Best Sellers in Seattle

by Adrienne Schofhauser [1]

Urchin

Sea urchin, a pricey dish in Japanese cuisine, is a favorite Karen Cho's mother often denies herself. Cho's father, in turn, always orders the delicacy for his wife. Cho says it is this spirit of gift giving that inspires her to embrace life's little indulgences. It was also the stimulus for her specialty store, Urchin, in downtown Seattle. The store's name is in keeping with Cho's vision to "have a place for life's little luxuries." After working in the marketing department of local Internet-giant Amazon.com for a little more than six years, Cho decided it was time to pursue her passion for art and design. She noticed a niche to be filled in downtown Seattle and opened Urchin—a specialty store for contemporary gifts and accessories. Organic shapes and patterns mark Urchin's interior, evoking a sense of peace. The store stocks a variety of leather handbags, gold jewelry, modernist home decor, as well as porcelain tabletop bowls, hip baby knit dolls and handcrafted cards. Many of these come from far-flung places such as Israel, Italy and South East Asia, as well as from local and national designers Cho discovers in her travels.

Best Sellers
Baby: Clothing by Tea Collection, blabla knit dolls and mobiles
Handbags: Mandarina Duck (Italy), Kisim leather totes (designed in Israel)
Home: Coconut shell lamps imported from the Philippines, Alora Ambiance diffusers, Anne Black porcelain accessories (Denmark)
Jewelry: Polli (Australia), Stainless steel jewelry by Karen Konzuk (Canada), Cero Designs' wood veneer cuff bracelets, Locally made sterling silver jewelry by Jill Renae
Stationery: Cards by Selfish Kitty, Locally handmade cards by Turquoise Creative
Kitchen: Bahari teak and rosewood bowls and servers
Tabletop: Porcelain dishware by Mud Australia

Karen Cho, owner
206.448.5800
UrchinSeattle.com [2]

Curtsy Bella

Two years ago this May, the mother-daughter team of Mary Jo and Danielle Thomas opened the doors to Curtsy Bella, a savvy boutique in Seattle's University District. Danielle handles the creative aspects of Curtsy Bella. Her mother, Mary Jo, handles the business side. Together they line their store's shelves with both charming and covetable gifts for all occasions.

Best Sellers
Overall: Tarina Tarantino Jewelry
Baby: Trumpette boxed baby socks
Miscellaneous: Urban Aid products such as Shame On You, Clean Get Away and Period Pal
Home: Rosanna dishware
Jewelry: Tarina Tarantino
Stationery: Oplusd: Offensive + Delightful cards
Wedding: Classy Bride's Bling tanks and panties

Danielle and Mary Jo Thomas, owners
206.523.3221
CurtsyBella.com [3]

Camelion Design

Nichole Vandermuelen was born and raised in Holland. When she moved to Seattle 11 years ago, she scouted out a place for her gift shop that reminded her of home: one that was traditionally charming and supportive of local vendors. She found that in Seattle's historic Ballard area, whose main strip has grown vibrant in the past few years and now hosts an art walk each month. As the name depicts, Camelion Design is ever-changing, but on any given day, one can find refreshing and innovative items from plush couches and dark wood tables, to smart decorative lamps, Ugly dolls for baby and invigorating bath products.

Best Sellers
Overall: Home Wear custom upholstery, Four Hands case goods, Sitcom furniture
Baby: Jellycat toys, Ugly Dolls
Home: Home Wear custom upholstery, Four Hands case goods, Furniture by Sitcom—dressers, chairs, ottomans
Jewelry: Contagious Jennifer Evelyn Nashelle
Stationery: Seltzer cards, Squibnocket cards, Cecily Ink cards and wrap
Bath and Body: Thymes Mistral
Kitchen: Accents de Ville tag
Desk accessories: America Retold

Nichole Vandermuelen, owner
206.783.7125
CamelionDesign.com [4]

Bouncing Wall

Bouncing Wall's "original, useable, wearable art," comes exclusively from Pacific Northwest artists and designers. Seattle's spirit of individualism is reflected in the store's one-of-a-kind handmade belts, stationery and home decor. At Bouncing Wall, lively baby clothing and choice hats come with eccentric prints and the throw pillows and fine jewelry depict the natural elements found outside the shop's entrance. The desk accessories are delicately painted with modish and graceful patterns reflecting the changing seasons and the local art scene alike.

Best Sellers
Overall: eight3one baby products, Shay D Design Jewelry, Kimberly Sun Design hand-tooled leather belts, headbands and key chains
Baby: Hip onesies with unique patterns from eight3one
Home: Appetite's screen-printed and hand sewn pillows, kitchen towels, etc.
Jewelry: Shay D. Design
Stationery: Pitter Painter Cards' patchwork cards
Bath and Body: Rouge Aromatics all-natural products
Desk accessories: GAL Metalworks' hand-forged letter openers, and business card holders

Kim Flanery-Rye, owner
206.285.9255
BouncingWall.com [5]

JayWalk

Amy Bush grew up in the family-friendly neighborhood that is now home to her high-end gift shop, JayWalk. A metal- and goldsmith herself, Bush knows customers enjoy the experience of shopping locally at an independent store. "What I'm trying to do is provide an opportunity to display fine art that doesn't necessarily have gallery representation," she says. JayWalk's vintage and antique collectibles have become favorites for wedding gifts and its variety of homemade soaps and candles offer a sense of warmth to Northwesterners.

Best Sellers
Overall: Variety of fine jewelry, Big Dipper Wax Works candles
Baby: Baby blankets by Annie Erickson
Home: Heavens to Betsie potholders, Moda Aprons
Jewelry: Tanya Monique, Vanessa Amalia, Contagious
Stationery: LeClair cards, Shorthand Press cards
Wedding: Variety of vintage and antique glassware
Bath and Body: Molly's Soap by Good Scents Co.

Amy Bush, owner
206.328.7776
JayWalkSeattle.com [6]

Source URL: http://www.giftshopmag.com/2008/spring/gift_shop_stories/best_sellers_in_seattle