I have been very, VERY remiss on keeping up my periodic VIX Picks feature. I blame the baby.

Who can stare at the computer with a face like this smiling at you? But I hereby make this commitment: to do one VIX Picks post every month. Unless I have a really good excuse.

In honor of Nora, the ultimate distraction, this month’s picks are a few of my favorite new kid’s and baby items!

These sweet soft toys are made by Katie K. of Duck Duck Goose Creations. She’s sent us a varied and whimsical collection of girls, boys and animals stitched in a variety of fun fabrics. Many of them are baby-safe (no choking hazards). They’re so cute we’ve already sold a few, so don’t wait!

Local fashionista Nicole Rae Styer now includes baby girls’ dresses in her line of recycled one-of-a-kind fabulousness. She transforms ordinary found garments by embellishing them with scraps of vintage fabrics and fancy trimmings in her unmistakable style. We have a handful of her party dresses for little ladies with a flair for the unusual!

Iva Kelman is a local illustrator who incorporates skulls into many of her designs. Some may think that’s morbid, but really, we wouldn’t get far in life without our skulls! These are two of my Philly-centric favorites, sized for little ones with or without soft spots.

These and many more treats await for craft fans of all ages. Drop by and visit us this month, won’t you?

Back in February, when our daughter Nora was brand new, we received a comment on this blog.

“It’s really nice to see the millinery store building being used as a store and not torn down to make room for something else. My great aunts Jennie and Margaret Grumbine owned the store when I was a child, I remember going there when I visited Philadelphia.”

What a wonderful thing to hear! We’ve always wanted to know more about the history of this place and the people who created it. I wrote back to the author of the comment, Kathy Grumbine Miller of Lewistown, Pennsylvania. With the help of her 85-year old uncle, John Grumbine, she kindly answered some of my many questions about Jennie and Margaret.

Jennie, Margaret, and Jennie's husband. Child unknown.

The sisters were experienced milliners from Lewistown who moved their business to Philadelphia in search of a larger clientele. Sometime prior to 1932, they bought the building that VIX now occupies. They had it remodeled with the wonderful mirrored cabinets that remain today.

They did custom-made hats for middle-class ladies, in their choice of color and style. Customers would shop and try on hats in the front, and the hats were sewn in the back. All of the work was done by hand. The family kept a few of their hats, but unfortunately, none have survived. Only the hatboxes remain. I would have loved to see one!

Jennie and her husband, a widower, lived on Larchwood Avenue, only a few blocks from the store. Jennie also painted in her spare time. Some of her large paintings are still in Kathy’s family. I wonder what they look like!

Margaret Grumbine

Margaret never married. She lived with her sister and brother-in-law. Neither one had children. Jennie passed away at some point and Margaret ran the store without her for a while. Eventually, she, too, fell ill and closed the store. According to Kathy, the millinery remained open until sometime in the 1970s.

We are so glad to know a little more about these two creative entrepreneurs from another era, and so proud to honor them by supporting other artisans in the space they left behind. Perhaps Nora will follow in their footsteps someday.

A million thanks to Kathy and her uncle for answering my questions. I’m so glad she got in touch! Yet another reason to love the internet.

so many lovely ornaments!

Happy Holidays to everyone! Hope you’ve waited to completely finish your shopping list, because VIX has been busy stocking up on new and wonderful handmade gifts, such as ornaments, jewelry, all-natural soaps and fragrances, hats, cards, artwork and more. The perfect gift awaits, for a friend, loved one, even a hostesses, co-worker or “secret santa”. We also just got a fresh shipment of “West Philly” apparel, including little kids’ sizes and long-sleeved shirts for men and women. Stop by, we’d love to see you!

west philly holiday craft shows

Please join us Sunday, December 7 from 1-7 for the “Made In Philly” holiday craft show, presented by us and Studio 34 Yoga. There will be over 40 local artisan vendors offering their unique creations, including jewelry, clothing, accessories, bath & body, ceramics and more. We’ll also have live music, light refreshments, and information about the studio’s various holistic wellness providers. Find the perfect holiday gift for someone you love, and feel good about it because you supported a local artist. Sunday, December 7, 1-7 pm, at Studio 34 Yoga, 4522 Baltimore, 2nd floor. Take the 34 trolley to 45th St.

Also, don’t miss the UC Arts League show, which opens Dec. 5 and runs through the 19th. West Philly’s got you covered this year!

VIX is now 1 year old! We had a great party on Saturday too, thanks so much to everyone who came out! It was great to see everyone, friends and neighbors who came out to wish us well. Dozens of folks showed up — we lost count after a while!

Shakey and Sean rocked out

friends Julie and Mark

Shoppers explored all our handcrafted goodies, like jewelry made of bicycle parts by Spokespeople. Mark won one of our door prizes!

the radiant Taryn Hipp, aka mymy (wearing glasses)

Taryn, who makes our awesome and sassy 1″ buttons, came out from Willow Grove for the occasion. She won a door prize too!

the slightly blurry Emily, 7 months pregnant

What a great kickoff to the holiday season. We have a lot to be thankful for this year. Happy Thanksgiving!

On the Saturday before Thanksgiving 2007, VIX Emporium opened its doors for the first time with almost 70 different artists and crafters represented. Now we’re up to around 200 different vendors and going strong. This calls for a celebration! Bluesman Shakey Lyman will get the hips shakin’ at our anniversary shindig. Get a head start on holiday shopping and find the perfect handmade gift while enjoying live music and refreshments, not to mention door prizes. Saturday, November 22, 6-9 pm.

The Home & Design section of Friday’s Philadelphia Inquirer featured our handmade notecards, along with several other local creations. Thanks so much for the mention!

West Philly will have a new resident soon… we are expecting a baby girl in late January! She’s so smart already, she knows January’s a slow time in the retail gift business. That’s a much better time to take maternity leave than the December holiday season!

To accomodate our prenatal class schedule, we have changed our store hours somewhat. Starting immediately, on Tuesday and Wednesday we will open and close an hour earlier, so the hours will be from 10-6. Thursday through Saturday will be unchanged at 11-7, and as always, we are closed Sunday and Monday.

Thanks to everyone for understanding.

The leaves are starting to turn, our thoughts are turning to Halloween costume ideas, and a chill is in the air… Time to put on something warm! VIX has some new handmade cool-weather wear, like ponchos and wraps by Lisa Bowe, and these fingerless gloves by Johanna Marshall. Note to all knitters, crocheters, felters and fiber workers of all kinds: there’s room for plenty more!