Super cute accent pillows in a variety of colors from Industrielle, the hot urban chic boutique and gallery on Grand near Broadway. Pillows are by local designer Joom! Available for $35 on the Industrielle website.
Keep the little ones in your life cozy and warm with a cuddle blanket from Mariposa Baby! This pink one ($45) is so soft that many of my friends wish it came in adult size. And there are lots more to choose from on the Mariposa Baby website.
Give your Oakland-lovin’ girlfriend a yellow babydoll Tee that sports her pride and flatters her figure for $19. Lots of other Oakland tees and hoodies for men and women available on the Got Oakland? website.
We still have a few left, so if you’re looking for a gift for the little Oakland cutie in your life, consider our own Oakland Cutie t-shirts. Available in 12-18 mos, 2T and 4T for $20 on the Oakland Pride store. All proceeds support Oakland Unwrapped’s community development efforts.
If you’ve spent any time walking around in Oakland, chances are you’ve seen and coveted the classic Product of Oakland t-shirts. Cyrus Pishdad is the local graphic artist behind these shirts and we are happy to announce he has a whole line of fun Oakland-focused shirts on his new Got Oakland? site on our marketplace. We are really impressed with the quality of his work and goods (In fact, we had Cyrus print the Oakland Cutie T-shirts for Oakland Unwrapped!). His goods range from “I love Oakland” babydoll T-shirts to our personal favorite, the Oaktown Cranes Zipped Hoodie (An amazing deal at $30.50!). And if you need something special, Cyrus does custom printing and embroidery, too. Check ‘em out on the Got Oakland? website! Also see these t-shirts and hoodies in the flesh this Friday at our gift fair (see below!).
This is the 22nd year for the Holiday, Kwanzaa & Christmas Gift show, presented by the African-American Business Exchange. Come celebrate family and community while finding unique gifts sold by African American and other vendors! $5 Admission. Dec. 8th and 9th. 11am - 8pm. Oakland Marriott Convention Center, 10th & Broadway. www.kwanzaagiftshow.com
This week’s online buy is from Industrielle, the newest addition to the Oakland Unwrapped! Marketplace. You may remember that we reviewed this ultracool urban boutique and gallery when it first opened just over a year ago. Now they’re online, and they are starting to add products to the site, like these super sexy Boy Shorts ($15) from Oakland designer Evo Noche. Check out the current exhibits, plus housewares, clothing fine art and more for sale online and in the store at 33 Grand Ave. (510) 271-0633. http://www.industriellegallery.com
Kelley Designs: A Crochet Boutique specializes in made to order hats, scarves and bags. The company was founded in 2006 by Kelley Nayo and has been generating a following throughout Oakland. These items are created for fashion conscious folks (and their little ones) with unique taste in clothing and accessories. Products are created using only high quality yarns, including merino wool, cashmere, mercerized cotton, and Peruvian Highland Wool.
Every Kelley Design is unique, and each piece is distinguished by the excellent workmanship, quality materials, and stunning colors. We are very proud to sell her goods on oaklandunwrapped.com.
And some breaking news: Kelley just bought and re-opened The Knitting Basket (Yelp!) in Montclair, so be sure to check it out!
Our very own Oakland Cutie T-Shirts — exclusively available on Oakland Unwrapped! — were recently selected as Oakland Magazine’s “Best Way to Show Local Spirit.” These shirts are the perfect gift for next week’s baby shower or for those just getting into the groove of pre-school. Order it today ($20) and it will be sent to you via Priority Mail tomorrow.
This adorable blanket is just one of many new items for sale on the Mariposa Baby website, part of the Oakland Unwrapped! Markeplace.
After having two sweet babies of her own to dress as well as shopping for countless baby showers of stylish friends and family members, Oakland’s Elizabeth Falkner decided that the market needed better options for truly special baby gifts. She knew there must be shoppers like her that did not want to give baby clothes that had boring, clichéd motifs like trains and ducks, or quirky graphics that were clever or cool, but unsuitable for a special gift. Fortunately for all us, she started Mariposa Baby.
Elizabeth designs all of the blankets, bibs, and outfits herself and has it all produced right here in the Bay Area. Gifts come in a free gift box that is made from 100% recycled materials and features a screen-printed butterfly on the top. Available on www.mariposababy.com
Everybody who is anybody knows and loves Oaklandish and what they stand for. They continue to update their line of t-shirts, hoodies and other fun silkscreened apparel. A must-have for Oakland lovers. Check ‘em out a local shop like AC Clothing and Bags, in their mobile ops unit, or online at http://www.oaklandish.com/shop/. Also check out their site for upcoming events in 2007!
Nathan & Co. is full of modern treasures for the home and body, including quirky items such as a salt shaker that shakes itself, a bath plug with an origami boat attached to it, and more traditional fare such as great smelling candles and cookbooks from favorite local restaurants like Dona Tomas, Bay Wolf, and Cesar. For anyone wanting to show their Oakland pride, I hella heart Oakland t-shirts run $20 for the men’s version and $24 for the more fitted women’s style. 3820 Piedmont Ave 10:30-7 M-Th 10:30-9 Friday, 10:30-5:30 Saturday 510 428 9638
Rock Paper Scissors Collective is a volunteer-run community arts space with a great gallery, shop, arts lab, and zine library in the Uptown District. Step into the bright space to find fun silkscreened tees, unique handmade clothing, wallets, jewelery, bags, and more. Many items are made of re-used materials, like plastic/foil juice snack bags, bike inner tubes, and even sailboat sails.
While you’re there you can read an independently-published zine in their Zine Library, listen to independently-produced music at their listening station, and take a class! Check out their site to find out about their rotating gallery exhibits (which open every First Friday of the month) and other events. They also offer monthly classes in DJ’ing, screenprinting, bike maintenance, and other fun topics! Part of Art Murmur’s First Friday artwalk.
Rock Paper Scissors Collective: 2278 Telegraph Ave. 510-238-9171. Open 11-7pm everyday except Tuesday, http://rpscollective.com/new.html
In August 4, 2006, the doors opened to Oakland’s newest treasure in home décor and artistic expression: Industrielle. This urban space in the heart of the Uptown Gallery District is a tribute to all things art. Colorful original paintings, ceramic cupcake holders, punk-inspired clothing, books, notecards, candles, blow-up dolls(!) and so much more await you. Eye catching window displays and progressive French provincial ambiance provide a warm welcome.
Owner Dana Taylor is a native Oaklander and an artist in her own right. Her line of greeting cards, distributed by A Little Piece of Art ®, has been carried by Barney’s New York, Barney’s Tokyo, and in boutiques throughout the country. Don’t forget to check out Dana’s own artwork on the walls while you’re there.
While Industrielle’s focus is local artists, Dana also attempts to include merchandise that will benefit under-developed or struggling markets/countries, as well as items with a social purpose. For example clocks from New Orleans to help rejuvenate the Louisiana economy, Tooksie candles from South Africa, and “statement clothing” from Downtown Democracy out of Brooklyn, New York. Plans for the store also include an artist studio in the rear, where Dana will offer art classes to children and the local public. 33 Grand Ave., Open Tues.- Fri., 10am to 6pm, Sat 11am to 4pm.
There are three great gift shows this weekend featuring independent artists and designers! Click the links below for more information about each event.
1) afterglow boutique, in Temescal, will host a dozen designers on Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 7. Oakland Unwrapped! will be there all day on Sunday.
2) I {heart} Independent is hosting its first gift sale at Pro Arts in Jack London Square on Saturday from 11 to 4. Unwrapped will be here on Saturday.
3) Montclair Artists Group’s holiday art sale is Saturday and Sunday from 11-4.
Also see our complete printable list of Oakland holiday gift events this month.
Come check out the fabulous and creative clothing, jewelry, bags and accessories by local Oakland designers at *afterglow* in Temescal on December 9th and 10th!
afterglow is a boutique, design studio, and gallery owned and operated by Amy Cools, whose own funky and fresh fashions are sweatshop-free and made in Oakland. The designers featured at afterglow and at the Oakland Independent Designer Holiday Show share Cools’ commitment to promoting quality, creativity and independence in clothing design.
4233 Telegraph Ave., Sat. & Sun. Dec 9th & 10th, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, (510) 654-7514, amy@acclothingandbags.com
www.acclothingandbags.com
Several people commented on our cool “Shop with Soul” t-shirts at the festival, so as soon as our site launches, we will make them available for purchase. Stay tuned!
By Guest Contributor Selma Taylor
Showin’ Out is a hair gallery and boutique located in the Laurel District of Oakland. Lutillian Hudson, owner, has operated the business for 14 years. In 1989, Ms. Hudson — called Tillie by customers and friends — sold 20 pairs of earrings in one day from her car. A friend made her an earring case which held 80 pairs and she sold earrings from the case for 2-3 years until she opened the salon in 1992. Today, she displays the case in the store as a reminder of her beginnings.
Showin’ Out Hair Gallery and Boutique offers unique jewelry, handbags, hats, scarves, greeting cards, bath products, and journals. Tillie travels to Los Angeles and New York to purchase handbags that are different, but moderately priced. The boutique has gifts from $10 and under. Tillie started a $4 bargain basket of jewelry to attract her customers to buy other boutique items. The $4 basket has become so popular, it has become a “must look through it” and a mainstay for her customers.
Tillie is not just a business person; she is a contributor to her community. For four years Tillie was the Events Coordinator for the High Street/MacArthur Avenue - Laurel Merchants Association. In that capacity, Tillie would organize the annual event of activities involving music and community service booths which culminated with bicycle give aways for the youth.
For 10 years, Tillie has hired youth to work in her business. There are at least 2 youths working in her business at any time. She trains them on customer service, responsibility, merchandising, cash management and the like. Showin’ Out Hair Gallery has also been an incubator for many hair stylists, who after a stint with Tillie, open their own businesses.
Tillie’s dream for her boutique business is to “look like the MAC counter at Nordstrom on a Saturday” — full of eager customers. So, if you want to shop in a relaxing environment where you get plenty of customer service, try Showin’ Out Hair Gallery and Boutique. See photos of the merchandise and the salon here!
Showin’ Out Hair Gallery & Boutique
3717 Macarthur Boulevard
Laurel District
510.531.0600
Owner and artist Siobhan Van Winkel stocks her Oakland shop with fanciful, clever and stylish items from more than 50 local artists and designers. She carries clothing, jewelry, bags, hats, and more – all handcrafted and one-of-a-kind for both kids and adults. This store is a true Oakland original and is the perfect spot for the perfect gift. Check out more photos of Siobhan’s goodies!
Hours:
Tues - Sat: 11am - 5 pm
6371 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland
(510) 652 1415
http://www.funk-art.com/
sio@funk-art.com
American Apparel makes super stylish, very flattering casual clothing and T-shirts at their sweatshop-free factory in Los Angeles. It’s so refreshing to see a company that is both socially conscious AND stylish.
Boycotting is a great tool for protesting unethical business practices, but it will leave you naked … if you don’t know where to shop. We constantly hear of companies that are doing bad things and we’re told not to support them. The problem is, we rarely hear where to shop instead. Well, here’s one choice. Dress in style and support the good guys and girls at American Apparel.
While they do not have a retail store in Oakland, several of the local t-shirt designers use their shirts, and T-shirt makers can get them through Oakland Wholesaler Apparel Source on West Grand. Otherwise, their clothes are available online at www.americanapparel.net
Owners and sisters Tiffany & Indy Stevenson enable women of all ages and types to r e l a x with style and grace. Their blissful shop offers designer pajamas, nightwear, and loungewear as well as robes, slippers, and other accessories for pampering and relaxation.
Hours:
Tues - Sat: 12 pm-6 pm
Opened in 2004
5292 College Avenue, Oakland
510.428.1302
info@mrsandmanpjs.com
http://www.mrsandmanpjs.com