National-Barbie-in-a-Blender Day: Celebrating Free Speech and Fair Use

In 1999 a lawsuit was filed by Barbie manufacturer Mattel Corp against artist Tom Forsythe over his photograph of a Barbie in a Blender (as a comment on crass consumerism says the artist).  Five years later on July 27, 2004 Mattel lost the suit and had to reimburse Forsythe $1.8 million in legal costs because the judge in the case ruled that it ran counter to the first amendment.  In celebration of free speech and fair use, FreeCulture.org created National Barbie-in-a-Blender Day. 

Photo courtesy of Ellisly

Here are some more artists following in Forsythe's footsteps and featuring Barbie in their eclectic artwork.

Barbie and Ken as American Gothic painting by Brad Goodell / Spring Creek Arts

Above is art created by Margaux Lange in high school (with artist's favorite - Carrot Barbie) seen on Midge's Mind.  Below is some of Lange's more recent Barbie work-Body Part Jewelry.

Since body parts have to come from somewhere....

Wilde Moon's collection of Barbie Murders prints absolutely delights me.

If anyone wants to buy me a present, please make it this! I am in looove with artwerx by Tracy Webster's  Altered Barbie Birdcage sculpture. 

"I want to be Barbie - that bitch has everything."

You Can Have It All pendant by G Jarvis Jewelry, Etc.

And finally....

"Ride 'em Cowgirl" original Barbie art by artist LaVonne Sallee. Photo by Paul Chinn / The Chronicle as part of an annual Altered Barbie Art Show.

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Art-Full Friday: Bug Beauty

Bugs are art-full without even trying. Today as part of my "Week of Pests", I take a look at all things buggy and beautiful.  And don't forget, tomorrow you can follow our tweets as we participate in the Truly Nolen Mousecar Parade: @EmilyontheAve, @TrulyNolen, @FloridaFrecks, @ViceQueenMaria, @AmandaStewart and @Jarret23.  Monday I will be posting a recap with pics of the event, but for now- on to the insects!

Dragonflies are my favorite bugs. I love how their wings look like intricate lace. 

Photo courtesy of Dimiter Hristov.

This is an actual Katydid and not a photoshopped insect as I originally thought. Looks like Mother Nature created a bug just for me ;)

Photo seen on Veg Web.

 

Totally impressed at the patience this must have taken. This is an actual ant hill in Africa. What crafty bugs!

Photo courtesy of Trek Earth.

Speaking of artistic animals-this castle looking structure is actually a Termite Mound in Cape York, Australia.

Photo courtesy of Portland House.

 

I definitely could not talk about art-full bugs without mentioning spiders. Their webs fascinate me with their delicate strength and incredible designs. 

Photo seen on PK Photography.

Again, nature at its best. Dewdrops on a spider web make for an all natural piece of art.

Photo courtesy of LeBell.

And finally...

This statue in Japan is made of hundreds of thousands of dead bugs.

Interesting and gross and beautiful all at the same time.

Photo seen on Zichi Art.

 

Bugging Out

As promised, with only two days left until the Truly Nolen Mousecar Parade (in case you are following #MousecarParade on Twitter), today's Etsy Thursday Treasury is all about pests.

Art Nouveau Print by Kiri Moth Designs.

Buggin My Soap Line (several insect types) Handmade by Hilary.

Steampunk Insect Ring by Edme Designs

Latex Art Zen Gown by Black Lickorish

 

Matching Mother/ Daughter Ants Apron by SunnieHills0729

The Ghost of That Bug You Smushed Magnet by Paper Fruit Hair

4 Bees Vinyl Wall Decal and Over Sized Ant Wall Decal by Wilson Graphics

And finally....

My favorite cockroach of all time, from Family Guy.

"Good, Good...."

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More Reliable Than A Weatherman: Saint Swithun's Day

Saint Swithun was Bishop of Winchester from 30 October 852 to his death on 2 July 862. His historical importance as bishop is overshadowed by his reputation for posthumous miracle-working. According to tradition, the weather on his feast day (Today, July 15) will continue for forty days.

The name of Swithun is best-known today for a British weather lore proverb, which says that if it rains on Saint Swithun's day, 15 July, it will rain for 40 days.

St Swithun's day if thou dost rain,
For forty days it will remain,
St Swithun's day if thou be fair,
For forty days 'twill rain no more...
If on St Swithun's day it really pours,
You're better off to stay indoors.

In honor of Saint Swithun, today's Etsy Treasury is all about weather.

So chic. Weather Art Work on Vintage French Dictionary Pages from Wall Envy Art.

Rainy Day with My Umbrella Necklace. Love the sweet little raindrop beads on this piece by Lychee Kiss.

I totally dig the hidden skull in The Fantastic Mosaic Sun Card by Blue Moose Art.

The Amigurumi Happy Weather Mobile Pattern is an adorable DIY afternoon project by Amy Gaines.

 

The detail is so subtle and lovely in the painting Winter Rains by artist Kecky.

Beatles + Optimism + Jewelry = Perfection in this Glass Tile Pendant by Lyrical Lady.

 

Possibly the cutest rings ever. The Oh Happy Day/Oh Crappy Day Ring Set by Weasel Factory.

I just melt when I look at Rainy Day (Art Print) by Rosy Designs Online.

 

Each piece is painstakingly cut and positioned in this paper collage to create Lint Bunnie's stunning piece simply titled Weather.

And finally....

Because I am a sucker for vintage postcards I couldn't resist including this Sunshine Motel card from Roadside Photographs.

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Lighting Up: Top Ten Favorite Funky Chandeliers

When a teardrop crystal chandelier just won't do - try one of my top ten favorite funky chandeliers (in no particular order) to truly light up your living spaces:

Ink Cartridge Chandelier by Lowell and Louise

Bar Code Chandelier as seen on G.Ban's World

Custom Chandeliers by Rock & Royal

 

Guitar Pick Chandelier as seen on Rare Bird Finds

Flamingos by Bindle Art & Design

Chiquita Banana Chandelier as seen on Whorange

Double Helix Chrome Bicycle Sprocket Chandelier by Thirteen Twenty

 

Hair Dryer Chandelier as seen in Ready Made Magazine

 

Ceiling Chandelier as seen on Trend Hunter

Art Installation Chandelier by Jason Rhoades as seen on PortlandArt.net

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Age is an Issue of Mind Over Matter. If You Don't Mind-It Doesn't Matter. - Mark Twain

Yesterday was my 30th birthday. Today's quick post is in honor of 30th birthdays everywhere:

Photo courtesy of Photo Bucket

I'm not the biggest fan of the pointy cone birthday party hats, but I would wear this handmade birthday crown by Glam Hatter any day. 

30 Tulips make for a lovely 30th birthday gift.  Prestat in the UK has the prettiest bouquet of tulips around, but any local florists will do special bunches of 30 for you. 

 

"He Told Her He'd Lasso the Moon"

The moon would be a perfect gift, but so is this Glicee by Jessica Jane Sublett.  It is a beautiful tribute to the 30's and such a chic gift for a flirty thirty.

Kharygoarts creates custom made cake toppers that can match any style, personality and occasion.  I love the detail in her pieces. You can see the time and love put into each one.

And finally....

Just for fun: 30 Things That Look Like Pac Man, lol. Courtesy of Smosh. 

P.S. The Frisky is a favorite web site of mine and in November they posted a list of "30 Skills Every Woman Should Have Before Turning 30." I am happy to say I have mastered (or pretend to have mastered) every one - how about you?

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Mmmmmm Yummy Art

Today is Art-Full Friday and maybe I am just hungry, but I am obsessed this morning with Food Art. The ways that people manage to take random pieces of food and shape it into something beautiful and fascinating is incredible. Hope you enjoy!

Sushi Pandas! Leafar on Flickr featured this adorable Bento Box art display.

You may have seen this before. Carl Warner is quite a famous food artist. Every item in this piece is edible. Can you imagine the patience this took!? Photo courtesy of Designioustimes.

Also from Designioustimes, Saxton Freymann creates food art for children's books.  Here is one of my favorites:

An all natural spa treatment:

Toxel.com has an awe inspiring collection of Bento Box art and food art.  This one is my favorite because the cucumbers on her eyes make me laugh. 

 

Can you imagine how long this took to carve? Sasthamcotta.com has a huge array of images highlighting these intricately crafted fruit art pieces. 

 

Soooo cute.  The Cool Amazing Art Blog has so many cool food art pieces. The birds above delight me but my ultimate fave is next!

One of my all time favorite books is the Little Prince so this piece just makes me smile. 

A sexy bite of food by artist Edith Zimmerman. Photo Courtesy of Buzz Feed.

And finally....

It may not be made of food, but this can art Cobra by Canstruction is amazing.  It took about 8 weeks to build and all the food was donated to local food banks and homeless shelters when the installation was taken down.

Photo courtesy of My Modern Met.

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