English class has something for almost everyone — the grammar nerd, the poet, the story-teller and the adventurer, just to name a few. And hopefully this post does too!
Dirtsa Studio – Made in Somerset, New Jersey
Make room on your sofa for an old friend. The composition book has come home.
Becky, the tour de force behind Dirtsa Studio, has captured this icon in all its graphic glory. And while this composition book does not hold all the answers either to tomorrow’s quiz or your lost youth, it is evidence of style and humor (both yours and Becky’s).
The composition book image is screen printed by hand on canvas fabric. Two hand-cut felt star “stickers” adorn the book’s cover. The 12″x16″ Composition Notebook pillow (left, $25) is part of Dirtsa Studio’s Classroom series that features 3 other pillows – 3 pencils, an eraser and a pair of scissors.
If your tastes run more playful, you may wish to check out Dirtsa Studio’s Scrabble pillows. Becky also makes science-themed pillows that even humanities majors will love. In short, you will want to visit www.dirtsastudio.com.
Kiel Mead - Made in New York, New York
The pen may be mightier than the sword but this “pen”dant is mighty handsome.
Show your commitment to the written word or just to really fun jewelry with this necklace.
If this is the first time you have ever considered wearing a ink nib as a pendant (left, $140 in sterling silver), don’t worry you are not alone. That is power and genius of Kiel Mead’s work. He sees beauty in the most pedestrian objects — a matchstick, a drill bit, a retainer, even chewed and discarded bubblegum.
Through a meticulous casting process, Kiel captures every detail of a chosen object and then plates it in gold or silver. Once hung on a fine silver chain and draped around your neck, an object you use and perhaps dispose of every day looks new, even elegant.
Kiel makes rings cast from car keys, rope and everything in between. He also makes quirky and often smart furniture. Check it all out at kielmead.com.
Books On Shirts Kids - Made in USA
By now everyone has heard how important it is to read to children when they are young. Why stop there? Let the classics be part of their daily lives.
Now no matter where they roam, your children can take one of literature’s most inspiring and magical lines with them.
Not only does Books on Shirts Kids promote a love of children’s books, this family owned business also promotes environmental and social responsibility. All of their garments are made from 100% organic cotton; colored using non-toxic, low-impact dyes; printed using PVC-free, phthalate-free water-based inks; and packaged in recycled material. Additionally, the company is committed to making an American-made product that does not exploit labor or the environment.
Books on Shirts Kids makes t-shirts for children (left, $29 for girl’s) and onesies for babies. They may cost a little more than other t’s and onesies but they also have more positive impact your child and less negative impact your community and your planet. So aren’t they worth it? Visit booksonshirtskids.com.
Rifle Paper Co. – Made in Winter Park, Florida
Sherlock Holmes, Jay Gatsby, Sam Spade.
Even if you are not recognized by your hat, you can easily recognize that these hat notecards (left, $14 for set of 6 as shown) will turn a few heads.
These quirky cards are the creation of designer Anna Bond and her team at Rifle Paper Co. Each evokes a distinct personality. Match them to the lucky recipient or to your own mood, as you see fit.
Bond herself is responsible for the playful illustrations that are then printed locally using both environmentally-friendly paper and printing techniques.
Rifle Paper Co. is a complete stationery resource. In addition to offering a variety of notecard designs, their whimsical style is also available on calendars, notepads, prints, invitations and even personalized stationery. You will want to see this - riflepaperco.com.
Circa Ceramics – Made Chicago, Illinois
Okay, so it is not white and it’s not elusive, but this lidded whale bowl still might be the perfect gift for your Melville-obsessed friend or just a fun and functional way to acknowledge your own internal or external quest.
Andy Witt & Nancy Pizarro are the people behind Circa Ceramics. Andy creates the 3-dimensional objects and Nancy creates the surface images. Like all of Circa Ceramics’s work the lidded bowl is glazed porcelain making it food, dishwasher and microwave safe.
Wish it was a different color? It can be. Because their work is made-to-order, you can choose from 12 glaze options.
Whales not your thing? You can also choose from a seemingly endless variety of images — bullseye, monster truck, cowgirl, typewriter . . . You get the idea.
You can even change the object itself. Circa Ceramics makes great mugs, plates, vases and spoon rests.
The only thing that cannot be changed is how fabulous www.circaceramics.com is. See for yourself!
Body Upholstery - Made in Omaha, Nebraska
At last a real thinking cap!
While hopefully you will contemplate less dire questions than Hamlet, this hat (left, $20) will let everyone know that you are capable of deep philosophical thought (or at least would like to be mistaken for someone who is).
This nod to the Bard is rendered in purple and yellow acrylic and fits most men and women. In addition to being soft, this hat feels good because all of the proceeds from its purchase go to support homeless shelters in Omaha, NE.
Prefer comedy over tragedy? Fear not. Body Upholstery also has a cap that pays tribute to Puck. Check them both out here.
Arete – Made in Conway, Arkansas
If your tastes run a little more toward the romantic, mysterious and macabre, you will certainly recognize Edgar Allen Poe.
While you may not have been searching tirelessly for a Poe belt buckle, now that you have found one (or rather one has found you) don’t you feel a certain rush of excitement?
With this belt buckle (left, $20) around your waist, you will never be alone. Poe will be there to help you start a conversation or fill an uncomfortable silence. He cannot guarantee your eloquence, but he does promise to never leave you (or your pants) hanging.
Arete belt buckles are leather surrounded by metal. The image is transferred directly onto the leather and then a professional-grade coating is applied to highlight the color and detail. Each 3″ x 2″ belt buckle is designed to fit a 1″ wide snap belt (also available).
Check out the entire cast of characters available at Arete.
Queen of Puddings – Made in Charlottesville, Virginia
No list of English-inspired products would be complete without a nod to the English themselves.
Whether you think “scone” rhymes with “con” and “John” or ”cone” and “Joan,” there is no tastier way to pay tribute to the Brits.
If (like me) you have tried to prepare this treat only to find that yours taste more like warm hockey pucks than those lovely tea accompaniments, pay attention.
Lisa Proctor, the Queen of Puddings herself, has taken all the guess-work out of the scone.
If you can make a cake from a mix, you can now make a delicious scone. You need only add butter, milk and bake. The Q of P website even offers a visual, step-by-step preparation guide as a supplement to the detailed instructions on their packaging.
Choose from one of 7 scone mix flavors – original, blueberry (left, $8 box), chocolate chip, cranberry, cranberry chocolate chip, ginger spice and golden raisin. All are made of unbleached flour and preservative-free fruit. Visit www.queenofpuddings.com.
Blue Chair Fruit – Made in Oakland, California
You do not have to be English to know that a good scone calls for a good jam.
Blue Chair is not a good jam, it is an exceptional jam.
Founded in 2008 by Rachel Saunders after more than 10 years of exacting research, Blue Chair Fruit is the standard by which all other jams and marmalades should measure themselves.
Made entirely by hand, each jar of product begins with local sustainable farmed fruit that is then cooked in a traditional French copper jam kettle. These tiny batches are made of only in-season product. Rachel is not afraid of simple, like her 7-citrus marmalade, or complex, like her rhubarb jam with plums and ginger.
Try one jar ($12/each) or even better start with 3. The California Preserve Pack (left, $32) – one jar each olallieberry (blackberry unique to CA) jam, meyer lemon-blood orange marmalade, and Yvette’s plum jam – is a great way to get started.
In the course of the year, Rachel produces between 50 and 100 varieties of jams and marmalades, so there is always a reason to stop by bluechairfruit.com.
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Hope you are enjoying this series of posts inspired by school classes. As you can see, the topics are pretty loosely interpreted.
Feel free to share any reviews, ideas or thoughts.
