I’m always interested in the intersection between electronics and craft. I think it’s the mix of low-tech–the traditions that have been followed for centuries–and high-tech–the newest computer technologies.
I do a lot of looking at the high-tech/low-tech mix on Etsy, the website for buying and selling handmade items and craft supplies. Here’s my latest find.
Woodtec is designing and handcrafting gorgeous iPod and iPhone docks made out of wood from his upstate New York land, each piece cut and sanded and polished by him. Each one is one-of-a-kind, and is made to order.
After a whole day on my computer, how relaxing and comforting it would be to place my iPhone in one of these docks, touching the smooth wood and knowing that each curve and bump was hand-sanded and was once a living organism. It’s so important to remember to connect to nature in some way after a day of emails or programming.
That’s another reason why I need craft and tech in my life–they balance each other out, I have to have both in each day to feel grounded and happy. So while I do have lots of computers and gadgetry around at home and office, I also make sure to have hand-crafted items, ones with personal meaning, all around.