Sheepskins, Yummy Soap, and Other Handmade Gifts
Gifts from local Catskills artisans, shops, and farmers.
Welcome to Hone Letter - now on Substack. We’re celebrating the 20th edition of Coil + Drift’s newsletter where I document things that keep us creatively diving deep. I’ve loved Substack for years - even featuring a few in past letters - especially their commitment to slow, thorough communications.
With seven inches of snow currently on the ground outside my Catskills window, I’m reminded that the holidays are right around the corner, so I decided to do something a bit different this Hone Letter and create a gift guide highlighting objects and experiences offered by fellow design-minded artisans, shops, and farmers in the Catskills. The way I see it, Coil + Drift’s success depends in part on the collective thriving of our local community. To keep things honest, these are all gifts I’ve recently purchased myself.
Here is Hone Letter’s first Catskills Holiday Gift Guide
-John
PERFECT SMALL THINGS /
Kostas Anagnopoulos opened his shop, Pidgin, right around the time I demo’d the first wall in my then recently-purchased Catskills home. I often found myself inspired by his shop during my renovation. Located on the other side of the Catskills, Pidgin may be the most pleasing home-oriented shop I know of. If you can’t squeeze in a quick drive up the Hudson, Pidgin now has a lovely online store. I recently purchased a Tampico Brush, $38, Alpaca Linen Socks, $35, and a Jotter Note Pad, $9. Just a few things to tide me over until my next trip over to Oak Hill.
CURLCOAT SHEEPSKIN /
Tom Roberts and Anna Aberg have crafted a beautiful design language across their company, Homestedt. These days you can experience that language in multiple ways: at one of their two shops helmed by Roberts, in Livingston Manor and North Branch, New York, or by purchasing a Homestedt House, designed by Aberg. I stopped by their the barn at their ever-expanding compound in North Branch and picked out an Austrian Curlcoat Sheepskin, $180 from their extensive sheepskin collection.
LEARN TO PLASTER /
Percy Bright and Tara Mangini of celebrated design firm Jersey Ice Cream Co., are known for their handmade sun-filled spaces, but over the past 10 years they’ve become especially respected for their plaster work. During the pandemic they decided to offer a remote workshop called Plaster 101: Fundamentals, $150 and now you can purchase a recording of the workshop and learn for yourself. Plastering is something I’ve always been curious to explore and I’m delighted to learn from some of the best.
HANDMADE HAND SOAP /
I met Jeffrey Monteiro at his JM Generals booth in the Made section of the AD Show in 2017. I remember being impressed that he was targeting the design trade and I loved the scents of his body products. These days we’ve both moved to the Catskills and the JM Generals hand soap, $19 is a mainstay at my bathroom sink. We’ve got some secret projects in the works with JM Generals but for now, buy some soap.
BARREL AGED APPLE CIDER /
Over in the Hudson Valley tucked into a maple forest, you’ll find Laurel & Ash Farm. In addition to making some of the best maple syrup in the Northeast, they now offer a delicious Apple Cider Vinegar, $16. I use it for salads all year but these days I add some to my ginger tea to boost my immune system. Check out their gift boxes, which are as elegantly designed as their labels.
BAR SOAP THAT’S SO MUCH MORE /
If you don’t know about Saipua and Farm at Worlds End, I’m delighted to introduce you. Sarah Ryhanen began Saipua in 2006 and I remember visiting her space in Red Hook, Brooklyn and being in awe of her incredible floral arrangements and handmade soaps. Flash to today and Saipua is now located at the Farm at Worlds End, a 107 acre farm and school (and so much more) founded by Ryhanen and run by her family and many other enthusiasts. A bar of the Clary Sage and Dill Bar Soap is always at Coil + Drift’s handwashing sink.
Oh hello!!!!