jim thomson | freelance design | portland, or

After being on the wait list for the entire month of August, my new Kindle has finally arrived. I wanted to make a protective case that looks great and easy to handle.

This won't be a regular DIY, step-by-step guide on creating your own case since I pretty much winged it anyways. Hopefully some of this information will help you create your own type of case for your Kindle or ebook. (I did start with this similar guide for an iphone).

What you will need:


-Moleskine (5.4" x 8.4" worked perfect for the Kindle 3)
-Elmer's White Glue
-Rubbing Alcohol
-Wax Paper
-Old artist paint brush
-X-acto Knife and new blades
-Metal straight edge
-pencil
-old magazine and heavy weights


I separated the moleskine just about down the center of the pages. I actually thought it was the same thickness as the kindle but turned out a little shallow. This actually worked out perfect by still allowing use of the page turn button while in the case.

Mix one part glue and rubbing alcohol in a glass ramekin. Using a sheet of wax paper to divide the two sections, proceed to paint on the glue mixture on the edge of the book pages While the book is closed. Not too heavy or the pages will warp. You can always come back later and add more glue if the hollowed pages need more stregth.



Slide book inside the old magazine and add weights to let dry flat. After a couple hours, gently separate the two sections and remove the wax paper. Remove the secret pocket from the back of the Moleskine. Trace the Kindle on the inside page and begin cutting out the inner portions of the pages.



Since the stack of pages aren't thick enough for the Kindle, you must do this on the following the left side of stacked papers as well. Be careful not to cut through the cover. Paint additional glue onto the interior edges of the recently cut paper. Finally glue the two stacks to the backs of the cover. Slip in some more wax paper, magazine and more weights. Wait another couple hours. It might be best to add a piece of felt to the inside left section to protect the Kindle screen and buttons.

I did notch out a spot to be able to use headphones and use the on/off button. This is optional.

I might add some corner pieces to help hold the Kindle in place but for now, the built in elastic band works just fine.






Happy reading.


Update: Adding corner pieces to the case didn't quite work out. I did find that adding a thin and flat layer of hot glue to the left edge of the interior cut. Hold the tip of your hot glue gun flat against the edge and move down the side slightly pushing the trigger. Have some water handy to dip your finger in and run along the surface (careful, el caliente). This will add thinkness to the edge so you might have to shave a bit off first. Let cool fully before inserting your Kindle. This should allow upright and even upside down reading if the fit is snug.

Labels: Case, Craft, DIY, E-book, Kindle, Moleskine, Reader

Does music help you pass the time at work? The grating background music that I was forced to listen to nicely sums up the type of work I did at my first set of jobs. All static walkman radio in my neighborhood landscaping job, mind-numbing metal during my short order cook days, looping muzak tapes at my retail jobs and cliché Italian lounge music while serving at the Olive Garden.

Working at a computer in an office or my home office offers the relieving freedom listen to what you want after years of an audible prison. It is your ultimate jukebox with unlimited quarters. I do have officemates, so headphones are not the most professional accessory, but in design and production, it can be a necessity. What do you listen to at work? What helps you pass the time or improve your productivity? Here are a list of mine. Hope you enjoy.

SomaFM
Hands down, the best choice for streaming radio. It is perfect if you don't have time to weed through your music library. I first discovered SomaFM in nine years ago in college. Pulling all-nighters in the computer studios, I would have gone insane if I didn't have one of the stations cranking out magical ambient music. SomaFM has many stations of electronic genres, my top picks are Groove Salad, Secret Agent and for the upcoming holidays, Christmas Lounge. There are no ads, so be sure to donate or purchase the app.

Pandora
The smart streaming playlist with a bit of control. Pandora is really a great service. If you spend time educating Pandora what you like and don't like, you can get some amazing hours of listening pleasure. It does take some babysitting at first, when it times out and for the occasional dud of a track. There is also a 40 hour time limit per month. Check out my recent Pandora activity in the right rail widget.

Grooveshark
Is a great service for finding music specific music and adding it to a playlist. I use it more when I am craving a certain artist or song.

Library
Of course there is always the music I have on hand. I like a lot of music that I don't need to futz with, or use to subconsciously distract me from my work. A few albums I like to keep in the queue for this are; Nu Jazz Collection, Ultra Lounge and the Vitamin String Quartet.

Box.net is a great, free online storage service I use for sharing documents with clients, backing up files, working remotely on the same files and compiling music. Every once in a while I will get stuck on a song and repeat it all day while I work. Try them out here:



There are literally hundreds of choices out there for music services. Tell me what you listen to and what service you use while working, driving, house work, etc.

We are just about finished with a little redesigning of my condo. I'm really happy with the results. The main goal was to get rid of the germ filled carpet. We repainted the walls and cabinets. And added new hardware to the kitchen and bathroom cabinets. New faucet in the kitchen. The floor we installed is IKEA's Tundra laminate. I was a little worried about the durability of the flooring but have been very surprised with the results.

The IKEA Expedit desk shelf system I already had and bought it to help divide my large living space in my condo. It ended up consuming the space more then dividing it. I was able to take it apart and push the pieces flush against the wall plus Jen's extra shelf of the same brand completed this wall of books and work space. I added short legs to the shelves so they could sit above the baseboard heater. My tabby spends most of her time in the bookshelf and now that it has 'central heat' she isn't going anywhere.


before


after



before



after

Labels: Design, Remodel

It has been a very busy last few months. In addition to remodeling my condo for the last five weeks, which is nearly finished (pictures to come in the next post), I have also been pretty busy with freelance projects.

Hope you like what you see and support the services that these guys have to offer. They are all local and doing well swimming upstream through this recession.


World Wide Products Inc.
WWP supplies wholesale aviation gear to flight schools and other distribution facilities.




Peca Atelier Jewelry
Lisa has a regular full time job and is doing some freelance, hand crafted jewelry on the side. Check out some of her work here or browse her etsy site.




Third Angle New Music Ensemble
I am donating my time to help update their website and promote this season's concert series for 3rd Angle. The website was already developed when I started.

Update: I recently did a remodel and resturcture of their site. I wanted a more streamline look and give Third Angle
more access to make needed updates for promoting their performances. (December 2nd, 2010)

Royal Mini Storage
This is the most recent site I created. If you are looking for some public storage on the Northeast side of Portland, RMS will set you up.

Labels: Volunteer, Web Design

The monthly publication, Fresh Cup Magazine, did a write up last month on one of my friend Leah McMahon and her coffee shops in the Portland area. The article was on her connection with customers.

Below is a screenshot of a screenshot of the site I created. Check out some of the print and logo branding I did for her as well. Oh, and don't forget to grab a warm cup of coffee from Leah (Silk Espresso locations).

This has been a sad Summer for the entertainment business. Growing up a latch-key-kid and being raised by the Brady's, babysat by Mr. Roper and having siblings like Molly Ringwald and Matthew Broderick, it does bring even more sadness that this great Director has passed.

Even though he stopped directing at the turn of the 90's, what Mr. Hughes left for us was some of the most classic comedies to date at least for my generation.

Watching way too much TV may have not been the most positive influence on my social life, but I do know that it did help my creative side in writing and shooting my short films.

This weekend in Portland is going to be in the cozy 70's but I am still going to have a 'Hughathon' to send John off in style.

And most importantly, he made geekieness cool.

I just came across a set of work by Dina Goldstein placing Fairy Tale princesses in modern day situations and given new light to 'happily ever after.' I love the staging and concepts of the series. The set came to her as she witnessed her daughters' infatuation with the story book heroines. You can view the entire series here.