With its collection of international textiles and accessories, the shop at the George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum gives you a chance to do holiday shopping without ever leaving Foggy Bottom. The space is filled with handmade, sustainable products, many of which are one-of-a-kind or tied to charitable initiatives.
Director of Retail Operations Chabrina Williams took George Washington Today on a tour and handpicked holiday gift ideas for members of the GW community. Some of these items resemble the rare Japanese textiles found in the museum’s current exhibition “Bingata! Only in Okinawa.” Take a look at what the shop has in store below.
Lucky Kimono Cat, $12.50: We can’t think of cuter stocking stuffers than these cheery good-luck cats. The best part? They are made out of up-cycled kimonos from Japan.
Mudpuppy Cooper Hewitt Design Patterns Constructible Set, $13.99: Get your loved ones in touch with their artistic side using this design set, which features 25 interlocking shapes that you can use to create all kinds of mini 3-D sculptures.
The Unemployed Philosophers Guild Disappearing Civil Liberties Mug, $16: For your politically oriented friends with a sense of humor, pick up this heat-changing coffee mug—the Bill of Rights print disappears when you pour hot liquid inside.
Fred & Friends Light-Up Koi Toy, $16.50: Consider this low-maintenance fish for the friend who doesn’t have time to take care of a pet. As soon as it touches the water, the toy lights up, making it a great pool or bath time trinket.
Lucia’s Imports Skinny Tie, $20: Lucia’s Imports is a company that partners with Guatemalan families and artists to produce sustainable, fair-trade crafts and accessories. Items like this up-cycled tie are not only sleek, but they also help Guatemalans earn a living wage.
Bingata-Printed Wrapping Cloth, $28: The colorful tradition of bingata—a style of resist-dyeing—originated in the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa. The museum has an exhibition about bingata now, and you can gift a little piece of it to someone you care about thanks to this lovely wrapping cloth.
Tactile Craftworks Leather Flask, $48: This Wisconsin-based crafting company specializes in artisanal leather goods. Their products, such as this 16-ounce, hand-carved flask with an etching of Washington, are built to last.
One of Each Leather Wallet, $198: Made in Cape Town, South Africa, each of these leather zip-around wallets comes in a one-of-a-kind style. The shop also has clutch purse versions available for $98.
Hülya Özer Resin Bead Necklace, $298: Textile artist Hülya Özer makes unique jewelry designs using Turkish lacing traditions. To splurge on fashionistas on your list, purchase one of her custom-made statement necklaces.
