Spring may well have sprung, but all this week I’ve been back in NYC’s record February cold putting this post together. I tend to get very overstimulated, very quickly at markets, so my strategy at Shoppe Object and NY NOW remains to snap anything that seems interesting and puzzle it out later.
Reviewing them is always a most lively recounting of my wanderings — and I’m so happy to share the second part today. If you haven’t reviewed my NY NOW | Shoppe Object adventure at Stationery Trends or the first part of this post, go check them out and then come right back!
First off, that cover selfie was snapped, with the maker’s encouragement, in the fabulous Black & Beech booth. I only ended up taking one other shot, which fortunately shows their exquisite lambswool cardigans.
And here’s a better shot of their fingerless gloves. Knitted in Scotland with Yorkshire-spun wool by artisans using generations-old techniques, these feature seamless, zero-waste design for maximum comfort and minimal impact and are ethically produced with recyclable packaging. Any bookworm would be proud to wear these while paging through tomes!
Organic French chocolate presented in vibrant artist-designed and -signed packaging? Oooh la la!!
The next best thing to actually reading a Richard Scarry book with a child is this St. Louis brand’s Richard Scarry greeting card collection. Unshockingly, these designs are up for three Louie Awards.
I love seeing dynamic paper packaging. Easy to merchandise and artful in and of itself, it effortlessly draws second and third glances.
This all-leather backgammon board is an instant heirloom and complete winner every time. Completely crafted by a Colorado father-son team, it features 100% vegetable tanned, hand-dyed leather with a dark brown base and Oxblood and Show brown points.
American Girl nostalgia is very real — and fortunately also available in affordable sticker form.
After a brief hiatus, NANU Studio is back and better than ever. How I missed Krishna’s puns!
Is there anything as truly divine as a French textile (even one I did not properly put in alphabetical order)? These are the next-best thing to a trip to Southern France!
All babies are cool, but I especially love these dynamic new (and diverse) deliveries from paper&stuff!
Dystopian humor is somehow both the hottest and coldest thing in humor.
This house of letterpress is known for its ultra-bright color and color contrasts — but its more subtle treatments are incredibly visually arresting as well.
Stylishly presented games are the coffee table books of the moment. These cost significantly less than the custom boards highlighted above — but are still most impactful, as well as entertaining.
Discovering Abbie Frank was quite the Shoppe Object find! Clearly her cards are top-notch — her art prints are divine as well.
This is everything you would expect — and more! — from a brand founded in Woodstock, New York.
Every card range from this British brand resonates in its own distinctive way. If you are looking for something fresh, this is the place!
From delicate porcelain plates to color-edged, wire-o journals to ric rac ribbon fabric napkins to belly-banded tea towels, Rifle demonstrates its seemingly effortless mastery of cross-merchandising and presentation.
Highly illustrated, colorful journal covers are definitely having a moment alongside wire-o.
The booth of this chic New York hand-painted accessories brand had a crowd around it every time I walked by — and also offered a primer in timely trends.
This Massachusetts house of design is long renowned for its ribbons — but its scissors are pretty fabulous as well!
It was a serious joy to walk *Noted and experience one fabulous indie greeting card brand after another. If you did not get to see, here’s the album of 505 photos, courtesy of the Greeting Card Association.
Having had a few months to percolate all these trends, we are certainly immersed in an artisanal, elevated, authentic moment. While the state of the world is dismal at best, the current climate does lend itself to thoughtful, meaningful design, for which I am most grateful.
Thank you Stationery Trends for letting me have the best job on earth — and thank you NY NOW and Shoppe Object for sharing all this gorgeous design!
