The designs of Charlotte Lancelot are a balance of organic and geometric form. Her portfolio of products includes functional floral silhouttes for tabletop and walls, modular felt flooring systems, and a clever tweak to the conventional cutting board.

Above is the ‘Forget-me-not’ wall hooks and ‘Orchid’ place mats. They make a graphic statement without being rigid or harsh.

Inspired by relief ceramic tiles, these stamped felt hexagons let you customize the patterns and shape of your carpet.  Another take on this idea is felt flooring inspired by hardwood.

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A recent article from Apartment Therapy started me thinking about monograms: the history, the trend, and how to design one of your own.

The Latin term translates to ’single character’ and has evolved to signify a set of initials. Origins are contested with some scholars citing the first monogram on Ostrogothic coins, others in a seventh century Armenian manuscript, and some supporting it as an ancient Greek invention. At any rate, the monogram is perhaps the first movement of mass-personalization.

The concept proliferated in the currency of early civilizations as a way to establish and spread the identity of a ruler. Emperor Constantine adopted the Chi-Rho, the monogram or labarum, of Christ (above: center).

Jumping way ahead, monograms and other forms of customization like silhouettes became popular with the rising Victorian middle-class in efforts to copy the customs of aristocracy. Fashion houses also had their beginnings during this time, and monograms became so closely associated with the elite that designers used them as their distinguishing seal of style and luxury.  The trend has never really gone away.

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The first 100 orders on Saturday February 28th 2009 will go into the prize draw for a chance to win a full refund.

Just make an order within this 24 hour period and you’ll be in to win a 100% refund of your making, materials AND shipping costs.

To be eligible all orders must be made between 12:00am and 11:59pm Saturday February 28th PST.

So what are you waiting for?!

When some architecture firms knocked, Ponoko jumped – and in the process we discovered a breakthrough service for high quality architects.

Previously architects either made models in-house by hand (cheap and cheerful) or outsourced them to professional model makers (expensive and shiny). But they found the best of both worlds with Ponoko’s online model making service.

To get their model precision made, they simply uploaded their digital design files to the Ponoko website and selected their desired materials to receive an instant online price for the model. It was then made on-demand and shipped, ready for self-assembly.

The result was a high quality model at more than 50% less time and 95% less cost than typically involved.

So if you have a model making project you can find out more by contacting Ponoko [email to service-at-ponoko-dot-com].

Or you can get started right away – get an instant online price to make and ship your model to you.

Here are a few cool examples from some Ponoko users:

Jen Murse shows one lovely way to package jewelry.

Chris Jackson makes excellent use of the so-called ‘waste’ materials [by using the whole sheet of Ponoko supplied material as the packaging for the clock face and the various clock parts - check out the 4th image].

Imagine what else you can do – like engrave your logo or assembly instructions, etc. Here’s another example of clever use of the ‘waste’ material (see 4th photo of Bza’s Soundwave Necklace) – he uses it to package the necklace pieces and has cut arrows to show the direction to thread these sound bite pieces onto a chain.

Also Jason Wright-St.Clair shows us a very simple, very effective use of printed card.

You can also check out what Corey and Zach came up with to package their Chandelier …

Here’s the whole thing wrapped up and ready to go – the lamp parts, cord and fittings:

And here’s what you see when you pull the external wrapping off:

And one more for good luck – check out Sebastian’s Calendar packaging, it makes good use of our cardboard:

Feel free to share other examples in the comments below …

Talk with John as he demonstrates how it all works, from A to B to C.

He’ll show you:
- how to open your own online personal factory
- how to save your design file in the right format
- how to upload your designs to your personal factory
- how to select the right materials
- how to combine different orders into a single shipment
- how to minimize your costs
- how to start your Ponoko Shop
- how to get any help you might need
- and lots more

And because he’ll be demonstrating to you live online, you’ll be able to ask questions and have a conversation along the way.

When – there’s one single demo at these times:
- EST – 4pm to 5pm Tuesday March 17th 2009
- PST – 1pm to 2pm Tuesday March 17th 2009
- GMT – 9pm to 10pm Tuesday March 17th 2009
- NZT – 10am to 11am Wednesday March 18th 2009

Book your slot now!
Just send an email to: webinar-at-ponoko-dot-com and tell us you’re keen!

Can we do it?

So far this year we’ve sponsored challenges for Core77 and Instructables. Who else can we work with to run design/make challenges for you to enter to win some great prizes and recognition?

Win a $250 making voucher
Just list your favorite communities for us to sponsor to run design/make challenges for you this year.

These communities may be places where designers, makers, crafters, hackers, artists, technologists and other creative people hang out. They may also be design companies you admire. Or design schools, TV shows, or design store retailers.

They may also be anyone you feel could benefit from digital and on-demand manufacturing – like hobby and enthusiast communities.

And what about companies who already design fantastic products – who do you know may want to open their doors to a worldwide network of amazing design talent?

Just tell us your list and describe why they are such a great candidate and you’ll go into the draw to win $250 worth of making for free.

To enter: You can go for it in the comments section below, or email us: service-at-ponoko-dot-com

Entries close: 10pm Tuesday March 10th 2009 PST.

Designers Yvonne Laurysen and Erik Mantel call their work under the label LAMA Concept “Industrial with a human touch.” The Dutch team’s interior products collection includes laser-cut furniture, dimensional fabric, and a carpet fitted with LEDs— all things we love at Ponoko.

Information at the site is a little sparse, but the Sinus chairs appear to be MDF. They’re really cute for kids and construction appears simple. And there’s a table to match.

Furore is a mechanically cut, cotton-acrylic synthetic fur with a felt backing. Also above is the Loft laser-cut lamp.

LAMA’s textile innovations are the company’s real claim to fame. Below is their Cell flooring made from strips of felt with embedded LEDs in the cracks.

View more of LAMA’s Concepts here.

I’ve been posting about felt quite a bit this month, and I think it has shifted my perception of the material. I’ve always had a creative felt-phobia, this idea that felt was a material for ‘ecclectic’ women in their 50s that like to wear really boxy jackets made by local fiber artists from upholstery fabrics. Do you know what I’m talking about?

But felt has another side, one that’s not for gradeschool dioramas, cat toys, or museum shop scarves that look like sea creatures. Felt can be sophisticated, and Annike Laigo proves it.

1.Spy: cut felt curtain or room divider.  2.Oh! This is Me!: studded wool pillow.  3.3D Stripe: dimensional wool rug.  4.Oh! This is Me!: rivetted carpet.  5.Pebble: giant pebble seating; cover made from wool and flax, stuffed with recycled wool

That shape is, what is known in the surface design world as, an ogee. The Flosion Stool by Amy Tang is a beautiful example of a motif-turned-object. By nature of the shape, stools can be added and fitted together to form a repeat pattern of furniture in custom sizes, shapes, and configurations.

Flosion is made of hoop pine available in a White Ash or Walnut stain and comes with leather cushions in white, black, caramel or stripe. It’s multifunctional as a stool, a side table, or modularly expanded into a bench.

I really, really love these stools. Amy Tang— I’m jealous!
via one of my personal favorites, Neu Black