Blogging ReadyMade: First Look at Issue 28 - The Outdoors Issue

Seems like even fewer online links to the contents of the latest ReadyMade - the Outdoors issue. So while we can't take you to the articles and projects directly, we'd like to share a few highlights that made this read, although typically quick, a good one.

We also read something online that resonated with us: although we typically don't sit down to make any of the projects profiled in the magazine, we enjoy reading about them and something along the way usually gives us an idea or two, or just general inspiration.

p. 18, Flocking Together - A brief history of the lawn flamingo: From its 1957 art school grad creation by Don Featherstone to its 2006 manufacturing end (and the 20 million flamingos sold during the 50 years in between).

p. 26, Earth, Wind, and Fire: Some great products using natural materials, including these concrete votive candleholders (argh! They're not pictured on the website). According to the magazine, these are available at Concrete Works for $7 each or $40 for a set of seven.

p. 36, Meals on Wheels (right): Lazy Susan and hanging pot racks made out of bicycle wheels. Complete How-To steps...very cool. (We prefer the hanging pot rack.)

p. 40, Wave Rider: A mounted surfboard shelf serves as a shelf for art and objects above a couch. It actually looks...beautiful. How-To steps included.

p. 55, Joy Rides: The ReadyMade staff takes to the road for weekend getaways, tested for greatness. Brooklyn, NY to Brattleboro, VT; Atlanta, GA to Montgomery, AL; Los Angeles, CA to Palm Springs, CA.

p. 79, Light My Ficus (left): How-To build an adjustable grow lamp for (legal) houseplants.

I loved the lazy susan made out of a bicycle wheel. My in-laws have been out of the country for several months and I thought it would be cute/funny/nice/whatever adjective you want to use to make one of these and put it on their dinner table. They're creative people! My hubby didn't get it.

posted by mint julep on April 3rd 2007 at 7:34am
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While I tend to buy ReadyMade every few months, I agree that it truly is a "typically quick" read. Content is sorta sparse and I still have to pay $5 and put up with ugly advertisements from Eden Foods. It just seems that everytime I reach the end of the magazine it's sort of a surprise, and I end up thinking: "...is that all there is?"

I have found some pretty fun things to make, and their photography has improved somewhat. A few years back it seemed that all the photos were done by one person and their instamatic-y digital camera. Even the photo accompanying the bicycle wheel lazy susan in this issue was sorta bad. I still remember the sad and pitiful piece of food on a floopy paper plate (which isn't very eco-friendly, either).

posted by jon on April 3rd 2007 at 10:00am
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I will not be renewing my subscription....Dull, dull, and vaguely ugly...

posted by hdtex on April 3rd 2007 at 5:51pm
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