Blackburn + Sweetzer Has Moved

— Text and photos by Christina von Messling

Unique LA took place this past weekend in Downtown, and I must say it was a great experience. Since it’s the beginning of the holiday season, I was still lacking some bigger and a lot of smaller gifts, and the idea of finding something more creative than a Starbucks gift card and, at the same time, supporting local designers and artisans really appealed to me. Obviously not only to me—when I arrived on Saturday the line to get into the show was way out the doors of the California Market Center.

Once inside, the selection was almost overwhelming: on the first floor was the “Green Room”, eco-friendly exhibitors with products ranging from stationary to jewelry and homemade jam. I especially liked the vintage sack bags from Selina Vaughan, made out of seed sacks (the sacks the farmers put their seeds in) from the 1950s. The detailing was really well done, and the leather she uses was of a very heavy quality that gave the bags additional substance. The majority of the show was up on the 13th floor, and there were so many original ideas and products that I had to come back the next day to take everything in. My favorites are after the jump!

Designers and artisans made an impression at the two-day event, from ties and cold-weather coats to chocolate and homemade jams, lots of pics…

Poubelle Paste and Paper take vintage postcards, photos, and really any other old paper they like (i.e. doctor’s prescriptions or receipts) and mold them into plates and similar products.

Gräf & Lantz takes felt to another level with their creative vision: bowls, coasters, purses, wine bags, Christmas ornaments—you name it they make it. In colors ranging from bright purple to royal blue.

Mother-daughter team Juliet and Julia shared a booth showing of a “Dry Sense of Humor,” the mother’s company printing witty slogans on dish towels, and “Shirted Prints,” the daughter’s business doing the same (but different) on T-shirts and pillows with a disarming simplicity that sticks. Not available online, but contact them at 818-986-0880.

There were vintage mini-cake-presenter or appetizer-holder, or whatever else you’d like to serve in a charming way, that were made out of “recycled” saucers by Oh Hello Friend.

Jules Elin makes great California “winter coats”—warm enough for chilly nights, but not so overbearing that you feel like you’re in NYC. Made out of an especially tightly woven cotton, it has a “hoody-quality”—in the sense that it’s casual, soft, and relaxed—but it’s strong enough to keep the shape of the tailored style of the coat.

Knickerocker presented cute lingerie made in vintage cuts (hipsters, briefs, and bikinis) using romantic floral patterns or sewn-on flowers. Everything is hand-made by the designer, Nichola Thompson.

Very LA (in a good way) were Wesley Stiller’s take on ties: he takes silk ties from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, cuts them up and sews them back together, in a leaner, and therefore of course better, version of themselves. All pieces are one of a kind.

ChocoVivo’s chocolate is stone-ground using traditional grinding methods dating back 2000 years. They grind weekly, so the chocolate is guaranteed to be fresh. I tasted the vanilla-coffee and the orange flavor, and both were delicious!

These little pieces of artwork by Michelle Moode really appealed to me—they are delicate and intricate and would be a great addition to my walls.