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Roberta McReynolds, Catalog Season Begins: I can’t think of anyone who might enjoy a battery operated, motorized, plastic ice cream cone ... nor has a situation come up when I found myself yearning for a pocket laser light show, complete with a wrist strap and fold-out stand

Shopping for Partners (or Yourself)

We had never heard of this catalog nor tool company until our husband expressed admiration for it:

Festool, a German company that has a reputation for fine products. It was founded in southern Germany in 1925 by Albert Fezer and Gottlieb Stoll.

"You can download or print a more detailed summary of our history edited by Handy Magazine. Make sure to check out our Innovations ... our goal has been to offer the expert tradesman tools to make daily work better and easier."

We looked at the systainers category with some interest, the guide rail tote bag, the non-hazardous dust extractor (I wonder if that works better than my in-wall vacuum cleaner?) and the domino joiner.

Sadly, you can no longer order from the website but you can check for a local retail dealer in your area and you can order a catalog.

Decorative Papers

The University of Washington's Digital Collection of of decorated and decorative papers from Europe, primarily Germany, France and Italy, produced between the 17th and 19th centuries, are beautiful.

An excerpt from the essay, Marbled Papers, follows:

"The origins of marbling are often disputed, with its early development claimed by several countries: China, Japan and the countries of the Middle East. Albert Haemmerle suggests that art forms resembling marbling were seen in China as early as the Ming Dynasty (14th-17th Century). Chinese professor Tsuen-hsuin Tsien, who has studied the subject extensively, also believes that the earliest style of marbling originates from the Chinese. But another form of marbling, preceding the Chinese, is Suminagashi, a style attributed to the Japanese as early as the 10th century. Centuries later, marbling of a related nature, emerged as an art form in Turkey (known as Ebrû) and in Persian countries (known as Abri) in the 15th century. Travelers to these areas of the world took note of this art form and began importing marbled paper into Europe sometime around 1600. Europeans then tried to reproduce these amazing designs. Each time the art of marbling captivated a new artist, the work would take on a new appearance, tempered by cultural identity, availability of materials and the artist's creativity."

The essay on Paste Paper patterns points out:

"Making paste includes easily obtained ingredients:  Flour, water and paint. More modern artists might substitute the ground whole grain flour for corn starch and use glycerin (for consistency) amongst other discovered ingredients. Artist making these papers often devise a recipe tailored to provide the best results for their style.

The materials in this database are selections from various ephemera and book collections held by the UW Libraries Special Collections Division.

A Calendar to Give

Here's a quick Holiday shopping tip from Seniorwomen.com:

Go to OfficeDepot, another stationery outlet or from an online source and purchase some photographic or other suitable paper for calendar making. Then proceed to the Chroma Technology Corp site and its pdf file of Women in Science 2008 Calendar. (There are just seven pages as the months are doubled)

At the print menu, print 'current page' after printing the cover of the calendar.

"The Women in Science series spotlights pioneering women who have made significant contributions in the sciences — often shattering social barriers and prejudices in the process. Our hope is that profiling the achievements of these determined researchers will help inspire the next generation of women in science."

Barbara McClintock, American cytogeneticist and discoverer of genetic transposition; Janet Rowley, American geneticist and first scientist to identify a chromosomal translocation as the cause of leukemia and other cancers; Chien-Shiung Wu, Chinese-born American physicist and "First Lady of Physics" disproved the law of conservation of purity; Nancy Wexler, American neuropsychologist, contributed to the identification of the Huntington's disease gene; Mina Bissell, Iranian born American cell and cancer biologist and a world leader in gene regulation in 3-D; Elizabeth Blackburn, Australian-born American biochemist and discoverer of the ribonucleoprotein enzyme, telomerase.

A great gift for the women in your life and an inspiration to the young.

New Links

Inky-Dinky.com - Artist John Littleboy has created two packs of playing cards, one featuring a dog (a determined dog digs for a bone) and one a cat (goldfish like diamonds swim in a bowl under the watchful eye of a fascinated cat ....). We found these at the Metropolitan Museum of Art but apparently they're sold at many places. The site also sells tableware and wearables will be available, too.

The King of Hearts card carries the legend:

Kings will come and kings will go
Lost in history's ebb and flow
Empires rise and rage and fall
But one thing remains:
Cute conquers all

Dahesh Museum - The Dahesh Museum of Art Shop in New York City carries a number of sophisticated offerings. In addition to carrying some well known (and not so) brands, they have commissioned some designs of their own such as bone china and their own ties. Jewelry inspired by an old Greco-Roman terra-cotta statue, pottery from Kutahya, Turkey, backgammon sets from Syria, mosaic plates from India and silk brocade evening bags made from ceremonial kimonos are some of the selections.

BeeNatural - We saw these in Garden Design magazine originally and the idea seemed original and yes, very natural. Beeswax luminaries with dried botanicals embedded in the walls of the shell are part of the product range. In addition, there is a stationery line using flowers and beeswax and ornaments that are not candle holders. But they can be used as a Christmas tree decoration, incorporating only the standard mini-light strings, a potpourri holder or a hanging beeswax mini flower vase.

David Morgan - We have difficulty finding a site for things my husband would care for ... at this age, he usually says he doesn't need anything. But this site had a collection of clothes, luggage, and such items as Driza-Bone Garment Dressing, Mini-Tub Pecard Leather Dressing and a Hatter's Brim Brush. They also carry jewelry from the Pacific Northwest (a number for women), Akubra hats from Australia, Killer Whale and Halibut Platters as well as Wool Fat Soap.  I'm sure the sterling silver Wolf trade bracelet designed by Bill Wilson (a Tlingit raised in Hoonah, Alaska) would be appreciated in my family.  Don't overlook the almost 100 pages of items in the And More section.

Read SeniorWomenWeb's review of a gift book idea: A Day in the Life of the American Woman; How We See Ourselves

SpoonSisters.com - The name derivation: We weren’t always Spoons. We got the name back in the late 1970’s when we started a catering and party planning business. One evening we organized a theme party for friends so we could practice our craft. Dessert was yogurt sundaes. To serve the dessert, Big Spoon brought out her vast collection of spoons. (Her penchant for spoons started when she went to school in Holland and received a bunch of sterling silver souvenir spoons as departing gifts from her Dutch friends.)

Their own 'about us' section explains the mix of products best: "Our product mix sets us apart. Our sensibilities range from classic to kitsch, funny to functional. Not everything we sell is going to be trendy or hip; we also select items for their practicality." Check out their bookmarks, walking the dog doorhanger sign and Dog-Opoly for pet lovers. A rear-view computer mirror could be a perfect stocking stuffer for all on your list.

MyPerennial.com - Since felt took over the favorite crafting material a while ago, this online shop features that medium in spades: pillows, a blanket, hair accessories including ornaments and clips, brooches, hats, holiday stockings and scarves. Fun and reasonable for all ages.

The Signature Shop and Gallery

The Signature Shop is a craft gallery with artists in the fiber, glass, jewelry and other fields. Lauren Gallaspy and Lindsay Feur are extraordinary ceramic artists at work and its obvious that their work is much admired and sought. Janet Bealer-Rodie's baby blanket (although sold and many of the pieces on the site are sold) is beautifully woven as are Laura Foster Nicholson's tapestries or hangings. We're familiar the talents of jewelers Karen Gilbert, Ford and Forlano and Gabrielle Gould.

Tart

Tart - From baby quilts (one termed the 'don't know' as opposed to it's a boy or girl), to the unusually shaped vase by Alex Vitet, Ted Muehling's coral spoon, the Black Forest and Meissen's Blue Onion lines of dinnerware, this is a classy, though pricey, site. Cellula wall lamps and suspension lamps comprise the lighting section and they are unique. They're in Los Angeles.

Shopping at the Museum

Heard Museum - Folk Art, pottery, sand-paintings, baskets, textiles and rugs, Katsina dolls, childrens' gift items and Zuni carvings and fetishes are the categories at the Phoenix-based museum. A Navajo sterling silver baby rattle, guitar pick, yo-yo, and belt-loop covers are some of the gift items. The jewelry includes bolo ties and buckles, pins, bracelets, concho belts, earrings, hair accessories, pendants and necklaces. There's a page entitled "Top 10 Things to Remember When Buying Native American Art" as well as a page detailing how to care for your purchases.

The Art Institute of Chicago Shop - Scarves: A red poinsettia, a blue mosaic kimono, multi-pastel jacquard Florence, chiffon scarf adapted from Louis Sullivan's stencils. Screens: A hand-cut, stained art glass fireplace screen and a Wright-Coonley folding screen. Furnishings: A Coonley playhouse magazine rack, a butterfly lacquer chest and asian nesting tables. Decor: A Picabia Edtaonisl Plaque, a silk patchwork wall hanging and trivets based on Frank Lloyd Wright designs. Jewelry: An amber tri-color bangle bracelet and a water lilies Monet-inspired bracelet. For Father's Day: Ties inspired by Picasso, Kandinsky, Klimt or one with artist signatures.

Highlighted Links

StitchChicago.com - It's difficult to categorize this site, located in the Bucktown section of Chicago, as it has a little bit of everything: gifts, furniture, accessories, children, bedding and body products, fun and games, tabletop, office, travel, wallets and wedding categories. The accessories section has jewelry for men and women, watches, sunglasses and scarves. You can search for products by price range, occasion or designer, create a gift registry or wish list for friends and family as well as shopping for furniture by room. A classy, well-edited site.

Freer and Sackler Galleries - The Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery together form the national museum of Asian Art at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. The online shop is extensive with shopping centering on objects related to their exhibits, books, holiday ornaments, music and videos.

The Fashion and Beauty section includes ties, scarves, kimono gift sets, spa gifts and Cambodian silks. The children's section features such unusual gifts as the Krishna and Sumo wrestler lunchboxes, Feng Shui cats, Buddha coin bank and the Happy Monk squeak toy. There's even a cherry blossom section of the gift shop. The home decor pages have a variety of suppliers, including Meliha Coskun Tuna who creates designs based on early Ottoman and Seljuk pottery and tiles; Robert and Karen Kuo objects made from cloissone, lacquer, opaque glass, coral, and gemstones.

Bellezza Home & Garden - A Boston-based shop on Newbury Street that specializes in Italian Ceramics with an emphasis on majolica. Bellezza's products are handmade using forms, designs, and recipes from the Renaissance. Tableware, biscotti jars and canister sets, wall plates, clocks, urns and planters, and other items including a picture frame and garlic jar are included in these beautiful patterns.

Links

Amy Lamb Studio - Ms. Lamb trained as a biologist before becoming a photographer, arranging natural forms and lighting them to emphasize nature's already striking features. Her limited-edition photographs are presented in a variety formats and printing techniques. However, you can capture a smaller version of those stunning images in her notecards. Ms. Lamb's photos shown at various exhibitions, including the National Academy of Sciences, the Philadelphia Flower Show, the Chicago Botanic Gardens and the American Institute of Architects.

TheBeautifulLife.com - Toast & Marmalade dinner invitations, a toile wall pocket and sticky notes, a ButterBell, a crackle glazed cup with a black Paris emblem, Delice Infini soap powder, fresh pear body creme, a hearts French bowl, and polka dots dishwear ... just a part of Ruth Harsham's Tampa, FL based inventory. English pottery, aromatherapy, candles, kitchen decor, silver and accessories. Stylish fun.

Clio-Home.com - I think of this more of a gift site because the prices are the type you'd pay for wedding and other celebration gifts. However, some of the products are quite unique (the Igloo candle, walnut bread/cheese boards with turquoise inlay, the pewter sugar/jam bowl, the stainless steel French sugar, salt and pepper shakers, the Orion bowls, Grocery and Red Berry dinnerware from England) and reasonable. All the items are quite beautiful and well designed.

Filson - We've been looking for a substitute for the late, much-missed Wills & Geiger as a source for men's clothing. In business since 1897, Filson's might just qualify. Designed for active sports such as fishing and hunting, the clothes serve as well for leisure activities. The materials used are rugged, warm and breathable and some of the garments come with admiring testimonials. A selection of the fabrics are uniquely named: Tin Pants, Shelter Cloth and the Mackinaw Cruiser has been dubbed the 'Woodsman's Tuxedo' by one fan.

George - A San Francisco-based pet shop that has created its own line of "accessories and baked-from-scratch treats for all manner of quadrupeds and natty gear for those who walk upright." The people line focusses on necessary items for dog walking (like hats), T-shirts and bandanas while the animal products are divided into sections for cats and dogs. With modernist cat feeding mats and a daydream feeding bowl, any feline will feel pampered and in style. These animals even sport the 'layered look' with slickers, wool jackets and quilted items. Dog beds done in striped fabric are in line with current trends. What more could a pooch or kitty want?

Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries - Even though this FTC site is directed towards the jewelry industries, it affords a revealing look at the terminology and standards imposed on this industry. 'Gold-filled,' 'vermeil,' 'handmade,' definition and misuse of the word "diamond," misuse of the words "flawless," "perfect," disclosure of treatments to diamonds and the misuse of the term "blue white," are all helpful to the consumer when purchasing jewelry whether it be made of gold, pewter or out of semi- or precious stones. The FTC site has additional files entitled, All That Glitters, How to Buy Jewelry as well as Buying Gold and Gemstone Jewelry: The Heart of the Matter, Beloved...Bejeweled...Be Careful! What to Know Before You Buy Jewelry and How to Buy Genuine American Indian Arts & Crafts.

Initial Impressions - I found this site after a very long search for a robe I could give my grandchild and have ordered one with her name (though it's interpreted as initials). After seeing other child robes at inflated prices, this site's selection was reasonable in price and looks both well made and warm. The site has many other monogrammed products available: personalized baby blankets made of cotton, chenille, satin and acrylic as well as gifts, sheets, stuffed animal blankets and infants towels. There are towels, sheets and blankets for grownups, too.

Inspirecompany.com - Since the much lamented demise of Victoria Magazine, there's been a void for the type of gifts that this site supplies. Soft, vintage and slightly frivolous items that are appealing and imaginative. We had been looking for\flashcards for children at bookstores and yes, they're here. Rosie Farmer dinnerware and other romantic gifts are possibilities for Valentine's Day.

JacquesAmerica - We left our croquet sets back in Connecticut (yes, we had one of those famous tag sales that Martha speaks so fondly of) and found this site while idly looking at that particular game's implements. They carry croquet sets including the indoor variety, chess sets, Mah Jongg, cribbage, backgammon, card games, outdoor games, boules, badminton, cricket, bocce balls, shuffleboard, quoits, table tennis, ping pong and various other gifts such as mechanical butler's door bell, stadium seat sticks.

Kate's Paperie is one of the best known destinations (there are now three) in New York for paper products. And, fortunately, if you don't want to brave the crowds, calendars, journals, wrapping paper, cards, notebooks, stationery sets (for weddings, address changes, birth announcements) and adhesive quotations for when you can't think of what to write within that card are available at the site. In addition, office items including a French sloop and Bay Fisherman boat, wedding journals and photo boxes are part of the inventory.

KooDeKir - There are a variety of good looking items at this site, some of which have been singled out in magazines. We discovered waffle weave towels decades ago but glad to see them here. The lighting is smart but we did feel that the site is lacking in detailed descriptions of the products.

Kozo Arts - Albums, picture frames and invitations are not, in themselves, an unusual gift for the holidays. However, this site (and store in San Francisco) carries an item that is seen little elsewhere: scene prints, handmade sheets that are narratives. Names such as Princess Red, Princess Mauve/Plum, Emperor's Procession and Four Seasons are titles of the prints. But back to the photo albums, guest books and journals: they are charming and beautifully made. Bookcovers are decorated with carefully chosen handmade papers from Asia and elsewhere, trimmed with imported silk and brocade.

Links of London - An English site that presents an assortment of silver items for babies, birthdays, wedding etc. There's a section that consists of suggestions for gifts according to the interests of the person: gardening, music, outdoor sports, finance, art, photography, travel and so on and then choices can be further narrowed  by price, occasion, who the recipient is, etc.

Luxury Finder.com - Retailers Asprey& Garrard, Kentshire Galleries, Gumps, Hasselblad, Brioni, Tiffany, David Webb, Ghurka, Chanel, Mont Blanc and other luxury retailers, too, are carried on the site. There are less pricey names to choose from and items under $125 to select for gifts, as well as brief articles and a personal shopper. 

Maxwell Silver NY - A quite good selection of objects for the home: Apartment 48 (marvelous glass and ceramics), Nancy Koltes (colorful cotton quilts), Bark (interesting cutlery), Breukelen (wood bowls) and Papivore (albums & journals).

mossonline - The range and stylishness of the products here are quite extraordinary; moss cites an emphasis on the tabletop as its focus. In addition to selections of porcelain tableware, crystal and cutlery, furniture and lighting from renown designers are part of the inventory. A registry is available as an additional feature as is a section that gathers different categories of gifts. The bricks and mortar store is located on Greene Street in New York City and there is a separate division that concentrates on shelving manufactured in the UK: mossdna.

Orvis - We've found, over the years, that the clothing products carried at Orvis are top rate (especially since our personal favorite Willis & Geiger had ceased operations) so far as quality of construction, durability) and fairness of price. We favor Barbour jackets for windy, rainy conditions and this is one source for that brand. The womens' selections are never glamorous but certainly practical and Orvis has a product finder for women. A travel store with exotic journeys and tours is an additional feature as well as a home department complete with furniture, Christmas items, flannel sheets, a one-way mirror feeder for birds, dog gifts and a set of bowling bunnies for children.

You don't have to be a sportsman/woman to appreciate this retailer although besides sporting equipment, Orvis manages fly-fishing schools. Orvis donates 5% of pretax profits annually to organizations that protect fish and wildlife habitat.

C.S. Post & Company - A nice selection of well chosen items and furniture ranging from side tables, antiques (suitcases, carpet balls, Wedgewood, tankards, wine coolers, apothecary jars etc) to a complete baby-mess cleanup kit and ducky towels.

RedEnvelope.com - A thoughtful selection of gifts and goods best searched by browsing rather than using categories and most in a reasonable price range. A rather sexist note is that the items for 'the executive' rely heavily on cuff links and there aren't too many women execs wearing those today. 

Scully and Scully - Although this shop carries a more traditional inventory than we usually include, some of the items are downright practical and rarely spotted: attractive folding chairs for one. Waterford crystal, Dresden, Haviland, Wedgewood, Herend and Katherine Houston porcelain, sterling silver items, chess sets, holiday decorative accessories, men's cufflinks and leather desk items and needlepoint pillows are available at the site.

Studio Z - Letterpress stationery, invitations, cards for occasions ... all beautiful and distinctively done by Zida Borcich from her Mendicino, CA based enterprise. I've always sought out die-cut cards to send so these are prime candidates for that particular preference. Tri-fold constructions allow gluing a family photo inside. The xo collection would probably settle all those Valentine's Day questions and the holiday collection will cover most letter writing duties. Begun over eight years ago, the Studio designs custom accounts, wedding invitations, bat & bar mitzvahs, anniversaries, openings and corporate events.

Vivre - We included this company in a previous shopping sighting but looking once again at their site, wanted to highlight their offerings. The selection is wide, from such products as Sea Island socks to the most luxurious of items. The site includes a fraction available by catalog, so do order it for a full accounting of their selections. Frankly, after all our years of shopping (and working) in New York City, we've never seen a catalog or online site that presented quite the display of well-chosen and well-presented products. Expensive in some cases ... yes, but the manufacturers are known for their quality.

ShopAtWaldenPond - An offbeat source for inspiring gifts like the Never as Wise fleece onesie accompanied by a Thoreau quotation. "I have always been regretting that I was not as wise as the day I was born." There are wood engraving prints by Michael McCurdy over a quote by Thoreau, an Amy Ragus photocollage of an autumn scene from Walden Woods, books by Thoreau, a PBS video of Walden Pond and a T-shirt with the quote: If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.

Wedding Channel Gift Registry - Such names as Tiffany, Crate&Barrel, Williams-Sonoma, bloomingdale's, macy's The Bon Marché, NeimanMarcus, Burdines, Restoration Hardware, Goldsmith's, REI, Lazarus, Gumps and Rich's are part of the line up of stores that embrace the gift registry idea. There are some specialty stores, too: Dean & Deluca (food), Chiasso and Select Registry, a firm that issues gift certificates at inns for the couple to use.

Wishing Fish - This is one of those sites that is hard to categorize as to who gets what among the selections. So we chose the gift category, even if the gift is to yourself. I have to admit that I fell for the bicycle bells (two granddaughters). I'm a pushover for anything that has awning stripes so the Origo cups and bowls won me over (they could match the silk eye pillow!).

Zippergifts - Don't let the name fool you; rare is the item that is accompanied by a zipper. But the site does have lots of fun gifts, reasonably priced (okay, the stapler that we loved and a child's car were pricey). There are categories for everyone on your list as long as you're not shopping for basics. I've included the Worst Case Scenario book as an offbeat present that will appeal to the men on my list (though we purchased it elsewhere). There are pocket portfolios that you can stuff with photos or credit cards as well as other items such as lamps with New York City images.