Jim Doran’s Tiny Dioramas
If you’ve ever been to a museum or art installation with a diorama, you know just how large they can be; perhaps the best example being Germany’s Miniatur Wunderland.
Artist Jim Doran goes the opposite direction by creating extremely small paper dioramas and artistic pieces inside everyday objects such as Altoid and sardine tins, iPod cases and even lip balm jars. These three-dimensional works are fascinating to look at, and they conveniently fit in your pocket!
All art and photos via Jim Doran.
101 Uses for a Wedding Dress
When Kevin Cotter’s now ex-wife moved out of their home in 2009 she only left one thing behind; her wedding dress. Rather than simply throw the bridal attire away, Cotter made the best of his divorce by trying to find out just how many practical uses his ex’s wedding dress had.
In the years since, Cotter has built a website and will soon come out with a book entitled 101 Uses for my Ex-Wife’s Wedding Dress featuring all the photographic evidence of him using this versatile garment. Here are some of the best ideas he has come up with so far.
Photos via.
These Are My Kind of Peeps – Easter Candy Dioramas
There are so many Easter traditions that I love. Buying the same PAAS egg-coloring kits that I did when I was little and dyeing eggs. Eating my body weight in Easter candy. Watching my dad dress up in a creepy Easter bunny costume and scare the young neighborhood kids.
But for the past few years, one of my new favorite Easter traditions has been the Washington Post’s annual Peeps diorama contest.
Each year they invite people to construct a diorama using Peeps candy – the marshmallow fluff shaped like chicks and bunnies – as the “Peep-le” (sorry, I just can’t resist a good pun). These extremely creative (and slightly masochistic) people construct elaborate and detailed dioramas, with subjects ranging from pop culture to current events.
I collected a few of my favorite Peeps diorama pictures for you (most, if not all, entries from the Washington’s Post previous Peeps contest). To see the full gallery of this year’s entries, click here.
Andy Warhol Peeps
Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" Peeps
"Gentleman Prefer Blonds" Peeps
Super Mario Bros. Peeps
"The Office" Peeps
Star Trek Peeps
Need more Peeps action? Take a look at this article on creative uses for Peeps (including a Peeps wreath and Peeps s’mores).
Speaking of weird uses for Easter candy, check out this post from Cakespy showing you how to make Deviled Cadburry Creme Eggs. Yum!
Determined Trees
We’ve all seen trees that grow in the direction of sunlight or away from other trees, but here are a few that have really gone out of their way to claim their rightful space.
Crate-ive Design
In college, I used a few plastic crates for temporary shoe and book storage, but I never imagined that they could create an entire structure.
Outdoor Living
City living is terribly expensive, and most apartments simply aren’t worth the exorbitant expense. So, if you love the outdoors and hate paying rent, you can get creative like these guys.
Becoming a Dragon
I never knew that Carp Streamers were so meaningful. On April 27, there was a Carp Streamer Festival in Kanna, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. The festival is derived from a Chinese folk tale that said a carp becomes a dragon when it successfully swims up a waterfall. To honor this folk tale, people gathered to hang up carp streamers and pray for the health of their sons. So, my only question now is what about the carp-ess?
A Trip Through Wunderland
German brothers Frederick and Gerrit Braun, 41, have spent nine years and nearly $16 million constructing the world’s largest and most elaborate model train environment called Wunderland.
Funny Money
Writing on money is illegal in most countries, but that sure hasn’t stopped a few people from doing it anyway. Of course, Offbeat Earth does not condone writing or doodling on legal tender; but viewing the creations of others is highly encouraged. Here are a few amusing additions to the portraits featured on American and Canadian currency. (more…)
Bigger is Better!
Bigger really IS better, especially when it comes to toys and games.
