Shopping: December 2005 Archives

When I was a little kid, I used to love the crystal growing kits, so imagine my delight when I saw a Magic Christmas Tree at Mxyplyzyk. Six hours of fun! The first picture is an hour or two into it. And the second is the next day. The best $6 I've spent in a long time.

Ah the ladies of BUST magazine have gone out of their way to make Brooklyn safe for crafters. Getting past the name, Craftacular, isn't easy. But once swallowed and spit back, the Dec. 17 craftfest at Warsaw in Williamsburg (you knew it was going to be in Williamsburg, didn't you?) from noon to midnight does sound like a good stop for last-minute gifts. Between holiday parties and having to wake up at 7am every day this week (don't ask), I'm not feeling very creative, so here's what BUST has to say about its own party. I've taken the liberty of bolding the important parts.

"... featuring crowds of crafters, cocktails, DJs, and dancing! Celebrity crafters/authors Brini Maxwell, Vickie Howell, Jenny Hart, and more will be on hand to sign copies of their books! Get jiggy with "Jingle Bells" and a gin and tonic as you browse through hundreds of one-of-a-kind gifts handmade by over 80 inventive and insanely talented crafters from across the country. Check out performances by New York's Dazzle Dancers and hit the dance floor while enjoying music spun by Basement Bangra star DJ Rekha, DJ Shakey, Dirty Jean, Peppermintwist, Jaime Kozyra and others. "

Now all I need is to figure out who to give it to...
From the New York Public Library Shop.

If you haven't noticed yet, it's December already. That means the season of thoughtful gift giving (or retail gluttony, depending on your perspective) is upon us. Brooklyn has some awesome stores, so I thought I'd give a shout out to some of my favorites.

Swallow. Though primarily a glass showroom, this store has merchandise as beautiful and quirky as it gets. Delicate spider webs caught in glass, baby-sized kimonos, napkin rings shaped like tree branches--most everything feels in some way inspired by nature, and very one-of-a-kind.
Zipper. Modern furniture and accessories that don't feel cold and lifeless. Though I can't afford the furniture, I find it's a great place to pick up last-minute, inexpensive gifts like great-smelling soap, cute colorful vases or stuff for kids that's not totally lame.
Debbie Fisher. Because you can't just buy for everyone else--I think this is the perfect place to buy earrings to go with that hot new office Christmas party outfit you'll be shaming yourself in later.
Enamoo. There's the random plants and antiques scattered about the store that make for interesting browsing, but I go for the screen printed T-shirts and sweatshirts--many emblazoned with Brooklyn-centric logos.
Sterling Place. This is the one more grown-up store on the list, it's where I were to shop if I owned a restored brownstone (I don't).
Cog and Pearl. By chance this was one of the first Park Slope stores I visited when I moved to Brooklyn, and it's always been one of my favorites. Almost everything in the store is made from recycled materials. I haven't been by in the last month, but usually they have printed T-shirts, funky housewares like a bowl made from an old record, purses constructed from hardcover books or material from old cars, plus jewelry and some cool Brooklyn Bridge photo-mirrors.
Clay Pot. Though primarily known for its collection of local jewelry designers, the store also stocks a wide variety of last-minute gifts, lots of fun stuff under $20.

Feel free to add your favorites!

Update: Only The Blog Knows Brooklyn has another extensive holiday shopping guide covering the Park Slope area

Update: We have yet another holiday shopping guide over at FreeWilliamsburg covering, yep you guessed it, Williamsburg.