15 Lovely Gift Ideas from 
Rust Belt Market
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 3, 2017)
Ferndale, MI – With Valentine’s Day approaching, the oc115 has decided to check in with some of our wonderful sponsors, like Rust Belt Market, to see what kinds of items might inspire some lovey-dovey feelings. Whether shopping for the perfect gift, or just looking for a reason to smile, we hope these choices will add love and brightness to your pre-Valentine’s Day musings.
Rust Belt Market, located at 22801 Woodward Ave, Ferndale, MI 48220 is home to over 40 vendors, each with unique styles and items, all presented in beautifully artistic displays to make for a unique shopping experience.
Among the finds were an antique double-heart necklace from Collected Collage Vintage Jewelry. They have many styles of necklaces, rings, broaches, earrings and other jewelry, which we’re told is a popular Valentine’s Day gift.
Ida Belle soaps are another lovely gift idea. Buy them individually or in fancy gift sets like the one shown below.
Precious Hardware also sells jewelry, but this is custom-made and ecceletic. There are a whole series of necklaces with little treasures inside. In this case we looked at a “Heart Queen Bee” necklace that has a honeycomb, bee, crown, cubic zarconias and crystals.
We also discovered something wonderful at Retroit Salvage. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, you could actually buy a knight in not-so-shiny armor. This metal sculpture stands about two feet tall and has his sword and shield ready to defend one’s honor.
If you want to see the world through heart-shaped glasses, Tooth and Nail is the place. This hodge-podge store of unusual items (like medical displays, jewelry made of bone, vintage bicycles, cowboy boots, and strange religious relics) has some relatively simple delights as well, including plastic-framed heart shaped glasses. They have other vintage shades as well, including a few pairs of 1960s John Lennon-style specs.
The Workplace Program of the Michigan Neuropsychological Society helps people with development challenges create art and run a store. Their collection of greeting cards can be useful for many occasions, including the expression of love. Our favorite, of course, was a typewritter-themed card that says “You’re Just My Type.” But several styles are available.
Candles can be a great way to set a romantic mood. Vintage Wick creates unique soy-based 
candles by pouring them into vintage containers. Bring in your own or pick out an item from their collection. They’ll also re-fill items, so if there is a special cup or vase it can be re-used and remembered.
Another way to add some fizz to someone’s day is with a Bubble Bath Bomb by Bath Savvy. These homemade, natural balls of fizzy delight come in many delightful scents, and we’re told they are “made with love in small batches.”
Iconic Detroit makes tiles with images on them that make for great decorations or coasters. Their “LOVE” tile seemed an appropriate choice for the upcoming holiday.
Detroit GT, who is also a sponsor of oc115.com, has a variety of custom t shirts, pins, hats and stickers that show tons of local love. We went with a Valentine’s red shirt with a heart, but there are many designs available.
For some interesting retro-style posters, check out Electric Vector. Many items are racing 
themed, while others are just a little racy, including this poster for a fake show at an imaginary theatre called “Ecstasy: Tragic Romance of a Woman Who Craved Love.”
Flowers are also a traditional Valentine’s Day gift item, but Speedcult has their own take. Check out their metal-carved flowers along with other metal-cut designs and signs.
“I choose hope” and “I choose love” are two of the messages available on onesies from Orikami. They also have a little wooden bow with arrows tipped with fuzzy balls that a cupid-wanna be may love. Their items are organic and handcrafted.
To show your love inside and out, or to celebrate your favorite activist, a uterus patch from Lady Lazarus could be a gift that makes someone smile. In addition to sparkly Fallopian tubes, Lady Lazarus has a variety of cards, patches and plants.
“When it was over, nothing defined us other than the moments that made us feel free.” This phrase set in artwork of trees and two deer caught our eye as a lovely sentiment for those who many not be with their loves for this holiday (which honestly is just another day for many people).
There are many lovely paintings and prints at The Brown Dog Studio, some even more romantic than this and others that are just plain cool as heck. But wherever you are love-wise this Valentine’s Day, remember that love is not just a romantic ideal. There are memories to be treasured, a world full of people who need good neighbors and friends, and art that needs to be made. Love is everywhere, including in the handmade items and community spirit of the famous Rust Belt Market in Downtown Ferndale.
Learn more about the Rust Belt Market at www.rustbeltmarket.com.
