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One of the non-local artists we’re always happy to stock is England’s Gemma Correll. Whether it’s her fun greeting cards or the hugely popular Pugs Not Drugs tote bags (back in stock soon) – our customers can’t get enough of this quirky illustrator’s line of interesting pug-friendly products. Gemma just got a mention in today’s Globe and Mail about cool “Royal Wedding Mementoes” marking the upcoming nuptials of Will and Kate. I’m sure you’ll see more of Gemma’s work in the future – hopefully in-store at Mixed Media!

We were pleasantly surprised to get a mention in this Globe & Mail article by R.M. Vaughn reviewing some amazing art exhibitions happening right now in Hamilton. Our “Kiss Me Dirty” postcard has created a minor stir in the shop eliciting giggles from folks who find it tucked in among our other mail-friendly stationery. It has been so popular we sold out this past week during our Valentine’s Day rush. We’re expecting more stock this week and are working with monstermeans to produce a limited edition screen printed poster available this spring.

Just a quick message to let everyone know that we are closed Good Friday. Open on Saturday from 10am-5pm. Closed Sunday and back to regular hours on Monday. We are also working on setting up our spring and summer hours – I’ll have those up soon. Have a great weekend everyone and enjoy the sun!

Just got my recent order of amazing books from Oakland, CA’s AK Press. AK Press is a worker run book publisher and distributor organized around anarchist principles. All decision-making, including which titles they distribute and what they publish, is made collectively. Titles are published by independent presses, not the corporate giants. I’ve been really enjoying the books that we’ve ordered from the store – everything from Toolbox for Sustainable City Living to Reproduce and Revolt, AK has helped us toward our goal of carrying Hamilton’s best selection of alternative and independent titles. The Guide to Getting It On (Pictured) may just be the thickest book we’ve ever carried – over 650,000 copies sold and now in it’s 6th edition – I just hope someone isn’t too embarrassed to buy it. Just say it’s a gift – we’ll believe you!

As we march towards Christmas and some of you may be asking yourself “Dave – where else can I find interesting and unique gifts in Hamilton?” Well, I am glad you asked that question. It’s true – there is plenty of inspiring and fun local shops to find that special someone and special something. White Elephant Vintage and Handmade Goods pops to mind. They are our next door neighbours and stock some amazing gifts of the handmade and vintage variety. My other direct neighbour – Downtown Bike Hounds carry’s some of the city’s best bike accessories…everything from bells to panniers. Maybe you know someone in the market for a cool Dutch bike? Over on Ottawa Street – you can find books and art over at Under the Moon’s new location and Little Bird has got you covered if you are looking for a little one on your list. Speaking of kid’s stuff – Citizen Kid is a newer addition on Locke Street with an abundance of eco-friendly and educational toys. I’m also a fan of Westdale’s Global Village Market for yummy Fair-Trade chocolates and coffees. While in the West End – don’t forget to check out Bryan Prince Bookseller. Here’s to a holiday season where we all avoid the boxstores and internet shopping sites and keep our dollars local, while also finding some pretty great gifts from some of Hamilton’s friendly independent shops.

Just got this in today and a I know a few Vegans who would be happy to receive this very cool wall calendar as a gift. Sarah Kramer was named “The World’s Coolest Vegan” by Herbivore magazine, and her first four cookbooks, including How It All Vegan! and La Dolce Vegan, have sold a combined total of over 200,000 copies. Go Vegan! is Sarah’s first wall calendar, featuring photographs of her in beguiling re-creations of advertisements, movie posters, and other iconic images of the 1940s, 50s, 60s, and beyond that have been reworked for modern vegan audiences. Look for a post later today about some of are other 2010 calendars created by local artists.

With the shop now in its fourth year – its amazing how you start to build relationships with customers based on products you bring in regularly. Every year at around this time – we get our stock of Slingshot organizers from the Slingshot radical collective in Berkley, CA that always sell out well before the new year rings in. The pocket and spiral bound version both have radical dates for every day of the year, space to write your phone numbers, a contact list of radical groups around the globe, menstrual calendar, info on police repression, extra note pages, plus much more. A pretty fun and informative way to keep your days organized in a very punk and disorderly manner.

Starting at $7.95 – Various colours

I have lots of favourite items that we stock in the shop. My enthusiasm for well-made and well-designed products is well known to those who frequent Mixed Media. Field Notes just happen to be one of those kind of products. Small notebooks packaged in threes – perfect for carrying around in a pocket or small bag – Field Notes are gaining popularity in the shop as pen fiends, writers and artists discover the amazing paper inside the brown paper wrapping. They come with blank, graph or lined pages and we have a few of the neatly coloured limited edition seasonal packs in stock right now. A great gift or stocking stuffer for the jotter, doodler or scribbler in your life. Various products – starting at $11.95

I am going to start off my first gift idea from Mixed Media with an item I know very well. In fact I use mine everyday. After years of being frustrated with my travel mug options – I am happy to report the discovery of Kikkerland’s Coffee Tumbler. With a rubberized outer coating available in three colours (red, light blue and cream). The tumbler not only looks good – it also keep drinks hot or cold as it has a stainless steel double wall and a lid that flips open and shut (great for bumpy commutes). I have already sold quite a few of these and it looks like this hot little gift is going to be a welcome one this year!

12 oz – $14.99