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Exquisitely crafted from eight rare aromatic woods by the Canadian grandson of a wooden shoe maker, this loving homage to the Egyptians promises spiritual well-being.

The geometry of John Wiggers’ Pyramid Keepsake Box is based on a mathematical principle commonly known as the Divine Proportion, ”discovered” by Leonardo Fibonacci in the thirteenth century. One of the building blocks of all life on earth – immortalized in Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Vitruvian Man”, central to the structure of the DNA molecule, and the basis for proportion and growth in plant and animal life – the Divine Proportion determined the exact specifications of Egypt’s Great Pyramids of Giza (almost 4,000 years before Fibonacci).

John has used different woods to construct his Pyramid, some with thousands of years of traditional healing history. The pinnacle has been sculpted from a single block of Amboyna (from the very first trees sustainably harvested in the Solomon Islands), capped with a special formulation of 22k gold leaf (blended with the traditional healing metals of sterling silver and pure copper). In the second level, a concave recess has been carved into a block of rare Hawthorn, a holistic wood that produces complex compounds that, dating back 5,000 years, herbalists believed could alleviate stress and strengthen the heart. The centre level contains a removable divider of Sassafras, a wood that releases particles each time the tray is exposed to air, said to promote well-being and clearer thinking. The floor of the compartment is lined with black Tuscany leather. The lower level features four removable trays, each made of a species of Black Walnut that some Native Americans believe prevents disease – simply touching this wood releases molecules that can be absorbed into the skin.

Separating the lower-level trays are four recessed dividers with colours that represent sacred directions in many indigenous traditions -- Spiritual Illumination (east), represented by a yellow wood called Movingui, Introspection (west) by black Macassar Ebony, Innocence (south) by red Padauk, and Wisdom (north) by white Curly English Sycamore. Where these meet is an inset of quartz Tantric Shiva Lingam, from the Narmada Riverbed in India. It is believed that millions of years ago a meteorite collided with Earth here, creating stones with a distinct ovoid form (that represents divine masculine energy). Once a year, working with oxen and rope, villagers pull 20-30 large stones from the water and hand-polish them for months to bring out natural markings called the

pyramid, a keepsake box by john wiggers...

tukaani chopsticks (set of four), by lincoln ...

From exposed traditional joinery to strong geometric form, this Australian contemporary furniture maker has considered every angle to create this singular Jarrah wood table.
It takes confidence in your craft to display the assembly of your work on the outside. For Martin Davis, it’s his trademark – his furniture spotlights the corners and joints.
The extremely hard wood used to create the Box Table was hand chosen to endure for generations. The exotic Jarrah used in the table, found only in the southwest region of Australia, and the conspicuous Victorian Ash finger joints (chosen for their contrasting colours and incredible strength) have both been reclaimed from old objects. The two boxes comprising the table top are “stitched” together in a whimsical, questioning, and celebratory reference to craft. The structure of the table and the rigidity of the boxes are intended to highlight the phenomenal strength of the native Australian timbers.
added on 2008-10-10

box table, by martin davis...

four nipples plate black, by martin zampach...

Lovingly crafted from exceptional woods rescued from destruction, by the grandson of a Japanese-American master craftsman, each of these occasional tables “speaks” to you. Satoru Amagasu’s furniture creations blend a prized family history in woodworking with a passion for the environment. What makes Ru’s Tensei occasional tables so unique is that his exceptional woods come from trees slated to be destroyed. Because of storms, disease, proximity to homes, or simply old age, these trees came down. Instead of becoming firewood or ground into mulch, they are crafted into exquisite furniture, giving these trees, in his grandfather’s words, “a second life”. Ru says, “We oversee the entire process from the tree being taken down, milling them into slabs, drying them, and then designing and manufacturing furniture so that they can live again”. added on 2008-09-05

tensei occasional table, by ru amagasu...

Australia’s celebrated Ian Lyell presents an exquisite lamp, crafted from the world’s finest terra cotta, that can stand up to anything nature can throw at it.

Terra cotta is arguably the world’s oldest medium for art – for 5000 years, artisans from Greece to Asia and Latin America have been crafting objects from terra cotta. Honouring this tradition, Australian landscape designer Ian Lyell has crafted the Caspo Liscio outdoor lamp. Beginning with materials imported from Florence, the distinct shape and colour is achieved by blending signature pigments to create the non-porous grey finish. Caspo Liscio has been specifically created to withstand heat, cold, salt, and, at 44 pounds, winds won’t be a problem. Caspo Liscio’s wide base, which features a stainless steel support, will prevent tipping, and the electrical system is fully insulated. The shade, which is available in cream or black, is constructed from “heavy duty” American solution-dyed acrylic upholstery to ensure its quality and shape can stand the outdoors with ease. added on 2008-08-18

caspo liscio outdoor table lamp, by ian lyell...

A finalist in the Czech Grand Design Newcomer of the Year Award in 2007, Lucie Koldova takes her wildly popular chair line into a new direction, exclusively for 66degrees.com.
Lucie Koldova’s Miss Extreme chair debuted to critical acclaim last year. Now Lucie introduces her complementary X Stool, another takeoff on a simple cross pattern that emphasizes “clean surfaces and pure lines, to create [an] archetype”. Constructed of fibreglass, the X Stool is lightweight, durable, and easy to maintain. The piece is also properly balanced to serve as the base for a small table, requiring only your choice of material for a top. This simple but elegant design is available for the first time in a number of different colours, including white, yellow, cyan, pink and deep purple. The X Stool is sold as a set of two. added on 2008-07-17

x stools (set of two), by lucie koldova...

From a designer whose work has been dubbed “The Most Beautiful in South Africa” comes this Chinese-inspired coffee table, a creation of more from less.
Born in Taiwan and trained in South Africa as an architect, Tsai uses his eclectic and modern design sense to create the ZigZag Coffee Table. Beginning with a rigid angular form traditionally found in Chinese home doorframes and screens, Tsai has cleverly combined artistic sensibility and space saving awareness. As a functional piece, the interior of the ZigZag Table creates a series of shelves that can be used to hold any number of objects. What better way to clear the clutter and leave only clean looks and bold design behind? added on 2008-07-10

zigzag coffee table, by tsai design studio...

From a Mexican city world famous for its jewellery, Oscar Figueroa creates this exclusive hand-made bracelet in sterling silver.

Oscar Figueroa has worked since his teenage years perfecting the lines and forms in his jewellery design, working in silver. The Ondas bracelet takes its inspiration from waves. Made of sterling silver, a small amount of copper is injected to help make the metal workable, then hand sanded and double-checked to make sure the patterns are consistent. The pieces are joined together to form a design that mixes both traditional Mexican patterns with a modern sensibility. added on 2008-06-18

ondas bracelet, by oscar figueroa...

A clever twist of art and design, Brooklyn industrial designer Sergio Silva transforms a modern object into the very thing it was created to replace.

Industrial designer Sergio Silva works in a variety of mediums to showcase his creative work. From aluminum chess sets to wood cinder blocks, Sergio blends industrial themes, modern aesthetics, and classic materials to make his creations must-haves for any home.

With his Oyule lamps, Sergio has transformed an idea into a limited run production. Working with reclaimed light bulbs, Sergio has tried to “send the bulbs back in time”, introducing a modern-day icon as a traditional light source. As the incandescent light bulb gives way to new technology, Sergio has repurposed it as an elegant oil lamp -- the Oyule lamps use non-flammable paraffin oil and a wick replaces the filament. Machined parts are used to ensure strength and safety, without betraying the original look of the light bulb. But the true elegance of this piece comes from the way these light bulbs interact with the base. By placing a strong spherical magnet inside the bulb (which responds to a steel component embedded in the acrylic base), Sergio has liberated the lamps from any visual obstruction, allowing the viewer to appreciate the form in all its beauty. This two-bulb set, on display at Sergio’s studio since 2006, has attracted the interest of several media outlets, including the popular blogs Core77, Ecogeek, and DesignSponge. added on 2008-06-12

oyule, a lamp set by sergio silva...

A blacksmith turned artist, Californian Bill Sorich blends artistic creativity, a mind to the environment, and 10 years of work to create this remarkable tabletop barbecue. Only one exists. “It cooks good, too.”

Bill Sorich’s art can be found all over the South San Francisco Bay area of California. A certified blacksmith, Bill’s work is all done by hand, working primarily with reclaimed metals.

The design and execution of Armadillo was a 10-year journey. Creating the back of the armadillo out of a single piece of sheet metal presented a unique challenge. Bill’s solution was ultimately a simple one that actually came to him in a dream: cut the sheet into squares resembling the armadillo’s scales and weld them to the barbecue’s frame. Joining it with the thick steel pieces forged together for the tail, and the headpiece, this beautiful conversation piece finally came together. added on 2008-06-10

armadillo, a barbecue by bill sorich...

l artista, a hand made guitar by jim decava...

Rare woods and fine craftsmanship make up this modern coffee table by Pennsylvania artist David Stern Lightner a tribute to the grand master of English furniture-making.

David Stern Lightner’s work is typically available only within a small region surrounding Philadelphia, but that hasn’t stopped his name from getting around. Barnsley is a custom design that David has kept to himself until now, crafted for his wife and a tribute to Edward Barnsley, the grand master of English furniture making and his teacher's teacher. “This is a piece very dear to my heart,” says David. The legs are a compound curve similar to Chinese furniture. After the initial band sawing, the legs are shaped entirely by hand. The legs and sides of the table are turned Chechen, a Central American wood well known for its red golden-brown appearance and fine uniform grain. It requires a great deal of skill to turn but finishes well and takes an excellent polish. The top of the table is inlaid with Brazilian Satinwood. Gathered only in the Para region of Brazil, Satinwood’s irregular grain can make it difficult to work with but David has managed to bring out its signature high luster and bright blonde colour with a beautiful finish. David wanted the top to have a thicker veneer than usual, so the Satinwood was re-sawed and laminated into a core with oak on the underside to add strength and durability. Says David: “I think Mr. Barnsley would approve”. added on 2008-06-10

barnsley table, by david stern lightner...

Toronto artist Niki Kavakonis presents a stunning sterling silver ring, a minimalist design evoking the ice of the Canadian arctic.

Cracked Ice II delves into the elements of the Canadian arctic. A minimalist design, the mirror-like face of a great sheet of ice displays a crack down the middle, revealing the “gleam” within. The sides of the ring are treated with a brushed finish, giving the piece a slight industrial feel.

Niki Kavakonis has been designing and creating her own jewellery for close to ten years, although the artistic spark has always been in her (her father was a part-time sculptor, known for the bronze doors on St. Anne’s Church in Toronto, a Canadian National Monument). Niki attained the professional and academic background to complement her innate artistic abilities through doctoral studies in Art and Architectural History, as President of the Metal Arts Guild of Canada, as curator of the Northern Lights Exhibition, and through her writings about jewellery in Metalsmith and Jewellery Business magazine. Since 2002, Niki’s work has been shown in galleries and exhibitions across Canada, including Zilberschmuck Art Jewellery and the Interior Design Show, and she as been featured in Canadian Diamonds, Wish, Modern Jeweler, and World One Journal. She has also been guest lecturer at George Brown College, a juror of student work at Georgian College, and sits on the advisory council for Haliburton School for the Arts. Her sterling silver cuff bracelet Ode to the Right Angle (also featured at 66degrees.com) won the National Post’s Design Exchange Merit Award in 2003. added on 2008-06-09

cracked ice ii, a ring by niki kavakonis...

labeled ii, an oil painting by jessica gorlic...

Torontonian Danielle Crampsie melds music and art into a special edition sterling silver interlocking ring that uses contemporary symbols and colours to express a visual language.

Technology can be cold and impersonal. It’s easy for personality and meaning to be lost in a world of mass-produced gadgets of plastic, metal and glass. Danielle Crampsie strives for equilibrium – melding the look of contemporary technology with a personal touch that breaks the mold of the assembly line. With Play, Pause, Record, Danielle has created a unique interlocking ring in sterling silver and resin that borrows as much from contemporary art as it does contemporary technology. Danielle draws parallels between personal voice and modern living through musical symbolism. Music can be an intensely personal experience, as is art – “both communicate tradition, record history, promote unity and give individuals of way of expressing their identity”, says Danielle.
added on 2008-06-09

play, pause, record ring, by danielle crampsi...

From the grandson of a wooden shoe maker comes an exquisitely detailed piece inspired by an aboriginal rock glyph and constructed of rare woods cut almost 20 years ago.

Continuing a tradition started by his grandfather in the 1920s, making wooden shoes, John Wiggers’ classic use of natural forms and materials creates one-of-a-kind furniture of heirloom quality. 66degrees.com is proud to present John’s one of a kind Gentleman’s Semainaire. This valet is designed for organizing and storing “the various necessities of today’s man”. The exterior shell is crafted from rare Curly Bird’s Eye Maple, which opens to reveal a chest of seven drawers, the top three specially crafted to hold individual pieces such as cuff links, watches, pens and even loose change. The interior chest is accented with a Narra-inlaid turtle, inspired by an aboriginal rock glyph symbolizing patience and protection. The Narra wood used is the last board from the first sustainable harvest in the Solomon Islands, cut almost 20 years ago. added on 2008-06-07

semainaire valet-organizer, by john wiggers...

Renowned Toronto painter Jessica Gorlicky offers a piece from her exclusive jewellery line, a contemporary Swarovski crystal necklace that is simple, yet beautiful.

Jessica Gorlicky is truly an artisan with a rare gift. Her art takes many forms, and she has won critical praise for her paintings (two of which have been presented here) and music. Crystal Clear (which marks Jessica’s first 66degrees.com offering of her jewellery designs), marks a somewhat different approach from her trademark use of bold and intense colours. Instead, Jessica employs a muted colour pallet, using only silver to complement the large Swarovski clear crystal. The large dropped diamond form is accented with a silver star, and joined with a long, 20-jumper antique metal chain. Crystal Clear fits into any wardrobe and occasion, from formal to daywear.
added on 2008-06-07

crystal clear necklace, by jessica gorlicky...

Internationally renowned artist, master metalsmith, and sculptor Bernard Collin creates one-of-a-kind metal sculpted wall panels in his signature organic/botanical style.

French artist Bernard Collin produces his metal artwork in his California home and gallery. But his work has seen the world. A prolific creator, his wall panels, sculptures, gates, doors, lighting fixtures, railings, beds, chairs and table designs have been all been handcrafted with precision and careful attention to detail.

This new piece, Mystic Gardens, was inspired from Bernard's longtime fascination by the mystical world, the unknown. Bernard cannot stray from organic yet contemporary inspiration, Mystic Gardens ties in his interest of the unknown, all the wonders of the world, and how they were, in his opinion, created by someone other than man. First sketching the design on paper, the work is then cut by hand from one continuous piece of sheet metal. It is then meticulously beveled and sanded to give it a soft curvaceous appearance. He also grinds each square in a different direction that gives it depth and dimension. The final wall panel is finished in a brushed silvery patina.
added on 2008-06-07

mystic gardens, by bernard collin...

caaw, a hand-painted canvas rug by patricia b...