Pi Day 2016!

Pi Day 2016 is upon us! Sure, some people quibble over the March 14th date—it doesn't work in the European date system, or it truncates, or we should celebrate it on February 27, or July 22—but I believe we should take any and every excuse to celebrate math. So let's have Pi Day on February 27 and March 14; let's observe Pi Approximation Day on July 22; let's have Tau Day on June 28 (my birthday, natch!!).

I'm celebrating Pi Day 2016 by sharing some great #mathart finds over on Twitter. I didn't realize that #MathArt was a thing until this year's #sciart Tweetstorm, much to my chagrin. Whatever, I know now, and I'll be sharing with you! So tune in—I finally broke down and got HootSuite so now it's time for me to TWEET ALL THE THINGS.

Meanwhile, let's take a look at some adorable/awesome/cool pi day things that turned up on Etsy. Not everything happens on Twitter, after all!

Sweet And Lovely

This adorable shop features art from Kate Gabrielle and amid the pastels and cute, there is something for everyone. Her shop is in my favorites and it should be in yours, too!

Cutie pi brooch by Sweet And Lovely

Isn't that adorable? Are you dying yet?

Kate has SO MANY great things. You should really browse her shop, but I will probably share more things here soon if you are somehow too lazy to click the link but not too lazy to read my blog. She has loads of other great pi things, though, like a pi dice game and a set of punny pi career pins.

We The Sciencey

If modern minimalism is more your thing, WeTheSciencey is your shop. It's also your shop if you're a nerdy scrapbooker, because they have an awesome selection of STEM-themed stamps. 

The Pi Stamp by We The Sciencey

Even better: 5% of Etsy purchases at We The Sciencey goes to Surgicorps, which is basically like a surgeon's version of Doctors Without Borders.

Fig Tree Stamps

If you look at my Pinterest profile (the one I hardly use because I really need to go and unfollow, like, everyone, and also Pinterest stop suggesting things to me, you're garbage and your taste is garbage), you can see that I have aspirations of fantastic amazing nail art.

Unfortunately, I have the tiniest, itty-bitty nail beds in the world. Maybe you've noticed them when I model bracelets? That makes manicures (and especially nail art) pretty tricky. 

Pi Nail Stamping Plate by Fig Tree Stamps

But oh man, there is a version of me that needs this even though I have no idea how this works. Do you know how this works? Complicated nail tech eludes me, but the end result looks baller.

The Scholar's Muse

I'm a fan of subtlety. You know, those little details you miss the first time, but then when you look closer, you go, "Ah-hah!" The Scholar's Muse absolutely nails that in a lot of her work. (Other times, it's pretty obvious. ;) ) Design-wise, we are birds of a feather. This is another shop that you will probably want to favorite because it is LOADED with academic scarves, from math to chemistry to literature to biology. 

Blue and White Pi Day Gingham Knit Scarf by The Scholar's Muse

Look carefully: that's not just any gingham!

There is, as always, a plethora of pi day goodies in the Kokoba Etsy! The ship has sailed on having your pi jewelry in time for Pi Day 2016, but there's always next year! Or, don't forget—we still have Tau Day 2016 and Pi Approximation Day 2016 to go. ;)

Finally, go wish the former Miss Sarah Hagan mazel tov, because she got married this weekend!

Friday Find: LeftBrainRightBrain

I am an incorrigible book lover, and like many book lovers I have a fondness for vintage books in particular. The older the edition, the better—there's just something luxurious and timeless about them. That "old-timey" atmosphere plus the obvious love and appreciation for science is what appeals to me about the pieces in fellow Mad Scientist of Etsy Heidi's shop, LeftBrainRightBrain. They hearken back to an era when science textbooks were still trying to figure everything out.

Vintage Vitamin E Illustration Pendant from LeftBrainRightBrain

In particular, I love the etchings used in the illustrations. There is something charming about an artist's rendition that a photo will never have, no matter how stunning the photograph may be.

1920s Vintage Botany Lotus Pendant from LeftBrainRightBrain

1896 Vintange Flower Anatomy Pendant from LeftBrainRightBrain

But Heidi carries a wider array of pieces than just ("just") science. Here and there you'll also find some cute retro illustrations.

1953 Vintage Singing Schoolgirl Ring from LeftBrainRightBrain

1960 Vintage Juicy Strawberry Illustration Pendant from LeftBrainRightBrain

And some creepy ones. Halloween is coming, you guys!!

1953 Vintage Children's Skull Illustration Ring from LeftBrainRightBrain

Vintage Biology Textbook Skull Keychain from LeftBrainRightBrain

And for the believers among us, some more esoteric, alchemical ones.

Vintage Chemistry Alchemical Tin Symbol Pendant from LeftBrainRightBrain

Vintage Chemistry Alchemical Copper Symbol Pendant from LeftBrainRightBrain

As you can see, Heidi caters to a wide variety of interests and fields in her shop! On the off chance there's nothing there that tickles your fancy, send her a convo—Heidi also does custom orders!

Happy Pi Day!

It's that time of year again! And time for my annual Pi Day roundup.

Cherry Pi Chullo for Big Heads by Ehmeelu

It's still a little chilly here in Sweden, so a winter hat like this chullo is perfectly acceptable headgear. I appreciate that Ehmeelu has hats that are extra large, too: people with big heads still get cold! JV has always had a massive head and the only winter hat he's ever had that fits is one that Lawyer Mom crocheted specifically for him. Please, craftsters, do like Ehmeelu and think of all the big-headed people in the world who can't find a good winter hat.

Grid Math Washi Tape from PrettyTape

I've never been much of a scrapbooker, but I have been tracking other people's obsession with washi tape and am amazed with the things they do with it and the myriad of patterns and designs available. This is the perfect item for anyone interested in arts and maths. Or maybe I should snatch it up to use in my packaging...!

"You Are My Constant" Card by witsicle.

This is exactly how I feel about JV. Together, we're like pi: he's my constant and I'm irrational.

Pi Long-Sleeved Shirt by fqcouture

Normally the asymmetry of the design would bother me, but in this case I rather like it! This is the kind of nerd shirt you could totally dress up for a formal event and no one would have to be the wiser. Bonus points for matching it with some fancy pi bling.