When Cornell shared a rendering of the dramatic redesign of their Fine Arts Library (FAL) on Facebook, students and alumni saw a vast, cavernous space, all glass and metal, where giant four-storied bookshelves suspended from the ceiling were orbited by delicate metal catwalks and free-floating staircases, before shooting up through the ceiling like Willy Wonka’s great glass elevator.

The comments section blew up with a slew of “Wow’s” and heart-eyed emoticons, until slowly but surely the skeptics emerged. Commenters wondered how to access the books, complained about their fear of heights and in reference to the wide open space and lack of noise-dampeners, one commenter noted solemnly: “RIP Fart Palace.”

Leaders of the architecture department have been excited about the proposed update to the 104-year-old campus icon, Rand Hall (which houses the college of Art, Architecture and Planning) since its inception. When the endowment was announced in 2013, Kent Kleinman, dean of the AAP called the proposed space “a light-filled, 21st century library, glowing from behind the large industrial windows of Rand Hall — a perfect metaphor for conserving the old while erecting the new.”

Cornell AAP professor Jonathan Ochshorn, however, has been vocal about his apprehension. He has called out everything from building code violations of the M. C. Escher-like space, to the hubris of investing upwards of $10 million ($6 million of which was donated by Cornell alumnus and Berkeley-based architect Mui Ho) in a building which he believes will eventually be obsolete.

Construction is loosely set to begin in 2016, but without a final price tag, who knows how this will play out. In the meantime, the debate rages on and offers us bystanders the perfect arena to watch architecture enthusiasts share their (many) opinions while we ogle at renderings that are just plain…awesome.

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Redesigned Fine Arts Library in Cornell’s Rand Hall

The jaw-dropping proposed redesign of Cornell’s Fine Arts Library (FAL) will encompass the top two stories of Rand Hall. The new library’s four-level stacks will soar through the ceiling into a lantern-like superstructure, creating an additional floor. (Rendering: Wolfgang Tschapeller ZT via Cornell University)

Source: Yahoo Makers

The Collection

“The design for the Fine Arts Library is an immediate and quite physical invitation to discover an extraordinary collection that appears as one big volume, visible in its entirety upon entering,” says project architect and Cornell alumnus, Wolfgang Tschapeller. “The winding staircases are the keys to enter this volume of knowledge, browse, read, and wonder.” (Rendering: Wolfgang Tschapeller ZT via www.tschapeller.com/de)

Source: Yahoo Makers

Funding Folly

Architecture professor Jonathan Ochshorn thinks it’s absurd to invest so heavily in a library “given the rapidly fading importance of physical books in academic life.” Even with the $6 million donation from Cornell alumnus and Bay Area architect Mui Ho, the university may have to raise an additional $4 million for the project. (Rendering: Wolfgang Tschapeller ZT via www.tschapeller.com/de)

Source: Yahoo Makers

A Crown Jewel

Because it’s important to hear from a librarian: university librarian Anne Kenney hopes Tschapeller’s redesign will make the FAL “one of the major jewels in the Cornell University Library crown.” (Rendering: Wolfgang Tschapeller ZT via www.tschapeller.com/de)

Source: Yahoo Makers

The Lantern

The extension of the stacks through the roof will create a new fourth floor of the building and will act as a “lantern” casting light across the Arts Quad and acting as landmark visible from campus entry points. (Rendering: Wolfgang Tschapeller ZT via www.tschapeller.com/de)

Source: Yahoo Makers

The Original

Rand Hall was constructed by the architects Gibb & Waltz in 1911 in a yellow brick Neoclassical Style. The large industrial-style windows allow light to flood the interior. (Photo: via Cornell University)

Ocean lovers, you can add a little nautical flare to your home with some shells or sea glass. Or you can set sail for something a little more ambitious, and incorporate an actual boat into your decor. It may sound cheesy, but these 13 creative, stylish projects show you can make waves without making your house feel like the interior of a Red Lobster restaurant.

Repurposing an old boat is a unique and whimsical way to add style and interest to your decor. After all, who says you can’t have a boat in the house? In home design, there are no rules, only the limitations of your own imagination. 

Related on Yahoo Makers: Smart Ways to Upcycle Old Drawers

So, whether you’re turning an old boat into a table, using a canoe as a bookshelf, or lazing away the afternoon on a rowboat converted into a couch, we suggest you get creative, raise the anchor, and experiment. You never know what sort of designer touches will float your boat! 

Also on Yahoo Makers:

A Kayak Turned Display Case 

Turn an old kayak into a beautiful display case for all your most treasured keepsakes. When sawed in half, all you need to do is build a base and you’re set. (Photo: Woohome)

Source: Yahoo Makers

A Table Fit for a Dockside Dinner

We love that when this beautiful green boat is flipped upside down, it makes the perfect setting for an intimate meal by the water. (Photo: Hometalk)

Source: Yahoo Makers

A Fish(ing) Pond Boat

Turn that old canoe into a fish pond. It’s a great way to add a little humor into your backyard. (Photo: Hometalk)

Source: Yahoo Makers

A Nautical Sofa 

This old row boat was turned into a chic hanging sofa. With a plush inlay and lots of pillows, it looks like the perfect spot to spend a lazy afternoon of book-reading and peaceful snoozing. Bonus points for the the rope mat attached to it.  (Photo: Jessica Helgerson Interior Design)

Source: Yahoo Makers

Shipwreck Turned Ship-Shape Home

This unique home can be found in Açores, Portugal. We only wish we got to see the inside. (Photo: Flickr)

Source: Yahoo Makers

A Bed to Float Off to Sleep In

The best night’s sleeps are had on the ocean - the bobbing of the waves, the sound of the water hitting the hull, and the gentle rocking will make anyone sleep like a baby. We imagine this “boat bed” would have a similar effect. (Photo: Diply)

Source: Yahoo Makers

The Only Time You’d Want Water in the Boat

This boat bathtub is one of the many unique features in a Parisian apartment featured on The Designer Pad, and we absolutely love it! (Photo: The Designer Pad)

Source: Yahoo Makers

Overhead Lighting that Goes Overboard

This upside down row boat has been wired and lit to serve as the centerpiece hanging high above the living room set. It’s featured on Digs Digs and we do dig dig it! (Photo: Digs Digs)

Source: Yahoo Makers

An Out-of-the-Box Sandbox

What kid wouldn’t want to be the captain of the sandbox ship? What a genius way to put an old boat to good use! (Photo: Desire Empire)

Source: Yahoo Makers

Canoe Believe How Cool This Bookcase Is? (…Sorry!)

This canoe-turned-bookcase is simply stunning. With a little DIY shelving, a very crafty person turned this sea-faring vessel into a designer’s dream. (Photo: Homedit)

Source: Yahoo Makers

A Genius Doorway

The framework of a boat was used to create this very clever doorway in a home. We love the way it fits seamlessly into the architecture - creating a subtle, effortless effect. (Photo: T. Duffy and Associates)

Source: Yahoo Makers

A Drinks Cooler for the Nautically Minded

What a great way to cool drinks at a party! Simply throw in a load of ice and your favorite libations and the boats will definitely be rockin’ at your next get-together. 

Source: Yahoo Makers

Bottoms Up!

Turn that old boat into the ultimate raw bar, just like they did here at Preserve 24 in Manhattan. (Photo: Lonny)

(Image via Handmade Success)

When it comes to online handmade marketplaces, I don’t know anyone that doesn’t immediately think of Etsy. It has established itself as the owner of this sector, like how all tissues are Kleenex or all soda is Coke. With beautifully curated gift guides, a well-trafficked blog, and a seemingly brilliant brain that knows just what you’ll love, Etsy rules this category, and it’s not looking like anyone is going to unseat the craft king anytime soon.

Surprisingly (at least to this Yahoo DIY writer), there are tons of other websites that do a similar thing as Etsy, all with a slight twist or hook to make it a tad bit different. Traci Gingold of Traci Gingold Designs, an Etsy jewelry designer, says that she considered Artfire (see more about this site below) when she opened her store in 2012, but ultimately went with Etsy because she preferred the clean design of the site. “I felt like the Etsy platform seemed more established, and there were more benefits to being part of that community,” says Gingold. “But sometimes I feel like I need a degree in Etsy SEO and analytics. As a busy mom and photographer, I don’t dedicate as much time to it as I need to really figure out the best times to post and the optimal number of items for sale to land in customers’ searches. But I feel like I’m in a safe spot for my business, and I know Etsy will back me up if anything goes wrong with a transaction.”

If you want to explore the world beyond Etsy, here are 10 sites (yes ten!) to suck your time away.

Brika

A beautiful site that focuses on modern design, makers have to apply to sell their wares here. Founded by two uber-smart business minded women, Brika offers a sense of community (each seller comes with a beautiful bio and photo portrait) and feels tightly curated. You’re not going to find vintage goods or craft supplies here, but you’ll find a whole lot of gorgeous that you’ll want to own.

Splatter Clutch by Anna Joyce, $88 

The Grommet

Not all handmade, The Grommet prides itself on selling the undiscovered products of the world. From one-handed bottle openers to handmade infinity scarves, you can find the good, the odd, and the surprisingly charming here. Like Brika, you can learn read an informative profile on the creator of each product on the site.

Canning Jar Holdster by Marsh Gooding, $33.95 (Because we all love to drink hot beverages out of mason jars!)

Big Cartel

Big Cartel provides designers, bands, crafters, and other artists with a customizable store to sell their stuff online. Simple as that. As a seller, if you want to own and customize the look of your website, sell your wares, and not deal with the coding of setting up your own online store, Big Cartel is for you. It is not one central site where you can shop your handmade brains out, but it’s a great way to launch a stand-alone online biz.

Bedside console without legs by Pelle, $1,480.00 

Artfire

“ArtFire.com is a marketplace, craft and maker community where people from around the world come together to buy, sell and interact,” they say in their About Us page. Sounds like Etsy? Well, that’s because it’s very similar. A few differences to Etsy are as follows: you don’t have to open an account to buy (sometimes a road block for shoppers), the “make an offer” button which allows buyers to suggest a lower price, and the seller keeps 100% of sales and pays nothing to list an item.

Kids sewing pattern (pdf) by Hello Dear Kids, $7.50

Darby Smart

Etsy regulars know that Etsy not only sells handmade items, but it also sells the materials in which to make your own. Felt, hand-dyed yarn, beads…you name it. But they are truly raw and you buy them piece by piece for your projects. Darby Smart has changed the way crafters can craft. Leading designers and bloggers launch simple DIY projects based on the latest trends, and Darby Smart turns these projects into kits. So instead of buying that hammered metal bracelet, you buy the kit of tools to make your own. And for free, you get the “oh yeah, I made this” bragging rights.

Metal stamped bracelet kit by Brittni Mehlhoff, $29

Dawanda

Founded in Germany, Dawanda is the Etsy of Europe. It has a similar interface, mix of vintage, supplies, and handmade, and fan base. For anyone wanting to a more dominant international selection, this might be the place to visit.

Ball vase by AnneR Design, 12.50 Euros

Aftcra

Aftcra took a unique stance by selling only handmade products that are made in America. It’s a smaller selection than most of these sites, and feels a little more like a church-basement craft sale, but there are some gems in the mix.

Toy Wooden Tic-Tac-Toe Game by McCoy Toys, $16

Storenvy

More brand-driven than handmade, Storenvy seeks to help emerging brands sell their wares. You won’t find Aunt Rosa’s knitted tea cozies here. This is where you browse if you live in Brooklyn but can’t make it to the Flea. (Cute detail: when you “heart” an item, you click the “envy” button.)

Pajarito Wristlet/Clutch by Ilano, $115 

Zibbet

Based on Etsy (yet again), Zibbet is a bit smaller with a more limited selection. The interface of the site is really fluid and their homepage is quite lovely, but the handmade selection itself feels a bit lacking. To be truly transparent, it was hard for me to find a good enough image to post for this article.

Lace Ring Wedding Decor (6) by The Papery Nook, $59

I Craft Gifts

The title says it all…handcrafted gifts. While all sites are perfectly positioned for gift shopping, I Craft Gifts decided to just put it right there in the title. They offer some useful tools like holiday coupons and easy aggregate sale creation for sellers. 

Bubbles Ring by Likhomanova Jewellery Design, $82.82

Image via Mason Jar Crafts Love

Let’s take a vote—who thinks John Landis Mason intended for his eponymously named glass jars to be used as snow globes, candle lanterns, or sewing kits? While food preservation was his purpose when he patented the screw-lid jar in 1858, these sturdy and useful glass jars have come to be many a DIYers’ best friend. (There are even entire blogs dedicated to Mason jar craft ideas.)

While a few of us have been known to pour lemonade over ice in one of these babies, Mason jars also bring to mind warmth, coziness, and thoughts of persevering through winter. 

Here are 14 Christmas gift and decor ideas that use our dear old friend—the Mason jar.

GIFTS

1. Holly Jolly Jar

You’ll just have to keep refilling this elf Mason jar with green candies all month long so you can keep this cute hostess gift on display.

Image via Polkadot Chair.

2. Sew Cute!

Create a little pillow-top on the flat metal lid of a Mason jar to make a pin cushion. For those of us with just a few spools and needles lying around (meaning, no elaborate sewing room), this is a handy-dandy little container. (And a cheap and easy gift!)

Image via Pop Sugar.

3. Ah Sugar, Sugar Scrub

Make a batch of this sugar scrub for your colleagues, kids’ teachers, or your book club pals this holiday season.

Image via Mom 4 Real.

4. Coal Cookies

Perhaps more suitable for your son than for a hostess, this jar of coal cookies might just shame the recipient into overeating. 

Image via Make Bake Celebrate

5. Sir Mix-a-Lot

Use the tag on this Mason jar cookie mix to give the baking instructions. Add a touch of holiday flavor with a spring of greenery.

Image via Taste of Home 

6. Cute Cocktail

Make a self-service bar at your holiday party with these mix-your-own drink kits! 

Image via Something Turquoise

DECOR

7. Christmas Candle

These classic Mason jar candle holders add a warm glow to a cold night. (FYI…that snowy texture on the jar’s surface is epsom salt! Even the “crumbs” on the wood surface make it look like authentic snow.)

Image via Deco Art

8. Sparkle and Shine

For a more modern take on the Mason jar candle craft, these glittered votive holders sparkle in more ways than one. Just use double-stick tape and glitter, and voila!

Image via Something Turquoise

9. Candy Cane Canning Wreath

Extra Mason jar metal screw bands laying around? Paint them red and white and make this cute, shabby-chic candy-cane wreath. 

Image via Twelve O Eight

10. Let It Snow!

You can’t say Christmas and Mason jars in the same sentence without touching upon the DiY snow globe! Find a great tutorial here. 

Image via Anyone Can Decorate

11. The Midas Touch

When you can’t decide between glitter and metallic paint, go for both! These vases will look great for the holidays, rainy days, or any days!

Image via Country Living. 

12. Hanging Out

Turn a gaggle of Mason jars into lanterns with battery-powered lights and wire. Hang inside or out for an unexpected holiday display. 

Image via Home Talk.

13. Picture Perfect

Mason jars have become a cool, 3D way to display family photos. Imagine a mantle full of these, surrounded by some greenery, and candles. You’re feelin’ it, ight?

Image via Home Talk

14. Frosty the Snowman

Is it a drink? is it a candle? Is it a vase? Yes, it’s all three! Wrap a Mason jar in yarn to give it a cozy feel. 

Image: Thinkstock

Gearing up for the annual Christmas tree hunt? You and everyone else. Last year, roughly 33 million evergreens were purchased over the holidays. You may have heard that prices are up a bit this year, but fear not. We spoke to Rick Dungey of the National Christmas Tree Association about how to find a bargain, mistakes to avoid, and everything else you need to know before you purchase your home’s holiday centerpiece this season.

Image: Thinkstock

Shop Around

If you want to find the best value, you gotta do the work. Prices vary greatly and can be influenced by factors such as size, species, distance shipped, market demand and the type of retailer you purchase from, says Dungey. (A sampling of people surveyed last season reported spending an average of about $35 on a real tree.)

To start, use the NCTA’s handy locator tool to find retailers in your area. Then visit a few places and comparison shop. If you’re hoping to haggle, look for places that sell trees without a bar-coded price tag (those are already entered in a computer system and harder to alter). Notice a couple of brown boughs? See if they’ll chop (ha!) the price a bit (or, hey, maybe they’ll throw in a free wreath). Of course, if you can wait it out, the best deals can be had shortly before the holiday, when sellers need to unload stock.

Test for Freshness

The NCTA suggests running a branch through your enclosed hand; the needles shouldn’t fall off easily. The outer branches should bend — if they snap immediately, the tree is too dry. You can also call ahead to retailers and ask when their trees were delivered—the more recently, the better. Read this for more info (including advice for what to expect at a cut-your-own farm.)

Measure, Measure, Measure

A common pitfall: Buying the wrong size. “Measure the space where you want to display the tree for both height and width,” advises Dungey. “Christmas trees are commonly grown with an 80% taper, which means the bottom branches have a diameter 80% of the total height.” To translate: Your 10-foot tall tree will be 8-feet wide at the bottom, so make sure it will fit your room horizontally as well as vertically! If you need a skinnier option, just ask for a tree with a smaller taper.  

Image: Thinkstock

Get a Good Stand

Many people overlook the importance of the tree stand, notes Dungey. Most critically, the stand needs to hold at least a gallon of water. (If your tree is over 7 feet, your stand should hold even more water.) After that, choose the style you prefer (there’s four main categories of stand: center pin, four-bolt, clamp and two-piece) or ask your retailer which one is best for your tree. Make sure the stand is big enough; don’t trim the sides of the trunk to force your tree into a stand.

If you buy a tree early and don’t want to put it in the stand and decorate yet, make a thin cut off the bottom and place the tree upright in a bucket of water. That way your fir can stay hydrated in the meantime.

Stick to Tap Water

Take an ordinary terracotta pot.  Dust it with desert sand in fiesta colors.  Pop in some wild rosemary with marigolds as a punch, and you’ve got a brilliant centerpiece for your party tables.

Materials:

Terracotta pot

Elmers Glue

Colored Sand

Rosemary plant

Marigolds with stems

Tools:

Paint brush

Garden scissors

Shallow dish for sand (one for each color)

Instructions:

Starting with a clean terracotta pot, paint the glue around the body of the pot, leaving the brim in its terracotta finish.

Lay the pot on its side and roll in the dish with the sand until the glue is covered, let dry

Plant your rosemary, trim any dead pieces

Stick your marigolds in too, various heights and towards the center, as if they are growning in your pot

Hint: