I did my first ever vacation reward information for vacationers a couple of years in the past, which was once a laugh to collect. Readers gave the impression to benefit from the quite a lot of pieces, and I used to be glad to proportion one of the merchandise that accompanied me at the highway. This yr, I sought after to do one thing a bit of other.
For starters, my lifestyles is a little other – one thing all of you realize. In consequence, my very own presents to friends and family aren’t souvenirs from far-away puts, however a laugh issues I’ve found out on-line. I sought after to proportion a few of them right here, particularly as many are small companies like myself.
The pieces beneath are from artists that I’ve supported, a few of whom I’ve if truth be told met, and they’re all merchandise I stand in the back of.
Artwork and jewellery presents
Some stunning pieces to make your personal.
BECCA JANE DESIGNS
When looking for a present for my mum’s birthday final yr, I assumed I’d do one thing a bit of other. I seemed for an artist who may just illustrate our circle of relatives with a fantastic border after which ship her a broadcast replica for her birthday.
I’ve by no means commissioned this sort of reward sooner than, and Rebecca – the artist I selected – was once affected person and type, and we went backward and forward a couple of occasions till I used to be happy. She even agreed to make my brother as depicted, dressed in his favorite martini t-shirt.
I used to be ready in this reward information till my mum won her reward, and he or she cherished it!
Rebecca’s complete store right here, and word that she is going to do different sorts of designs as smartly, like Save the Dates for weddings, vacation playing cards, personalised child blankets, and extra.
LEXIGRAPHIQUE
I’ve adopted Michael Buchino’s whimsical phrase paintings for a while on Instagram, because it combines two of my favorite issues: finding out, and artwork. His Insta feed, Lexigraphique, is a type of accounts that I ship to a couple of buddies again and again every week.
Prior to this information went up, I wrote him to invite if he had any vacation pieces I may just come with, and fortunate for all folks he was once almost about to release the hygge playing cards beneath.
You’ll purchase his prints and those lovely vacation playing cards in his Buchino store, right here.
BRAIN EARRINGS
Those earrings are stainless-steel, quirky, and a a laugh method to put on some of the vital portions of the frame to your ears. I await many, “is {that a} tree?” questions, to which you get to mention, “nope, it’s BRAINS!”
You’ll purchase them right here.
PICTRIXDESIGN
Anne Connell’s store is a marvel to behold, chock stuffed with paper items designed — as she notes on Instagram and on her web site — with an “absurd consideration to element” She lists herself as a precisionist, and it’s simple to look why. Her art work is meticulous, delicately crafted, and really distinctive.
I discovered her botanical card collection first, and clapped my palms with glee. As any individual seeking to get out in nature all through transient spurts of respite from bedrest, they have been a breath of unpolluted air. Her constellation playing cards, that includes each and every of the zodiac indicators, are a transparent crowd-pleaser. I’ve put the ones two forms of playing cards beneath however truthfully it’s price heading to look her complete store.
I understand those are indexed as playing cards, however I believe they’re frame-worthy all through themselves.
Her complete store right here.
VULVA EARRINGS
I’ve written about how a menstrual cup has been some of the helpful pieces for a solo feminine traveler to convey, and this yr they’ve added a a laugh light-weight jewelry possibility in wooden. I purchased those for myself, and completely love them.
They’re sufficiently subtle not to scream VULVA to any individual you meet, and so they’re in my favorite color. Figured I’d upload a 2d frame section to this information 🙂
Earrings here, and a necklace possibility right here.
NICALLENART
Nicola is a long-time Criminal Nomads reader, and a fellow legal professional and traveler. She has generously shared chicken illustrations and different a laugh to stay me cheered up once I’ve been down. She’s additionally an overly proficient artist, and her playing cards and different pieces are wealthy in puns and pleased artistry.
Nicola’s paintings rings a bell in my memory of the youngsters’s’ books I cherished maximum, with ingenious characters, maps, and kooky animals. A skilled hand-brush lettering artist, she additionally contains numerous drawn typography in her paintings.
From a grumpy owl to a festive sheep, you’ll remember to to find vacation playing cards in your tastes. And one in every of my absolute faves is her wedding ceremony card beneath, “Of the entire fish within the sea” — pleasant.
Nicola’s complete store is right here.
BIRDSTRIPS
I’ve had the excitement of assembly Jess, the genius in the back of Birdstrips, in individual two times. She’s these days in Montreal, and a pal offered us simply sooner than I re-leaked final summer time. Her illustrations have grown an enormous following on Instagram because of its relatable messaging, and her captions that accompany the drawings are uncooked and prone. In combination, it’s tough paintings that makes nearly everybody really feel heard.
In Jess’ phrases, the store contains “the existential misery of the flightless in the course of the eyes of the flighted.”
You’ll take a look at her pictures and select up mugs, shirts, prints and extra, right here.
ABSTRACT AERIAL ART
JP and Mike Andrews, two brothers from the United Kingdom are an Instagram favorite of mine. I usally proportion their pictures with my group as a result of their eye is exclusive, and their photos compelling. Like me, they completely like to trip. Not like me, they specialise in photographing strange, aerial pictures our planet the usage of drone images.
Their purpose: to proportion views of the sector differently unseen, captured from a vantage level maximum folks leave out. A superb present possibility for individuals who like to roam.
Right here’s one I really like from them: Skyline, a drone {photograph} of a freighter that appears like a cityscape.
And this aerial view of a seaside made me smile:
Their complete gallery store right here.
TEKSTARTIST
Jason Markow, aka TEKSTartist is an artist I discovered a couple of years in the past, and was once hooked right away. His paintings combines each conventional and virtual media, a fusion of tactics that lead to chic but crisp merchandise. For the reason that my very own merchandise are typographic representations of meals, I really like that his artwork contains quotes he’s loved through the years, visually represented in distinctive techniques.
Certainly one of my favourites: this flower, “Your Lawn, Perpetually” to be had right here, created through warping and twisting the phrases from Tennyson’s well-known quote – “If I had a flower for each and every time I considered you…I may just stroll via my lawn without end.”― Alfred Tennyson
And the object beneath, The Giving Tree, was once created through warping/twisting the phrases from all the set of textual content from Shel Silverstein’s iconic guide “The Giving Tree”. Purchase a replica of the art work right here.
Complete store right here.
EFFIN BIRDS
Those illustrations of birds with curse phrases sayings are the entire rage on Instagram and Twitter, for excellent reason why: they’re hilarious. Crafted through Aaron Reynolds, they do appear to offend some, however because the identify suggests precisely what they’re it’s exhausting for any individual to be disappointed. Don’t like them? Shut the tab.
In my view, I to find them precisely what I want, each and every and each day.
Clothes, mugs, pins, and extra right here, plus an Effin’ Birds guide and a 2022 Calendar too.
TOTE BAGS: TYPOGRAPHIC MAPS OF FOOD
I’m excited to proportion the brand new tote luggage within the Criminal Nomads store. Up to now, I presented a canvas, bull-woven tote of the maps, with the map published on one aspect. Those new tote luggage are black and white – and if other folks like, I will be able to additionally change out the handles to cause them to crimson or mustard! – and the design is outlined on either side.*
The brand new tote has robust handles and holds as much as 44lbs, very best for errands and/or sporting a computer with no computer bag. Meals maps of Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Portugal, Italy, and Mexico to be had.
Store the brand new totes right here. The total store is right here. Use code TOTESAMAZING for a fifteen% cut price till December eighth, 2021
MICAPEET JEWLERY
Given my love of nature, it’s no wonder that I additionally love jewellery that depicts it in design. I noticed those gold leaf earrings just lately and ordered a couple as my vacation reward to myself. They’re light-weight — nice for any individual with complications — and they’re subtle and simply so beautiful. I just like the distinction of the gold with the emerald inexperienced stud within the ear.
If leaf earrings aren’t your factor, Mica additionally has necklaces, rings, and different earrings in quite a lot of sizes and styles. They’re light-weight and lovely, and oh so ingenious. Her jewellery is hypoallergenic and nickel-free.
Purchase the similar gold leaf earrings that I really like right here, with Mica’s complete store right here.
KAMOKA PEARLS
My buddy Celeste is not just a super trip author, but additionally runs an environmentally-friendly Tahitian pearl corporate, Kamoka, that clings to the strictest ranges of sustainable farming on this planet. Their pearls are from oysters grown within the nutrient-rich lagoon of Ahe Atoll, 300 miles northeast of Tahiti, with electrical energy equipped through sun and wind energy. And should you wanted extra convincing about supporting their endeavor: a Nationwide Geographic learn about discovered that their farming strategies helped building up the realm’s fish inhabitants lately.
As with my former reward information, I sought after to incorporate their Mana Bracelet. At $99, it’s sturdy and lovely. Celeste mentioned that this bracelet was once to begin with crafted for surfers. Now, it’s one in every of their easiest dealers for lively individuals who need a fantastic pearl bracelet with out being worried about fragility. The adjustable band is created from kangaroo leather-based (the most powerful leather-based on this planet), and is a smart selection for the stylish wanderer and the lively fashionista alike.
For one thing a bit of extra subtle (and fragile!), I really like this white Tahitian keishi pearl ring, offset with a crescent to constitute the solar and the moon. Keshi pearls are glad injuries, small nuggets which are created as a spinoff when the pearl grows with no nucleus, or rejects the bead nucleus because it grows.
I really like that Kamoka took those often-discarded pieces and made one thing stunning out of them.
- The Mana Bracelet is to be had right here.
- The White Tahitian Pearl Ring is right here.
- Kamoka’s complete store, with pendants, necklaces, rings, bracelets, and extra, is right here. Their vacation sale is on now, with 20% off.
Sensible Items for Well being and House
Some further concepts for this vacation season.
WINE WANDS
I used to be sceptical of those, however they truly do paintings for me all through the occasional time that I’ve a pitcher of wine. Because of an inflammatory immune situation known as Mast Cellular Activation Syndrome (I’ve written about it in different places at the weblog), wine is a rarity. However those wands make a pitcher one thing I don’t react to anymore, which has been nice.
Purchase them right here.
SAD LAMP FOR WINTER
I take advantage of a SAD lamp within the wintry weather months when in a less warm local weather. As the times shorten, it’s simple to really feel the wintry weather blues. Those Verilux lamps are inexpensive and use LED lighting, and are increasingly moveable over the years. They just logo I’ve used for years.
Purchase them right here.
QUIETON 3 NOISE CANCELING EARBUDS
Those tiny earbuds don’t play track or audio from the telephone, however have noise cancelling era. They’re the sector’s smallest for this objective, and are constructed to be at ease for sleep—together with for aspect sleepers. I used to be involved they’d are compatible, however they arrive with an XS earbud dimension this is very best for me.
Purchase them right here. Black Friday sale on sooner than the 2021 vacations.
KIZIK HANDS FREE SHOES
I’ve been the usage of those footwear for nearly a yr, and I will be able to’t see myself going again to anything. With a spinal CSF leak, I will not simply get into a couple of brogues, or tie my very own laces. Previous to learning about those from a pal, I used an extendable shoe horn to get into my footwear comfortably.
No longer anymore!
Now, the shoe itself is sufficient. Kizik’s patented era in all in their footwear includes a in-built “spring-back” motion making them simple to position on and take off. I take advantage of the Cairo ladies’s shoe (above) as a result of I sought after probably the most powerful strengthen they’d. They’ve a more moderen working taste (the Atlas) or lower-profile kinds just like the Vegas or Prague which are additionally nice. Actually simply is dependent upon what you love to put on!
Many readers have bought those already, and love them—I am getting numerous emails about it. So have buddies who broke a leg, or are pregnant and will’t succeed in their footwear, or are disabled like me. It’s not that i am an envoy for them, I simply love the footwear as a result of they’ve helped my high quality of lifestyles and are at ease to put on.
The usage of my hyperlink gets you $20 off a brand new pair of brogues, and you’ll take a look at them out right here.
FOOD CRAYONS
Those are a Quebec product, and tremendous a laugh. They’re concentrated flavours in a “crayon” that incorporates its personal sharpener. You’ll upload the shavings to spice up any meal, or cocktail, with quite a lot of flavours. Made through hand, they’re all vegan and gluten-free, and these days be offering 24 flavours.
Purchase them right here. They send out of doors of Canada, too.
For readers who requested methods to strengthen me all through this vacation season, the most productive techniques are by means of my Patreon (come sign up for us! there are birds!), or by means of a one-time strengthen possibility.
Thanks as at all times for the entire love!
-Jodi
