egg mercantile

The Little Zoo - e.soule photography

2008-06-15T15:30:00.003+02:00

When I was a child I was obsessed with the idea of becoming as small as my toys and being able to see things from their perspective. "The Incredible Shrinking Woman" and "Fantastic Voyage" were two of my favorite Saturday Matinees, caught during their later runs on television, of course. While Elizabeth Soule may not have used the same toys that I once fantasized about, she has beautifully exhibited the world from their point of view (perhaps He-Man and She-Ra aren't able to take Tyra Banks' direction and smile 'using just the eyes' - and thus make for less than ideal subjects). Soule's "Little Zoo" series manages to capture elusive micro-wildlife in macro still-life. Each image has been mounted, UV protected and coated in a thin layer of wax-like archival sealant, ready to either hang or be stacked on that surface that's been crying out for a little decoration. The only thing better than getting one of these is stacking three. See available photos in our webshop.

Lola Goldstein - Teapot Friend...Limited Edition

2008-04-25T11:51:00.009+02:00

It's the highlight of every plush friend's existence, when their hostess rescues them from the dark recesses of the closet or their perpetual naptime on the bed and takes them out on the back lawn for a tea party. But sadly, every little girl grows out of the stage when they're content to provide all sides of the conversation (at least most do) and prefers real tea and biscuits to water and air, and the stuffed menagerie are given away or forgotten. But not this little friend!

Refusing to go quietly into the night, this friend from Lola Goldstein has given itself a purpose - if it won't be offered the tea, then it will serve it! And thanks to some planning by a knitting relative (Lola's Mom), each friend has its very own hat to keep it and your tea toasty!

Also new to us from Lola: Limited edition handmade ceramic dolls. Each of these dolls come from a limited edition of 150 pieces - each is numbered, decorated with real gold, and signed by Lola. As always, cute overload! See available pieces as we update them in the webshop.

Cardboard Safari, Trophies for Vegans

2008-04-03T13:34:00.008+02:00

No self-respecting log cabin or ski lodge would be complete without a roaring fireplace crowned with a huge mounted moose head staring down on cable-knit sweater wearing, smiling, ruddy-faced people with mugs of hot cocoa stuffed into cozy couches. But taxidermy can admittedly be a little morbid, and the more squeamish among us might even call it vulgar. No worries, Snow Bunnies! The folks at Cardboard Safari have created something to satisfy the most avid trophy hunter or hippie vegan in all of us. Not a product made from animals unfortunate enough to find themselves in the crosshairs of some testosterone-addled hunter, these trophy heads are made from environmentally friendly recycled cardboard. Flat packed for easy carriage, they provide both the satisfaction of piecing them together as well as that prized aesthetic to make your very own cozy cabin complete! Check our selection in the webshop.

Theo - feeling piggy?

2008-03-21T18:32:00.005+01:00

The venerable pig has been forced to weather some bed press throughout the years, despite a long list of valuable attributes. Smarter than dogs and oft times just as affectionate, they make great pets, as evidenced by George Clooney's 18-year relationship with Max, the pot-bellied pig credited with saving George's life in 1994 (and Max even took a flight in John Travolta's private jet, although not in a life-saving capacity). But there's one attribute we feel has been overlooked these last few years: that of being the hallowed guardian of our loose change! Well overlook no more, with THEOsaurus! (We know, the '-saurus' makes it seem of the dino- variety, but according to its creator the name has more to do with the Latin definition of the word 'thesaurus': treasure.) Available for all you purists in plain white as well as a Blau Dresner pattern for those who enjoy the classics, THEO is available standing on fat little legs with feet made of actual cork or seated featuring a quality metal lock. You have to spend a little to save a little!

Newly hybridized wall platters from ibride

2008-03-18T12:38:00.015+01:00

We've always been fans of animalia, whether that be old school minotaurs and harpies, or more current incarnations like Perlman's ever tragic Beast fighting for ill-fated love (Ron Perlman, not Rhea). These new rectangular platters from ibride are no exception, rather they're glowing examples of the hybridization that we love so well. With subjects ranging from the Crow Conquistador to the Gosling Governess, they're guaranteed to satisfy whether you're an ornithologist, period-drama lover, or just love people with animal heads.

Much larger than their previous oval fancy animal platters, these measure in at 63 x 43cm (approx 25 x 17 inches) and feature super fancy images. See our entire ibride collection here.

Under the Stump, 1st installment

2008-03-16T20:29:00.005+01:00

Of course any package from Heather Louise does not disappoint. This latest box was no different - packed with so much Heather Louise Style Goodness that it bowled us over! Under the Stump (1st installment) is now taking up much of the egg mercantile window and the front of our shop! It's great! Bunny Girls, Mushroom Princesses, great big Cursing Bears, Dutch Boys, and more! We've only gotten a few of them up in the webshop thanks to some of Heather's own photos -- we'll try to put more up in the webshop in the coming week, just waiting on a little sunshine to help with the pics.

Frédérique Morrel - Vintage re-made

2008-02-15T18:45:00.014+01:00

Frédérique Morrel was troubled by the fact that her grandmother’s needlework ended up in the trash when she passed away. Since then, she has found an interesting concept to recycle these and other un-justly, un-recognized, anonymous and devalued artifacts.

Frédérique's products have been carefully “re-made” using vintage needlework saved from oblivion in the interest of the redemption of the painstaking work involved in their original creation. Each product is one-of-a-kind, using a unique combination of tapestries or tapestry pieces, assembled in order to create an interaction between themes.

Currently we are featuring a collection of some of Frédérique's smaller goods - trays & keychains. See our available models as we update them in our webshop

Hints of Spring - La Fille du Consul

2008-02-08T16:07:00.000+01:00

As we get closer to Spring, though the weather can still be gloomy - we are starting to see hints of Spring everywhere we look. Leaf buds starting to show on the trees, bulbs starting to shoot from the ground, and now the Lily of the Valley pins as well as others (flowers, pea pods, ginko leaves) have arrived from Delphine Roche de Montgrand (La Fille du Consul).

Check out our selection as we update them in our webshop.

Preview: Under the Stump - Heather Louise

2008-02-06T15:14:00.000+01:00

We received a small advance of mushrooms and one odd fellow named Uncle Gilbert from Heather's upcoming collection "Under the Stump" which is due to be fully available at egg mercantile towards the end of February. These dolls are inspired by woodland creatures and odd things you may find when looking under rocks & old logs in the forest.

If you are not yet familiar with Heather Louise's work, she makes everything 100% by hand -- everything is hand cut and sewn -- nary a machine is involved in the process! And each doll comes with a hand drawn card specific to the individual doll and most of the large dolls can stand on their own. They are amazing!

Uncle Gilbert is hilarious, we just can't get enough of that guy!

Just in time for Valentine's Day - Lyndie Dourthe

2008-02-04T12:25:00.000+01:00

Opening a box from Lyndie Dourthe is always exciting, like opening a treasure chest! Our latest package of goodness from Lyndie arrived today. It held an assortment of birds, animals, and anatomy...

... and a few hearts, just in time for Valentine's day. See the available pieces as we update them in our webshop.

Casalinga

2008-01-06T15:07:00.000+01:00

Another maker of porcelain treasures from Denmark comes to egg mercantile: Casalinga. Created by Trine Weng and Susan Liebe, new items in the shop include: brooches, rings, salt & pepper shakers, a sugar bowl, and decorative birds for your walls. Available now in the webshop.

Karin Eriksson

2007-12-07T01:08:00.000+01:00

We are long-time admirers of her work, which makes it that much more exciting to have some of Karin Eriksson's pieces in our shop. Our current assortment includes handmade stoneware mint cups, signe beakers and bowls in addition to cast bone china tea light holders. This stuff is seriously beautiful. Check it out in-store or in our webshop.

Lola Goldstein

2007-11-29T17:03:00.000+01:00

Beyond cute. It's the only way to describe the creations of Lola Goldstein. They are made from white earthenware clay, handglazed and finished. These little guys traveled all the way from Argentina -- it was definitely worth the trip. It's hard to choose a favorite: Friend in a Nut, Tiny Spice Jar, Egg Breakfast Set, or Salt and Pepper -- they're all fantastic! Available in the shop and here in our webshop.

Crochet Jardim

2007-11-01T18:02:00.000+01:00

Crochet Jardim ... Crocheted cactus!?? Yep ... a big box of them arrived here, all the way from Brazil where they are created by Thais Ueda. If you thought normal cactus were easy to care for, these will positively thrive in almost any environment ... no water required! Additional perk: the packaging is made from recycled materials. Check them out in our webshop and in-store.

Atelier LZC

2007-10-25T13:43:00.000+02:00

We have some new items from Atelier LZC in the shop. A tote bag, sets of badges, an amazing panoramic postcard book, stickers, triptych wall hangings, and of course the latest in tea towels... now available in the webshop!

Elepoica

2007-10-13T11:50:00.000+02:00

Lyndie Dourthe's new creations, Elepoica, have arrived. An assortment of animals with gilded stars and various beads, each is carefully stuffed, stitched, and embellished by hand. They are all fitted with a silver plated stickpin which makes them easy to secure to coats, hats, bags... or keep them in their gauze lined box as a small treasure.

La Fille du Consul

2007-10-10T11:15:00.000+02:00

Fantastic brooches: flowers, pods with freshwater pearl "peas", ginko leaves, and even a fancy snail... all sculpted from polymer clay by French artist Delphine Roche de Montgrand. Each piece is handmade by Delphine with enough realism to make you look twice and enough subtle sparkle for a third, fourth, and fifth look.

12punt3 ... Oneye ... Fruit'eye!

2007-10-05T16:03:00.000+02:00

Created entirely by graphic designer Marianne Roosa in Den Haag, a small troop of Fruit'eyes have invaded egg mercantile. Strawb'eye, Melon'eye, Orange'eye, and Cherry'eye are currently having a sit-down on our chair near the window, waiting for new friends to take them along.

new from iBride

2007-09-30T14:09:00.001+02:00

We were sure to stop by the ibride stand at Maison-Objet in September to see their new additions... we were definitely not disappointed. Available now!

They have added 2 new oval platters to their collection of fancy animals

In addition there are 2 super elegant non-animal platters, Les Amants

And a new addition to the Fancy Lady Platters: Zaya

La Lutine

2007-09-28T18:26:00.000+02:00

La Lutine rings are made from a unique blend of shell and resin creating a look that is delicate and shimmering but deceptively strong enough for everyday wear. Slightly stretchable bands made from industrial grade rubber are attached to the rings using an elastic cord, making for a ring that fits more than one finger size.

Heather Louise: Bears, Bunnies, & Baroque

2007-08-30T02:29:00.000+02:00

The forces that govern customs and delivery services were on our side today, as we got a nice chubby box of Heather Louise goodies... Poison Bears, Sneaky Bunnies, Baroque dolls and more. Check out the goodness!

These little Top Hat Men have little embroidered tattoos... both of them have anchor tattoos - but one also has a little embroidered skull & crossbones tattoo and the other a red heart tattoo with the word "Ma" in it.

Stuck in Customs

2007-08-27T18:04:00.000+02:00

We, and everyone else, are eagerly waiting for the arrival of more Heather Louise dolls... unfortunately the Netherlands Douane seems intent on keep these amazing dolls all for themselves. We are hoping they arrive very soon... please stay tuned for more updates.

*Update: Dolls should be available in the shop on 30th August* :)

De Loods: Nerdy Friends

2007-08-26T15:36:00.000+02:00

We have a small family of new dolls that made their premier here this week. De Loods Nerdy Friends. Designed and handmade by local doll maker Anna Hegeman, each Nerdy Friend is unique.

Anatomy Lessons, Lyndie Dourthe

2007-07-10T23:41:00.001+02:00

Once again Lyndie Dourthe amazes us with a new batch of her Boîtes à Trésors inspired by French cabinets of curiosities and 17th & 18th century encyclopedia illustrations.

Whether you wear it as a brooch or just keep it as a little treasure, these handmade pieces are attention getters. Choose from heart, brain, lungs, or hand. Each has a silver plated stick-pin on the back and comes in its own painted box. Made in France.

Stiksel Passport Cases

2007-07-04T18:34:00.000+02:00

Leather, canvas, handmade locally. We got our first batch of "Never a Dull Passport" cases. Made and designed by Karin Röling of Rotterdam, these cases are made from leather and canvas remnants and hand stamped leather patches.

These "Never a Dull Passport Cases" will be sure to put a smile on customs officials and passport control officers faces.