Miscellany
Like the names says: odds and ends - quirky things which cropped up in the search for useful stuff - and which seemed too good to throw away without sharing. The news section contains a more extensive collection of links.
Glass Microbiology
Luke Jerram turns the world’s deadliest diseases into works of art. The British artist’s glass sculptures — which go on display in London in January — depict old standbys (smallpox, E. coli), flashes in the pan (avian flu, SARS), and scourges of the day (H1N1, shown, and HIV). His goal: to explore the tension between the viruses’ devastating beauty and their devastating impact on humanity.
From http://www.wired.com/magazine/2009/11/pl_playlist_1712/
LEGO-sized hole punch by MUJI
Paper craft meets LEGO with MUJI's quad hole punch and kits, available November 27th at MUJI Japan. [viaCRAFT]
from: http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/11/lego-sized_hole_punch_by_muji.html
This unique USB memory stick is fashioned after the real-life glowing squid that is prone to lighting up much like a firefly does. The luminous squid is famous in Toyama, Japan, but that's no reason why you can't have one to call your own wherever you are!
This Firefly Squid USB memory drive holds up to 2 Gigabyte of data. It makes a great gift for the office person in your life, or for anyone who has special interest in Japan or deep see luminescent seafood. C'mon, we all know someone like that right? Right! Just plug it in and watch it glow!
Glowing Toyama Squid USB Memory Stick (Grey)
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For anyone who wants to add a little bit of personality to a boring cork bulletin board, the green pin can certainly do the trick. From designer Joonhyun Kim, Green Pins create the illusion that there are tiny little plants sprouting from your cork board, thus making your workspace feel a little less like a workspace.  You can use them to pin up photos, posters, or anything else you have that might be pin-able. They come in packs of 5, with 1 of the pins being a lighter green in case you need one to stand out from the rest. We include 5 packs in this set for a total of 25 pins 
From: http://www.japantrendshop.com/green-pins-p-589.html |
German toy company Tucher + Walther’s tin toy-making methods have remained unchanged, going as far back to 1880. Want to know their secret? They have vampire craftsmen; the ones around now were the exact same workers that they had in 1880. Seriously though, Tucher+Walther are very proud of their techniques and their products, such as this steam-powered tin dragon.
Each handmade dragon starts out as a piece of tin plate, which is cut into pieces and then fashioned to become the dragon’s parts. Once the parts are done, they are soldered by hand and fitted with a “nickel-plated brass boiler double-acting Wilesco steam engine”. After being painted and embellished by hand, Tucher + Walther’s deliverymen ride on horseback, and sometimes even walk to customers’ houses to deliver the dragon. Kidding.
The steam powered dragon is actually a collectible - only 100 units were made. I’m sure you know the formula by now: Handmade + limited edition = freaking expensive. The tin dragon sells for $1,500 USD. That’s right, a steam-powered piece of tin that costs more than the Wii + Xbox 360 + the PS3 + DSi +PSP combined. I’m sure your kid will like this dragon even less when you tell him that.
But if you’re little one is interested in mechanical stuff or if you’re into this sort of thing then go ahead, go to pucciManuli and let the dragon puff your money away.
[via Nerd Approved]
If you like the toast? The Toast Bandages($5; Box), you may like. "Toast is much more than just a side order. Put one of these Toast Bandages on any minor wound to experience for yourself the incredible healing power of toast!
The grenade soap ($8) by Etsy user stinkybomb. Available in many colors.
"Cast from an actual demilled WWII steel body Grenade The grenade was cast in a 2 part silicone mold so it holds all of the detail of the original."
I like classic swiss army knife, but this Swiss Chocolate Knife, Cool or not, If you love it? The only swiss army knife, you can take it to the airplane. This delectable Swiss Chocolate Knife($3.25) is made of the finest Swiss chocolate, and is filled with hazelnut praline. Featuring the Victorinox Swiss Army logo, this fine confection is modeled after the Swiss Army Spartan multitool. The Victorinox Swiss Army Spartan, Chocolate Edition is a Swiss Knife Shop exclusive. You can also buy a set from here. Designboom
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