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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Let the Sun Shine In

To me, sunflowers are the happiest of flowers. Sure daisies make me smile and tulips are amongst my favorites, but I will take sunflowers over any others anytime.

These cupcakes from Cupcake Craftts are yummy and smile inducing - the perfect combination for a sweet treat. 

Shlomit Ofir created this beautiful gold graphic sunflower necklace. I am in love with this. (My birthday is Sunday hint hint, lol)

The Nebraska Sunflower soap by Suds by Sarah is natural and fresh and it looks so pretty sitting in a wooden soap dish. Plus it has sunflower petals in it!

Honestly I don't usually go for dolls - their faces kind of creep me out, but I can't resist "Suzie the Sunflower Fairy" by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing.  The petals around her hair and the butterfly wings are too cute (and her face doesn't weird me out either!)

And finally....

A lot of sunflower products are shall we say...."countrified". Not this chic little clutch by Davie and Chiyo.  The black and white print with the pop of yellow inside is just perfect, proving that sunflowers can be "city-fied" too.