Made By Hand. By ME.

Are you as totally addicted to all the wonderful music and shows on Blockhead Radio?  Don't you wish you could take it with you on the go on your iPhone or other portable device?  Maybe the regular player just doesn't seem to get along with your computer.  Well, now you can listen any time you want with any device that supports Windows Media Audio.  I will outline here how I listen on my iPhone, but the following should apply to any Windows Media device or player.

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They say that the WWII generation was the greatest generation. Why is this?  They lived through the Great Depression during their childhood. Making, and doing things yourself was the way that folks got by. Have we lost this spirit in todays world of fast food, cheap electronics, and generally an attitude of entitlement?  I believe we have. How many kids can you ask about the latest game for the XBox or the Playstation, and how many of those same kids even know what a box wrench looks like, let alone know what it may be used for? Are we producing a generation of "Dudes" rather than real "Men"?

What have you tried to pass on to your son, or even daughter for that matter? When your little man grows up, will he know how to unclog the toilet, or will he call a plumber?  Will he know how to change a tire, or will he simply dial the autoclub? When he wants that large deck on the back of his house, will he know how to put hammer to nail, or will there be a general contractor in his back yard?

I understand that product manufacturers have made things more difficult for that do-it-yourself attitude, with computers running your cars engines and such, but perhaps a great father and son project would be saving a piece of history and restoring a classic vehicle, where it is easy to get parts and advice. Form those bonds, and pass on your knowledge. Maybe consider showing your daughter how to use a jigsaw so she can produce her own wooden puzzles. Kids will surprise you if you only stop and create those moments for mentoring and show them something that they may not normally be exposed to in their day to day lives of public schools and sporting events.

It's high time we take a cue from the greatest generation and be resourceful, rather than wasteful. It's time to not just consume, it's time to produce. Break the bonds of corporate marketing and try something different. Your own abilities to do the simple things may surprise you if you only try.

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So what happens when you take one part nature lover, one part photographer, one part childlike fascination and mix them all into a big burly biker dude?  Well, you get me it seems. I'm always on the look out for those things in the great outdoors that can make you smile, make you laugh, or just go, wow, that's what that looks like. Sometimes we just have to stop and smell the roses, or get out the magnifying glass and watch what passes by.

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Hey folks, be sure to tune into http://www.blockheadradiolive.com tonight, Friday Apr 10, at 8PM EST for Blockhead Rod's Friday Night Feature show. Rod's show exposes you to one artisan, and one independent musician each and every Friday night. This is a great way to get to know the folks behind the songs you enjoy, and maybe discover a new artisan from the wonderful handmade community at large.

I have it on good authority that one of our own byhand.me members will be the surprise artisan featured on tonights show!  Want to know who that lucky artisan is?  Well, you'll just have to tune in to find out!  So click the link, or, just click above to launch the player.  I know that once you give it a listen you'll be as hooked as I am.

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Nope, not that kind of mail.  You know, maille.  Chainmaille to be exact.  Everyone that has seen that cute little orange, red, and black bundle of joy knows the name redpanda.  If you don't, well you should. I mean, how can you go wrong with buying from someone with a logo like that?

But, beyond the logo is an amazing artist. I finally have had the pleasure of receiving one of these works of art, and was completely blown away by the quality, fit, finish, and design. Typically, I'm not one for jewelry. I have my wedding ring on my left hand, another ring I picked up from a wonderful metal artisan on Etsy for my right, and then usually a watch of some sort on occasion. My current favorite watch happens to be an all black number with a skull on the dial and white numerals. Now, how do you possibly match something like that?  Well, that's where the cute panda comes in folks.

Oh yeah, now that's better.  Her black and silver aluminum bracelet really hits the spot, and is an absolute pleasure to wear. No snagging on the manly hairy arms, smooth as silk fit. Now that's usually a problem with linked jewelry like common chain bracelets, but not so here.  So what are you waiting for?  Spoil yourself, your man, or even your mom with a little out of the ordinary wearable art.

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