Visit: Arts ReStore LA

Snapshots from my visit to the Hammer Museum's Arts ReStore LA in Westwood. This is the last weekend it will be open with all the amazing artists and makers.

Shown: Iko Iko, Tanya Aguiñiga, Ermie x Weltenbuerger, Heather Levine Ceramics, Dosa Mercantile and Give Good Art.

Arts ReSTORE Charity Event: Handmade Bowl + Cup Party

If you're in Los Angeles this weekend: Heather Levine is hosting a benefit for Inner-City Arts. It's the closing weekend of the Arts ReSTORE LA in Westwood, so if you haven't yet made it, this is a great incentive to check out all the amazing talent and goods . 

With each $45 ticket purchased, you received a one-of-a-kind ceramic piece from one of the LA potters listed above, a gift from Handsome Coffee Roasters and The Granola Project.

There is also a $5 raffle for a sculpture made by the students at Inner-City Arts, a ceramic table lamp from Heather Levine and a gift from Clark & Madison.

Tickets can be purchased here. Anyone is welcome to come to the event for free, but to receive the gifts and to support a wonderful organization that offers Art Education to Inner City Kids, please consider a ticket purchase.

Saturday, November 23rd, 6:00-8:00 pm

Arts ReSTORE LA | 1000 Westwood Blvd., Westwood, CA 90024

Temescal Alley | Part 1

A couple of weekends ago, I took a visit to Temescal Alley in Oakland. The main area is a pocket of two car-free alleys off of Telegraph and 49th Avenue with retailers, eateries and galleries converted from former horse stables turned carriage houses. Much of the goodness spills onto Telegraph, is easily accessible by BART's MacArthur Station and walkable from one place to another, creating a neighborly village vibe.

1. Esqueleto is an afternoon light-filled shop with a dreamy desert-meets-the-sea airiness curated by Lauren Wolf. The shop displays its jewelry, accessories and art in vintage glass cabinets and rustic wood/iron tables. Items include Lauren's eponymous line as well as Satomi Kawakita, Melissa Joy Manning, Emily Counts and vintage jewelry, Job & Boss Shibori and Oaxacan Woven bags, artist Patrick Dunaway prints, Michelle Quan porcelain and stoneware bells and hangings, Heather Levine ceramic hangings, rugs, pillows, Ally Maser dream catchers and findings such as petrified tree branches, gem rocks, shark teeth, pottery, animal skulls and succulents.
shopesqueleto.com | 482 49th Street, Oakland, CA 94609

2. Doughnut Dolly is a neighborhood favorite, often selling out before the end of the day with a line out the door down the alley. Owner, Hannah Hoffman was inspired by Doughnut Plant in NYC (yum!) and London's take on the treat. Through the help of a Kickstarter campaign, she launched the Doughnut Dolly shop. Hannah makes custom filled-to-order doughnuts including her signature Crème Fraîche Vanilla Bean "Naughty Cream" and a rotation of deliciousness like Mexican Chocolate, Malted Coffe Cream, Bourbon Cream and seasonal jams.

doughnutdolly.com | 482 B 49th Street, Oakland CA 94709

3. Book / Shop is one of those places that you could easily lose time in just perusing the collection of vintage books and independent magazines with great names such as "Gratuitous Type" and "Day Job" or admiring art like literary clay busts by Jason Polan and author-related poster prints or coveting handmade bookshelves, book-holders, reading lamps, book-bags and other reading related accessories. One thing I was particularly in awe over was "Absorene" a paper and book cleaner that absorbs dust, dirt, smoke and film. Pretty cool.
book---shop.com | 482 D 49th Street, Oakland CA 94709

4. Minds Eye Vintage is a perfectly refined selection of clothing and accessories by Sarah Rainey and Maya Messoriano. 
mindseyevintage.com | 486 49th Street, Oakland CA 94609 

co-owner Brad Roberts with customer Kilian Betlach

5. Temescal Alley Barbershop is a rare spot honoring the art of traditional barbering with straight razor shaves and beard trims in an old school setting, complete with classic hex tiles and vintage haircut images on the walls. It's a friendly environment where you can even loosen up by slinging back a shot of whiskey - which kindly is available while you wait.

temescalalleybarbershop.tumblr.com | 470 B 49th Street, Oakland CA 94609

6. Homestead Apothecary washes you over with good vibes and relaxation the second you walk in. They support local farmers, practitioners and makers for healing herbs, oils, formulas, soaps and the like. The shop also serves as a community hub for workshops and events that revolve around wellness. 

homesteadapothecary.com | 486 C 49th Street, Oakland CA 94609

This is Part 1 of the visit. Next up are several more retailers, eateries and upcoming happenings!

More & Co.'s "You're Too Kind" Collection

images via More & Co.

More & Co. is both a creative studio and a retail shop based in Portland, Maine. On the retail side, they rotate a thoughtfully curated selection every few months. Not only do they find the loveliest of home goods and wearables, but they also work with artists / makers to create pieces just for the collections. It started with their "Go Play" collection this summer celebrating items for kids of all ages, then "Wild, Natural, Free" with organic, hand-crafted selections and most recently, "Cosmic" riding the theme of a space odyssey.

This past weekend, More & Co. opened their holiday gift collection, "You're Too Kind" at their brick and mortar location. And today their online shop is up now through December 22nd. Like every compilation before, each piece is useful, beautiful and a timeless treasure.
More & Co. Shop | 112 High Street, Portland, ME 04101

Native Funk and Flash by Alexandra Jacopetti Hart

Native Funk & Flash by Alexandra Jacopetti Hart, photos by Jerry Wainwright, published by Scrimshaw 1974 | apologies for my bad night pics

The book Native Funk and Flash by Alexandra Jacopetti Hart is a collection of folk art from the sixties and seventies - mostly embroidery and fabric patchwork. It's been a source of inspiration for me for many years, and until recently it's been out of print. I had no idea that there was such a large appreciation and following of this book, until I saw on Gravel and Gold that there will be a few upcoming events this weekend for it with Alexandra! I wish I could be in San Francisco for it all. 

Saturday, November 16th at 4pm

S.F. MOMA at Neptune Society Columbarium | 21 Loraine Court, San Francisco CA 94118

Alexandra will be discussing her career in fiber arts and screening of Ben Van Meter's film, "The Saga of Macramé Park"

tickets available here

Sunday, November 17th at 5:30pm

Gravel & Gold | 3266 21st Street, San Francisco CA 94110

Alexandra will share stories and images of Native Funk & Flash artists, followed by a reading from the book. Everyone is encouraged to dawn their own funk & flash!

Ten pieces from her personal collection of embroidered and woven garments from the book will be displayed there through November 21st.

You can purchase new editions of the book at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.