On the Hunt at UNIQUE LA

This weekend we took a stroll through UNIQUE LA, the largest independent design and gift show in the country. Their mantra is to provide Californians with a dose of art and culture by local independent artists (90% of the 300+ artists are from the L.A./California area) and give a boost to our economy. The four-day event not only made us realize how important it is to buy Made in the USA goods but expanded our little minds to the vast world of creativity and coolness that exists here in good old Lala (naysayers be dam*ed)! Here’s a peek at some of our fave vendors…

Graphic designer consultant Jen Murse has come out with her own line of laser cut acrylic jewelry, Plastique. Each piece is designed and assembled lovingly by hand by the owner herself and is ready to take LA by storm with it’s clean, minimalist and edgy feel.

The Mincing Mockingbird does cool artwork in the form of paintings, prints, magnets and stationery all depicting – you guessed it – birds.

The Frantic Meerkat, sister company to The Mincing Mockingbird (or should we say the “spousal” company – the owners are married!), lets wittiness reign on their array of greeting cards, prints and magnets.

The Popshop are any gourmet dessert-lover’s dream – they’re 100% natural, handmade with organic sugar and seasonal farmer’s market produce and mighty tasty too! With flavors like Meyer Lemon Ginger, Bananas Foster and Amaretto White Peach, we’re totally obsessed.

Artist Brad Lamers has an awesome array of artwork influenced by pop art and American life with abstract and humorous depictions of modern culture and style. Lamers’ designs are also available in the form of clothing through his company of tees Pop Casualty.

The Poster List showcases unique prints and posters of iconic figures and cool imagery. The quote on their website reads “These posters don’t suck!” by Perez Hilton, so I guess their posters really don’t suck…

Bijou Van Ness presents a collection of unique hats made with imported materials, silks, crystals and vintage brooches. The hats are inspired by world travel, various fashion eras and classic Hollywood glamour.