May 8, 2003

Blissen Up

Blissen, a Crafty Design Collection

You know when you look at something — a painting, a book, a Britney Spears performance — and think, I coulda done that?

Rarely is that meant as a compliment. But strangely enough, that’s part of the charm of Blissen, a crafty design collective based in San Francisco. It’s not that the products look simplistic or shoddy. They’re just so full of personality that you couldn’t imagine them coming out of a factory or a warehouse. Every item bears its maker’s distinctive stamp. Like the wallet made from twelve sewn-together zippers (there are a dozen ways to open it!) or the screen-printed-fabric flower necklaces made by founder Jill Bliss herself.

So in addition to providing you with something lovely and inexpensive to wear, Blissen may just inspire you to get a little crafty on your own.

Instead of just talking about it.

Available online at blissen.com.