Curious and curiouser.

the orange fish

Originally uploaded by mav | port2port

Having only a few days of shopping left before the holidays and several difficult people still on my list, I ran over to The Curiosity Shoppe, one of my favorite little (truly– this place is tiny) stores in the Mission. I knew that even if I didn’t score gifts there, I’d be sufficiently inspired and motivated to find that perfect little something somewhere else. Sure enough, my panic quelled as I discovered retro-fabulous Make-Your-Own Christmas Stocking kits and Magic Gardens for my friend’s daughter, holiday cards made out of wood paneling for my co-workers and a limited-edition calendar for my sister. I did that annoying thing where I dumped an armful of stuff on the counter and edged my way through a throng of shoppers for another box of cards. Though I was really tempted to take home for myself one of the gorgeous concert posters thumbtacked to the wall (I’m not sure they were even for sale, actually… they were designed by one of the owner’s friends whose name I wish I’d taken down– they were breathtaking) or a nifty French-inspired, neon-splashed animal tray (I love me my woodland creatures), I resisted. I think I’m now due for another visit. If you can get over to Valencia Street, make sure you stop by Little Otsu next door before or after your visit for more letterpress cards, zines and other locally-produced paper goods. Don’t live in San Francisco? You can get your Rhodia notebooks, antler lamps and Built by Wendy patterns at CuriosityShoppeOnline.