finding cain

The Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is home to over 20,000 pairs of these tiny table companions. The collection began in 2002, thanks to Andrea Ludden. Her quest? To celebrate the wild creativity that turns something as ordinary as a shaker into miniature art. Andrea actually started out collecting pepper mills back in 1984, but the shakers quickly stole the show (and her shelves). Originally tucked away in Cosby, the museum found its new home in Gatlinburg’s Winery Square in 2005. And the fun doesn’t stop there. Andrea’s passion went international in 2010 with a sister museum in Alicante, Spain. WATCH:

There was a period in my life when I spent a considerable amount of time hanging around bars in Manila. I had friends who were musicians, and I'd go watch their gigs. After they wrapped up, our usual move was to head over to Marcy's house in San Nicolas to just chill. What makes San Nicolas special is that it’s considered a heritage district of the city. Even now, you can still see these 19th-century ancestral houses, which were home to wealthy businessmen, artisans, and craftsmen. I have such vivid memories of wandering through those narrow alleys. You’d hear the neighbors chatting away, and you could see this amazing mix of history and everyday life happening all at once. Honestly, it makes me a little sad to see how much time and modernization have changed San Nicolas. Those gorgeous wooden houses with all their intricate carvings are slowly disappearing. What used to feel like a living museum of Manila’s heritage is really struggling to hold onto its unique identity now.

Have you checked out the new airport in Cambodia? It's not just a place to catch a flight; it's a total cultural experience the moment you step off the plane. Instead of the usual glass-and-steel box, this airport is deeply rooted in Cambodian culture. I'm talking about the roof, which has this cool, undulating (wavy) form that's a direct architectural shout-out to the iconic temples and palaces of the country. Passengers are also greeted by 200 hand-crafted sculptures, including a central bronze-cast Buddha. But here's the best part: the terminal is going to be almost entirely run on energy generated by a nearby solar farm. I mean, how often do you get to fly through a beautiful, culturally-inspired building that's also practically powered by the sun? WATCH:

The mall is a necessary evil—a glorious, air-conditioned balm against the relentless Philippine heat. But sometimes, a person needs a place that’s a little more soul-nourishing than retail therapy. What if your next cool, indoor escape was packed not with disposable items, but with beautifully bound, centuries-old ideas? Enter Libreria Palazzo Roberti in Northern Italy. This isn't just a bookstore; it’s a 17th-century sanctuary that once hosted Napoleon Bonaparte himself. Today, this magnificent structure has been lovingly restored, trading imperial guests for literary treasures. As you step inside, you’re greeted by original Venetian terrazzo floors, plaster walls that whisper centuries of history, and the gentle, stylish glow of elegant Louis Poulsen lamps illuminating rows upon rows of Italian and international titles. Run by the Manfrotto family since 1998, this three-story cultural powerhouse is pure la dolce vita for book lovers. You don’t just shop here; you wander through ...

The Seoul Outdoor Library is an open-air oasis of literature . It serves as a relaxed retreat for office workers during the week and transforms into a family reading haven on the weekends. Instead of walls or the hushed whispers enforced by traditional libraries, visitors find fresh air, colorful beanbags, and the rustle of leaves, creating a unique reading soundtrack. However, the space offers more than just books. Visitors can also catch movies and live performances under the open sky while children enjoy a dedicated play zone. And when the summer sun decides to be a relentless monster? The library just shrugs, says "Challenge accepted," and switches to "night-library" mode. Here, you can relax under soft, ambient lights and enjoy a perfect, cool-breeze read after the city has settled down. I really like this idea. In an open-air setting, you can sip your iced latte, shift around without worrying about squeaky chairs, and if you talk a little too loud, no one giv...

Vending machines are essential (at least for me), but that doesn't mean that they have to be ugly eyesores. Check out this really cool vendo in Japan. Just like other vending machines, this thing dispenses water and soft drinks, but what I really like about it is the design. The vendo is disguised behind a wooden exterior, has a rustically weathered look, and really matches its surroundings. The photo was shared by Twitter user @ekimemo_kinako while visiting the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, a World Heritage Site in Shimane Prefecture. [h/t: SoraNews24 ]

Elaine Chiu is an artist from Hong Kong who paints beautiful cityscapes. Looking at her art...I was overcome, not so much by awe - though I am in awe of her watercolor paintings - but by a surprising sense of calm. It is not often that cityscapes could cause me to feel the least bit peaceful. Thanks, Elaine for your beautiful creations. Your paintings clear my thoughts just by looking at them.

French photographer Adrian Skenderovic often wanders the streets of Paris in search of extraordinary situations within the ordinary. His Follow the Guide series presents a subtle observation of things that go unnoticed, and catalogs the baffling tourism industry in The City of Lights:  "Among the 15 million tourists that visit Paris every year, many travel in a tour group, only leaving the bus to see the monuments and shop in the department stores. Adrian sees things from the tourists’ point of view, capturing the various props raised by their guides to signal a meeting point. Car antenna, selfie stick, wooden stick, kid saber, teddy bear, plastic flowers, and other unique objects are held in front of the blurred monuments in the background."

I mostly work from home, so in many ways the quarantine has affected me less than others. However, just like most homeworkers, I am still dreaming of traveling. Australia has been on my bucket list for a long time. I want to explore the outback, watch a show at the Sydney Opera House, relax at Byron Bay, and visit this massive wave pool.

Today I took a quick tour around Europe through the art of Victoria Kravchenko . Is your head swimming with so many things you can barely think? Her vivid watercolors exude joy and exuberance; pieces that clear your thoughts and make you feel good by merely looking at them. I don't normally go for art that can be described as pretty. But while you can say this about Victoria's paintings, you know they are also so much more. Follow Victoria on Instagram for more watercolor goodness.

Hong Kong's Louis To creates edible figurines that are sweet inside and out. With his bare hands, a pair of scissors and a blow pipe, he transforms chunks of melted sugar into colorful animal sculptures. Sugar blowing dates back hundreds of years, but today only a few people are keeping the tradition alive. Read the full story here .

Those who want to get a genuine taste of India's culture can take advantage of the country's wedding tourism through JoinMyWedding.com . Some Indian couples tying the knot like the idea of sharing their day and their customs. They even make a little money from it. Travelers pay a fee that allows them to "dress in traditional Indian garb, taste the exotic flavors, dance to the enchanting music, and take part in beautiful wedding customs." While it may sound strange at first glance, I think it is also an exciting and fulfilling way to experience the country's traditions and cultural values.

Stefan Bleekrode 's cityscape drawings have a hypnotic power that invites viewers to look closer. What's even more surprising is that he creates fascinating sketches of famous cities using his memory.  The Dutch artist starts off with a quick pencil sketch on paper. He then adds ink and uses ivory black watercolors for shading. He can finish a small drawing in 30 hours, while large-scale illustrations take him up to half a year to complete.  Most of the ideas Stefan uses for his compositions come from trips abroad, as he often travels around Europe and the United States. However, some of his drawings are imaginary, such as Metropolis at Night (pictured below). Stefan reminds me of Stephen Wiltshire , who is also famous for producing highly detailed scenes after just a brief glance. WATCH:

This is a video of a stunning light show in China featuring hundreds of drones appearing in the shape of an airplane, a helicopter and a jet. The incredible display was staged during the closing ceremony of the 2019 Nanchang Flight Convention, which also exhibited more than 100 military and commercial aircraft from all over the world.

If you happen to be in Kaunas, Lithuania and you see a bus painted with vibrant colored patterns and designs, there's a good chance it was done by Artur Shirin. Using a fleet of Škoda trolleybuses, the Lithuanian artist recently finished a series of funky murals that feature some of his signature imagery. It's really refreshing to see a work of art on the side of a bus instead of advertising, and commuters can look forward to their daily journey rather than dreading it. If you like fun, dynamic, colorful, and just plain jaw-dropping good art, check out Artur's website . Found via StreetArtNews

Ryo Ogawa, better known as Roamcouch, recently finished this beautiful art piece in Fukushima. The 43-year-old Japanese street artist spent four days working on the mural and was joined by local kids in spray painting the stars on the side of the windmill. Influenced by manga, Roamcouch is known for his impressive works that can require up to fifty different layers of stencils. Incredibly, each stencil is both hand-drawn and hand-cut by the Gifu native himself. Roamcouch spray-paints on top of each stencil until he gets his desired results. His work has been featured at solo and group exhibitions in Japan, Norway, London, Malaysia, Germany, France, and in the US. In 2014, he opened his first solo show, titled A Beautiful Life , in New York and achieved an amazing feat of selling out the entire collection. Roamcouch has a Facebook page that updates quite often and a website where you can find all his work.

Thestory is a gold mine of arts and popular culture. It covers a wide range of topics such as origami, illustration, sculpture, culinary arts, LEGO, Gundam, and other interesting stuff. One of its latest videos is about a man who likes to draw things while traveling. Enjoy!

Gladiators on Wheels is a short film by Souvid Datta that showcases stunt drivers on motorcycles speeding around a near-vertical pit known as the Well of Death . Tickets are extremely cheap, and daredevils from West Bengal wear no safety gear as they rocket in circles across 60ft walls. Sometimes spectators would entice them with money to ride closer to the edge and perform crazy stunts. Interest in these sideshows is on the decline, however, as a new generation turns to electronic diversions.

London's Finsbury Avenue Square has a new addition that blends public furniture with art – a massive installation made of three rings of benches that look like waves. Please Be Seated by British designer Paul Cocksedge was created for this year's London Design Festival to represent the changing rhythm of the community. The generously dimensioned wooden structure is made up of more than 1,000 scaffolding planks and is a perfect place for Londoners to sit down, talk, or find some shade. "Every single aspect of the installation is tailored to its environment as well as the function it serves," says Paul. "It walks the line between a craft object and a design solution. It occupies the square without blocking it." The installation will be on display until October 11, 2019.

The major appeal of this brand new tourist spot in Belgium is the fact that cyclists can ride through the treetops at a height of 10 meters. The 700-meter long bike path is made for just about anyone, and you'll find that Cycling through the Trees is a genuine recreation, rather than an intense work out. WATCH: