and Roberta Smith. Each set contains 16 colorful blocks in a wooden box with clear lid. 96 facings are included with letters, numbers and punctuation '&?!'.
buy them here.

Naef Blocks

Naef Blocks are more like art puzzles than building blocks and they have tons of styles, here are a few of my favorites:

Naef Mosaik:

Naef Modulon:

Naef Wooden Collection:

Naef Animal Blocks:

There are tons more wooden puzzles and blocks from Naef, see them all here.

You can purchase many of the Naef products in the US here.

Bok handmade wooden blocks by Petit Flaneur:

learn more about them and where to buy at Petite Flaneur
The etsy store
Or buy the garden ones here

HABA architectural blocks:

If you're raising a little architect, HABA wooden blocks come in tons of different architectural styles, representing cities all over the world.
Buy them here.

Worth mentioning:

These wooden Hand Gesture Icons by Roebuck Studios are fun for both adults and children alike:

Crafted of baltic birch wood, all the edges are rounded for safety and a safe, shellac finish is applied. Available in seven colors. Sold as a set of seven or individually.
Buy them here.

Technically, Tree Blocks are not square, but they are fabulous.

TREE BLOCKS®, Exquisitely hand cut branch blocks.
Freeform pieces come in precision-cut 2-cm. increments (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 cm.) with large 2 cm. disks and bridges to support successful building and early math and metric system learning. Diameter of blocks varies. Typical set includes "Y" or forked pieces. They lovingly finish each unique set with flax oil. Tree Blocks come in a colorful, cotton twill, drawstring sack with attractive logo block. Ages 3 to adult. Safe, lab tested.

The standard measure of maple unit blocks (regular kids wooden blocks) is 3/4", virtually the same as 2 cm. The sets can be combined flawlessly.
buy them here.

Okay, not blocks, per se, but these wooden dominoes by Keith Haring demanded inclusion:

Keith Haring Wooden Domino Set:

Keith Haring orange wooden domino set printed with colorful pop art characters. Keith Haring made his name with graffiti style art around New York.
Each set has 28 pieces and is presented in a wooden box. Comes with games rules.
Suitable for ages 2+.
100% wood
buy them here

Woody Bicycles: Hand-Crafted Hardwood Bikes

Woody Bikes are beautifully hand crafted bikes made of domestic and exotic hardwoods such as bubinga, ash, mahogany and purple heart. The hardwood purchased for their bicycles comes from “maintained” forests. Domestic hardwoods, known for their strength and beauty, are used when ever possible. All materials are purchased locally which stimulates local economies and accommodates “green building” trend.