Boutique Academia necklace:  She Who Dares, Wins, below.

Some years ago we went to a 'Traditions' holiday faire at Filoli,  a National Trust for Historic Preservation site. One of the things we bought then for ourselves were a pair of slippers ... these were irresistible.  There are not many times when you can combine comfort and sequins! We also noticed quite a few Canadian firms, including Parkhurst Hats, another item we bought.

The source we were most dedicated to buying gifts for ourselves over the years was the contemporary craft shops and fairs that we attended for many years, particularly for jewelry and fiber artists.  For instance, there's  a Headlands Dopp kit that our husband would love at the Contemporary Craft Store. We also spotted the Lynn Batchelder pair of earrings

Boutique Academia  finds beauty in math, science, technology, and other areas of thought. We pursued these products as there's a granddaughter who's mad for math and the jewelry available at the site was just the type of earrings and necklaces she was interested in. (see necklace above). Or, a microscope necklace, perhaps?

For the fisherman(woman) who would like either a small book to carry with them:  36 pages of tips for catching more fresh water fish, this book will not only show you how to make helpful knots, it also gives you a list of basic equipment, and techniques for bank and boat fishing. Also includes tips for specific fish, where to find them, and what bait to use.  The soft cover book, Catching More Freshwater Fish has  a saltwater version, too. The Wellspring business, based in Pennsylvania,  has lots of similar products, inexpensive and helpful.

For New Yorkers and those who love public parks, the Central Park Garden Plates from the National Building Museum Shop in Washington, DC. The designs in the new Garden Plate series, sister line to the City Plate series from Not Neutral, focus on the contrast between the organic elements of the highlighted park and the surrounding urban context. The inaugural series features New York City's Central Park,  designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1858. Each of the four plates highlights a different segment of the Park: the Sheep Meadow, the Great Lawn, the Reservoir, and the North Meadow. A map is included showing the major features of the park and yes, they are dishwasher safe.

The Building Museum Shop is also featuring a Bridges: Introduction to Structure Education Kit designed to introduce students to the history, function, structural design, geometry, and strength of bridges while providing opportunities for them to acquire skills using a hands-on, inquiry-based approach to information and concepts. The kit includes 207 building parts, a full instruction booklet, and a Teacher's Guide. Or, how about a Scizza Pizza Cutter that will yield the perfect slice every time. The spatula tip slides cleanly under the pie and the 4" hardened stainless steel blade provides a clean cut. The non-stick nylon base won't scratch cookware and is heat resistant up to 400°F/205°C. Imitating  one of the museum's attractions is the Big Maze Mini replica.

We've been admirers of a porcelain artist for some time now: and have several pieces of her work.  Itsuko Zenitani. She creates a wide array of modern ceramics that are also fully functional. Itsuko has been accepted as an exhibiting member of the Association of Clay & Glass Artists of California and the Arts and Crafts Co-Operative in Berkeley. Her work has been included in public art exhibitions at museums including the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

 

Our favorite find this year is 13 threads, a clothing line from Edinburgh, Scotland (see below). I purchased a dressing gown and have another ordered, both made from Liberty of London fabric.  The style is free and swinging, the sense of color fabulous and a sense of the older woman's needs in her clothes. There's an Etsy entry for the site, too.

— Tam Martinides Gray

More Articles

• Rose Madeline Mula: It Was Here a Minute Ago
• Rose Madeline Mula Writes: How Come ... ?
• The Morgan's Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol: Christmas is nothing more than “a time for finding yourself a year older and not an hour richer”said Scrooge
• Rose Madeline Mula Writes: Look Who's Talking
• Ferida Wolff's Backyard: Hostas and Us; Waving Beans
• Horse, Horse, Tiger, Tiger; It's the Tone of the Character That Makes the Word
• Goosed: Those Years when Fate Takes a Hand
• Michael Bloomberg's Annual Philanthropy Letter, 2019; Reconsiders Running For President in 2020
• Living Longer, Too? Native-born Californians Who Live Near Large Immigrant Populations Eat Healthier Foods
• Two Exhibits: Veiled Meanings, Fashioning Jewish Dress and Contemporary Muslim Fashions