Mr. Pickles Wants YOU to Procrastinate

At the DIY Trunk Show held in Wicker Park, Chicago this weekend, local artists gathered to display their homemade goods. Everything from chain-mail jewelry to smiley-faced, moustache-shaped pillows to bowls made out of melted vinyl records were stacked and sold. Low on cash, I snatched up a red leather Robocuff bracelet and a few other goodies. I thought I'd list a few to give all you office drones (says the jobless schmuck) more reasons to procrastinate.

1) One of the stand-outs included Forgotten Toybox, Debb Galcik's collection of paper goods (like these artsy journals). She also created what may have been the most professional-looking items at the show - these stunning copper journals (which were complemented by miniature versions made into necklaces).

2) Jeff Faye takes metal pipes, wooden doors, and other found objects and turns them into funky lamps that could easily fit into a variety of living rooms. I especially like his blender lamps.

3) Amid all the mismatched-scarf-and-puffy-vest indie kids, one woman won't forget the children. Atomic Mama lets you choose what fabric to use, and then turns them into bibs, reversible kimono shirts and more for children. If you want your toddler to be the coolest kid in the sandbox, make sure he's wearing a skull 'n crossbones kimono.

4) Finally, my absolute favorite and the subject of this post's title, everyone's new best friend...Mr. Pickles!!!This bespectacled cucumber travels the world with Hamburger Brown, Rotten Apple and Mr. Friend. Want to see "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" reenacted by pickles (and one very hungry Frankenstein)? Click here. Want to know what animals are indigenous to Miami? Click here. Want to hear a touching song about a hamburger who falls in love with a slug? Click here. Join Mr. Pickles as he skis, camps, and goes on a "Love Boat" cruise. It's delicious fun that will keep you entertained for hours (trust me).

That's all for now, kids. Have fun and remember, if you can dig it out of a trash can and turn it into a pair of earrings, that's art.