crankbunny

...work falls under* bad ideas inspiration mcdonalds theory

McDonald’s Theory

I use a trick with co-workers when we’re trying to decide where to eat for lunch and no one has any ideas. I recommend McDonald’s.

This link is about getting all ideas out there (good and especially the bad ones) out there when starting a project. I personally call it ‘gettings it out of my system” and am not afraid of it. Many people are afraid of bad ideas. It takes a crazy kind of courage, of focus, of foolhardy perseverance to quiet all those doubts long enough to move forward.

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...work falls under* paper boobs random nifty insanity crafts

Paper Boobs
Daddy Push

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...work falls under* history Join me in the 1900 food life rationing 1900s wartime website research supersizers

Join me in the 1900s

Join me in the 1900s is a wonderful website detailing all the different aspects of regular people life (middle - middle lower class) in the early 1900s to mid 1900s in England.

I love history - especially the super normal stuff. The social history of daily life. This is a site I can and will probably send tons of hours on.

The early 1900s material written in the 1980s by my mother, Florence Clarke (Jan 1906-Feb 2002); the mid 1900s material written by myself; contributions from website visitors. It is wonderful to read Florence’s own accounts, memories and explanations of how things were done over 100 years ago. The site might be also helpful to anyone doing any home restoration (whitewashing, oil-cloths, mantels, etc).

The women’s section is especially interesting. It reminds me of my own grandmother telling me about housework when she was growing up in Cuba. Even my parents have similar memories of how wash days were done.

The site also has a detailed breakdown on how rationing was set up during WWII in the UK. It was a huge government effort and there was a dietary commission that had to figure out how to feed an entire nation with extremely limited resources of meat and dairy. The BBC show Supersizers did a whole episode on wartime rationing - I recommend watching it if you are into food history or dietary stuff.

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...work falls under* book ssopc self publishing update news how-to

Sneak peek and info for new Crankbunny How-to book series!

I haven’t been updating facebook and the official twitter Crankbunny shop feed. Busy busy me has been hunkered down writing and doing all the art for my latest book project. (Official name will be released at the end of May)

Unlike the last book - Paper Puppet Palooza - which was printed with a publisher, I will be jumping happily into the “self-publishing” pool and releasing the book through Crankbunny. This is something that makes me scream and growl with joy.

The new how-to book will actually be a series of small storybook tales that focus on making and learning how to make pop up cards, paper doll puppets and paper toys. Each book will have a few projects in them and focus on a particular paper craft technique (that way if you have NO interest in paper dolls, you can skip that tomfoolery).

Because it is self-publishing and printed in low runs, Crankbunny will have full control of the artwork, themes and content. I can put out a new book in the series within a couple of months (instead of… years). These books will also be printed and hand assembled in the United States (not in Singapore, shipped by barge across the world…).

I love how-to books —- but they are dry and never do a good job of fostering imagination and wonder. I believe only “hybrid storybook telling” and “instruction” can do this. Each book will make the individual reader / future creator feel special, unique and inspired.

The book series will also be chocked with fun personal extras that a large publisher would never be able to wrap it’s many cogged-wheeled head around. Like what? Well, one example is… Each book in the series will have additional project materials, templates and video content accessible only through the internet with special secret passcodes. And ofcourse, there will be a digital version of the book also available.

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...work falls under* futurebrite friends amigas nifty music fireworks lake michigan sky sculpture

“Faux Accords”
FUTUREBRITE

Futurebrite formed due to a chance encounter between Oakland denizen Karen Kanan Correa (vocals) and Brooklynite Josh Grant (production) on an airplane. After their current projects faded out, the coed duo decided to collaborate in Grant’s studio overlooking the East River. What spawned was beat-heavy electro pop with a dark edge but also melodic enough to redeem itself as romantic. Read more about the future release here!

I like fireworks. A ton. So this video is awesome. It reminds me of the time I lived in Northern Michigan. I was able to see the huge Fourth of July fireworks display they did over Lake Michigan right on the beach. The fireworks were so close that they were above everyone lying on the sand. I screamed out “IT’S LIKE SKY SCULPTURE!” Everyone started laughing and clapping.

I also have know Miss Karen K C for way too long. She is one of my oldest friends and super talented. Everything she does is amazing and inspiring. I think about her daily.

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...work falls under* makerbot resistor robohand prosthetics 3d printing inspiration amazing

The Robohand Project - 3D-printed hands for children and adults who are missing fingers or entire hands.

Makerbot has released an inspiring video about how a group of hackers started a project that aims to take the cost and complexity associated with hand prosthesis out of the process.

Read the full blog post from Makerbot here to learn more about the project.

Donate to the project!

Another reason I love the folks at Makerbot & Resistor! (Resistor is hack / inventor collective in Brooklyn that is associated with Makerbot. I would take classes there sometimes).

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...work falls under* scissors zizzors tsa boboheads lots x-acto craft knives exacto cutting

craft knives, x-actos, exactos, etc

I sometimes get asked questions about cutting with craft knives or tips on how to use them more effectively…. mainly because of all the paper cutting I do.

.Frankly, I hate using them. There is no magic secret that will make anyone a Speedy Gonzalez cutting wizard. They require patience, slow breathing, a steady hand and a good matt cutting board.

I only use x-acto knives when there’s a small inside cut ( *large inside cuts can still be done with a scissor and a punch). 95% of the time I use scissors. I own over a hundred scissors. Do I use over a hundred scissors? Maybeeeee, ok - no - I don’t. I just really love scissors.

How does one end up with a hundred scissors though?
Do you get them at antique sales and flea markets?

No. I am a maniac.

TSA once took a pair of scissors from me in Toronto - even though they were undersized and passed the little rules they made up which is posted on their website. While arguing with the TSA agent who confiscated my tools, he let it slip that everything confiscated gets sold in lots. These lots are sold to wholesalers and auction buyers so the TSA can pay some bills. Nice scam.

So my brain understands what “lots” are…. it’s basically a random assortment of similar new/used items that are sold in bulk at the cost of weight for cheap. I did a little google-ing and calling around to find out where / when the TSA would be selling their lots of scissors. They don’t do it themselves actually - there are a few middlemen involved.

Luckily the guy I tracked down who was in charge of these lots was honest, nice, and most importantly, organized. The lots he had were broken up into super specific types - so he had a craft scissor lot. He frequently got calls from people (and brokers?) looking for really specific scissors. Heirlooms that the TSA had taken away from some poor sweet grandma who forgot that her great great great grandma’s sewing scissor was in her toiletry purse. He tried to help as much as he could, but had tons of pallets with scissors, razors, pocket knives, etc in a warehouse.

35 dollars and two weeks later a 25 pound Priority Mail Flat Rate box showed up at my doorstep just filled to capacity with scissors. No wrapping, no shipping peanuts. My mail carrier was pissed. I loved it.

In that box were a few copies of the scissors that had been taken away from me. ALSO, there were a ton more different types of scissors I had never tried!
FUN was had by all ( ok, just me ).

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...work falls under* inspiration nifty brian ewing beardo rock posters gig art documentary just like being there

Crankbunny has worked with Mr. Brian Ewing on a few fun paper projects like the Tell-tale heart scratch off card and the Zombie Paper Puppet. He shows up in the new documentary called “Just Like Being There” about rock posters, gig art and the whole history kit-in-kaboodal about it! Go watch it on Netflix! Or check out facebook for screening information here. There also should be a nifty new paper Ewing project for Halloween this year too. But do go watch the documentary because this bearded boy wonder seriously needs his own action figure (with little outfits and costumes).

brianewing:

Hey guys I just found out the @justlikebeing Just Like Being There documentary I was interviewed for is finally on netflix. I haven’t even seen it until today! It’s kinda weird to see myself talking….on netflix! So weird…freaking out. But I’m very proud to see all my friends and colleagues get a chance to be seen and heard. Now we’re all gonna be rich…right?

If you dig rock posters, movie posters and art prints then this flick is for you! It’s a pretty decent and covers what was going on in rock posters over the past few years. The doc centers on three artists Kevin Tong, Jay Ryan and Daniel Danger… all super-rad guys and artists… so I’m happy to have even made it in. I sound all smart and junk. Not an easy feat!

Check it out if you have time. Let Scout know what you think of this film. I for one want to do another gig poster after watching it. What’s it gonna make you want to do? Maybe they’ll do a sequel and call it “Just Like Ewing There”?!?!

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...work falls under* dieantwoord inspiration cartoonlife boom boom

Yes to all of this.
I love weird human angry cartoons coming to life.
Die Antwoord - “Fatty Boom Boom”

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...work falls under* brooklyn pup dog charity foster needs home bentley

goldschool:

Brooklyn pup abandoned by owners needs home!

gantpants:

I found this fella today tied to a bench in Prospect Park. I was taking a jog, and stopped to get him some much needed lunch and a bath. We visited the vet (Animal Kind Veterinary Hospital, 365 7th Ave Brooklyn - they were amazing and so informative) and got him all checked out. His name is Bentley according to his microchip.

He is very friendly and well-behaved, though he needs a little help on the leash. Part of that is probably that he’s only about two years old (vet estimate). We got his shots, some antibiotics for the wear and tear that comes from living on a bench for a few days, and some dog food to get him fattened up. His collar was traded in for a harness (way easier to walk).

He weighs 52.6 lbs, and he’ll get bigger as he eats properly. Right now he’s napping on his new bed, and he’s so freaking cute and wonderful.

But I can’t have a dog right now. As much as I would love to keep him it wouldn’t be fair to him, and it would be irresponsible of me considering my current employment situation (recently fired, not quite freelancing). I’ve contacted Shawn Casey of animal rescue but they are currently full. If any one wants this friendly guy please let me know. You can email me at gantpowell@gmail.com. I will answer any questions you might have. Until then, we’re going to bop along and probably go on some jogs together. Also I’m going to fatten him up properly.

It’s been a long day for me, and a terrible week for Bentley. I hope he gets really healthy and happy. I don’t know about fate, but I think this was supposed to happen today.

Edit: I want to address a concern about some information I didn’t include concerning Bentley’s microchip. I didn’t mention that yes, his owners were registered along with their address and phone number. I worked with the vet to contact them and unfortunately, after repeat attempts, we haven’t had a response sine Monday. The more I get to know Bentley’s personality and his likes and dislikes, it’s plain to see that his old life may not have been as loving as we would like. I have followed up with 311 to make sure I am not stealing someone’s beloved pet, but considering the state I found him in, and the lack of response from his registered owners, they explained that he is now my responsibility. I hope that this is for the better. He has been very happy and playful today, and has even taken naps and played with his chew toys. He wasn’t doing any of that yesterday. He is still having some anxiety issues but the arrival of a crate has given him some security and a safe space to himself, which I think he definitely deserves. Tomorrow is another big day, and we will start meeting some prospective pet owners! Yay Bentley!

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