Fabulous Folds

One thing has become clear as we navigate the gift shows - origami is more popular than ever and is inspiring designs in many areas, from kitchen to jewelry, lighting to furniture, even sticky notes. The traditional Japanese art form produces unique and unexpected effects when applied to these non-traditional media, and we love it. My current favorite is the Origami Soy Sauce Jar - a big design step above the utilitarian bottles I've used for years. Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised by all of these adaptations of the origami aesthetic - after all, there's traditional origami, mathematical origami, technical origami, origami tessellations, and there may soon be origami in space. Why not an origami deer light? Consider it gifting above the fold.

What's on Your Wallet?

I still have my old, drab black leather wallet with the frayed ends, sagging interior pouches, and fading lustre. Shame on me, especially when my wallet could become portable artwork. Enter Poketo: Poketo is a designer of limited edition art products, accessories, apparel, and decor. Founded by Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung, Poketo promotes the work of top international artists by showcasing original artwork through their fun and accessible wares, like these colorful and functional wallets. Poketo, pronounced "poh-kay-toe" got its name through Angie's grandmother's mispronunciation of the word, "pocket." And the name just stuck. With the first product being wallets, owning a Poketo was like having your own traveling art show-- and it still is. These wallets are made of durable vinyl (double layer for extra strength), so they can take the punishment of the "street" and still look fantastic. Each wallet contains 3 slots for credit cards, a bill slot, and a change purse. The Afternoon now carries several styles of Poketo wallets, so say no to drab, grungy wallets - say yes to Poketo!

Righty Tighty, Lefty....Boom!

"Oh, you have to show this to your son," said one of our senior managers with unconcealed relish and sinister glee. Now, the son to which he refers is known for his fondness for all things that wreak havoc and general destruction, which is quite normal for young boys his age. And indeed, the item in question turns out to be right up his alley: the Grenade Screwdriver Set. Unlike your average grenade, the shrapnel contained within consists of 6 stainless steel screw tips which attach to the plastic "grenade" base. This warlike tool comes in peace - rather than exploding, it helps you to build and secure things. However, it looks like its more malevolent exploding counterpart - nobody's going to give you backtalk on the job site. I think I'll wait to show it to my son...at least until he's old enough to be tasked with using it to fix something.

What's in Your Cellar?

The Afternoon has the coolest books ever for every occassion. My youngest brother just turned 50 and for his surprise party I brought him Something in the Cellar. . . Ronald Searle's Wonderful World of Wine. It was a huge hit at the party and everyone passed the book around and read it and then laughed and then told stories. It was the best thing I could have ever taken.

Cool Green

Our new jewelry from BAMBOO is not only beautiful but also a testament to how to make jewelry in a wonderfully "earth-friendly" way.

What's so special about this jewelry? Part of the answer is in their meticulous cloisonné on silver technique. Because of fabrication difficulties, most cloisonné jewelry rarely blends two or more enamel colors within a single wire-framed cell. BAMBOO Jewelry designs, however, often use multi-color blending to depict three dimensional contours and for realistic shading. It is also uncommon for cloisonné color cells to be created using fine braided wire, but at BAMBOO Jewelry they insist on using this intricate fabrication method for every piece of their jewelry. In addition, all BAMBOO jewelry is enameled on its backside, a process known as counter enameling. Counter enameling minimizes tarnishing, strengthens pieces, and enhances appearance and is not usually found on cloisonné jewelry in BAMBOO’S price range. These are just a few examples of how BAMBOO Jewelry is striving to set new standards of excellence for sterling silver cloisonné jewelry.

So what's so earth-friendly about BAMBOO jewelry? The designers are committed to doing everthing they can to operate as a "green" company. In 2007, they decided any environmental impacts they couldn't reduce to zero they would offset with carbon credits, making BAMBOO Jewelry the world's first carbon neutral jewelry company. Nearly all the silver in BAMBOO jewelry is recycled, and the goal is to use 100% recycled silver. BAMBOO jewelry is produced in an energy efficient building which they plan to convert to solar power in the near future. And if that isn't enough, their next company vehicle will be a hybrid Aptera which is designed to get over 300 mpg!

Every piece of BAMBOO Jewelry comes packaged in an eco-friendly bamboo gift box lined with anti-tarnish fabric. Bamboo, though harder than oak or maple, is actually a fast growing grass which can be harvested every three to five years. The bamboo used for our gift boxes is plantation grown without the use of irrigation, fertilizers, or pesticides; nor is it a food source or habitat for endangered pandas.

So, this jewelry really is remarkable: beautiful, skillfully crafted, and "green" to boot. We are so excited to add this line to our fabulous selection of jewelry!

Have Your Cake and Love It, Too

How cute is this cakelet pan from Nordic Ware? Each pan makes six adorable little present shaped mini cakes, complete with bows and everything! Change up the flavors and the colors of the ribbon to make presents for Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays, baby and wedding showers--or even the trademark silver paper and black ribbon for Afternoon Store Meetings! (hint hint hint!)