Rubik's Cube Subwoofer

Nobody needs this, but then, nobody really needs anything, do they Daniel-san? Excellent job with this build. It really looks like a giant Rubik's Cube. Step by Step here.

Toothpick City

Yes, Stan builds cities out of toothpicks. No, I will never attempt this. Yes, I'm glad he does it because his stuff is amazing to look at! Sure, the Space Needle, Empire State, and the Sydney Opera House are all in the same city, but it's still awesome!link

Wild Drawer Design

Spotted this arty collection of drawers over at 1st Dibs. Seems ripe for the DIY treatment. Packing straps. Must buy packing straps.

Reclaimed Shelving

Great post on remodelista, showcasing a variety of reclaimed wood shelves. I love the one that uses brances as shelf brackets. Gotta try that. link

Glue Advice from This to That

Where do you go when you need to stick something to something else and you're stumped as to which adhesive to use? Never fear! This to That has you covered with sage adhesion advice and an easy interface. link

Supply Hound - Japanese Papers

Of course, the place where you get Japanese paper, would be called The Japanese Paper Place.

Steampunk Mouse

Winner! This is the coolest bit of steampunk gear that I have seen in a long time. Dig the detail on this thing! The league of Extraordinary Gentlemen is missing a mouse! Full photo set here. via steampunk workshop

Ball in a Cage

Whittling, now there's a DudeCraft if ever there was one. Follow along with Dr. Terry M. Trier as he puts you on the path to pocketknives and glory with the classic Ball in a Cage design. link

Recycled Magazine Frame

My taste is so weird. One minute, I'm all about the spare, mid-century modern vibe and the next, I can't get enough of tramp art. That's probably why my house looks like it does. This project from Home Made Simple fits into the latter category. I think it would look cool as a mirror too, maybe done with newspaper or an old book. link

Free Packaging Templates

These guys have a bunch of free templates up online for everything from take-out boxes to paper trays. You can spend a lot of time reinventing the wheel if you don't know where to find good templates and this site has them.

Cardboard Coffee Table

Leo Kempf is a busy man. Inspired by Frank Gehry's wiggle chair, he's become a cardboard carving maniac. Check out the rest of his creations here.

Wodehouse Lampshades

I'm a Wodehouse nut, so obviously I'm completely smitten with these Jeeves and Wooster lampshades. Now I just need to find some bowlers and top hats and start modding! via Boing Boing

Recycled Object Chandeliers

I stumbled upon Modern Urban Living's list of ten chandeliers made from recycled materials this morning and was instantly inspired. I don't know if I'd have the patience to glue together a thousand party poppers, but you gotta respect someone's game who would. What did we do before StumbleUpon?

Paper Transformer

Unbelievable! Paper Toy Transformer ... - video powered by Metacafe
Along the same lines as the Kaleidocycle, this paper toy could keep you occupied for hours. Simple to make and really cool. link

Cereal box Wallets

The design for these cereal box wallets has been floating around the blogosphere for sometime now, but I'm a sucker for a good tutorial, so kudos go out to replayground (cool name, BTW) for clear instructions and nice photos. link

Make your own Kaleidocycle

New friend of DudeCraft, Ann Maria, directed me to this fun little bit of math craft. Her words:

"You upload four of your own photos. We slice, dice and stretch them onto a triangular grid. You download the file, print, score, cut, fold and glue. Presto! You have a fun toy or a great present for your friends. We have complete directions in slideshow form.

A kaleidocycle is a ring of pyramids that can be turned in on itself endlessly. We have versions made of six and eight pyramids. Kaleidocycles have some seriously geeky math cred behind them, but we focus on how much fun they are to make and play with."

Thanks Ann Maria! link

Netflix Origami

Wait! Before you toss that extra netflix envelope in the recycle bin...why not make a swan out of it instead? The folks over at Netflix Origami feature some fairly rudimentary folding, but I dig the spirit of the thing! link

Balloominaries

Candle Tech has a super cool tutorial on how to make these mod-looking luminaries using water balloons. Great idea with a lot of bang for the buck. via Cut Out and Keep

Easy Accordion Envelope

Here's an easy way to make a cool looking accordion card for multiple items. With a little modding, I'm sure it could be a cool CD or DVD gift envelope, photo holder, or receipt organizer. From our friends at Paper Source.

Aluminium Can "Tin Work"

Most tutorials about making stuff out of drink cans are poorly executed dreck and come with the added attraction of maybe slicing your finger off. No less dangerous, but much more beautiful, is this cool idea from the brain trust over at Atomic Shrimp.

Typelighters

What is it with our obsession about turning everything into a lamp? Well, whatever it is, I'm guilty too. I imagine it has something to do with humans being comforted by light and the excitement of seeing a repurposed object that finds a new and useful lease on life. The folks over at Poetic Home found this beauty, and I think it more than fulfills all the requirements.

DIY Tape Tamer

If you have ever cursed a roll of packing tape that was stuck to itself or wished you'd had a third hand while wrapping that present, Creative Man has an instructable for you! via lifehacker

Three Great Woodworking Podcasts

I'm a theater carpenter, which means I'm fairly handy. I am not, however, a cabinet maker or furniture artisan, which means I am lacking in the fine woodworking department. So, when I need to know how to make a dovetail joint or recess a cabinet hinge, I turn to one of these guys:

Matt's Basement Workshop

The Handyguys Podcast

The Wood Whisperer

Supply Hound - Casters

When I lived in San Francisco, I had access to all kinds of hardware, tools and supplies. The real downside to Durham is, I don't. Take casters for instance...I have a choice of black or black, swivel or straight, with a brake or without, that's it. So if I need a red, four-inch, pneumatic caster, I'm gonna need to take a trip over to Caster City.

DIY Matchbook Synth

Lots of people make homemade instruments, but this guy makes everything from low tech walnut whistles to programmable tension guitars. Makes you want to start a junk band! link

Reclaimed Wall

I've had a stack of old fence wood sitting around the back yard for two years, and I've been waiting to find the right project to use it on. I think I may have just found the inspiration I was looking for in this incredible room by the Ace Hotel in Portland. via remodelista

Cry Me a River

Around DudeCraft studios, Valentine's day is mostly despised. If anyone could change our minds, it would certainly be our favorite paper artist, Jeffery Rudell with this onion card. via Craftstylish

Another Sk8r Table!

Man, skateboard furniture is poppin' up everywhere! Here's another fine example I found whilst perusing coffee table designs. It may not be quite as cool as the Lazy Susan made with skateboard trucks, but it is nice! via Design Blog

Plan Canvas

I'm a big fan of plywood furniture. I'm also a big fan of furniture that doesn't require six weeks and a sophisticated collection of tools to build. Plan Canvas feels the same way. Their plans are cheap, some of the designs are staggeringly cool, and most can be built with a jigsaw and a drill. via Grassroots Modern

How to Make a Pop-Up Photograph

I have a fondness for pop-ups, especially hand made ones. Today I found this great little tutorial on making a pop-up photo card. Enjoy. via Swiss Miss

Build Your Own Noguchi Coffee Table

Ever since I visited Storm King in 2005, I've had a small obsession with all things Noguchi, and this 1944 table design is no exception. Even though you can buy a knock off for $399 right now, I am now sorely tempted to build my own, having just read this.

Retro Renovation

"Save the Pink Bathroom!" This is the message from the fantastic site Retro Renovation. Not everything is pretty over there, but you have to admire a site that sticks to it's guns. All except those who are allergic to avocado oak and wallpapering their refrigerators should make the trip! link

Supply Hound - Metal Letter Stamping Set

Well, if you want to stamp letters in to metal objects, there's really only one way to get it done. You're gonna need a set of these.

Modern Shed

I have been deeply into prefab for the past couple of years and keep coming back to sheds. There's something about a small, free standing building that sparks some kind of primal urge to hibernate and create in me. They seem so full of possibility, so welcoming, so cool. There are quite a few companies out there making them and I have considered building my own, but I always come back to Modern Shed's website because their stuff is just so good looking.

Make your own flashing party lights!

Christmas Light Hack! Powered By Your Stereo! - The best home videos are here
The guys at KipKay.com have this really simple tutorial on how to make your own flashing party lights that are powered by your stereo. I can't believe it works, but apparently, it does.

Shattering glass! Backyard FX's DIY sugar glass

Yeah, you're gonna need it for that Old West Saloon fight you're planning to stage at Easter!

Mini Piñatas

I'm always looking for unusual ways to wrap gifts and I ran across these over at notmartha.org. If you've got the time, I think it's a genius way to present your Valentine or your kids with something sweet. link

Man Caves

So, every day I re-google things like men+craft, crafty+men, etc., etc. Today I went cruising through a selection of sites that featured "man caves". Places of isolation in one's house where men, presumably, do manly things. What I found was less than encouraging. I had hoped I might come upon well designed, masculine spaces with materials like wood and leather, rich colors, and an eye toward advancing our cred as capable arrangers of spaces. What I actually encountered was picture after picture of WalMart furniture, bad color choices and an astonishing amount of team-related sports swag. C'mon guys, WTF? Does the world really need another light-up Bud sign? Did you arrange this room specifically to make your wife angry? Are you honestly so defined by the team you watch, the beer you drink, and the flat screen TV you own that you feel compelled to litter a perfectly good room to make sure everybody knows it? Please, for the love of God, grow up. These are boy caves, not man caves.

A man cave is different. It should have history in it. Worn but classic furniture should populate it. It should have weight, strong shapes, a phenomenal stereo, a large but not overly large TV. If it has a bar, it should have some scale to it. Stop buying those weenie bars from Target or wherever you get them and get a real bar. Your bar is girly. Pictures of motorcycles and cars can be ok, but for God's sake, make sure they are GOOD pictures. Stop buying Giclee prints of Jeff Gordon on the internet and get some real photography or illustration on those walls. The twentieth century was rife with good design, make use of it. Incidentally, there has yet to be a good picture of a Harley Davidson or NASCAR, so those are out. Also, the only man that it is acceptable to have on your cave walls is Steve McQueen (or Margaret Thatcher if your English). If you have a beer sign, please avoid the obvious and make sure it advertises a GOOD beer. Look around. I'm sure you can find a cool vintage sign somewhere that would look better than that MGD crap you have up now. Gettin' the drift? The main point is to just make sure everything is good and represents something of quality. It's still a cave, it's not like I'm asking you to throw up posters for Carousel or My Fair Lady, I'm just askin' you to raise the bar. After all, why fart in a barcalounger when you could be farting in an Eames lounge chair? Oh, and by the way wives, your welcome.

How could you not...

...check out an instructable titled "vampiric cyberpunk double barrel shotgun"?

Supply Hound - Jump Rings

I had a project recently that required me to find some jewelry making supplies. Not being a jewelry maker, I headed to my local bead store and was gouged for several little pieces of hardware and the tools with which to manipulate them. I had to have the stuff, so I caved and ponied up the dough, but if you don't need your stuff this minute, I'd recommend that you check out Ohio Beads, especially if you are buying a larger than normal quantity of something.

K1, P1

Man, it is not easy finding crafting content that relates to men, other than the ubiquitous "what craft can I make for the men in my life?" posts on every craft site forum on the planet. So, I was excited today when I found Men Who Knit, a site that promotes the art of knitting amongst men.

I started knitting a little over a year ago and I wish I would've known about this site back then. Not that there aren't millions of other knitting resources on the web, it just would have been cool to talk to a bunch of guys who had already gone though the learning process. link

Scrap Beauties

Dutch designer Piet Hein Eek, it is safe to say, has a way with composition AND with wood. Check out these repurposed beauties from his site. via poetic home

Because They Can

Oakland based husband and wife team Jeffrey McGrew and Jillian Northrup are shaking things up with their fantastically inspired interior and display work. Makes you want a CNC router, badly. link

Pallet Pavillion

I've seen sheds and fences built from pallets, but who knew the lowly friends to the forklift operator could be reassembled in to this modern hive? From the site: "This one was built by students at the University of Biberach in 2005. It was a concept for a pavilion intended for participants of sporting events. This one measured 6 meters high, 8 meters wide, and 18 meters long." via tinyhousedesign

Make Your Own Obamicon

Happy inauguration day, people. In honor of #44, you can go make your own Obamicon, inspired by Shepard Fairey's iconic poster. via threadbanger

Waste Paper Basket from Waste Paper

Wizard of paper, Jeffrey Rudell has this tutorial up at CraftStylish on how to make a wastepaper basket from old magazines and new grommets. All his stuff is worth a look, so stay awhile. link

Robots!

I never get sick of them and, as far as I can tell, an exclusively dudey craft. Any female robot makers out there?

Many fine examples over at Guy Robot.

The Other Man's Treasures

Rodney Allen Trice has been repurposing old appliances, luggage, furniture pieces, and anything else he can find since 1988. Above are some examples of his lighting pieces. Click over to TOMT to check out the whole portfolio.

D.I. Why?

Oh man, you know what would be cool? Instead of just recycling my aluminum can...what if I got out some felt and spray paint and googly eyes and made something adorable out of it instead? Yeah, good idea.

Scrabble Keyboard

I can just see word freaks lining up to hand their money to DataMancer for their very own Scrabble keyboard. Hopefully, Mattel will only take offense if you play Scrabulous with it. via BoingBoing

Tin Roof Rusted - Upcycled Fencing

I was cruising around on re-nest and happened upon this cool looking fence that is, apparently, just down the road from me in Carrborro. Cool idea, especially considering the dearth of good looking fencing we have in the area. via re-nest.

More Folded Paper

After checking out my post on Brian Chan last week, my good friend Megan turned me on to Robert J. Lang, an amazing folder in his own right. Definitely worth your time to pay his gallery a visit and check out the jaw-dropping shapes this guy makes. link

Cardboard Costuming

It's a little late for Halloween, but then, should donning a Boba Fett helmet really be restricted to one night a year? Nay.

This one was constructed entirely out of chip board and Honus has supplied an excellent photo tutorial and clear instructions on the build over at instructables.