Last Minute Gifts

If you haven't quite managed to check everyone off your gift list, it's not too late. We are happy to help you find the perfect present for all. Here are a few more of our favorite things to consider as you finish up your shopping.

H. Tokyo handkerchiefs are perfect for the stylish gentleman on your list. These special hankies are hand-stitched with a smart little graphic in the corner. We love their motto: "Always carry two handkerchiefs: one to show and one to blow." This is one he will be proud to show.

H.Tokyo Hand-stitched Handkerchief - Airplane, $50

H.Tokyo Hand-stitched Handkerchief - Jaws, $50

H.Tokyo Hand-stitched Handkerchief - Motorcycle, $50

Tivoli Audio is known for making the best table radios on the market. The Model One speaker can really fill a room and Tivoli is known for superior clarity of reception. May also be used as a speaker for an iPod or phone.

Tivoli Audio Model One Radio, $150

It's not only cute, this wooden rechargeable mini speaker boasts surprising audio quality for its tiny size.  

Mini Wooden Speaker, $38

This analog wristwatch from Braun, designed by Dieter Rams and Deitrich Lubs, was originally produced in the 1970s. It's back and just as beautiful as ever.

Braun Wristwatch, $150

Fleet Objects' lovely handmade cribbage set is hand-made in Vancouver, Canada. At 6" x 4" x 2", it is easy to take along while traveling.

Fleet Objects Compact Cribbage, $47

Nuance's Wine Finer is a clever tool for the wine-lovers on your list. This streamlined piece aerates and filters wine by the glass with a no-drip spout. In case you don't finish the bottle, it also has a stopper.

Nuance Wine Finer, $29.95

When you do finish the bottle, turn it into a candle holder with the Toplight. A sturdy stainless steel rim keeps any wax from dripping onto your table.

Toplight by Lena Bergstrom, $35

Yumi Masuko's porcelain Hands Bowl is perfect for displaying any small treasures but is also food safe and looks lovely on the dining table.

Hands Bowl by Yumi Masuko, $58

And if you are heading out to holiday parties, remember Marimekko napkins make a great host/hostess gift. We have a nice selection of patterns.

Marimekko Paper Napkins (set of 20), $6.75

If you still have someone particularly tricky on your list, we'd love to help you find the perfect present. We are up to the challenge! In the meantime, a few things to keep in mind:

• We are open until 8pm through this Friday. Christmas Eve we will be open until 4pm.

• Parking is free downtown until December 26! Shop and dine without worrying about the meter and save those quarters for holiday treats.

       

The Ideal Easter Basket

Sunday is Easter, and if you need a few ideas for filling those baskets with goodies that last longer than chocolate, we can help.

If your kid loves coloring books but you'd prefer a bit more creativity, Rosie Flo and Johnny Joe provide the perfect solution. Rosie Flo was created by illustrator Roz Streeten, after many hours of collaborative drawing with her young daughter. Roz drew elaborate dresses and costumes while her daughter filled in the heads, arms, and legs.

Roz has now published a number of different themes, from animals to travel to kitchen. Most recently, she has created Johnny Joe, whose adventures will appeal to boys and girls alike. We have seven different titles available - stop by to see which one your child would enjoy most.

Rosie Flo Coloring Book, $8.99

Johnny Joe Coloring Book, $8.99

Johnny Joe Sample Spread

Rosie Flo Sample Spread

These beautiful wooden tops, made in Japan, nestle perfectly in the grass of a basket. There are ten different styles, so stop by to do a side-by-side spinning comparison...
 

Japanese Tops, $8 each

One sure sign of spring is the appearance of slugs. While you may not like them in your garden, here's a cuddly one that will look great in an Easter basket. Kristin Loffer Theiss makes an array of beautiful plush toys, including these sweet slugs. As she is a fabric aficionado, Kristin always finds incredible (often vintage) fabrics to use in her creations. The slugs pictured below feature Marimekko fabrics from Finland.
 

Plush Slugs by kltworks, $25

Kids can create thousands of different dinosaurs or robots using these clever stencil kits. Choose a body type, then add horns, tails, spikes, and more. These will be played with long after all the Easter eggs are gone...

 

Dinobox Stencil Set, $10

Robobox Stencil Set, $10

 

Here's a great way to creatively reuse things you would normally recycle or discard. Based in Australia, Makedo creates ingenious sets of connectors that allow you to build all sorts of sculptures, contraptions, structures - your imagination is the only limit. Watch the video below to get an idea of the possibilities. We have Free Play sets ($22) in stock as well as Robot or Flower kits ($12). All are nicely sized for a basket.

 

 

For the youngest in your midst, consider this set of stroller cards from Museum of Modern Art. Five brightly colored, tactile flash cards connected by a ring will keep your little one occupied while on-the-go.

MoMA Stroller Cards, $9.99

Also for the wee ones, these two board books by Seattle collage artist Kate Endle make us think of spring:

What is Green? $8.95

Who Hoo Are You? $8.95

If you have a budding photographer in your household, the KOLA camera accessory is a great choice. A set of colored gels to hold over your camera's lens or flash, use them with your digital or phone camera to create different optical effects.

KOLA Camera Gels, $13.50

There you have just a few ideas for an Easter basket that goes far beyond jellybeans. As always, there are more possibilities we can help you with in the shop, so call (360-752-5522) or email (info@anidealshop.com) if you need further inspiration.

New Treasures Arriving Weekly

This is an exciting time of the year for us! Every week from now until mid-November new shipments will arrive from far-flung places (Japan, Finland, Portugal, and Honduras to just name a few) as well as closer to home (Bainbridge Island, Seattle, and Mt. Vernon).


Many of these are pieces from wonderful new designers we found while in New York. Some are new creations from our current designers.

Last week saw the arrival of new objects from Neo Utility and Saikai. We love the iStand from IDEA International. This great little gadget suctions to the back of your iPhone and props it up so you can enjoy a video or browse the internet. 

iStand, $8.00



We also now have IDEA's fantastic Yuento Balloon Speaker in black and lime green.

Yuento Speaker, $45

Miller Goodman PlayShapes ($150) are also back in stock, so come and see this beautiful set of wooden blocks for yourself. 

MillerGoodman PlayShapes, $150



Over the past few weeks we've also received some lovely pieces in from Saikai. If you are a fan of Japanese design, this group represents some of the superstars, such as Mori Masahiro. We have all five colors of his iconic Soy Bottle back in stock, so consider adding this drip-free container for soy sauce to your table. At $22, it makes a really unique gift.

G Type Soy Bottle, $22

Also, Toyo Sasaki HS "Hard Strong" stacking glasses. First produced in 1967, the reinforced lip on these glasses makes them extra durable and they remain the leading brand in Japanese food service. At $4.50 apiece, it's a great way to introduce a bit of Japanese design to your kitchen.

 

HS "Hard Strong" Glasses, $4.50 apiece



Newly arrived and wonderful - these Pocket Vases in white, yellow, or green. They work beautifully for flowers, but serve as handy catch-alls as well for things like pencils and paintbrushes.

 

Pocket Vase, $24



Finally, these wooden tops. They are miniature sculptures - lovely!

 

Koma Wooden Tops, $6.50 apiece



We also just received a beautiful assortment of glass jewelry from Julie and Jess at verre newyork. It is challenging to find glass jewelry that is elegant and understated and these two glassblowers seem to hit the mark every time. If you see a design you like but would prefer a different color, we can always order you exactly what you want. They have over one hundred colors in their palette.

Three Drop Necklace, $102



Piet Burst Necklace, $106





Piet Stud, $33





Ulala Hoop, $50





Finally, the latest addition to our selection from Museum of Modern Art - the Chalkboard Vase.



MoMA Chalkboard Vase, $4

Draw your own vase, contraption, or creature to hold the flowers. Also works for love notes and to-do lists. The vase includes hardware for wall mounting, as well as a chalk-holder.

That's just a taste of what's new in the shop. We will update you again next week on the latest arrivals! You can also check our Facebook Page for more frequent updates. Until then, enjoy this drawing of the Yuento Balloon Speaker in use. Who wouldn't want to be this happy walking down the street?  







MoMA Modern Kids

Wonderful new playthings from the Museum of Modern Art are now in the shop...here's the MoMA Modern Playhouse.  Fun for kids and grownups, alike! Create a delightfully modern house with this innovative set of modular nesting boxes. Aspiring architects and designers of all ages can create modern spaces, arrange furniture and accessories, and pack it all up to go.

Publisher: Chronicle Books
Includes: 6 nesting boxes, 8 mix-and-match furniture pieces, 12 removable vinyl clings, and endless possibilities. 

Price: $19.99

Modern Play Family

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Dimensions: 4-11/16 x 4-11/16 x 3/4 in; 4 punch-out cards, 12 vinyl stickers, full-color throughout, ages 3 and up 

Price: $12.99

This stylish press-out family includes 5 people, a cat, a dog, a doghouse, and over 150 mix-and-match vinyl cling clothes! Use this set to populate your MoMA Modern Play House.

 

Lacing Shapes

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Dimensions: 6-3/4 x 8-1/2 x 1-3/16 in; 10 cards: 5-1/4 x 6-1/2 in; 11 laces, shrink-wrapped, full-color throughout, ages 3 and up

Price: $14.99

These unique lacing cards teach shapes, colors, and textures and develop hand-eye coordination with striking design and photography. Bright, colorful cards with die-cut shapes can be laced alone or laced together into a book or a piece of hanging art. 

 String-Along Books

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Dimensions: 3-1/4 x 3-1/4 x 8-3/4 in; 10 books, each book: 2-1/4 x 2-1/4 in, 10 pages, full-color throughout, ages 3 and up

Price: $18.99

Inspired by classic stringing bead toys, this innovative collection of 10 books in various shapes develops motor skills while introducing color, shape, and pattern in a wonderfully playful way. Children will have hours of fun reading this set as books, playing with them as blocks, or stringing them as beads.