Practice the art of giving at the new SAM store

With 3,800 square feet (compared to the old shop's 1,150 square feet) at their disposal, the creators of SAM Shop, the Seattle Art Museum'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's bold silver antler necklace is there ($430), along with a selection of her other pieces. Baubles by Seattle's Regina Chang 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' 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 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 and vessels by Seattle fine-art glass-wrangler Rodman Gilder Miller), a friendly children's section complete with Uglydolls 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.