Swimsuits are barely dry, tans may still be fresh, but retail summer is over and holiday 2001 sidelines are ready to roll. A number of new products make the transition not only less painful but downright fun.
Fred Flare Inc. of New York City, entices us out of the pool with stylishly playful paper goods and accessories. The Pillow Book, a 40-page journal and pencil packaged in a cuddly felt sleeve (in a range of vibrant colors), makes a great gift for dreamers of all ages (the gray flannel Getaway Bag, a zippered pouch in two sizes, lets you toss in your own journal, or whatever). Desk-side jottings seem far more profound when recorded on the Construction Pad, a 300-page block of brightly hued, note-size construction paper. The Plank Pad is a 50-page, wood-grained telephone message tablet that says back-to-nature in an urban, and urbane, fashion. Blank books range from the camouflage-sporting Camo Journal to the sorbet-tinted Grid Guide Journal, Composition Notebook (a far friskier version of that black-and-white school staple), and the petite but not demure Barnotes (mini notepads for pocket or purse). For lengthier communication with the outside world, the Sushi Deluxe Note Set provides 15 printed cards and envelopes packaged in a sushi-to-go plastic container, with two pencils in the chopstick holder, complete with faux seaweed. Stocking-stuffer fun includes the Candy Kit, a clear-plastic box of starlite mints or pineapple delights, multicolor felt ornaments and garlands in retro holiday and geometric shapes, and kitschy little gift boxes with jitterbug rings and lucky-penny coin purses. Owners/designers Keith Carollo and Chris Bick invite you to create your own holiday decor with the Fred Fir, a live seedling packed in a clear tube—just add water, love and about 10—15 years. Call (212) 675-4827, www.fredflare.com.
Holidays have never looked so beguiling as they do via the Carolyn Whitaker Collection from Two Women, San Francisco. Using antique postcard images, real vintage postage stamps, ribbons and paper memorabilia, the designer creates charming blank cards featuring handmade collages with a nostalgic feel, in themes for all the fall and winter festivities from Rosh Hashanah and Halloween through Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and Valentine's Day. Boxed cards accent vintage seasonal postcards and postage stamps. Delightful holiday art pins sport images from vintage stamps, magazine covers and postcards adorned with appropriate mini-trinkets or jewelry and ribbons to evoke a whimsical, sentimental mood. Friendship pins are tiny, envelope-shaped pins hand-wrapped in vintage postage stamps and embellished with a charm or jewel, coordinated to themes of music, love, letter writing, teachers and, of course, holidays. The ornament collection combines handmade and imported papers, as well as stamps formed into miniature photo frames decorated with ribbons, charms or tassels, hung from a chain. Year-round offerings include journals, elegant bookmarks made of ribbons and cameos featuring vintage images, small pieces of art-paper jewelry and cufflinks, beautifully packaged, individual collage cards, as well as boxed notes, paperweights and letter openers—all of which make marvelous greetings or tokens of affection for literate fans of vintage goods, at reasonable prices. Call (800) 322-1979, fax (415) 553-8634, e-mail twowomensf@yahoo.com.
Taking collage in an engaging but different direction, Legend Design, in Toronto, presents greeting cards, albums, journals, memento boxes, photo frames and stationery sets made of fabulous paper and adorned with cut paper, trinkets, ribbons and other adornments in fresh, lively designs. Holidays, weddings, new babies, graduations, anniversaries, you name it: any major or minor life event has a corresponding card, frame, box, journal, album or gift tag. A lot of clever, handcrafted fun on a budget. Call (877) 858-8989 or (877) 858-7878, www.legendtoronto.com.
For a huge selection of sumptuous handmade paper products, Black Ink Papers of Graphic Products Corporation in Carpentersville, Ill., can't be beat. Personal, social and business stationery, in sets or in bulk, ranges from delicate florals and leaves to stunning, saturated colors in pastel and bright shades. New for 2001 are boxed notes made from these luscious papers. Packaged decorative accents include collage packs of a wide variety of bestselling paper sheets, cut-paper shapes—circles, hearts, fleurs de lys, stars and maple leaves—and paper strips. Sets of natural and dyed skeletonized leaves from rubber and boda trees add an ethereal touch to wedding invitations, cards, frames or correspondence. Call (800) 323-1660, fax (847) 836-9666, e-mail GraphicProducts@aol.com.
Fascinating and meticulously handcrafted architectural miniatures, ornaments, desk and decorative accessories, and toys are the specialties of former professional architectural-model builders Richard Hopper and Harold Gilstein of Hut Studios in New York City. These gorgeous objects combine original photographs and colorful decorative elements to not only reproduce but vastly improve upon structures in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Boston, as well as many landmarks of Europe. Pencil boxes and cups, cardholders, desk clocks and caddies, and a medley of boxes offer possibilities as unique and witty gifts for the discerning desk set. Call (212) 628-8377.
