materialist australia



Thursday, September 16, 2010

Shame But Don't Name


In my travels, I have been trying to suss out the above picture book (and associated titles) because I own it and love it and I would like to have it in my shop.  This first of all led me to a very helpful woman at one publisher who seemed, if anything, a little too bubbly and enthusiastic.  She advised that they no longer had it in their range, but told me where it had gone.  Following is the exchange with THAT publisher's representative.

Monday, 13 September - Me to Unnamed Publisher

To Whom It May Concern:
I am in the process of launching an online store and am interested in stocking ‘One Red Dot’ and other titles by David Carter. Can you please let me know your minimum order requirements and wholesale rates?

Regards,
Me

Straightforward?  Clear?  Let's see what happened next (formatting has been retained):
 
Thursday, 16 September - Unnamed Customer Service Representative to Me

Dear You,
Our minimum order requirement is $110.00 AUD net. If order is under this a small order surcharge of $11.00 applies. A 40% discount applies. A Proforma Invoice is raised if you do not hold an account with us. Proforma is sent and once payment is received books are despatched. Only in stock books can be processed, if a book is out of stock or not yet published it cannot be backordered. Full street delivery address needs to be provided as we do not deliver to P.O. Boxes. When sending an order 13 digit ISBN's and quantities of books must be clearly provided. I hope this answers your query.
One Red Dot is no longer available as it went out of print in September 2009.
Kind regards,
Unnamed Customer Service Representative

Am I crazy, or is that the weirdest delivery of information ever?

Friday, September 10, 2010

Porcelain? More Like Richelain!


My sister-in-law apparently hates the little porcelain cups based on dented disposable plastic cups because as a ceramics student they were a simple first year assignment.  As a result, she finds them unoriginal and basic (to which my response is: 'okay, so if it is so easy make me a set'... only like many of my wittiest responses, it never made it to my lips).  But that leads me to think that creating a porcelain piece from an existing texture, such as knitwear, was maybe a later year assignment, but Alyssa Ettinger has created some beautiful things using that principle.  I know a keen knitter, and I know a one time ceramicist... or perhaps I should just place an order on Big Cartel.

Verdict: Pottery or Potty?

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Heads I Win, Tails You Lose


I really like these cup/mugs from Danish designer Anna Olivia Kristiansen (has there ever in the history of Danish names been a more Danish sounding name than that?).  It's a very cute idea, I reckon, but at around AU$50 a pair, it'd want to be.

Verdict: Yum Yum Pig's Bum or Put The Horse Head in Ya Bed?

Getting Your Endy In


It's hard to tell from this site whether these chairs really exist or whether they are just an idea (like the Staple City is just an idea), but I would quite like somebody to make me one.  If only I knew somebody with a little woodworking know-how and a decent set of tools.... you know... like a boat builder or someink.

Verdict: Sit Down or Stand Up?

Friday, September 3, 2010

'Things' On Way


Yep... the Puzzleboard from Oooms Design... in transit as I write.  Makes one feel like a big wine glass full of Ribena and more than one proscuito canape, in my opinion.  Boxmates with the Puzzleboard are the Glassbulb Light and Solar Birdhouse, pictured below.  Why does a birdhouse need to be solar-ed, you ask?  To power it's little perch that attracts insects at night, that's why.  Clev-ahhh.