J's Subway Poster

Oh, man. I'm going to have to create a whole new tag for "Maps." Scott Beale of Laughing Squid just made my day posting this gem: a NYC subway map created by NY designer and illustrator Erin Jang for her 3-year-old nephew. J's Subway Poster includes all his favorite places, including the Museum of Natural History, the Shake Shack, and all his buddies' homes. Way to focus what's important!

The Julian Scarf

It's flannel. It has zippered pockets. It's a winter accessory. No, it's not the lumberjack butt-flap footed onesie you've been hankering after since childhood (though, that would be sweet). It's the Julian Scarf, by Wintercheck Factory in Brooklyn, NY.

Studio K: Paper Maps

I love love love maps. So when I saw Etsy artist Studio K's paper-cut maps on Makezine I nearly fainted with pleasure. These 4 separate panels are sold as a set, and when pieced together they comprise the essential East Coast quadriplex — Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx. Just imagine the kind of images you could create by mounting the k/o'd grid on a textured backdrop! The unified whole spans a whopping 6ft by 8ft, and as original painstaking one-off X-acto artwork goes, $550 seems cheap. [via dudecraft]

Stephane Halleux

Bobby Solomon of Kitsune Noir said it best: "What do you get when you mix the older films of Jean-Pierre Jeunet with the gothic creativity of Tim Burton? I think it would roughly add up to the amazing sculptures of [French artist] Stephane Halleux." Add a little Miyazaki, a bit of Katsuhiro Otomo, and a dash of Wallace and Gromet and you start to get the idea. Loaded with Steampunk goodness, Halleux's creations breathe an other-worldly air. Beast or brute, man or machine, gizmo or gadget, these quirky characters propel us instantly to the imagined territories from whence they came.

Brian Jungen: Strange Comfort

Native American artist Brian Jungen (Dunne-za) creates perceived icons of Indian culture from commonplace utilitarian objects — an igloo from trash cans, a whale skeleton from plastic chairs, an animal mobile from suitcases. Frequently, his materials are selected for their power to comment: "Much of Jungen's work is created out of sports paraphernalia — a suit of armor made of catcher mitts, a skull crafted from baseball skins, blankets woven from jerseys, and totem poles of stacked golf bags. It's a deliberate choice, Jungen says, to make art from materials belonging to an industry that has claimed names such as The Chiefs, Indians, Redskins and Braves."

Jungen's show, Strange Comfort, will be up at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. through August 8, 2010, and will be the museum's the first solo show of a living Native American artist.

Henrique Oliveira: Tridimensionals

Brazilian artist Henrique Oliveira is trained as a painter, so it makes sense that his 3D work would take on such theatric texture. Working with reclaimed wood, Oliveira creates immense installations that swell, surge, and plume — a living wall. The shapes are such that at times I am greatly reminded of Jenny Saville. Ravishing. [from Design Sponge, via Mandr]

LED Eyelashes

I'm not the Anti-Crafter, but I have to admit I don't much get into Halloween (please don't throw things). But then Becky has to go and post these really awesome LED eyelashes from the Fashioning Technology blog (Syuzi Pakhchyan) and I start to reconsider everything. Cyborg hottie anyone? [via CRAFT]

P.S. Check out the Fashioning Technology book! I totally designed it.

The Draplin Project

from Jess Gibson on Vimeo.

Why America is effed, graphically. Compliments of Keith Hammond. joshellington.com/blog

Roadside Projects

Jayme McGowan is Roadside Projects. Drawing from fantastic themes such as fables and the circus, McGowan's vignette papercraft defies gravity to win our hearts. Check out her blog. [via the fabulous ladies at Polka Dot Robot]

Taxidemic

Apartment Therapy recently ran a nice collection of faux taxidermy finds. This is an inspired remix with some additions. Living with a huntsman and actually sporting real taxidermy in my house, I am a big fan of both stuffed creatures and their fauna-friendly craft alternatives. In order of appearance: Elizabeth McGrath, Frederique Morrel, AJ Fosik, Jennifer Khoshbin of Ruby's Lounge, Cardboard Safari, Animal Head, Urban Outfitters blow up taxidermy, Jessica Joslin, Rachel Denny, Plastidermy, and Feltidermy — thanks, Erin, for the link. Feltidermy look fabulous in your bedroom!

Travis Meinolf: Action Weaver

If you attended the Open Source Embroidery show at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art in downtown San Francisco a couple weeks ago, you would have had the distinct pleasure of meeting weaver and craftsman Travis Meinolf, and even trying out a little weaving yourself on one of his portable looms. Good thing you can join him again this Thursday, October 15 from 6–8pm, at MoCFA! Currently in self-imposed exile in Berlin, Travis stays busy building unique looms, weaving gorgeous textiles, and keeping us posted on Action Weaver! Look for Travis in CRAFT #8, the weaving issue.

Sandra Monat

German artist and crafter Sandra Monat makes a lot of really, really cute stuff at Herzensart — including a prolific Viking series, plushie UFOs, and a dream guardian lot that remind me of Maurice Sendak's In the Night Kitchen. Once again, my love of melamine is going to put me in the poor house. The Viking plates are begging to be part of my collection! [via Notcot]