Modish

Modish Shop Tour: Of Cabbages & Kings

Today I'm pleased to show you around another international shop specializing in handmade cuteness, Of Cabbages & Kings!  Owner, Jessica, just opened in London a few months ago and is already finding a great response from her community.  Let's take a little virtual look around, shall we?  (click "continue reading" at the end for the full tour!)

What is the name of your shop and where is it located?  How long have you been in business?
The name Of Cabbages & Kings is taken from Lewis Carol’s Poem ‘The Walrus and the Carpenter’ and is intended to reflect the eccentric array of weird and wonderful things the shop sells. The shop is tucked away on Kersley Road, a side street from Church Street, the main shopping thoroughfare in Stoke Newington, London.  We’ve only been open since May, so it’s still early days, but the shop’s receiving such a good response from local people; they seem really excited by it.

What sorts of items do you sell?  Who are some of the designers you carry?
Of Cabbages & Kings sells all sorts of handmade and designer gifts and accessories including ceramics by Hanne Rysgaard, handmade bags by Emma Gordon, jewellery and frippery by Hoolala, tea sets by Lillibule and vintage charm jewellery by Eclectic Eccentricity. The premises has been derelict for many years, but a few people have informed me that it was once a tuck shop, so I have a selecion of traditional sweets, sherbet lemons and cola cubes etc, in respect of this.

Modish Shop Tour: Little Otsu

Yay!  I'm so pleased to bring you a little tour of the brick and mortar version of one of my favorite online shops (I've featured it here many times before!), Little Otsu!  Located in San Francisco's Mission District, Little Otsu is a cute little shop selling their own paper products along with other artist goods, owned by the oh so sweet Jeremy & Yvonne who actually live here in Portland, OR!  Let's take a peek around look, shall we?  (*be sure to click "continue reading" at the break for the full tour!)

What is the name of your shop and where is it located?  How long have you been in business?
Little Otsu is located in San Francisco's Mission District on Valencia Street between 19th and 20th. We've been in business since 2002.

What sorts of items do you sell?  Who are some of the designers you carry?
Our most abundant items are from our own line of Little Otsu paper goods: planners, journals, cards, calendars, and more. We also sell a selection of goods from friends and fellow small businesses. We have illustrated books, prints and small paintings, stationery, t-shirts, handmade wallets, buttons, bags, vegan cookbooks. A sampling of the companies we carry includes Animal Sleep Stories, Mittenmaker, Studio on Fire, RandL, Edelweiss Greetings, Drawn & Quarterly, Sycamore Street Press, Big Stone Head, Honeylux, La Mano, Fugu Fugu Press, Burgundy & Brown, The Small Object, Narwhal Co., Papered Together, McSweeney's, Boygirlparty, and Zum.

What sort of mood/design aesthetic does your shop have?

Our shop is pretty casual and accessible with lots of things to engage your eyes. The store itself is relatively small, but since we're able to share the building with an office, we have the advantage of tall ceilings and a skylight that bring an airiness to the space. We were lucky to benefit from work that an architecture class was doing for our officemates--they built us a great back wall and used recycled sails to make an awesome window treatment for the skylight and those things are really clean and modern. Our store manager Kirk Snyder also just painted an impressive geometric mural that lends to that feeling. We counter that with our own hodge podge use of vintage/found/new furniture (including a family piano that we didn't have room for in our apartment). It's a good setting for our mix of products. Much like our publishing projects, our design aesthetic runs the gamut but is always centered around drawings and any sort of illustration.

Shop Tour: Meet Me at Mikes

Today is our first international shop tour, hurray!  Hopefully one of many more to come...  Let's take a peek inside Meet Me at Mikes, a wonderful little shop in Melbourne that carries a wide array of handmade and vintage goodies!

What is the name of your shop and where is it located?  How long have you been in business?
Our shop is called 'Meet Me at Mikes' - we are at 63 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia!  We've been trading in our bricks and mortar store for just over three years and online for six months.

What sorts of items do you sell?  Who are some of the designers you carry?
Our emphasis is on Handmade, local and nostalgic.  We carry a really diverse range of handmade products, as well as some vintage items and some new things too!  Our store and stock changes daily!  At the moment we are enjoying the company of lovely locally made jewellery and accessories by Victoria Mason, Lark Designs, Emma Greenwood,  AnnaLaura, Sarah McNeil, Hokey, Bridget Farmer and many other small designers. 

We stock handmade toys from Jess McCaughey, Kootoyoo, One Red Robin, One Trick Pony, Betty and Hamish, Boobook.  Lovely Aprons by McCranky, paper dolls by Catherine Campbell, cute embroidered totes from Sweet Jessie, embroidery transfers from the wonderful Sublime Stitching and Sew Your Own softie kits too!  We stock locally printed fabric and stationery from Aunty Cookie and Lara Cameron.  We have a nice range of mid-century ceramics, vintage fabric pieces, vintage wallpaper. We stock a selection of vintage and new books - think Eric Carle, Ezra Jack Keats, Mary Blair and Enid Blyton and you'll be on the right track.  AND we've just launched our own 'Meet Me at Mikes' range of vintage inspired products, which includes vintage illustrated pendants and storybook wallets amongst other lovely things!

What sort of mood/design aesthetic does your shop have?
Our aesthetic is colourful, fun, nostalgic and sweet.  Our aim is to create a happy, approachable, unique shop that people want to spend time in.  It's kind of like a general 'goodness' store!  Your tiny niece will love it... and your grandma too!  We like to be inclusive!  We run interactive projects in our window - and love to get people involved in what we are doing.  Recently we had a giant inspiration board window and we're running our second 'Softies for Mirabel' window at the moment to raise funds for The Mirabel Foundation (who support kids in substance-abuse affected families).

What price range do you carry?
From $1 (for vintage dress patterns) to $200 (for a handmade silver pencil-shaving necklace by Victoria Mason) - it's very important to me that our stock is affordable - with most items coming in under $50.

What do you think makes your shop stand out from the crowd and keep people coming back?
Our shop is a little beacon of happiness in a really diverse neighbourhood.  I think it smiles out at the street, even on the dullest day, and people like that!  Also, I think people love our shop because we really pay attention to the little details.  We make all our own packaging - from our story-book adorned newspaper carry bags down to the little envelopes we tuck your receipt into.  We genuinely love all our stock - and I think people can tell - our shop has lots of soul!  We're constantly trying to improve our store and surprise our customers with new fun ideas - it keeps things interesting for everyone that way!

Do you operate on wholesale or consignment?  Do you accept submissions of handmade items from designers?  If so, what's the best way for them to approach you?
We work on both wholesale and consignment.  We love to receive submissions from designers - and would encourage them to send us a link to their etsy, myspace or flickr so we can take a peek at the things they make!

What is the best thing about owning your own shop?  And the worst?
Being able to love your job every day is a complete luxury... so that's one of the best things!  Also we've met some of our dearest friends via the store - it's so much easier to make friends with an open door - and it's usually like-minded people who wander in looking for a chat!  So that's really nice too!  The worst thing is definitely riding the fluctuations in terms of turnover - it's really hard to know when there's a quiet month coming up - and it's sometimes tricky to be prepared for those flat periods.

What is one lesson you can pass down to future shop-keeps who are just getting started?
Don't be shy about letting people know about your shop!  You don't need a big marketing budget to raise your store profile - you just need a bit of commitment and ingenuity!  Make the most of free sites like Flickr, Big Cartel and Blogger to get the word out - and definitely don't assume that the media will contact you when you are 'good enough' or 'big enough' - you really need to be proactive and start knocking on doors (or at least sending some 'look at me' emails).  Also be sure to have a nice group of people supporting you - be they family or friends - because even the sunniest little shop may need to call in the troops sometimes!  Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it!

Thank you Pip for sharing your lovely little store and wonderful insights with us!  For more info about Meet Me at Mikes, check out their blog or shop online- you can also see many more picture of the shop on their flickr!

Modish Shop Tour: Ouvrez La Porte

Today I have a wonderful, pretty little shop in Brooklyn to share with you all, Ouvrez La Porte!  Karen, the stylish lady who owns this shop, is also a designer and has a sewing studio in the back where she creates the house label of clothing.  She hosts a fun mix of emerging designers and vintage wares- let's take a closer look!

What is the name of your shop and where is it located?   How long have you been in business?
Ouvrez La Porte (French for "Open the Door"). 105 Bond St. (Atlantic & Pacific) Boerum Hill Brooklyn NY.  It'll be 5 years this fall!!

What sorts of items do you sell?  Who are some of the designers you carry?
I sell an eclectic mixture of emerging designers, handmade one of a kinds, and vintage. Clothing designers include; RikaRika, Astridland, Zuzupop, GlamGarb, Suzabelle, NRS, pH by Phillia, Abigail Gluam Lathbury and my own house label, Ouvrez La Porte. Jewelry designers include Agapantha, Liv & Lucy, NolaBella, Juju, Anna Sofia, Amy Tavern, Foxglove Accessories, and Avnon. Handbags by SML and makeup by Pin-Up Cosmetics. The designers carried here are from all over the country and Canada.

What sort of mood/design aesthetic does your shop have?
The shop has the feel of a walk in closet with vintage slips spilling out of drawers and shoes on the floor ready to be paired with your outfit for the day. It's feminine and intimate like a boudoir with girly paintings and photographs on the walls and glittery red roses but with a nostalgic handmade twist with vintage items hanging off of crochet hangers my Grandmother made ages ago.  Customers can also see into my design studio in the back so there is immediately a sense of craft and handmade goodness!

What price range do you carry?
Nothing over $400! Handmade notecards for $5 and handmade silk dresses for $350.

What do you think makes your shop stand out from the crowd and keep people coming back?
I try to keep the shop filled with beautiful things that are affordable and hard to find elsewhere. That mixed with neighborhood friendliness  is what I hope does the trick.

Do you operate on wholesale or consignment?   Do you accept submissions of handmade items from designers?  If so, what's the best way for them to approach you?
With designers I operate on a consignment basis, the vintage is from my own sourcing. I do not resale vintage from people's closets. I love to see what other designers are doing and do accept submissions. It's a small shop here and I don't always have openings for new lines so an email with pic and links is the best way to approach me- ouvrezlaportebrooklyn@yahoo.com

What is the best thing about owning your own shop?  And the worst?
The best thing is the creative freedom and the wonderful community of designers I have met. Also it's great to meet people from this neighborhood, everyone is so friendly and appreciative of what I do! The worst is without sales help, it's hard to take a vacation!

What is one lesson you can pass down to future shopkeeps who are just getting started?
Redefine success; some days I get more compliments and hearts than sales. And that to me is a job well done!

Be sure to stop by Ouvrez La Porte next time you're in Brooklyn, and keep updated on the latest goings on at the Ouvrez La Porte blog!

And, if you're a shop owner who would like to give us a virtual tour of your own store, just email me with the subject "shop tour" and let me know!

Modish Shop Tour: The Studio

Before I leave you for the holiday weekend, I have a lovely shop tour to share with you all, from one of our even lovelier sponsors, Kim from The Studio!  Kim runs both an online and brick and mortar store, and still somehow finds time to create her own line of jewelry and raise cute kiddos too!  Sheesh!  Let's take a closer look at this busy lady's bustling store...

What is the name of your shop and where is it located?  How long have you been in business?
The Studio on State St in Newburyport, MA.  We've been open for a little over a year.

What sorts of items do you sell?  Who are some of the designers you carry?

We carry eco-friendly clothing, jewelry, and accessories by indie designers.  Our inventory changes constantly, but some of the mainstays are Super Maggie T's and Tanks, Prairie Underground Hoodies, Orla Kiely Handbags, Mohop Sandals, Dresses from Kelly Lane and Modaspia, jeans from Del Forte Denim,  Purses from Ashley Watson, hats from Goorin, skirts from Love TanJane, and tunics and T's from Moontide dyers, jewelry from Figs and Ginger, Muscovie Designs, Rust Belt, Handmade Julz, Anna Korte Vintage, and our own Jonesy's Jewels.



What sort of mood/design aesthetic does your shop have? 
We are all about good design. We are always on the look out for new environmentally conscious designers, but they must produce a clean modern product that can sell.  We carry items that are well made and fabricated with care.  We strive to have items that are unique- we look for things to be one of a kind, or single season runs. 



What price range do you carry? 
We have jewelry from $16 - $1500, Clothing from $28 - $300, and purses of every price point!
 

What do you think makes your shop stand out from the crowd and keep people coming back?

We carry brands that no one else does.  I always make sure that we have exclusive rights within our zip code to the designers we work with. Often, we are the only shop anywhere around that has something and we also work with some designers to produce lines solely for us or special variations or color ways that only we have.

 

Do you operate on wholesale or consignment?  Do you accept submissions of handmade items from designers?  If so, what's the best way for them to approach you? 
We generally just work with wholesale terms, sometimes we try consignment, usually it is with a local artisan.  We are happy to look at line sheets or photos of work. I like email, but sending things in the regular mail is fine too.  I really need line sheets and photos to look professional with clear prices and quantities available.  If the submission looks thrown together I'm not inclined to take the work seriously.  Also, I don't always respond to everyone right away, sometimes we are taking on new lines, sometimes I am waiting for the right time to bring something new on.



What is the best thing about owning your own shop?  And the worst? 
The best thing is that I get to live and work in the same community and having my own business means that I am the boss of me, which is nice! My favorite part of the shop is that people just drop by and my kids can wander around downtown and visit with me or friends.  All the shop owners know eachother and we watch out for eachother, Newburyport is a great place to have a shop, everyone is so nice!  The worst thing is that no one writes me a paycheck, I have to be on top of sales, marketing, researching new product lines, web sales, blogging, and everything else, all the time. 



What is one lesson you can pass down to future shop-keeps who are just getting started? 
Be patient, and pick a good location.  I cannot emphasize that enough, LOCATION, Location, location.  Do some research and make sure your concept is right for the place you are going to set up shop.  Then, protect your lines, don't poach from other shop keepers and never carry anything someone else has!



I think that's great advice Kim, don't poach!  Arg, that was my biggest pet peeve as a shop owner myself!  If you're ever in MA near Newburyport, be sure to check out The Studio in person!

And, if you're a shop owner who would like to give us a virtual tour of your own store, just email me with the subject "shop tour" and let me know! 

Modish Shop Tour: Unique Freaque

Last week, as you may remember, I had a wonderful shop tour featuring the new Fact & Fancy shop in Brooklyn.  I loved it and immediately wanted to make it a regular feature here, so I sent out a call to other shop owners to share tours of their shops with us, and the first to answer?  The spunky Kay, owner of Unique Freaque, a shop located in the lower lever of one of Oak Park's (a Chicago suburb) historic row houses.  99% of their goods are hand-crafted and include lots of art and jewelry.  Let's stop on in and take a peek, shall we?

What is the name of your shop and where is it located?  How long have you been in business?
Unique Freaque, Ltd. located at 121 N Kenilworth Ave, Oak Park, Illinois 60301.  We've been in business for 6 years (est. May 2002)

What sorts of items do you sell?   Who are some of the designers you carry?
We carry original, one-of-a-kind art, jewelry and gifts by Jill Buckingham Designs, Michelle Kendrick (recycled rings), Kendra Roberts, Elizabeth Wohltman and many others!

 

What sort of mood/design aesthetic does your shop have?
The mood is unique, eclectic and inspiring - we have sculpted strong men holding up the ceiling, a fireplace, stone flooring with Scottish Thistle embedded in it, and a stenciled ceiling.  We're located in the lower level of an 1890's rowhouse, there's lots of history. 

What price range do you carry?
Our price range is $2.00 - $500.  We strive to carry  "Art Within Reach"(tm) so there's something for everyone.

What do you think makes your shop stand out from the crowd and keep people coming back?
ME!  LOL...  And our ever revolving one of a kind art, the shop ambiance, good location, artist shows, unique items, and affordable prices.

Do you operate on wholesale or consignment?  Do you accept submissions of handmade items from designers?  If so, what's the best way for them to approach you?
We work mostly on consignment.  And yes, we accept submissions of items from designers via the internet or walk in or referral from other artists.

What is the best thing about owning your own shop?  And the worst?
The best part is meeting a wide variety of unique personalities, both in customers and artists. We are in a tourist area, therefore I meet a lot of people from all over the world.  The worst part is the drive to it, I live over an hour away, and the long hours.

What is one lesson you can pass down to future shop-keeps who are just getting started?
Don't give up.

Thank you, Kay, for giving us a little glimpse into your shop!  If you're in the Chicago area, be sure to stop in and see Unique Freaque in person! 

And, if you're a shop owner who would like to give us a virtual tour of your own store, just email me with the subject "shop tour" and let me know!

Modish Shop Tour: Fact & Fancy

As promised, welcome to the first shop tour!  Today we'll take a look at fact & fancy, started by Danielle Maveal, once of fake diamond ring fame who now works for Etsy as a Community Leader, and Christine Domanic of Jack Rabbit, creator of amazing art and crochet pieces. 

Together, Danielle and Christine are a force to be reckoned with- they opened up their shop from scratch in just 6 weeks!  Let's take a closer look!


What is the name of your shop and where is it located?
It's called Fact & Fancy and is located at 75B Hoyt St (Hoyt & Atlantic), Brooklyn, NY 11201

How long have you been in business?
We opened only 3 weeks ago in Boerum Hill in Brooklyn.  We love our new neighborhood - the neighbors have been so supportive and excited!  The first weekend we opened we kept a sales tally on the chalkboard outside and asked our neighbors to be our "4th Customer, 5th customer" and so on.  It was fun.

What sorts of items do you sell?  Who are some of the designers you carry?
We sell original art, ceramics, clothing, housewares, cards, bags, tchotches.  We want to provide our customers with accessible art and craft.  Right now we're busting at the seams with 40 artists - some of the favorites are Element Clay Studio, Crankbunny Pop up Cards and puppets, Andy Eats Only Candy from Finland, Showpony from Scotland, Amazing Talking Paintings, The Runny Bunny Ceramics, Bailey Doesn't Bark (gorgeous handpainted stoneware), Hisss (crazy orignal prints), Ice Bear (also crazy original prints), Miss Mouse, Oh My Cavalier, Sarah Ogren (mixed media pieces), Brenda Rose, Michele Maule (original paintings to.die.for), handbound books by Your Secret Admiral, gems by Contrary, Clevergirl, Lotus Jewelry Studio, J.Davis Studio, Kelly Lyn Raspa, Dutch Door and Rar Rar Press.  Do you want me to continue?



What sort of mood/design aesthetic does your shop have?
Christine and I have this clean and modern design aesthetic, but mixed in with a little 70's vintage flair.  There are mustaches everywhere (Christine's own Mustache paintings are in the gallery along with giant letter-pressed mustache posters by Rar Rar press that read things like "Wanna Go for a Ride".)  We're not afraid to poke a little fun at our fancy little gallery.  We love hidden meanings and get a big kick out of a shopper laughing out loud at something they find in our gallery.  We kept the gallery mostly white so that the work would speak for itself - our creative output was handpainting the faux bois floors. People love them - we've had people biking by say they had to stop and turn around and come in just to check out the floors.  Am I rambling?  I guess I can describe our design aesthetic this way:  A white bunny wearing a mustache riding a white ceramic lochness monster through a faux bois forest.

What price range do you carry?

We start at $3.50 for postcards and go up to $380 for an original ceramic wall pillow.

What do you think makes your shop stand out from the crowd and keep people coming back?

I know we stand out, lets just hope they come back! Actually even in the short time we've been open we've had repeat customers.  There's a lot to look at - and its fun in here.  I think all our fun artists and their clever clever work will bring people coming back.  If not, I guess we can start a moonshine business on the side.

Do you operate on wholesale or consignment?  Do you accept submissions of handmade items from designers?  If so, what's the best way for them to approach you?

We are 100% consignment right now.  That means we owe it all to the artist that believed in us and our vision for the gallery.  We are always on the look out for artist who want to work with us and think they will fit in with the other work we carry.  You can just drop us an email at factandfancybrooklyn@gmail.com with a bit about yourself, your work and photos!

What is the best thing about owning your own shop?  And the worst?
The worst part (lets get this over with) is the packing peanuts.  SO MANY PACKING PEANUTS.  Unpacking new work is exciting - but with it comes clean up and in a 150 square foot gallery, not fun at all.  The best is the feeling you get when you are writing up a sale.  This piece of art made by a friend of yours is going to a new home and you get to cut the artist a check at the end of the month.  It's sort of like matchmaking.



What is one lesson you can pass down to future shop-keeps who are just getting started?
We opened up this gallery in about 6 weeks.  Literally came up with the idea, rented the space, cleaned, painted, stocked, inventoried, packed up peanuts in only 6 weeks.  My advice is get a good partner - someone who you work well with - and just get down to it.  If we did it in Brooklyn, on absolutely no savings, you can do it.  Oh and don't take yourself too seriously!  Don't sweat the small stuff, etc :)



So there you have it, a little glimpse of Fact & Fancy!  How much do you LOVE that floor?  Thank you Danielle and Christine for sharing!  And if you're in Brooklyn, be sure to stop by soon- you'll get a free mustache handkerchief (as seen above) with any purchase, while supplies last!  Also, check out their big opening party this Saturday, June 21st from 4-8pm!

Introducing, Modish Shop Tours

Today I have a really fun post to share with you all, one that will (with your help!) become a regular installment here on Modish- a shop tour!  Since you seem to enjoy the handmade spaces feature so much, I thought it'd be equally as fun to take a closer look at the shops around the country (or even world?) that sell all those handmade goods we see being created. 

If you're a traveler, you'll build up a list of shops to visit along your adventures so you can shop indie, wherever you are.

If you're a creator, you'll get insider info about how to approach those shops with selling your handmade wares.

If you're a shop owner, you'll see glimpses of other spaces that can inspire you and rev up ideas for your own shop.

And, if you just like eye-candy, you'll be in for a quite a treat!

So, next up will be the first shop tour with the brand new fact & fancy (you can see a sneak peek on this post!), a Brooklyn based gallery run by two crafty ladies that opened in only 6 weeks!  Stay tuned to see how they did it, and what their finished product looks like.

And, if you're a shop owner who sells handmade/indie/art items, and you'd like to let Modish readers take a virtual tour of your brick & mortar store, please email me with the subject "shop tour" and let me know!  I'll send along some questions, you'll send me tons of pics, together we can make it happen! :)

<3 jena