Make Your Own Sympathy Doll from Bre Pettis on Vimeo.

In 2003 and 2004 I had an art studio and I would paint giant color field paintings using a knife with thick layers of oil paint. These would take days to dry and so I started making dolls to fill the time. I made the first one, a cute sad bunny, and took it to an art opening that night sticking out of my pocket. Over the course of the evening, four strangers tried to buy it off of me! I didn’t sell, but it got me started!

The sympathy doll idea is to make a doll that is so sad and pathetic that it inspires empathy and love from people. You really can’t feel too bad around these dolls because you just know that no matter what, you don’t have it that bad! I’ve made hundreds of these dolls, and here’s a small gallery of dolls that I’ve made for you to check out. - Link

Here’s a pdf and an HD file and iPhone sized file. If you want to peruse all my videos you can do so on iTunes, Blip.tv, Youtube and Vimeo.

Check out this demo software for creating stuffed animals! I’m looking forward to trying this out on a PC when I get a chance. If you try it out, leave your review in the comments. I’m curious what kind of files it outputs and I can’t wait until someone uploads a stuffed animal desing to thingiverse.

Via @deczka

Things - Zoetrope from Bre Pettis on Vimeo.

Zoetropes are magic. They take the effect of strobing that you get on the subway and put it in a little turning cylinder. It’s a special form of animation that generally focuses on movements that repeat themselves like walking or a bird flying. I found this zoetrope at the Technischen Museum here in Vienna.

Interesting side note: The zoetrope was invented in 1834 in England by William Horner. He called it the ‘Daedalum’ (’the wheel of the devil). It didn’t become popular until the 1860s, when it was patented by makers in both England and America. The American developer, William F. Lincoln, named his toy the ‘zoetrope’, which means ‘wheel of life’.

Here are video files in HD and for the iPhone.

I’m making a video every day! If you want to peruse them all you can do so on iTunes, Blip.tv, Youtube and Vimeo.

NEW YORK electriCITY from 2 Player Productions on Vimeo.

Peter is an awesome tinkerer. He makes really wonderful circuit bent instruments that not only sound interesting, but look cool too. Check this brand spanking new video about him and then check out his site, casperelecttronics.

Things - A Harpsichord at the Vienna Technical Museum from Bre Pettis on Vimeo.

I made this video on the fly at the Technisches Museum in Vienna. Here’s an iPhone file and HD file for you!

The harpsichord is a plucked zither. It’s got little plectrums/picks that actually pick each string as you push down on a key. Image via Wikipedia. Also Eddie was the camera operator on this one!

Even though I like sweets and giving gifts, I’m not a huge fan of Christmas and the excessive religion-inspired consumerism. Despite all that, a few years ago, I collaborated on an Xmas album. It’s awkward and amateur and I like it.

Robot Battle! Cherrytron2000 VS Popsicle Arm from Bre Pettis on Vimeo.

The cast of this video is pretty epic. See if you can recognize anyone here!

Here are video files in HD and for the iPhone.

I’m making a video every day! If you want to peruse them all you can do so on iTunes, Blip.tv, Youtube and Vimeo.

Broadcast 2000 “get up and go” Full from Jordan Clarke on Vimeo.

Some videos are made, i swear, to just make me happy. This is one of them.