Beautiful Cut Paper Animal Masks by Flurry & Salk.

above: cut paper Ram mask designed for Hermes.

Meet Nikki Salk and Amy Flurry. Nikki is an artist and fashion blogger, Amy is a freelance writer, editor and stylist. In January, 2010 the two women founded the Paper-Cut-Project, a company that conceives art direction and highly crafted installations in paper for window installations, runway, catalog and advertising campaigns.



Flurry and Salk describe their custom made paper art installations as "fueled by a love of fashion and an appreciation of the grace and nuance of this humble material"

They have designed installations and window displays for chic stores like Jeffrey New York and Atlanta and an exclusive collection of animals for Hermes.


Owl (for Hermes):

Bear (for Hermes):

Horse 1 (for Hermes):

Horse 2 (for Hermes):

Horse 3 (for Hermes):

Lion (for Hermes):

Cockatiel (for Hermes):


The above masks were designed exclusively for French luxury boutique Hermes, while the masks below are part of their Animalia series.

Owl:

Cockatiel:

Lion:

Hare:


The Paper Cut Project
Nikki Salk's fashion blog
Amy Flurry's website

3D Sculpted Paper Heads By Bert Simons

I spotted these 3 dimensional photographic paper portrait heads and sculptures by artist Bert Simons over at Bored Panda, so I dove a little deeper and found some more on the artist's web site.

Using multiple points on a model's face and head, Bert inputs the data into the computer and uses Blender, an open source 3D program to construct a three dimensional model of the head. He then flattens the image to 2D pieces and prints them out on paper stock, only to rebuild them as a purposely piecemeal modeled head.


The making of Harry Hamelink (2007):





In addition to some self-portraits, he has created versions of other men and women, an anatomical head and a three step head which represents vegetative growth.

Self-portraits, 2006:



Rozemarijn Lucassen, 2007:



Mr. Ivo Opstelten, 2008:



the mask as seen on a human:


Cardboard Cutie, 2006:

the making of Cardboard Cutie:




Anatomical head, 2005:



Vegetarius (just add water), 2003:



all images courtesy of the artist.

For Budding Designers, MoMA Kits For Modern Kids (And Their Parents)

Chronicle Books has introduced an innovative and uniquely playful new line of children's products created in collaboration with New York's Museum of Modern Art. Through original formats and eye-catching design, these irresistible books and kits are designed to inspire and foster creativity that lasts a lifetime.



The Modern Playhouse and Modern Family are DIY kits with modular pieces and removable vinyl clings so you can create numerous variations of your own modern home and family.

MoMA Modern Play House



Includes: 6 nesting boxes, 8 mix-and-match furniture pieces, 12 removable vinyl clings, and endless possibilities. Recommended for ages 3 and up.

MoMA Modern Play Family


This hip press-out family includes 5 people, a cat, a dog, a doghouse, and over 150 mix-and-match vinyl cling clothes.



A part of the MoMA Modern Kids collection. Recommended for ages 3 and up.

Chronicle Books also made this cool stop-motion video to showcase the creative possibilities of the new MoMA Modern Play House and Modern Family:



Of course you can buy these at the online MoMA store BUT as part of the promotion, you can purchase these kits directly from Chronicle books with free shipping and 30% off if you use the code MoMA at checkout here.

(spotted on NOTCOT)

Regretsy: The Worst Of Etsy - Crafts Or Crap?

I've always had an aversion to the word 'crafts'. It makes me think of those heinous crocheted toilet paper roll covers or wooden Geese families for the front yard. And although I respect anyone who labors at creating a personal expression, it is true that some results are only good for a giggle. Which leads me to introduce you to a website named Regretsy.



I absolutely love that someone has done this. And am thrilled that it wasn't me.
The site "Regretsy" pokes fun at the well-known e-commerce site Etsy, which allows users to sell their handmade (and homemade) crafts, jewelry and art.



By scouring the of listings on etsy, and accepting submissions from readers, Regretsy manages to find and categorize some of the most god-awful ugly or just plain disturbing items available on the site (lots of genital-related art and items, too). And yes, they actually link to purchase the item if it is still available.


Above: a rusty cheese grater turned clock for sale on Etsy. Price? $28.00 (and no, you don't get the cigarette with it)

Their "disclaimer" says it all:

Don’t get us wrong. We like crafts.

We just don’t like these crafts.

Yes, we know these people put their hearts into it. We know it took hours and hours. We know how mean it is to laugh at their creations. And we regret being the only web site on the internet that makes fun of things.

But what can we do? We’re immature.

Besides, art is totally subjective. Who cares what we think? I barely care and I’m writing this.

Listen, if you like something you see here, don’t argue with us, go and buy it. Seriously. Click on any photo and you’ll be taken to the seller’s store*. We’re only too glad to have made the introduction.

Otherwise, we’re just going to sit here and look at the amputee kitten paintings and vulva earrings and laugh so hard that we pee in our reusable Pokemon pads.

- The Regretsy team

Below are some of their picks from categories whose names include "Dead Things" and "Pet Humiliation". Each item below is an actual listing from Etsy.












In addition to the present listings to laugh at, they have archives, so you can even mock what is no longer available on Etsy.
Visit Regretsy here.
Become a Regretsy Fan on facebook here.
Follow Regretsy on Twitter.

I do hope no one's feelings are sincerely hurt beyond repair regarding this post. It's my intention to make you laugh, not cry.

Special thanks to Scott Ivener for this gem of a find.