Has it been awhile since you’ve experienced the warm air, white sands, vibrant colors, and the bewitching aura of Mexico? Well, if the economy is keeping you bound to the city, why not bring Mexico to you? Fill your home or wardrobe with the meticulously crafted merchandise from Huitzilli and you won’t help but feel a little warmer inside and out.
Huitzilli (pronounced “whit-zeely”) means humming bird in the Mexican dialect Nahuatl. It also characterizes the products that owner Emily Cantrell has chosen to stock in her boutique. In Aztec culture, humming birds are emblematic for their vigor, energy and propensity to do work. All the merchandise is selected by Emily as she travels through ten different states in Mexico, visiting local markets, individual artisans and small family workshops. In her travels, Emily mimics the ancient roots of trading, bringing materials, such as cow horn buttons and fabric, from one state to another where producers then make it into a line of garments for her. She can provide a firsthand testimonial to the work and care that goes into each piece. A lot of the indigenous crafts are dying out and Emily likes to think she’s helping the artisans to keep doing what they do best.
Among the gorgeous knitted wear including beret-style caps and a gorgeous baby vest, you’ll find Guayaberas (Mexican Wedding Shirts), pottery, textiles, jewelry, and more. And, you might want to ask where you can find some good molé sauce.
Photo Credits: Jason LaFrenais
Huitzilli
624 Metropolitan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-701-3195
http://huitzilli.com/
Posted in Baby and Kids, Brooklyn, Home Furnishings, Jewelry, Men's Clothing, Williamsburg, Women's Clothing.
Tagged with 11211, handcrafted, Hats, Home Furnishings, Jewelry.
If you were stranded and could have just one thing, no doubt, you’d likely want to take one of the graphic novels from Desert Island. Despite it’s modest appearance on the outside reflecting the old time tenant, Sparacino’s Bakery, Desert Island boasts an incredible collection of graphic novels, children’s books, limited edition silkscreen prints, comic books, and zines.
Owner Gabriel Fowler moved from Chicago to New York about four years ago. And when he did, he left behind his favorite store, Quimby’s, expecting to find bigger and better things in NYC. After suffering a huge let-down, he determined to open a shop of his own. Never having owned a business before, he scraped money together, found a space, got the merchandise, and opened up shop. And it’s paid off. The shop has gained some notoriety with the local residents, but to Gabriel’s surprise, he has a lot of foreign travelers stopping in. Many visitors have heard of his store, through his myspace page, the many write-ups of the store, or just word of mouth, and come specifically to see his collection.
And when they come, they’re richly rewarded. Gabriel has managed to bring in indy and popular artists and blend them harmoniously in his store. A sampling of his graphic novels includes Chris Ware’s Acme Novelty Library series, the classic Peanut series by Charles Schultz, Foxie by Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire (from the New York Review Children’s Collection), and Summer Blonde by Adrian Tomine. Some have great narratives, and some are just arty and abstract. But together, all are a visual feast for the eyes. Being a former resident of the neighborhood, he also carries work on consignment from local artists, including the kids who drop in after school with their zines.
Photo Credits: Jason LaFrenais
He frequently hosts free book release parties, artists’ talks, and other events including the upcoming puppet show on January 25th.
Desert Island
540 Metropolitan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-388-5087
http://www.desertislandbrooklyn.com
http://desertislandbrooklyn.blogspot.com/
Posted in Books, Brooklyn, Williamsburg.
Tagged with 11211, Books, locally sourced, Williamsburg.
