During the 19th century, European glassmakers took great pride in designing paperweights. The fashion then was to encase pure white ceramic plaques—usually molded portraits of famous people of the time like Napoleon I and Queen Victoria—in glass. Snakes and lizards were also popular motifs. However, fewer than a dozen examples of these exotic, encased lifelike lizards exist today. To learn more, visit the Corning Museum of Glass—it houses the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of paperweights.
http://www.cmog.org/index.asp?pageId=1194

For those 83 percent of pet owners who refer to themselves as "Mommy" or "Daddy" when interacting with their furry friends, here comes PetCell. The first voice-enabled, waterproof GPS cell phone designed for animals to be worn around their necks. The two-way tracking communication device works like a walkie-talkie. Just pick up the phone and call her. If she's lost, you can track her on the phone, PDA, or online. You can even see where she's been. Talk about an invasion of puppy privacy!
http://www.petsmobility.com

Basing their concept on the idea that great design should be as fun and entertaining as an old Hollywood musical, Chris Bick and Keith Carollo of Brooklyn, N.Y., named their stylish accessory shop after the ultimate triple threat, Fred Astaire. Be sure to check out their latest back-to-school stuff for cute tweens and coeds. Who doesn't need a banana cell phone holder or a set of adorable mini mushroom thumb tacks this semester?
http://www.fredflare.com