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!


 




     

Unique Gifts for your Valentine

Looking for well-designed treats for your Valentine? Of course we've got lots of great jewelry in stock, but also wanted to offer some ideas for more unconventional gifts.

Yes, chocolate is a traditional Valentine gift, but think outside the chocolate box and consider this unique bar. New from Chocolate Editions is the Valentine Stripes Bar. White chocolate and natural strawberry side-by-side make this bar as tasty as it is beautiful. We have samples at the shop so come by for a taste. Handmade in small batches by Mary Matson and Matt Even in Brooklyn, NY.

Valentine Stripes Bar by Chocolate Editions, 3 oz - $10

Greeting cards can be sweet and meaningful, but often end up tucked away in a shoebox or drawer. Here's a way to remind your loved one every day of their best attributes. A flattering monologue adorns this clever mirror, designed by Joop Steenkamer Jr., for Goods Design. Here's how it begins: "Oh how beautiful you are! You're charming. You look gorgeous! It's fantastic. You are infinitely attractive! I think that you are fabulous, just fabulous! You are absolutely delectable..." The praise continues, detailing each feature of the face. The perfect mirror to glance in before that first cup of coffee in the morning. Measures 11.8 x 11.8".

"Oh How Beautiful You Are" Mirror by Joop Steenkamer, Jr. - $125

 
Most bouquets of flowers wilt within a few days, but with Makedo's Find & Make Flowers Kits your bouquet can last indefinitely - and can be redesigned as many times as you like. These are great for kids and grownups, alike. Find materials around your home - often things you would have otherwise recycled - and use the pieces in the kit (hinges, clips, and cutter) to build your bouquet. Instructions are included to help with ideas, but your imagination is really the only limit. Not for children under 3 years old.

Find & Build Flowers Kit by Makedo - $12

Makedo Flower Bouquet

Should you decide to go for fresh cut flowers, we also have lots of great ideas for vases. We have several in fun, Valentine colors, such as this red rubber vase by Henriette Melchiorsen for the Danish design group, Menu. At first glance it looks like it might be ceramic but this piece is bouncy, un-breakable and fun. Fold the top inside for a different look. Available in other colors, as well.

Rubber Vase by Henriette Melchiorsen - large $43; small $33

We also have several new patterns in these ever-popular collapsible plastic vases, which store flat when not in use. This solid design in blood orange/red is quite cheery.

Collapsible Vase - $8

Here's a romantic gesture - how about creating a playlist of favorite love songs and getting your partner a new set of headphones on which to listen? Audiophiles love this set from Danish design company AIAIAI. They look great and boast serious sound quality, as well.

Tracks Headphones by AIAIAI - $60

The pieces of this clever salt & pepper set nest together as the figures hug. Designed by Alberto Mantilla for Mint, Inc., the Hug Salt & Pepper Shakers will get daily use on your table - and possibly even remind you to hug your Valentine after meals.

Hug Salt and Pepper Shakers - $29

Should you feel inspired to create a keepsake for your loved one, we just received another shipment of Japanese "mt" washi masking tape in many different patterns. Great for scrapbooks, wrapping packages, sealing envelopes, or any creative project.

Washi Masking Tape, set of two rolls - $9

So there you have just a few gift ideas that are as unique as your sweetheart. We would be happy to offer additional suggestions for jewelry, books, wallets, and more. Just stop by, call (360-752-5522), or e-mail info@anidealshop.com.

Chocolate and Toys

This week brought an array of tempting designs into the shop. From chocolate and jewelry to children's blocks, more great gift ideas - or maybe a treat for yourself!  Here are two of our favorites this week.

We're happy to introduce Chocolate Editions by Mary & Matt. Based in Brooklyn, Mary Matson and Matt Even met in high school and began a lifelong artistic collaboration. While studying painting, they developed a love for design, food, and culinary arts. They believe in modernism with a smile, and we wholeheartedly agree. Not much in life guarantees a smile more easily than chocolate and Mary & Matt make delicious bars inspired by everything from Sol LeWitt paintings to rugby shirts. We love the ease with which they integrate sweets, pop culture and fine art. They use the highest quality ingredients and craft their chocolate bars in small, handmade batches.

Neapolitan Chocolate Bar, 3 oz. - $10

We now have their delicious Neapolitan chocolate bar in stock. A re-imagining of the classic Neapolitan ice cream, this bar has something for everyone. Dark (72% cacao), white (36%) and natural strawberry ingredients side-by-side make this as tasty as it is beautiful. A miniature, edible painting!


Also in this week are these clever sets of magnetic wooden blocks from Tegu. A mini-set of eight blocks comes in a felt pouch to keep handy in your bag, stroller, or car. These are seriously addictive once you start fiddling with them, so we foresee sets ending up on grown-up desks as well. But they are not only beautiful and fun to play with - Tegu has an inspiring story, as well.

Tegu Pocket Pouch, $30

Brothers Chris and Will Haughey didn't start Tegu with toys on their mind. The company began with the simple notion that Honduras needed businesses which offered living-wage jobs. Home to beautiful hardwoods, the country could have been the perfect spot for sustainably manufacturing any number of wooden products. However, Chris and Will were inspired by classic European wooden toys and embarked on a quest to breathe new life into an old industry.


Today, Tegu blocks inspire children while addressing unemployment, neglected natural and human resources and the need for entrepreneurship in Honduras. The wood used at Tegu is sourced from small-scale, FSC-certified woodcutting cooperatives supported by international NGOs focused on sustainable forestry. All this good and they're fun to play with, too!


That's it for now. We'll give you more updates next week. A few reminders until next time:

• We love to help you find the perfect gift! We believe that the stories behind our objects make for more meaningful giving and we're passionate and knowledgeable about all of the designs we carry. From new baby to grandma, we can share unique suggestions for thoughtful gifts.
• Friday, December 3 is Downtown Art Walk and we'll be featuring a celebration of Finnish Design from Marimekko. Enjoy 20% off Marimekko handbags that evening! Also enjoy the Window Walk, organized by Downtown Bellingham Partnership to highlight downtown businesses' festive holiday windows. Stay tuned for more details.
•  We will extend our hours until 8pm starting on December 13 to help with your holiday shopping needs.