(images via: Ceramic Arts Daily and Notes on a Party)
Who is Laura Zindel and why is she intent on bugging our meals? To address the first question, Laura Zindel-Lauterbach and her husband Thorsten Zindel Lauterbach are the two artists behind Laura Zindel Ceramics, located (as are they) in an old farmhouse in southern Vermont.

(images via: Blackbird)
Laura Zindel learned the tricks of her trade not by puttering around in her basement, but by becoming an accredited potter with the letters to prove it – a BFA in Ceramics from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA in Ceramics from the University of Massachusetts.

(images via: Big Daddy Seashell)
Zindel’s natural talent for drawing is something that cannot be taught, merely refined. All of the meticulously detailed images on her ceramics are hand-drawn in pencil, then printed with enamel to become ceramic transfers which are subsequently collaged onto the raw pieces and fired for permanence in a process known as transferware. First adopted in the 18th century, transferware embodying such complex and delicate artwork is not commonly practiced these days.

(images via: Bioephemera, The Vintage Chair, Newshopper and Core77)
When asked about her inspirations, Zindel mentions the Victorian Cabinets of Curiosity, which were intensely personal collections of natural oddities and objects of beauty accumulated by the wealthier members of British society. What Zindel refers to as “The art of collecting and displaying ones’ passions” originated before Queen Victoria’s accession to the throne in 1837 – perhaps even before the establishment of the British Museum in 1753, which popularized collecting as a reputable hobby.

(images via: LauraZindel.com)
Officially Victorian or not, Zindel’s work evokes a sense of great age, scientific craftsmanship and quality worthy of an heirloom. The latter is perhaps the most appropriate. As Laura Zindel’s artist statement expostulates, “I believe that some objects can carry a personal history through a family from year to year. I hope that I can make art that a family member can buy to be handed down the line. Something bought on a whim, that becomes the platter for the turkey, or sits on the mantel. ‘Crazy old Uncle Larry bought that peculiar spider platter, and we just can’t seem to part with it’, I would like to be a part of that.”

(images via: John Coulthart and This Next)
Are Zindel’s pieces destined solely for the mantelpiece, there to collect dust and scare your kids (and their kids)? Definitely not – each piece displays a non-toxic, low fire glazed surface and are slip cast with low fire white earthenware. Food safe they are; appetite safe… well, that depends how hungry you are.

(images via: Apartment Therapy, Hello Blackbird and My Opinions Are Important)
Zindel’s frighteningly beautiful ceramic wares can’t be found on the shelves of your local Wal-Mart or Piggly Wiggly. As handmade fine art creations they are not exactly numerous, though over the years the Zindels have crafted a wide variety of sizes, styles and designs. Visit the Laura Zindel Ceramics website for a list of galleries – the Exploding Head Gallery in Sacramento, CA for example. Certain specialty online stores like Blackbird also carry Laura Zindel pieces – search and ye shall find.

(images via: Not Wild Style and LauraZindel.com)
The current list of designs features beetles, birds, bees, dragonflies, moths, spiders and snakes, just to name a few. Light Blue, Pine Green and the intriguingly named “Iron Buffalo” are usually used as edge trimming or for the interiors of mugs and tumblers.

(images via: LauraZindel.com, A Farm Fresh Wedding and Kaboodle)
At present there are over 30 different types of ceramic dishware available featuring Zindel’s naturalistic motifs, ranging from small dessert plates to huge round serving platters a full 17 inches in diameter. Pricing varies generally with the size of the item but small pieces need not be budget breakers: an Espresso Cup and Saucer combo goes for just $26.00, for example.

(images via: Apartment Therapy and Wooden Stone Gallery)
Even stores that do not normally specialize in ceramics have noted the unique ability of Laura Zindel’s ceramics to attract, repulse, and intrigue. The above displays were assembled by the Scarlet Sage Herb Co. in Valencia, CA, and show off some of Zindel’s more unusual (if that can be said) designs. Among the many marine creatures depicted above in Zindel’s ancient zoological style are seashells, starfish, sand dollars, seahorses and jellyfish. I seafood… and I like it!

Laura Zindel’s startling ceramics effectively bridge the gap between historic sensibilities and modern practicality, with a dash of “shock & awe” thrown in for good measure. It’s a recipe for success at the dinner table, though if your guests aren’t quick to chow down you’ll have something else to blame besides your cooking.

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Star Trek has been an ongoing phenomenon since its debut in 1966. Star Trek consists of 2 series on the USS Enterprise, 3 spin offs, an animated series, and 11 feature films. A franchise this long lasting and successful creates a loyal following that is interested in anything related to the series. Whether it’s Star Trek clothing, home decor, or tattoos, there are a plethora of awesome examples of the fierceness of Star Trek fans. From the fantastic to the ridiculous, here are 10 of the most interesting expressions of Star Trek fanaticism:

(Images via voyageronline, norulesnoshame, mez love, tattoo22)

Star Trek fans explore every means of showing off their passion for the Star Trek universe, and this includes tattoos. A lot of fans pay homage to their favorite characters (or the entire cast) by having portraits placed prominently on themselves, though the more subtle Star Trek fan may simply have a communicator tattooed to their chest.

(Images via trekmovie, walyou)

Even with the advanced technology in Star Trek, exploring the boundaries of space is a dangerous business, and there have been a lot of deaths throughout the series. The funeral rites in the Federation are beautiful and explored in detail. As with all things Star Trek, industrious companies have even learned to capitalize on funeral gear. Futuristic looking urns are available, as well as coffins that look identical to those in the series and films.

(Images via product-reviews, techeblog, gearsandwidgets, reighn)

Everything about the USS Enterprise is graceful and epic, as it is the flagship of the Federation’s fleet, and the pinnacle of human technological achievement. The Star Trek films deserve a fitting viewing space, preferably Star Trek themed. The most common Star Trek home theater design is the bridghe, with its signature sweeping railing and the Captain’s chair.

(Images via neatorama, craziestgadgets, gearlive, geekalerts, geek-tastic, geeky-gadgets)

Life is about the little things, and for the avid Trekkie, this involves USS Enterprise bottle openers, iPhone cases, cakes, pillow cases, car decorations… the list goes on and on. There are a million ways to subtly reveal your loyalty to the Federation.

(Images via clothesmonaut, majorspoilers, ioffer, highsnobiety)

If you’re truly proud to be a Trekkie, you’re not afraid to wear clothing that reflects it. Star Trek ties are a great way to bring your interests to work, while a pair of Spock inspired gloves will keep you showing your loyalties throughout the winter. If you’re on your way to a convention, you can always toss on your Star Trek uniform corset to really catch some nerdy attention.

(Images via boingboing, geek24, makezine, walyou)

Car enthusiasts like to customize their rides, and Star Trek enthusiasts are no different. When you can’t find a Star Trek themed accessory to meet your needs, you might as well make it. Some fans have created iPhone cases that look like the original Star Trek comm units, but the ultimate modification involves changing your main mode of transportation to blare your preferences to the world and brighten up the road.

(Images via feelingstylish, geekologie, geeky-gadgets, movieties)

Formal wear isn’t exempt from Star Trek fervor, with a booming cufflink industry keeping geek-centric companies in business. Several colognes and perfumes have been made, as well as luxurious watches and time pieces. Star Trek inspired jewelry is quite common, and people are willing to pay a high price for the more unique goods.

(Images via product-reviews, funkybachelor, manolo)

Your house is the ultimate expression of your taste and style, where you go to relax, or invite friends over for social activities. You have to be truly fanatical to drastically alter your home decor to reflect the atmosphere of your favorite television show. From illuminated wall displays to the smooth walls and low lighting of the interior of the USS Enterprise, these fans proudly display their Star Trek inspired lifestyle.

(Images via gadgetreview, mydesignpick, gadgether, insidedgw, stylehive)

Star Trek fans are proud geeks who spend a lot of time at their computers. It makes sense, then, that there is such an extensive variety of USB devices that can grace one’s desk. Miniature USS Enterprises, comm unit flash drives, and models of shuttlecraft are just a few examples of Star Trek USB Gadgets. One of the most interesting gadget concepts? A record player shaped like the USS Enterprise.

(Images via geekologie, gadgether, geeky-gadgets, craziestgadgets)

Star Trek commercialization has often gotten out of hand. Star Trek themed sporks, nutcrackers, Russian dolls, and even Eggo waffles seem to cross some line, though they’re pretty humorous now. While Star Trek fans are willing to spend their hard earned money on almost anything Star Trek themed, their are limits (we just haven’t found them yet).

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Wowsa! Architect, artist, magician, Robert Harvey Oshatz is all of that and so much more. He is the organic architect responsible for this magnificent home up in the canopy; the coolest house in the trees that you will likely ever see. The unique Wilkinson Residence graces the wooded landscape outside of Portland, Oregon. This treehouse would turn even the Swiss Family Robinson green with envy. More than likely you too will have a more than a twinge of desire to live in it.

According to Oshatz, the Wilkinson residence is, “Located on a flag lot, a steep sloping grade provided the opportunity to bring the main level of the house into the tree canopy to evoke the feeling of being in a tree house. A lover of music, the client wanted a house that not only became part of the natural landscape but also addressed the flow of music.”

This home was referred to as the Wilkinson Wave House by HGTV Extreme Living. You can see the waves, circles and cylinders, mimicking nature and music. The copper clad roof runs around the courtyard and is turned down to define the entrance. To enter this home, a person walks down a steep driveway and through a small courtyard. The floor then continues out over the slope as the ground rapidly drops away.

Oshatz gave his client what was asked of him, a house that felt as if it were isolated in the forest and that would allow him to hear the songs of birds. This home speaks to all of the senses. Being built on such a steep slope with the living spaces extended onto a deck, heightens the feeling of living in the forest canopy. By the time a person reaches the cantilevered deck amongst the trees, the floor level is about 25 feet above the ground.

The upper floors extend out into the forest canopy while the lower floor is recessed into the structure. The house uses a combination of western red shingles and copper. Douglas fir beams express structural elements within the gorgeous home.

An organic architect, Oshatz excels at finding harmony of human habitation and the natural world. He stated, “This house evades the mechanics of the camera; it is difficult to capture the way the interior space flows seamlessly through to the exterior. One must actually stroll through the house to grasp its complexities and its connection to the exterior.”

“One example is a natural wood ceiling, floating on curved laminated wood beams, passing through a generous glass wall which wraps around the main living room.” There is more than one answer to any problem and Oshatz emphasizes his outstanding vision and uniquely artistic and architectural talent with each of his creations. Step inside of the home to see the open plan arrangement.

The upper floor of this breathtaking home is used for the more public functions. More private spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms are recessed downstairs, giving them a protective quality. So much light comes in through the windows, allowing the home owners to feel like they live in the forest canopy. Yet the woods offers a cool shaded environment too instead of scorching heat through all that glass.

The large entry door pivots open into the cylindrical form that runs the length of the main living spaces. The wave ceiling runs throughout the Wilkinson residence. Oshatz writes, “The starting point of my work is the clients program, so my first step is to divide the program into its functional and spiritual components. The program is more than just a set of functional requirements, technical space allocations and relationships. It should embody the emotional needs of the client/user.”

Oshatz said, “The requirements of architecture are such that I must go beyond what the client understands. There must be surprise, mystery, beauty and delight, elements that make architecture rewarding to its users for a lifetime. This is one of the primary differences between architecture and building. It is the architect’s responsibility to go beyond the mere program and into the realm of what I call the spiritual.”

This is yet another amazing view of the interior, toward the kitchen, living room, meditation room, and external deck. Quoting Oshatz again, “Architecture is a synthesis of logic and emotion. When carried to its logical conclusion, a traditional design approach produces very imaginative structures. It is only a question of how much of an artist we architects choose to be.”

The wavy handcrafted cedar beams function acoustically with the surrounding materials to enhance the musical experience. Surely the homeowner, an avid chamber music fan, had no idea that Oshatz was a magician as well as architect to make all his dreams concerning this dream house come true. These views are from kitchen area towards the entry and the fireplace alcove.

The study alcove is connected to the rest of the house, but also keeps up a distinct connection to the outdoors by way of windows to let let nature inside. There are also mirrors to lend that one-with-nature feeling.

Another highlight of this home is the cylinder-shaped Round Reading Room. This custom-designed lounge off the kitchen was made using hand-cut templates and wooden ribs. The meditation room extends out onto the deck to provide an enhanced connection with the great outdoors.

Whether sitting at the fireplace alcove or the desk, one is in tune with nature. Even from the amazing shower, Robert Oshatz managed to connect the house with its stunning natural surroundings. This is a brilliant example of the harmony of bringing nature into the house and keeping the house beautifully blended with nature from the outside.

Designed in 1997 and completed in 2004, the Wilkinson Residence has been stunning its owners and observers. On his website, Robert Harvey Oshatz stated, “An architect is an artist, creator, logician of evolving aesthetic structures; a designer of not only the visual but the internal space. I see architecture as a synthesis of logic and emotion, exploring and fulfilling the dreams, fantasies and realities of my clients, whether they are individuals, corporate, or community identities.”

• Project Name: Wilkinson Residence
• Location of Site: Portland, Oregon, USA
• Design Team: Robert Harvey Oshatz
• Project Type: Residential
• Client: Roy Wilkinson
• Contractor/s: Roy Wilkinson, Robert Harvey Oshatz as Project Manager
• Site Area: 2200 sq. mt.
• Built-up Area: 480 sq. mt.
• Date of completion: 2004

All images provided by Architect Robert Harvey Oshatz, a true gentlemen, gifted artist, and architectural magician who creates romantic work.

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LEGO-look Candles

These LEGO-look candles do a great job of adding wicks to your favorite bricks. Measuring 7.5″ x 3″ x 3″, these oversized recreations of everyone’s fave childhood recreation are made with eco-friendly soy wax and offer 8 wicks for a full range of classic candle lighting.

(images via: A-Plus Store and Curbly)

Available in three colors (red, blue and yellow), the LEGO-look brick candles were designed by P.A.D. and are made in the USA.

Beer Candles

(image via: The Lighter Side)

I’ve heard of “burning the midnight oil” but setting my beer on fire… is nothing sacred anymore? According to the manufacturer’s ad copy, “Guys will love the fresh brewery fragrance that smells just like a cold one!” I dunno… guys like the sizzle of a juicy t-bone on the BBQ but without the payoff, we’re, well, p’d off. If having your home smell like a brewery without any actual beer involved suits your (obviously evil) purposes, so be it – these beer-scented candles go for under $20 each.

(image via: Baking Shop)

For those who are in a celebratory mood – though who needs a reason to hoist a cool, frosty one? – these beer and champagne candles are the icing on the (probably rum-infused) cake.

Jesus Candles

(image via: Tulumba)

Speaking of nothing being sacred, I give you… Jesus Candles! What you do with them is your own business but just consider that touching a lit flame to the head of Our Lord and Savior (in waxy form) will probably buy you a one-way ticket to a rather warm place of your own.

(image via: Chop Wood, Carry Water)

The coolest thing about these candles is the name “Jesus” helpfully inscribed on the base of each one… just in case you thought you were burning Judas, which might possibly make some small shred of sense.

Light Bulb Candles

(images via: Moolf and Queen B)

Would you buy a sword that shoots bullets? How about a horse that can parallel park? That’s the idea behind Light Bulb Candles – retro function in modern form. Depending on the manufacturer, light bulb candles can be made of standard white paraffin or from environmentally-friendly beeswax, such as the pale golden “eco-bulb” above from Queen B.

(image via: Tokyomango)

What happens when you leave your light bulb candles lit too long? NOT the above – what appears to be a half-melted waxy accident is actually an electric lamp.

Cactus Candles

(images via: Reb Stevenson, Candle Factory Store and The Soc Exchange)

Add some desert to your dessert with Cactus Candles! These waxy wonders evoke the raw beauty and rugged feeling of America’s hottest wilderness destinations, without any need for watering – unless you light a few too many. Start with a prickly pair and move up to lighting a saguaro – your romantic dinner rendezvous will surely end with a come hither glance and a whispered “Are you thorny, baby?”

Bleeding Candles

(images via: Amazon and Candletech)

Goth types already know that candles are cool but wait til they get a load of these Bleeding Candles. Just the thing for accessorizing a dungeon… dragons (and geeks) optional. There’s no secret to how these bleeding candles work – a two-stage dipping process involves creating a red inner candle which is subsequently dipped in white wax. Light it up, and let it bleed!

Powerstrip Candles

(images via: Unplggd and Craziest Gadgets)

What can one say about these Powerstrip Candles that hasn’t been said before? It’s an ingenious concept: “plug” candles into the power-bar base until you achieve the desired level of illumination. You’ll never blow a fuse though you still have to blow them out. It’s a cool idea but alas, not one you can buy: the Powerstrip Candle is a one-off art piece by DesignGlut created for the 2009 ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) offsite show, InDisposed. Its aim is to balance environmentalism and durability through addressing the tension of contemporary design

Matchstick Candles

(images via: Perpetual Kid and MCA Chicago Store)

Strike a blow for creativity with these Matchstick Candles! Just don’t strike the candles… save the waxy buildup for your furniture and floors. NuOp Design crafted this set of a dozen 2.6″ high paraffin candles while freely referencing retro packaging design. The bright red faux-phosphorus match heads are a nice touch as well.

Hand Gesture Candles

(images via: If It’s Hip It’s Here)

Next time someone asks you for a light, just give them the finger. These colorful Hand Gesture Candles from L’atelier WM in Paris, France, were modeled after real human hands for a true to life in-your-face effect. The burn time for each candle is about 3 hours each so keep that in mind next time you want to play Wicked Witch of the West at your next dinner party. Among the more unusual gestures included in the set are the Vulcan “Live Long and Prosper” greeting, the Heavy Metal salute (or “Hook ‘em Horns” for UT alumni), and of course the classic single-digit flip off.

Timer Candles

(images via: Amazon and Sportys)

These Timer Candles illustrate a clever way of bringing candles up to modern specs & expectations. The coiled 80 Hour Beeswax Coil Candle (in red, above) and its brethren are constructed in such a way as to burn only as long as you want candlelight. After that it’s lights out, baby.

Bacon Candles

(images via: Kittredge Candles)

It’s tough to beat the warm glow of candlelight and the cloying scent of America’s favorite food (and net meme), bacon. Now you can have your cake and eat it too… er, don’t eat it though, especially if its already lit. According to the designer, the Bacon Candles (which come either as votives or in jars) are triple-scented to smell “EXACTLY like bacon frying in the pan. Your mouth will water when you smell them burning!” Those who are lousy cooks can take solace in the fact that finally something they burn will smell great.

Wine Cork Candles

(images via: GadgetGrid and My Wedding Favors)

Wine bottles make convenient candle holders but any candles you may have on hand might not fit the openings of the bottles. Problem solved: Wine Cork Candles look like corks but burn like candles… which is much better than having wine corks that burn like *cough* corks.

Bomb & TNT Candles

(image via: Rare Bird Finds)

Light the fuse on fun with candles molded in the familiar forms of cartoon bombs and clusters of dynamite sticks. You get all the desirable soft lighting without any of the unwanted explosive fatal injuries and destruction of property. It’s possible those with nefarious ulterior motives will try to use these copycat candles as substitutes for the real thing, but that’s not advised. Leave the candles to the House of Wax or you might find yourself on a one-way trip to the Big House.

(image via: Kittredge Candles)

Wax on, wax off… if Mr. Miyagi knows paraffin is paramount, so should you. Easily molded into an endless number of forms and, once lit, burning at a safe and controlled rate, today’s edgy and amusing designs ensure even the wildest home decor scheme is never too hot to candle.

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Chinese artist Shi Jinsong created sculptures depicting baby accessories which would fit right in as toys for the Addams Family or for a future Terminator baby. Strollers, cribs, rattles, and walkers are made from razor-sharp blades, making a macabre and bizarre fine art collection. Here are some of the most bizarre baby items and other wicked stainless steel blade sculptures you may ever see.

Walker

(image credits: Saatchi Gallery,damncoolpics)

Once upon a time, in Buddhist Chinese mythology, there was a very naughty but very clever child called Na Zha. He was the “enfant terrible” and had a militaristic tendency for wreaking violence. Na Zha, who is the Trickster God Boy of Childish Pranks and Tantrums, had three heads, nine eyes and eight arms. Artist Shi Jinsong reinvented Na Zha as the “new face of Mothercare with a range of deadly baby products.” Above are a couple of sinister Walkers for the baby, fashioned out of razor-sharp blades.

Cradle

(image credits Chambers Fine Art)

Na Zha Baby Boutique exhibition included this sadistic Cradle that is perfect for child with supernatural powers. Deadly sharp blades and gleaming stainless steel offer lethal luxury in this outrageouly unsafe line of baby products. In the case of Na Zha, this would work well for him as he is now mostly known as the God of Lotteries and Gambling.

Toys

(image credits Chambers Fine Art)

Like all babies, Na Zha needed toys. The Baby Boutique includes needle-tipped pacifiers, a rattle made of razors, and a dismembering abacus. Also included in Shi Jinsong’s collection are a stainless steel rocking horse and a knife-edged trike. Na Zha wears a suit of armor, but ironically the child’s suit comes complete with mouse ears. The boots are roller blades as this mythological child had wheeled fiery feet and would possess all kinds of malicious toys and powerful weapons.

Previous Baby Stroller Models

(image credits Pram Museum Blog,offbeatism,taringa)

Na Zha Baby Boutique had several types of strollers with a twist of mythic Chinese culture and modern-day globalization. If these sculptures were actually used, the pointy stakes on the wheels would surely cut a path through the crowd. They are epically bizarre yet tremendously fascinating, form and function, fearsome to behold.

Terminator Baby?

(image credits yaplakal)

If Sarah Connor could have, she would have no doubt used this stroller for John. Indeed, this would be the perfect gift for any future Terminator baby. Part stroller and part armored tank, it’s for either that very protective parent or killer baby wishing for the ultimate deadly weapon to tote along on those mid-morning walks.

Halong- Kellong

(image credits artintern,artzinechina)

Shi Jinsong creates more than a lethal luxury line of baby products. He also wields stainless steel blades in razor-sharp bikes for big kids. “The sculptural installation Halong-Kellong is the imagined self-projection of modern life from a Chinese peasant’s perspective.” Hand trucks are common in China’s rural villages. These three hand trucks have a Harley-Davidson style logo, since Harleys were once known as a “prince’ s chariot, often ridden by the most badass characters in American movies.” These are definitely badass bikes.

Office & Re-education

(image credits taringa)

If you think it’s torture to sit at your computer desk and work, then perhaps you should take a long look at Shi Jinsong’s “Office Equipment-Prototype No 1.” Jinsong meant it as a metaphor on “oppressive authoritarianism—high tech going to harrowing extreme.” Or maybe you are in the market for a new computer chair? The three in the bottom photo would forever change a desk jockey’s job into true torment.

Weapons

(image credits genetologisch,Chambers Fine Art,taringa)

Although Shi Jinsong is predominantly known for his pristine stainless steel sculptures of baby products, he also produced a Secret Book of Cool Weapons theme. In the Secret Book of Cool Weapons, Jinsong portrayed corporate logos such as Mercedes Benz, Nike, and others as ancient, powerful weapons in corporate battles.

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