Happy September everyone! I promised on Friday when I wrote about My Hamburg Trip that I'd show you a store that I particularly enjoyed there called Milchmaedchen. This pretty shop is owned by Irina Hultzsch, who moved to Hamburg one year ago and opened Milchmaedchen in November 2007. Previously she had her atelier/gallery in Munich. Irina is an architect with five years of working experience including a few months focusing on interiors in NYC. Her Hamburg shop features the work of independent artists based mostly in Europe and America like The Black Apple, Lisa Stickley, Katrin Mueller bears, feinedinge (I purchased these), The O Dor (lovely tea from France in beautiful tins) and some of her own designs featuring Milk Maid illustrations stitched onto felt wallets and cotton bags.

When I asked her why she opened a shop she said, "The impulse was to create a platform for young designers and artists who are working in ateliers hidden from their potential customers. I have been traveling a lot - so while discovering new cities there's always a chance to get in contact with creative people." Irina also told me that Milchm?dchen Design (the shop) is the connector in real life in addition to the possibilities of the internet (for instance her website and blog).

Speaking of connecting people via the web, if you are interested in contacting Irina to potentially offer your products in her Hamburg shop, you may contact her via email at shop(at)milchmaedchen-design.de. She requests that if you would like to sell your products there you should enclose some photos and tell her about your work and professional background. Don't forget to include your website or blog if you have one.

Travel Tip: Like many of us, Irina is a foodie and has some dining out suggestions in case you'd like to visit Hamburg in the near future. She's a fan of Bistrot Vienna (delicious and cozy) on. Fettstr. 2, Rocco (Trattoria, great Italian food) located at Wohlwillstr. 29, and An Khang (Vietnamese Restaurant) at Hoheluftchaussee 86 (sorry no website).

Hope you enjoyed visiting this lovely shop today! Thank you Irina for having me!

(photographs taken by Holly Becker for decor8)