So what to do to make some extra cash? These days with the economic downturn many consumers around the world are not waiting around for stimulus to take care of them but taking control and becoming “Sellsumers.”

According to trend research done by Trendwatching.com, consumers  or “Sellsumers” are selling or renting anything already owned from unused parking spots at home to boats, camping locations,  and veggies from their homegrown gardens.

Here is an example of a company that allows you to rent out your parking spot:

With all of us having to change our spending habits, I think this is a great way  not only to save but help others too!

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I knew that denim could go a long way, but furniture? I came across this Japanese promo website that had recycled denim jeans as furniture covers.
http://www.ny-k.co.jp/cart_hal_proA3_4/shohinpage/gpanstool.html

You can also view a video on how they go about recycling the jeans into the covers. Warning, it’s in Japanese.

http://www.ny-k.co.jp/cart_hal_proA3_4/shohinpage/h_gpanstool/movie/index.html

Here is a simple visual step by step of their process:

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3.  4.

5.  6.

If i had a sewing machine, I think I would be bold enough to make one myself. What’s really cool about this furniture is that it has pockets! I can stick in my remote controls and pens. Not only will my ottoman seat be useful but stylish. 

What will they think of next…

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If you have ever worked from home as a designer or artist, then you know the meaning of “cabin fever.” For a designer, though, the feeling of isolation and loneliness that comes from being away from company for extended periods of time can have a negative effect on your work. If there is no one around to bounce an idea off of or to ask their opinion on a work-in-progress you can start to feel creatively worn out. Doubts start to creep in, and you begin to feel stifled with the same solutions.  But there is a way that even the most isolated designer or artist can not only become a part of an artist community but make a few bucks in the process.

The first of these are the on-line design competitions, which are springing up all across the internet offering decent prizes if the submitted work is chosen for production. The best of these involve the community of artists in discussion boards and provide a place where designers can chat with and befriend other artists. A good example of this type of site is threadless.com, an on-going tee shirt design competition that prints 5-7 new tee shirts every week from the designs submitted for free to the site.  The community blogs are free and response to a post is likely to get a dozen responses within minutes. There are areas for critique and to post other artwork and links to other design sites. It is very easy to become a part of this truly vibrant community.

Another community-based forum is deviantart.com, populated by artists who use the site as a showcase for their illustration and digital paintings. The variety of work is astounding and a post is likely to draw numerous comments and suggestions very rapidly.  In addition, the site offers a store front that allows the artists to sell their work as posters or high-quality prints. Artists review each other’s work, offer suggestions, and give praise readily.  Most of the core communities are well-established digital artists and illustrators, but the student and layman base offers a wide perspective of comments.

Finally, social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace are good for something more than just getting in contact with that kid you knew in third grade. There are a wide variety of groups available for you to join that cater to specific areas of interest, such as the future of print design, connection groups for designers in a specific city and even tutorial groups to share tips and tricks used in producing design work.

One of the biggest advantages all of these groups offer, though, is the opportunity to get to know designers and artist from well beyond the physical limitations of distance. Most of these sites are free and open to anyone from anywhere in the world and are often populated by an eclectic mix of cultures and perspectives.

So don’t let yourself sit at home and lament the fact you have no one to talk art with…open up a browser and make some friends!

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It looks like somebody is paying attention to übervending movement…and stocked full of must-have beauty sundries… it couldn’t be more fantastic. Following the uptrend of vending machine shopping, The Studio at Fred Segal is introducing Utique,

a slick new shopping portal that will allow you to shop in a whole new way.

Übervending is nothing new, at least not for the rest of the shopping obsessed world. In hip urban centers all over Asia, Europe and South America, vending machines offer consumer-centric vehicles for the purchase of everything your heart desires, form practical needs, umbrellas…snacks… to well, pretty much anything.. from flowers to Ipods to whiskey to Levis to uh…. defibrillators?

The US is slowly following suit, but this consumer trend is one to watch. Brands take notice. Not only are you empowering the user, but also creating brand awareness for passers by. There is a reason we throw a cute, completely unnecessary lip-gloss, mini-drive, superglue in our basket while waiting in line… its called point of purchase and it is powerful. Take that and line the street with it and the possibilities are limitless.

This isn’t your old, coin welding, often broken, chips stuck half way machine… these portals are hi-tech, gorgeous and informative. Instead of a pestering sales rep, you push a button and learn about your product before purchase (again, ad possibilities galore)

even get samples. Traditional retail needs a good shaking up, and this is it…. Understanding the end user and customizing the experience is key. Good things are coming out of this trend. LIke gelcomm’s “just milk it” project,

food and beverage companies are using this new strategy to give school kids healthy alternatives to junk food filled machines.  YoNaturals Inc…., creator of the Healthy Vending Program, is rapidly expanding their nationwide distribution of healthy vending machines in schools, offering custom-designed food menus depending upon location, whether kids are more into organic milk, pita chips or protein bars.

Regardless of whether you are offering super trendy fashion pieces, entertainment…look-out Blockbuster

or “make your own” fresh pizzas or cars, yes cars,

übervending is one to watch.

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