Wandering around the 7 Streets area of Amsterdam on Leliegracht we came across Egg Mercantile a lovely design boutique run by Steven and Joshua - 2 Americans who have settled in this international city and opened the shop in 2006.
The stock is suitably eclectic and international including Heather Louise's exuberant and often downright weird one off dolls made from felt, wool, glass beads, vintage buttons and quartz fish charms. 
This beautiful horned cup by Karin Erikkson is just part of Egg Mercantile's extensive stock of Karins work
Not sure who's these prints are by but they are quirky and original.
Large Fancy Avian Platters from ibride, can be used as 'framed pictures' on the wall or actually used as trays.
And ceramics from Lola Goldstein. The shop is packed with lovely items from loads of the best makers from Holland Europe and beyond.
The best thing is that if you don't find yourself in Amsterdam before Christmas (and I think you should) then they have a great website where you can order direct!
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Egg Mercantile
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Etsy Shop of the week - Dutch Door Design
As part of my one man campaign for "proper printing", because I like people who are so stubbornly swimming against the litho and computer print stream (and because I have a garage full of metal type woodcut card blocks and an old arab treadle press oiled and ready to go) and because the result looks so good - I like to buy cards and prints from letterpress printers.
We came across Dutch Door Designs in 'Greenwich Letterpress' shop in New York before Christmas and bought a few, then realised they sold their cards and prints internationally through their Etsy shop so should stock up my 'card drawer'.
This San Fanscisco based letterpress printing company describes themselves as
"two friends, two antique printing presses, a bunch of ink and a whole lot of paper....
Mara Murphy and Anna Branning, friends and co-workers for many years established dutch door press, a design & letterpress studio, in 2006 in a beautiful victorian house in San Francisco. we named our press after the entryway to our studio- none other than a dutch door.
With an affinity for rich color, vintage patterns, natural forms and symmetry we create unique and boldly colored designs for our greeting cards, posters, and invitations. all of our designs are printed by hand on our antique chandler & price platen press or our equally lovely vandercook simple precision 15 proofing press."
PS if anyone has an unused letterpress proofing press like a Vandercook (hand operated but self inking) standing unused in the studio or garage I'd be happy to relieve you of it!
