Gift Guide: For Her

For our first Christmas together my gift to Lauren was a pair of socks. Actually, two pairs of socks, but that's not the point. The point is that I've spent the last 16 years trying to make up for that blunder. So please, don't make the same mistake I did. Get the lovely lady in your life one of these things instead.

1. This sleek set of 6 tasting spoons ($38) are made from a variety of woods, both exotic and familiar. 2. A gold-plated pasta necklace ($140) is perfect for a woman who likes a little fun with her fancy. 3. Sure it's not the most sentimental gift in the world, but she'll use this 2011 planner ($16.95) everyday, and she'll think of you every time she does. 4.Margaret Kilgallen: In the Sweet Bye & Bye ($40) features the paintings, drawings, installations and sculptures by an amazing artist, and will be a cherised addition to her library. 5. These handmade porcelain dishes ($45-$90) come in a wonderful assortment of sizes, shapes, and colors and are all cast from aluminum take-out containers. 6. Compact and light enough to carry anywhere, this awesome Diana Mini Camera ($60) is versatile, fun, and shoots on good ol' 35mm film. 7. A kisslock coin purse ($28) is perfect for change, chapstick, or anything else tumbling around in the bottom of her purse. 8. Discover some great recipes together, then right them down for future use on these beautifully printed recipe cards ($15). *** And of course, if you still aren't sure exactly what she wants, you can always play it safe with a Gift Certificate ($25-$200).

Previous Gift Guides:

-For Him

-For Art Lovers

-For Book Lovers

-Stuff We've Done!

-Crafty Goods

-2011 Calendars

-San Francisco Treats!

Gift guide: For Him

We hope that the majority of merchandise in our Shoppe is gender neutral, coveted equally by members of either sex. But there are defintely things around here of particular interest to the Bros. Here are a few of our favorites.

1. As tough as it is elegant, this utility-orange Candlestrip ($60) is the perfect centerpiece for every man's table. 2. This wood flashlight ($50) looks great and works wonders when you're rooting around under the sink pretending to fix something. 3. Sure this handmade baseball ($30) is pretty enough to be kept under glass, but it's really meant to be played with. 4. Bring a love of outdoor adventure inside with a stunning vehicle vase ($90). 5. Cuddle up with this beautiful, burly bear pillow ($95). 6. The How-Tie ($18) is perfect for a man with a great sense of humor and style. 7. This cast iron bottle opener ($25) is the ultimate tool for the discerning drinker's workshop/mancave. 8. This Birdie Light ($35) is sporty, sophisticated, and makes for a wonderfully unique gift.

Previous Gift Guides:

-For Art Lovers

-For Book Lovers

-Stuff We've Done!

-Crafty Goods

-2011 Calendars

-San Francisco Treats!

Gift Guide: For Art Lovers

There is no better gift than the gift of art. Here's a fun selection of items from The Curiosity Shoppe's Gallery, which offers limited edtion and one-of-a-kind works by many of our favorite artists.

1. The current show in our gallery features gorgeous hand turned and painted dolls ($140, $170) by San Francisco artist Lorena Siminovich. 2. Tracey Melton's tree ring paintings ($50) have mesmorizing color palates on a rustic canvas. 3. This monograph of the remarkable artist Wayne White "Maybe Now I'll Get the Respect I So Richly Deserve" ($64.95) is a fascinating tour of his career as an illustrator, set designer, and painter. 4. Now's your chance to own or give one of the limited-edition (of 1,000,000) It's OK sculptures ($20) by Sighn. 5. For a show earlier this year, our very talented friends Jeff Canham and Luke Bartels collaborated on a series of ridiculously amazing one-of-a-kind birdhouses ($675). 6. Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like these fantastically oversized felt guns ($150) created by Sarah Applebaum.  7. UK artist Robert Clarke creates wonderfully evokotive drawings of birds—and the occassional dog—($50) that we just can't get enough of. 8. Encourage someone you love to get creative with this inspirational Guerilla Art Kit ($19.95) by Keri Smith.

Previous Gift Guides:

-For Book Lovers

-Stuff We've Done!

-Crafty Goods

-2011 Calendars

-San Francisco Treats!

Gift Guide: For Book Lovers

We LOVE books. LOVE them! Can't get enough of 'em. And though we're not technically a bookstore, we are very proud of the awesome titles we carry at the Curiosity Shoppe. So if you're looking for the perfect book for that special someone, please take a minute to browse around in our Library. In the meantime, here's a fun selection of (mostly) non-book gift ideas for the Book Lover in your life.

1. These super hot Brick Bookends ($24) are not only pretty, they're made of powder coated steel, which means your books ain't going nowhere. 2. Awesomely explosive Sticky Notes ($3.50) are the perfect way to keep track of notes and ideas while you're reading, without mucking up your book. 3. UK artist John Dilnot's limited-edition mini book Good and Bad Apples ($20) is a wonderfully crafted and hugely enjoyable work of art. 4. Turn bedside book storage into an art with this fantastic Book Rest Lamp ($80). 5. It never hurts to have a handy Magnifying Glass ($25) around, especially one as beautifully crafted as this. 6. Keep your designer Coke-bottle bifocals safe and sound in this oh-so-handsome Glasses Pouch ($16). 7. San Francisco-based artist and designer Tom Bonauro has been a big inspiration to us over the years. His book Before Zero ($40) is a fantastic example of his unique and remarkable work.

Previous Gift Guides:

-Stuff We've Done!

-Crafty Goods

-2011 Calendars

-San Francisco Treats!

Gift Guide: Stuff We've Done!

We've been lucky enough to have made—or helped make—some pretty fun stuff over the past few years. Here are a couple things we offer at the Shoppe that we had a hand in creating.

1.Show Me How & More Show Me How ($24.95) are the two illustrated encylopedic how-to books we've made. With over 1000+ things to learn in these volumes, there is literally something in here for everyone. 2. We had a blast wallpapering everything in sight for our book Wallpaper Projects ($22.95). In addition to being a comprehensive "wallpaper how-to" this book is filled with dozens of craft and home decor ideas using wallpaper scraps. 3. Speaking of wallpaper...our friend Lena Corwin designed a very special and very beautiful wallpaper just for us! And we sell it in all sorts of sizes in the Shoppe. 4. Another wonderfully talented friend of ours, Jason Munn of the Small Stakes, designed this amazing poster for the Shoppe ($10 Holiday super sale!) and you can only get it here. 5. Lauren created a handful of amazing projects (like the little stuffed doggy on the cover) for Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People ($27.99), the unbelievably hilarious and wonderful new book by our pal Amy Sedaris. 6. Who doesn't love/need a brick tote bag ($15)? Especially one designed by us? 7. We were thrilled to contribute a project to Crafting A Meaningful Home ($24.95), the new book by Meg Matteo Ilasco that is filled with great projects by many of our creative and crafty friends.

Previous Gift Guides:

-Crafty Goods

-2011 Calendars

-San Francisco Treats