ReMade Returns - Friday, June 3!

 It's one of our favorite times of year! The ReMade project is back! We're honored to once again host this showcase of student work from Western Washington University's Industrial Design program. While we sympathize with our friends up on the hill who are sweating away in the studio non-stop and subsisting on coffee and power naps, we can't wait to see the finished products. You can see them, too, next Friday - June 3. Join us during Downtown Art walk from 6-9pm to get a first glimpse of (and first dibs at purchasing) the new designs. 

ReMade is an annual design challenge for the junior class of Western Washington University's Industrial Design program. Each year students produce innovative products from consumer or manufacturing waste with a trained eye on recyclability, life cycle analysis, and design for production. By doing this, students get a fresh understanding of the designer's impact on the environment and the economy.

We don't have final product photos just yet (things are still in production), here are two detail photos to pique your interest. We'll post more photos as they become available. 

This year, 13 students focused on ReMade products that function as vessels or "holders" of some sort. In a very short two-week time frame, students found materials, designed, manufactured, and branded 15 products each. This year's collection includes a magazine holder created from carpet tiles, a basket fashioned from bicycle spokes and rims, nesting bowls formed from laminate, phone cases made from reused painter's drop cloth and much more.

 Hope to see you on Friday, June 3 from 6-9pm for a reception to meet the designers and talk with them first-hand about their work!

Spring Arrivals

New Marimekko is Here!

It's always an exciting day in the shop when a new Marimekko shipment arrives. We just received several boxes direct from Finland and have been eagerly unpacking them.

We now have three styles of shower curtains from Marimekko. Transform your bathroom with one of these beautiful, machine washable curtains.

Kaiku Shower Curtain, $49



Tuuli Shower Curtain, $49




Blue Unikko Shower Curtain, $49



Marimekko trays are an ever-popular gift and we have two classics back in stock - the Silkkikuikka and the Kaiku. The trays make great "catch-alls" for the bathroom counter, entry table, or bedside table. They are also the perfect size to carry a cup of coffee and a treat:

Silkkikuikka Tray, $28

Kaiku Tray, $28

We also have several new bags, like this Clover style in a new Unikko color combination. Marimekko handbags are well-known for the quality and durability of their fabrics. Best of all, you can wash them.

Clover Bag, $79

And we are stocked up on cheery umbrellas to help chase away any dreary rainy days yet to come. There's more from Marimekko, as well. Stop by to have a look!

Rakastaa Umbrella, $44

Red Unikko Umbrella, $44



Meteori Umbrella, $44





Loll Designs
This week we are also happy to welcome Loll Designs to the shop. Based in Minnesota, Loll is committed to making outdoor furniture that is maintenance-free. Yes, that's right! You can leave these outdoors year-round without worry.

Loll Designs products are made in Minnesota from 100% recycled High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) which is the same material as the #2 recyclable plastics that you take out to curb every week. We now have the Cabrio Lounge Chair in stock...

Cabrio Chair, $399

...as well as two styles of bird houses - the Pitch and the Cube, in an array of colors:


Pitch Birdhouse, $69




Cube Birdhouse, $69



Also for the Birds
Audubon Bird Calls and feeders are back in stock from American Bird Products. The same family has been making these calls in New England for over fifty years. The call consists of a birchwood cylinder fitted with a zinc plug - see below how twisting the plug produces sounds which attract a variety of wild songbirds. At $9 apiece, these make a great addition to an Easter basket.

The cast zinc birdfeeder adapter converts an empty soda bottle into an elegant and economical bird feeder.

Soda Bottle Bird Feeder, $12

So there you have just a few happy, colorful ideas to help you remember that spring is on the way. If you have any questions, please stop by, call (360.752.5522), or e-mail info@anidealshop.com. As always, remember to check our Facebook page frequently for the latest news about incoming objects and upcoming events. In the meantime, a few upcoming events to keep in mind:

•Ladies' Night Out, Friday, April 29 - We will be featuring a special trunk show of Mon Bijou jewelry at 20% off for the evening. Organized by Downtown Bellingham Partnership, this event features many downtown businesses open late with special sales, beauty services and refreshments. Proceeds benefit Womencare Shelter.

• Children's Art Walk, Friday, May 6 - 6-9pm. This is one of the years' most popular Art Walks. Businesses extend their hours into the evening and hang artwork from local schoolkids. We will be featuring the creations of Paula McGrath's kindergartners from Parkview Elementary.

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.

molly m designs jewelry

New designs from Molly McGrath are in the shop! Based in the San Francisco area, Molly professionally trained as an architect. After using a laser cutter to make architectural models, she recognized the machine's potential to make unique jewelry.


Molly's process starts with a sketch, which she then drafts in AutoCAD and prints on the laser cutter. The jewelry is inspired by pattern and form in both the natural and man-made realms; a composition of branches or snowflake is equally appealing as building geometries or optical illusions. Whenever possible she uses sustainable materials such as bamboo, veneer from responsibly farmed forests, and recycled suede and felt. All hardware on the jewelry is oxidized stainless steel.

Please stop by to try on these lovely pieces!

Burst 2 Pendant
Materials: Birch veneer and black suede
Dimensions: 1.625 x 1.75" diameter
Price $48

Drops 1 Earrings

Materials: Gunmetal leather, mahogany and birch

Dimensions: 1.25" diameter

Price: $48

Also available as a pendant

Orbs Earrings
Materials: Charcoal and natural birch, organic canvas
Dimensions: 0.8 x 1.3"
Price: $48
Reversible - featuring either charcoal or natural birch

Facet 2 Earrings
Materials: Birch veneer and black suede
Dimensions: 1.25 x 1.75"
Price: $48

Wrap 1 Pendant
Materials: Birch veneer
Dimensions: 1.375" diameter
Price: $38

Radial Earrings
Materials: Charcoal and natural birch, organic canvas
Dimensions: 1.5" diameter
Price: $48
Reversible - featuring either charcoal or natural birch.

Elliptoid 1 Pendant
Materials: Walnut, mint leather, and light bamboo
Dimensions: 1.25" diameter
Price: $48

Dart Pendant
Materials: Charcoal and natural birch, organic canvas
Dimensions: 1.5" diameter
Price: $48
Reversible - featuring either charcoal or natural birch

Bullseye 1 Pendant
Materials: Mahogany, mint leather, and birch
Dimensions: 1.25" diameter
Price: $48

Join us for ReMade this Friday, June 4

We are honored to once again host ReMade beginning this Friday, June 4 during Art Walk.

ReMade is an annual design challenge for the junior class of Western Washington University's Industrial Design program. Each year students produce innovative products from consumer or manufacturing waste with a trained eye on recyclability, life cycle analysis, and design for production. By doing this, students get a fresh understanding of the designer's impact on the environment and the economy.

This year, twelve students focused on ReMade products for the kitchen. In a very short three-week timeframe, students found materials, designed, and manufactured fifteen products each. This year's collection includes soap dispensers made from discarded spray paint cans, aluminum bowls created from propane tanks, salt and pepper shakers constructed from skateboard decks, and paper towel racks fabricated from construction rebar. All the products can be purchased at Ideal beginning Friday, June 4th as part of Bellingham's Downtown Art Walk.                   

Please join us on Friday from 6-9pm to meet the designers and see their creations first-hand! Here are just a few:

Skater Shakers (salt and pepper shakers from skateboard decks) by Ryan Maloney

Fuse Bowls (from plastic crates) by Dieter Amick

Bloom bag (from accordian blinds) by Thomas Kloucek

Herrgron napkin rings (from plastic bottles) by Cecilia Forsgren