Insert Coin Here

I love love LOVE this idea! So much so that I had to repost it.

A bit about the exhibit:

“Comprising two vending machines strategically placed around the Melbourne CBD, Insert Coin Here explores hierarchies of value and mechanised systems of exchange.

The Insert Coin Here vending machines contain limited edition ‘fashion objects’ which are randomly dispensed when a member of the public inserts a $2 coin. The artworks contained in the machines have been produced by over 60 Melbourne-based artists, designers and craft practitioners.”

How cool would it be if we could get something like this going in the U S of A! Does it already exist and I just don’t know about it yet? I wonder….

Here are some of my favorite pieces from the exhibit:

Mountain brooches by Dawn Tan

Ribbon award brooches by Amy Borrell

Pocket Garden by Kyoko Imazu. Also available on etsy.

Australia is looking better and better to me.

Paper Swap 2010

I’m very happy to announce the third annual paper swap hosted by yours truly!:) I’m doing things a little bit differently this year so please read carefully:

Spread the word! Here are a few buttons for your blog or website and feel free to take the directions and resize them as you need it. Please link back to this post, thanks!

Alexis Mackenzie

I’m loving the collages of Bay Area artist Alexis Mackenzie:

Not exactly cheap (around $600 and up) but she does have prints available for $40.  Check out the rest of her work on Beholder or her website.

Reminders by Erin Hanson

This is way cool. Way better than post-its!

Even better, you get your own “prescription for laziness” at Erin Said So’s etsy shop! I just love the packaging:

All images by Erin Hanson

Altered Portraits by Treatzone

I happened upon these lovely altered portraits by local artists Treatzone when I was adding some new photos to flickr. What luck! They’re part of a new show called Swipple and Gold at the Ever Gold Gallery in San Francisco and soon mini (and less expensive) versions of their altered portraits will be available at Cog and Pearl!

I just love those frames! I can’t wait to get my hands on one of the smaller yet equally awesome versions.

All images by Treatzone

Monthly Etsy Inspiration

I almost forgot this month!

Lumberjack and Dad cards by Dude and Chick

Hello card by Paper Elixir

Girl/Boy portraits by Nora Aoyagi

New from William Staehle

I stopped by the Bazaarium the other day and I noticed a bunch of new prints for sale! Check out the Silhouette Masterpiece Theatre for more images.

Caitlyn Creates

I love this gal’s work.

Caitlyn Creates Etsy shop

Silhouette Masterpiece Theatre

If you haven’t already seen William Staehle’s Silhouette Masterpiece Theatre, definitely take a look. Not only are they hilarious, but as of recently, they’re for sale! Check out the Bazaarium for prints and other Victorian inspired goodies.

Mug Shot Silhouettes

I finally got around to posting these on my etsy! I didn’t want to post anything until after I sent my stuff out for the swap, but it’s all done now!

I’ve been reading about how these folks got arrested and it’s really interesting. Frank Sinatra was busted in 1938 for “carrying on with a married woman”. Elvis Presley was never actually arrested; he asked to have his mug shot taken when he visited FBI headquarters in 1970. Pretty cool huh?:) If I was going to turn this into a full fledged art project, I would do more research about their arrests. If you’re interested in the history of mug shots, this looks like a really great book. I haven’t read it yet, but it’s the most thorough book on mug shots I’ve found.

Anyway, I have a limited amount of pink gingham so if you want one and you’re not participating in the swap, I suggest haste.