How to walk on ice

Exhibit A: Matthew James Taylor's The Art of Sharpening Pencils (Styles & Techniques), a website you can go to right now that gets right to the point. Exhibit B: How to Sharpen Pencils by David Rees (previously at Boing Boing), which goes well beyond the point, but only once it's gotten there. Exhibit C: A… READ THE REST

It's a tough one, especially for people who aren't "into" the whole cult of Rubik's Cube variants and the formulas and tricks we can use to solve them. But this video from J Perm describes a straightforward method for solving the 1x1x1 cube [Amazon] that almost anyone can put to use. Next week I'll be… READ THE REST

Our latest Cool Tools video shows how to make natural dyes based on recipes from the book, A Garden to Dye For: How to Use Plants from the Garden to Create Natural Colors for Fabrics & Fibers. READ THE REST

A sharp, reliable knife is one of those tools most folks don't think about carrying around, but there are countless everyday situations where a blade might be useful. You can use it to slice through hard-to-open packages, start fires, clear brush while hiking, cut food during camping trips, and much more. Still, a utility knife can be… READ THE REST

Is there any feeling as satisfying as the one you get after demolishing a tough stain? A clean house is a happy house, but anyone who's only wielded a vacuum cleaner or a broom knows it's surprisingly hard to maintain that aura of cleanliness for more than a moment. All those cleaning supplements can add up; the last element you're… READ THE REST

Everybody likes to add a touch of luxury to their lives, right? The good news is it doesn't have to be expensive to do that. Adding a little luxury to your day can be as easy and affordable as getting amazing bedding for a great price. The Cariloha Classic Bamboo Bed Sheet Set offers the same experience as most high-end bedding… READ THE REST