Today I met with my friend Andrea for coffee and to talk business. We both own small businesses and things are tough in these economic times. Because we can relate to one another's struggles we decided the two of us should be each other's mentor types. One thing we discussed was getting our own stuff in more stores throughout the country. So I figured why not start a kick ass list of cool shops around the country, or globe. If each of you made a comment here saying your favorite stores in your hood who specialize in handcrafted work, well we would have an awesome list in no time.
I'll start:
These is this awesome little shop in Seattle called Schmancy :)
A great place for cards is Nancy
A great place for jewelry is Fancy
A great place for affordable art, prints, gifts and goodies is Bluebottle Art Gallery
A cool shop in Ballard that I really love going into is Veloria
There is 5. Who's gonna add? I would love to know about stores in Vancouver, Minneapolis, Chicago, San Francisco, LA, NYC, well and a million other places.
Go!
Thursday, July 09, 2009
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8 comments:
I was just in Portland, Or. and they have so many great places. Redux, Ink & Peat, Flutter and Porch Light to name a few!
I live in the middle of nowhere - literally. To give you an idea, the nearest Walmart is an hour away, and Walmart's are everywhere. This makes most of our business "indie" businesses, and we have some cool and creative ones within reach.
One is owned by my mom, who is a glass artists, and it is called Stained Glass Visions. She has an etsy sight www.stainedglassvisions.etsy.com and an online portfolio at http://www.glassartists.org/Valerie
She pretty much rocks and does beautiful work.
We also have a really nice candle and soap store Called Pumpkin Creek Candles. Her soaps are awesome. http://www.pumpkincreekcandles.com/
And we have a nice art gallery called Carnegie Arts Center. I just came from their annual garden walk and art auction. It was awesome. http://carnegieartscenter.com/
So if you are ever passing through Alliance, Nebraska - these shops should definately be on your stop list.
I live in the middle of nowhere - literally. To give you an idea, the nearest Walmart is an hour away, and Walmart's are everywhere. This makes most of our business "indie" businesses, and we have some cool and creative ones within reach.
One is owned by my mom, who is a glass artists, and it is called Stained Glass Visions. She has an etsy sight www.stainedglassvisions.etsy.com and an online portfolio at http://www.glassartists.org/Valerie
She pretty much rocks and does beautiful work.
We also have a really nice candle and soap store Called Pumpkin Creek Candles. Her soaps are awesome. http://www.pumpkincreekcandles.com/
And we have a nice art gallery called Carnegie Arts Center. I just came from their annual garden walk and art auction. It was awesome. http://carnegieartscenter.com/
So if you are ever passing through Alliance, Nebraska - these shops should definately be on your stop list.
San Francisco
For whimsical and adorable things, all made on site Laku
For prints, cards and sunny little books Little Otsu
For supplies and gee-gaws you never knew you needed Scrap
For yarn and buttons ImagiKnit
For jewelry and more Secession Art and Design as well as Rare Device
I'm from LA and here are some of my favorites. In Chinatown there's Realm (425 Gin Ling Way, Los Angeles, CA 90012) which has a lot of great high design housewares with a quirky flare. Another place in Chinatown is Flock Shop (www.flockshopla.com) which sells art, clothes & accessories. Everything there has more of an edgy, earthy, urban feel. There's also Reform School (www.reformschoolrules.com) in Sunset Junction/Silverlake. They carry art, cards, housewares, DIY, clothes and accessories that are very fun and well-designed.
Let's see:
MPLS: Robot Love
Carrboro, NC: Wootini
Portland, OR: Grass Hut (Bwana Spoon's gallery/store)
Buy buy buy!
Oh definitely Cog & Pearl at 190 5th Ave in Brooklyn, NY. When I first moved to New York it was the only store I went to. cogandpearl.com
I'm opening a used bookstore in the village of Bushnell, NE next summer and would also like to carry antiques and hand-crafted products. If any of you are interested, please leave a message on my blog.
bookstoreproject.wordpress.com
Thanks!
Jamie
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