Vendor Spotlight: Hairebrained Design
We believe in supporting small businesses that add something unique and fun to our community. One of those special businesses is Hairebrained Design, a vendor who has been joining us month after month at Board Game Night, bringing a delightful mix of wordplay, creativity, and 3D artistry to the table. We are excited to spotlight John Haire and his wife, Gabby, who together form the heart and soul of this one-of-a-kind venture. Read on to learn more about what makes Hairebrained Design such a unique gem in our vendor community!
John Haire IV
Co-owner & Designer
Gabby Haire
Co-owner & Model-maker
So, who’s behind all this awesome wordplay and what’s your game plan?
My name is John Haire, and I’m here with my wife, Gabby. We run our business, Hairebrained Design, and we couldn’t do it without each other. Our mission is simple: we turn the world upside down, one figure of speech at a time. Curious about what we’re up to? Well, our puns are the heart of everything we do, and our products are designed to make you think, smile, and laugh all at once.
Can you give us the inside scoop, what exactly do you mean by a "turn of phrase"?
At Hairebrained Design, we create figures that combine visual art with wordplay. First, you look at them, guess what they are, and then flip them over to reveal the answer. The words underneath each figure match the visual appearance, turning those "aha" moments into "haha" moments. It’s our way of adding a clever twist to everyday phrases — a “turn of phrase,” if you will!
What makes your creations stand out from the crowd?
We combine wordplay with 3D modeling to craft original, hand-made pieces that are more than just art — we call them "Artickles." Every piece is unique, from concept to creation. We start by sketching ideas on paper, then move to 3D modeling in Blender, followed by 3D resin printing, and finally hand-painting each figure. We’re dedicated to making sure every piece is as fun to look at as it is to understand. It’s all about making sure you get the joke in the most playful way possible.
What’s it like behind the booth, what’s the vibe when you’re at Board Game Night?
Being a vendor at DFW Young & Social's Board Game Nights is always a blast because we’re in the company of our kind of people — those who love to have fun and think outside the box. A space where play and learning go hand-in-hand is exactly where we want to meet you, and DFW Young & Social creates that environment perfectly. The group of fun thinkers and creators here makes it an incredible place to share our work with the world.
What’s the spark that keeps you creating? Any fun stories behind the inspiration?
The puzzle of combining wordplay and 3D modeling is what keeps us inspired. It's a challenge that’s as satisfying as putting together a great story, where every little detail comes together just right. But honestly, it’s the reactions that keep us going: the smiles, the laughter, the elbow-jabs, the eyerolls, the knee-slaps, and those wonderful cringey groans — we can’t get enough of them. We are grateful for every moment of joy we get to experience, especially at DFW Young & Social’s Board Game Nights.
If your business was a book, which one would it be, and what makes it your perfect match?
It would be "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster. The wordplay, quirky characters, and clever parallels in this book always make me smile. It’s unassuming, yet it changes your perspective in a fun, thoughtful way. I’d say it shaped how I look at the world from a young age — finding joy in puns, wordplay, and the little things that make life quirky and interesting.
Where can curious minds find you and your puns online?
If you’re a word nerd, a puzzle person, or just plain curious, you can find us at Hairebrained.com. (And please remember to spell it H-A-I-R-E like my last name, or you’ll end up in some very unexpected corners of the internet!) You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and even LinkedIn at @hairebrained. Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you soon!
We are incredibly grateful for John and Gabby’s continued support at Board Game Nights, and we love seeing the joy they bring to everyone with their fun, creative, and unique products. We can’t wait to see them again at the next event Board Game Night. Come check them out and support this awesome small business — we know you’ll have a great time.
