Good Design for $10 or Less!

Happy December! Did you know we have dozens of well-designed, creative, and interesting gift ideas for $10 or less? These great picks will provide enjoyment long after the holiday decorations have been put away. Here are some ideas for stockings and beyond...
Worldwide Co origami and bobble-head kits make creative fun for kids and adults alike. The origami sets come with 100 sheets of paper and a 28-page instruction booklet. Bobble-head kits include 16 full color sheets plus detailed instructions.

Paper Robot Bobble-Head Kit, $10

5 Minute Origami Set, $10

Hungry Animal Stencil Set, $7

If you loved the boxed stencil sets we had last year from Worldwide Co, we have a few of those back in stock as well  - Facebox, Zoobox, Hypotrochoid (like a mini-Spirograph), and Fingerprint Art Box as well as the Hungry Animals set pictured above.

Traditional coloring books can sometimes be a drag, having to stay inside the lines and all that. Not so with Roz Streeten's Rosie Flo and Johnny Joe Coloring Books. Now your budding artist can customize the costumes and scenes with characters of their choosing.    

Rosie Flo Coloring Book, $8.99

Johnny Joe Coloring Book, $8.99

Sample Pages of Rosie Flo

Sunprints are popular with both scientific and artistic types. Place any object on the paper (leaves, flowers, small toys), briefly expose to sunlight, rinse with water and watch intriguing compositions appear in shades of blue. As the set comes with 12 sheets of paper, you have many opportunities to experiment. 

Sunprint Kit, $6

Nippon Work Gloves from Japan protect your hands in style while gardening, tinkering, or heavy lifting.  We have several vivid patterns to choose from.

Nippon Work Gloves, $6

 These Japanese Wooden Tops are like lovely little sculptures, and spin really well. Also from Japan, Kamenoko Tawashi scrubber, made of 100% natural palm fibers. Designed in 1907 and still widely used, this scrubber has stood the test of time. Perfect for cleaning root vegetables, washing pots and pans, and more.

Wooden Tops, $8 each

Tawashi Scrubber, $8

The original Audubon Bird Call makes a sweet little gift that we've found appeals to everyone from baby to grandpa. Handmade in New England by the Eddy family for over fifty years, the bird call's sound is produced by twisting the cast zinc plug against the wooden cylinder. You'll be surprised by the wide range of chirps and tweets this classic call produces.

Audubon Bird Call, $8

These handy Flip and Tumble bags have long been a shop favorite because they tuck so compactly into their own little pocket. Stash a present inside the bag and the recipient will be grateful for "wrapping paper" they don't need to recycle.

Flip and Tumble Bags, $10 each

Field Notes are the perfect notebook to have on hand for making lists or when creative inspiration strikes. Made in the USA, these slim little books have quite a following. We have the original 3-packs (one of each notebook with ruled, graph, and blank pages) or the newest limited edition set - The Northerly Edition - which features a coated, embossed cover and interior pages of light blue/grey with white grid.

Set of Three Field Notes, $10

Unwind the colorful crepe paper ribbon on these Holiday Surprise Balls to discover five fun holiday trinkets hidden between the festive layers. These make great table favors, as well. Made in Oregon.

Holiday Surprise Ball, $10 each

Hooray! A new sweet treat from Chocolate Editions! Salted Dark Chocolate Bars from Chocolate Editions by Mary and Matt. As always, these two chocolatiers have a very visual approach to their work and we love the beautiful marbleized paper on these bars almost as much as the tasty chocolate inside. Handmade in Brooklyn, NY.

Salted Dark Bar (1.5 oz), $5

The iStand is like a handy kickstand for your iPod or iPhone. Suction this to the back and prop it up to watch a video hands-free. Available in orange, green, and black.

iStand, $6

These clever X-Shaped Rubber Bands from Museum of Modern Art go far beyond the humble bands you may be using. These not only help organize your desk, but also work beautifully to wrap a small box. Each set contains an assortment of four different colors and sizes.

Rubber X-Bands, $6 for set of 16

Sandy Chilewich's pressed vinyl Dahlia Circles not only function as a stylish placemat, they also look festive under a centerpiece or vase on an entry table. Best part of all...simply wipe clean.

Chilewich Dahlia Round Placemat, $8

Alchemy Goods business card holder made from upcycled bicycle innertubes is great for cards and also works as a mini-wallet. 99% recycled material and made in Seattle.

Alchemy Goods Business Card Holder, $10

Also from Alchemy, set of two zipper pulls made from pressure valves:

Alchemy Goods Zipper Pulls, set of two $8

Marimekko paper napkins are available in several patterns and sizes. $5.25 for cocktail size; $6.75 for dinner size.These are perfect hostess gifts and also fit nicely in a stocking.

Marimekko Paper Napkins, $5.25 or $6.75

We are stocked up on Japanese "mt" washi masking tape in many different patterns. Great for wrapping packages, sealing envelopes, and any creative project. 

Japanese masking tape, set of two rolls $9

There you have over 20 ideas for $10 or under and that's not all - we also have a selection of stocking-worthy children's books for less than $10. Stop by for a look!

We'll be in touch again soon with more gift ideas!


 




     

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!

 

Downtown Art Walk - Tonight, November 5 - 20% off Alchemy Goods!

Tonight we are spotlighting Alchemy Goods as our featured designer during Downtown Art Walk. Enjoy 20% off all Alchemy Goods designs from 6-9pm!


This wonderful company, based in Seattle, has been a shop favorite since we opened and we're thrilled to feature a number of new designs that were just released this week.


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. The company got its start when the founder's bag was stolen and he began a search for the perfect messenger bag. Disappointed in what he found, he made his own. Friends loved it so he made more...and the rest is history. The bags are practically indestructible, waterproof, and just look really cool.


Here are a few of the newest designs from Eli and company at Alchemy:


The Pine is a smaller-sized messenger bag, distilled down to its essential functions. A zippered outside pocket holds your cell phone and it protected from the elements by a rain flap. Inside, there's enough room for your commute or day trip supplies. 68% upcycled materials.

Pine Bag, $110

The Mercer is a sweet little shoulder bag with a slightly retro look. Slip an iPad into the inside sleeve and zip your valuables into the large interior zippered pocket. Outside pockets accommodate a cell phone, journal or other accessories. 75% upcycled materials.

Mercer Bag, $120

The Westlake laptop bag cradles your computer inside layers of inner tube and foam. It features a shoulder strap and briefcase handle for easy transport. Elastic straps and a wraparound zipper allow you to quickly open the case and your laptop at the same time. 68% upcycled materials.

Westlake Laptop Bag, $75

The Elliot dopp kit is a sophisticated travel companion for carrying essential grooming tools. Exterior is constructed from truck inner tube, so any spills can be quickly cleaned up. The zipper features a shiny bicycle valve zipper pull. 92% upcycled materials.

Elliot Dopp Kit, $35

The Ad Bag is tote made from recycled advertising banners with seatbelt straps. 95% upcycled materials.

Ad Bag, $37

The Schrader bicycle valve, while being an excellent device to maintain your tire pressure, doubles remarkably well as a zipper pull. $8.00 for a set of two!

Zipper Pulls, $8.00 for two

We also have our usual selection of the Haversack, Pike, Union, and Magnolia bags, as well as Georgetown, Franklin, Night Out wallets and belts! Stop by to see us tonight - we'll be open until 9pm.