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How is it already December? Sheesh! We've been printing like mad over here at Smudge Ink HQ. And in between I've been busy preparing for some upcoming holiday craft/art markets. I thought I'd pass along more info in case anyone's seeking out products designed and made by local artisans (or just want to come and say hi!). You'll be sure to find some great crafts, art, jewelry, records, baked goods, handmade toiletries, vintage clothing and more to stuff those stockings with!

Today (12/2) and tomorrow (12/3) is the JP Holiday Flea presented by Seek & Find (who hosted the zine-fair I participated in back in August) and La Piñata. The flea brings together over 70 local and Latin American artists, crafters, weavers, and woodworkers for a 2-day fair. You'll find us at Spontaneous Celebrations right by the Stony Brook T stop off the Orange line. Hours are today from 1-6 pm and Saturday from noon-5 pm.

Next Sunday (12/11), I'll be at the infamous Black Market at the Cambridge Elks Lodge located at 55 Bishop Allen Drive in Central Square. This bi-monthly event is coordinated by Boston Hassle (a non-profit organization which promotes and organizes arts and music events around town) and Ignore Rock’n’Roll Heroes (an mostly-online punk culture focused shopping extravaganza based out of Brooklyn).

The holiday Black Market is easily the busiest, biggest of the year, so make sure to get there early! It runs from 11 am-5 pm. This event brings together all sorts of characters, from punk record vendors and pop-up vintage clothing stores to soap-makers and tarot card readings. While the basement gets pretty packed with shoppers, you can find a moment of peace at the bar. Yes, you heard me right, someone in this town figured out that a High Life pairs nicely with holiday shopping madness.

While these are the holiday markets I’ll be tabling at, there are a number of other markets coming up in the next couple weeks, including CraftBoston Holiday, Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair - The Loft!, and Krampus Pop-up Holiday Market. 

Happy shopping, Smudgeons!

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THE GOOD. We started the month with a visit from fellow stationery addict, Kristina Burkey! Kristina is the sassy and sweet girlboss and snail mail Instagrammer extraordinaire behind Calliope Paperie. She and her husband, Rob, stopped by the studio (with a box of Union Square donuts in tow!) to get their hands dirty and learn some of the basics of letterpress printing. The best way to learn is to jump in so Deb walked them through how to operate Cookie (our Vandercook) and then Kristina took over and printed an entire envelope job like a pro. Check out her blog post about the visit!

The following week, Clayton and I headed over to Waltham for a photo shoot with the talented Lara Woolfson of Studio Nouveau. We sought Lara out after seeing her incredible work with other brands and companies. We’ve been working hard to put together our 2017 wholesale catalog, and we really want to step it up by including some top notch imagery. Luckily Lara was game to collaborate with us and help us think through our ideas for how we wanted to style and photograph our products. The shoot itself went really smoothly, and we had a lot of fun (and made a big confetti mess)! We can’t wait to show off the photos once the catalog is final! Outtake shown above.

Last but not least, it was just Thanksgiving! Everybody here spent quality time with their families and ate lots of good food. We also spent some time thinking about how lucky we are to do what we love—we couldn't do it without you, so thank you so much for following along and supporting small businesses. You totally rock!

THE BAD. I think we can all agree about what was bad this month. I'll leave it at that.

THE NOT-SO-UGLY. Gilmore Girls is back! Have you finished it yet?! (No spoilers—some of us are still in the middle!)

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Ah, whatever to do when you want to bring something other than a re-gifted bottle of wine to a holiday party? Personally, when it comes to hostess gifts, I try to find something that is first and foremost useful. I think of items that I'd really like to have but wouldn't necessarily buy for myself. That’s not to say a bottle of wine isn’t a perfectly acceptable (and welcomed) gift, but in case you’re seeking alternatives, here are a few ideas! 

1) I received a holiday reindeer bottle opener similar to this one last year, and I love it! It’s a perfect gift that can be used immediately upon opening it. As an add-on, you could bring along some bottles to open up!

2) This Harney & Sons holiday tea comes highly recommended by Sarah, our resident tea connoisseur. If Sarah approves, I know it’s good! This blend will complement your favorite fruitcake on a chilly evening, and when the tea is gone, you can use the attractive tin for a holiday planter! PS: The fruitcake reference is a joke, for most, but I happen to be in the minority here and love fruitcake, at least my mom’s!

3) A “higher end” cocktail mixer is always something I like to receive because it definitely falls in the category of something I wouldn’t purchase for myself! How fun to try a festive cocktail with very little effort. You could pair this mixer with a libation of choice (or as suggested on the bottle) for your host or hostess to make the gift even more “festive!”

4) Smudge Ink's mini calendar will take you through 2017! (Let’s hope for a good one!) It’s a nice compact size (approximately 3.5 square inches) that will fit nicely on anyone’s desk, kitchen window sill, mantle, or wherever you need a quick reminder of the date!

5) Kitchen or tea towels are great to have around, especially during the holiday season when there is always people eating and cooking and food aplenty. I've been a fan of these linen hand towels by The Everyday Co. If you pair with another small gift, you can use the towel as wrapping too!

6) I do love the smell of a spruce candle at the holidays! This one is handmade in California, 100% soy-based, and understated in design. It has an ever-so-trendy “general store” look to it and can sit on your mantle or kitchen counter well into the new year without screaming “I haven’t put away my holiday stuff yet!”

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I LOVE to travel! Could I do it more? Probably. Will I travel more? Most likely and God-willing. Is it fun meeting others while traveling? Of course! Here are some things you can buy this holiday season for someone in your life who loves to set sail, take off, and hit the road in style and with a pop of color!

1) This canvas shoulder duffle is great for the calm, cool, and collected low maintenance, carry-on only, traveler. The canvas is comfortingly simple and utilitarian, while the screen printed design is both handsome and cheeky all at the same time.

2) It's always important to stay hydrated, but especially while traveling. Why not use this beautifully designed canteen to fill both of your cold and hot hydration needs. Double-layered stainless steel? Turns out they do make things like they used to, and then some.

3) Sure, we have all taken public transport, taxis, or rented a car, but with GPS and guides like this, why not take a bike ride though your favorite European city? It's a great way to gauge the lay of the land and work up an appetite to enjoy some local culinary treats. This box set written by Max Leonard boasts an 8 volume guide that covers London, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Milan and Antwerp/Ghent.

4) Who doesn't like looking at a map and seeing where they have been or where they might want to go?! Well as my grandfather would say, "There are plenty of beautiful places in the US alone to visit." So let this print hang on the wall of someone in your life so they can daydream and then make like Johnny Cash to go "Everywhere Man [(or Woman)]."

5) When coming down from the baggage claim, luggage tags can help you pinpoint your suitcase from the get-go (not to mention make it easy for someone to return if lost!). I have my eye on these ones in mustard yellow and kelley green. And it's real leather made in the USA!

6) I remember when I got my passport; it was so handsome. But as time goes on, it could use some personalization. Cue: this passport cover. Choose from one of the 13 colors that speaks to you and prepare for your next worldly adventure and/or help someone else do the same.

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It wasn’t too difficult for me to come up a stationery and supplies gift guide for the paper lover! Not surprisingly, I naturally gravitate towards these gift ideas for anyone on my list. Can anyone have too many notebooks and writing utensils, really?

1) Watch out, Milton! This stapler will definitely have you keeping tabs on it. All office supplies should have this much personality.

2) These everyday memo pads are simple yet fun. And I have a soft spot for grids. The biggest challenge will be deciding which color to choose!

3) It’s all in the details! Our double-thick flat notes with bold edge painting will have your favorite letter writer at hello.

5) Chic and practical, this leather pencil case even has some helpful graphics embossed on the back (calculation for the area of a circle, anyone?).

4) Pencils are always a good staple to have around, even better if there are hilariously entertaining. The Carbon Crusader offers these with quotes from your favorite movies. Or create sets with your own sayings!

6) These beautiful Japan made spiral notebooks are sensible enough for the adult but not without a hint of back-to-school giddiness.

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