Creative Holiday Gifts …or BUST!
Yesterday, we got to be one of ‘those people who stand in lines’. I see these random lines all over Brooklyn and New York City and I often have no idea what the line is for. For example, when we were up here in October to find an apartment, there was a massive line on Atlantic Avenue (100 plus people) all of whom were being led down a manhole. What?! I never did find out what that was about.
Our line standing was because we were waiting to get inside the ‘Bust Holiday Craftacular’. I had randomly seen something on Yelp about this and thought it might be fun to check out. I don’t read ‘Bust’ magazine (and Justin definitely doesn’t), but hey, that didn’t mean I wasn’t up for checking out some amazing artisans.
The market was located in the Metropolitan Pavilion and was absolutely packed. We managed to see a lot of creative vendors before reaching our claustrophic quota. It was pretty exciting to see some vendors that I already knew about courtesy of Etsy.
Here are a few highlights (and people worth checking out and supporting!): 
Kate Durkin: A creator of whimsical pillows and prints with designs that are perfect for a child’s room or as an accent in a creative space. I am always drawn towards anything with whales, so her pillows were why I initially stopped by. Her designs are comforting and sweet, with great folk elements.
Ink and Wit: I was quite pumped to see Ink and Wit, as I had highlighted one of their cards on Cheery Observations awhile back (‘You are so Deer’). I love Ink and Wit’s color and animal choices. The designs can be minimalist but effectively convey a great deal of emotion (especially in the animals’ faces). Ink and Wit also offer Graphic Design services.
RawToastDesign: RawToastDesign does illustration (commercial and non commercial) and design work with a quirky pop art style. The effect is one of intense color and unique perspectives. When browsing in person and on the website, I really admire Jesse Kuhn’s work with logos and posters. He’s able to seamlessly switch the perspective and focus depending on the event.
Milkweed and Honey: Milkweed and Honey is a husband and wife collaboration that effectively merges her talents in graphic design and his talent with jewelry making. They use reclaimed objects (beer caps!) for cuff links and jewelry. Their creativity seems to go in many directions, often with a focus on natural elements.
Pistachio Press: I am (self-proclaimed) obsessive over creative stationary and Pistachio Press is yet another great letterpress designer. Rachael Hetzel makes use of birds in many of her images. There is a romantic quality to much of her work.
The Great Lakes Goods: From Chicago, GLG makes tongue in cheek cards that don’t take themselves too seriously, but effectively get the message across. Examples: ‘I’d rather be a forest than a street’; ‘If bees had knees you’d be them’; ‘You wanna build a nest together?’
Whimsy and Spice: Ooh their website makes me HUNGRY (as did seeing their products in person!). Brooklyn based! Another husband and wife team, combining baking skills with design skills in a completely satisfying way. We picked up their brown sugar ginger spice shortbread (I’m having one now), but were tempted by everything. I’ll have some homemade chocolate marshmallows please!
