TrendMafia: It's All In the Family

Between sudden manic depressive bursts of rain and sunshine, my good friend Vesna and I found refuge in Moritzplatz's own Trendmafia. Unlike its distant cousins The White Market or Holy Shit Shopping, the Trendmafia is a small, gemischt, and cozy outdoor / indoor market with an eclectic collection of unique offerings. About 30 designers, artists, kunst makers, and handi-crafters set up tent once every two weeks to bring the needy kreuzbergers a fresh supply of affordable one of a kind goods. It is TINY to be sure (the uninspiring photos of the location on the website will give you some idea...). With a TINY eintritt of one euro to match. But it's definitely worth a visit should you happen to find yourself in der nahe when the goings on are going on, or if you are in need of some very strange Geschenke for your nearest and weirdest.

Gems like sock puppet squids are not easily outshone by eye ball earrings or miniature aprons sized to fit bottles of dish soap. A collection of hausgemacht garments ranging from the inventive to the downright confusing is also to be had, should you have the cash and the patience.

I took home quite a few treasures of my own, despite the fact that I'm currently suffering from a post summer dip in my bank balance. But nothing cures an acute case of trans-seasonal depression quite like a good einkaufening. Here are a few of my newest trinkets as well as a little promo for the artists who made them:

Hand-Dyed Florette Bobby Pins by Kristin Cooper


Vintage Cat Earrings by Grandma's Paradise (unfortunately no website for her yet)


Felt Critter by Bobuya Filz


Monster Hair Accessories by Puppnoge


Post Card by Design Heilige


Pins by Himmel Rosa


Bikini Laune (Handmade Book) by Katja Simone Odenthal


Little Lady Crochet Wrist Cuff by ? (forgot to get her card!)


Enjoyed (but not enough to take home) certain screen printed graphic tees by Allmightys, a vote-by-design collective of Berlin-based illustrators and graphic designers operating strictly in the ever-so-trendy street nerd vein.

Had a brief flirt with some of the more white and drapey numbers by Linie 13, but had to pass on taking them home with me on account of the price tag.


Likewise, had to resist some strong, seductive knitted numbers by Lumapoli, particularly the little red riding capelette which beckons to me still and the delicate lacy bits and bobs by RosenVogel (particularly this bit and this bob).


Was also blown away by some pieces by Kati Elm whose mixed media and print pieces incorporate a cast of quirky, inked up characters like "It is better to keep your head empty" Dorothy or Terrorheidi. She also creates mixed media objects, some of which can even be hung on the common household wall. Check out her website and buy something if you can afford it.


Lastly, did want to make mention of a fantastic discovery worth sharing with you, my hand-made lovers. Although I am sure we are all familiar with Etsy.com, the number one auction site on the web for real things made by real people, I doubt we are all aware of (or at least I certainly was not until today) of Germany's own Deutsch equivalent, Dawanda. Dawanda is actually not German, exclusively, but is far more euro-centered (catering to those who hail from the U.K., France, and Deutschland) as opposed to Etsy, which remains more-or-less flooded with American-based sellers. Have a looksie if you are into that sort of thing.