Pop-culture and glitter obsessives making accessories, décor and apparel for fun people
We're a proudly indie multi-faceted creative duo bent on creating unique handmade accessories that share our love of pop culture and other weird and wonderful things. Since 1999, we've been blending together elements of pop indulgence, hands-on crafting and graphic design to create thousands of product options including rings, cufflinks, belt buckles, magnets, and home décor items like clocks, prayer candles, and more.
Our business and work has evolved and changed over the years. Perhaps you’ve known us as Barbie’s Basement Jewellery. Though it is still our legal name, we use BBJ Pop Merch to better represent the products we are making now. The last couple of years has brought some new techniques and products to our creative toolkit, and we're excited to move in this direction with a signature line of custom type-based tees and other apparel and gifts. We call this collection Glitter Garage inspired by our pretty and gritty downtown studio. Robin especially likes playing with words, and Glitter Garage seems like a natural progression from Barbie’s Basement to her. (Fun fact: she first used the Barbie’s Basement name in the late 1990’s while living in a high-rise.)
Still with us? Great! Here’s a few other things about us: We've also worked together as Trixie & Beever for many years, creating installations, performances, mixed-media art pieces and set designs. Ange has begun painting solo again with a series called Original Covers, using existing art/decor as a base for unexpected additions and absurd juxtapositions. Her salon shows have been great fun, and her work is enthusiastically received and collected. Some of her redirected images have found their way into BBJ fancy brooches and serving trays, and will be cross-pollinating other accessories and apparel soon.
What else? We are proudly queer women who believe in equality for all. We support community efforts in mental health and housing, uphold treaty rights, affirm trans identities, and state unequivocally that Black Lives Matter.
Thanks for being here. Glitter on!
Ange Beever & Robin Woodward
FAQ
Do you still make...?
Maybe. We've learned new techniques and introduced a collection of apparel and textile accessories, so we've trimmed down our older accessory line to a handful of best-selling BBJ Legacy products, and we’re excited to broaden our new offerings to keep things fresh. That being said, we've got a studio full of supplies, so if you want something we've made that isn't on this site, just ask!
Do you do custom work?
You bet we do. Many of our BBJ legacy products are designed to customize with personal or pop-culture images, and have upload instructions on the product pages. Customization is at the heart of our unique YourTen concept for tees, totes etc., and Use Your Words tees bring your message and our style together on premium quality shirts.
What about custom multiples and private label?
Yes again. Over the years we've collaborated with artists, retailers and events to create custom products celebrating the work of Tim Burton (tiff), Guillermo del Toro (AGO), Harold Town (York U, Town), and the CBC. We've also enjoyed making custom stuff for Pride Toronto, roller derby events, Newsgirls Boxing Club, drag balls and other community orgs. See our
custom collection page here for more.
Do you have a store or can I pick up my order?
We now work out of a supercool little studio near Yonge & Bloor - we call it the Glitter Garage! It's behind and part of
eleven/e2 salon. The location is tucked away in a laneway; it can be accessed via St. Nicholas Street, 1 block west of Yonge.
see map
We are open by appointment most weekdays and occasionally on weekends; drop us a line to make sure we're available before you come by, which brings us to...
What's your COVID-19 policy?
We're doing our best to balance social-distancing directives with making, running a business and customer service. We are in the studio a few days a week, so local pickups are an option. Please be prepared to schedule a pickup day and time when your order is ready. We can arrange curbside pickup, or you can put on a mask* and come in to see us.
(*Need a fun, well-made mask? Our salon partner Mikah Styles has a bin full of great ones for sale.)
Order processing times are close to our usual standard - maybe an extra day - but please be aware that all Canada Post and all major carriers have suspended delivery date guarantees until at least 2021. We'll do our best to get your orders to you ASAP, but please shop early to avoid disappointment.
What now?
Our plans for a launch party – like so many plans – were scuttled by the pandemic and all of its uncertainty. 2020 would have been our 20th year at One Of A Kind, and it’s been such a big part of connecting with customers and other makers over the years, we will miss the experience. We’ve opted out of their virtual shows for 2020/21 – we’re keeping it indie and scrappy! – and encourage everyone to support local/small/independent businesses any way they can in these strange and challenging times.
We're here online, and welcome personal shopping appointments in the studio to provide you with unique gifts to show your love.
IRL Address:
BBJ studio (aka the Glitter Garage)
9 Irwin Ave
Toronto ON M4Y 1L1
647.458.2338
Social and site links:
