This is a different kind of pillow talk.
An artisan pillow maker will show crowds how her company creates quirky cushions by hand during an open studios event at Sunset Park’s Industry City on April 18. The decor designer said she is excited to show visitors that not all homewares are made in far-flung sweatshops. In fact, she said, factories can be fun.
“Often when people outside of manufacturing think of a factory, they have a really negative vision based on horror stories from overseas,” said Boerum Hill entrepreneur Alexandra Ferguson, who runs her eponymous pillow company out of the manufacturing center. “My goal is to change that perception by showing people what an American factory can look like — a bright and airy space that is painted in pop colors where you can design and make a product that excites customers.”
Ferguson’s company manufactures pillows, makeup cases, and tote bags out of recycled felt that feature bold typography and catch phrases such as “Call Your Mother,” “Happily Ever After,” and “I Love This Place.” At the open studios event, looky-loos can see the workshop where Ferguson and her employees cut and stitch every letter, before sending the products off to customers and stores around the world. Ferguson will also be selling her cushions at discounted rates on the day.
Ferguson is one of more than 100 artists and makers in the giant campus — which is about the size of 104 football fields — who will open their doors to the public for the event. Many Brooklyn artist hubs host similar open-house events where curious locals can gawk at painters and photographers in their natural habitat, but the Industry City affair is unique because visitors will also get to see inside the workspaces of chocolatiers, distillers, woodworkers, fashion designers, and furniture makers, said an organizer.
“The extraordinary blend of artists, makers and manufacturers — this is not found elsewhere in the city,” said photographer Aleya Lehmann Bench, who helped put the event together. “Going behind the scenes to see an artist’s workspace is a unique opportunity.”
Many of the fashion and homewares companies in the building, such as children’s clothier Little Hip Squeaks and Brooklyn Candle Studio, will be selling their wares on the day, while comestible creators including Li-Lac Chocolates, Liddabit Sweets, and Industry City Distillery will offer tours and tastings.
The event is a chance for Industry City’s tenants to show off not only their own creations, but also the creative community that has flourished within the waterfront warehouse park and the surrounding neighborhood in recent years, said Bench.
“Many artists live in the area, or nearby, and there is a real sense of community at the moment,” she said.
Industry City Open Studios at Industry City [274 36th St. between Second and Third avenues in Sunset Park, (718) 965–6450, www.indus
