FRED & FRIENDS: FRESH FUN FUNCTIONAL PRODUCTS, VERY COOL DESIGNS (NEW BRAND, AVAILABLE AT BLACK MARKET)

by Don Rose

Black Market (stores in West Los Angeles and Long Beach) sent a recent email about a new brand: Fred & Friends. The LA Report loves these products -- some of the funnest yet functional designs we've seen in a while (assuming funnest is an actual word). Take a look.

Top Left: ICE INVADERS™ a close encounter of the frozen kind - Did you spend a good portion of your childhood (and your allowance) blasting 2-dimensional aliens to smithereens? Now you can freeze those precious moments in time with Ice Invaders. 100% pure silicone, oven-safe, dishwasher-safe, raygun-safe! Peggable clear boxes. ©2009 FRED

Top Right: ONE MAN TRY™ Mr. P, the human tape dispenser - Mr. P is always getting himself into sticky situations. In this case, the solution is simple - just pull the end of the tape from Mr. P's mouth, and tear out what you need with his serrated shoes. Voila! One Man Try is packaged in a recyclable cardobard box. Design: Propaganda ©2006 PROPAGANDA & FRED

Middle Left: SNACK & STACK™ take along utensils - The silicone handles of these mid-size utensils lock together securely for easy storage and packing, not to mention endless amusement. Perfect for lunch boxes, picnics, your desk drawer or glove box. Each set of three is packed in a peggable recyclable clear box. Design: Winnif Pang ©2008 FRED

Middle Right: FEET FIRST: MANHOLE MATS™ street style for your home - Manhole Mats are clever visual puns. They're great graphic designs. They're reproductions of some of the world's great manhole covers. They're 24" diameter, nylon flocked, super durable, indoor/outdoor floor mats. Street style for your home! FEET FIRST mats are made from 100% recycled truck tires with durable nylon flocking, usable indoors or out, washable, durable, and endearing. Design: Jason Amendolara ©2005 FRED (*Black Market only has the City of Los Angeles Sanitary Sewer Manhole Mat in stores)

Bottom Left: CHOPSTICK KIDS™ chinese with ease - Having trouble taming your chopsticks? You're not alone. You could practice for a few more years or you could just call the Chopstick Kids for help. These soft, washable, food-safe hinges really keep your chopsticks in line and add an element of fun to the dining experience. And they're not just for kids either - Fred uses them himself! The assorted Boy and Girl styles stand around 2 3/4" tall, and are molded from food-grade silicone rubber, so they're dishwasher-safe. They come with a nice set of melamine chopsticks, or you can use them with your own - the openings at the bottom stretch to hold those break-wood chopsticks or even your nice ivory ones. Each set is packed in a handsome peggable clear box measuring around 7.5" x 2.5" x 1". Design: Liz Goulet Dubois ©2005 FRED

Bottom Right: 2-CARAT CUP™ ooh la latte! - Here's a great way to start the day - a graceful porcelain cup that adorns you with a sparkling solitaire diamond ring when you pick it up! But wait, here's the BEST part - we've packed the 2-Carat Cup in an elegant oversize jewelry box, so when you present it as a gift, all you see is the ring! A great cup, a terrific gift, a charming social expression -- this one's got it all. White porcelain with gold or platinum glaze and clear sparkling Swarovski crystal, individually boxed with removable wrapper. Design: Yusuke Fujinuma ©2008 FRED

Black Market LA: 2023/2025 Sawtelle Blvd. Los Angeles, California 90036, phone: 310-966-1555, fax: 310-966-1655. Black Market LB: 429 E. 1st Street. Long Beach, California 90802, phone: 562-628-2222, fax: 562-628-2236.