An interesting new shop has popped up in the University District that caught my attention the other day. Not only does the store have a great name – Mermaid & Weasel – the merchandise is just as much fun. I love these types of shops, where the owners are always present, and usually working on some crafty plans.
In this case, owners John Gaeddert and Diana Miranda-Gaeddert are a couple of yarn and game friendly types that love to promote the two activities around town. This week, Diana happens to be spending some time at Sewing Souls Studio during the Infringement Festival. “It’s called The Happy Little Hooker Room,” she said. “There’s lots of stuff covered in crochet. It’s all about my passion for crochet and yarn bombing. I got my start when a friend started a yarn bomb group several years ago. Since then, the best thing was yarn bombing Queen City Comics. Shop owner Emil Novak asks us to do it every year, so we crochet lots of nerdy stuff and hang it around the store. It’s super fun! To this day, there is still a piece that I made six years ago hanging on a tree in front of Café Taza”
When Diana is off crocheting, John can usually be found gaming. “He’s a huge Dungeons & Dragons gamer!” said Diana. “He even custom makes D20 shaped clocks with polyhedral dice.”
When I first ran into the couple at their shop, Diana was busy spinning yarns with friend Annie Levay-Krause. The two were in the process of crocheting sushi nigiri pieces for an upcoming Sushi Go! event.
“It’s all about the novelty,” said John. “We’re passionate about what we sell. Where else are you going to find cat butt coasters?”
Indeed! In all of my travels, it was the first time that I ever saw cat butt coasters. It was also the first time that I came across There Are Assholes Everywhere chewing gum. I also finally found a place that sells the infamous Horse Head mask – seen on BRO numerous times over the years.
Next Saturday, John and Diana are hosting a Fiber Geek Brunch Meet-Up (11am to 2pm). On that day, participants will pass plates of food while they work on their crochet, knitting, and needlepoint projects (see Facebook). Then, on August 4th, Diana and Annie will hosting a gaming and lunch clinic (stay tuned to the M&W Facebook page).
I asked Diane if she had been getting into the whole Pokémon craze and she said, “We play! I’ve actually started crocheting Pokéballs and little Pokémon. We go for walks in the neighborhood every night and play.”
There’s no place like Mermaid and Weasel in all of Buffalo. For that matter, you would be hard pressed to find an outfit like this anywhere. Poking around the store is a heck of a lot of fun – even for non-gamers and yarn bombers. John will make you a button/pin of your choosing, or Diana will crochet your favorite animal.
In the end, it’s all about having fun and following your dreams. After all, what’s better than seeing a smile on a friend’s face after you hand him or her a crocheted butter lamb?
If you still have a sense of humor and an imagination, and manage to see the hidden wonders in a world that is sometimes too overbearing, M&W awaits your arrival.
Mermaid & Weasel | 3126 Main Street | Buffalo, NY | (716) 465-2222 | Facebook
