Everything Octopus Reader's Gift Pics!

Ever wonder what to give that special cephalophile in your life? Below are pictures from Everything Octopus readers of octopus-related gifts they received this holiday season.

Micah's octopus beanie baby

A beautiful octopus brooch that doubles as a necklace

Get your very own poster at KrakenRum.com

Captain Richard Rodriguez's family knows he much he loves octopuses! Below are three gifts featuring the Captain's very own octopus logo. Check out his maritime blog at BitterEndBlog.com
Custom card from sister.

Commissioned artwork made by kids.

Custom octopus logo ornament from wife.

Thank you for your contributions!

Octopus Smoking Pipes

In scouring the web for everything octopus, I come across some strange things, some unexpected things, and some downright awesome things. This particular thing is all three! Octopus smoking pipes - who knew!?

A colorful and detailed octopus pipe from PizbisSmokeShop.com, $49



A rad under-the-sea smoking device by glass worker, Justin Bagley. See more pictures of this piece HERE.

Gorgeous green and blue octopus pipe from etsy.com seller, NovaFlo, $35.


An intricately and delicately designed octopus pipe from KravinGlass.com

***Remember to email your octopus holiday gift pics to EverythingOctopus@gmail.com by midnight tonight!***

Octopus Wrestling...A Strange Sport Indeed!

One very clever Everything Octopus reader enlightened me to the existence of a crazy sport that was hip in the swingin' sixties called OCTOPUS WRESTLING!

While I in no way endorse this behavior towards octopuses or any other animal, I thought it was interesting and worth a read. Enjoy...

Octopus wrestling is just what it sounds like, really. A diver grapples with an octopus in shallow water and drags it to the surface. Divers compete to bring in the largest octopuses, and sometimes other creatures of the sea.

This sport was most popular in the 1960s, and there was even an annual contest known as the World Octopus Wrestling Championships.

Click on the images below to read an in depth article about octopus wrestling, written in 1949:

BREAKER "The More I Want, The More I Get"

Thought you guys might dig the art for my debut album, "The More I Want, The More I Get".


The artwork was designed by the fabulous Laurie Shipley. I asked for either an octopus or tentacles and this is the amazing concept she came up with - perfect for an octobabe like myself! Visit her blog to see sketches and the rest of the album art.

"The More I Want, The More I Get" is available for purchase at BreakerOnline.com, which links to our other pages where you can hear our octo-lovin' music. Enjoy!

***Remember to email your octopus holiday gift pics to EverythingOctopus@gmail.com by December 30th!***

Octopus T-Shirts from Etsy.com

The people have spoken!

Based on the responses I received from the Cephalopodmas Contest, it is clear what the people want: more octopus t-shirts! Here are a few of my favorites from Etsy.com.


Polynesian Tattoo Octopus, $21


V-Neck Bell Bottom Tee, $20


Ocean Blue Octopus Tee, $28

Pewter Octopus Napkin Rings

One funny Everything Octopus reader asked about octopus corn-on-the-cob holders, and while I have yet to find any (note yet, meaning I will find those suckers!), I did happily stumble upon these very elegant pewter octopus napkin rings.

Set of 4 for $112, available at CountryTradeDays.com

Instantly transform any meal into a cephalophest by adding these crafty creatures to your dining table! Woohoo!

Did Santa Bring You Octo-Gifts?

Were you a good little octo-boy or -girl this year? Did Santa bring you any octopus-related gifts? I'm inviting all Everything Octopus readers to contribute pictures of their octo-gifts for our New Year's Eve post. Simply email us a picture of your gift, and you can even include a story or anecdote if you like. The more creative, the better!

Email your submissions to: EverythingOctopus@gmail.com

All entries will be published to our December 31st post. Please note in your email if you would prefer to remain anonymous, otherwise your name, ID, or whatever you sign your email with may be published.

Happy Emailing!

(o)(O)(o)(O)(o)>

Merry Christmas from Everything Octopus!

You asked for it...

Check out this AMAZING octopus Christmas tree!

Craft blogger, FutureGirl, presents "Octophrost, Santa of the Sea".

The author and creator writes, "This is Octophrost, the ornament I made for my ornament swap. Every time I say "Octophrost" out loud, I giggle and Andrew looks amused. Especially when I add, "Santa of the Sea." I find it so funny and ridiculous.

I've been dying to make felt stuffies for a while, so when the ornament swap came up, I looked my stack of not-used-yet Japanese craft books. I was looking for something appropriate for an ornament ... and then I saw Sigmund sitting on my desk..."

Head on over to her blog to read the rest of this great story and download the FREE pattern to make your very own Octophrost (hehehe!)

May the Santa of the Sea be good to you this holiday season...

Household Tentacle

Wow, talk about extreme octopus art for your home!

Etsy.com seller, ArtAkimbo is taking octopus art to a whole new level!
Available on Etsy.com for $1,200
Description
Here we have one big ass tentacle. Add a touch of eerie goodness to your home decor.
Bursting through a wall of faux bricks, this fabulous bit of cephalopod is sure to delight young and old alike.
I've included a couple of photos of how it might look in your gracious home, specifically if you happen to live in the American wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I carved this piece out of foam and coated it with fiberglass reenforced polymer modified portland cement and acrylic. The base plate is marine plywood.

The entire piece, though large, weighs about 25 lbs. It is simple to hang with the included hardware.

I have spent a number of years building theatrical sets and props. This method of coating foam with hard surface treatments is used extensively in stagework, and makes surprisingly durable pieces.
Shipping costs on this piece will be determined depending on location. Free delivery within 50 miles of NYC.

The faux brick wall measures 30 1/2"x 24 1/2" and the tentacle reaches 43 1/2" into the room.

Mediterranean Octopus Found in Cornish Crab Pot

December 21, 1009
news.bbc.co.uk

A fisherman from Cornwall has hauled up a rare Mediterranean octopus in one of his crab pots.

Ned Bailey was fishing off Falmouth when the octopus, measuring more than a metre (3ft), was discovered.

The species is normally found in warmer waters, but experts say numbers are on the increase, possibly due to a gradual rise in sea temperatures.

The creature, which has been named Inka, is being cared for by staff at the Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay.
An octopus has no skeleton, meaning it is very manoeuvrable and can fit through very small crevices and gaps.

Matt Slater from the aquarium said from its size, the octopus appeared to be a mature adult.

"But we're not sure if Inka's male or female, because you can't sex them very easily," he told BBC News.

"You have to be able to check their tentacles and Inka seems to prefer to hide away from us."

Mr Slater said the octopus has the most advanced brain of any invertebrate and has a reputation as one of the marine world's most intelligent inhabitants.

Each of the octopus' eight arms is controlled by an elaborate nervous system consisting of 50 million neurons.
They can perform highly complex tasks, including unscrewing jars and opening boxes and can distinguish between different shapes and colour.

Video: Coconut Octopus

Video Description: An octopus has been discovered in Indonesia that collects coconut shells to make a shelter, displaying unusually sophisticated behaviour that the researchers believe is the first evidence of tool use in an invertebrate animal. (Dec. 15)



Read the LA Times article HERE.

Species: Coconut Octopus or Veined Octopus

Although originally discovered in 1964, this crafty little fella' has been making headlines all week!

Amphioctopus marginatus, commonly known as Veined Octopus or Coconut Octopus, dwells in the tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean. The Coconut Octopus is named so for a very peculiar behavior: it carries coconut shells and clam shells across the ocean floor and uses them to build fortresses. it is the only invertebrate known to use tools, and one of only two octopuses known to exhibit bipedal behavior by "walking" on two of it's legs.

The Coconut Octopus's diet consists of shrimp, crabs, and clams. The body of the Coconut Octopus is typically around 8 centimeters (3 in) in size, and, with arms, approximately 15 centimeters (6 in) long. The octopus displays a typical color pattern with dark ramified lines similar to veins, usually with a yellow siphon. The arms are usually dark in color, with contrasting white suckers. In many color displays, a lighter trapezoidal area can be seen immediately below the eye.



Although octopuses often use foreign objects as shelter, the sophisticatedbehavior of Coconut Octopus when they select materials, carry and reassemble them, is far more complex. Coconut Octopus's use of coconuts shells and clam shells hasfascinated scientists, mainly because this is the first invertebrate known to carry and maintain objects for future use. Interestingly, while the octopuses are transporting the shells, they receive no protection from them. This is highly unusual behavior.

One Everything Octopus reader even contributed his take on the Coconut Octopus, which you can read HERE.

Stay tuned to Everything Octopus for more about the Coconut Octopus!

Dumbo Octopus Avatars

Check out these adorable animated Dumbo Octopuses. Perfect for your TONMO.com profile!

Minoan Octopus Vase

Octopus Flask, Late Minoan, Crete, 1580-1100 BCE

Between 1700-1450 BCE, Minoan influence was widespread throughout the Aegean area, and many of the inhabited islands of the Cyclades and mainland Greece (Mycenae for example) were extensively influenced by Crete. The Minoan culture was named after King Minos of Crete, who ruled around the time of 1350-1250 BCE. Great palaces were built at Knossus and Phaistos, among other locations.This remarkable culture was relatively stable over a period of 1600 years. Its location in the center of the Mediterranean caused it to be a center of trade and oil and wine were exported in pottery vessels in trade for food crops from the mainland. Unlike their contemporaries the Egyptians, there was no oppressive priesthood or rigid artistic styles, and Minoan art reflected a freedom and willingness to assimilate other artistic traditions from throughout the region. Common motifs are creatures of the sea, not surprising since a large part of the commerce and diet of these peoples came from fishing boats that plied the waters of the Mediterranean. Here, in a very representative example, a bold painting of an octopus glides around and covers the surface of this flask. Note how successfully the artist has drawn the suckers on the tentacles, and how the coiling circles of the ends of the tentacles are repeated in the shapes of the handles flanking the spout. The Minoan artist did not constrain the design within banded areas, but rather let the images freely flow around the vessel.

Spotted Octopus on Etsy.com

Etsy.com is hotbed for cepholophiles. Here is yet another shining example of the beauty that is created when passion and creativity meet the octopus! Spotted Octopus makes and sells a fun and eclectic assortment of jewelry, including these eight-armed earrings:

Purple Octopus Earrings, $12

Black Octopus Earrings, $12

The Kraken Spiced Rum

Put a beast in your belly with The Kraken Spiced Rum! The website is incredibley fun with lots of octopus action and kraken lore. If you've got a few minutes free and need your octopus fix, then stop by and poke around.

And what's extra super cool is that you can sign up to receive a FREE Kraken poster - pictured below.

Ollie the Octopus Chair

In my quest for cute octopus stuff for kids, I found this Ollie the Octopus Chair. Only problem is...I haven't found any websites that still have it available for purchase! I thought I'd share the cuteness with ya anyways:

And The Winners are. . .

In light of the overwhelming response, I felt it was only fair to share a little bit more octopus lovin' this holiday season, and so 2 winners have been randomly selected, each to receive an octopus ornament!

Congratulations to Dan Pinto and Carmen, winners of the Everything Octopus Cephalopodmas Contest, and soon-to-be proud owners of that snazzy octopus ornament!

I thank everyone who entered for the slew of brilliant comments. Be on the lookout for more of what you asked for, everything from pudding bowls to corn-on-the-cob holders to jewelry displays. I loved all the creative responses, and your input will help make Everything Octopus more fun for readers everywhere!

Thank you once again, and a very Happy Cephalopodmas to you all!

Octopus Jewelry from Noadi on Etsy.com

Check out Noadi on Etsy.com, and get your hands on some of her beautiful handmade polymer clay jewelry and sculpture creations. I've picked out my favorite octopus pieces, and there's lots more on her site, including squid, nautilus, and cuttlefish jewelry!

Steampunk Octopus Necklace, $35

Octopuppy PermaPet, $55

Cosmic Octopus Hair Sticks, $40

Octopus Tin, $42

What the creator has to say...

Inspired by a love of marine animals, science, and all things weird and wonderful. Noadi's Art is the creation of artist Sheryl Westleigh. Polymer clay jewelry creations and mixed media sculptures. If you love cuttlefish, octopus, trilobites, or other strange creatures I've got something for you.

Holiday Shipping Deadlines - US orders must be placed by these dates for best chances of arriving in time for the holidays.
Cephalopodmas/Solstice - December 17
1st day of Hanukkah - December 6
Christmas - December 20
1st day of Kwanzaa - December 20

International shipping time is unfortunately hard to predict so I can't give deadlines. Ordering 2-3 weeks in advance is a good idea but I can't make any guarantee it will arrive in time.

Video: Cyanea Octopus

Enjoy this nicely narrated video of the Cyanea Octopus changing color and feeding:



Remember to "Follow" Everything Octopus and enter the Cephalopodmas Contest!

Fabulous Octopus Garden Wallpaper!

Seriously, I want to buy a house just so I can put this in it! Wouldn't this octopus wallpaper look darling in a powder room?



Product Description:
Luminous octopi intertwine and phosphorescent sea creatures dance in a mesmerizing pattern over clay-coated paper. Hand-silkscreened by Grow House Grow.

Adhesive required
Silk-screened on clay-coated paper
Roll: 30'L, 27"W
Covers 67.5 square feet
USA

Available at Anthrolpoligie.com, $198.

Happy Cephalopodmas Contest!

In celebration of Cephalopodmas, Everything Octopus is holding a contest for our Followers. Entry is simple, and the prize is pretty rad...an Octopus Ornament, perfect for your Cephalopodmas tree or just a festive decoration for your home.


To Enter...

1) You must be a Follower of Everything Octopus. If you're not already a Follower, go to the right hand side of the page and click "Follow" under the "Follow the Octopus" headline. You'll automatically get Everything Octopus updates and be part of a ceph-loving community!

2) Comment on this post and tell us your favorite species of Octopus. Common name or scientific name, it's all good. If you really wanna' have fun with it, tell us WHY it's your favorite species.

If you're like me and need to see everything before you can pick one, then click here to see all the Species we've featured on Everything Octopus thus far.

3) In your comment, include where you want to see more octopus...maybe you want more octopus clothing, octopus jewelry, octopus lamps, octopus cars, octopus art, octopus books, octopus blankets, octopus anything! Tell us what you want more of!

***Be sure to include your email address in your comment, so that we may contact you and tell you you've WON! If your email is not included in your blogger profile (meaning that we can click on your name in the comment box to access it), then please add it to your comment.***

The winner will be selected by a raffle, meaning that if 40 people post comments, we'll randomly draw a number between 1 and 40, and the commenter that corresponds with that number is the winner.

The contest will run until Monday, December 14th, and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, December 15th. Have fun and good luck!!!

Octopus Rubber Stamps

My fellow crafty cephalophiles will enjoy these octopus rubber stamps, which are great for customizing cards, wrapping paper, and much more this holiday season - and beyond! Here are some of the best ones I found online, with links to purchase:

GoreyDetails.com, $9

GoreyDetails.com, $9

Etsy.com, $12.50

AcornNaturalists.com, $5.95

Paper-Source.com, $7