Greetings, friends! And welcome to Caroline Finds It: my weekly newsletter where I reply to submissions from YOU for objects and products you need recommendations for.
Have you ever loved something so much you feel a strong impulse to make your own personal suite of merch for it? Adding a layer of polish and professionalism to something that is just for you is a particular type of satisfaction that I understand all too well. This week’s request is for a version of this, from Megan in Singapore who says: “I love my son’s art and want to print it on everything- shirts, floatable keychains, tea towels. Seems like everywhere has a really high minimum order. Do you have recommendations that aren’t Zazzle?”
Dear Megan,
Your kid’s artwork deserves a stage that’s not just the fridge door! I think it’s a brilliant idea to document it in a more creative way, and in forms that you’ll use in your everyday life. My assumption is that we’re looking for options that are higher quality, more original and cooler than Zazzle. Though I’m sorry to report that there is no one-stop-shop alternative, I’ve got many solid options for specific items for you to consider. For things like shirts and paper products, however, a local print shop is your best bet for low minimums.
For everything else, I asked my friend Alyx for some advice because she is the queen of researching merch ideas. She suggested VOGRACE, which is a company based in China that makes a wild variety of custom keychains, stickers, washi tapes and more, with a minimum of 50 or less for most items. I’m utterly shocked by the variety of things they have to offer, and these are my favorites:
Bubble Shaker Keychain (Starting at $2.50, no minimum) - These are so silly and fun. You upload your artwork for the pillow and then choose the keyring design and filling.
Custom Stamp Washi Tape ($5.00, minimum 100) - Okay, so these aren’t technically low minimum but if you’re looking for something you can share with friends and family, these would be a terrific choice because you can feature many pieces of artwork in one item.
Custom Acrylic Binder Clip ($2.50, minimum 5) - use it to bind paper, or as a bag clip. These are useful and out of the ordinary.
I’m sure you want to create these items for yourself, but I’d also encourage you to make extras to share. I love having some sort of little parting gift to give people who come over, which is always well-received and changes based on whatever my latest obsession is. Surely, the people in your life would love to receive a functional application of your kid’s art.
Tea Towels - Mary’s Kitchen Flour Sack Towels does custom edge-to-edge full color tea towels for $6, with a minimum of 25
Pocket notebooks - Printing a full-bleed cover with artwork on it would be really cool, and Denik can do it with no minimum, costing $7.99 or less.
Paper napkins - Have a whole bunch of cocktail napkins printed for use at home, on picnics, for parties, etc. Customnapkinsnow.com does full-color ones.
Temporary tattoos - The minimum for custom temporary tattoos from stickeryou.com is only 6! Keep an assortment in a bowl in your guest bathroom.
Heat transfer paper - To DIY fabric items, use inkjet printer compatible iron on transfer paper! This stuff works, and much better than it did when it was first introduced. I’d use it on cute little mini totes or cotton drawstring bags for organization and gifting.
QUICK ANSWER
Aprile in Miami: “I am looking for a way to store my gold necklaces - so many "stands" require them to be clasped and hanging, but I want them to lay flat and don't want them to be hanging out in the open. Any suggestions? I've been looking for ages for something that isn't clunky or too large and makes me feel like I'm from Succession. Something clean, relatively simple, and not too bulky or meant to hold every piece of jewellery I've owned!”
What you need is a tiny set of drawers! The ones that immediately come to mind are the acrylic ones like the ones they sell at Muji, which look a little dated and are a nightmare to keep clean. Most options designed specifically for jewelry are enormous and aren’t what you’re looking for. My pick for you is the Creative Mark 4 Drawer Wood Storage Cabinet (on sale for $45), which is technically for art supplies, but is a great size for what you’re looking for. It comes with removable dividers and is lined with foam, which I would remove and replace with something soft and cushy, like a wood felt or cotton velvet.
FAVORITE PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
Walking 40-50 miles/week takes a serious toll on my feet, and the product that has helped me the most in recent months was found unexpectedly in the gift shop of a Cracker Barrel. It’s called Smith Amish Foot Cream ($22) and it contains pain-relieving and healing ingredients like arnica, tea tree and peppermint. I like it because it’s not too greasy and feels cool and tingly. On the days I forget to use it before bed, I wake up with significantly stiffer feet than I would otherwise — a rare and sure sign that its effects are real, and immediate.
Is there a product you’re looking for? Submit your request here. See you next week for a fresh recommendations. xo Caroline
Bisley drawers are great for jewelry storage! Lots of insert options available: https://www.containerstore.com/s/office/filing-cabinets/bisley-5-drawer-cabinet/12d?productId=11018221
Hi Caroline! I am pleased to have found you here. I saw your book last week in Manchester, England 😍 I was wondering, do you know what typeface the book is set in?