Bear Necessities

By Kerry Lachmann, Alexa Trearchis '13 & Charlotte Bruce Harvey '78 / November/December 2012
November 28th, 2012

 

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Photography by Joel Benjamin 

1. LET IT SNOW
Ken Jones ’02 and his partner created Mercantile Home to share their whimsical creations with the public. Each of these holiday-themed note cards is slightly different. $6 each.
www.mercantilehome.com
(610) 258-4046

2. LIONS AND TIGERS AND...
Woolly woodland critters adorn hats, mittens, and scarves by Russell Steinert ’82. Handmade in Nepal.  Walking bear hat: $68.
www.shopbutternut.com

3. ALL BUTTONED UP
Janet Zwolinski ’11 AM turns vintage buttons into up-to-the-minute bracelets. $40–$60.
Use code BROWN20 for 20% off.
www.etsy.com/shop/pushingbuttonsusa
(401) 595-5897

 

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1. ECO TEES
Lonesome George, the last Pinta Island tortoise, died last summer, but his spirit lives on in these fair-trade, organic cotton t-shirts by Eduardo Balarezo ’90. $47.
Use code LGEDU8 for a 12% discount.
www.lonesomegeorge.net
(415) 321-3462

2. THE ALPHA OF OMEGAS
Carder Starr ’74 packs therapeutic  doses of omega-3 fish oils into his Rhode Island–made salad dressings. $6./each
Use code BAM 2012 for a 15% discount.
www.omega3dressings.com
(800) 434-8152

3. ARCHITECTURAL DETAIL
Clare Frost ’06 prints colorful tote bags with images of Istanbul’s distinctive iron doors. $20.
For free shipping, mention Brown when ordering.
www.etsy.com/shop/snowinistanbul
(703) 319-2119 (USA)
0545 590 8802 (Turkey)

4. MASSAGE IS THE MEDIUM
Aimee Vorhaus ’96 AM crafts decorative Bedside Boxes that hold sensual, aromatic massage oils made with all-natural ingredients. $28.
www.redambrosia.etsy.com

 

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5. TOO PRETTY TO EAT
Ken Jones ’02 upcycles old crayons into these tempting nuggets. You can draw with them, but don’t taste.
www.mercantilehome.com
(610) 258-4046

6. SAVING FACES
Emily Trower-Young ’06 created her Saving Face Salve when she couldn’t find an organic moisturizer that worked on her skin. Now she sells a full line of skincare products made with the purest ingredients. Two-ounce tins: $15–22.
www.sustainableshanti.com
(401) 243-4543

7. TODDLER CHIC
Rebecca Blouwolff ’96 sews baby clothes with style, comfort, and longevity in mind. This sweet little dress becomes a tunic and then a blouse. $52.
For free shipping use code evertrue96.
www.liloup.com
(617) 383-1474

8. WORLD POWER
Ted Youngs ’94 designed the Mile High Switch, a compact adaptor for travelers. $30.
Use code I<3BROWN for 10% off.
www.milehighkit.com
(206) 384-3281

 

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1. MADE FOR WALKIN'
Michael Ciccia
’87 and his wife design comfortable shoes with edge. They’re handmade in Italy and finished by a Boston cobbler.
Lindon: $395.
Use code BR1987 for a $25% discount.
www.cordani.com
(781) 245-2131

2. CLOSE-KNIT
Sven Risom ’81 and his wife make yarns and textiles and welcome visitors to their Block Island mill, animal farm, and center for retreats and textile arts. Yarn: $30/skein.
Mention you’re an alum for a 10% discount.
www.northlightfibers.com
(401) 466-2050

3. EAR MOBILES
Devaney Bennett ’03 crafts these Hanging Cage earrings from oxidized sterling silver. $225.
Use code Brown12 for a 10% discount.
www.devbennett.com
(978) 273-0930

4. MAGNETIC ATTRACTION
Susan Bregman ’75 photographs retro neon signs for fun fridge magnets. $5 each; discounts for sets.
www.rednickel.com
(617) 783-8630

 

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5. LIGHT SHOW
Steve Weinstock ’87 fuses glass with minerals to create one-of-a-kind dishes and platters. Fallen Leaf dish: $50.
Use code BRUNO1235 for 35% off (expires 12/31/12).
www.alchemyglass.com
(877) 552-5243

6. WRAP IT UP
Vicky Seelen ’79, ’82 AM knits luxurious scarves out of hand-dyed Koigu and Madelinetosh merino wool. $570.
www.seelenscarves.com
(617) 276-6004

7. AN EXTRA HAND
Finally! At business school cocktail parties, John Zox ’02 hated shaking hands while juggling a glass and plate. His solution: contoured plates you can grasp alongside your glass. Prices vary.
Gift with code BAMdeal (ends 1/1/13).
www.holdaplate.com
(401) 439-9957

8. BRIGHT & BREEZY
Sportswear designer Clare Boerschlein Hare ’81 makes colorful cotton voile tunics. $120.
Mention code BROWN60 for a 60% discount.
www.clareharedarien.com
(203) 655-2703.

 

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1. DECOR FOR THE BIRDS
Hang this ornament by Sven Risom ’81 outside so birds can gather the wool fluff. $25, of which a percentage supports environmental causes.
For 10% off, mention that you’re an alum.
www.northlightfibers.com
(401) 466-2050

2. DOCTOR WARS
Jim Fulmer, who did his medical residency at Brown in ’86, developed this hospital strategy game. $29.95.
www.doctorwars.com
(904) 626-5421

3. SLEEP TIGHT
Matt Maneggia ’98 discovered herbal pillows while studying Chinese medicine. His buckwheat-and-down Om pillow has a pocket for herb sachets designed to help with insomnia, hypertension, and other conditions. Pillow: $120; sachets: $80 each.
Use code BRUNO2012 for a 15% discount.
www.omherbpillows.com
(866) 443-3998

4. BOTH OLD & NEW
Joseph Scott ’07 builds modern furniture with traditional half-lap and mitered mortise-and-tenon joinery. Wine rack: $225.
For a 10% discount, mention that you’re an alum.
www.new8th.com
(919) 259-3417

 

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5. CITY SCENES
Victoria Hunter McKenzie ’81 paints tiny images of New York City icons. Set of five watertower mini prints: $15.
For a 10% discount, mention BROWN10.
www.etsy.com/shop/vhmckenzie
(646) 478-6565

6. GILDING THE LILY
Julia Riesner Knight ’79 creates tableware that’s functional and glamorous. Her 15-inch Lily bowl is sand-cast aluminum decorated with enamel infused with mother-of-pearl. $195.
www.juliaknight.net
(612) 238-2007

7. SNEAKERPHILES
Doug Berman and Matthew Paul, both ’09, combine to make high-art LED-lit sneakers. This neon model, designed by RISD artist KORAKRIT, is from a limited edition of 50.  $347.
www.electrolitesfootwear.com
(646) 5 ELITES

8. FIFTIES FASHIONS
At Leota, Sarah Carson Cloud ’02  makes swingy reversible dresses from matte jersey. $199.
Use code BrownU for a 20% discount.
www.shopleota.com
(800) 761-2850

 

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1. TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Ken Jones ’02 designed this handsome calendar inspired by 19th-century hardware catalogs . $34.
www.mercantilehome.com
(610) 258-4046

2. BABIES FOR EVERYONE
Pediatrician Aisha Bailey ’99 designed 10-inch plush dolls in “flavors” ranging from Mocha to Poppy. The full line of 16 dolls is available online, and you can also find Coco—a little Brunonian—at the Brown Bookstore. $16.78.
www.aishaco.com
(866) 334-9792

3. TREASURE JAR
Eric Newman ’80 brushes red-hot pots with horsehair, which carbonizes, leaving a pattern of smoke clouds and lines.
Small covered Ravenware jar: $75.
www.cynosure-arts.weebly.com
(425) 226-1948

4. TAKE A STANCE
Jill Portugal ’95 designs t-shirts with feminist themes. Anti Porn Star t-shirt: $17.
www.oneangrygirl.net
(203) 848-4163

5. SKI IN STYLE
Discouraged by ugly snowboarding gear, Erin Hooks Isakov ’00 designed a line of high performance apparel for slopes and lodge alike. Willa jacket: $398; Jes pant in charcoal wool: $348.
Mention code BROWNALUM for a 10% discount.
www.erinsnow.com
(212) 675-7762

6. GREETINGS FROM NEVERLAND
For her senior show, Emily Garfield ’09 drew intricate maps of invented cities. On her Etsy shop, Keep Creating,  she sells greeting cards with her imaginary cartography. $4 each.
www.keepcreating.etsy.com
emily@emilygarfield.com

 

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7. ALWAYS PREPARED
Mountain bikers will never be caught flat with this pocket-sized Hero Kit created by Jason Berv ’92. $45.
Mention code BROWNHERO for a 10% discount.
www.herokit.com
(303) 475-9535

8. ART IN MOTION
Alexander Calder’s mobiles inspired this sterling silver and deer-hide necklace and earrings by Courtney Reckord ’97. Necklace: $75; earrings: $45.
For 10% off, mention code BAC10OFF.
www.etsy.com/shop/courtneyreckord
(802) 310-7858
 

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Related Issue
November/December 2012