Artists and makers launch handmade US Open merch as fans celebrate the tournament

Ahead of the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, a wave of DIY merchandise is emerging. Hoboken sisters Amanda and Emily Mohre, who run The Beaded Tee, hand-bead tennis rackets and balls onto tank tops, a process that takes four to six hours and retails for $75 per shirt. In Brooklyn, Olivia Ellis paints tennis legends such as Venus and Serena Williams on denim garments and sells hand-drawn posters for $25, alongside $8 digital downloads.

Toronto’s Fiorella Granda posted a fan-made, collage-style US Open poster on TikTok, which attracted attention from tennis fans but not from the tournament itself. All three creators cite the event’s energy and New York’s festive atmosphere as inspiration for their work. Their offerings provide personalized alternatives to official merchandise that can range from $15 to $600. The artists are leveraging social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to showcase and sell their creations.