Rare Bird Finds

Patterned Paint Rollers

I'm a very artsy crafty person but my drawing and painting skills are lacking (other than just painting a room one color, I can do that).  I would never be able to paint pretty designs or pictures on my walls. I just don't have the talent...until now!!!   Check out these awesome patterned paint rollers!   So many designs that you just roll paint on and then roll it down your wall.   I want so many of them I'd never be able to pick just one.  Each patterned roller is $23.51 (US) at The Painted House.  Many designs available.

Printed Leather Smart Phone Wallet

Here's a nice looking cell phone wallet (and it can be made to fit most cellphones!). It's the book style, so there is a place for a few credit cards or business cards, and a strap to keep it closed. It's simple, but very stylish and customizable. $39.50 at Encased4u.

Giraffe

Made of recycled cardboard and flatpacked, this clever giraffe lamp is a partial DIY, someone else came up with the good idea for this LED lamp, but you get to take the credit for assembling it. $35.50 at Area Plus.

Ocean Sea Wave LED Projector MP3 Speaker USB Lamp

This little device sure seems to have an awful lof of acromyms in it's name. But all it really does is amplify your mp3 player and project wave patterns on your ceiling. And that really just seems like the potential for a very mellow evening. $20.81 from Most Buying.

Grime Writer

I admit that this is a totally goofy product. But I will also admit that it made me laugh. And since graffiti is generally not looked upon kindly, but cleaning up is, well...it's sort of an admirable product really. You fill it with soap and water and find a dirty subject to write upon...so to speak. $12.95 at Cool Material.

Sawblade Throwing Disc

Throwing real saw blades would be utterly dangerous and stupid, but this Halloween, you can scare neighbors and friends with a friendly game of sawblade throwing with these foam throwing discs. Made to look like a bloody sawblade, is is sure to get screams (of delight). $4.99 at Think Geek

Sensu Brush

This may be a post more for me, than for cool guy things, although, there are plenty of cool guys who will appreciate this and just as many cool chicks, because really, who does not want a paint brush for their iPad? Well, if you don't, it's all right, you can get one for me. Synthetic brush hair was infused with conductive properties or some such nonesense gets the job done, but we're just going to call it MAGIC and paint away, ok? $39.99 at Sensu Brush.

Cherry Earbuds

This company has a really interesting concept. They make earbuds and headphones from wood, because they say wood has better resonance than plastic, which makes total sense. They also source their wood from scraps left over from furniture makers, so they are more envionmentally friendly. AND, and this is where is gets good, for every pair of headphones or earbuds sold, they donate a hearing aid (including fitting, and training) to one person in need. In fact, because malaria is one of the major causes of deafness, they provide mosquito nets as well. It's really a win/win sort of thing. Check them out. These cherry earbuds are only $45 at LSTN.

Cherry Earbuds

This company has a really interesting concept. They make earbuds and headphones from wood, because they say wood has better resonance than plastic, which makes total sense. They also source their wood from scraps left over from furniture makers, so they are more envionmentally friendly. AND, and this is where is gets good, for every pair of headphones or earbuds sold, they donate a hearing aid (including fitting, and training) to one person in need. In fact, because malaria is one of the major causes of deafness, they provide mosquito nets as well. It's really a win/win sort of thing. Check them out. These cherry earbuds are only $45 at LSTN.

Pride and Prejudice Book Charger

This shop turns literature into phone chargers. Comes with a 3' USB cord and can charge iPods and iPhones. The shop carries a variety of different titles. $55 at Canterwick

Eco Highlighters 4 pack

Sometimes there are ways to help the environment that you would have never considered. Until I told you about them. To be fair, I wouldn't have considered these eco highlighters until someone else told ME about them either. So there you go. These pencils use no plastics, no solvents and will not bleed through the paper. And they come in several pretty colors. So make your studies eco-friendly AND pretty for just $6.95 for a pack of 4 at Stubby Pencil Studio.

Cardboard Bicycle Costs Just $10 to Make!

What a flippin' cool article about Israeli cycling enthusiast Izhar Gafni. Izhar took cardboard and shaped it into a bicycle, testing the cardboard to make sure it was sturdy. Then he dipped it in resin to make the bicycle waterproof, painted it, added an electric motor and voila, a bike that only costs $10 in materials to make. How cool is that?! He's patenting the idea and hopefully we'll see these bikes on the market soon.

Baggy Rack

 

Ok, I don't know about you but half the time I'm trying to put something in a plastic ziploc bag it either spills or I get funk all over the bag and the counter.  That's why I'm super keen on  the Baggy Rack!  Not only does it hold your baggy in place but it holds it open so you can pour with ease!  Only $10.98 (for a set of 2) at Solutions.

Knuckle Case for iPhone 4&4S

I wonder if this particular iPhone case would make your phone kind of unwieldy. Or if that even matters when it just looks so cool. It's silly, I know, but I've seen much sillier phone cases and let's face it, this one is kind of bad@$$, right? But you know, I think that those grips might make for a comfortable phone call, even if it does void your warranty to use it as anything but a phone case. $99 at Knuckle Case.

Arrow Head Laser Pointer

Look, I honestly do not know what you would do with this Arrow Head Laser Pointer. I would use it to annoy my cat. You might actually have things to point at in a laserly fashion. Doesn't matter, it made me laugh. And it's only $8. I am pretty sure I have a nephew or two who would appreciate such a thing. Maybe you do too. Ar Kikkerland Design.

Tool Tank

It's a key chain! It's a multi-tool! It's a tiny green tank! It's everything you ever needed, all in one adorable package. I know it sounds like hyperbole, but really, how many times have you found yourself in need of a screwdriver but only had a key chain? Because, like I said, this is BOTH. And it's cute. And it makes a great stocking stuffer, package topper or tiny "just because" present. £9.99 at Spinning Hat.

Dinosaur USB Flash Drive

There are literally THOUSANDS of styles of usb drives. Some are merely functional while some are mostly fun. This dino usb drive is one of my very favorites. 4 gigs of memory and a smiling T. Rex. It's two great things in one. $35 at Shana Logic.

Rememberings

Remember how in the old cartoons and comics someone would always tie a string around their finger to help them remember something? Well Rememberings are the modern take on that age old trick. Brightly colored silicon rings with notes like "Buy a gift" or "Call your mum" inscribed on them could come in handy for the memory challenged. But only if they remember to wear them. $17.90 at Rememberings.

iPhone Cat Case

Aren't these iPhone cases super cute? They are handmade and come in a variety of colors. Plus, the material doubles as a screen cleaner. Awesome! $16.94 at Tokyo Inspired

iStrike Stylus

I love my iPad, but I hate the fingerprints all over it. So I bought a stylus. My stylus is terribly serious and professional looking. Boo! Now I think I want an iStrike styus so I can say things about "firing up" my iPad or creativity "striking." $9.99 at Perpetual Kid.

Singing Pool Gondolier

Need to find a gift for someone with a pool and you just have no idea what to get them?  Try this awesome Singing Gondolier!  This guy sings you Italian love songs as his gondola sails thru your pool.  It lights up too for night time swimming.  Only $39.95 at Signals and there's a video on the website of it too.

USB Typewriter Computer Keyboard

How cool is this? A typewriter re-fitted to work as a USB computer keyboard. It'll work with a PC, Mac or iPad. A great juxtaposition of old and new. For the writers out there, it's a great way to connect with the long-ago roots of the greats while penning your latest novel. Various typewriters to choose from. The one pictured is a Royal circa 1940. $599 and up at USB Typewriter

Pocket Microscope

I don't know exactly what one would do with this pocket microscope, and, come to think of it, I kind of don't want to know. But I think you could have some fun examining the natural world super close. Remember looking at every leaf, bug and snowflake under the microscope when you were a kid? Well now you can do it again. When ever you want. And the teacher can't tell you to stop fooling around. $9 at Exit 9.

Drummer Cat Beer Cozy

You can never have enough beer cozies, can you? Well, maybe you can, but this is one last beer cozy you need, because it's so darn RAD. Yeah, he knows it, too. Cute art while you drink your beer? That's a nice thing. Pair it with a six pack for an excellent host/hostess/housewarming/hey it's Friday sort of gift. Just $3.00 at DethpSun

Catcher in the Rye iPhone Case

For you Holden Caulfield fans, this plastic Catcher in the Rye iPhone case is a cool way to protect your gadget.  It features the original cover art. $36.99 at Mod Cloth

Coffee Cup Gadget Charger

This gadget charger looks like a coffee cup that fits perfectly in your cup holder, and it can charge up to three gadgets. There are 2AC outlets for laptops, DVD players, phone chargers, camera chargers, etc. and one USB power port for iPods, MP3 players and cell phones. Perfect for road trips! $39.95 at Red Envelope

Pix & Stix

Ah, Garage Band. Somehow I missed the boat on that one, but I might have to suddenly board that boat now that I have a shiny new iPad on which to play. And I can even play more naturally with these groovy electroconducive guitar picks and drumsticks. I mean, I COULD play more naturally...if I could play at all.  Maybe this would be a good way to learn? $14.95 AUD at Pix & Stix.

ArchPort Flip Flops with Hidden Storage

I think these flip-flops with hidden storage are ingenious! Well, they are until everyone gets a pair and knows where you hide your money, but until then, they are really very cool. Hidden pocket in the sole stores cash, keys...anything LEGAL that you want. $54.95 at Brookstone.

Pillow Tie

It's a pillow, it's a tie, is a dessert topping (10 points if you got that). No, it's not a dessert topping, it's an inflatable tie for those days when you just really need that nap. Is it the best idea ever? Only if you don't get caught snoozing away at your desk. Although, you know, this could come in handy during a long haul flight...$19.95 at Baron Bob.

The Level Camera Cube

Now, I have to be honest and tell you that I know very little about photography. So when the copy for this Level Camera Cube says that it slides into you camera's "hot shoe, " well...I have no idea what that means. But I do know that a simple level has solved a lot of problems in the world. That it's inexpensive and effective technology and that it's small enough to fit into your camera bag or you pocket and isn't that really want we all want? $15 at Photojojo.

Snap on Pocket

I am one of those people who MUST have pockets in my clothes. I like to carry things with me and I get really annoyed if I don't have any place to stash my phone or my lip gloss. I imagine that's a problem for a lot of people. And the fanny pack never really was hip so what to do? How about a Snap on Pocket? Ok, fine, it's a lot like a fanny pack in concept, but it's much better looking and customizable. And it's eco-friendly too. $35 at Sandala Moon.

Robot Headphone Splitter

No more sticking one headphone bud in your ear and the other bud in your BFF's ear so you two can listen to the songs on your iPod.  The robot headphone splitter allows you to plug in two sets of headphones into the same mp3 player.  $12.95 at Patina

Bee Ear Buds

Buzz into spring with these bee ear buds. Substantially less harmful than the real thing and stingingly cute to boot!  $12.95 at Patina

The Wrist ID Sport

This ID band a great idea for any solitary sportsman. Perfect for runners, cyclists, even skiiers, campers or even just for your kid who has gone camping with the scouts. It's laser engraved with the info you choose, so you can have emergency contacts or allergies listed, even organ donor info (although I hope it won't be necessary yet!). It even comes in a variety of colors, and the tag can be used separately. This could be, quite literally, a lifesaver. $19.99 at Road ID.

Classic SD Argyle Swiss Army Knife

Some people think it's a little strange but I firmly believe that every adult should own both a pocket knife and a lighter. You just never know when they will come in handy and they are small and easy to store. You can't really go wrong with them...unless you are getting on a plane, I guess...or going to school...or...look, just be practical because really, Swiss Army knives ARE practical. And handy. And very affordable. And this argyle version is pretty stylish too! $16.75 at Swiss Knife Shop.

Collapsable Cup, Bowl, Dish and Spoon

I think these were engineered with the camper in mind. A collapsable dinner service that packs flat and is made of recycled materials. It's also great for the office dweller that can't get out for lunch and the college student that can't be bothered to store dishes. $17.41 at reuseit.

Hex Watch Band

 



Need an accessory to match that iPod Nano you've been crossing your fingers for this xmas? This watch band is the perfect compliment to carrying it around and showing it off. It's features include a premium silicone strap, pop-in pop-out design, integrated control buttons, iPod protection, audio port cover with inline orientation, and availability in 9 colors. $29.95 at Hex (PS- Happy Xmas Eve!)

Action Camera

This fun little 35mm camera captures the sequence of motion by taking four photographs seconds apart. A great gift for your favorite picture-taking mini, beau, bff or yourself (even better!), it also comes with an instruction poster, lomography book and wrist strap. $34.95 at Paper Source

Mechanicards

These Mechanicards are so much more than just a card. They are limited-edition kinetic sculptures that are the perfect size to mail. So, in that way, they are a card, but like I said, SO MUCH MORE! They are a little piece of handmade art that you power, so they are interactive as well as interesting. There are several to choose from and are ready-made, but if you are the brave type, there are kits available as well. $50 made, and $40 for a kit at Mechanicards.

Clicker

 

Is it necessary? No. Do you want to get it anyway? Probably. It does, after all, solve that age old problem...where's the bottle opener? And that other age old problem...where's the remote? Now you can lose both items at once with the Clicker. Perfect for the start of football season! $24 at My Clicker.

Pivot Power

 

Ok, first of all, this is pretty cool just because it is. You all know how difficult it can be to get all your electronics plugged into one power strip when they all have those huge power box thingies on them. Some sockets have to go unused because they get covered up, and there are just never enough available. The flexibility of this Pivot Power solves that. Secondly, this is cool because the site, Quirky, is basically and exercise in social product development. You can pitch your idea and the site users will help get it made (or not) by voting on all aspects of the invention, assigning a value to it and pledging to buy it, if your product makes it through the process, it might go into production. Very cool concept that seems to be working. Check out both the Pivot Power and the process! $25 at Quirky.

Muvi Micro Camcorder

The Muvi micro camcorder is the smallest camcorder in the world at only 2" x 3/4" x 3/4" - whoa!  Wear it around your neck as you go biking or skating, or use it as a spy cam.  According to reviews, despite its small size, it can take a beating and still keep on working, which makes it a perfect camcorder for extreme sports enthusiasts.  $99 at Firebox

Pig USB Flash Drive

 

Add some humor to your work with this adorable Pig USB flash drive. It holds 4GB of memory and is cute at the same time. $32 at Hemingway Fun.

Stargirl Mini Speaker

 

A 3 inch speaker with a lot of sound describes this fun Stargirl Speaker. It hooks up to any device (MP3, portable CD or DVD player, a computer) with a standard audio output. It charges and then can play for up to 4 hours. $22.95 at Bust Boobtique.

Baggie Rack

 

Now you don't need 5 hands to get that spagetti sauce from the pan into the baggie for freezing. Here's a great solution for only using 2 hands and holding up and open that baggie. This baggie rack changes size to fit sizes from lunch bags to gallon size baggies. 

Kisses CD Rest

    

Since laying your CD's down on the table could scratch them, protect your cd's by placing them on this Kisses CD Rest. In the shape of the popular chocolate candy, but not made of chocolate, it's a stylish object that's functional too. 11.50 euros by Design K at Hidden Art.

Pull Tab Bottle Opener

 

 'm digging this design; a bottle opener shaped like a can pull tab made of stainless steel. Ingenious! It opens bottles 2 different ways but is only 3" long, so you can keep it in your pocket. $12 at SFMoma.

Fries and Things Cup Holder Accessory

 
Is it completely unnecessary? Yes. Is it possibly even a bad idea? Oh yeah! Do you still want one? C'mon? Who doesn't hate scrabbling around in that bag for fries while driving? Because you know you do. Ok, fine. I know I do. $9.95 at Amazon.

Boogie Board LCD Writing Tablet

 

This is interesting. Not quite ready for an iPad but want to look cool at the next meeting? Consider this LCD tablet. Write on and erase with the touch of a button. No paper, no pen, no problem. And when your "honey-do" list gets too long...whoops...it's gone! $35 from iMPROV Electronics at Amazon.

Plantcam Digital Time-Lapse Camera

I wish there was a time-lapse camera for beards (it amazes me how fast a man's scruff can grow during the day!), but while inventors are working on that, I am content with the Plantcam.  You can attach it to your planters but you actually attach it to anything that stays still but changes over time.  The time lapse camera records everything in the time intervals you set.  Then you can create your own fast-forward movies and post them on YouTube and become a viral hit.  $79 at Signals

In the meantime, here's a video on YouTube of clouds moving across the sky with the help of Mr. Plantcam: