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.

Danish Designs of the Week

It's been another exciting week in the shop with great new designs arriving daily. Here's a taste of the latest, which coincidentally all happen to come from Denmark.


Based in Denmark, AIAIAI designs headphones and other electronics accessories. Their Tracks Headphones bring you not only great audio quality, but also the chance to sport a nice splash of color while enjoying your favorite tunes. These headphones give a nod to the classic design of the Sony Walkman headphones from the 1980s. But while they are retro-styled, the sound quality is absolutely 21st-century. Available in black, cream, or peach. Stop by the shop with your iPod to test them out.

Tracks Headphones, $60

The A-Stand uses simple plumbing-type tubes as structural elements. Designed to make your workstation more ergonomic, this stand is lightweight, portable, and easy to put together. Available in yellow and black.

A-Stand, $60

Also in from Denmark this week - the stunning Krenit Bowl, first designed in 1953 by Herbert Krenchel, is once again being produced by Normann Copenhagen. The Krenit's matte-black exterior, characteristic sharp edge and contrasting enamel interior creates a balance between material and form. For a metal object, it's surprisingly delicate.

Krenit Salad Bowl - iron w/enamel interior, $109

Krenit Salad Servers - melamine, $30

As Krenchel himself explains, “In 1953 the idea was to make a beautiful bowl, preferably so functional and delicate that it was equally suited for use in the kitchen, on the dining table and as a decoration in the sitting room. As a material researcher I really concentrated on getting the different materials to match and look good together as well as making them equally compatible to use together. Enamel is a fantastic material, and even today my heart yearns for an enamel bowl. It is fantastic that the Krenit bowl is coming into production once more.” Pair it with Krenchel's complimentary melamine salad servers for a lovely set. We love the way the white interior contrasts visually with a bright green salad.

The beautiful True Feelings votives are designed by the Claydies, a Danish duo working in clay with often conceptual results. They designed True Feelings while blindfolded, focusing their attention on touch rather than visual stimulation. As they put it, "True Feelings is designed by our fingers and our fingers only. Often the looks of our designs are thoroughly thought through. The idea of True Feelings is to do the opposite and let the hands take control – while being blindfolded. This allows us to lose the sense of proportion and our focus is transferred from our sight to the fingers.”

True Feelings porcelain votives...

...set of two, $26

And here's yet another clever object from Denmark - the Wine Breather from Menu. Need to aerate your wine but don't have hours to wait? This multi-tasking design aerates a bottle of wine in less than two minutes, which can then be served either from the elegant carafe or from the original bottle. Comes with a stopper, as well, in case you don't quite finish the bottle in one sitting.



That's it for today's update, but keep in mind that next Friday, November 5 is Downtown Art Walk, for which we will feature a special trunk show from Alchemy Goods. Enjoy 20% off all Alchemy Goods for the evening! We will be receiving a shipment of their newly released designs next week, so there will be lots to choose from.


In the meantime, stay tuned for news about new designs from Sandy Chilewich, Teroforma, and more. Marimekko is en route from Finland as I type this! We will keep you posted on new arrivals. As always, check our Facebook Page for the latest news.