I’ve been totally in love with New York City since age 6; I still remember the moment I fell. It was 1976, the bicentennial, a very big deal. My father had taken the entire brood — my step-mother and four collective children, me being the baby — for what then must have been a textbook NYC family vacation: Stay at the Plaza, see a Broadway show, eat at an incredibly fancy restaurant with nothing a child would ever eat … you get the idea.
Somewhere along the way I saw an enormous mural comprised of red, white and blue stars forming ‘1976’ and was beyond dazzled — and I’ve pretty much been like that ever since. Throughout my years studying at NYU, then living and working in Manhattan, and now just visiting several times a year, the city has nurtured, inspired and accepted me just as I am — and helped make me who I am as well. To me there is always something a bit magical about that moment you first witness the Manhattan skyline. Whether it’s from my plane window or car windshield, it always takes my breath away.
Meanwhile, back when I was a market editor lucky enough to be working in a major market city, NY NOW (then New York International Gift Show), National Stationery Show and whatever show in town that sounded half-interesting informed my understanding of our industry and laid the groundwork for some of my most precious, enduring friendships.
But what really makes NYC so special is that it is constantly evolving — so I’ve fallen in love all over again as it plays host to not one but two amazing gift markets. NY NOW has an unmistakable polish and countless discoveries to be found — but Shoppe Object is the yin to that yang. Together they make for an unparalleled market experience, which is why I’m already thinking about my February visit. But before I get too ahead of myself, let’s jump back a bit, into the first of three parts recounting my jaunt through Shoppe Object.
Aaliyah Makoni Handmade
Typically, I don’t get too excited about non-stationery these days — but I do stop to check out exquisite prints and color palettes! These one-of-a-kind, handmade women’s accessories and home décor pieces are fresh, fun and really fabulous. I love that the handbags kind of replicate … envelopes? Everything is made in South Africa and Zimbabwe — I was so excited to grab a shot I think that’s Aaliyah’s hand the first pic!
It’s always wonderful to step into and get lost in Abigail’s gorgeous watercolor world. Since she founded it in Venice, a trip to this booth always feels like a quick trip to California. I love seeing her work on matches – these are a no-brainer to merchandise alongside candles — as well as stickers, which feel like little masterpiece versions of the cards!
I already knew Abby named this range for her parents — Alice and Gunther — but I was so excited to be back in her booth that I accidentally called her ‘Alice’. Next market I will have my act together! Anyhow, in a world that needs to focus on sustainability, I love a range that invites the eye to consider what our earth sheds as the mind realizes just how much it may have overlooked.
Every object is carefully scavenged and curated into all sorts of configurations — in the second image you can see the various available token styles. The effects vary greatly depending on background and type of set. The entire concept is such a sharp left turn from traditional home décor— and these fresh approaches are part of what makes Shoppe Object so special!
I have been talking for some time about the messaging of stationery leaping onto different products — Anecdote Candles is a stellar example, and by incorporating scent, you’re bringing a whole new sense to the table. Which is perfect, because Anecdote’s mission is to make fragrance a conversation piece.
As you can see from the first candle, Julie is actually something of a poet, who uses scent to tell her story. For me, the copy itself evokes standing in a record store — one whiff and I was actually transported.
Meanwhile, those I’m Speaking and I’m Still Speaking candles benefit She Should Run, a nonpartisan nonprofit working to increase the number of women running for office.
It’s always a joy to see what this house of paper and gifts has been up to; if I’m really lucky at a busy market, I get a few minutes of face time with Sookie before she has to run off and write an order for someone. I was lucky enough several years back to experience the vast Cavallini archives for myself in South San Francisco; this gargantuan collection of paper ephemera is really a museum in and of itself. I could have stayed an extra day just to examine it all (and would not have even gotten through a tenth of it).
That means they have lots of fodder for their luxe offerings. And as you can see, all that exquisite antique imagery gets a very polished. more modern home on totes, notebooks, giftwrap and puzzles. Each one is like a little visual history lesson; I guarantee you will learn something you didn’t know before!
Honestly, I don’t think this booth was un-mobbed even once during the entire Shoppe Object. It’s always a madhouse filled with happy reunions and a lot of laughter. It’s hard to not be dazzled by this sweet imagery presented just so on blocky pads or colorblocked cards. New this market was jewelry … I think the three cousins did an amazing job taking their vibe onto a whole new product category. I never really thought I wanted a pair of whale earrings … until I saw these!
This print and design studio is based in Glasgow, Scotland, but every last design on these hand-printed decorative homeware and paper products are created with a team of artisan printers in Jaipur. All products and packaging are created from recycled paper or sustainably sourced wood. Their banners put typical Halloween décor to shame.
Kirstie sent the below along for Stationery Trends since I went completely ga ga over this Medieval Witches & Wizards Garland, but since it is still a bit early for us to cover *next* Halloween, I cannot not share it here. It is even more wild in person — that last shot I took at market shows what happens when you add a shadow!
Egg Press (et al)
Egg Press provides the actual letterpressing not just for its own designs, but for those of Askahn and Hello!Lucky as well. It was interesting to see all three brands co-existing in the same space, as the quality is consistent but the perspective accordingly varies.
That ‘time is a construct’ birthday card is brilliant, I am so loving Ashkahn adding so much great color to his formerly monochromatic designs, and Hello!Lucky makes me feel as though I’m happily existing in a psychedelic print. These three ranges comprise some of the most artful and interesting letterpress I saw at market, hands down.
I love how this upscale florist is not thoughtlessly expanding into personal care, but really thinking about clean packaging and presentation. These seasonless gifting offerings stem from their story of ‘The Healing Power of Water, Flowers & Herbs.’ I’m legit jealous of anyone who gets that gift basket in the second shot.
Here’s a new (to me) letterpress printer, from the heart of Santa Barbara, California. “We strive to promote a return to a slower, friendlier, more reflective, and tactile world through letterpress,” write husband-and-wife owners Marlene and Frank Bucy. In addition to their wholesale biz, they also run a digital print shop and a fine stationery gift store, so they definitely know what they’re talking about!
I love a great quote — and Folio really knows how to showcase it. Meanwhile their more lighthearted illustrated designs round out the range nicely.
Wouldn’t you know, registration is already open for Shoppe Object … have you RSVP’d yet? I hope to see you February 5 on Pier 36!
