Gift Local for a Local: San Francisco, Bay Area

Alright, it is holiday season. Which means everyone is making their gift guides. I personally think the best gift is time spent with the people you love--but here's a gift guide I spent time making for you.

Everything on this list is made by local designers, found in local stores, and/or made in SF/Oakland. Obviously buying local is better, but there is the question of where to buy. Online? In store? Direct from designer? The fact is, buying direct from the designer gives the designer the biggest cut (then there's the issue of who is actually doing the labor, so I'll just assume every designer is either making it herself or paying fair wages).

On the other hand, it is extremely community-building to actually go into your local store and buy the gift. Most designers are pricing their direct-to-consumer similar to the retail price, so everyone still basically gets the same kind of cut, but you are also supporting the local shop owner's business. Also, when you buy through the local store, the shop owner knows people want that designer's work, which means more exposure and more likely the store owner will buy product wholesale and not just sell on consignment. So, your choice.

I had a freak out moment yesterday when the jacket I wanted to buy from the small gift store across the street from my house said Made in China. After much deliberation, putting it on hold, looking around for similar things at local stores, and coming back, I bought it knowing at least some of my money will go to the local shop and designer. It's hard to vote with your money, but we have to do it. There are few well-made, locally made, fairly paid labor-made, clothing companies with interesting garments for women in SF...but that's another story. Which is why there are no clothes on the list--also, no one wants to gift the wrong size and it's worse receiving the wrong size.

Alright, enough economics and chit chat, here are the goods:

Now, where to buy is also a choice.

1. Nail polish is important. How can you show up on New Year's Eve not wearing Floss Gloss' Selena Corpus Crystalina? Buy it at Curator (which also does made well-made, interesting clothing, so shop for yourself, too). $8

2 & 3. These Flotsam & Jetsam Studs in sterling silver and this Snake Band in 18K yellow gold by Sarah Swell are just amazing. $300, $675

4. Ooops--made in England...but for the (succulent) plant lovers out there, this Nickel Mister is perfect. Buy it at Paxton Gate. $30

5. This Horizontal Bar Necklace by Pretty Little Thing Jewelry will go with anything in her wardrobe, and she'll know you have good taste! $68

6. Everyone needs a Carissa Potter San Francisco Map. Done. $20

7. What's better than one issue of ZYZZYVA? A year subscription! $40

8. I don't care if you ride the Google bus, hate the Google bus, or don't know what the Google bus is (which probably means you don't live in San Francisco), Infinite City: A San Francisco Atlas by Rebecca Solnit is gold. She also just came out with Unfathomable City: A New Orleans Atlas. Buy both at Adobe Books. $27

9. The Weekend Almanac is perfect for cozy winter weekends. Buy at Press Works on Paper. $15

10. Who would not be ecstatic to open this on Christmas day? This Tango in the Night necklace by Megan Stacy of Salty Fox right here, in the city. $298

11. This is the kind of perfume you can give without anyone thinking you thought they were stinky. Bourbon All-Natural Perfume by  L'Aromatica Perfume. $30

12. The San Francisco Mini Wallet is the only way to carry that darn Clipper Card. Or your ID. Or your Sidewalk Juice frequent juice drinker card. Buy at The Parish Trust. Yes, this is my thing--and love it. If you keep buying them, I can make more in different colors/hides! $80

13. Just make sure her ears are pierced before you wrap these gorgeous Aurora earrings by Marisa Haskell. $98

DO: The Art of Bulgari: La Dolce Vita & Beyond, 1950–1990 at the De Young

The Art of Bulgari -- featuring 147 pieces spanning 5 decades -- opens this weekend at the de Young Museum. Born in Greece, Sotirios Voulgaris (1857–1932) came from a line of Greek silversmiths, and in his twenties moved away from his hometown to Italy, changing his name to the more Italian-sounding 'Bulgari' - trademark written for the brand as 'BVLGARI', using the latin alphabet (V=U).

His first store was in his hometown of Paramythia, Greece. In 1884 he founded BVLGARI and opened a store on via Sistina in Rome. In 1905, his two sons Costantino and Giorgio helped him move the store to via Condotti where the current flagship still stands. 

Post World War II, during which Costantino Bulgari and his wife hid three Jewish women, Bulgari benefitted from the economic boom and became a leader in Italian jewelry design. They started using cabochon, shaped and polished gemstones, bold colors and heavy gold, releasing unique designs inspired by Greco-Roman classicism, a blend of old world style and new world creativity. By the 1970s, Bulgari pushed innovation even further and continued to create quirky, fun pieces that reflected the current trends and pop-culture.

With the death of Giorgio in 1966, his son Gianni led the company as CEO and grew it to international status by opening shops worldwide, focusing on product design and streamlining the watch business. By 1987 Gianni sold his stake in the company to his brothers Nicola and Paolo. In 2011, LVMH acquired Bulgari for $6.01 billion.

And so goes the story, hometown jeweler to worldwide brand name! I'd love to hear more about the family politics, inside inspiration and growth during the pivotal years. For now, I'll check out the exhibit on display at the de Young, feast with my eyes and dream about the drama behind the magic.

 “You can’t simply live on past glories; that’s foolish. To be a success, you have to combine the worlds of the past, present and the future. That is the challenge, and there are many horizons.” --Nicola Bulgari 1995

The Art of Bulgari: La Dolce Vita & Beyond, 1950–1990 September 21, 2013 - February 17, 2014 de Young Museum -- Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr 415-750-3600 Tuesday–Sunday, 9:30 am–5:15 pm until Admission: $20-$22 adults; $17-$19 seniors; $16-$18 college students with ID; $10-$12 youths 6–17. General admission is free the first Tuesday of every month and the first weekend of every month if you bank at Bank of America.

Inspiration + new storefront: Guest blog post by Katie of Katie Wood Jewelry

Local Noe Valley/San Francisco jewelry designer Katie of Katie Wood Jewelry shares where she gets her inspiration and opens shop at Guzel Jewelry Design at 1714 Union St at Gough...

My inspiration for the work that I do originally started with my mom. She has been making collages for years and they are quirky and sometimes a little odd, but they are a part of her experiences and symbolize and showcase what is significant to her, even if she is the only one who fully understands it.

One of the things that I love about art is that it can have so many different meanings and interpretations to different people. What stands out to me may be lost to someone else. I am drawn to collages and layering because every time I look there is something there I did not see before.

I often get inspiration from art. When I first saw a Hilary Williams print in a boutique on Polk St. many years ago, I fell in love. The colors, the layers, the juxtaposition of city and nature, the architecture and iconic San Francisco scenes drew me into a world I wanted to live in. Something about each of her pieces just makes me happy every time I look at them.She even has an Etsy shop where she sells necklaces made with prints of her artwork: https://www.etsy.com/shop/hilarywilliams

I’ve also been inspired by using vintage materials and styles in a modern way. A lovely store in my neighborhood continually inspires me as I walk past every day. When Modern Was, and just a few doors down, WMW II, is a mecca for vintage modern home furnishings, jewelry, and other various knick-knacks you didn’t know that you needed to have.

This is one of my first collages using a mixture of old and new along with some of my mom's collection of treasures (such as the old laxative tin lid). The sign on the door that says 'Clean and Serene' is absolutely reflective of my idea of heaven.

 

This collage pendant I made recently also speaks to my "meticulousness."

I love the simplicity of this white vintage heart from 1950's Germany that I placed against a black background into a modern styled necklace.

As I go through my own journey of discovery, I've realized that I have a harder time letting go of my perfectionism and desire for order. This comes through in my art, as I end up putting things together in a bit more of an organized way, not really overlapping lines and images, but keeping them in slightly neat and orderly fashions. Though, I definitely have a good deal of a little quirky and odd (things that probably only makes sense to me) like my mom!

I met Katie in the Women’s Initiative’s Simple Steps Course, which is finishing up this week! Katie Wood Marston is the owner and lead designer of Katie Wood Jewelry. She is opening shop at Guzel Jewelry Design at 1714 Union St at Gough! You can find her there starting this Sunday from 11am - 7pm. Shop online here and read her blog!

NYC to the Mission, guest blog post by Lirany -- local jewelry designer

Lirany of Pretty Little Thing shares where she hangs out around her new studio! I've recently relocated the studio for my jewelry line, Pretty Little Thing from New York City to San Francisco and it's been really exciting settling into a new city and a vibrant neighborhood like the Mission.

The studio is right in the heart of the Mission on 17th Street, at a space called Studio 17, which is home to other designers, artists, tech start-ups and young entrepreneurs. I love the eclectic and creative energy of the space and of the neighborhood itself. After lots of exploring, here are some of my favorite spots to eat, drink, shop and have a good time in the Mission in San Francisco!!

Food: Delfina Pizzeria for good pizza and a cold beer. I love having lunch at an outside table--perfect people watching spot. ( 3621 18th St.)

 

Drinks: The Elbo Room is perfect for Happy Hour. They have great live music on the second floor at night and the retro arcade games are a fun bonus. (647 Valencia St.)

Snacks: Bi-Rite Creamery is a go-to for their legendary ice cream and sweets. The only downside is the crazy line outside--velvet rope and all--but worth the wait! (3692 18th St.)

 

Shopping: I love vintage and one of my favorite vintage shops, Clothes Contact is in the neighborhood. You have to hunt and dig sometimes, but I've found lots of great dresses and accessories here. You can buy clothes by the pound too! (473 Valencia St.)

Dolores Park and the Dolores neighborhood is my favorite spot in all of San Francisco because it's the sunniest spot in a city that feels like its windy and chilly 80% of the year! The park is huge and beautiful, and is the perfect spot to sprawl out on a blanket and hang out with friends or alone with a good book and an iced Coffee from Dolores Park Cafe. The neighborhood that surrounds the park has a little bit of everything: shopping, food, and bars so there is always something to do after a day at the park.

Lirany made this for my birthday, it is the absolute best gift ever! I have literally been wearing it everyday. Get your own or find your own favorite on her online store.

About our guest blogger: I met Lirany Vasquez out and about in the city and we love her bi-coastal style and reading her Monday Muse posts. Lirany is the owner and designer of Pretty Little Thing Jewelry, you can see her designs on her online store and find out when she has pop-up shops by following her on twitter and instagram. She blogs about fashion, style and jewelry here!