All posts tagged: shop local

west coast craft.

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Going to a craft show when you’re not vending is so relaxing! You get to shop and chat without having to run back to your booth, and take your sweet, sweet time. Last weekend I got to do just that at West Coast Craft with with my friend Joy. We visited with some maker friends and met new-to-me makers. Featured above: Zena Segre / Corrin Ceramics / Cute Circle Bag Lady / Case for Making Featured below: CA Makes / Baggu / Zelma Rose In true maker status, I brought pennants and crowns. 🙂 I made the Lit pennant for my friend because she makes soy candles, but then it also paired well with her big purchase of the day. I also waved around an I Luh You pennant. Our flower crowns were a hit – people kept asking if we bought them at the show. Perhaps I’ll need to apply to be a vendor next time…but I just wanna shop! 🙂 There was a free custom tee making station with my friend Sam of …

shorthand.

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The last shop in my Highland Park shop tour: Shorthand, a stationary lover’s dream! Oh ma gaw, this place is so fun! Stuff is organized by color! A section of pinks, blues, mints, mustards… They have journals with plain, lined, and graph paper; writing accoutrements; desk accessories; … and I saw a sign that said “Ask us about our left-handed notebooks” so I did, and then I bought a couple. 🙂 The shop also carries cards, art prints, paper, and ribbons…perfect things for gift giving! And they make a lot of the goods in-store in the back! (Party in the back!) I appreciate quality made paper goods, and if you do, too, you’ll love it here! I’m so glad I got to visit Shorthand on this trip! Check my Topo and Wild Terra recaps, too, for more Highland Park shopping.

wild terra.

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After visiting Topo, I walked over to Wild Terra, which had caught my eye when I was looking for parking. I was drawn to the brightness of the shop – lots of natural light. I didn’t know what would be inside and I had to find out! Turns out, Wild Terra had just opened three weeks before my visit. They sell teas, spices and herbs, and lots of natural beauty and health products, plus art prints and some home goods. Wild Terra holds workshops onsite, too. (Big fan of workshops!) And they sell local honey. (Big fan of local honey, too!) The space is inspiring and the staff are very welcoming. They encouraged me to open up the jars to smell all the aromas. Mmm…I ended up getting some Earl Grey tea – the “Earl Grey Creme” – which was indeed creamy, even without adding any milk. Wishing you lots of good vibes and success, Wild Terra!

topo.

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I spent a little time in Highland Park last week and stumbled upon some cute, cute, cute shops! Today I’m sharing my Topo adventure! I was enjoying my lunch at Kitchen Mouse (mmm, chilaquiles) and admiring all the decor (plants! weavings!), when I spotted a doorway (It was like a little mouse hole in the wall that you see in cartoons.) into what looked like an adorable market place. After lunch I wandered through… Turns out it was Topo (which means mouse in Italian), the Kitchen Mouse marketplace and to-go counter. I didn’t know they had a shop so I was pleasantly surprised. There were cards, bags, kid’s books and toys, housewares – all kinds of fun stuff. I ended up getting a super cute Kitchen Mouse / Highland Park screen printed tote bag (tote bag addiction and proud of it!). At the to-go counter there were treats as well as a handful of savory/meal selections and drinks. Much like the restaurant, I loved all the bright colors and warm hospitality at Topo. Check it out (and …

stop, body time.

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The Body Time warehouse sale! I come yearly to Body Time to pick up a scent refill for my Mom – her fave here is plumeria – but this was my first time at the warehouse. It’s apparently where all the product for the stores gets divvied up. I felt like a total insider. A lot of the stuff on sale was overstock or seasonal. Product was marked at least 40% off, and they had an assortment of furniture and display items, and other giftables. I almost purchased an uncut block of soap… I ended up scoring some mango fragrance, a walnut peppermint scrub, spray-on moisturizer, two heart shaped soaps, and two tote bags all for $20. My friend got all kinds of goodies, too, including this bird statue for $1. Odd, but awesome, and perfect for her garden. Warehouse sale much? Share below!

tinsel.

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Step right in to Tinsel in Berkeley! I frequently pass by this shop thinking I must go in someday. Someday was last Saturday, finally! Tinsel is known for their vintage trim so I was expecting to see lots of ribbons, tassels, and fun things for decorating. I was correct, but oh, there was so much to look at and my brain went into overdrive as I started to think about all the projects I could make with everything in the store. What an amazing collection of things on spools – fabric ribbons, metal ribbons… They had bottle brush trees (I love these things!) for every occasion. This handy passementerie (art of making elaborate trimmings or edgings) guide needs to be an art print. A wall of passements… If I was a master seamstress I would be ALL OVER these trims. Everything looked so elaborate, detailed, well-made. There were bins of vintage appliques, beads, charms… Spools in all the sizes… My family’s cigar company ;)…plus golden scissors… These flower middles reminded me of my childhood and …

shop feature: mom & pop. 

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Mom & Pop in Point Richmond really is a Mom & Pop! My friend Joy took me on one of her product drop-offs and I got to meet Mom Kelly in store! Mom & Pop is part shop and part art gallery. There’s lots of gift ideas and inspiration for getting creative. They feature a handful of local makers including my friends Joy and Laura. Mom Kelly is a photographer and her prints can be found throughout the shop, too. I love all the color and all the whimsy. Come check out Mom & Pop next time you’re in Richmond!