Awesome Living

Fred Conlon’s whimsical metalwork is all over SLC, especially his mischievous monsters made from industrial scrap and old tools. “Proudly made in the USA from worldwide junk” is the Sugarpost motto. He really nailed it with office supplies like a pliers pen cup, wrench desk caddy, and Hammer Hits Nail business card holder.

How can you leave your brew standing alone in a world that’s so cold? You need a proper ceramic coffee mug, like this one, inspired by the lyrics of the 1984 Prince hit When Doves Cry, and embellished with a painterly image of the late musician. An exclusive from Ten Ton Titmouse.

When it comes to opening packages, slicing sheets of paper, or building models, a good utility knife is your best friend. Everyday Carry picked out 13 quality utility knives, each with a scalpel-sharp blade, but with some very different design approaches. We’re big fans of the Gerber GDC Zip Blade for its easy-access design.

Combining a handmade wood board with a miniature concrete fire pit, Swoon Living’s tabletop setup lets you make delicious S’mores whenever you feel like it. The board has cutouts to hold skewers, marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers (not included). The fire burns isopropyl alcohol or high-proof vodka.

Don’t you hate when the bar of soap slips out of your hand and onto the shower floor? Tetra Soap fixes that with a unique shape that fits securely in your hand. Its sculptural tetrapod shape won’t slip out of your grip, and each one is handmade from natural ingredients. Available in myrrh and frankincense formulas.

Coppertist Handmade creates some really wonderful little trinkets from various metals. Among their many unique items are these marble-finish brass incense burners in the shape of a house cat. Each one wields its aromatic stick like a kitty with a lightsaber while symbolizing independence, curiosity, and rebirth.

Park City, Utah’s High West Distillery makes some of our favorite bourbon and rye. Now they’ve turned their attention to pre-mixed Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, which spent time in rye whiskey barrels for added depth and flavor. Each 750ml bottle pours 12 cocktails, lasts for 3 years on the shelf, and 30 days once opened.

This compact pocket knife is truly a work of art, featuring an organic design inspired by the wings and body of a hummingbird. It measures just 3.75″ long when opened, and has a titanium handle and Damasteel drop-point blade. Comes in green, grey, pink, or blue. Pre-order price available through 10.6.2020 on Drop.

Whether you’re a first responder or just want to be prepared, Leatherman’s special emergency tool is a great addition to any tool kit or bugout bag. It combines a strap cutter for ripping through seatbelts, a carbide tip glass breaker, a 1/4″ hex bit driver, and an oxygen tank wrench in a single stainless steel gadget.

Bcompact’s hybrid bamboo staircase is hinged and attaches to one wall, so it can fold up flat when not in use. They feature an aluminum handrail on one side that folds along with the stairs. Each one is custom-fitted for the specific installation. The video shows off a few other folding items from designer Zev Bianchi.

Warm up cool October days with one of Brutaliteas’ tasty fall tea blends. Flavors include Chaiday the 13th, Children of the Candy Corn, Malloween, Night of the Living Red Apple, and Polterspice, each incorporating deliciously autumnal flavor elements like cinnamon, clove, ginger, apple, chocolate, and Halloween candy.

The Stria is an elegant and substantial drawing instrument that will look great sitting on your desktop. It folds to half of its length via a metal dovetail joint and opens to provide a 30cm / 11.8″ ruler. It features a wedge shape for confident line drawing, imperial and metric markings, and comes in brass or steel.

Swing for the fences every time you take a sip from these unique baseball bat mugs from Young Bat Co. Each one is handmade from the barrel of a real bat and can be custom laser-engraved or painted with text or images. They come in tall (12oz) and junior (6oz) versions. They make a great groomsmen’s gift.

Referencing Robert Frost’s poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay” and Susan E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders,” Stellavie’s gold-on-black print reminds us to stay true to ourselves and to maintain quality in our lives. The 27.5″ x 20″ piece is silkscreened on Italian fine art paper with gold ink. Edition of 250 prints, each signed and numbered.

Work out muscle kinks with this cordless percussion massage gun. It offers five different speed settings (from 1600 to 3200 percussions per minute) and comes with five massage heads (including a heated one) to target aches and pains, improve blood flow, and break up knots. Use code FUSION20 at checkout for an extra $20 off.

Whether or not you golf, nothing beats a cocktail at the 19th hole. The Pebble Beach Whiskey Wedge Rocks Glass by Corkcicle perfectly chills your favorite spirit without diluting its flavor. Just put the etched rocks glass and clever silicone ice form in the freezer to make a slow-melting wedge that leans on one side of the glass.

California artist Brianna Kufa creates these unique, wall-mountable bookshelves in a variety of curved profiles. They start off with a simple and affordable arc design, and get as complicated a wall-filling combo of undulating waves and a spiral that holds up to 325 books. Each one comes with anchors for hanging on drywall.

These razor-sharp kitchen knives make quick work of slicing, dicing, and chopping tasks. Each blade features a damascus-like wave pattern etched into its surface, and a pakka wood handle. The set includes an 8″ chef’s knife, a 5″ utility knife, a 3.5″ paring knife, and a wood storage box. Another great deal from The Awesomer Shop.

This handy accessory deserves a place in every bug-out bag. The Spool Tool is designed to hold and neatly wind up to 100 feet of paracord. It’s also got a built in safety knife for cutting cord, and a spot for a BiC Mini lighter (not included) for heat-sealing the ends of paracord.

KeySmart’s portable, rechargeable air purifier uses ultraviolet LEDs and a 360º H13 HEPA filter to remove 99% of unwanted particles, including dust, smoke, odors, and other pollutants. It cleans up to 160 sq. ft, is small enough to fit in most car cup holders, and can also dispense fragrances. Save $40 when you buy a 2-pack.

If you ever have to access a screw or bolt in a really tight spot, Powerbuilt’s low-profile driver could be a big timesaver. Its ratcheting design and thumb notches increase leverage and minimize hand cramps. Comes in 1/4″ and 3/8″ socket sizes, with a 1/4″ hex driver on its opposite side. A great addition to any toolbox.

Having a bad day year? Sip your coffee or tea from one of these mugs for a reminder of just how much worse things could be. Calamityware’s mugs include scenes of a village overrun by robots, UFOs, giant frogs, poodles, and other creepy creatures. These 12oz. mugs are made from fine porcelain and sold in a set of four.

Starting to travel a little more? It’s time for new luggage. Brandless makes durable luggage from lightweight polycarbonate with reinforced corners, and interiors made from recycled PET plastic. They come in a 21″ carry-on size and a 25″ checked baggage size. Both offer smooth-rolling wheels and an easy pull-out handle.