When you’re doing some holiday shopping, don’t forget to buy a gift for yourself! You can find these unique vendors and more at the BUST Craftacular on December 9th and 10th at the Brooklyn Expo Center in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
1.Beetle Wing Earrings (M) by Tavia Sanza, $32.00
Made out of real beetle wings (you read that right!), these tiny statement pieces will catch every passerby’s attention. Tavia Sanza has been part of the Craftacular fam for a long time. Her Brooklyn-based designs are truly one-of-a-kind, from rings to crowns; her handmade jewelry is made out of free-form wire wrapping, so each individual piece is unique. In addition to this, you can design your own custom-made statement piece. You can sign up for her classes at Brooklyn Charm or Unarthodox in December through her website. Her editorial pieces have been featured in magazines and runways, so you definitely won’t want to miss the to chance cop one of these treasures.
2. Scented Jasmine Molecule Necklace by Sorcery Science, $21.99
Jasmine has a rejuvenating scent that has been linked with spirituality and healing properties. This necklace is perfect for those who love a bit of chemistry and some sweet, sweet floral vibes. Carrie and Joe, the designers behind this sweetly scented specimen, operate as the right and left brain of Sorcery Science, respectively. Each piece is laser-cut and made out of stainless-steel, acrylic, or wood. They feature many different molecules such as serotonin, estrogen, and caffeine- and yes, the caffeine one smells like coffee!
3. Slut? Cross Stitch by My Big Pink Crafty Box, $15.00
Slut? Little ol’ me? Reclaim your slut-dom with this adorable cross stitch. My Big Pink Crafty Box features many different feminist and body-positive pieces, such as vulva pillows and ornaments, in her Etsy shop (and super adorable pictures of her cat). She is not only a designer! Her Twitter (@FerociaLaDyke) and Instagram (@open_tampon) features her activism that combats the stigma towards tampons through the hashtag #justatampon. We agree — in her words: open carry, no shame!
4. Queen of Hearts Glasses by House of Correia, $124.00
These upcycled glasses with vintage appliques will be your crowning glory. House of Correia is a Brooklyn-based company that is taking a stand against fast fashion through sustainable practices. Fast fashion is one of the top pollutants in the world. House of Correia combats this though re-using vintage pieces that have been broken or discarded to upgrade their pieces to create something glam and fab. Each piece is original and inimitable, but most importantly they are gentle to Mother Nature. Stand out against carbon-copy accessories with these ah-mazing sunnies and support ethical business practices.
5. Satellite Cuff by Forge and Finish, $140.00
This cuff has crushed pyrite, which is a protective stone that stimulates the second and third chakras which are the foundation of the emotional body and allows enables us to pick up vibrations from outside forces, respectively. Forge and Finish, based in Philadelphia, is a union between a trio of jewelry designers: Desiree Casimiro, Emily Kane & Carly Mayer. They embrace modernity through keeping with timeless practices, which is shown in their stunning and minimalist pieces. This indie brand has all the pieces that will spruce up any outfit in your wardrobe.
6. Knuckle Ring by Maiko Suzuki, $75.00
Minimalist, yet badass — and it’s custom-made! Maiko Suzuki’s designs are handmade in Harlem, New York City. Her work is described to be like small works of art, and we agree! Suzuki’s rings stand out and resemble miniature sculptures to be adorned onto your fingers. After moving to New York City when she was seventeen years old, it is clear that the NYC aesthetic has inspired many of her pieces, such as the Skull, Cut Cross, and Biking rings. Her Instagram (@maikosuzuki) features more of her newer designs, such as the Skull Palm Cuff which we are fawning over here at BUST HQ.
7. Wooden Pallet with Glass Bottles by Artisan Gallery Framers, $35.00
If you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for ways to spruce up your small apartment. Make use of all of that wall space with these floating mason jar vases. Artisan Gallery Framers helps you to bring life to your walls through a line of original watercolor paintings, photography prints, and wooden wall art. Fat Chipmunk Studios collaborated with AGF to create a one-of-a-kind wall accent, with each piece made with different palettes of wood. Artisan Gallery Framers prides themselves on their specialty in conservation framing, which is a technique that protects their materials from negative environmental facts (air pollution, light, heat, and humidity) and alters them as little as possible.
8. Affirmation Chakra Oils by Strawberry Hedgehog, $25.00 each, or $157.00 for a set
During these trying times, take the time to be mindful and align your energies with these chakra oils that are available individually or as a set. Strawberry Hedgehog specializes in soaps and other bath and body products with a bonus: They’re all vegan! Although veganism is seen as a trend by some, this company has been providing quality vegan products for more than a decade. Owner and founder Tracy Perkins runs Strawberry Hedgehog as a “one-woman show.” She is vocally against animal cruelty and works as a professor at her local community college to teach students about sustainable practices.
9. Brown Winking Eyes Patch by Wildflower + Co., $5.95
Do you remember when we used to sing sha la la la la la la la la la la te da, my brown eyed girl? Iron-on patches are such an easy way to spruce up any accessory, from hats to jackets. Wildflower + Co. has so many different patches, pins, and charms to add flair to any outfit. Wildflowers serve as an inspiration for this collective of DIYers. They encourage us, and other makers, to get messy and create beauty. Wildflower + Co. has a DIY blog you can follow for all sorts of crafts such as charm jewelry, heat embossing, home decor, and iron-on patches.
10. Disco Skater Dress by MessQueen, $88.00
Disco will never die, especially when you rock this golden dress. MessQueen can be seen as the Godmother of all leggings. They have been designing and selling printed leggings in 2007, and have been featured in several music videos, worn by legendary drag queen Laganja Estranja, and featured in publications like the New York Times. Ten years later MessQueen expanded their line to feature harem pants, dresses, and bodysuits. Each design is handmade in Brooklyn and they don’t let a drop of fabric go to waste! MessQueen creates drink koozies and turban headbands out of excess fabric. Their Tumblr showcases the fun they have all over the city with the MessQueen fam.
11. Nasty Woman Tee by Pitchforks + Torches, $20.00
Nasty women unite with this tee! What is amazing about this shirt is that 30% of all profits go to the ACLU. Pitchforks + Torches is a place where “all are safe” — except for Nazis. There are several products in their store that have a percentage profits go towards the ACLU. Their politically charged graphic t-shirts are all screen-printed and with original designs. Apart from Barry’s political prints, he also offers artistic tees and portraits that are available as stickers and posters, as well.
Header photo credits: MessQueen, Pitchforks + Torches, Wildflower + Co. & Forge and Finish
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