Features

Greetings, stationery and gift nerds, from Shoppe Object’s fantastic new digs in the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Chelsea. I’m still sorting out all the design sights I found, but I can’t not share these fabulous finds! I’ll start off with an alphabetical array of gifts, then we’ll hit my card counter. Clearly, I found endless sights to write home about.

Anecdote Candles. This woman-owned brand has been much copied — with very good reason. But don’t accept stinky imitations. After all, generating spellbinding scent combos alongside appropriately descriptive, humorous copy is not easy. The clean, eye-catching presentation brings it all together.

Antolini Glass Company. Hand-blown in Philadelphia, these ornaments have both the individuality of the artisanal — no two are exactly the same — as well as the allure of the mass-produced series (think Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup cans). Also note the everyday subject matter dressed up and put on a pedestal — that’s a definite trend too.

Block. Crafted of borosilicate glass, these British imports also make the everyday and the familiar more special. Note the abundance of taper candle holders — that trend is still going strong.

Discothèque. I survived disco the first time, and I rather enjoy seeing how younger creatives interpret it! This ultra-hip brand’s sleek iridescent surfaces, combined with incredible product names, elevate it to a fantastic place that may have never existed, but very much should. My favorite scent: Lola at the Coat Check, a reference to Studio 54.  

Eleanor Bowmer. Mugs are trending up — but these, from British illustrator Eleanor Bowmer, fill their typically overlooked real estate with the type of fantastic imagery you can look at every day and still find something new to fawn over. Kristen Tarnol, owner of Emerald Forest Gifts in LA, was specifically seeking home items for those who are starting over or wanting to thank those who housed them. Unsurprisingly, these will soon be available in her shop!

Greentree Home. Sculptural elements and fresh color choices transform these beeswax candles into art pieces that metamorphosis in interesting ways as they burn.

Moglea. Hand-painted planners have entered the stationery room, courtesy of this Iowa house of design. Their refillable nature justifies the splurge and provides a product you can literally be attached to for ages.

MOIO. Those who know me, know I obsess about anything that can be tucked in an envelope for a snail mail surprise. These super-standout beaded bracelets are made by artisans in Zimbabwe — and the foiled packaging makes them pop at retail too. 

Never Have I Ever. These upscale press-on nails feature the work of various artists — who receive credit (down to Insta address) as well as royalties for their work. This is a really interesting maker trend!

Piecework Puzzles. What is the essential accompaniment to a puzzle? Why, a napkin of course, to keep those crumbs off! This statement puzzle brand has introduced statement napkins, which very much speak for themselves.

Pink Stories. If you like neon, this ultra-distinctive Bavarian brand is for you. These dip dye candles come in heavy foiled boxes — but be sure to check out their earrings, vases and stationery too.

Season Paper. France is known for its cheese, its wine … and now its stationery. Created by two women — Julie and Mélissa — who met while attending the Atelier National d’Art Textile in Paris, this is everything you would imagine French stationery to be. It’s elevated, yet clean; vibrant, yet polished — in other words, effortless chic in paper form.

The Archivist. You cannot not be a fool for this brand’s letterpressed match boxes, but check out their soap! The bars are nearly as fancy as the boxes, and both merchandise splendidly.

The Completist. This British brand color-codes every last office task, with brilliant effect. Look at this monthly calendar — it’s on an oversized Post-it! And that’s just *one* easy organizational tool to keep you looking good as you stay on top of your game.

The Good Twin. This winter market season, I saw a lot of gift bags. These really stand out out of the gate — there’s no possible way any of them could be dispensing a substandard gift! Fortunately, that frog you see gazing out its window at center appears throughout this LA range.

Yellow Owl Workshop. If you thought tote bags were tired, take a gander at these! Not only do they fold into the sacks you see at left, they feature (and credit) the work of various artists. Take it from me, it is nearly impossible to pick just one.

Yuko Kikuchi. Everyone goes on and on about the ring … but never the ring box! These luxe, hand-painted porcelain boxes are nearly as exquisite a keepsake as the rings they are designed to hold. With custom work available, Yuko should be a resource to anyone in the wedding or event planning space (among many others).

The Card Counter 

Amy Heitman through Crow & Canary. This die-cut dome card is also a treasure worthy of saving for posterity!

And Here We Are. For many brands, the snark gloves are officially (clearly) off and makers feel empowered to really let it all hang out (so to speak).

Badger & Burke through Crow & Canary. After reading ‘in dog years you’d be dead’ on at least a dozen offerings this market season, I couldn’t not share this fresh fruit take from this standout brand here.

Cosmic Peace Studio. This card is screen-printed to achieve its perfect imperfection — cleverly reflecting the perfect imperfections  of our own proverbial birthday suits.

Dahlia Press. This prolific ‘presser and Seattle stockist better known as Stephanie Clarke is experimenting with style and form to make her point (as well as her mark), with fabulous effect.

E. Frances Paper. No one does funny and thoughtful simultaneously quite like this brand. The textured paper really makes the message and image pop.

Elana Gabrielle. This understated yet lovely design speaks to endless occasions, making it an official messaging powerhouse.

Half Penny Postage. With one powerful image, a timeworn cliche helps women see themselves as the incredible forces of nature they truly are.

Isatopia. All the die-cuts here are to die for — and this maker, who hails from Maine by way of France, also provides a really fresh take on Americana.

La Familia Green. I noted a definite increase in encouragement cards in 2025, but this one, full of popular coping tools, really stands apart. 

Moglea. The hand-painted designs this brand is renowned for stay fresh year in and year out, thanks to memorable embellishments like scalloping paired with messaging that doesn’t quit.

Ohh Deer. For this Gen Xer, there is nothing mid about taking the illustrations we grew up with to a rather unexpected place! The colored envelope gets extra points.

People I’ve Loved. For support and feeling seen, no one approaches it with love and humor quite like this California brand.

Power & Light Press. Kyle has been letterpressing for 15 years now so in my book she’s officially OG — especially because she keeps churning out fresh, clever designs.

Saturn Press. This house of letterpress was originally run by a couple living on a Maine island who famously only reluctantly purchased a fax machine for business communication. Now under new ownership, these classic deckle-edge designs have a renewed life and strength. 

SHEWOLF. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of fresh (and necessary) snark in the stationery scene. You never know what’s going to bring us all together!