While I find the word “mintd” doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue (though maybe, that’s just me), I do find the newest kid on the online marketplace block, mintd, pretty awesome. Like Etsy, it allows users to create a virtual store to sell their wares, complete with a user feedback and rating system. Mintd then takes the process a step further with what they’re referring to as lookbooks– for example, customers actually photograph themselves wearing their purchases and link back to the original seller which in turn, earns them a commission on every sale resulting from a click-through. Based out of Australia, the fresh and relatively easy-to-navigate site is obviously still building its following and working out bugs in beta, but is definitely worth keeping an eye on for fun and unique clothing, jewelry, art and home accessories.

New York may be known as the city that never sleeps, but this weekend, Sao Paulo will truly own that heavyweight title. I’m going to need to do some serious caffeination this weekend to keep up with it all. First there’s Skolbeats, an electronic music fest— South America’s largest, actually— that takes place over two days beginning Friday. Among the international artists slated to play the various tents are Afrika Bambaataa, Tony Touch, The Crystal Method, Mau Mau, Laurent Garnier and Miss Kittin. Then, on Saturday, for a solid 24 hours starting at 6 p.m., hundreds of cultural events will be staged at over 80 (!) locations citywide in a massive event called Virada Cultural. We’re talking about movies, dance, theater, music, literature, food, art and more. Even the metro will run through the night in order to accommodate partygoers. I’m looking forward to seeing Brazilian hip-hop heads the Racionais MCs, who will play the city center’s Praca de Se at 3 a.m., but more so, continuing to discover the richness of what makes Brazil (and Brazilians) so distinct.

Creator of Flight 404, the music visualization god that created those intense, dramatic and jaw dropping videos we saw back in March is at it again. Magnetosphere is his iTunes plugin version that combines magnetism, gravity and pure awesomeness to deliver an insanely bad-ass iTunes music visualizer. It’s like a cross between Star Wars hyper speed and Jackson Pollack for your own personal viewing pleasure. Coincidentally he’s also the co-founder of the Barbarian Group– the pixel pushing mega-men who have been behind some of the most successful (and creative) projects in a long time (they partnered with Crispin Porter + Bogusky on Subservient Chicken). Downloads of the plugin are available for both Mac’s and PC’s– what are you waiting for?

Like they said– The last iTunes visualizer you will ever want for.

I know Josh is a huge fan of the Momi TEea Party, the super limited-edition t-shirt subscription service by the folks at momimomi. So, whilst perusing this morning’s JC Report, I came across a similar concept from offered by Swedish outfit, T-post. When you sign up, you’ll receive a new t-shirt every six weeks. While momimomi’s offerings aren’t thematic or related, T-post chooses current news topic to base their designs around, which is then explained on the interior tag. Prices run at 26 Euros or $US32, which, if you think about it, is about as much you’re going to be spending on that lame ironic tee from Urban Outfitters, anyways.

Team favorite Jan Willem Wennekes (of Zeptonn) just dropped word on his latest limited edition print. Even though I’m a huge fan and may have a somewhat skewed perception, I’m just going to put it out there and say that this is glorious. If you didn’t manage to scoop up a copy of Stingermania before it sold out, now is probably the time to get your monster fix; the poster is 50 x 70 cm (that’s about 20 x 28 in) and printed on 135 gram MC paper. He’s only throwing out 200 of these, so you can feel secure in knowing that your wall monsters’ scariness won’t ever be diluted from overexposure. Monstertastic.

Although I’ve waited until the 3rd of the month to remind you, there are still plenty of days in May to enjoy our current Spear Collective calendar image. Honors for the May image (seen here) went to Seattle-based Grant Barnhart. The images are available in three different resolutions to accommodate all of your screen sizes. Incidentally, Grant has some of his new work currently displayed at the Coping Mechanisms Show in L.A. at the Tinlark Gallery on Sunset Blvd. until May 12th. I’m going to stop by the gallery next Friday when I’m in Tinseltown, so if any of you want to meet up, drop me a note (jamieATjoshspearDOTcom.)