
Fred Flare's Next Big Thing is a competition to find "your fave designer of 2007" and as Caitlin told us, three of the designers in the running are from Chicago. Here they are:

Owl and Earring Tree Set by Renegade Craft Fair's Susie Blatt of Timber Handmade


Mini Deer Plaque by Caitlin Holcomb of Nice
Nice job and good luck, ladies!
Comments (4)
Ugh.
I'm sorry, that was rude and I'm sure these girls are very talented. I just do not care at all for Fred Flare. I'm 22 years old and I'm not interested in buying toys or "homemade" garb with childlike quality. His goods are not chic, sophisticated, refined or in my opinion, acceptable for anyone over the age of 12. I'm disgusted with this nationally accepted prolonging of childlike taste, which is surely the result of nationally accepted (and marketed) prolonging of childlike behavior (and all of this garb has become so terribly common.) As Cliche as it may be, I think it's time we all just grow up.
I wouldn't say that appreciating cute or nostalgic things is caused by behavioral regression in adults at all. I think it's just a matter of taste. If an adult enjoyed being rolled around in a stroller and being breastfed, then I think there would be a problem (I'm sure there is already a fetish website somewhere).
HAHA. That was a refreshing comment, DubTriptych. I too find the fascination with "whimsy" annoying. Though, I think it can be nice if used sparingly. And of course, I find myself saying, "isnt that CUTE!"