The new year is always an exciting time. There’s a sense of optimism that the next 365 days will be better than the last. To celebrate the proverbial turning of a page, we’re having a 72-hour New Year's sale at My Modern Met Store. From January 1 to January 3, 11:59 PM PST, use the code HELLO2023 to save 15% on your entire order on everything in our shop—even the sale items.

Did you make a New Year's resolution? If you’re searching for one to adopt, try picking up some of our products as a springboard for an intention. One of our favorite resolutions is a commitment to exercising your own creativity. This one is where My Modern Met Store shines; you could try watercolor with our best-selling Viviva Colorsheets or enjoy the time-honored activity of painting by number. But if you’re feeling crafty, give embroidery a try with all-inclusive sets such as Kiriki Press’ Hedgehog Embroidery Kit. When you’re done, you’ll have a small plush hedgehog doll to show for it.

Although the beginning of the year is exciting, keeping that momentum throughout the 12 months can be a challenge. Get motivation year-round when you hang the Manifesto Poster by Holstee. It's a collection of inspirational phrases in the form of an elegant typography-focused design and reminds you to, “Do what you love, and do it often.”

Check out My Modern Met Store for our entire selection of creative products. Make sure you pick out some goodies before the sale ends on January 3. When you’re ready to check out, use HELLO2023 to save 15% on your entire order. And if you spend over $100, the shipping is on us (for U.S. locations only).

My Modern Met Store is celebrating New Year's Day with a 72-hour sale. Use the code HELLO2023 to save 15% on your entire order—from January 1 to January 3, 11:59 PM PST.

Large Geode Jigsaw Puzzle

Nervous System | $95

Manifesto Poster

Holstee | $28+

RGB & CMYK Earrings

Yellow Owl Workshop | $20

Cubebot Multicolored Wood

David Weeks | $9+

Bartender Glasses (Set of 4)

Kikkerland Design | $25

Grizzly Hot Pot Trivet

OTOTO | $16

Viviva Original Colorsheets

Viviva Colorsheets | $19.95+

Succulent in Hobnail Bowl Paint-by-Numbers Kit

elle crée | $34

Optic Table Tiles

Bower Studios | $18

Hedgehog Doll Embroidery Kit

Kiriki Press | $20

Embroidery Temporary Tattoos

Tattly | $15

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READ: New Year’s Sale at My Modern Met Store: Save 15% on All of Our Creative Products

The night sky is an endless wonder and has long inspired photographers to capture its swirling beauty. For the past four years, Basel-based photographer Benjamin Barakat has been snapping gorgeous pictures of the night sky among stunning backdrops. Vibrant purples and electric oranges bring the Earth’s otherwise sleepy landscape to life. And now, he’s sharing his passion for this subject with others by showing them how to shoot their own astrophotography.

Travel is an important component of Barakat’s images. “Being half-Lebanese,” he tells My Modern Met, “my goal has been to explore the Middle East more and share awareness of the beautiful landscapes to encourage others to visit these places.” The country of Jordan is of particular interest to him, and he’s traveled to sites like Petra and Wadi Run.

“Petra is what first attracted me to Jordan,” he shares, “and it was a wish of mine to capture it under the night sky. Getting in during closing hours to one of the Seven Wonders of the World isn’t easy, so I had to build a relationship with the local Bedouin people to gain such access.”

Wadi Rum has dark skies that make it perfect for landscape photography. “I spent just over a year planning with locals to geotag all of the spots in my collection of images before capturing them all,” the photographer explains.

If you’d like to learn how to become an astrophotographer, Barakat will show you how. He has tours and workshops scheduled for 2023 that will take you to Egpyt, Bolivia, and more.

The night sky is an endless wonder and has long inspired photographers to capture its swirling beauty.

For the past four years, Basel-based photographer Benjamin Barakat has been snapping gorgeous pictures of the night sky among stunning backdrops.

Travel is an important component of Barakat’s images.

“Being half-Lebanese,” he tells My Modern Met, “my goal has been to explore the Middle East more and share awareness of the beautiful landscapes to encourage others to visit these places.”

The country of Jordan is of particular interest to him, and he’s traveled to sites like Petra and Wadi Run.

Benjamin Barakat: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Benjamin Barakat.

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READ: Electrifying Astrophotography Captures Gorgeous Night Sky Over the Middle East

There are everyday heroes among us, and Sha’Kyra Aughtry is one of them. In the midst of the deadly snowstorm that hit Buffalo, New York, she saved the life of a 64-year-old man named Joey White who was scared and crying for help just outside her front door.

White is developmentally disabled, and when the storm hit he became stranded in a snow bank. With the frigid temperatures, he was in bad shape. Aughtry heard his pleas, and she and her boyfriend Trent found White and carried him out of the cold and into their home on Christmas Eve.

With White inside, Aughtry began to care for the man. He had been in the storm so long that his clothing was frozen to his body and his hands were frostbitten; she had to cut off his socks and remove his pants with the heat from a hairdryer. She covered him in blankets, but she knew he needed serious help—the frostbite was turning his hands gangrene.

Many emergency medical services were down, so Aughtry posted an urgent message on Facebook needing help. It took two days, but more kind strangers eventually came to the rescue. They plowed a path out of the couple’s home and helped get White to a hospital, where he had fourth-degree frostbite.

Before he could get to the hospital, Aughtry contacted White’s sister, Yvonne, and told her that she had his brother and was taking care of him. To keep White comfortable and take his mind off the pain before they could get care, Aughtry had him FaceTime with his sister.

White remains in the hospital as doctors monitor his frostbite, but he will survive. In the meantime, his sister cannot thank Aughtry and her family enough. “I’m sure he would’ve perished,” she said in a video. “I told Joey, we gained a family… [Aughtry] went above and beyond, for a stranger, what she did is just heartwarming and it makes me cry.”

Sha’Kyra Aughtry and her family rescued a man named Joe White, a 64-year-old man with developmental disabilities, from a snowbank in Buffalo, New York.

Aughtry removed his frozen clothes and wrapped his frostbitten hands until they could get him to a hospital.

h/t: [Neatorama]

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Buffalo, New York, is amidst a “once in a generation” snowstorm. The severe weather has delivered a massive amount of precipitation and extreme temperatures that have people stranded—including a group of South Korean tourists. Luckily, this pack of 10 people was fortunate to have their van stuck outside the house of Alexander Campagna and his wife, Andrea.

The couple had been planning on spending a quiet holiday weekend at home and had stocked plenty of food in their pantry. So, when they learned of the marooned group, they invited the tourists in and became “accidental innkeepers” while they spent an enjoyable weekend with their guests.

The group of tourists was traveling up the East coast and was en route to Niagra Falls. They had seen the sights in Washington, D.C., and were largely unaware of the impending storm. But the Friday before Christmas, the van was stuck after trying to maneuver the deteriorating road conditions. Two of the passengers knocked on the Campagnas' door and the couple immediately brought them in, “knowing, as a Buffalonian, this is on another level, the Darth Vader of storms,” Alexander said.

The visitors slept on air mattresses, on couches, in sleeping bags, and in a guest bedroom. Of the visitors, three of them spoke English proficiently. Together, they watched football and shared stories. The guests, surprised and delighted by the Campagnas' Korean food provisions, created a variety of tasty meals they would make at home.

The travelers appreciated the impromptu hospitality, and it was something neither party will soon forget. “It was kind of like fate,” remarked Yoseb Choi, one of the travelers who was on his honeymoon. Alexander echoed the sentiment, which he refers to as a blessing. “We have enjoyed this so much.” He and Andrea are now planning a visit to South Korea.

h/t: [Reddit]

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An array of recycled rainbow-colored barrel lids lines the façade of the Centro Nacional de Artesanato e Design (National Arts, Crafts, and Design Center) in Mindelo on Sao Vicente island that's part of the Cabo Verde archipelago. Created by Ramos Castellano Arquitectos, the vibrant circles are a unique outer shell to the renovated space within.  They are not only eye-catching, but also functional; the lids can be angled (like blinds), which allows better control of airflow and sunlight on the property and the ability to passively maintain the internal temperature of the site.

The architects, Eloisa Ramos and Moreno Castellano, view the façade as different ways to pay tribute to the diverse aspects of Mindelo. Each barrel, for instance, is seen as a musical note. “We wanted to use the perceptual phenomenon of synesthesia so a Caboverdian composer and multi-instrumentist, Vasco Martins, was invited to participate and wrote the music behind the colors,” they said in a statement. The result paid homage to “the musical traditions of the islands and transmitting a visual musical joy to the square.”

The mosaic appearance stands out in a sea of traditional architecture, which is primarily white and gray. It's ideal for a place that’s centered on creativity and is a way of connecting to the greater urban environment. “[T]he barrels are used for everything, as containers and as materials with many uses,” Ramos and Castellano explain. The area, which is an archipelago, has a history of trade. “Our approach was to knock down the walls and open the patio to the city and to use those barrels caps and create a detached skin that covers the entire museum, paying homage to this simple object that is so entrenched into the lives of the people of Mindelo.”

An array of recycled rainbow-colored barrel lids lines the façade of the Centro Nacional de Artesanato e Design (National Arts, Crafts, and Design Center) in Mindelo on Sao Vicente island.

Created by Ramos Castellano Arquitectos, the vibrant circles are a unique outer shell to the renovated space within.

They are not only eye-catching but functional.

The lids can be angled (like blinds), which allows better control of airflow and sunlight on the property and the ability to passively maintain the internal temperature of the site.

Ramos Castellano Arquitectos: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Ramos Castellano Arquitectos. 

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Two dogs and a magpie have formed an unlikely friendship with deep bonds. Peggy, a Staffordshire bull terrier, her pup Ruby, and Molly the (male) magpie flock together at their home in Queensland, Australia. They enjoy naps, outdoor adventures, and singing (barking) in each other’s presence. They don’t have to be doing much to have a good time—the mark of a true friendship.

Peggy and Molly met two years ago when Juliette Wells and her partner Reece found the baby bird abandoned at a dog park near their home. It was during magpie breeding season, and the couple saw the tiny creature wandering the park. They were concerned about it and waited there for hours to see if the bird’s parents would come back to help it. Much to Juliette and Reece's dismay, they never did.

With Molly alone in the park, the couple knew they had to act. They took the magpie back to their home and contacted friends in a wildlife rescue. Unfortunately, none of the rescues had the capacity to take in the bird, so Juilette and Reece decided to care for Molly with guidance from their animal rescue friends. The humans' loving care helped Molly thrive, and she didn't want to leave their nest. Juilette and Rece are so glad she decided to stay.

Peggy was, understandably, unsure of how to handle the new baby bird in the house. But after a few days, she became curious and the two formed a friendship. As Molly grew, Juliette began sharing their bond on social media where the unusual and sweet relationship continues to gain a lot of attention.

“I love to describe them as ‘acceptance, love, and unity’ despite their differences,” Juliette tells My Modern Met. “We call it our modern-day Pooh and Piglet story.” Ruby was added to the mix later on, and she and Molly became instant friends.

The living situation is not without its challenges. Peggy is protective of Ruby, and Molly can be aggressive when it’s the magpie mating season. To ensure that things remain calm and safe for everyone, Juliette and Reece make sure that the animals have the space to be themselves. For Molly, in particular, this means having access to the outdoors with other wild birds.

Follow the trio on Instagram to see what they’re up to next. You can even purchase a calendar and be reminded of their friendship month after month.

Two dogs and a magpie have formed an unlikely friendship with deep bonds.

Peggy, a Staffordshire bull terrier, her pup Ruby, and Molly the (male) magpie flock together at their home in Queensland, Australia.

They enjoy naps, outdoor adventures, and singing (barking) in each other’s presence.

They don’t have to be doing much to have a good time—the mark of a true friendship.

Juliette Wells and her partner Reece found Molly in a park near their home and took in the then-baby bird.

Now, the animals' popular Instagram account shares a peek into their lives.

Watch them interact in adorable Instagram videos:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Interspecies friendship (@peggyandmolly)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Interspecies friendship (@peggyandmolly)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Interspecies friendship (@peggyandmolly)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Interspecies friendship (@peggyandmolly)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Interspecies friendship (@peggyandmolly)

Peggy, Molly, and Ruby: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Juliette Wells.

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In the hands of an artist, paper can be anything. Ann Wood of Woodlucker sees the immense potential in the material and uses it to recreate nature. Known for her realistic paper blooms, she crafts beautiful bouquets, delicate winged insects, and more recently, fantastic fungi. Each sculpture is handmade, but you wouldn’t realize it; Wood is a master at creating the exquisite textures of her subjects that bring them to life.

Wood’s work is informed by what’s around her. “Nature is an endless source of inspiration,” she tells My Modern Met, and she ensures that it is readily available to her. “I am an avid gardener and grow models of what I create in paper during the summer. Right now, I am reading and learning more about mushrooms to help me understand their intricate details.”

In an illuminating Instagram reel, Wood gives a peek into her process of making a log for a bunch of paper mushrooms to sit on. She takes a walk outdoors to do research on what a partially moss-covered branch looks like before creating her own and attaching the fungi to it. When compared with what she found outdoors, the similarities are uncanny.

Scroll down to see some of Wood’s latest pieces, and follow her on Instagram to see what she’s working on next.

Ann Wood of Woodlucker creates amazing mushroom sculptures out of paper.

She conveys the delicate textures that bring the fungi to life.

In addition to mushrooms, Wood also creates paper sculptures of insects, florals, fruits, and vegetables.

“Nature is an endless source of inspiration,” she tells My Modern Met.

Wood shares a peek into her research in an illuminating Instagram reel:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ann Wood @Woodlucker/paper art (@woodlucker)

Ann Wood: Website | Instagram 

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Ann Wood.

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There is a famous quote by the author Gretchen Rubin that says, “The days are long, but the years are short.” Ask any parent and they will likely tell you that it’s true. The years fly by. As their children get older, photos will help them remember the fleeting past. Sholom Ber Solomon is doing just that, but with a delightful and hilarious twist. For five years, he and his two daughters, Zoe and Olivia, have created funny photoshoots in which the kids and their dad have a lot of laughs.

Solomon and his daughters dress up in all sorts of outfits and pose in a variety of silly situations. In one photo, the dad is seen in shock as he looks into his (presumably) empty wallet while one daughter smiles from her mini BMW, a collection of shopping bags in hand. Another picture has Solomon dressed as a kitty stuck on the branch of a tree and his child as the firefighter who is going to save him.

Of the many photos that Solomon has created over the years, there is a special one that comes to mind. “There are so many [pictures] that I love,” he tells My Modern Met, “but one of my absolute favorites has to be the one where I was a princess and the kids gave me a makeover. Between doing my makeup and painting my nails, the kids had so much fun they could not stop laughing through it all.”

Scroll down for more creative photos that chronicle the sweet bond Solomon has with his daughters. For more, be sure to follow him on Instagram.

For five years, Sholom Ber Solomon and his two daughters, Zoe and Olivia, have created funny photoshoots.

Solomon and his daughters dress up in all sorts of outfits and pose in a variety of silly situations.

Each photo has funny expressions and smiles from the girls.

Together, they are making lifelong memories to cherish for years to come.

“There are so many [pictures] that I love,” Solomon tells My Modern Met.

Sholom Ber Solomon: Website | Instagram 

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Sholom Ber Solomon.

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Photo: Screenshot from YouTube

Musician Petr Spatina makes melodies with drinking glasses. What might be seen as an elaborate party trick is actually a musical discipline. The practice comprises upright wine glasses filled with water at varying levels. These “instruments” are altogether referred to as a glass harp. To make a sound, Spatina runs his fingers around the rim of the glasses in different combinations and the vibrations create a variety of notes. The result is a delicate and lush sound reminiscent of the string harp.

Spatina is from the Czech Republic and has been playing music for most of his life. When he was younger, he learned the accordion and the piano before eventually mastering the glass harp. This ultimately became his instrument of choice, and Spatina has been writing and playing his own music for it for two decades.

The dedicated musician takes his glass harp to the streets, where he wows passersby with the combination of beautiful music and the unusual sight of 33 drinking vessels on a table on the sidewalk. Spatina always draws a crowd, and he’s gained worldwide attention thanks to spectators watching him work his magic and sharing it online.

Watch the videos below to enjoy some of Spatina’s glass harp music.

Musician Petr Spatina makes melodies with a series of drinking glasses, which is an instrument known as a glass harp.

He uses upright wine glasses filled with water at varying levels.

To make a sound, Spatina runs his fingers around the rim of the glasses in different combinations and the vibrations create a variety of notes.

Spatina plays his music on the streets of Prague for all to enjoy.

h/t: [Reddit]

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READ: Watch a Musician Create Lush Melodies on 33 Wine Glasses Filled With Water

Representation is a powerful force for good. When a child can hold a doll that looks like them, it helps them to feel seen and accepted. But not every child can have a doll that reflects their characteristics, particularly if they have visible physical differences. Amy Jandrisevits is a former social worker who has made it her mission to craft unique dolls that are look-alikes for special children. Her non-profit organization called A Doll Like Me gives kids the opportunity to see themselves in the toys they play with. The impacts of her creative talents are life-changing for the recipient. If you need any proof, just look at the joy on each of their faces!

Each custom-made doll is free of charge for the family, which is made possible through donations made to the organization. Jandrisevits puts her heart and soul into each doll and pays careful attention to the distinctive physical characteristics of the child it's modeled after. She understands the effect and importance the toy will have for her future recipient, and she works tirelessly to make each doll perfect for them. This means she can spend up to seven hours on one figure.

“Every single doll tells a story and some are raw and heartbreaking and emotional,” she told My Modern Met in 2020. “I am privileged to be a part of their stories and honored to get a glimpse into their world. I don't take that lightly.”

The response to the dolls has only confirmed Jandrisevits' convictions and passion for creating. “We need to see each child as a work of art—a masterpiece. While doll-making is an art form, the real canvas is the child him/herself,” she said. “If we want to become a society that values differences and inclusivity, this is where we start. We start with something as simple as a doll—a human likeness.”

Learn more about A Doll Like Me and how you can support Jandrisevits’ mission of representation and inclusivity for all.

Amy Jandrisevits is a former social worker who has made it her mission to craft unique dolls that are look-alikes for children with visible physical differences.

Her non-profit organization called A Doll Like Me gives kids the opportunity to see themselves in the toys they play with.

The impacts of her creative talents are life-changing for the recipient. If you need any proof, just look at the joy on each of their faces!

Each custom-made doll is free of charge for the family, which is made possible through donations made to the organization.

A Doll Like Me: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Amy Jandrisevits.

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