Philly cut-outs by Grand Circus

We've been seeing these around for some time now at craft fairs and cool artsy shops in the city. Little cardboard cut-outs of archetypal Philadelphia homes, including row homes, a "Fishtowner" town house, and a trinity (small three story homes that proliferate in parts of South Philly and Kensington). Small emblematically Philly vehicles are also available, including a Mambo movers truck, a Kenzinger beer truck, and a classic Philly food truck.

These little craft works are sold under the name Grand Circus Paper & Toy (though the previous incarnation, Daymaker Industries, also has an apparently active store on Etsy, with slightly different merchandise). If you see the company at a fair, they'll build the model for you. At stores, they are usually available both ready made or in flat form. But part of the thrill is putting together your very own miniature Kenzinger truck.

Prices range from $3 to $7. Products available at Grand Circus's Etsy site.

2wo One 5ive Tees from BreakawayINK

We all rock the 2-1-5, even when we're doing it from our 2-6-7 cell (or 6-1-0 or 4-8-4, or, god forbid, those NJ codes). We've seen a lot of 215 merch over the years, but something about BreakawayINK's design caught our eye. Perhaps it's the way the first letters seem to incongruously spell 205. Whatever, cool Philly T-shirt. Breakaway's 2wo One 5ives are available for $25.99 on their website, breakawayink.com, in three colors: red, green, or our favorite, blue. Some colors are on sale for $19.99, which might mean they're not going to be around for too long.

CHRMNG Tees

This ethical T-shirt company has made a name for itself with an impressive collection of shirt designs, including a couple Philly-centric prints. But it's not just the soft stylish T-shirts that will make you feel good. Chrmng donates 10% of all sales towards providing clothing for those in need. Charming, indeed.

Here are a couple of our favorite Chrmng shirts:

Chrmng, Phila, PA design, $18: a world-weary sketch of the First Philadelphian, Ben Franklin.
I [pretzel] Philadelphia design. $20: A personalized take on this ubiquitous Philly love logo.

Phuk Yeah Philly T-Shirt

Philadelphia Phukyea T-shirt
Saw these great Philly-rific tees for sale at the annual Community Cultural Exchange show and fair at 6th and Lombard this weekend past. The makers, Eyevolve, have an array of out-there designs. Another favorite was the printed picture of Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan "Free Hugs." The shirts are sprayed with red paint dye, so each one is uniquely macabre.

The Phukyea shirts are done in the style of the Phillies logo, but have decidedly more 'tude. The Eyevolve website neglects to give pricing info.

LOVE "J-A-W-N" T-shirt

Love jawn t-shirtYou totally need one of these jawns.

To paraphrase T-shirt designer Secret Lovers, "The slang word jawn is used in Philadelphia conversation to replace just about any noun, roughly like thing, or doo-hickey. The Pittsburgh designer now offers hip unisex T-shirts emblazoned with the word, in the style of Robert Indiana's famous LOVE statue at JFK Plaza/LOVE Park in Philadelphia, and other places around the world. Buy these great Philadelphia gifts for $22 (plus $6 shipping) at their etsy store, and maybe other places.

Get this jawn. And also this jawn: a Philadelphia LOVE necklace, yeah.

Another Philadelphia Map Print

We recently showcased this cool Philadelphia neighborhood map print, last weekend at the Punk Rock Flea Market, we spotted this, from Peaceful Traveler. It's not as comprehensive, but it's simple and attractive.

Hand drawn silk printing, $24 at peacefultraveler.org. Other states, cities, and colors available. Also look out for their Philadelphia Hoagies tee.
Philadelphia neighbrhood map

Phlyers Rule

Broad Street Bootlegs Phlyers T-shirt
It's still early season, but the Phillies look set continue the winning ways of 2008 (remember that?) and 2009, and their sports complex neighbors, the Flyers, are cruising through the NHL playoffs in unlikely style. Celebrate a love for both with a hybrid logo: the Phillies "P" script (retro style) with the distinctive Flyers wing-trails. Available in three T-shirt styles: in Flyers orange on black or black-and-orange on grey or in Phillies maroon on blue ('82 model). I want one.

Get yours at Broad Street Bootlegs.
Phlyers 82 design