Christmas is on Monday, y’all. Still looking for that fun, sweet gift for that special someone? Are you also into supporting the local artistic community? If so, then do we have some ideas for you!
Firstly, check out Greenpoint Hill, a cute white box store stocking everything from original paintings to ceramics and jewelry, all hand-made in Brooklyn, including these stoneware “Paper Plates” by Amelia starting at $48.
For the historian and/or illustrator in your life, look no further than once-local artist Julia Wertz’s Tenements, Towers & Trash: An Unconventional Illustrated History of New York City ($30), which you can pick up at Word bookstore, naturally.
About Tenaments: “With drawings and comics in her signature style, Wertz regales us with streetscapes “Then and Now” and little-known tales, such as the lost history of Kim’s Video, the complicated and unresolved business of Ray’s Pizza, the vintage trash and horse bones that litter the shore of Brooklyn’s Bottle Beach, the ludicrous pinball prohibition, Staten Island’s secret abandoned boatyard, and the hair-raising legend of the infamous abortionist of Fifth Avenue, Madame Restell.”
Read more in Geoff Cobb’s post.
You know what I always say, crystals make the best gifts. But if you can’t find a crystal for that special someone, consider an open palm handcrafted ceramic hand plates ($40) and some palo santo. Local ceramicist Ivy Weinglass of IIIVVVYYY.com also makes one-of-a-kind vases and more in her Greenpoint studio.
Pins! Everyone loves pins! And Brooklyn’s own Pintrill, with a storefront at Grand and Driggs, offers a crazy selection of pins: emjois, cartoon characters, catchphrases… they got everything for that pin-wearing lover of yours. They even have unique, vintage pins from NASA and the Olympics, ya know, if you’re into that sort of thing.
And so, fret not my young procrastinators. There are plenty of gifts available at local purveyors.
Support local artists, support local businesses! And Happy Holidays, y’all!