Google

I heard a report this morning about google being used as a marketing devise. I never thought of it before but it makes sense. Google is able to show what people are thinking about because of people searching for those subjects. Examples would be an increase search in economic issues, presidential candidates, and flu information.

Cardboard bike

21 year old Phil Bridge has designed an eco friendly bike. It is made from recyclable cardboard and only cost $6 to make. It also can hold 168 lbs, I think I'm cutting it too close but it looks pretty cool.

Art-o-mat

Check out artomat.org, it is pretty much the same thing that I would like to do for my final project. It's a vending machine (they use old cigarette machines) that dispenses art. This group takes applications for people to sell their art in their machines across the country in case anyone is interested.

vending machines again

I think I have a vending machine, it's in PA so I have to do some planning and it's first come first serve so I hope I can get served, it's old but it works and it's not too much $$$. I'm so excited.

urban knitting

This is crazy awesome, has anyone seen this before? It's a noninvasive form of graffiti where people knit forms then knit them onto street signs, lamp post etc. Check it out at knittaplease.com (it's also where this picture came from). I am so jumping on this wagon!

Vending machines

So vending machines are in the works, they are tricky little boogers to track down and pricey for band new ones. I'll keep you posted.

Free shipping

Well it's a bout time I got my butt back on blogger.
So for anyone working on a blurb book, in case you haven't got the email there is free shipping until Dec. 5th on shipping less than $10 just enter freeshipping in the promo code space. Yippy for free shipping!

AAR for project 2

Sustains: I feel that I was able to create a product that I was proud of and that I enjoyed making. The purses were well constructed and I feel that I was able to pay attention to the details and overall quality.

Improves: I would improve the purses and place mats by using more color and pattern, and I feel that I could have experimented more with fusing various materials in between the layers of plastic bags. For my own sanity I would have liked to of had a cleaner and more organized work space.

What ifs: This project could have been more successful if I created more bags and various sizes and styles of the bags. I think that overall the bag/purse was executed better than the place mats. I also would have liked to of had the bag in stores by the time of the presentation.

Placemats and purses!

THE PROCESS:

to
thenand tada.

one more day!

obeygiant.com

plastic bag fusing

my plan of attack and materials are gathered I just need to locate an iron (aka quesadilla maker according to my sister) and I'm on my way.
here are some links to bag fusing
www.etsylabs.blogspot.com
www.instructables.com

more

I'm not into the crocheting of plastic bags to make things, I'm not sure why I'm just not digging it. But I have found some items that I am liking.... (these were found at curiousdoodles on etsy)

plastic bag gear

Here are some things that I have found
on etsy that are made out of plastic bags,
although these aren't quite my style
they help my to refine my idea and the
fish is cute.

NEW PROJECT IDEA:

So I have changed my project plan from making a teacher resource guide to creating plastic place mats and splat mats (mats used to make kids art projects an easy clean up). These mats will be made from those plastic bags you get from grocery stores. I do hope to sell these mats, my first thoughts of places to sell them are at Red Tree in Baltimore and The Stubby Pencil.com (Eco friendly/recycled art supplies). I want these mats to be: creative, colorful, easy to clean, and relatively easy to mass produce. The process I plan to use to create these mats is a combo of weaving strips of plastic bags and then sewing them in that form to hold. Also I hope to add a trim (cloth?/organic) to the edges for a finished look:)

MIA

Whoa, I feel like I haven't written in forever, I did have some problems remembering my password and setting a new one but I'm good now.

FREE bioneers networking

Networking Cocktail Party Thursday November 6th from 6-9pm at MICA. Art reception, kick off party, music, food and more for FREE! RSVP is required and can be done at www.baltimorebioneers.eventbrite.com

LOGO

I love this logo
(I found it at logoblink.com)

issues

10/5-Detainee death inspires a video game (issue at hand is immigration detention in the US, stand up for human rights, this issue is swept under the government rug, game is designed to educated while trying to figure out how this immigrant dies in custody, http://66.232.104.66/homelandgitmo.com) New York Times
-Losing weight stigma-obesity prevention at via senator chris dodd sum. 08-what about fat acceptance-should the goal be on health rather than fat? (size vs. health?) New York Times Magazine
10/1-Hatti (families making food out of clay? My hearts go out to these mothers who have to feed their children this) New York Times
9/15-disaster in Texas after hurricane Ike, FEMA?, senior citizen issues? New York Times
-contaminated baby food scandal (in China too big for it's own good? No control over the safety of product-baby food, toys, dog food) New York Times
-Stampede for Aid (Indonesians looking for aid from wealthy die/hurt in stampede) New York Times

Unfair Bananas

Amy's unfair banana stickers in action...

AAR for project 1

Sustains: I feel that once I got the ball rolling things started to work out and fit well together. I feel that picking a topic/project that I was interested in helped me greatly in being able to mass produce those seed bombs and package them. I really enjoyed this project. I think overall the seed bomb packets were a success. They were relatively inexpensive to make, the only cost was the seeds, everything else I had or was able to obtain from someone else. Also I think the project was friendly, engaging and encouraging to people to become their own guerilla gardener. I also liked the recipe card/postcard idea, I felt that that was a very useful piece of paper and multipurpose.

Improves: I took me too long to get the ball rolling and I know I could have had a more successful project if I would have balance my time more efficiently. I wanted this project to have multiple steps but found myself only able to complete one step. In the future I need to determine my issue and develop a plan asap, thus allowing me to have more time to complete the project, jump any hurdles and see the plan in action. I also might have tried more paper bag designs and a possible website for more info. Also I need to use my blog more as a tool and way to communicate my ideas (including sketches and brainstorming).

What ifs:This project could have been more successful if I had put more time in to completing the other steps and I would have liked to see more seed bomb packets made and distributed. The best incarnation of this project was what I handed in it was informative, easy to transport, and easy to use.

Project 2

For project 2 I want to incorporate what I know, kids and art projects. I want to create a resource for teachers to use in their classrooms. This resource would include kid friendly projects (for kids k-8). These projects would be designed to educate kids on social issues and making them more aware of the world around them. I feel that the sooner kids are educated on the issues that surround them the sooner they will want to help change things. Also kids can come up with ideas that adult don't even think of. Also I think that although teachers are great, sometimes they might be stumped on what to present to their students when it comes to age appropriate projects that inform kids on their social and environmental world. Thats why I want to provide this resourse to teachers.

I'm not sure who said it but the idea was that local people have local solutions. and that is exactally what this organization is, www.freestorebaltimore.org.
This organization makes sense, it provides an answer to a social issue

"In a Nutshell:

We promote RECYCLING & REUSE. We are tired of so much usable, useful stuff going to waste while people live in poverty in our city. That’s why we want to empower COMMUNITIES to come together and meet these needs through giving and taking.

It’s really a very simple concept: take what you want, give what you can.

We redistribute goods to empower, improve and support communities.."

Green Festival in DC

www.greenfestivals.org
Check this out, it looks awesome and when you sign up you get admission to the advent (2Day) a free subscriptions to The Nation (2 months) and Plenty (1 year) and 1 year FREE Co-op America membership for only $15, what a deal ($10 in person/at door/ with student id). It's Nov 8th and 9th and William McDonough will be speaking there. Also tons of organic, fair trade, and how-to workshops!!!! GO!

army of seed bombs!

after seed bomb making and a crazy grub experience the seed bombs have been distributed!

did anyone notice the two magazines Jan has recommended for this semester "Good" and "Plenty", I love it.

picture from:
www.ilovesweettreats.com

3 parts

So I started out with a three part project, I have since downsized but this was what I was thinking and hope to eventually complete the list. 1)make seed bombs and distribute (in a guerilla DIY style). 2) set up a workshop where people can come and learn to make seed bombs and take them with (this plan is in the works I'm thinking about doing a workshop at the ecofest this spring, it's in talks right now). 3) Clean up sad looking, neglected urban areas (this part just requires man power and time, and is still in the plan).

what they look like

picture from:
http://funtimehappygardenexplosion.blogspot.com/2007/08/guerilla-gardening-seed-bombs.html

prototype

Here it is, my game plan.
This is a 4" x 6" postcard, one side has a recipe for seed bombs the other side is a place to address and write on (standard postcard format).
Attached is a envelope/packet made out of newspaper that contains at least three seed bombs. The perfect ammo for an anyone to become a guerrilla gardener.

Guerilla Gardening/Seed Bombs

Cleaning up urban areas (can be applied to other areas too). A tactic that allows the gardener to take a barren neglected area and spruce it up with some green and color.
More info:
History www.heavypetal.ca
Guerilla Gardening www.guerrillagardening.org

It's something anyone can do!!!

Recipe card

SEED BOMBS (for your inner guerilla gardener)

Ingredients:

5 parts powdered clay	5 parts dry compost
1 part wildflower seeds indigenous to your area	water

Directions:

1. Mix clay, compost, and seeds together and moisten with just enough water to give it the consistency of play-dough

2. Roll up the mixture into ping-pong sized balls

3. Allow the balls to dry in a cool dry place for about 3 days

4. When you feel the need to make a sad looking space a little greener, throw in a seed bomb!

How it works:

You locate an area that is in need of some re-vegetation (e.g. sidewalk crack, vacant lot, neglected median strip, etc.) Then get the seed bomb to the area. The seed bomb contains all it needs, the clay holds it together so it can be tossed or thrown, the compost feeds the seeds, and as the seed bomb is broken down by rain and other elements the seeds will start to germinate, bringing a burst of color to a drab landscape.

10

1. health care (for all especially children) 2. education (quality!) 3. art for all 4. seniors (more awareness) 5. conservation-energy, water, etc., 6. homeless (health care included) 7. recycling that works (knowledge) 8. materialism 9. wasted time (too much TV watching, I'm guilty/less talk more action) 10. urban space (lack of respect from people/litter-keep common spaces clean!)

Social Design

With out going online or looking up a definition I think social design is a creative and thinking process that allows someone to think of ways to improve a social situation.
After looking up definitions I still like my definition but would include design that cares, design that can change, and acting responsibly. (creativeforacause.org)

Who? I fist think of Buckmisterfuller as being a social designer and thinker. Also bioneers are social designers. Along with Kate Andrews (design21sdn.com)

bioneers

I have never heard of bioneers before today but it's seems that this term could describe our social design class. Nov. 7-9 there is a conference at MICA of bioneers, it strikes me as quite interesting. It's called Balto. Bioneers '08: Cultivating Change, Inspiring Solutions.
For more info. check out www.cultivatingchange.org and/or www.bioneers.org
check it out!
Also here's what I found for a definition of bioneer...
It describes individuals and groups working in diverse disciplines who have crafted creative solutions to various environmental and socio-cultural problems rooted in shared core values, including whole systems, (anticipatory) thinking, a view of all life as interdependent, and sustainable mutual aid. (defined by Wikipedia)

Post Secret

POSTSECRET @ University of Maryland @Baltimore 9/30/08
Come see the creator of the project speak!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=25266698457

Hello!