A Christmas Miracle on North Street

 

I admit: I start early. And also: I could very happily click-click-click my way through the interwebs and consider it another successful season. There’s a special thrill in finding the perfect vintage track jacket on eBay, not to mention it’s a thousand times more efficient than trolling our limited assortment of secondhand and thrift shops during a hectic holiday season. I’m also, by default, an unofficial cheerleader for the BUY LOCAL! movement, so this year I set aside some time and money to hit the streets.

 

Yesterday I scoped out upper North Street, having heard about various sales. First I popped into Museum Facsimiles. Usually my go-to spot for simple, quirky greeting cards and stationery, the letterpress factory store also has an impressive selection of unique gifts:

 

SoapRocks, vibrantly colored hunks of glycerin infused with essential oils parading as semiprecious stones and crystals. Dead ringers for malachite, smoky quartz, jade, and lapis lazuli, these hand-hewn beauties melt away oh-so-slowly and look better as they do.

 

 

 

Sumptuous Olivina body lotions, which really do turn skin to silk (I tried ‘em, it's your turn). Though also available in a lush lavender scent, the plain olive formula is ideal for those seeking something a bit neutral.

 

 

 

And did you know there’s a new line of chocolate confections on the block? (Me neither.) The macadamia-cashew brittle handcrafted in small batches by H.R. Zeppelin Fine Handmade Chocolates in Stockbridge is the best of the bunch--even if you swear you don't like buttery cashews, it's been known to happen--though the Almond Chocolate Butter Crunch and Triple Layer Chocolate Mint bits are pretty good, too.

 

Museum Facsimiles also showcases jewelry from a number of local artists, including candy-colored  glass beaded jewelry; hefty vegetable paperweights; and, of course, those cards (check out the graphic Musical Instrument series, left).

 

 

 

I skipped next door to #431: Emporium, the pop-up sister shop to the Lenox Old Country Store on Church Street in Lenox. They’re both on Tumblr, so I already knew that this would be my kinda place. And really, it’s a last-minute-gift oasis, with:

 

 

--Blue Q goodies galore, colorful coin-purse owls, and a countertop of fun

and funky jewelry—glass, wire, plastic, and including magnetic UNO wrist wrappers.

 

--A selection of party games and gag gifts (Mr. Bacon vs. Monsieur Tofu action figures, for the staunch vegan crusader in your life, perhaps?), fridge magnets, silly children’s books (and a Berkshire activity guide by frequent BL contributor Christine Hensel Triantos), and more adult’s books (foul verbiage and convenient cut-outs included). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 --An array of Minc House textiles, screenprinted right across the street: “Shire” T-shirts, patterned throw pillows, and soft bird tchotchkes. It even created a logo for the 'hood!

 

 

 

Oh, and if you’ve had one heck of a time securing a pair of slip-on Jumbo Feet, well, now you know....