315 Van Brunt St
347-546-8701
Just Plain Fun and More!
Loggy, one of the creations of Bryan X at Everbrite Mercantile Co., 351 Van Brunt St., isn’t a Yule log. He’s simply a log with eyes and a mouth that’s become one of the shop’s mascots, along with Thompkins, a bright yellow Pac Man-like creature. But if you’re looking for unique gifts—often with a sense of humor—then a shop with an anthropomorphized log in the window should really be your first choice. Everbrite sells a variety of accessories, clothing, home objects, personal care items and just plain fun products. Mollie Dash, who owns the shop, specializes in creating jewelry from items found at thrift stores, antique shops and flea markets. The eco-friendly line ensures items that otherwise might be discarded, such as chains or even hunting license tags, find new purpose. Other conversation-starting jewelry: Andrew Clark wire rings in brass, copper and steel ($30) and ingenious rings created by Kiel Mead, from a penny impression ($75-$100) to a Chevrolet car key ring ($100) that wraps around your finger. New to the shop are the Emily Rothschild designs—modern takes on Victorian mourning lockets ($240). Instead of a dour photo or a lock of hair, the lockets contain a 2 gig USB drive, so you can store more than one image of loved ones. A Rothschild whirligig necklace ($70) mimics an old animation flip book—spin the pendant to make the image come to life. Or surprise someone—and yourself—with a Black Box Key necklace ($40). The black box holds a necklace shaped like a key, but you find out the color only when the box’s wax seal is broken to reveal what’s inside. New items include Jao Ltd. OutScent ($50), which, as the name implies, not only has a woodsy, citrusy aroma of fir needle, patchouli and grapefruit, but also doubles as a non-synthetic insect repellent. Also new to the shop’s personal care section is Grapeseed Peeling jar ($20), a natural beauty product made in Red Hook with sea salt and Long Island grapeseeds. Popular home items include the donutsu mug ($14), as well as cast pewter and black glass rabbit and moose Goody Grams shot glasses, a menagerie joined recently by a deer and white rhino (all $28 each). Nobuhiro Sato designs household items, such as planters and incense burners, to look like little homes. He fashions his creations out of mortar, glass and steel; incense burners with colored widows ($59) have been added to their offerings. Pop Chart Lab, a collaboration between a book editor and graphic designer, has several charts available at the shop, including those exploring “The Very Many Varieties of Beer” and “Grand Taxonomy of Rap Names”
($25 each). “No Sleep Til Breuckelen ($22) men’s and women’s T-shirts display a map of Dutch Brooklyn that includes our own “Roode Hoek.” There’s also a poster for “The Evolution of Video Game Controllers” ($30). Speaking of video games, the shop not only has a vintage arcade bowling game, but there is now an ATARI Flashback, as well as an Odyssey console. Visitors are welcome to curl up on the inviting throw rug and play Centipede, Pong and Pitfall, among other choices. Toys and fun items for sale include Playforever streamlined vehicles ($60 each), such as a racecar, motorbike and aeroplane, now in additional colors. You’ll also find giant eraser rings ($5) and “cheat-proof” playing cards ($16) that, at first glance, appear to be plain black or white. Upon closer inspection, you can see that the design of the playing card is imprinted in glossy finish on the matte card. Everbrite is now hosting events. On Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 pm, Felecia Maria holds an open-level yoga class. Those attending the class just need to bring a mat and donation—though if you forget yoga pants, some made by Felecia (immeindustries. com) are for sale at the shop. The space also will host art shows—the first is Origamitron, interactive, light- and sound-activated paper installations by Jenna Kole. The artist not only creates the sculptures, but makes the paper, using cotton rag. Though there’s no set exhibition schedule, Dash says the works will be on display, and for sale, through December. The opening reception is December 10 from 5 to 9:30 pm.
December 2010
Red Hook Star-Revue Page 13