Note to new trade show exhibitioners: Outside of appointments where I walk away with something to review on the site or someone promises to shoot over samples later, the best way to get me to stop at your booth is to jump out in front of me and say “Hi!”. If that fails (and it usually doesn’t), feel free to use a tripwire or other handy item that gets me to stop, look and smile. Whenever that’s happened at Toy Fair, I’ve always seen stuff that makes me want to write cool things about. Here are a few of this year’s products and people that reached out at the right moment:

Meeting the Life is Wabi-Sabi crew was a highlight of the show because Aaron Castillo Jr. and Marilyn bought that Big Island spirit from Hawaii all the way to NYC, braving the record-breaking cold weather to introduce their SUPER cute line of buttons, magnets and plush kitties. Seeing that big-eyed imperfect cat stopped me in my tracks and made me smile for a few reasons. There’s just something wonderfully zen about that cat that makes you want to pick it up and stare back for a spell.

Seriously, just look at it up close and personal:

That Wabi-Sabi cat, by the way, is more fine work from Gann Memorials. They took the artwork and transformed it into a plush that may look as if it’s top-heavy, but can be balanced atop your hand (warning, this image may make your actual cat jealous. or not. Cats tend to be fickle about so many things!):

As the much bigger model was a one-off display piece, I didn’t get to try that trick with it. But it was sturdy enough to hang a display from at one point, so that’s a good sign that the Wabi-Sabi lifestyle does bring balance to things. As a small operation, the focus of the company is simple, yet broad. Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese word that doesn’t have a specific meaning, but is more of an aesthetic appreciation of things imperfect whether intentionally designed or otherwise. On their website, you can buy buttons, magnets, artwork prints and clothing all with motivational quotes to lift your day (or the day of the person you’re getting something for). The cats aren’t up as of yet, but they’re coming, folks. They’re coming.

Patience in all things is truly rewarding when all is said and done, you know… =^ . ^=