Fabricated Independence

Independent Fabrication

For this Massachusetts-based bicycle company, the name Independent Fabrication kind of says it all. IF Bikes, as they are known, design and create the perfect mode of your independence.  These custom bikes are perfectly fit to your body, riding style, and transportation goals. And man, they are beautiful!
IF Bikes manufacture out of their home base in Somerville, Mass, but sell through many dealers across the country. Each dealership has specific standardized guidelines for measuring you and accessing your needs to insure your individual fit.

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Ties on the Hill-side

I used to wear ties all the time while in college. Actually, I worked for a tie designer after school who paid me in ties. Needless to say, that ended within a short time. As much as I liked having a never-ending supply of ties, convincing AT&T to accept a handful for my monthly bill was not working out.
To make a long story short, I mostly gave up wearing ties for the past ten years or so, but have now found a new reason to jump back in.

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The Rickenbacker, Crafted Sound

Pete Townshend with Ricks in various stages of their lives

Founded in Los Angeles in the 1920’s, the Rickenbacker guitar was created by the first company with the sole purpose of making high quality fully electric instruments. Popularized by Hawaiian musicians in the 1930’s, the guitar steadily gained notoriety through the 40’s and 50’s as a mainstay of artists such as Sam Cooke, Ricky Nelson, and The Raiders.

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Niche Modern

I don’t know what it is about Beacon, New York these days. This is the second post this month about a great business based out of Beacon (and another glass blower at that).

A little while back, an interior designer friend of mine told me about Niche Modern and I’ve been dying to run up to their shop ever since. Luckily, they have a beautiful website from where you can purchase their whole line.

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I Am The Walrus

Upper Playground was established in 1998 with the goal of giving local up-and-coming artists a venue where progressive art and fashion can be mutually supported.  Since then, the goal has remained the same and the brand has succeeded in growing to an international business with product in over 300 boutiques- as well as owning 10 of their own shops in the US and overseas.

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Picasso, International Man of Mystery

Declared a national treasure by France, the 1956 documentary film, Le Mystere Picasso, is absolutely fascinating to watch.  Following Picasso’s every brush stroke as he moves from one area of the canvases to another, the viewer witnesses the results of the master’s decisions, as he makes them.

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A Little Help From My Friends

Firstly, this is in no way a promotion for Adobe Creative Suite products. Just a quick note in praise of the legions of Adobe professionals out there who offer free tutoring to those in need of a little help from time to time (me, being one of those needy people). Following the below link, you’ll find the video workshop section on the Adobe website, where you can help yourself to hundreds of free tutorials for the entire Creative Suite as well as all other Adobe applications. The “teachers” in the videos are all highly accomplished professionals who’ve honed their skills through their own varied experiences. In fact, you can contact some of the teachers directly to ask questions or advice. I’ve found them to be very generous and happy to share their insight.

Enjoy going back to school!

http://mrte.ch/3kt

Recycled for Art’s Sake

Nick Gentry

Nick Gentry is a British born artist, working in London, who uses obsolete technology as his artistic medium.  Whereas the concept of recycling objects to make new art (Picasso, Rauschenberg, Schnabel) is not new, I like Gentry’s fresh approach. By using the various floppy disks and cassettes as his canvas on which he paints, he creates a mosaic feel.

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Glasses Made For Sippin’

With the commercial domestic glass-making industry in a fast decline, it’s good to see local craftsmen still making a successful go of it. John and Wendy Gilvey, Michael Benzer and Jennifer Smith founded Hudson Beach Glass in 1987.

Originally setting up shop in a renovated ice house in Beacon New York, they’ve now expanded to a second location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (operated by John and Wendy’s son, Sean and his wife). Both studios create beautiful glassware of all kinds- bowls and dishes, vases, lighting, as well as fantastic drinking glasses.  Speaking of drinking glasses…

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Bing To Become iPhone Default Search Engine

Can it be true? Yes, it does look to be likely that Microsoft and Apple are again playing nicely together. Of course it seems to be the result of Apple and Google NOT playing nicely together. Oh well, as long as we get good software, gadgets and phones out of it all, I’m fine with it!

Follow the below link to the full story on MacLife.

http://mrte.ch/3j6