Filed Under: Design Find- Stamp Ring

Why print when you can stamp? Stamping is already a throwback alternative to printing; it’s limitless what you can throw a design onto—cards, letterheads, foreheads, etc. Get even more hands-on with these Stamp Rings from Michelle Romo of Crowded Teeth. Interchangeable magnetic stamps allow you to punch away at paper to create adorable flourishes on everyday notes.  Functional, wearable, and cute. This well-designed package is a guaranteed great gift. 

Check out the Stamp Ring project on Kickstarter!

The steller design team at the Artefact Group just released a Kickstarter project that looks to gamify conserving. The 999Bottle is a reusable water that lets you keep track of every time you fill it up/avoid another plastic bottle that would most likely make its way to a landfill, and a iPhone app that brings to life what your conservation has led to. At 14, the bottle just paid for itself and at 138 you would have been able to stack those plastic bottles as high as a 10-story building.

This Kickstarter project for a simple add-on to the iPad to improve the sound of the back facing speakers has already reached their goal of 10K with 23 days still to go in their fundraising. Simple, attractive design that serves a purpose. So many great products are coming out of Kickstarter, and it almost feels like the best place to shop right now for interesting and innovative new products. If the goal is reached, you get the product, if not you get your money back. 

It all happened on a sleepy street in an up and coming Brooklyn neighborhood known as Gowanus where one bearded New Englander decided to show New York what real New England clam chowder tastes like (the Manhattan variety is not served). After pursuing every means of raising the final amount necessary to open Littleneck, owner Aaron Lefkove found he could not get a small business loan. His last resort, Kickstarter.com, saw him through to the opening day, ultimately raising $3,000 more than his original goal of $8,000 and giving Littleneck a publicity push before its opening. I can also now say from personal experience that they are VERY busy two months in and though you may have to wait during peak hours, their raw bar not to be believed. 

Filed Under: Winnifred Beach

The Big Lebowski is a movie that will forever be engrained in Gen Y’s pop culture, from “The Dude” to glorifying bowling and of course the robe. The opening of the film with The Dude buying milk casually in a bath robe has become as iconic as the film. That scene was also a big inspiration for Graham Retzik’s utility bath robe company, or “camp loungwear” as he puts it, Winnifred Beach. Also inspired by fellow Los Angeleno and Beach Boy, Brian Wilson who was known for wearing a robe to and from the beach.  

There are two more week to this Kickstarter project, and a $200 donation gets you a first edition robe. They’re all made in LA and Barney’s designer Julie Gilhart has even given her stamp of approval. Retzik says that he’d even wear one to the office. So, take that pencil pushers. 

Pocket Square Clothing is on Kickstarter for just 9 more days—learn more about this great local startup and pledge here!

While at Unique LA a few weeks ago, we oohed and aahed over the awesome handmade pocket squares and bow ties at the Pocket Square Clothing booth—they instantly struck us as perfect gifts for our guy friends, but then after examining the detailed craftsmanship and beautiful fabrics up close, we became a liiittle more selfish. Nevermind that bow ties ”aren’t for girls;” this fall they are making appearances around stylish tomboys’ necks and as hair accessories for the more classically feminine. Ok, sorry Andrew and Rodolfo (the brilliant founders), I’ll stop trying to make your product into a female accessory! Although it would be great…

Pocket Square is all about local and handmade, right down to the handcrafted packaging. Here’s a little bit about their philosophy:

Founders Andrew and Rodolfo are inspired by the idea that everyone can move forward in life through style and etiquette, and the belief that clothing is a language that communicates the individualistic qualities of your presence. It was inevitable for them to join together to build a new brand from the ground up and embark on a journey to deliver their mission. This is their effort to tell a story, to inspire and be inspired, and to create a powerful connection with you through timeless pieces.

We love both the product and philosophy of Pocket Square; help us support them on Kickstarter! Or buy an on-trend bow tie for yourself, your friend, your dog…

Ever jam out on your commute, in the shower, or in an empty aisle in the grocery store? Don’t deny it, we all have our moments of faux rock stardom. Now you can make your air guitar fantasies an augmented reality with Air Guitar Move for iPhone. Move just completed funding on Kickstarter, so the show starts soon. Plug in this unique motion sensing guitar pick into your iPhone or iPod touch, which serves as the guitar neck, and iRockOn. Like Guitar Hero, but for more impromptu virtual jam sessions. 

The creators of this awesome product are Colin and Ronald, San Francisco-based game designers with a knack for innovation. Colin created Thumbies, the first iPhone game controller to be sold in Best Buy. Back in Europe, Ronald created the award winning V-Beat AirDrums and AirGuitar music toys, the #1 best selling music toys on Amazon UK. Sweet!