Our video on the craftsmanship and history behind our favorite sipping tequila by Gregory Stefano In our latest video we went to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico to talk to the brains behind Casa Dragones tequila. The world’s only tequila designed for sipping, we learned how Casa Dragones gets its super smooth flavor and how craftsmanship is a cornerstone of the brand.
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Cool Hunting Video Presents: Casa Dragones
Our selection of imaginative gifts in homage to one of our favorite comediennes In celebration of the resourceful comedian’s upcoming appearance at the Cool Hunting pop up Monday, 20 December 2011— where she will sign her book “Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People ” from 7-9pm—we’ve selected items from our Gift Guide that channel her sensibility. If none of these items get your goat, a flip through “Simple Times” will provide you with plenty of innovative ideas on how to make this joyous (read: stressful) holiday season a bit brighter. Sedaris draws on nature for many of her ideas, and the Campfire Incense Burner is a clever trinket that serves as a reminder of the outdoors inside. Nothing goes better with incense than a healthy peace pipe, packed with Good Fight and Cool Hunting Smoker’s Blend , a tobacco alternative or herbal enhancement for those times when you need a little smokable something to get more creative. Show off your artistic prowess with a personalized case made from one of designer Amy Holbrook’s Needlepoint iPod and iPhone Kits , or gift the kit itself to your favorite crafter. A quirky headpiece you think you could probably make on your own, Tom Scott’s Hairy Visor is actually an intricately-knitted accessory that any old-school yarn freak or Sedaris-wannabe would love to adorn. The Double Rainbow Maker is a gift that would not only brighten up someone’s day, but it reminds us of Sedaris’ continual support of gay rights with its symbolic display of light when attached to any window. One of the most hilarious women in recent history, we think she’d approve of these Pop Culture Pencils boasting funny phrases like “Why Is Alec Baldwin So Cool” and “Why It’s Time For Lost To End.” Not one to shy away from costume-inspired apparel or bold colors, the Yellow Melissa and Triton Clogh Clog made from recycled/recyclable Melflex is a Sedaris-inspired shoe bound to turn heads. A writer herself, we’re sure she appreciates a good book and David Rakoff’s witty semi-autobiographical tome ” Half Empty ” would be appreciated by anyone with a refreshingly kooky personality. While her own kids and pets are reportedly of the imaginary sorts, nothing encourages a child or cat to dream like a cape for the little ones and some catnip for Whiskers. Our faves are this year are the Little Hero Capes , which protect tykes from the elements of the human world as they embark on a creative journey and the Severed Leg Catnip Toy , an offbeat gift that your frisky feline is sure to love.
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Gifts Inspired by Amy Sedaris
When looking for the ideal holiday present, shoppers often search for that special something not found in chain stores, which will make the recipient feel extra warm. Etsy , an online marketplace for handmade goods, might be the perfect place to find such gifts. Founded in 2005, the cyber craft market hosts hundreds of thousands of buyers and sellers, each dealing in unique handcrafted goods. Story continues after the gallery. Please use a JavaScript-enabled device to view this slideshow With quirky offerings like a hand painted Mr. Spock cell phone key charm , or a clock made from a recycled turntable , Etsy provides an alternative to big box stores and the generic products they sell. In an age where giant corporations dominate, Etsy sees itself as a counter to the homogenization of the American consumer: We’ve seen what the corporations are doing to our culture, they’re stifling everything that America used to stand for and I think that world wide interest in the individual is very important…. Etsy is providing a viable alternative to shopping at places like Walmart. Sure, Etsy offers lots of fun one-of-a-kind presents, but the site acts more like a supplement, rather than an alternative, to Walmart. Some may do all of their holiday shopping at the online bazaar, but plenty of consumers are heading to Walmart for iPads, iPods and lots of other machine-made products. For those who are not willing to give up their favorite mass-produced electronics, but want to maintain some individuality, there are plenty of handmade Etsy products for your favorite gadgets. We’ve selected 10 of our favorites. For the crafts displayed above, we pulled the captions from the sellers’ original descriptions.
A video teaser on the Mexican maestro of glass engraving On a recent visit to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, we had the privilege of meeting Jos
Kill time creatively with Amy Sedaris’ clever new book on crafting If Carrie Bradshaw embodied the modern woman of the early 2000s, then Amy Sedaris (who made a few cameos on the show) might be just the clever lady to lead us out of the Great Recession and into the next decade. Along with her crack team of outfits and misfits, Sedaris’ new book on crafting assembles a host of DIY projects for “anybody who’s looking for a simple, creative way to kill a lot of time.” From crafting for Jesus to knowing your knack for knick-knacks, ” Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People ” details how, with just a few pennies, well-adjusted adults and those “hampered by a defective brain” alike can construct a fake candle or coconut bikini. Fifteen chapters cover curious crafts like crab-claw roach clips and crepe-paper moccasins, along with practical insight like which kind of glue to use with different materials and how to avoid disasters like feather asphyxia. Amy Sedaris for president 2012. Available November 2010, “Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People” pre-sells from Amazon .
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Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People
Traditionally-crafted Japanese chopsticks symbolize sharing meals with loved ones Handmade by artisans in the Ehime Prefecture, Oey’s Mutsumi Hashi chopsticks are beautifully linked together with Mizuhiki, a Japanese paper twine made from water, glue and silk. Traditionally tied onto gifts, the ancient Mizuhiki artform symbolizes a heart-to-heart connection. Oey reinterprets this folklore by wrapping the cord-like Mizuhiki strings around the bamboo chopsticks, conveying the sentiment that you should enjoy the meal with a loved one. With their warm-hearted message and gorgeous craftsmanship, the “harmonious chopsticks” make an ideal gift for someone special. They sell online from Oey for $30 in a range of complimentary colorways—like our personal favorite which mixes turquoise, seafoam and fluorescent green.
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Mutsumi Hashi
A cast of curious characters handcrafted from upcycled materials The brainchild of Wisconsin-based artist Amy Arnold, Peepwool are individual stuffed dolls handmade from completely recycled materials. A mix of personality and found objects, no single Peepwool looks the same as the next. Arnold started creating Peepwool when she came across a box of remnants she had been keeping in her parents’ basement. As a new mother at the time, Arnold used the found materials to create clothing and hats for her son. Inspired by working with recycled fabrics, she eventually found the garments giving way to organic wool forms which she needle-felts and embroiders into adorable characters. Peepwool sell on her site or from Etsy , starting at the heirloom-worthy price of $200 each.
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Peepwool
