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"My Shoes Are Killing Me" may have been the last words spoken by the person who tried these on for size.

We’ve all had those days in the shop where we just can’t seem to focus and our thoughts turn to … stilletos. 

Furniture maker Omar Angel Perez didn’t stop at the fantasy and climbed out on a limb (sorry) and designed his fantasy line of stilettos. He favors tropical woods such as makore, sapele, padouk, and then throws in some bandsaw blades, wire and rubber to complete his line of Stillet”O”s.

I don’t think these are meant to be worn as much as shock, because a slight trip would probably result in amputation. Perhaps he’s coming out of a bad relationship.

"Til Death Do Us Part" by Omar Angel Perez suggests a little S&M or is it B&D?

Housing “the worst home furnishing finds on Craigslist”, D-Listed Decor is a gem of a blog if you’re looking for a laugh & some awful decor. Boasting original Craigslist descriptions followed by the blogger’s remarks on the piece such as “Yes folks, some people really do think stool can be fun! But poop aside, this particular stool is taking a pun really too far. That, or it’s another example of why you should not buy souvenirs from child poachers” (in reference to the Sneaker Stool), I couldn’t get enough.

I particularly enjoyed the lovely Log Dresser that even a Tahoe home would reject, the Deer Phone (which reminds me of a certain Rat Clock that was stolen from me at a White Elephant gift exchange), and the ever so lovely Diamond Sheet Metal Medicine Cabinet. Oh the design inspiration to be had!

Visit http://d-listeddecor.blogspot.com for more where this came from (and sadly, yes, there is a lot more, though I have to warn you, the site hasn’t been updated since ‘08…)

You won’t find a Suissa Computer at the local big box store. The Canadian company builds custom computers and housings that are as attractive as custom made furniture, which in fact they are.

The company’s founder, Howard Suissa, has a background in industrial design, computer technology and woodworking. As you might imagine, these are not off-the shelf products. Suissa will design the boxes and computers to fit your needs and budget.  Most of his designs separate computer components that produce heat, resulting in cooler running devices.

More examples of Suissa’s work can be found at his website.

http://www.urbanarchaeology.com/

I came across this light and thought of my father instantly- talk about the ultimate light for a gearhead!  Crafted of cast aluminum and glass, Urban Archaeology’s Northern Rig Hanging Light looks as if it could roar like an engine, but would also be stunning over a dining table in a modern loft.
For more retro industrial finds, visit their website

Propeller basket in steel with brass washers and rivets.

Rob Glebe’s works are inspired by classical vessel forms. Through the use of positive and negative space, unusual materials and colors, his pieces take on a fresh, original slant.

He works primarily in mild steel, which is typically shaped by hammer, then tig welded from the inside for a clean look. The above piece is an exception; rivets form the joinery.

Glebe’s path to sculpture was by way of careers as a toolmaker,  boat builder and furniture maker. Since 2006 he has been working full time on fabricating these type of metal works.

See more of Glebe’s work at his website.

Chinese water bowl in steel with lacquer.

Hangolier by Organelle Design

This chandelier made of clear plastic hangers by Organelle Design dubbed the “Hangolier” is a beautiful representation of what can be done with the simplest of materials found in your own home. Having just completed a chandelier project with my father that we’ve been painstakingly working on since I was in college (I graduated in ‘05…), I was particularly drawn to the simplicity of this design. Organelle Design repurposes everyday found objects into stunning works of art that make these products almost unrecognizable. They even have DIY workshops where you can get crafty with your own found objects- something my father and I could have benefitted from as we tackled our project blindly. For more on Organelle Design, check out their website.

Steel bench of recycled materials by Leo Razzi.

A steel bench with arm rests made of recycled crane gears may not be the most comfortable place to park your forearms, but it will provide a bit of side protection in the case of a drive-by.

The bench does appear poised to take off on an aggressive chase toward any untoward acts. I do like furniture that looks poised for action.

His wall sculpture, below, is something a gearhead would appreciate as it is made mostly of recycled automobile engine parts.  Razzi’s work ranges from practical project such as iron fences to furniture to purely whimsical art.

Born in New York City, Razzi lives and works in the northern Liberties section of Philadelphia.

To see more of Razzi’s work, visit his website.

Wall sculpture of recycled auto parts by Leo Razzi.

Somebody had to do it eventually, and I think Adam Loeb beat everyone to the punch. He has built an electric guitar and included carved ball-and-claw details. Loeb definitely gets points for originality.

Loeb built this piece while a student at RIT in 2007 and says it was only his second woodworking project.

The body is made of mahogany, a popular wood for 18th century furniture, and the neck is a combination of bubinga, wenge and bloodwood. Loeb says the instrument plays well.

Visit Loeb’s site for more details on his build and his thinking behind the project. And here’s some more info on steampunk.