Attention Shoppers and Super-Fans...Unique LA is this weekend, May 3 & 4, at downtown LA's California Market Center. We know that some of you like to pre-plan your stops, making sure to visit your favorite vendors. Here is the Vendor Directory & Map, which you can print to plot your way around the show.
We've got an absolutely amazing lineup of 350 vendors for you to enjoy, making it easy for you to buy American-made. See you soon!
We sit down for a very insightful Q&A with the "Maker of Things", Eric Trine.
Eric Trine, 29-years-old
Educational Background: BFA Sculpture - Biola University 2007. MFA Candidate ('13) in Applied Craft and Design - Pacific Northwest College of Art and Oregon College of Art and Craft.
How did you discover your passion for making furniture? I discovered my passion for making furniture by actually making furniture. I have a passion for making - and with furniture it's nice that the things I can make can actually be used in a functional way. So, I like the making of the item but I really enjoy seeing what happens to it after it's made. I love seeing how people enjoy my pieces - how they put them to use.
What inspires you? Thrift stores, garage sales, antique malls and flea markets. It's not about finding old stuff or nostalgia for me, it's about finding stuff that doesn't have a name or a brand associated with it. I love finding weird one-offs. Right now I'm super into old crappy ceramics - the kind of pieces that students make in high school ceramics classes and they give it to Grandma as a Christmas present. You know, the types of things that sit in a garage until they have a garage sale, and then after no one buys it it gets donated to Goodwill, and then it sits on the shelf for years. I guess I'm inspired by the stories behind things but as you can tell I also like to make the stories up myself! I also love just walking around hardware stores or lumber yards. I like to look at raw materials rather than finished pieces.
When Tina Roth Eisenberg (AKA the fabulous Swiss Miss) was sick of the tacky tattoos her kids kept sticking on their arms at parties, she decided to create her own line of kick-ass temporary tattoos for, you guessed it, design lovers. Tattly’s are designed by a curated crew of designers and illustrators including Julia Rothman, Mike Lowry, and Lisa Congdon. And the best part? They are made right here in the United Sates! Need some special bling? Stick on a few diamonds to shine. Typography nerd? Try some word art. Whatever your thing, Tattly's got you, well, covered.
The classic look of a Weber kettle charcoal grill is perfect in its simplicity. In 1952 George Stephen Sr. was working at Weber Brothers Metal Works in Chicago, Illinois, manufacturing marine buoys when he came up with an idea for a better grill. His invention: a dome-shaped grill with a lid to protect food from the elements, while sealing in that only-from-the-grill barbecue flavor. So he cut a buoy in half, added some air vents and legs and, in the process, invented the grill that would spark a backyard revolution!
Whether you go for simple black, electric blue, copper, green, or red these beauties are a sure bet - not to mention they are still manufactured in Huntley, IL. The propane versions below, part of their Summit & Genesis series, are also made in Illinois.
Originally inspired by a light used on an industrial parts washer, this Radar Sconce light fixture is the perfect accessory for your utilitarian-style home. Portland-based SCHOOLHOUSE Electric Supply & Co collaborated with ACE Hotel to create this 70s inspired Radar Sconce in 6 different color variations.
" When sourcing parts, we stumbled upon a 1970s stamped electrical box from one of our East Coast vendors that had the vintage tooling but hadn’t used in decades. We crushed hard on all the stamped details, including a cross, risk-of-fire warning, and wattage rating on the canopy box face. Functional communication incorporated into the design is what makes many vintage designs so rad. The perforated guard matches the original industrial parts washer diffuser, but we developed a clever way to attach it using magnets so that the thumbscrews don’t scratch the paint. This fixture is practical, colorful and flexible—a beautiful and simple example of American industrial lighting." - SCHOOLHOUSE Electric Supply & Co.
Available now for $159 at SCHOOLHOUSE Electric Supply & Co.
The Spring Show is just around the corner and its about time to get excited for the 325+ amazing vendors that will be offering their locally-made products for sale at UNIQUE LA on May 11th and 12th! Check out a few of our favorites in our Spring Show lookbook!
They were the first company to put zippers on jackets. They helped make icons out of James Dean, Bruce Springsteen, and the Ramones. When you think of the iconic American leather jacket, you're thinking of Schott NYC. Still run by third and fourth generations of the Schott family, they continue to make all the classics like Peacoats, Bombers, and Cafe Racers. They also make fantastic non-leather garments. They are not 100% American made any longer, so be sure to click on "Made in USA" for your personal piece of Rock and Roll history.
I was asked by the Museum of Contemporary Craft in Portland, Oregon to contribute an essay for their current exhibition Object Focus: The Bowl. I chose these Heath ashtrays, which I never really thought of as bowls before (but they are, they’re bowls of FIRE!). You can read all the essays here or on display at the museum.
Artist: Heath Ceramics Title: Ashtrays Dimensions: Various Date: Unknown Media: Ceramic
I don’t remember my grandparents ever smoking in front of me. I imagine I must have encountered the crinkle of a cellophane-covered pack on a countertop or heard the metallic snap of a lighter in a distant room; I likely wondered aloud why their couch cushions had a distinctly different scent than the ones in our cigarette-free house. Whether they meant to or not, all evidence of my elders participating in their evening ritual was always kept far from my inquisitive toddler brain.
But I always knew they smoked. I knew because of the ashtrays.
A decade before I would consider putting a cigarette to my own lips, I thought smoking was cool because of these tiny receptacles that were stashed throughout my grandparents’ home. I coveted these ashtrays, wanted to take them home and collect them on my bookshelf. They were beautiful in a way my porcelain tea set was not: unadorned ceramic vessels and clean-lined glass orbs, carved with dramatic indentations and hidden crevices for cradling and collecting the smoldering white cylinders. By nature of the danger they accompanied, they were near-mythical objects in themselves—like miniature, portable campfires I was not allowed to touch.
Yet since then, the ashtray has been stripped of its coffee table stature. Once a required grade school art class assignment, it has become a taboo accoutrement. And as smoking has been banished from American interiors, the tradition of ashtray design has also been extinguished. These three Heath Ceramics ashtrays are relics of not only another era, but another culture entirely.
Production of Heath’s ashtrays began in the late 1950?s at the company’s Sausalito factory. In fact, the notched ashtray design—soon to be the industry standard—was reportedly invented by Edith Heath (a smoker) who devised a method to slice the slim slots into the sides of erstwhile bowls. As part of their Coupe line, known for its earthy tones and unglazed edges, the ashtrays were, for a time, a popular extension of the brand’s growing houseware empire.
But when the company was purchased in 2003 by Robin Petravic and Catherine Bailey, the young couple who have revitalized and modernized Heath, the ashtrays were slowly phased out, deemed inappropriate for inclusion in the permanent collection. They’re not gone forever: Petravic and Bailey recognize that they’re representative of a moment in time, however fleeting, and Heath has preserved the molds to produce them on special request. But one can imagine even those requests are declining as time goes on.
Last year, only 19% of Americans claimed they had smoked a cigarette in the past week, down from 42% in 1965. If this trend continues, smoking may be all but a hazy memory a few decades from now, an antiquated spectacle best witnessed through Mad Men reruns. Once a fixture of cocktail parties and coffee shops, the ashtray—that stylish symbol of ceramic innovation, the handsome centerpiece of conversation—will be invited to the table only if it’s parading as a candy dish.
Alissa Walker is a writer, a gelato-eater, and a walker in LA. Follow her at @gelatobaby and read more at awalkerinla.com
The Brook Farm General Store is a small store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn filled to the brim with exceedingly tasteful and simple goods in the tradition of old-fashioned general stores, but with a modern twist. They're online store has made it possible for people all over the world to enjoy the old-timey general store feeling no matter where our may be. Not so long ago, they came out with their own line of products, called Tourne and their classic-yet-modern ceramics are all made in the USA and have a great handmade feel. You can get them in white or cream, or my personal favorite, a combo of both.
If you think that not enough products are made in the USA, you're obviously not drinking enough! Founded in 2012, Kings County makes handmade moonshine and bourbon out of the 113-year-old Paymaster Building in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and also happens to be the first licensed whiskey distillery in New York since Prohibition. Their moonshine is smooth and incredibly mellow, making it surprisingly enjoyable. Aside from the slightly sweet flavor and a rather mild burn (it's still moonshine folks), Kings County's Moonshine looks like it belongs on the front page of Designsperation.com with it's turn-of-the-century branding and unique look.
Quick tip: drink it straight, there's no need to mix such good moonshine.
Some like it hot and some like it down-right spicy! Whether you're looking to buy a gift for your special lady or want to treat yourself to something fabulous, these made-in-America items are sure to heat things up… We've gathered sweet gift ideas for the Day, and turned it up a notch for Night. Then we selected some red-hot lipstick and nail polishes for you to paint the town red (or pink or purple) in! Enjoy…
1. Le Labo fragrance // 2. Cacao Prieto Chocolate // 3. American Apparel clutch // 4. Carolyn Suzuki Goods // 5. Candle // 6. Be Nais bra // 7. Theo Chocolate // 8.Penelope and Coco shoes // 9. Anthropologie bra // 10. Sweet Perversion card // 11. American Apparel stockings // 12. Stern collar
Be Mine
(clockwise)
Love Me by Smashbox
The Thrill of Brazil by O.P.I.
Besame Red by Besame Cosmetics
Hotdamn by Sheswai Lacquer
Flirt Alert by Benefit Cosmetics
Honey Fox by Sheswai Lacquer
Haute Pink by CoverGirl
Kiss Me on My Tulips by O.P.I
Pendleton blankets are iconic. True American classics. They are timeless and beautiful and endlessly useful. If you have one, you'll have it forever. The great news is that they've been a family-owned business for over 140 years, and for almost a hundred of those they've been weaving in their Northwest Mills. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, this company stays true to its roots. While they've grown a lot over the past few years introducing towels, purses, and fashion accessories, the blankets are still made in America!
The minimalist in you needs to know about Outlier - an NYC-based apparel company started in 2008 by two fabric nerds who wanted to make the best cycling pants. Founders Tyler Clemens and Abe Burmeister have now expanded their line to shirts, coats, henleys, shoes, and accessories. Outlier's garments are created far better than those you'd normally encounter and, more importantly, their design philosophy states that the world doesn't need more design; it needs less. Its definitely a brand to look out for. Visit their online store here.
EcoBalanza does not just manufacture their simple and handsome upholstered furniture in Seattle. Their commitment is such that they have even developed some of the raw materials in collaboration with local farmers and wool artisan women, as well as local craftspeople (legs, wooden elements). As their name implies, EcoBalanza also takes their environmental stance seriously, using sustainable practices, green manufacturing processes, and utilizing only non-toxic materials. As they say on their site, "Ecobalanza independently manages all aspects: from design to material sourcing to manufacture, to ensure the quality and integrity of every piece our artisans create." Now that's a sofa you can feel good about putting in your home.
Grady’s Cold Brew is a New Orleans–style coffee concentrate that’s brewed and bottled by hand in Brooklyn, New York. Hand-brewed daily, Grady's Cold Brew guarantee freshness and a super smooth taste. Follow Cool Hunting as they visit Grady's new space to get a behind-the-scenes look at how New York's tastiest cold brew is made.
Name: Zsuzsanna Barbu
Age: 37
Residence: Brooklyn, NY
Favorite thing about NY: I'm from a European small town so I always crave the simplicity of that lifestyle. However, having lived in New York for almost 10 years - and especially now as a small business owner - it would be hard to imagine life without the conveniences of having everything at my fingertips from food delivery to doggie day care.
Ok, we have to ask - how did you get into air plants, of all things? Did it start as a hobby? I had played around with making mini succulent gardens for a while using vintage boxes, tins, flour sifters, and anything that I thought was fun. I came across air plants when I bought two little ones for my husband and I was instantly in love with them. Within a few months we ended up with a large collection, and after some research and experimentation I started gifting arrangements to friends and family. In the meanwhile, I closely monitored their subtle transformations, admired their flowers, witnessed their offsetting process (they grow little baby plants at their bases), and started to realize their potential. They are amazingly versatile, resilient, very easy to maintain, and ship. They are also the perfect plants for city living so it was a no-brainer to add them into the mix of my creations. My friends and family encouraged me to start selling the arrangements, so I did. That's how Roots in Rust was born.
How and when did you decide to turn this into a living? Since I was a little girl, I always wanted to do something creative. At the end of 2011 my old company started consolidating roles, and while I enjoyed working for them for the previous 6 years, this specific position was not for me. I took this as a sign that it was time to finally put my creativity to work.
What was life before Roots in Rust? - as I mentioned, I was working in the corporate world. I worked the standard 50+ hours a week (I don't think anyone works 9-5 anymore), and spent my weekends hiking and biking with my husband and our friends, and the rest of my free time with making vintage decor and plant arrangements. I will admit that one benefit of a "regular" job was that it provided a clearer separation between work and leisure, which is something that I miss.
What inspires your designs? What inspires you in your career? - Seeing beautiful old objects laying around without a purpose felt like such a waste, so I began finding ways to give them new functionality. I love to create unique, organic pieces and my goal is to only "mold" them as much as necessary while still communicate their origin. I visited Paris for the first time when I was 17 and have been in love with its gorgeous wrought iron balcony railings covered with ivy and beautiful flowers. The curves, the patterns, the gracefulness of the designs are breathtaking. Those memories started me on the road of reusing wrought iron fence and ornate window guard pieces in my Architectural collection. Using parts of old tools and objects are an homage to my grandparents' farm where I spent my childhood summers. These arrangements make up my Industrial, Barnyard, and Vintage lines. In addition to the planters, I also make soap dispensers out of antique mason jars, clocks out of saw blades, and other fun, repurposed home decor. There is something really intimate about creating with materials and objects that were made and used a long-long time ago. The process is also environmentally responsible which is very important to me.
Describe how your pieces come about - do you begin with a specific idea or vision, and search for the item (a windowpane, a block etc) or do you scavenge old materials with an open mind? - It depends. With the windows the idea was first. My husband and I turned an old church window into a mirror for our home, and I knew I wanted to use old window frames in my work somehow. So I ended up with several different designs including the "Terrarium" and the "Floating" windows, which are two of my best sellers today. Alphabet blocks are the perfect way to create personalized, fun planters that people love for themselves as well as to gift.
On the other hand, I often come across beautiful, raw objects and I immediately see their potential. The challenge is to match the right plant with the right piece not only aesthetically, but to be sure they complement each other in size and shape. I love to work with my hands so the process of reviving old objects is also really gratifying.
What does your typical day look like? - after breakfast I head to the studio to work on new designs, take photographs, saw, drill, paint, water the plants, or get ready for the next show. Around 2 I head home to grab lunch and walk Pepper, our doggie. We go to the park for an hour or so then play at home for a bit. Then I either go back to the studio or get on the computer. I answer emails, print labels for online orders, work on my website, edit photos, do accounting, and everything that involves sitting at a desk. Which is A LOT. I take a break for dinner around 7 and spend time with my husband. After this downtime I sometimes go back to work until about 10:30.
What is the most rewarding thing about having your own company? Seeing my customers' faces light up when they see my work. Getting excited emails and photos about how they displayed them, how much they love and appreciate the artistic element in what I do. I feel that in today's world - more than ever - it is essential to build relationships with your customer. Like Seth Godin puts it: ""We are in an era of handmade insights, of human beings who touch other human beings in some way, making change happen". I'd like to think that I contribute to this process.
What do you know now that you wish you knew as you were building your company? My Mom is a children's clothing designer so I thought I was familiar with the "non-stop" nature of a small business. But in truth, nothing can prepare you for the 24/7. You have to be extremely disciplined to not lose control, and since I'm a type-A personality, I was in for a big surprise when I had to realize that I just can't do it all. I had to learn to let go of certain things from keeping the house neat all the time, to responding to every email within an hour. And the most important thing is to always find time for family and friends.
What's next for Roots in Rust? - The ultimate goal is to launch my own line of planters by early Summer. I have so many ideas and now I feel ready to bring some of them to reality. I'm very excited about this and - without giving away too much - I can tell you that I'm going to continue using reclaimed materials. I'll also be adding some that I haven't used before, which makes the process all the more exciting. I'm planning to do some more custom installations, and - if I have time left - I'd like to start a corporate gift line. It will be a busy year!
Discover great independent designers and artists, support your local economy, and take part in community. We make it easy to shop small and have a blast while supporting the city you love! Meet and shop from the actual designers and artists, selling everything from jewelry to home decor and furniture, stationery to men's leather goods!
