Nautical decor

[mermaidcafe.livejournal.com]

I have to buy a decent amount of nautical-themed decor/doodads for gifts: model ships, driftwood art, seashell-thingies, anchor-thingies, mermaid imagery, what have you. (I'm not sure yet exactly what all would be sold in such a place since my apartment doees not, in fact, have a nautical theme.)

I should add that this isn't for a theme party or anything--just gifts for someone who enjoys objects reminiscent of the ocean.

Aside from walking the beach with a shopping bag, does anyone have suggestions on where to go? I don't want souvenir-like stuff, but I'm open-minded otherwise.

Comments

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Although it's not in Davis proper, there's an AC Moore in Assembly Square that has lots of stuff for constructing your own decor, including nautical-themed stuff. You can get bags of seashells, netting that looks like fishnet, and probably lots of little doodads that you could use. You can take the #90 bus from Davis to get there, FWIW.

[mermaidcafe.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I might try that. Actually, I'll try TAGS first because I remember seeing some seashell-shaped candles and such there.

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

I would highly recommend IParty, which is in the Meadow Glen Mall. They have ALL kinds of party decor.

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

sorry, I read too fast and thought you said "this is for a theme party."

[mermaidcafe.livejournal.com]

No problem!

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

maybe try the museum shop at Old Ironsides in Charlestown.

[nungnung.livejournal.com]

In the same plaza as the AC Moore, there's a Christmas Tree Shop. I once did a whole nautical themed party with crap I bought there (including a 4 ft tall wooden lighthouse!). Between the two places, I think you'd be well covered!

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

I think there are some nautical art stores near the Boston waterfront, but I'm not sure they'll have what you want at the price you want.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Do you want ephemeral stuff for a party or photoshoot or art project, or do you want to buy gifts for people who do have nautical decor to add to their collections?

If you're looking for b) there is at least one cart at Faneuil Hall that sells this stuff, and Henri's Glassworks has things like "witch balls" that feature in most nautical decor.

If you're open to shopping online for goods from local crafters, MassBayTrading.com has some model lighthouses, replica ships' clocks, etc.

If you have a car and time, you can buy some amazing stuff at Tugboat Alley and some other little stores in downtown Portsmouth, NH.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

If you want to see the range of what's out there, NauticalSupplyShop.com is the online seller with the broadest selection of nautical decor tchotchkes.

[mermaidcafe.livejournal.com]

Neat! How do you know all this stuff? I'm impressed!

I'll think they and MassBayTrading.com will come in handy. If I'm at Faneuil, I'll look for the cart. I also remembered the maritime art annex at the Peabody, though I don't know if there's a shop there with anything of interest.

[mermaidcafe.livejournal.com]

It's option B, so thanks!

I'm gift-shopping for someone I don't know that well, but we're not on a nudie-mermaid pen kind of level. ;) I might end up doing some creative wrapping with ephemera so that's still of interest, but it shouldn't be pure whimsy.

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

Artefaktori on College Ave probably has some neat stuff, and Magpie may also.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_saint_cecilia_/]

I second Christmas Tree Shop. There's a huge one on Rt. 1 as well. Everything nautical you'll ever need, and then some.

[aki.livejournal.com]

Also one in... oh dear, I always forget that area's name. Between Wellington and Sullivan? I think the 91 goes past there... on 28 just on the other side of 93.

[genesayssitdown.livejournal.com]

random antique stores in small coastal towns

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

How soon do you need it? Teh Intarweb sells everything.

(I am the laziest shopper on earth.)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mattt/]

Judging by your photo, though, you're not on earth :)

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Eh, it just costs extra to ship things here to Mars. Plus, our stores suck. :-)

[mermaidcafe.livejournal.com]

No big hurry; I just wanted to start looking so I'd have time to pick out something nice. The Internets is good shopping, but I like to support local businesses. At least, er, when that doesn't require a trip to the mall. But I don't know if there are any local businesses in the mall.

[teele-sq.livejournal.com]

When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself.

[mermaidcafe.livejournal.com]

Is McDonalds in space the mark of an extraordinary life? 'Cause last I heard, it was the Ped-Egg.

If you ever find yourself in Chatham, MA...

[mamabunny72.livejournal.com]

There's a store called "Mermaids on Main"

I've never been but I read a crafty blog that mentioned it:
http://vintagebycrystal.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html
- scroll down to the "Holy Mermaid" entry

Re: If you ever find yourself in Chatham, MA...

[mermaidcafe.livejournal.com]

OMG, now I want to go there just for me. I have a mermaid thing which, strangely enough, has nothing to do with my username.

[bobobb.livejournal.com]

ok, kind of far away and not sure if it is open this time of year, but the army navy store in Provincetown has loads of that stuff.

[obie119.livejournal.com]

bobobb, I was thinking the same thing - that store is a treasure trove of nautical and then some.

[syntheticnature.livejournal.com]

If it helps at all, I have a driftwood-art bird (sandpiper maybe?) that I would cheerfully pass on to you for regifting. It's more beach-theme than nautical-theme, if it matters.

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

Ooohh! PLEASE TAKE MINE!!!

I have a 10lb bag of shells and a "genuine repurposed fisherman's net" and a bunch of other random stuff I got to accessorize my mermaid costume this Halloween. I have been meaning to post it as a freebee. Drop me email at my LJ-addy to coordinate. I live and work in S'ville.

(also, if that ends up not being enough, I got it all from Michael's, but please, take mine first!)