Author Archive: The Scholar

Why can’t products just tell you what they are? Do we really need non-descriptive names like Wii, Kindle, Nook, and Droid to describe our gadgets? Really? Product naming doesn’t get much more concise and descriptive than this here thing, the USB Big Panda Speaker.

Look at this beautiful Quin lamp from California artist Bathsheba Grossman. Notice anything special about it, D & D fans? It’s Bathsheba’s exploration on the dodecahedron. It’s so much more than a twelve-sided die though. The intricate perforations and curvy undulations are not only are a shining example of the seamless blending of technology and art, but also serve to create quite a spectacular display of light.

I’ve just found the perfect way to enhance your game room, or actually any room in your house needing a bit of fun, while at the same time saluting the salad days of gaming yore. Just peel and stick these terrific vinyl Pac-Man decals ($20) or Invaders decals ($45) from Sydney Etsy sellers vinylwalldesign up on your wall and start humming those theme songs every time you look at them.

Do you prefer your robots cute, soft and able to hold your stuff? Me too, and that’s why I am enjoying the Robot a Day project from Canadian crafter Erin Wilk, aka Etsy seller anatomyofaskirt. Each weekday Erin creates a new, limited edition ‘bot made of vinyl, with convenient flip-top zipper head.

If you’ve been searching for fun affordable art that features those convenient shortcut keys, this might be your lucky day. Clever Brooklyn graphic designer Christopher David Ryan has created the Command print series for his online shop, My Little Underground.

Look at this playful shrinky plastic Sonic necklace from Etsy seller geekchicboutique. It’s very cool, but just because I have been charmed and distracted by it doesn’t mean I’ve forsaken my madcap Tetris obsession. I mean, even though the elusive gold rings Sonic loves to collect have been thoughtfully included here doesn’t mean I’ve lost my focus.

I got a fever, and actually the only prescription is not more cowbell, but more Tetris. Lately I’ve been having a slight obsession with that beloved game of my young adulthood and I don’t know why.

Do you like tiny art with vintage robot and video game themes? If you do, please enjoy the pop arty, old-timey stylings of Singapore artist JoE, aka Etsy seller monstergallery. These fun prints measure a wee 3 1/4″ x 3 1/4″ and are available in limited editions of 100 pieces.

Look at this fun squeezy Mac plush toy, made by talented crafter Maitreya over at craftlog. The idea was borne out of a need for a baby shower gift for a computer scientist and bioinformaticist. Being a nostalgic girl and Apple fan, the idea to make this old school design came naturally to her.

I think some of us in the world would be likely to 1) get frustrated and/or 2) discard a broken handheld electronic game pretty quickly if we couldn’t fix it. Or is it just me? Whatever the answer is, I know the resourceful Josh Burker would bust a different move.

Psssst. Do you remember how you had to walk a mile to school in the snow with no shoes on to use the mainframe? Ever fall asleep in class learning dbase III? Do you sometimes miss the boop bop beep bop wheeeeeee wailing of the modem?

Ahhhhh, the great outdoors. Just you and the sunshine, nature, fresh air, and… all your electronic gear? Well, it is truly possible to have it all with this solar powered digital survival kit. It comes with a 3800mAh rechargeable solar battery to keep your phone (or other preferred device) running and 12 different adapters (check for yours first in the photo before ordering!).

Interested in protecting your iPod touch in a stylish, natural way? Then check out these beautiful handcrafted cases from talented Massachusetts artist mjdinsmore. This collection is lovingly crafted from cedar and mahogany, and features nice details such as inlays, dovetails and mortised lids.

Oh man, is it still Valentine’s day? I would have completely forgotten if I hadn’t seen this awesome handmade cross stitch Mario card from the rubbishknitter. Sadly, this crafty goodness was made for someone special and isn’t for sale, but I wonder if I could get a special one made for next year if I get my act together now… I think my sweetheart would be most impressed!

If you’ve ever seen the movie Castaway you know that Chuck Noland, the character Tom Hanks played, existed on coconut meat for quite some time before getting back to civilization. When I look at this cool amp with coconut shell cover created by Steve Lodefink it makes me wonder what parts of the movie they edited out.

Okay, okay, enough about pac-man already, right? Wrong. Check this awesome custom made guitar by Ian Schneller over at Specimen Products. This sweet 25 1/2″ scale instrument is made of ebony, basswood, and maple with mother of pearl accents, and is finished in the happy familiar yellow lacquer of our beloved arcade character.