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Jan

Funky Furniture Maker Nails The Creative Process

by Janine Boylan on January 14, 2013

Apple cabinet, showing imaginative result of the creative process

Apple cabinet © Straight Line Design

Judson Beaumont Thinks Outside the Box

Wooden furniture. It is solid, smooth, rigid. It may have level-straight lines or gently carved curves.

An inner voice reasons: There are limits to what you can build with wood, right?

Not according to Judson Beaumont. In fact, it appears that you can take a bite right out of his funky furniture.

Beaumont, owner and designer of playfully-named Straight Line Design, oozes with creative thinking. He learned early in his experience that you don’t have to do something just because it has always been done that way. Describing his creative process, he says, “I love it when someone tells me that ‘You cannot build that’ or ‘No one would want that.’ These words only encourage me more.” Read more...

Janine Boylan 3 Comments

The World's Art & Design

Jan

Creative Ideas: Dishes Feed a Community Art Project

by Janine Boylan on January 6, 2013

Belgium tree, showing creative ideas for a community art project

Hasselt’s Tree of Taste
© Mooz

Belgium’s Porcelain Tree of Taste

In the back of my cupboard, I have a few dishes that don’t match the rest of my set. One plate was a gift from a relative, another was from a garage sale, and a third came from my travels. I never use them, but since I can’t seem to part with them, they continue to occupy space in the cupboard.

From Unused Dishes to a Creative Idea

Like me, Inge Vanluyd and Stefan Vanbergen of the creative agency mooz noticed that they had a small collection of unused dishes in their cupboards. But, unlike me, they had an inspiring OIC moment. Read more...

Janine Boylan 3 Comments

Belgium/Clever Ideas/The World's Art & Design

Dec

Mochi: A Cultural Encounter

by Janine Boylan on December 31, 2012

Japanese New Year's mochi decoration, showing a cultural encounter

Japanese Traditions for the New Year

When I was living in Japan, I made every effort to have as many cultural encounters as possible. I picnicked with friends under the cherry blossoms in the spring. I participated in a formal tea ceremony. I attended events at the local museum. I even threw pots with a local potter.

So, around December, when these bright, shiny plastic packages started appearing in grocery stores, I knew it was time for another cultural encounter! Read more...

Janine Boylan 1 Comment

Cultural Encounters/Cultural Heritage & Traditions/Japan

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