This past winter was an intense one for most of us in North America...you know, you were there. It wreaked some serious havoc, including taking its toll on my welcome mat. After four straight months of boots covered in salt and ice and black sludge, it was time to say goodbye.

So, I teamed up with 3MDIY to create a new, handmade welcome mat, using some of my favorite materials: wood and brass. It was relatively easy and used just a few tools and about $40 in supplies.

Here's how it went down.

Tools and Materials:

• Decay-resistant wood suitable for outdoor use - we used redwood
• Crosscut saw
• ScotchBlue™ Painter's Tape
• 3M™ Sandblaster™ Pro Advanced Sandpaper with NO-SLIP GRIP - 150 and 220 grits
• Brass tube - 1/2" diameter and .029 thick
• Electric drill and 1/2" drill bit
• Two-part epoxy
• Outdoor wood finish - we used Teak Oil
• 3M™ Safety Products: respirator, dust mask, ear protection, safety glasses

1. The first step: gather your materials. Since the welcome mat will be outside, it's important to select materials, adhesives, and finishes that are able to stand up to the weather. With that in mind, I went with redwood. Because redwood, like cedar, contains irritants, it's important to wear appropriate safety gear include safety glasses and an N95-rated dust mask. And be sure to do whatever you can to avoid splinters. (Though never wear thick gloves when operating stationary power tools.)

I bought my redwood as a 2x6" and ripped it down to 7/8" strips. But you could easily use cedar 1x2s (actually 3/4 x 1 1/2") cut to length which you can find at any home center. Your slats will just be 1/8" thinner.  

2. I cut the redwood strips into 29" lengths at the miter saw. Whenever I work with softwood like redwood, cedar, or pine, I like to use ScotchBlue™ painters tape on the cut line to prevent splintering. This trick also works great for cutting plywood with a circular or table saw. 

3. After cutting, I sanded the slats with 150 and 220-grit sandpaper. Then, I wiped on a coat of water to raise the grain, and sanded once more with 220.  

4. Next, I drilled holes with 1/2" drill bit 7 1/2" from each edge. Since the brass tube is 1/2" in diameter, I "overdrilled" (shifting the drill angle) ever-so-slightly to increase the hole size so the tube would slide through. 

5. For the end pieces, I needed to drill a stopped hole 1 1/4" through the wood. So, I carefully measured and make a stop out of ScotchBlue™ tape to prevent me from drilling through. I also eased over the top corner on these outside slats for a more finished look. 

6. With my wooden slats ready to go, I cut the 36" long rod in half into two 18" lengths. I assembled the whole thing for a dry fit, and determined that a 1/2" spacing between the slats worked best. Then, I used a square to make sure the brass tubes were perfectly perpendicular with the end slat, and glued them in place. 

7. To glue metal-to-wood, I opted for an outdoor-approved two-part epoxy. Since it has a five-minute "open time," I mixed up several small batches and only glued two or three slats at a time. 

I spaced my slats 1/2" apart, using some 1/2" plywood and MDF scraps as spacers. Obviously, you can only adhere these one at a time without covering everything in epoxy, so just cover the appropriate area of the brass rod in epoxy, then slide the slat into place.

8. Once the epoxy had set according to the package directions, I finished the redwood with Teak Oil. There are a few options that would be appropriate here, but I had the Teak Oil on hand, plus it's the option of choice for water-proof boat hulls. So, if it's good for a boat, it's good for my outdoor welcome mat. I thought the slats might be a bit of a hassle, but a small foam brush fit easily inside the 1/2" spaces. Each coat only took about 5 minutes to apply. 

Whatever finish you choose, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. With Teak Oil, you simply flood the surface, wait 30 minutes, re-apply for 15 minutes, then wipe away any excess. I like using these little painter's triangles when working on a project where both sides will be finished so I can paint or work on each side at once.

After allowing the finish to cure, my outdoor wooden welcome mat was ready to go. Overall, it measured 29 x 17 1/4."

I really love the warm redwood and brass combo, and the wood will continue to darken up and become richer with exposure to the sun.

Welcome!

For more DIY project ideas, check out 3M DIY's Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest profiles. 

I am proud to be a 3M- sponsored blogger, and, as part of my responsibilities, I get the opportunity to evaluate new products from 3M DIY. Opinions are my own and additional product used in the project were selected by me.

Looking for some Insta-inspiration?

No joking around: we love Instagram. It's the sole social network still based on creating content and stories rather than sharing them, and it's much better for it. Yet, on one hand you have millions of accounts which create a great community, but on the other, it can be quite hard to find the real talent and inspiration. So, we're sharing 25 accounts that stand out from the rest - either because of their photo skills or because they always have something interesting to show from a masculine lens...i.e. a very low selfie rate.

We're focusing on creativity and DIY, food, art, design, travel, and adventure... the images that can really transport you.

So, grab your phone and press that green button!

But, first! Don't forget - ManMade is on Instagram, and it's handled by our editor and founder, Chris. He really loves it (it's the only social media platform he really checks anymore) and always needs more encouragement to post more photos. Come say hi!

Okay, onto the list...

Maurice: creative wanderer, photographer, and non-stop travel addict

Codeu: Vancouver based explorer

iGnant: Berlin-based interdisciplinary blog

 Alkarus: french man with a penchant for stylish garments

CruiserLifestyle: Great north explorer and nature lover.

 TheWildTraveller: Australian wild soul documenting his travels and the charm in every city he visits.

WithHearts: Photographer and designer based in Seattle.

TinoRenato: Indonesian photographer and lover of beautiful patterns and bold colours.

SantiagoDeHoyos: Vancouver outdoors lover and northen landscape badass.

MikeStinson: creative photographer that goes beyond the iphone (film, DSLR, you name it!).

ArtfulDesperado: oh hey, totally doing a cameo here. No shame! But hey, I love to meet new insta friends ;)

DrVolland:Eyeball doctor and urban dweller.

DanielKrieger: mouthwatering images galore.

RvStapleton: creative director and photographer with a keen eye for minimal design and architecture.

JamesFitzFranz: you might be familiar with some of his photos which often appear on Kinfolk magazine. The rest of his feed is as good - even better - as the magazine itself.

AGuyNamedPatrick: New York explorer, coffee lover, and party maker.

TimRobisonjr: Illustrator, photographer, and foodie.

Jelitodeleon: a devoted light chaser from Manila.

Dabito: An LA colour-obsessed designer that always manages to capture the best spots in town.

Dansmoe: Insanely beautiful feed full of photos that will make your jaw drop. Lots of snaps from Finland and the globe.

MikeGilger: Creative traveler, city explorer, awesome designer.

BryceEvansPhoto: storyteller, social change maker, artist.

CupofCouple: Spanish fashionistos and all-round super rad chaps that will take you on a trip from the runaway in Paris to the best cafes in Berlin. 

Moneal: this feed will make you like you're not on planet earth, but trust it's all real.

SecretCities: a feed that will definitely satisfy all of your West Coast cravings

TomaszWagner_: avid photographer with talent that's out of this world. Love the mix of analog and digital photos.

If you have any other favorites that you think should be included on this list, leave them on the comments below. 

Happy Instagraming!

Oh...and we still love Pinterest. Check out our guide to the best guys to follow there: 

20 Men You Should Be Following on Pinterest

There are times to add new pieces...to make investments, to research, to spend a couple hours in the dressing room. (Turn, turn, turn.) And then, there are times to get creative with what you already have, and improve your wardrobe and own personal style without spending a single cent.    GQ offers some solid tips for free ways to work with what you already have. Some are skill-based, such as learning how to sew (ManMade alert); some are about switching up components of your standard sets and outfits, and others are more inspirational, inviting you to try something new. 

Not everyone will apply to every guy, but the info's free, the tips are free, and the results are free, so there's no reason not to check them out.

10 Free Ways to Improve Your Style

A beer "head" of foam is, like most things in life, an example of perfect balance; too much and its undrinkable, and if not enough, you can't full experience the unique compounds of a given brew. 

I learned this technique through working my way through college as a server, but I've seen it go awry enough (especially after a glass or two already) that I'm happy to share this helpful how-to from The Art of Manliness.

Jeremy Anderberg says, " When properly poured, the beer produces aromas and flavors that can only be present at the right conditions, and with the agitation of a proper pour...The process for pouring beer into a pint glass is the same whether you’re doing it from a bottle, a can, or a tap. It’s also the same no matter the style of glass."

Check out the photo tutorial in full at The Art of Manliness: How to Properly Pour Beer 

There's nothing new to say about LEGO: they're awesome, they're fun, and they're surprisingly strong...as long as you don't ask them to bear much weight. So, they're a perfect pick for simple, tongue-in-cheek style organizers, like this utensil caddy spotted on a home tour on Houzz.com. Since the organizer's job is simply to keep the tools contained, the LEGOs are a perfect fit, adding a bit of personality and color.

This technique would also work equally well for a lightweight, multi-compartment desk organizer, a place to store your daily carry items (wallet, watch, phone, etc), and the like. Post your ideas in the comments below.

See more at The Kitchn: A DIY Utensil Holder Made Out of LEGOs 

London-based sculptor and illustrator Camille Barnard created this hand-carved "Pencil case collection," featuring wooden versions of her commonly used and carried art supplies.   

I actually love that these aren't hyper-realistic. The intentionally hand-colored design itself serves as a reminder of the inaccuracies and manual nature of the process of making.

"This mix of skill and imagination—and her ability to render the overlooked into the exquisite—have earned Barnard widespread recognition and an ever-growing fandom among an international collectors and galleries." Fun project.  A labor of love, I'm sure.

See more at L'Arco Baleno: Pencil Case Collection - Camilla Barnard

Time to come out of the dark ages of winter and shine some light in your home with some sleek, yet guy-friendly lighting options.

It's easy to forget that lighting is one of the most important aspects to set up a space at home. If a room is too dark, it feels unbalanced and even depressing, while inappropriate use of light can make you feel like you're at the dentist office. It's all about finding the right balance.

You can get some of these awesome pieces or you can use them as inspiration for a super cool DIY project. Most of them are pretty affordable so they can fit your budget. A little bit of extra light can go a loooong way, so take note!

1 Wooden Block Lamp $55.96

Less is definitely more. This minimal wooden block lamp can be used on any space; on your desk, shelves, by your night stand, you name it. The clean design and neutral colours will match your decor without a problem.

2. Ledge Light $130

Another take on simple design, this ledge light is the sleekest of the collection. The white bulb adds texture and scale, plus it comes with some built-in storage. The red cord ads a touch of color for a subtle statement.

3. Edison Lighting Sconce $49

This one is super cool. Check it: the board is made out of reclaimed maple wood from Thomas Edison's Wisconsin phonograph factory. It even comes with an engraved plate with the factory location and serial number. Whoa! This is a piece of history plus an awesome lighting choice.

4. Festival Lights $36

Festival lights can add a bit of a "marquee" effect. You can bring them inside and make your own marquee, or you can place them behind a book shelf to add some diffused light. Also, don't forget that since Spring is right around the corner you'll need to spice up your patio/garden, so these lights always come in handy (don't wanna dine in the dark!).

5. Factory Light $279

We love this industrial light! It could certainly add a masculine/vintage vibe to your home. Thought it is a bit more pricey than the others, this could be an investment piece. Mix if with other modern pieces to achieve a sleek loft look.

6. Moth Origami Lampshade $132

Go big or go home! This shade is definitely a bold statement. Mind you, the intensity comes from its cool design and shape rather than the color, which is in a muted gradient grey. If you look closely, there's also a bit of texture which will add to your overall decor.

As mentioned, some of these lights can be used as inspiration for a DIY project, but since they are pretty affordable, you could simply get them and use your energy to decide where to hang them.

Happy lighting!

Each Wednesday, I post some of my favorite can't-miss links, images, and otherwise mindblowing goodies from across the web.

I have no idea what the torque conversion is on these smiley face screw heads (nor am I entirely sure what torque conversion is or if it's the right term here,) but I dig 'em for lightweight projects with personality. And, yes, of course they come with a matching screwdriver: 

See more at DesignBoom 

A unique "sea-aged" whiskey uses the motion of waves to agitate and speed up the interaction of spirits and the barrel. 

A clever trick that allows you to use YouTube as a unlimited free streaming music service from Business Insider

How to: Make a DIY Paper Record Player

An interesting guide to "smoking" a can of tuna with toilet paper.

This recipe to make a gooey, crunchy, grilled cheese sandwich is the exactly the kinda thing we want to eat on an early spring Saturday. Or, um, any day. 

I may be tempted to eat my screen... This recipe to make a romesco gruyere grilles cheese sandwich is perfect for a beer night with friends, a relaxed movie night, or....ok there's no time that we wouldn't go for one.

The ingredients are simple and easy, so you don't have to spend hours in the kitchen. And who knew a bit of romesco sauce and some spicy heat could up this standard so significantly?

 Say no mo, now let's go eat before we start chewing our keyboard. 

Romesco Grilled Cheese with Gruyere + Watercress [A Better Happier St. Sebastian]

I'm digging this one: by embracing very affordable materials (OSB subfloor panels, pine 2x4s and 2x6s), this project pulls off a high/low aesthetic that actually benefits from its low cost.    

Cool, right? Two composite panels are wrapped with molding and spaced out by 2x4s with angled 2x6 legs. The double desktop provides for plenty of storage to stash commonly used or fragile items to work on bigger projects. 

The designers are using as a conference-style table, but you could eat on this thing, build stuff, make prints...all kinds of good stuff. Approved. 

DIY: Our Office Desk[A Beautiful Mess]

Most have heard, and can quote, the famous line attributed (probably inappropriately) to Benjamin Franklin, "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." And plenty of us have likely created our adages to remind ourselves of experiences with tequila, wine, or some other overindulgence. But, throughout the last few hundred years, many of our greatest writers, thinkers, and humorists have dedicated their lines to that most aged and crafted of spirits: whiskey.   First We feast has gathered twenty-five homages (and eulogies?) to the spirit, and assembled them in this worthwhile collection. Some standouts:

• "Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” - Mark Twain
• “Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake.” - W.C. Fields
• “There is no bad whiskey. There are only some whiskeys that aren’t as good as others.” - Raymond Chandler

Check out the full post on First We Feast - 25 Quotes About Whiskey from the Famous Drinkers who Loved It Best

If you've been in the craft store during the last few years, you've seen the walls of chipboard or basswood letters. Which are cool, except for one thing: the typefaces are, at best, limited, and at worse...awful. (Curlz MT?!?!) So, I'm diggin' this process to make custom 3D paper letters from any font your choose, in whatever size you like. 

Jimmy Diresta doesn't really provide a "how-to" here, but if you watch his technique of print, cut, glue, and paint, you'll be able to recreate your own set in no time. I like the spray paint technique, which not only covers glue joints and adds color, but also strengthens the paper, making the project a bit more durable.

Watch the video below: 

See more at Makezine - DiResta: Paper Letters

Iconic designer and graphic artist Milton Glaser - the mind behind the I ♥ NY logo, that Bob Dylan poster with the colorful hair, and the co-founder of New York Magazine - takes a look at the bottle and can labels of contemporary beer art. 

Spolier alert: he has good and bad things to say about most of them, though he's kindest to the Left Hand Milk Stout, the Flying Dog Gonzo Porter, and the Ommegang Witte. 

The New York Times piece begins, "When it comes to craft beer, Glaser, who also designed the Brooklyn Brewery identity, believes that it comes down to creating a label that looks quirkily amateurish — if not downright unprofessional. 'The one thing you don’t want to look like is Budweiser,' Glaser says. 'This creates a paradox: How do you deliberately create the illusion of not knowing what you’re doing when you actually do?' As he notes...some companies do it better than others.' "

Check out his thoughts in full: Milton Glaser Critiques Modern Beer Art 

[Photographs by Gabrielle Plucknette/The New York Times] 

This weekend project combines the best of both worlds: it's functional, providing plenty of space to grow small culinary herbs or succulents or a safe place to start seeds indoors while it's still frosty outside, and its large scale allows it to fill a whole wall, providing color, texture, and a bit of pattern.    

The materials are affordable and the tools basic: crosscut saw, electric drill with hole saw bit, and some sandpaper. 

See the full how-to and video at Homemade Modern: EP 29 Hanging Garden

For a ManMade take on a similar project, check out our original tutorial - 

How to: Make DIY Wall-Mounted Succulent Shelves

The key bulge. That tangle of metal in your pocket that does no one any favors, and is usually more hassle than its worth...until you're out and you actually needthat key you almost left at home. 

Instructable-r Stuartcom came up with this clever solution: hack a flip-out bike multitool to house your keys with a much more efficient packing ratio than the standard ring.  Plus, Stuart only looks to be 15-years-old. It's awesome to see such creativity and DIY ingenuity at such a young age. We love it. 

Get the full how-to at Instructables: Bike tool key set (MOD) 

This past winter was an intense one for most of us in North America...you know, you were there. It wreaked some serious havoc, including taking its toll on my welcome mat. After four straight months of boots covered in salt and ice and black sludge, it was time to say goodbye.

So, I teamed up with 3MDIY to create a new, handmade welcome mat, using some of my favorite materials: wood and brass. It was relatively easy and used just a few tools and about $40 in supplies.

Here's how it went down.

Tools and Materials:

• Decay-resistant wood suitable for outdoor use - we used redwood
• Crosscut saw
• ScotchBlue™ Painter's Tape
• 3M™ Sandblaster™ Pro Advanced Sandpaper with NO-SLIP GRIP - 150 and 220 grits
• Brass tube - 1/2" diameter and .029 thick
• Electric drill and 1/2" drill bit
• Two-part epoxy
• Outdoor wood finish - we used Teak Oil
• 3M™ Safety Products: respirator, dust mask, ear protection, safety glasses

1. The first step: gather your materials. Since the welcome mat will be outside, it's important to select materials, adhesives, and finishes that are able to stand up to the weather. With that in mind, I went with redwood. Because redwood, like cedar, contains irritants, it's important to wear appropriate safety gear include safety glasses and an N95-rated dust mask. And be sure to do whatever you can to avoid splinters. (Though never wear thick gloves when operating stationary power tools.)

I bought my redwood as a 2x6" and ripped it down to 7/8" strips. But you could easily use cedar 1x2s (actually 3/4 x 1 1/2") cut to length which you can find at any home center. Your slats will just be 1/8" thinner.  

2. I cut the redwood strips into 29" lengths at the miter saw. Whenever I work with softwood like redwood, cedar, or pine, I like to use ScotchBlue™ painters tape on the cut line to prevent splintering. This trick also works great for cutting plywood with a circular or table saw. 

3. After cutting, I sanded the slats with 150 and 220-grit sandpaper. Then, I wiped on a coat of water to raise the grain, and sanded once more with 220.  

4. Next, I drilled holes with 1/2" drill bit 7 1/2" from each edge. Since the brass tube is 1/2" in diameter, I "overdrilled" (shifting the drill angle) ever-so-slightly to increase the hole size so the tube would slide through. 

5. For the end pieces, I needed to drill a stopped hole 1 1/4" through the wood. So, I carefully measured and make a stop out of ScotchBlue™ tape to prevent me from drilling through. I also eased over the top corner on these outside slats for a more finished look. 

6. With my wooden slats ready to go, I cut the 36" long rod in half into two 18" lengths. I assembled the whole thing for a dry fit, and determined that a 1/2" spacing between the slats worked best. Then, I used a square to make sure the brass tubes were perfectly perpendicular with the end slat, and glued them in place. 

7. To glue metal-to-wood, I opted for an outdoor-approved two-part epoxy. Since it has a five-minute "open time," I mixed up several small batches and only glued two or three slats at a time. 

I spaced my slats 1/2" apart, using some 1/2" plywood and MDF scraps as spacers. Obviously, you can only adhere these one at a time without covering everything in epoxy, so just cover the appropriate area of the brass rod in epoxy, then slide the slat into place.

8. Once the epoxy had set according to the package directions, I finished the redwood with Teak Oil. There are a few options that would be appropriate here, but I had the Teak Oil on hand, plus it's the option of choice for water-proof boat hulls. So, if it's good for a boat, it's good for my outdoor welcome mat. I thought the slats might be a bit of a hassle, but a small foam brush fit easily inside the 1/2" spaces. Each coat only took about 5 minutes to apply. 

Whatever finish you choose, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. With Teak Oil, you simply flood the surface, wait 30 minutes, re-apply for 15 minutes, then wipe away any excess. I like using these little painter's triangles when working on a project where both sides will be finished so I can paint or work on each side at once.

After allowing the finish to cure, my outdoor wooden welcome mat was ready to go. Overall, it measured 29 x 17 1/4."

I really love the warm redwood and brass combo, and the wood will continue to darken up and become richer with exposure to the sun.

Welcome!

For more DIY project ideas, check out 3M DIY's Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest profiles. 

I am proud to be a 3M- sponsored blogger, and, as part of my responsibilities, I get the opportunity to evaluate new products from 3M DIY. Opinions are my own and additional product used in the project were selected by me.

Looking for some Insta-inspiration?

No joking around: we love Instagram. It's the sole social network still based on creating content and stories rather than sharing them, and it's much better for it. Yet, on one hand you have millions of accounts which create a great community, but on the other, it can be quite hard to find the real talent and inspiration. So, we're sharing 25 accounts that stand out from the rest - either because of their photo skills or because they always have something interesting to show from a masculine lens...i.e. a very low selfie rate.

We're focusing on creativity and DIY, food, art, design, travel, and adventure... the images that can really transport you.

So, grab your phone and press that green button!

But, first! Don't forget - ManMade is on Instagram, and it's handled by our editor and founder, Chris. He really loves it (it's the only social media platform he really checks anymore) and always needs more encouragement to post more photos. Come say hi!

Okay, onto the list...

Maurice: creative wanderer, photographer, and non-stop travel addict

Codeu: Vancouver based explorer

iGnant: Berlin-based interdisciplinary blog

 Alkarus: french man with a penchant for stylish garments

CruiserLifestyle: Great north explorer and nature lover.

 TheWildTraveller: Australian wild soul documenting his travels and the charm in every city he visits.

WithHearts: Photographer and designer based in Seattle.

TinoRenato: Indonesian photographer and lover of beautiful patterns and bold colours.

SantiagoDeHoyos: Vancouver outdoors lover and northen landscape badass.

MikeStinson: creative photographer that goes beyond the iphone (film, DSLR, you name it!).

ArtfulDesperado: oh hey, totally doing a cameo here. No shame! But hey, I love to meet new insta friends ;)

DrVolland:Eyeball doctor and urban dweller.

DanielKrieger: mouthwatering images galore.

RvStapleton: creative director and photographer with a keen eye for minimal design and architecture.

JamesFitzFranz: you might be familiar with some of his photos which often appear on Kinfolk magazine. The rest of his feed is as good - even better - as the magazine itself.

AGuyNamedPatrick: New York explorer, coffee lover, and party maker.

TimRobisonjr: Illustrator, photographer, and foodie.

Jelitodeleon: a devoted light chaser from Manila.

Dabito: An LA colour-obsessed designer that always manages to capture the best spots in town.

Dansmoe: Insanely beautiful feed full of photos that will make your jaw drop. Lots of snaps from Finland and the globe.

MikeGilger: Creative traveler, city explorer, awesome designer.

BryceEvansPhoto: storyteller, social change maker, artist.

CupofCouple: Spanish fashionistos and all-round super rad chaps that will take you on a trip from the runaway in Paris to the best cafes in Berlin. 

Moneal: this feed will make you like you're not on planet earth, but trust it's all real.

SecretCities: a feed that will definitely satisfy all of your West Coast cravings

TomaszWagner_: avid photographer with talent that's out of this world. Love the mix of analog and digital photos.

If you have any other favorites that you think should be included on this list, leave them on the comments below. 

Happy Instagraming!

Oh...and we still love Pinterest. Check out our guide to the best guys to follow there: 

20 Men You Should Be Following on Pinterest

The concept of placing album covers with urban scenes in their original geographic context isn't a new one, but I think this take, which uses Google Street View and Photoshop rather than a handheld LP and a camera, somehow manages to add something novel to the genre.

I think it must be that the completed series feels like a tour of the world's cities (though most are in London and NYC) through the lens of these recognizable covers. A good start...I hope they make more. 

Classic album covers in Google Street View – in pictures [TheGuardian.com]

Nothing beats a great lighting project, and I especially like the thoroughness of this original. It's more than just a "get an existing lamp kit and put it on some sort of structure;" rather, it walks you thorough not just the woodworking but also the easy electric work required to put something like this together.    

You could produce the exact lamp shown here (you'll need access to a bandsaw) or you can simply follow it as a guide to see what a nice chunk of hardwood and a few components from the lighting section of the hardware store can do. 

Get the full how-to at Makezine: Vintage Bulb Lamp

There's a lot going on in your head right now.  Your head, my head, all human heads. A complex connection of electric lines and pipes and passageways that might be more easily understood as a combo office/factory space, processing all kinds of info and plenty of raw material. 

Though this graphic looks like it could have come from a 1960s issue of Popular Mechanics, it was actually created in 2011 by 4Tones. Caught my eye this Tuesday morning.

See it in full resolution at: InfographicJournal.com [via SwissMiss]