Big Brain 2012 Finalist: Greg Kerr

You submitted nominations for awards given to the Valley’s emerging creatives and the results are in. Introducing our Big Brain 2012 Finalists. Leading up to the Big Brain Award awards announcement and celebration on April 7, Chow Bella and Jackalope Ranch will introduce the finalists. Up today: Greg Kerr When…

Big Brain 2012 Finalist: Lindz Lew

You submitted nominations for awards given to the Valley’s emerging creatives and the results are in. Introducing our Big Brain 2012 Finalists. Leading up to the Big Brain Award awards announcement and celebration on April 7, Chow Bella and Jackalope Ranch will introduce the finalists. Up today: Lindz Lew As…

UN3EK SY5TEM to Debut New Designs at Por Vida Gallery

Don’t let Tyson Powless’ clothing label UN3EK SY5TEM intimidate you. First, that seeming jumble of characters is pronounced “unique system.” Second, Powless’ penchant for hip-hop and punk-influenced street style melded with Native American imagery and culture is more wearable than you might imagine. And it’s a helluva lot more legit…

Big Brain 2012 Finalist: Cyphers

You submitted nominations for awards given to the Valley’s emerging creatives, and the results are in. Leading up to the Big Brain Award awards announcement and celebration on April 7, Chow Bella and Jackalope Ranch will introduce the Big Brain 2012 Finalists. Up today: Cyphers Years before Danny “Scooby” Morales…

NASA Scientific Visualization Studio’s Perpetual Ocean (VIDEO)

Welcome to the Morning Buzz, a catch-up on interesting happenings around the city and country and a quick guide to what (and who) to keep your eyes on. We’ll be here, first thing every weekday, to get you going. Here’s what’s buzzing this morning:  The Scientific Visualization Studio at NASA’s Perpetual…

Last Call: You’re Playing Pool WRONG. Yes, You.

From my post behind the bar at Shady’s, I see quite a few things. Many of the drink-related things I see become posts on my weekly Chow Bella column “Last Call.” But a good bar is about more than just drinks, and that’s why I’m here on Jackalope Ranch this…

Hand-Dyed Ombre Ruffled Tulle Skirt from Ouma

Each week Gem features one standout piece from a local shop. Whether it’s a jacket, necklace, or handbag, it’s on our have-to-have list. What: Monique Sandoval’s line Ouma specializes in whimsy, airy womenswear. After spotting and loving the formal dress she designed for Project Ethos at The Mint, it’s no…

AIRE Mask: Charge Your iPhone While Breathing

Load up on the onions and garlic — the AIRE mask is on its way. Brazil-based inventor Joco Paulo Lammoglia writes that the mask contains tiny wind turbines and the energy created is transferred through a cable to your electronic device while sleeping, reading, even jogging. That is, if you…

Interactive Watercolor Maps by Stamen

Welcome to the Morning Buzz, a catch-up on interesting happenings around the city and country and a quick guide to what (and who) to keep your eyes on. We’ll be here, first thing every weekday, to get you going. Here’s what’s buzzing this morning: You might recognize the watercolored grid above…

Modern Yarn Decorations (and Adventures in Fabric Stiffener)

Introducing Pin Up Girl, a weekly guide to all things Pinterest. Our resident pinner, Laura Gill, will take a look at some of the best eye candy from around the web, provide a few pointers on how-to crafts, and weigh in on weekly trends and highlight local and national pin fiends…

Is Mercury in Retrograde?

Now, we’re not big believers in signs and superstition, but the abundance of bizarre in our own town (of course) and nationwide had us wondering… What’s up with iPad apps for cats? Huff-able caffeine? The Executive Director of the Arizona Commission on the Arts allegedly defacing another artist’s work during…

The Best Butts in Baseball (Spring Training Edition)

As Spring Training continues throughout the Valley and kicks off the regular season, there are plenty of kickass line-ups — all up for the lookin’.In celebration, we’ve created our own fantasy team of players we wouldn’t mind seeing around town and on the field. We sifted through stats, filtered through…

Announcing the 2012 Big Brain Finalists

Without further ado, we’re announcing the finalists for the 2012 Big Brain Awards. The award was created to recognize emerging local creatives, and for the past few weeks we’ve been narrowing the long list of submissions to 15 finalists in five categories. On April 7, from 7 to 11 p.m.,…

Clutch Jewelry’s Tasman Wrap Bracelet

Each week Gem features one standout piece from a local shop. Whether it’s a jacket, necklace, or handbag, it’s on our have-to-have list. What: When it comes to spring break accessories, we look for pieces that are casual and more adventurous than our everyday bric-a-brac. That’s why we’re drawn to…

The Snatchel Project: Knit a Uterus for a Congressman in Need

This week, the fight continues between women and their uterus-less congressmen, and if the creatives behind Government Free VJJ have anything to say about abortion and birth control legislation, it’s that congressmen everywhere could use a few uteri of their own. Government Free VJJ is encouraging women (and supportive men)…

iPad Games for Cats … Yeah, That Needed to Happen

Welcome to the Morning Buzz, a catch-up on interesting happenings around the city and country and a quick guide to what (and who) to keep your eyes on. We’ll be here, first thing every weekday, to get you going. Here’s what’s buzzing this morning: In the latest example of doomsday’s fast…

Manifesto No. 3

Continuing Manifestos, a collection of 10(ish) life lessons and rules written by local creatives and illustrated by local designers. Up today, lessons learned by local writer Deborah Sussman, illustrated below by Anton Anger: Read Sussman’s manifesto below …..

Downtown’s Third Friday and Art Detour Weekend (March 16, 17 & 18)

Downtown Phoenix’s Third Friday and Art Detour combined make a weekend full of local artwork.  The 24-year-old event, officially organized by Artlink, will take over galleries and studios on Grand Avenue, Roosevelt Row, 16th Street (and a few in between). Here’s a peek at our Field Guide for Art Detour…