Gift Guide 2016: Gifts for the Home

This year I'm looking to embrace the "buy fewer, better things" philosophy, both when shopping for the holidays and in purchasing for myself. This guide is chock full of quality pieces, designed and crafted with care by thoughtful makers, so you can feel great about gifting them to your loved ones (or just keeping them for yourself. that's ok too).

1. Against the Grain abstract block print from Melissa Holden Art.  Melissa meticulously hand carves her own blocks and prints in very limited editions. I love the melding of organic and modern in this particular one, and the black and grey colorway is a minimalist's dream.

2. Small Walnut Trapezoid Bread Board from Deoria Made. The unique shape and the fact that it is handcrafted from a single piece of salvaged walnut makes this one particularly special.

3. Ceramic tumbler (comes in a set of 4) from by Pinckney. These would be a gorgeous addition to any nightstand, or as an alternative coffee mug (I can imagine really curling my hands around a warm cuppa joe in this).  Hand thrown and painted, finished with a white glaze. 

4. Golden Coast Soy Candle from PF Candle Co. Inspired by California's coast - notes of salty sea air, redwood, eucalyptus, and a heart of white lavender. This invigorating scent is infused with essential oils of sage and palo santo.  My new favorite (it's burning pretty much every day in my studio). 

5. Triangles Square pillow from Shapes & Colors. It's handprinted, which makes it extra special, and the pattern is featured on both the front and the back. A perfect addition to any minimalist's home.

6. Large Corner Spoon from Windy Chien. Each spoon is hand carved from walnut and one of a kind. These are truly heirloom pieces- a pot of organic spoon butter (for polishing) is included with each order to keep them beautiful.

7. Cocktail Diagram Tea Towel from Drywell Art.  Do you like cocktails? I like cocktails. My guess is we'll both find our favorites in this hand-drawn collection of sixteen, complete with diagrammed ingredients. Printed onto a natural, unbleached cotton tea towel that's machine washable so you can actually, you know, use it.

Gift Guide 2016: Treat Yourself

It's been quite a year. So while you're shopping and gifting others, consider treating yourself to a little something that will make you feel pretty damn good (powerful, energized, you fill in the adjective) and happens to support some boss business ladies.

1. Hex Clutch by Good West Co. | $137 | cobalt suede and brass hardware
2. Suzie Clogs by Bryr | $268 | handmade just for you
3. Ancient Cuff by Kendra Renee Jewelry | $440 | bold and bad-ass in sterling silver
4. Wild Feminist T-Shirt by Wildfang | $40 | because equality
5. TILA Necklace by Marja Germans Gard | $85 | simple, strong and beautiful
6. Clary Sage Black Pepper Body Oil by Etta + Billie | $35 | unique scent and incredibly hydrating
 

Retailer Feature: Modern Mouse in Alameda, CA

 Why did you decide to open Modern Mouse?

I love all things handmade, and I've always had an entrepreneurial streak. When the opportunity presented itself to bring a handmade boutique to my community, I jumped at the chance. Modern Mouse first opened its doors to the public with a collection of fun, high-quality handmade goods from over 50 starting artists on November 9, 2009.

What helps you decide which pieces to carry in your shop?

We're a little-bit-of-everything boutique, and we look for the most delightful in each category! Our specialty is in local + handmade goods, and we offer a carefully curated collection of stuff we love and think our customers might too. We scour local craft fairs and other sources for new artists and also get new applicants through our online application. 

Where do you recommend customers eat or grab a coffee and snack 
near the shop?

My favorite place to eat at South Shore is Sushi House -- generous portions of fresh and delicious sushi at great prices. Up Park Street (our main drag), my favorite places to grub are Hang Ten Boiler (mm, crab) and Burma Superstar (tea leaf salad!), followed by a tapioca milk tea dessert beverage from newly opened Bambu.

What's a hidden gem (eatery, shop, scenic lookout, hiking trail, etc.) in Alameda that few know about?

Eatery: Little House Cafe. Scenic lookout and walking trail: Shoreline Park on Bay Farm Island, which is close to where I live. Oh, and the family and I also looove hanging out on the outdoor patio at the family-friendly Rock Wall Winery (yes, a winery in Alameda) on a sunny day!

What is the best part/most surprising part about owning the shop?

Aside from being able to be surrounded by such dangerously tempting merchandise all the time, one of my favorite parts of shopkeeping is getting to meet and befriend such a wide variety of people, from our talented and inspiring artist/crafter/design entrepreneurs to our wonderful customers, and my dear staff whom I affectionately consider a part of my growing family.

On the more surprising end is just how much has to happen behind the scenes to make the business run smoothly. I knew it would be a ton of work but haven't ceased to be impressed by how much data there is to manage, track, report on and analyze, especially given our consignment business model. I should thank my dad for forcing me to change majors from Poli Sci + Rhetoric to Business Administration, and I don't know if our systems could ever have been so solid if it weren't for my lots of backend work by my software developer hubby and sister. It takes a village!

Modern Mouse
2223 South Shore Center
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 814-8830

Mon – Fri 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

Saturday 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Sunday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm