Beck’s new Song Reader now in Hamilton!

Lots of people heard Beck Hansen on CBC Radio’s Q this morning and we just opened up a box to discover his new “album” peeking back at us. Beautifully packaged by McSweeney’s – Song Reader is not your average music release.

 “Beck’s latest album comes in an almost-forgotten form—twenty songs existing only as individual pieces of sheet music, never before released or recorded. Complete with full-color, heyday-of-home-play-inspired art for each song and a lavishly produced hardcover carrying case, Song Reader is an experiment in what an album can be at the end of 2012.”

Featuring original art from Marcel Dzama (who created the imagery for Beck’s acclaimed Guero), Leanne Shapton, Josh Cochran, Jessica Hische, and many more.

www.songreader.net

The art of Raymond Biesinger now in Hamilton

We’re excited to announce that Montreal-based Raymond Biesinger’s amazing new book, Black and White Illustrations is now in-stock. We’re also featuring his screenprints of Toronto (1976) and the Europe (1919) map that also doubles as a Risk board and comes with game pieces.

We have one framed City of Toronto print left in stock, $100.

We’ve plaque mounted Europe 1919 for easy display and play – $75.00

We’ve been fans of Raymond’s work for a while now and we think you will be too! Check out www.fifteen.ca to see more of his work!

Rookie, Yellow Owl Workshop and Tintin

I recently had a young girl squeal out loud in the shop when she set eyes on the Rookie Yearbook sitting on our main table. She is not the only one excited by this fantastic print edition compiling some of the best articles, interviews, photo editorials, and illustrations found on Rookie’s fantastic website. This has been a popular gift item this holiday season – get in quick to check it out!

Who doesn’t like rubber stamps? Especially these fun sets from Yellow Owl Workshop. We have a variety of stamps from this amazing San Francisco company and are also stocked up on their ink pads and Print Workshop book.

Were we ever happy to get these amazing Tintin sets the other day! Compiling the entire collection of Tintin books in a neat box set – armchair adventurers can travel the world with the intrepid Belgian reporter, his dog Snowy, Captain Haddock, and the curious cast of characters that make these books worth returning to at any age.

More gift ideas tomorrow!

Cardboard Safari now in Hamilton!

Cardboard Safari makes unique cardboard decor items that are laser-cut, easy to put together and made from recycled materials. We put this moose head together in a snap and love the way it hangs in the shop. We are stocked with moose, deer, bass fish, elephants and unicorns. If you see something on the Cardboard Safari site we don’t carry – let us know as we can quickly special order as we head into Christmas.

Get your Hanukkah cards here Hamilton!

We’re always stocked up at the holidays with traditional Christmas greetings but have always had a hard time finding nice Hanukkah cards. After much searching – we are happy to report we are now carrying these gorgeous letterpress cards from Hammerpress and That Sky Blue. They’ve already been getting lots of attention in the shop and with Hanukkah starting in a few days you’ll want to come by soon to pick some up!

Makers’ Market on James North – Dec. 1st

Above: Hamilton design items by Matt Jelly

I know lots of folks are looking forward to the annual Holiday Makers’ Market event taking place on Saturday, December 1st here on James North inside the historic Christ’s Church Cathedral. Lots of unique and locally-made goods will be featured and visiting the Market it is a great way to kick off the holiday season.While you’re on the street – grab a coffee and a treat at Mulberry Coffeehouse, browse the shops and galleries and be sure to swing by and say hello!

Lomography 20th anniversary

Got home tonight in time to hear some of the CBC As it Happens interview with Lomography founder, Mathias Fiegel on the twentieth anniversary of the Lomo camera.

“More than twenty years ago, Mr. Fiegel found an old Russian camera called the Lomo. And when he saw what it could do, he promptly formed what he called The Lomographic Society, in Vienna, Austria. And as a result of the Society’s enthusiasm, the Lomo has emerged as one of the most remarkable analogue triumphs of the digital age.”

As Hamilton’s supplier of Lomography cameras & film we love continuing to see the enthusiasm and creativity that comes with shooting the “old fashioned” way!