Where to Find L.A.’s Most Unique Gifts
If you’re in the Los Angeles area and can’t figure out what to get that person who either has everything or is in to everything, the city has a wealth of stores with extraordinary, unique gifts.
Composed of neighborhoods ranging from the bohemian to the luxurious, Los Angeles is a melting pot of artisans and the affluent. Fledgling musicians and artists create gorgeous goods to sell on the side while they make their way, and those who have already done so have countless high-end items to offer to secondhand stores. If you’re in the Los Angeles area and can’t figure out what to get that person who either has everything or is in to everything, the city has a wealth of stores with extraordinary, unique gifts. Look for the eight below in the area.
Ten Thousand Villages
What: For free trade, artisan-crafted clothes, pottery, jewelry, plants, baskets, home décor and gifts, visit Ten Thousand Villages, which features products from 131 artisan groups in 38 countries. Specifically, the store offers pieces like beaded tassel earrings from India, alpaca scarves from Peru, eucalyptus and mint shea soap from Ghana, bamboo beauty bowls from Vietnam and much more.
Where: 567 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101
Wacko
What: Advertised as a toy store, Wacko has conversation-inducing, unique accessories, ceramics, décor, toiletries, and, of course, toys. Offerings include a coloring book filled with curse words, vintage and replica lunchboxes, coin purses shaped like toads, artsy shopper bags, whimsical cookie jars and tiki mugs.
Where: 4633 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027
OK
What: OK is a store for the sophisticated modernist looking for decorative arts, tableware, jewelry, wallets, watches, wine racks and books. Who wouldn’t love receiving a mosaic shadowbox, centerpiece bowls made out of hardened and painted lava, jewel-toned glass tumblers, a brass ball puzzle or a space pen as a gift? There’s even a section for kids, with educational puzzles, vintage toys and books.
Where: 8303 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048
Cactus Gallery and Gifts
What: Owners Abraham and Sandra either make or hand pick each of the pieces in Cactus Gallery, constructed of semi-precious stones, macramé, crystals, precious metals, seeds, seed pods, bamboo, coconut, leather or suede. Other gift ideas include their tiny treasure chests, which have hinges, keyholes, stones and clasps, or South American drinking mates, crafted from a hollow gourd.
Where: 4534 Eagle Rock Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90041
Tokyo Japanese Outlet
What: Located in Little Tokyo, the Japanese Outlet sells health and beauty items, kitchen accessories, tea, dinnerware, bento boxes with matching chopsticks, Hello Kitty products, origami paper, Japanese snacks, incense, DVDs, toys and stuffed animals. Children will love the stickers, scented erasers and animal-shaped sponges.
Where: 114 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, Los Angeles, CA 90012
ReForm School
What: ReForm School is the dream realized of high school friends Billie and Tootie, who wanted to open a store filled with bright, fun items, with an emphasis on sustainable design and green living. Discover creative home accessories, furniture, journals, stationery, cards, books, original art, bath and body products, tools, kits, fabrics, clothing and jewelry inside its doors.
Where: 3902 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029
Pulp
What: This stationery store has more than cards, invitations, ribbons and gift wrap; you’ll also find moleskin journals, candles wrapped in printed glass, table topics cards, bacon-flavored mints and books. Greeting cards are expensive at Pulp, but they’re awfully pretty.
Where: 456 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Further
What: Though Further is primarily a furniture store, its accessories and gifts section is immense, exquisite and affordable. Give someone porcelain bird-shaped salt and pepper shakers, a French lady cheese grater (her skirt is the grater), a complete picnic backpack, papaya water bottles, glass tape dispensers shaped like frogs and fish or luxurious Pre de Provence French bath products.
Where: 4312 W. Sunset Blvd., Silverlake, CA 90029