Tiny. Groovy. Different.
I have been known to read comics about talking dinosaurs. In this whimsical vein, I learned that in 2008, a talking dinosaur received a letter from a miniature mayoral mammoth. It was my introduction to the tiny marvels of Lea Redmond and leafcutterdesigns.com, and I have been charmed ever since.
Perhaps best known for The World’s Smallest Postal Service, Lea is basically the best thing that ever happened to people who a) like tiny things b) would prefer not to use up the world and its resources and c) are weary of handing money over to The Man when they could be supporting an artist first hand.
This site is basically the antithesis of pricey, anonymous, hectic holiday shopping. Ideal for that someone in your life (an Auntie, say) who is impossible to buy for, it’s especially useful if you like stuff that’s handmade, clever, gentle, imaginative and kind. I am not terribly crafty, so I admire these little gems all the more for the skill and detail that goes into each creation. Plus, it’s kind of fantastic when you find a gift that doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to be memorable and lovely.
It should be known that the first anniversary card I ever gave Matt came from Lea’s tiny post office! And her site offers more than eeny-weeny bouquets for your mom on Mother’s Day in doll-sized packing boxes complete with teeny, crumpled newspaper. She shares all manner of fanciness gratis: I have one of her origami fortunetellers on my desk at this moment, and she offers winsome little email stamps, and brilliant DIY art projects on her kind of adorable blog.
Keep leafcutterdesigns.com in mind the next time you have a stocking to stuff or a pack of bored ten-year-olds slouching around, I’m serious. For thoughtful, handmade, groovy little gifts and doodads on a shoestring budget (that you are in no way responsible for having to handmake yourself, but are free to foist upon said ten-year-olds, should you have any), you really can’t do better.
You have a limited amount of time, so why spend it reading about things that suck or are only kind of okay? Favorite thing EVER is not a review site. We're unrepentant fans, and this is the stuff we love. Hope you like gushing, because we're about to embarrass ourselves.
Well, that’s just *neat*.
I know, right? I got some recipe dice for one of the PIs I work with – they have an all vegetarian set!
This is so adorable I can hardly stand it. Aw.
It is adorable, and she’s always updating with new stuff.