SPOTLIGHT By Wendy Wall Brilliant Balloons Life is full of reasons for celebration, and Robert Kuster’s glass balloons serve as a vivid reminder of that sentiment. For nearly 25 years, the artist has been creating imaginative chandeliers that mimic nature; now he’s turning his attention to manmade objects. Each of Kuster’s balloons is hand blown to approximately 12 inches high by 8.5 inches in diameter. They hang from barely E x c i t i n g F i n d s 6 South Bay Accent visible metal wires, giving them the appearance of floating, much like a conventional balloon would. The jewel-toned orbs are sold individually so you can create arrangements with as many colors or balloons as you wish. And you never have to worry about them popping during a party, deflating or drifting forlornly around the living room after the festivities end. To add a permanent celebratory air to your home, visit uncommongoods.com, where you will find the glass balloons in orange, yellow, green, blue or purple for $225 each. Magic Canister If one had to list uncouth behaviors, picking your teeth in public would nearly top the list. But it hasn’t always been that way. During the mid-1800s, dangling a toothpick from one’s mouth became so fashionable that well-to-do ladies and gentleman chewed on them as a sign of social status. Thankfully, today toothpicks are used mostly for sticking appetizers or sampling food at Costco. Enter the adorable Magic Bunny toothpick holder. As anyone who has ever hosted a party knows, it’s not easy to nicely display the tiny wooden spears. The Magic Bunny adroitly solves this problem. Created by Alessi, an Italian company known for its endearing renditions of everyday objects, the mini container operates by pulling the rabbit out of the hat. Once lifted, the toothpicks magically splay out without touching each other, much to the delight of kids and grown-ups alike. Visit Bloomingdales.com to find the party pleasing gadgets for $34. Doggie LDisguise ooking for something special for a faithful friend? Here’s a toy that will please your pooch, as well as everyone at the dog park. The Humunga Stache is actually a chew toy disguised as an oversized mustache. It’s easy to see why dogs – and their humans – love the award-winning toy. Made from a nontoxic material, the clever costume features a hollow ball on the back that fits into the dog’s mouth. The Stache comes in three sizes, so dogs of all breeds can comfortably play with them. And for folks who aren’t fans of facial hair, the same company also makes a pair of big red lips, an extra-long Humunga Tongue and a Humunga Chomp,which is actually a ball that looks like human teeth. To find the pet toy that best fits your dog’s personality, visit moodypet.com, where the Humunga toys range in price from $10-$12.
South Bay Accent - Feb/Mar 2015
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