Math.

In american made, Clothing, made in america, made in usa, made locally on September 1, 2011 at 11:00 am

Ah, Mathematics. Few of us are indifferent. It seems we either love or loathe it.

But regardless of our penchant for it, math in one form or another creeps into our lives daily. So it is in our best interest to make peace, if not friends, with it. Perhaps these American-made math-inspired products will help you (and me) do just that!

(of) matter - Made in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

This is one lucky number.

Saved from the trash by Beth Coller, designer/owner of (of)matter, this vintage brass number is now a chic pendant (left, $24) suspended from a 18.5″ chain and paired with a thicker 17.5″ chain. (Other chain lengths available upon request.)

Never been partial to the number 7? Lucky for you, (of) matter offers numbers 0-9 so you can choose the one that speaks to you. Pick your own lucky number, commemorate a special anniversary, or tell someone they are number 1.

Don’t believe in luck? You won’t need it. This necklace will bring well-deserved attention and compliments to even the most logical wearer.

Visit (of)matter.

Geometric Clothing – Made in Seattle, Washington

You do not have to know anything about angles to know that this is “a-cute” cardigan (left, $50).

American Apparel textiles are transformed from quality, comfy American-made clothing into hand-painted works of wearable art by Jessalin Beutler, the creative force behind the Geometric Clothing label.

You’ll be the pinnacle of style in this unisex tri-blend cardigan embellished with black and white triangles. Every garment is made-to-order so you can expect yours to look a lot like the one pictured, but distinctly unique.

Three things all of her designs have in common? They are rendered in non-toxic water-based inks. They are heat set to prevent fading. And they will make you finally love geometry.

Visit www.geometricclothing.com to see Jessalin’s designs on everything from cardigans to t-shirts, and even dresses.

Iacoli & McAlister – Made in USA

Finally, a light for those who think inside and outside the box.

Stripped to its bare essentials by Jamie Iacoli & Brian McAllister, the humble cube has become much less humble.

This Seattle-based design team  is obsessed with “proportion, scale, color, and fabrication.” And it shows. Through their careful manipulation of a simple shape, they create lighting that is minimal, bold, playful and sophisticated.

Each Frame Light takes up to a 60 watt bulb and is made of powder-coated steel in as many as to 6 colors — yellow, aqua, black (all shown), white, tan and tomato (not shown).

Whether you need an accent light (left, $345 small – shown in yellow) or a show-stopping chandelier, you will want to visit iacolimcallister.com.

Revisions Design Studio – Made in Marquette, Michigan

Elementary geometry defines a polyhedron as a geometric solid in 3 dimensions with flat faces and straight edges.

Anyone else thinking “yada, yada, yada?” You won’t be once you hear about Revisions Design Studio’s polyhedron vase.

It is made of using a series a scores and folds (think origami) on mother of pearl card stock. This vase has practically no physical weight but it packs plenty of visual punch.

Tucked inside the paper polyhedron is a removable glass vase making it possible for this paper vase to hold water. (It also makes clean up a breeze.)

At 4.5” h x 4.5” w, this is the perfect vase for displaying your favorite bud on your desk or bedside. To dress up your next dinner party, try 3 down the middle of your dining room table. The shimmery mother of pearl paper will look great by candlelight.

Visit www.revisionsdesignstudio.com.

bylee design – Made in USA

This journal (left, $5.99/each) may have a ruler on the front but there are no rules about how you use it.

Let the millimeter and inch designations inspire your entries or simply use the 64 blank pages to jot down phone numbers, make to-do lists, or actually journal.

At 5″ x 8″ this notebook is big enough to really use and small enough to easily tuck in a bag or pocket. The paper is acid-free and recycled and bound with animal-free glue.

For this and more inspired stationery ideas, visit bylee.

Neiko - Made in Forest Hills, New York

Who says numbers can’t be a little bit racy? Certainly not Neiko Designs.

Deriving inspiration from the Indianapolis 500 and vintage ’50s roadsters, they have created the V8 collection.

Like all of the V8 bags, the #19 (left, $120) is made of vinyl and lined with cotton, making it not only handsome but rugged.

With its zip-top closure and generous dimensions (13.75″w x 17″ h x 4.75″ d ), this tote is the perfect way to bring your files or laptop home from the office; to carry your running shorts to and from the gym; or to pack for an overnight getaway in your own roadster.

Because Neiko makes each bag to order, you can choose the number(s) on your bag (1 or 2 digits).

Get in gear! Visit www.neiko.com.

Bubble Genius - Made in Studio City, California

Pi r soap.

Yours will be the smartest bath in town with these irrational numbers (left, $8 for set of 6) in the soap dish.

Like all the soaps Paula and Sarah (the Bubble Geniuses) make, these colorful mathematical constants are hand-poured and vegan friendly.

Bubble Genius’ soaps are not only more fun than your grocery store brand thanks to designs like mustaches, bagels and Michelangelo’s David, but they are also better for you because they do not contain harsh chemicals. You will love reading the ingredient list because you can actually pronounce the words.

Visit www.bubblegenius.com for some good, clean and even educational fun.

Ugmonk – Made in USA

The perfect t-shirt for those who are really bad at math and/or really good at standing out in a crowd.

Dubbed the “Math Problem” shirt by designer/founder Jeff Sheldon, the “5″ contains the words “two plus three equals” in its top left corner. Is this the best looking cheat sheet you’ve ever seen or what?

Don’t worry this is not a fluke. This tee typifies Ugmonk’s clean, powerful graphics.

The brand currently boasts an array of 34 short-sleeved t-shirts, including a special 3rd anniversary edition, long-sleeved tees, hoodies, leather journals, tote bags and prints.

All of Ugmonk’s offerings reflect Sheldon’s passion for quality products, typography and minimal design.

If you like little wit and lot of thoughtful design, you will want to visit ugmonk.com.

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I hope you are continuing to enjoy our class-themed back-to-school tributes.

Feel free to share any thoughts, recommendations or reviews.

Thanks for reading!

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