Contribute to the Museum Workers Relief Fund!

There are still thousands of our museum worker colleagues who need concrete financial support NOW.

To that end, the collective Museum Workers Speak has put together the Museum Workers Relief Fund for the mutual aid of museum workers in need.  In the words of their website:

It has become clear to us that when our institutions will not stand in solidarity with us, we must stand in solidarity with one another.

If you would like to contribute (as I already have) to the Museum Workers Relief Fund, you can follow this link to do so.  Also check out the new Museum Workers Speak Slack channel to chat, organize, send job leads, etc.

As an added incentive, for every ExhibiTricks reader who contributes at least $10.00 by or before April 15, 2021, I will set up a one-hour Zoom call (at a mutually convenient time) to discuss anything you like.

Think of it as a super-cheap consulting call with me to talk about museum exhibit possibilities, museum careers, or whatever else springs to your mind.

So click on over to the Museum Workers Relief Fund page NOW, make your contribution, and then email me your receipt so we can compare calendars for that Zoom call!

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Free ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

Paul Orselli writes the posts on ExhibiTricks. Paul likes to combine interesting people, ideas, and materials to make exhibits (and entire museums!) with his company POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.) Let's work on a project together!

If you enjoy the blog, you can help keep it free to read and free from ads by supporting ExhibiTricks through our PayPal "Tip Jar"

Design Toolbox: Get the Hook!

My wife recently asked me to place a hook in our back hall so she could hang up a special mop that picks up dog hair from our hardwood and tile floors.

While there were a number of hooks I could have chosen from my workshop, I enjoyed picking out the rubbery dog tail wall hook shown at the top of this post. Why? Well a combination of function and whimsy, I suppose -- combined with a visual cue that tells you something about the tool hanging there.

Anyway, this household chore, and my recent post about different types of tape, made me want to delve into a visual exploration of different types and styles of hooks -- mainly wall hooks. Since hooks often show up in both the public spaces inside museums (think coat rooms) and museum exhibition areas (hanging tools in Maker Spaces or smocks inside water exhibitions, for example) I thought I'd share some hooks I particularly like to provide some museum/exhibit/design inspiration.

The name of each hook below is a clickable link that brings you to a place where you can purchase each particular item -- along with a picture and brief description.  

BÄSTIS Hook

The classic IKEA "dog tail" wall hook. Funny, relatively cheap, and functional.  Who could also ask for more?  (Also available from Amazon**)

Sparrow Wall Hooks

Continuing with the animal theme, these sparrow-shaped hooks would be a great addition to a Nature Center or Natural History museum.

Toughooks

Toughooks are affordable unbreakable plastic backpack and coat hooks. The manufacturer is so sure you can't break them, that they guarantee these hooks for life.

Shelfology Hooks and Hangers

The Shelfology website shows some elegant (if a little pricy) hooks.  I especially like the powder-coated steel Popsicle wall hook (pictured below) which comes in about 30 different colors, as well as the Doohooky wall hook.

3M Command™ Hooks

There are many types of 3M Command™ hooks and they are all designed to hold strongly on a variety of indoor surfaces, but leave no sticky adhesive behind.

SKUGGIS Bamboo Hooks

Another inexpensive, minimalist winner from IKEA.  Simple, but does the job.

Piano Keyboard Movable Hooks

I love this clever design where each black "key" on the piano keyboard can flip down to form a hook.

Sugatsune TL-40 Stainless Steel Hook

Another minimalist design.  Sometimes you just need a simple stainless steel screw-in hook at a great price, and this is it.

Umbra Buddy Wall Hooks

When a design project has you climbing the walls, you might want to specify these whimsical wall hooks -- especially for a Children's Museum or other child-centered project.

Thanks for hanging in through this whole post!  I hope some of these items hooked you enough to provide you inspiration for future projects.  Have some other favorite hook suggestions to share?  Tell us about them in the "COMMENTS" section below!

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Free ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

Paul Orselli writes the posts on ExhibiTricks. Paul likes to combine interesting people, ideas, and materials to make exhibits (and entire museums!) with his company POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.) Let's work on a project together!

If you enjoy the blog, you can help keep it free to read and free from ads by supporting ExhibiTricks through our PayPal "Tip Jar"

(** PLEASE NOTE: Some Amazon links may provide the author a small commission with no additional costs for the purchaser.)

Exhibit Design Inspiration: Tim Hunkin's Secret Life of Components

The brilliant artist and gizmologist Tim Hunkin has done it again! 

Tim has created A series of YouTube guides for designers and makers entitled the "Secret Life of Components."  The subjects of the eight episodes are Chain, Switches, LEDs, Springs, Connectors, Hinges, and Glue. The eight videos will be released on a weekly schedule starting on March 4, 2021.

You can find out more about the genesis of the Secret Life of Components series as well as Tim's other amazing work by clicking over to his website.

You can also check out the first episode (about Chain) by viewing the embedded video below or by heading directly to Tim Hunkin's YouTube page.

Enjoy!

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Free ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

Paul Orselli writes the posts on ExhibiTricks. Paul likes to combine interesting people, ideas, and materials to make exhibits (and entire museums!) with his company POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.) Let's work on a project together!

If you enjoy the blog, you can help keep it free to read and free from ads by supporting ExhibiTricks through our PayPal "Tip Jar"