With 3,800 square feet (compared to the old shop's 1,150 square feet) at their disposal, the creators of SAM Shop [0], the Seattle Art Museum [0]'s new gift shop, must have been powerfully tempted to pack it to the gills. Luckily for shoppers, they resisted, instead developing a well-considered collection that's airy and easy to navigate.
In the center of the store, items are loosely grouped by geography, and the result is a pleasing archipelago of global gifts. White is the prevailing decor motif -- all the better to let the goods do the talking. On the island of white pedestals dedicated to Africa, silver Tuareg jewelry from West Niger joins a handsome set of bone napkin rings (six for $44). Over in Asia, a classic blue-and-white porcelain vase ($330) towers over a red lacquer display case brimming with brass Chinese finial bracelets ($30) and silver fortune-cookie earrings ($15). At the Americas outpost, Bolivian nested baskets (set of two for $24) join gourd bowls from Guatemala ($8).
The jewelry case gives a generous nod to local talent: Tacoma-based Lisa Kinoshita [1]'s bold silver antler necklace is there ($430), along with a selection of her other pieces. Baubles by Seattle's Regina Chang [1] include a 14-karat gold-fill necklace adorned with bamboo coral, champagne quartz and chalcedony ($160).
The store's perimeter is reserved for an accessible array of gifts ranging from whimsical to wondrous. Seattle company Alchemy Goods [2]' messenger bags ($148), made from recycled inner tubes and seatbelts, join a six-pack of colorful Caffé ti Amo porcelain espresso cups from Germany ($36). Along the window, a smorgasbord of pure white Klimenkoff [3] porcelain apples, pears and walnuts ($40-$60) from Moscow are rendered in such realistic detail that it seems the creators forewent glazing lest hungry passersby be tempted to take a bite.
Add to these a collection of American and European glassware (including votives by local collectibles phenom Glassybaby [3] and vessels by Seattle fine-art glass-wrangler Rodman Gilder Miller [4]), a friendly children's section complete with Uglydolls [5] and a kids' table, and a well-stocked book section, and the message is clear: The art of shopping at SAM just got more fun.
If you have a shop, sale, event or great product tip you'd like to share, e-mail seattleshopping@nwsource.com.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
