June - July Challenge Theme: Genetics

The theme for June / July was genetics. Only two team members tackled this challenge, but they were too good not to feature here.

First up is Helices, an original watercolor by Genevieve of SummerQuarters.

I love the addition of the accessory proteins controlling DNA transcription and gene activity. The cheery orange-red background makes this a piece I can really see hanging in a doctor's office.

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Next up is this amazing collagen color spectrum by Kristin of ArtAtomic.

It doesn't look like much at first (especially at this size), but once you know what it is, you can't help but think "oooooh! COOL!" In Kristin's own words:

A color spectrum, based on the amino acid sequence of the protein Collagen. First, I wrote a program in Python, to analyze the amino acid frequencies in a sequence. Then I wrote a second program to visualize the results.

It'll be really interesting to see how the spectra change depending on the size, composition and function of the protein scanned. I'd like to see some GPCRs and other transmembrane proteins to see how they differ from globular and structural proteins.

Kristin ran the code for insulin in her program next:

These color maps are fantastic! I think a print of a scientist's favorite protein would make the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for nerd... and would look just as awesome in a baby's nursery as it would in a doctor's office!

Hop of over to Kristin's blog for more details. 

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The challenge theme for August / September is Hypatia of Alexandria - what are you going to create?

April/May Challenge Treasury!

You might recall that the challenge item for April (and May) was the world's tiniest vertebrate.  Here's what we cooked up!

'The World's Tiniest Frog!' by Kokoba

trilobiteglass... $25.00	PaperUlixis $5.00	Ulixis $16.00	minouette $16.00
BallyhooBath $5.50	iWunder $50.00	ArtAtomic $60.00	Kokoba $20.00
PhDstressrelie... $50.00	clairepayne $6.00	buffalonerdpro... $6.00	iWunderVintage $15.00
molarchae $15.00	QuercusDesign $20.00	Kokoba $25.00	IdeaLiza $24.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Particle Physics Treasury!

Check out this treasury featuring January Particle Physics challenge items!

January Challenge: Particle Physics

In the Mad Scientists of Etsy's January Challenge we tackled the entire field of particle physics! We covered everything from Planck's constant, to the Higgs Boson, to atomic structure, to cosmic rays, to the discovery of mesons, to quarks - in a wide variety of media.

Check out all the wonderful variations on this dynamic field of study:

Physics Jewelry - Planck's Bracelet by kokoba








Atomic Earrings by NorthStarJewelry








Cloud Chamber II - The Screenprint by minouette








Artful Particle Collisions --Tree Rings and Traces (series 2) by AlphaRabbitOnline







Higgs Boson - Mad Scientists Team Challenge - Soft toy sculpture by FurWillFly







Up and atom nerd apron by buffalonerdproject








Papercut Art - Hideki Yukawa (1907-1981) - first Japanese Nobel Prize winner and discoverer of mesons by jerise

December Challenge: Tiny Beaked Toad

(image credit: Conservation International via Science News who write, "Scientists discovered a new beaked toad (genus Rhinella), while on an amphibian expedition in Colombia. The toad’s coloration camouflages it on the leaves of the forest floor, where it lays eggs that hatch directly into toadlets, no tadpole stage required.")

In December, the Mad Scientists of Etsy celebrated this newly discovered tadpole-less beaked toad! Check out these hand-made challenge entries:

Tiny Beaked Toad Blank Card by TwoHungryBlackbirds








Tiny Beaked Toad Humorous Original Drawing ACEO Scientific Discovery by jvdarcy







Mr. Burns Toad, a.k.a. Tiny Beaked Toad by Cretur Fetur








beaked Toads2 by marycympc

November Challenge: Niels Bohr

The subject of the Mad Scientists of Etsy November Challenge was Danish physicist Niels Bohr (1885-1962). Bohr is an obvious choice - the Nobel laureate not only was one of the central figures of 20th century quantum mechanics, inventor of Bohr model of the atom (moreorless how we now conceive of atomic structure), godfather of the Copenhagen interpretation, he was known for his generousity, open-mindedness, and clear ethics (which cannot convincingly be said of all of his contemporaries). He advocated sharing knowledge and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. He was also known for taking long walks and thinking out-loud. Sadly, he was also notoriously crytic in his pronouncements. I often wondered about what Mrs. Bohr thought, faced with his incessant rambling on the interpretation of quantum mechanics. Check out some of the great handmade items he inspired!

Niels Bohr pendant by HappyFallout








Niels Bohr Blockprint by minouette








Blue and White Lampwork Bracelet (Atomic Blue) by EarthDogStudio







Wall Clock with Stars and Posies by marcympc

There's nothing to get your feather's ruffled about!

Especially not with these entries for the MSOE February challenge theme - feathers!

This month's theme was inspired by the identification of colour of some feathers on dinosaurs and early birds for the first time. The researchers found melanosomes in fossilized feathers, which are "color-bearing organelles buried within the structure of feathers and hair in modern birds and mammals, giving black, grey, and rufous tones such as orange and brown". They also found phaeomelanosomes, which result in rufous and brown colours. By finding these, for the first time we know what some of the colors of dinosaurs were!
Read more about it on Science Daily!

This inspired some wonderful and creative items by our team!


Sweettweelab - Otus the Screech Owl 1950s Ephemera Book Page
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40987433


Minouette - Block Printed Feather Brooch
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41204667


CreturFetur - Playful Kea
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41384838


iWunder - Luxury art yarn moebius cowl
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27132410


Ulixis - Feathers CARD SET
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41693565


Jackbear - Penguin Hand Carved Rubber Stamp
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31541788


AliciaMae - Decorative or small masquerade black feather mask
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6922225


Scientificculture - Felt Feather Brooch
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41568743


Tyarkoni - Heart No. 7, Hand Drawn Feathers, Frameable Art Card
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37919541


Don't forget to vote for your favorite entry on our poll!
Check back next month for our March challenge theme - entomology!

Even Mad Scientists Need A Little Love...

A bumper crop of entries for the 'Mad Scientists' Valentine' challenge! Featuring items with a science theme, or any Valentine's Day gift a mad scientist would love :)



clairepayne - Lavender Heart Sachets
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38529196



minouette - Thinking of You Valentine IV Card
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38380178



buffalonerdproject - Shiga toxin sweetheart half apron
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38896464



molecularmuse - Dopamine Heart & Pearl Valentine's Day Necklace
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38985622



jvdarcy - Hand Drawn Valentine's Day Cards
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39285974
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39295988



tyarkoni - Valentine, Hand Drawn Honeycomb, Art Card
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37991643



iWunder - Hot Pink Glam Cowl
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36942844



jackbear - Tell Tale Heart ACEO - Alternative Valentine
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39698292



CNJceramics - Red Love Birds
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39747708



bijoutery - Brown Ceramic Heart Necklace
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39830821



scientificculture - Love Robot Coffee Sleeve
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39675846



maidstonejewelry - Valentine's heart pendent
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39152176
- Heartlinks
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38689816
- Heart diamond ring
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38689163



janssendesigns - Valentines Day puppy love wreath
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39378788


Vote for your fav entry in our blog poll!

Find more great items by the team on Etsy, just by searching for 'msoe team'!