Category: WOW

Japanese Twitter user @thumb_tani (aka Tanu) has mastered the art of balance. He uses his keen sense of equilibrium to create small, fascinating sculptures from carefully-positioned coins. Although many of us have probably attempted this same sort of coin stacking, Tanu takes these arrangements to a whole new—and totally epic—level.

Using a variety of denominations, Tanu creates intricate structures that range in shape and size. Often, he’ll first build a strong base using staggered coins. Then, he does the seemingly impossible. Tanu stands the coins upright and places them edge-to-edge without the discs falling or even wobbling. From there, he’ll sometimes stack even more coins (or other objects) on top. It’s a mesmerizing sight, but also one that you’ll want to hold your breath for. The precarious sculptures look as though they could tumble at any moment.

Watch Tanu working his magic in a short video, below.

Watch Tanu’s stacking abilities in action:

Tanu: Twitter | YouTube
h/t: [RocketNews24]

The post Japanese Man Masters the Gravity-Defying Art of Stacking Coins appeared first on My Modern Met.

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Bulgaria-based jewelry shop PAGANE Uniques crafts colorful and bright bangles inspired by well-known works of art. Showcasing the vivid color palettes and striking modernity of 19^th and 20^th century masterworks—including Gustav Klimt’s glittering The Kiss, Vincent van Gogh’s beaming Sunflowers, and Henri Matisse’s avant-garde Cut-Outs—every bright and bold bangle adds an artistic touch to any look.

Each beautiful bracelet is crafted by hand. The designers render each of the classic paintings on polyester, adorn them with sparkling silver foils or flecks of gold leaf, and cover the result in transparent resin. PAGANE Unique prides itself on this handmade approach and the one-of-a-kind nature of their craft.

“Our colorful creations are made with love and joy, to make your day happy and make you feel special,” the artists proudly declare on their website.

In addition to sharing striking works of art, the bangles also aim to shed some light on the artists behind the work. Printed on the inside of each piece is a brief biography of the artist (complete with petit portrait) so you can learn a little bit of Art History while you accessorize.

Wear your favorite art on your sleeve with PAGANE Unique’s collection of colorful creations, available through their Etsy shop.

PAGANE Uniques: Website | Etsy | Facebook | Instagram 
h/t: [So Super Awesome]

The post Colorful Resin Bangles Let You Wear Classic Art on Your Wrist appeared first on My Modern Met.

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In an age of elaborate proposals and extravagant engagement rings, one woman is hoping to prove that, when it comes to weddings, it really is the thought that counts.

Ariel Desiree McRae, a 22-year-old from Tennessee, recently married Quinn, her partner of two years. While the financially struggling couple initially planned on postponing their engagement until they felt fiscally secure, they eventually “couldn’t wait any longer” and opted for a simple wedding. McRae insisted she did not need a ring, but her husband lovingly took her to a Pandora shop to pick out an affordable set. As the happy couple agreed on a $130 pair of sterling silver and cubic zirconia rings, an oblivious salesperson unknowingly burst Quinn’s bubble with a rude rhetorical remark. “Can you believe that some men get these as engagement rings?” she asked. “How pathetic.”

Consumed with guilt, Quinn left the store crestfallen. “He already felt like a failure, asking me again and again, ‘Are you sure you’ll be happy with these? Are you sure this is okay?’” McRae explained. “He was so upset at the idea of not making me happy enough and of me not wanting to marry him because my rings didn’t cost enough money or weren’t flashy enough.”

Of course, McRae didn’t care. In fact, she says, “I would have gotten married to this man if it had been a 25-cent gum ball machine ring.” She simply wanted to marry him. So, with her modest rings and lots of excitement, the two decided to skip all the planning and elope in a simple ceremony.

McRae detailed her heartwarming tale in a now-viral post on Love What Matters, a page dedicated to feel good stories submitted by readers. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and many users have even responded with similar stories and photos of their own modest rings. And, as if there was any doubt, McRae has proclaimed that she and her husband are now living in newlywed bliss. “I’ve never been this happy in my life and I couldn’t imagine spending it with anyone else ever. Here I am, Court-House married, $130 ring set, the love of my life by my side and happier than I could ever imagine.”

h/t: [Huffington Post]

All images via Ariel Desiree McRae.

The post Wife Shares Heartwarming Story Behind “Pathetic” $130 Engagement Ring appeared first on My Modern Met.

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Deluxe Suite – The Victorian Apartment – designed by Luca Roncoroni.

Sweden’s iconic ICEHOTEL has recently completed a project that will allow it to remain open year-round. Located 125 miles north of the Arctic Circle, the ICEHOTEL has been in operation seasonally since 1989. The hotel is created entirely from snow and ice, and includes 20 guest suites, a bar, and art gallery. In years past, the structure melted during the summer months, but new cooling technology will allow guests to enjoy this unique experience 365 days a year.

Part of the hotel will still melt after the spring season, but the new permanent section will remain intact. ICEHOTEL 365 is built on the site of a former refrigeration plant. Solar panels that take advantage of the near constant daylight from May to July, as well as a green roof, keep the interior temperatures as low as 23 degrees Fahrenheit. This guarantees icy enjoyment no matter what the season. ICEHOTEL 365 also includes saunas, a cocktail room, and warm rooms for those in need of an escape from the cold. An ice church on the grounds rounds out the new features of the unconventional accommodations.

In the tradition of the original ICEHOTEL, guests can select from standard rooms, Art Suites, and Deluxe Suites. The Art Suites are thematic rooms kitted out with magnificent art from ice sculptors across the globe. If you are looking to splurge, the Deluxe Suites also include intricate carvings, as well as a private heated relaxation area, sauna, and en suite bathroom. The ice beds throughout the hotel are fitted with thick mattresses, as well as reindeer hides and thermal sleeping bags to keep you warm and toasty at night.

Art Suite – Dancers in the Dark – designed by Tjasa Gusfors & Patrick Dallard.

Deluxe Suite – Don’t Get Lost – designed by Tommy Alatalo.

Deluxe Suite – Once Upon A Time – designed by Luc Voisin & Mathieu Brison.

Art Suite – You Are My Type – designed by John Bark & Charli Kasselback.

Art Suite – Momo’s – designed by Lotta Lampa & Julia Gamborg Nielsen.

Ice Church, Connect – designed by Edith Maria Van der Wetering and Wilfred Stijger.

Deluxe Suite – Wishful Thinking – designed by Marjolein Vonk & Maurizio Perron.

Deluxe Suite – Kiss – designed by Kestutis & Vytautas Musteikis.

Art Suite – Oh Deer – designed by Ulrika Tallving & Carl Wellander.

Ice chandelier in main hall.

ICEHOTEL 365 Exterior.

Illustration of ICEHOTEL 365 in the summer (via PinPin Studio).

ICEHOTEL 365: Website | Facebook | Instagram
h/t: [Inhabitat, designboom]

All images via Asaf Kliger and ICEHOTEL 365.

The post Sweden’s Iconic ICEHOTEL Is Now Open 365 Days a Year appeared first on My Modern Met.

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After 8 years of experimentation, photographer Nicholas Steinberg has perfected the art of fog photography. Based in the San Francisco Bay area, Steinberg is one of many “Fogaholics” who are glued to the weather reports, just waiting for fog to roll in. As a result, he’s always ready to capture these misty waves at any elevation.

Mt. Tamalpais is the location for this stunning series, with a cottony blanket of clouds billowing over the landscape. Sitting at 2,572 feet in elevation, it’s the perfect vantage point to shoot summer fog. During this season, the inland heat pushes the mist upward, usually above 1,000 feet. Steinberg discovered that from Mt. Tamalpais, he is able to look down upon the city, catching the smooth clouds wash over it.

“Mt. Tam allows you to get, ‘above it all’ and is literally heaven on earth as you feel on top of the world or almost on an airplane looking down on clouds,” Steinberg shares. “What I discovered from hundreds of trips up there is, when the fog rolls through and is at the perfect height and density, it will create wave-like movements as it contours the land. This is where I coined the term ‘Fog Waves’ as it literally looks like waves that resemble the ocean.”

After passing hours on the mountain, Steinberg’s collection of fog photography captures the fiery red sky of sunset and the pale pink hues of sunrise. Evergreen trees pop through the waves, and in the darkness tiny lights remind us of human life down below. The smooth flow seen in the images is due to the different shutter speeds the photographer uses. Neutral density filters trick the camera into thinking it’s evening. Therefore, he’s able to shoot up to two minutes to get perfectly smooth waves. Patience is key to his work, with the dreamy results well worth the wait.

Nicholas Steinberg: Website | Facebook | Instagram
via [Bored Panda]

All images via Nicholas Steinberg

The post Dreamy Photos Capture the Natural Beauty of Rolling Fog Waves appeared first on My Modern Met.

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Beavers are animals known for their wood-chomping prowess and recognize a good tree when they see it. So, it’s no surprise that this little guy, who snuck into a retailer, was so disappointed when he saw the selection at his local dollar store. All of the trees were artificial!

Not everyone appreciated this fine wood connoisseur in the store. As the wild creature wandered the aisles, an officer from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office in Charlotte Hall, Maryland arrived to escort him out. The beaver had moved on from the faux trees and was scouring the shelves for reasonably-priced holiday knick-knacks. Those, however, weren’t to his liking either, so he flung the discount decor into the aisles. Soon after, the officer rescued and released him to a wildlife rehabilitation professional. We’re sure he now has plenty of real trees to gnaw on.

h/t: [The Dodo, Bored Panda]

All images via St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.

The post Busy Beaver Breaks Into Store to Browse Their Selection of Christmas Trees appeared first on My Modern Met.

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Few are adept at their eye makeup as Tal Peleg. Over the past several years, she’s continually transformed her eyelids into incredible works of tiny art. Using her skin as a canvas, Peleg paints intricate scenes above and around her eye, often with her brow as part of the composition. “I find the eye to be a very interesting and challenging canvas,” she told Insomniac.

The shape of the eye is an important factor in the creation of her designs. Peleg integrates the natural curves into the illustrations, which are first sketched on paper and later improvised when painting. It often takes hours to complete just one of these miniature pieces—the longest being four and a half hours. The effort is well worth the time, as the pop culture characters engage and delight us. In addition to these light-hearted pieces, Peleg is socially conscious and addresses themes of bullying and mental health in her work.

Check out some of our favorite previous eye makeup art by Peleg. They’re eye-mazing!

Tal Peleg uses makeup to create masterful eyelid art.

Tal Peleg: Facebook | Instagram

The post Artist Continues to Masterfully Transform Her Eyelids Into Works of Art appeared first on My Modern Met.

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We’ve all seen the house that goes crazy with their holiday lights display—you might even know someone who does. Lexi Magnusson is one who enjoys decorating with a “ridiculous amount of lights” every Christmas. This year, her illumination is a colorful statement of support for the LGBTQ community.

The Seattle-based resident covered her bushes in 10,000 rainbow Christmas lights after a neighbor openly expressed homophobic opinions. Recalling the story to the Huffington Post, Magnusson said, “She’s Mormon and heard that we were, too. My guess is that she thought we were still believers, even though my husband told her we no longer attend.” The neighbor assumed that the couple had the same anti-LGBTQ attitudes as many members of their former religion. “We absolutely do not.” Magnusson said. “It’s why I left the Mormon church.”

While speaking to Magnusson, the neighbor revealed her intolerant views. She started by saying that the family moved to Washington to “protect her children.” On Reddit, Magnusson explained, “Thinking that we were allies, she went on to tell us how horrified she was when her son got turned down for prom because the girl was already planning on going with her girlfriend.” In addition, the school organized an assembly on transgender acceptance. This was the final straw for the family. Ultimately, Magnusson said, “She wanted to get her children away from that sort of influence and people making that ‘lifestyle’ OK.”

As an ally for equality, this conversation enraged Magnusson. But, she kept her cool. “I responded only with, ‘Your kids are going to be exposed to this no matter where you take them. Kids these days get it. They know not to be horrible to other kids based on how they were born.’ ”

After the US presidential election, Magnusson realized just how many people share her neighbor’s views. To show her solidarity with the LGBTQ community—and make a statement to her neighbor—she gathered a copious number of lights. “I felt good the entire time I put them up,” she says. “I sent a text to my cousin who loves Christmas lights like I do, and who is also gay. His approval was everything.”

Magnusson intends to put up more white lights to make the rainbow shine even brighter.

h/t: [The Huffington Post, Bored Panda]

The post Woman Hangs 10,000 Rainbow Christmas Lights in Response to Anti-LGBTQ Neighbor appeared first on My Modern Met.

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With its quirky aesthetic and modern approach to homeware, OTOTO Design puts a creative spin on everyday objects. Last year, the Tel-Aviv-based company saw legendary success with its adorable Loch Ness ladle. Now, the company has given the standard utensil another marvelous makeover with Swanky, an unsinkable, swan-shaped spoon.

Given its hook-shaped handle and large, round bowl, Swanky, at first glance, may simply look like a stylized—albeit adorable—ladle. However, the peculiar product is far from ordinary. Inspired by the effortless buoyancy of a swan and engineered with balance in mind, Swanky is designed to never tip over. Whether swiftly set on a countertop or dipped into a bowl of soup, sauce, or punch, the handy kitchenware always remains upright due to its cantilever-like “s” shape. Additionally, the graceful gizmo is heat resistant, dishwasher safe, and made from durable, non-toxic plastic, making it any host(ess)’s dream come true.

As of right now, the fun and functional product is only available through its Kickstarter page. All pledges are appreciated (even $2.00 donations are rewarded with recipe downloads!), and various packages are offered. Non-early-birds, however, can rest assured; with less than two weeks to go, OTOTO Design has already more than doubled its $10,000 goal, meaning you’re sure to see Swanky hit the shelves in the new year.

OTOTO Design: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Kickstarter
via [Gizmodo]

All images via OTOTO Design.

The post Unsinkable Swan-Shaped Ladle Designed to Float in Your Soup appeared first on My Modern Met.

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