Wear What When

Gift Map III: Kids’ Stuff

Because shopping for quality playthings isn’t always fun and games.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Dec 16, 2010 at 06:30AM 0 Comments

Photo: Flora and Henri online shop

Mohair rabbits where adorable is defined, Flora and Henri on Capitol Hill.

If the kids on your shopping list are your own, you have enough to do without plotting out where to find the worthwhile, classic stuff of childhood. If the tiny people on your agenda do not belong to you, you may not be totally familiar with the lay of the fun-and-games landscape. Either way, our kids stuff shopping map makes it easy to navigate an entire city’s worth of educational objects of enjoyment, timeless toys, and apparel and accessories that appeal to both of you.

Some things to think about before you begin: At Izilla, they’re loving a board game called Dixit because it does the impossible: makes fun times for kids and adults. At Tottini, there are two options (at two budget levels) for those considering a modern take on the generations-old winter holiday dream gift, the dollhouse. (I will never forget the year my dad built me one and put it, if not exactly under the tree, at least nearby.) At Planet Happy, they’re into the timeless idea of packable, go-anywhere animal play sets; they’ve got ’em farm- and sea-themed.

That oughtta get you started. Go now among the world of math-is-fun gaming and miniature tea seats and make someone small hugely happy.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Seattle Toys, Gift Guide, Gifts, Sustainable Such and Such, Seattle Kids' Style, Gift Maps 2010

Gift Map I: Pet Projects

Your guide to shopping for four-legged (and possibly winged and/or finned?) friends.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Dec 02, 2010 at 09:00AM 0 Comments

Pets are people too.

From Wallingford to the Central District; from contrarian cats to face-licking dogs, multilingual birds, squirrely ferrets, and sublime fish, Seattle is full of beloved beasts and boutiques that stock clothes, toys, treats, and more for them.

We know how you are. And we think it’s cute. Every time you buy two or three presents for humans, you pick up a little something for the wildlife in your residence. Kicking off a month of maps is this guide to luxe pet emporiums and essential critter shops.

And stay tuned: Each Thursday for the rest of the month we’ll link you up with a heavily plotted and pin-pointed city grid to help you navigate a new niche of holiday gift searching.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Gift Guide, Gifts, Maps, Gift Maps 2010

Seriously Plush

Worldwide lovers of two-headed stuffed deers and anatomically correct felt hearts to converge on Second Ave on October 8.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Oct 01, 2010 at 08:00AM 0 Comments

Photo: Super Sock Monkeys

Slideshow: New world sock cats and more at Schmancy and Plush You!

View Slideshow » Photo: Super Sock Monkeys

Slideshow: New world sock cats and more at Schmancy and Plush You!

View Slideshow » Photo: Nonesuch Garden

A gentle giant-type from Nonesuch Garden

View Slideshow » Illustration:

I wish this was what people meant when they talked about “new country;” Mr. Willie Nelson by Annette Morrison

View Slideshow » Photo: Yarnigans

I’m pretty in love with this little fellow

View Slideshow » Photo: BVOE

Yep, and just in time for Halloween, and the holidays

On the list of things I only recently found out about this town is that it’s kind of a world headquarters for plush, which is shorthand for soft, handmade, character- or concept-driven often adorable but just as often creepy or sinister “toys” that are not meant for children.

And Schmancy, that tiny but wonderful little “toy” shop on Second Ave, is like a Mecca for plush lovers. Seriously. People come from Austin, LA, Amsterdam, and beyond each year when owner Kristen Rask celebrates with Plush You!, a carefully curated soft art exhibit of the best of the best. This year’s get-down gets down with an October 8 opening party from 5 to 9; the show runs for a month at the triumvirate of indie-cool: Schmancy, Fancy, and Nancy.

I recently spoke to Rask about her life — I mean, people often comment that I seem to have a cool job, but this is a woman who spends her days with bunnies in swim suits and toy tater tots. Kinda trumps us all, eh? But Rask never really meant to do it.

When she started Schmancy she was selling action-figure stuff — “toys” not meant for kids, but more along the lines of miniature mutant superheros and Japanese anime-style molded plastic dolls. After awhile the whole made in China thing started to bum her out, and it didn’t really mesh with what her coconspirators at Fancy and Nancy were doing. Handmade, that is. Small-batch. So she switched to the soft arts, and in 2005 created a world-wide sensation with her annual art show.

Rask’s Plush You! blog chronicles the fervor and the fun, and the slideshow here shows off a few of my favorites, but you’d have to be there yourself next week to really grasp the sensation of it all. Passersby will probably mistake it for a reunion appearance of the Rolling Stones at the nearby Moore Theatre. Seriously.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Locally Made, Gifts, Locally Designed