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Brightspot Cards, Ling Ling Zheng Photography

Featured Article

Mercer Island Makers

Shop Local with Special Holiday Gifts by MI Designers

Looking for the perfect holiday gift with a personal touch?  We suggest these locally designed treasures that capture the spirit of our community. 

Haley Street, The Westerly Co. Photos by 

The Westerly Co. is a coastal-inspired blanket company based on Mercer Island. The blankets are thoughtfully designed by Haley to embrace a casual coastal style with colors picked directly from our coastline.

Crafted from premium natural fibers, each Westerly blanket is designed to be both luxuriously thick and easy to wash at home, ensuring comfort and quality that lasts for generations. While designed here, they are expertly woven in Germany by skilled artisans who have perfected the traditional Jacquard technique over the past century. This combination of modern unique designs and time-honored craftsmanship guarantees a heritage quality that sets these blankets apart.

As the holiday season approaches, these blankets make the perfect gift for loved ones, adding a touch of coastal charm to any home.  Celebrate the season by gifting a piece that embodies comfort, style, and a lasting connection to the sea @ https://thewesterlyco.com

Emily Chan, Brightspot Design

For 25+ years, Emily has been making cards and products, creating bright spots and connecting people through a love of food and representing an Asian American voice.

Emily and husband, Jason, are active volunteers at West Mercer Elementary for Lunar New Year and Mother/Father's Day.  Emily says, “we love helping kids make their own cards to appreciate others and celebrate the ones they love”. 

Caroline Hughes, PIAR: Heels as Comfortable as Your Favorite Sneakers

For women who have given up on heels, PIAR is here to change the game. Founded by Caroline, an avid runner, PIAR emerged from the frustration of uncomfortable dress shoes. “It didn’t make sense—our running shoes are packed with comfort technology, and our dress shoes remain stuck in the past.”

With the unwavering support of family, friends, and the community, Caroline spent five years perfecting The Performance Heel (through Covid and breast cancer). She invested countless hours developing prototypes in three countries and perfecting every detail—from design and cushioning to materials and style. This patent-pending design blends the science of athletic footwear with classic style, ensuring that women feel comfortable and confident throughout their day. Each pair is designed locally and crafted in Brazil by a family-owned factory with over 50 years of expertise.

If you’re looking for a gift this season that brings a little ease to a busy woman’s life, The Performance Heel delivers both comfort and style in one effortless package. Shop https://hellopiar.com

Emily Chan, Brightspot Design

Emily’s first high school job was working at Hallmark, but she never once bought a card. She felt the cards were too generic, and didn't represent her. So she made her own cards. Brightspot pairs Asian food with American vernacular (read: they're punny!) Emily’s ultimate goal is to create moments of connection: your friend laughing over a sushi pun birthday card, your kids proud to show off their backpack with a bubble tea pin--even your co-worker's curiosity over the sriracha sticker on your laptop. These are moments of priceless connection and bright spots, little and big. 

Visit http://www.brightspotdesign.com/ for everything Brightspot. Use exclusive code MERCERISLAND for free shipping until Jan 1st, 2025. Also available at Uwajimaya.