Hello Birdie 2010 Birdhouse Design

As part of my wood design class, I was invited to make a birdhouse for an annual charity auction here in Austin called Hello Birdie. Here's a picture of my final product:

I designed the birdhouse to be specifically proportioned for Finch birds (I got this information thanks to the fine folks over at Wild Bird Watching). It's a "duplex"with a wall separating the two nesting areas- each with their own entrance.

The goal was to design a simple, yet elegant birdhouse that provides a safe and comfortable place for small birds to nest. Also, since we are in Austin, weather-hardiness was a must, which is why it made sense to protect the wood with the metal sheath.

I used walnut for the two faces, which are wrapped with aluminum flashing and attached with brass hardware.

The auction took place on September 30, 2010 and was a big success. A happy new owner took my birdhouse home- and I am hoping they are appreciating all the hard work I put into it!

Fantastic Vintage Monacan Stamps

I was fumbling through some old books and paperwork from my youth at my parents' house over the holidays and I came across these beautiful stamps from Monaco in the 50's and 60's. I'm not a stamp collector, by any means, but I am appreciative of mid-century European graphic design. I'm not quite sure of the date of some of them, but for those that I do know, I've labeled them. Enjoy=)

Flickr Set: Vintage Monacan Stamps

Papyrass

Being back in California for the past 3 weeks (after not living here for the past 2 1/2 years), I've noticed an alarming trend:

What's with the burgeoning use of the font Papyrus?

I swear, everywhere I look, I see Papyrus. "Trendy" little cafes in San Diego, yuppie beauty salons here in Central California.. the list goes on. I've never been fond of this font, and the more I see it, the more I can't stand it.

For some reason, people are going nuts over Papyrus (especially in California, for reasons unknown). When I heard rumors that the redesign of the California license plate was going to be set in Papyrus, I thought it was a joke.

Until I saw it with my own eyes:

Look closely:

Papyrus is taking over!!!