The Gifted

This is ostensibly a gift guide for the holidays. I am a little love/hate with the concept, especially since I have been working with some clients on gift guide strategy since July or August (!) but it does reveal a lot of great designers to people, all at once, and that’s why I’m doing this one. I want to focus not only on the gifts, but also on the very gifted people who create the work that you want to give – or keep. Some things are made by a single artisan, others by a group of craftspeople. Some are reasonably priced, and others are going to be a stretch for the average person. All, I think, are lovely, and lovingly made with a lot of thought and intent.

Please take a minute to appreciate the gifted designers and makers you love, by purchasing work from them, telling your friends about them, or by sending them a nice email, which is so welcome at this time of year.

This is my wedding ring. It was made by Susanne Matsche and it is solid, plain, complicated. I love how the delicate filigree is on the inside of the ring, like a secret. I don’t wear my ring much because it’s pretty substantial and I am always taking it off while typing or doing any fine work with my hands, but I think about it every day. Is that strange? Susanne also makes great leather jewelry and non-wedding conceptual stuff, all of it great.

I love what’s coming out of the Brooklyn studio of Flux Productions. Ryan works in leather, cork, and textile. All of the work has a strong but abstract oceanside vibe to it. It’s handcrafted without being too Americana fetishy or flashy; he’s looking toward the future, and I like that. This bag is made from handprinted felt and looks to be the perfect size and shape for carrying a laptop, a sandwich, a notebook and your cap and gloves without overburdening yourself.

Photos from modernity.se

Brass is something that just looks better over time. It features prominently in the work of Carl Aubock, who had his heyday in the first half of the last century. The workshop still produces goods in Vienna – four generations worth of designs – and the details are fantastic. Get some vintage pieces on 1stdibs if you are lucky.

Oh, ceramics. My weakness. Especially when they are combined with other materials, like Michele Quan does…her work is outstanding, I love her neutral pieces and her brights equally. A co-founder of jewelry line Me&Ro, you know whatever she does is going to be good. The bells and garlands are my favorite (and yes, giftable), but she’s expanding into dishware and other pieces too.

And another bag – I am fascinated by objects that are functional or sculptural (or both). This bag by Genevieve Savard has a somewhat futuristic feel, due to the three-dimensional crystalline construction, despite being made from traditional materials like waxed canvas and leather. I love that.

In Berkeley, CA, there is a quiet little workshop called Jitensha which only makes custom bikes. Hiroshi has been in the same spot for 25 years, and ignores fads and trends – each bicycle is completely suited for you and you alone. It’s a lifetime investment and how many people can say that about what they make? Why I especially love Jitensha is that this means a shorty like me (I am not *quite* 5’2″ with very short legs) can get something that not only fits, but also works aesthetically. (The little mixte in the photo belongs to Hiroshi’s wife and has 650cc wheels; I think we must be of a similar height. I sigh when I look at this photo.)

Another “lifetime” product from Japan – the Midori Traveler’s Notebook is a simple concept that becomes what you make of it. A plain leather cover, refillable pages, and a rubber band to keep it all together. I can’t stop buying notebooks and this one would feel and look so good after years of being tossed into your bag. The photo shows a new cover (left) and a well-used one, full of character.

Finally, one light-hearted pick for babies and kids. Ivo is 2 and developing a sense of humor so the “right” and “wrong” way to put this together would crack him up. We are trying to wean him off of beeping, swiping devices (already!) since he’ll have a lifetime to upgrade to the latest gadget every 18 months. Toys made from natural materials can be tossed, stepped on, and chewed without fear of breaking, so we are steering him toward more puzzles and games that he has to physically manipulate. I am particularly enamored with this Bunny/Penguin/Alligator mashup puzzle by Manzanita Kids, a developmental toy workshop/husband-and-wife duo from Seattle.

That’s all from me this year! I will have a more traditional gift guide up soon at Better Living Through Design, so keep an eye out for that too.