Words and photos by Olivia Bauso
The days are getting hotter and longer, which means it must be time for Father’s Day, high school graduation, and the beginning of Summer! It also means time to scour the city for the perfect gift. Luckily, our June Brainery Bazaar vendors have just the thing to give to your loved ones, so you can get just what you need -- and spend those dollars locally.
For the Dads
Looking for something industrial chic? You're going to love Cory O'Rourke Studio! Artist Cory O'Rourke creates wall hangings and hooks, candle holders, metal sculptures, desk organizers, and more from his studio in the Hungerford. He'll even have an array of custom metal bottle openers ready for sale.
To juxtapose industrial chic pieces, buy Dad a beautiful painting from Vanessa Varjian. Her dreamy oil and acrylic still-life paintings are available on paper and canvas in a variety of sizes. To preview her work and read over her resume, head over to her website.
Help Dad sort out the future, or at least relax in the present, with the help of Nick Foos. Zu Füß is an Aromatherapy and Intuitive Coaching company owned and operated by Nick. He offers an array of bath, burnable, wax, oil, and roll-on products in addition to Tarot-based life coaching and Tarot readings.
Owner of unSpooky Laughter Studio, artist Abigail Miller blends her loves of Halloween, all things spooky, and art to create one-of-a-kind paintings and prints in a variety of sizes. Purchase a wall-size print or a beautiful card, because sometimes a gift can't beat a thoughtful card with a note from the heart.
For the Grads
Jewelry from Hanalin, handcrafted by Hanna Caruso, Hanalin Designs offers minimalistic pieces that often combine leather, metal and stone. Both her edgy and classic bracelet, earring, and necklace designs will help any grad make a statement post-high school, perfect to dress up an outfit for a job interview, or to wear everyday!
Know a grad with an eye for vintage? Beth Roberts of Jane Vintage collects and offers vintage clothing and accessories for men and women from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. Celebrate your grad with something funky and different.
It's never to early to start buying dorm decor! Squirrel Garden Goods, owned and operated by Holly Corcoran, creates miniature tabletop gardens and other one-of-a-kind gifts for shoppers. She also make a wide selection of handcrafted soy candles in a variety of sizes. You can even gift them a little reminder of home with their Rochester Lilac scented candle.
Chickpea Magazine is a local indie mag run by Cara Livermore and Bob Lawton. This quarterly features vegan recipes, food-related interviews, and food memoirs. Just one issue could inspire your grad to start cooking more, to live more DIY or to get into something new! If your grad is interested in photography, Cara is also teaching a series of photography workshops throughout the summer.
If all else fails, you can never go wrong with giving the gift of knowledge -- Pick up a gift card in store or online now.
Brainery Bazaar is held every second Saturday of the month. Join us June 10th from 11am-5pm to meet these vendors (and many more!) at Rochester Brainery. As always, the first 25 attendees will receive a free Rochester Brainery tote bag stuffed with goodies from our vendors.