Great Design Made in the USA

Hello again! As you consider your holiday shopping, did you know that we carry over 30 designers who make their wares right here in the USA? From jewelry to birdhouses to messenger bags, we have lots of great ideas for American-made gifts.

Kristin Loffer Theiss is the smart woman behind kltworks. Working from her studio in Mount Vernon, WA, she makes meticulously-crafted plush toys. Our favorites are the Kiki Kitties (pictured below) and her Northwest Slug Lovey. Kristin is passionate about fabric and always finds special patterns to use in her work. Keep in mind these kitties aren't just for kids - they look great as accent pillows, too.

klt works Kiki Kitties, $40 each

Bauer Pottery's beautiful stoneware was a staple in many homes during the 1930s and 40s. Bauer has been reintroduced by a ceramics studio in Los Angeles, closely following the original forms and glazes. We have a wide selection of colors and sizes of vases. Check out the lovely salad bowl, as well, also available in white.

8" Bauer Pottery Madagascar Vase, $40

Bauer Pottery Salad Bowl, $60

Mother/daughter team Shelly and Mary Klein are the dynamic duo of k studio in Grand Rapids, MI. We love their embroidered pillows and pouches - Shelly's drawings are irresistible. She and Mary manage each product from start to finish using sustainable fabrics.

k studio Thoughts Pillow (10 x 18"), $98

k studio Everyday People Pouch (7.5 x 4"), $34

Alchemy Goods uses upcycled bike innertubes to make bags, belts, and wallets. Made in Seattle, all of their products are highly water-resistant, built to last, and just plain cool. Below is just a sampling of the many bags and wallets we currently have in stock: 

Alchemy Goods Belt, $44

Alchemy Goods Elliot Dopp Kit, $35

Alchemy Goods Madison Backpack, $140

Alchemy Goods Pine Bag, $110

Nearly all of the jewelry we carry is made in the USA. Here are just a few examples - stop by to see the full range of talent in the shop:

Lulu Smith (Seattle) hand-tints and pours resin to make her beautifully saturated necklaces and earrings. She's a true colorist and we love the way her work brightens our jewelry case.

Lulu Smith Prose Pendant, $162

Iris Guy Soffer (Seattle) works in sterling and oxidized sterling. Her sophisticated designs hint at organic forms such as rocks and branches.

Iris Guy Soffer Branch Necklace, $175

Grain Design (Bainbridge Island, WA) - Chelsea Green uses hand-knotted, reclaimed electrical wire to make her striking Electric Love bangles and rings.

Grain Design Electric Love Bangle, $30 each

Mon Bijou has been a shop favorite since we opened. Made in Los Angeles, these pewter pieces are silver plated and then varnished so you never need to polish or clean them. 

Mon Bijou Maite Cuff, $130

Fruitsuper Design (Seattle) has a ring you can't ignore. The SBiR (So Big it's Ridiculous) is brightly-colored silicone in a scale fit for a superhero! Comfortable to wear and a fun pop of color. 

Fruitsuper Design SBiR Ring, $32

How about something made right here in Bellingham? Western Washington University Industrial Design students recently designed and produced the Path Series of jewelry. A limited edition of each piece was made using a 3-D plastic printer. 100% of proceeds go to WWUIDSA to help fund scholarships, travel expenses and other student needs. 

Path 1 Ring, $12; Path 3 Necklace, $28

Know someone (or yourself) who needs a hand keeping her jewelery drawer tidy? Steph Mantis (Brooklyn, NY) has a witty solution. Her Pack Rack keeps necklaces tangle-free. Also works great for keys by the front door.

Steph Mantis Pack Rack, $58

Ladies and Gentlemen Studios (Seattle) make beautiful, clever designs with a touch of nostalgia. Their Superior Servers are stainless utensils with coated handles, inspired by the dipped ends of hand tools. The Homestead Candlesticks are made from solid hemlock with copper tube.

Ladies and Gentlemen Studios (set of two), $60

Ladies and Gentlemen Studios Superior Servers, $40

Chelsea Heffner of PlainMADE screenprints these beautiful Unwound Wraps in her Portland, OR studio. This piece features imagery of thread and tangled yarn - a tribute to the creative process and scraps left behind in her studio.
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PlainMADE Unwound Wrap, $78

A favorite or architects and designers for decades, the Stendig Calendar (published in Nashville, TN) has been in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art since 1966. Designed by Massimo Vignelli, the large-scale black and white pages become an exploration of positive and negative space. 

Stendig Calendar, $34.95

This minimal wooden chess set was designed by Lanier Graham in 1966. Graham later became curator in the Museum of Modern Art's Department of Architecture and Design. We love how the pieces interlock for compact storage.

Lanier Graham Chess Set, $67

Vital Industries (Denver, CO) screen prints these colorful bicycle glasses. Perfect for sipping whiskey or dipping cookies in milk.

Vital Industries Old Fashioned Glasses, $11 each

If you are planning on using the Old Fashioned glasses for whiskey, be sure to also grab a set of Whiskey Stones from Teroforma. Stash the stones in your freezer and add them to whiskey for a chill without watering down your drink. Made of Vermont soapstone.

Teroforma Whiskey Stones (set of 9), $20

Iacoli and McAllister (Seattle) recently introduced this bottle opener fashioned from hex bar. A lovely little sculpture when not in use.

Iacoli McAllister Hex Opener, $48

Loll Designs (Duluth, MN) uses recycled #2 plastic milk jugs to make super-sturdy and stylish birdhouses. These beauties will not fade or weather over time, so the house will retain its vivid color for years and years.  

Loll Designs Pitch Birdhouse, $60

The Soda Bottle Bird Feeder (Rhode Island) is a versatile gift that appeals to a wide range of people. Simply fill an empty 2-liter bottle with seed, attach the zinc adapter and hang to feed your feathered friends.

Soda Bottle Bird Feeder, $12

So there you have just a quick sampling of American-made designs - there's even more to see in the shop. And don't forget a number of the under $10 gifts we wrote about last week, such as Audubon Bird Calls, Chocolate Editions bars, Holiday Surprise Balls, and Sunprints. All made in USA as well!

We'll be in touch very soon with more gift ideas, but until then here are a few reminders: 

• We will be extending our hours starting next week. December 12-17 (Monday - Saturday) and December 14-23 (Monday - Friday) we will be open until 8pm. Christmas Eve, December 24 we will be open until 4pm. 
• Free parking downtown all day Dec 12 - Dec 26! Enjoy shopping and dining without worrying about meters. Save those quarters for holiday treats.

  






               

Back to School

Are there students in your life heading back to school? Or perhaps you are a student yourself? We've got some great ideas to make the transition back to campus a smooth one.

Dorm rooms nearly always lack sufficient storage. It's tricky to cram an entire wardrobe into that teensy closet. Rather than encroaching on your roommate's space, add a little extra with these clever storage hooks from Design House Stockholm. Mounted on the wall, these are perfect for coats, hats, bags, umbrellas, even hangers. They look great empty, as well.

Wave Hanger by Nanni Holen, $60

Arrow Hanger by Gustav Hallen, $40

Fall brings rain showers in the Pacific Northwest. How to keep your precious cargo dry as you trek across campus? Alchemy Goods makes waterproof bags that are as stylish as they are practical. Based in Seattle, Alchemy Goods practices upcycling when making their products. Using discarded bicycle inner tubes and seatbelts, they make bags and accessories that are built to last.

Haversack Bag by Alchemy Goods, $100

Struck by inspiration for the perfect essay? Sitting on the bus thinking about groceries? Needing to capture the song lyrics stuck in your head? Field Notes can help. Made in Portland, Oregon, these are the perfect notebook to always have on-hand for jotting down notes or making inspired doodles. Packs of three notebooks are $10. Pair with a Field Notes Sleeve in selvedge denim from MS&Co. to protect those important musings.  

Field Notes 3-Pack, $10; MS&Co Denim Sleeve, $32

Shred unwanted papers at all hours without disturbing your roommate! Simply turn the hand crank on the Bye Bye Handy Shredder and destroy those pesky documents while being quiet as a mouse. Needs no electricity and tucks away neatly on a bookshelf when not in use.

Bye Bye Handy Shredder, $45

Let your roomie know where to meet you between classes with this shark-shaped  chalkboard. Wipes clean with damp cloth or eraser.

Shark Chalk Board, $15

Spruce up your room by displaying your favorite photos, postcards, or drawings on this mobile. Easy to switch out images of friends and family to suit your mood.

Mobile Clip Photo Hanger, $17.95

8a.m. class? No problem waking up in a pleasant mood with this sweet Bird Alarm Clock from &Design. Forget the jarring "BEEP BEEP" of a standard alarm clock. With this beauty, your choice of two lovely bird calls will help you rise and shine. 

Bird Alarm Clock by &Design, $43

Music is a big part of college life and we have some well-designed ideas for quality listening.

Make your roommate happy by sharing this beautiful radio on a bookshelf. Tivoli Audio is well-known for making the best table radios on the market. Designed by hi-fi legend Henry Kloss, the Model One Radio sounds powerful and clear as a bell. Can also function as a speaker for your MP3 player. Available with black or white cabinet and silver face or walnut cabinet with beige face. 

Tivoli Audio Model One Radio, $150

 While it's still nice weather, studying outside is a great option. Connect an iPod or phone to this rechargeable Yuento Speaker and enjoy several hours of music with friends while hitting the books, headphone-free.

Yuento Balloon Speaker, $45

Finally, every student needs some downtime away from studying. Here's a great way to spark creativity and clear your mind when you need a break. 642 Things to Draw is just what it sounds like: a sketchbook with hundreds of suggestions, some more challenging than others. How would you draw the Bermuda Triangle? 

642 Things to Draw, $16.95

We hope this sampling of good designs brings you inspiration as fall approaches. As always, we have many more ideas and are happy to help you find the perfect piece for any occasion. Give us a call (360-752-5522) or email info@anidealshop.com with any questions.  Until next time, find us on   Facebook for the latest updates on new designs for fall!     

Good Designs for Dad

Hello again! This week we focus on ideas for dear old Dad, who may sometimes seem challenging to shop for but we disagree! Here are just a handful of ideas for the unique fathers in your life.

Tivoli Audio is well-known for making the best table radios on the market. With a tuner that brings clarity to many of the weakest stations, the Model One radio features with a handmade wood cabinet that is both beautiful and the ideal acoustically inert speaker housing. Designed by hi-fi legend Henry Kloss, the Model One Radio sounds powerful and clear as a bell. Available with either walnut or white cabinet and silver face.

Tivoli Audio Model 1 Radio, $150

Stewart/Stand wallets are known for their ultra thin and contemporary profile. This woven stainless steel wallet is composed of the most widely used screen in the industrial world. Although durable and resistant to corrosive materials such as salts, acids and seawater, Stewart/Stand wallets feel like silk to the touch. We have a number of styles and patterns in stock. Stop by to have a look.

Stewart/Stand Driving Wallet, $65

Stewart/Stand V-Pouch, $25

 This Citrus catch-all just may help Dad become a little more organized. Made from powdercoated stainless steel, it's the perfect landing spot for keys, wallet, phone, and mail. Best of all, it is a truly local design, stemming from a collaborative effort between Industrial Design students at WWU and local oven manufacturer Wood Stone. Partial proceeds support student participation in the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA).

"Citrus" Catch-All, $30

Alchemy Goods practices "upcycling" in creating their designs, taking discarded materials such as bicycle inner tubes and car seat belts and transforming them into highly functional products such as bags, wallets, and belts. These smart bags and accessories are practically indestructible and waterproof. Made in Seattle.

Alchemy Goods Franklin Wallet, $38

Alchemy Goods Pike Bag, $130

Alchemy Goods Belt, $42

Field Notes make a sweet little gift. Made in Portland, Oregon, these are the perfect notebook to always have on-hand for jotting down notes or making inspired doodles. Packs of three notebooks are $10, with either a natural cover or the County Fair series, which comes in blue, red, and yellow (ribbon colors for fair competitions). Snippets of trivia about Washington state are printed on the back.

Field Notes 3-Pack, $10

A set of Teroforma's Whiskey Stones are ideal for chilling your favorite spirit without diluting its flavor. Milled in Vermont by the oldest soapstone workshop in the US. Add three chilled stones to your next dram, let stand for 5 minutes and enjoy. Set of 9 stones + muslin storage bag for $20. 

Teroforma Whiskey Stones - set of 9, $20

This Wine Finer from Nuance Design is not your run-of-the-mill aerator. This helpful tool not only aerates your wine by the glass, it also filters out any sediment and works as a stopper if you don't quite finish the entire bottle. We love the sleek, streamlined design and how easy it is to use.

Nuance Designs Wine Finer, $29.95

 

A beautiful birdhouse that's built to last makes a great gift and we've got two very unique designs in the shop right now. Loll Designs is dedicated to creating long-lasting, maintenance free furniture and outdoor accessories that are well-designed and environmentally smart. These two birdhouses are easy to clean and will not fade over time. Each one is created in Duluth, Minnesota from 24 recycled plastic milk jugs. We've got several color choices - come in to take a peek or give us a call with questions.  

Loll Designs Cube Birdhouse, $69

Loll Designs Pitch Birdhouse, $69

While you're in, be sure to test out their Cabrio Chair as well. If you've struggled with maintaining wooden outdoor furniture in the Northwest, Loll will solve your problems. As they are made from recycled #2 plastic, you can leave these out the entire year with absolutely no ill effects. Miraculous! Many other styles of chairs, as well as tables and planters are also available. We are happy to walk you through their catalog.

Loll Designs Cabrio Chair, $399

The Cubebot requires no batteries and is built to enjoy generations of play. David Weeks was inspired by Japanese Shinto Kumi-ki puzzles when designing this non-traditional take on the toy robot. Cubebot's powerful hardwood frame can hold many poses and his elastic band muscles are built to withstand lots of wear and tear. When it's time for him to rest, he folds into a perfect cube.

Cubebot by David Weeks, $27

Brendan Ravenhill's magnetized bottle opener, designed for Areaware, is a beautiful choice for the discriminating beer-lover. A magnet catches the bottle cap, preventing it from falling on the ground after opening.  

Bottle Opener by Brendan Ravenhill, $24

Here's another great option for a unique bottle opener. This tiny cast iron crow fits in the palm of your hand and functions as a lovely little sculpture when not in use. Designed by Tadahiro Baba, it comes from Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan, which has been renowned for its cast iron since the 17th century.  

Cast Iron Crow Bottle Opener, $27.50

anidealshop.com) if you need additional inspiration. It's our mission to help you find the perfect gift and we believe that the stories behind our objects make for more meaningful giving.

Our heartfelt thanks to you for supporting our locally-owned business!

Happy Father's Day!