Wise Grasshopper / Brands We Love

  • 5 Midwest Makers We Can’t Get Enough Of

    5 Midwest Makers We Can’t Get Enough Of

    At Grasshopper Goods, we’re passionate about sharing stories of artists, makers, and dreamers—and for all your gift-giving endeavors, we’d like to spotlight five of our (many!) favorite makers from the Midwest, so you can shop small and surprise your loved ones near and far with something totally unique and so very them.

    The Midwest Girl®

    Started in Wisconsin by two sisters born 12 years apart, The Midwest Girl® shop is a must for t-shirts, sweatshirts, jewelry, and more that are perfect for proclaiming your love of the Midwest. The founders grew up learning to honor tradition and their roots, and you’ll find this in their products. Their best seller, and our's as well, would have to the one of the many Midwesty tee or sweatshirts, which allows you to show off your midwest pride anywhere you go.

    Ruff House Print Shop

    Since 2009, Ruff House Print Shop has been creating the letterpress-style stationery of our dreams, with original artwork created delicately by hand in the form of planners, greeting cards, and calendars, along with pencils, enamel pins, and more. This shop based in Lawrence, Kansas, is woman-owned-and-operated, and similar to Grasshopper Goods, it was created when the founder chased her dream after seeing the signs in a 1915 antique letterpress. We recommend this mug to start the day on a bright note, a mini notebook for your friend who always has wanderlust, and this roller skate enamel pin for the lover of everything funky. 

    Luminous Rose

    Now more than ever, self-care is crucial. So get your loved one a gift that will leave them feeling pampered and loved, whether they live near or far. Woman-owned Luminous Rose provides natural, affordable products that are environmentally healthy—meaning in turn, they’re good for you, too. With a Wisconsin upbringing, Luminous Rose's creator, Maria, is an expert in herbalism, crystal healing, and organic skin care. Send your loved one off into a blissful night’s sleep with the Dreamy Sleep Balm, or opt for the Feel Good Muscle Balm to soothe and relax tired, sore, and aching muscles, and the Moon Ritual Bath Soak to immerse into the healing energy of taking time to slow down

    Token Jewelry

    Based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Token Jewelry is one of our absolute favorite shops for classic, beautiful jewelry. Each piece is handmade from start to finish in their Wisconsin studio. They believe that your jewelry should feel amazing when you wear it and it should stand the test of time. While you can’t go wrong with any of their lovely pieces, we recommend the delicate Unity Necklace, the simple Labradorite Orb Necklace, and this fun Rainbow Necklace.   

     

    stitch M

    Located in the Chicago area, stitch M is one of our go-to for clever, handmade decor. Handcrafted by Marie and Mary, two sister-in-laws, each piece is unique and by hand. Since 2011, these two have been putting people in "stitches" with their punny and brilliant pieces. We've even worked with them to create some custom works for the shop. Our favorites would have to be any of the little birds, the custom Lil Kayaks for our beloved Madison lakes, and this fowl-mouthed bird.

    At the end of the day, it’s all about who you’re with and how you show them you care. We hope this year, you can spread love and joy in a time that needs it most.


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  • Ledger Coffee Roasters -- Crafted with Care

    Ledger Coffee Roasters -- Crafted with Care

    I have such a strong respect for the people who contribute to the making of our days. That's why I love Ledger Coffee, a micro-roastery and full-service coffee shop located in Garver Feed Mill, so much. The attention to detail in the exceptional product they craft, served up with intelligence and heart, is what makes the coffee experience at Ledger truly special. It's why I drive 15 minutes (almost daily) to obtain my current favorites: a Colombia double shot cortado or a hot, whole-milk cardamom latte created by people I have come to think of as friends.

     

    Opening in the fall of 2019 at Garver Feed Mill, Ledger began with owner Richard and 3 baristas, Annika, Hannah and Savannah. These three talented and kind individuals helped get me through the pandemic, the loss of a pet, and the loss of my mother. We've also shared in many of life's little joys, and discussions about shows, fashion, design, travel and books. What started as a coffee stop bloomed into a community I have come to rely on as part of my support system. 

     

    Annika and Hannah have moved on to exciting adventures in graphic design and a move abroad, respectively. Anna and Katie have joined the team and I look forward to getting to know them better. Savannah remains steady behind the bar and it's why I chose to highlight her for our tribute to the Coffee Break Festival. 

     

    Read on to find out what her favorite Ledger roast is and what drew her to a career in coffee. And stop in to the shop for a selection of my favorite whole-bean coffee!

     

    Q: How did your career in coffee get started?/What drew you to a career in coffee. 

     

    My first coffee job was 7 years ago at Brickhaus Cafe in Jefferson, WI. I was drawn to this spot because coffee was already an interest/hobby of mine so I figured getting a job at a shop would be a good way to learn more. At Brickhaus, I quickly learned that my co workers and the shop's customers were some of the most kind people I had ever met. Thanks to this wonderful experience, I decided to continue my coffee career when I moved to Madison. It is without a doubt the welcoming and genuinely kind community that I have found through coffee that keeps me in this industry. 

     

     

    Q: What is your favorite aspect of your job? 

     

    “My favorite aspect of working in coffee is getting to be a part of a nice moment in our customers' day. Coffee on its own can be a pretty insignificant thing but it does create an opportunity to meet new people and spread a little kindness.”

     

    Q: What is your favorite drink to make & what is your favorite drink to drink? 

     

    “My favorite drink to make is a 6oz whole milk cappuccino or a whole milk cortado. My favorite coffee drink at home is a light roast single origin (probably Ethiopia) Chemex. My favorite drink from a shop is a 12oz iced quad shot americano.”

    Q: Do you have a favorite region/bean that Ledger has sourced? What is its flavor profile? 

     

    “My favorite roast that Ledger has done so far is the natural anaerobic Ethiopia Guji. It was a light roast that was so bright and fruity it reminded me of strawberries and fruity pebbles. My favorite roast that we currently have is the Colombia. The Colombia is also a bright and fruity natural anaerobic.”

     

    Q: What does sharing coffee mean to you & do you have a favorite memory of a place/person you shared/experienced coffee?

     

    “To me, sharing coffee means wanting to give someone a little bright light in their day/life. It isn't very often that we get to make something delicious for others to experience and (hopefully) love so much it makes them hopeful or happy; but coffee is an easy and relatively inexpensive way we can do this for many people!”

     

    “My favorite coffee memory is with my partner, Ryan. We have coffee to thank for bringing us together because we met while we were both baristas at Brickhaus. We have been together for 6 years now and getting/making coffee together is still something I always look forward to.”

     

    Q: Have you experimented in roasting?

     

    “I have very little experience in roasting. But this is an area of growth I have to look forward to in this industry!”

     

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