Even the most broken brained Democrat in America must be repulsed by such a visual. There is something terribly terribly wrong with this. It's an Obamanation. Skin crawling.
The Great Recession has reshaped the American workplace and work force in ways that will last years, if not longer.
(AP, 2009, September 27, par.2)
The work force is graying as college graduates can't find jobs, young workers get laid off and older workers delay retirement. People in white-collar jobs are feeling increasingly vulnerable to economic downturns, an insecurity that blue-collar workers have known for years. Perhaps the most enduring change is the permanent loss of millions of jobs across the manufacturing, services and retail sectors.
(AP, 2009, September 27, par.3)
For retailers, growth will be limited by more cautious consumer spending, in part because the days of easy credit are over. That means fewer retail clerks milling about stores around the holidays, and fewer merchandise buyers and other staff jobs at headquarters.
(AP, 2009, September 27, par.5)
The national unemployment rate, now 9.7 percent, is forecast to rise above 10 percent before the end of the year and isn't expected to return to a "normal" level near 5 percent until 2014.
(AP, 2009, September 27, par.7)
[more details at the link...]The Great Recession has reshaped the American workplace and work force in ways that... more
Unique Spider Silk Tapestry on Exhibit at AMNH [video] A spectacular and extremely rare textile, woven from golden-colored silk thread produced by more than one million spiders in Madagascar is now on display at the NYC's American Museum of Natural History in the Grand Gallery. Drawing on the legacy of a French missionary, Jacob Paul Camboué, this contemporary textile measures 11 feet by 4 feet and took four years to make using a painstaking technique.Unique Spider Silk Tapestry on Exhibit at AMNH [video] A spectacular and extremely... more
Designer Elisa Stroyzk has found a new, somewhat strange purpose for leftover wood – use it to create wooden carpet.Designer Elisa Stroyzk has found a new, somewhat strange purpose for leftover wood –... more
You can eat it, wear it, use it but not grow it in America. Why? Hemp is the fastest growing agricultural crop, gentle on the land, requiring no chemicals in its cultivation. Most countries around the world allow their farmers to grow and process Hemp - and America is falling behind.You can eat it, wear it, use it but not grow it in America. Why? Hemp is the fastest... more
Getting mauled has never been so fun! This bear-shaped sleeping bag by Eiko Ishizawa is, let’s face it, odd. But if you’re forced to curl into a sleeping bag and catch some Z’s in the great outdoors, why not masquerade as one of nature’s cutest predators.Getting mauled has never been so fun! This bear-shaped sleeping bag by Eiko Ishizawa... more
Here’s an interesting pillow design for the person on the go – Suitcase Pillows by Olive. The pillows are designed to resemble carry-on luggage with a handle and even a personalized luggage tag. The pillows are 15” wide and 11” tall, not including the handle, and are stuffed with quality, cluster-free filling.Here’s an interesting pillow design for the person on the go – Suitcase Pillows by... more
British troops in the Middle East are protecting their vehicles from rocket warheads with the use of special cloth -- part of the MoD's new TARIAN vehicle protection system.
TARIAN is currently being tested in Afghanistan and has it has been reported that the cloth technique has been effective against blasts. The main aim is to resist strikes from Rocket Propelled Grenades in particular.
" [The cloth] is actually a replacement, not for armour plate, but for so-called "bar" or "slat" RPG protection. An RPG warhead pierces heavy armour using the shaped-charge effect, in which a hollow cone of explosive - usually lined with copper - is detonated. The effect is to form the copper into a pencil-thin slug of incredibly hot, high-velocity molten metal which can burn its way through armour which would have shrugged off an ordinary explosive charge."British troops in the Middle East are protecting their vehicles from rocket warheads... more
Beginning in spring of this year, Sears began selling EcoGir business suits for men. The difference between these suits and others is that EcoGir is made from 100% recycled plastic bottle chips and wool, making it a very Green alternative. Sears is attempting to save energy while reducing carbon footprints and diverting waste from landfills. According to The Clean Air Council, 2.5 million plastic bottles are thrown away by Americans each hour, meaning nearly 60 million bottles are thrown away per day. It only takes 13 two-liter plastic bottles to fashion one full suit.Beginning in spring of this year, Sears began selling EcoGir business suits for men.... more
There’s nothing more irritating than trying to put a shirt on a hanger and having neither cooperate by breaking the laws of physics. This coat rack, designed by Lee Hum Joo, acts like a pair of scissors. It folds, you place it inside the shirt and then open it.There’s nothing more irritating than trying to put a shirt on a hanger and having... more
Could the biggest risk to your health in a hospital really be the upholstery?
You may not realize it but that comfy lounge chair you’ve been sitting on in the hotel lobby might be slowly contaminating your environment.
Until recently, the commercial textile industry has focused so much on resolving safety issues that they’ve failed to realize the tragic flaw in their best intentions. What’s emerged is a market demand for sustainable fabrics driven by consumers cautious of the effects of PVC.
Carol Derby, Director of Environmental Strategy for Designtex.
By substituting something that is water-based polyurethane on chief value, recycled polyester backing you’ve gone the next step towards sustainability.
Designtex plans to release their “holy grail” of sustainable textiles for commercial applications this year and continues to surprise the industry with recycled fabrics made from unlikely materials, including audio cassette tape that, with a modified walkman, you can actually hear.
For more on sustainable textiles and the full interview with Carol Derby, click here.
Photo by Brintam.Could the biggest risk to your health in a hospital really be the upholstery?
You... more
How would you like to kick back and share a nice espresso with your favorite Pantone color? The Museum of Modern Art offers this neat set of espresso cups that features color codes from the Pantone color chart. The cups are solid white and feature Pantone colors 179 C, 3272 C, 130 C, 520 C and will cost you around $60.
Pantone has unveiled its list of the top ten fashion colors for Spring 2009. Designers have incorporated bright, vibrant colors into their collections to evoke a sense of freshness that’s traditionally linked with spring while also including deep, translucent and neutral hues.
‘“New York’s fashion designers encourage hopeful attitudes with lively colors, while sophisticated, grounded hues address the need for stability in times of economic uncertainty,’ said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.”
Rachel Wright is a Mobile, Alabama artist with a unique vision. While the artist works primarily with sculpture while mixing media with photography, wood, iron, clay, and glass, she also works with fabric. Her dresses have been seen in art galleries and museums across the country.Rachel Wright is a Mobile, Alabama artist with a unique vision. While the artist works... more
Designer Anne Kyyrö Quinn is challenging the traditional design of interior textiles by pioneering a new genre more akin to three-dimensional sculptures rather than flat, smooth textile surfaces. Designs are inspired by organic shapes that are incorporated into cushions, throws, table runners, wall panels and blinds.Designer Anne Kyyrö Quinn is challenging the traditional design of interior textiles... more
The Minister for Sustainable Development & Energy is using London Fashion Week as a platform to announce a new Sustainable Clothing Action plan that's committed to expanding development and awareness of sustainable textiles, clothing and production. It's backed by 300 organizations including high street brands like Marks & Spencer, Oxfam and Tesco, as well as eco-chic labels like Adili.The Minister for Sustainable Development & Energy is using London Fashion Week as a... more
Get excited, fellow crafters and aspiring textile designers! I just stumbled upon this handy DIY resource called Spoonflower.com. You can design to your hearts content, then email spoonflower and get your custom cloth for only $18 per yard, and the option to sell to other customers!Get excited, fellow crafters and aspiring textile designers! I just stumbled upon this... more
LEED 2009 is a new varation of the rating system originally developed in 2000. The new system hopes to set the standard for green building even higher. But when will the new system go into effect?LEED 2009 is a new varation of the rating system originally developed in 2000. The new... more
Expo TV has a video interview with Lee Eisman, the Director of the Pantone Color Institute. In the video, Eisman discusses how Pantone chooses its colors and predicts color trends.Expo TV has a video interview with Lee Eisman, the Director of the Pantone Color... more
Last weekend Pantone and Gap joined foces to open a pop-up shop in the company’s concrept store space on New York’s 5th Avenue. The shop, open until February 8th, sells shirts in a range of official Pantone hues.Last weekend Pantone and Gap joined foces to open a pop-up shop in the company’s... more
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