Online shopping sites that provide unique/quality items?
August 18, 2015 12:09 AM Subscribe
Please keep in mind that I don't mean random novelty items like the ones in ThinkGeek or any shop in Etsy, but websites that provide quality stuff in any of the following categories: home/decor/kitchen, stationery, clothes, accessories, beauty/skincare.
With the following:
1- They take pride in how well-made their products are, and they're definitely not gimmicky.
2- They make limited quantities of it and it changes from season to season or year to year.
3- Their products aren't necessarily available in every generic website, or department stores, but it's okay if they are.
4- Not purely ornamental, but functional, too.
Better, but not necessary: also providing worldwide shipping.
With the following:
1- They take pride in how well-made their products are, and they're definitely not gimmicky.
2- They make limited quantities of it and it changes from season to season or year to year.
3- Their products aren't necessarily available in every generic website, or department stores, but it's okay if they are.
4- Not purely ornamental, but functional, too.
Better, but not necessary: also providing worldwide shipping.
Best answer: The best know German (online) shop is Manufactum. They offer (often hand-made) high-quality items in the household, clothing and jewelry section. They buy these items from manufacturers who take pride in their craftsmenship and who want to make items which last a lifetime. The manufacturers are mainly European but you might find some from around the world.
Their online store (with international shipping) is: http://www.manufactum.com/home.html They also run physical stores in a few cities such as Munich. I have been there and their products are truly outstanding.
posted by Fallbala at 12:54 AM on August 18, 2015 [7 favorites]
Their online store (with international shipping) is: http://www.manufactum.com/home.html They also run physical stores in a few cities such as Munich. I have been there and their products are truly outstanding.
posted by Fallbala at 12:54 AM on August 18, 2015 [7 favorites]
Best answer: Thomas Eyck, Flinders, Kaufmann Mercantile, A+R Store, Ode to Things, Poketo, Brevity Jewelry.
posted by neushoorn at 1:09 AM on August 18, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by neushoorn at 1:09 AM on August 18, 2015 [4 favorites]
One trick for finding good stationery on Etsy is to search for hand printed items.
posted by yarntheory at 4:13 AM on August 18, 2015
posted by yarntheory at 4:13 AM on August 18, 2015
Best answer: Makers and Brothers curates Irish design. I think "curated store" would be a useful search term for you.
posted by Iteki at 4:44 AM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Iteki at 4:44 AM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Objects of Use: personal grooming, household, some tools. Eclectic but all the stuff I'm familiar with from other sources is top-notch. UK based. (on preview, this is your prototypical "curated store")
Japan Woodworker: top quality Japanese hand tools, kitchen knives, and gardening tools. US based.
The Best Things: kitchen knives, pens, woodworking tools. US based.
Fantes: kitchen equipment, including hard-to-find Italian imports. Broad selection. US based.
posted by mr vino at 4:50 AM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Japan Woodworker: top quality Japanese hand tools, kitchen knives, and gardening tools. US based.
The Best Things: kitchen knives, pens, woodworking tools. US based.
Fantes: kitchen equipment, including hard-to-find Italian imports. Broad selection. US based.
posted by mr vino at 4:50 AM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Kiehl's for skincare and hair products.
posted by GrammarMoses at 4:51 AM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by GrammarMoses at 4:51 AM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Terrain, although I have a sneaking suspicion that the products are more beautiful than well made. Fun to browse though.
posted by quaking fajita at 5:05 AM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by quaking fajita at 5:05 AM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: High-quality small batch skincare at Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve, everything I've gotten there has been top-notch.
posted by WesterbergHigh at 5:37 AM on August 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by WesterbergHigh at 5:37 AM on August 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Quitokeeto has a very nice, limited range of kitchen wares.
posted by bcwinters at 5:42 AM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by bcwinters at 5:42 AM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
For bags: Tom Bihn and Vaya bags. Both handmade in the US. Bihn switches colors around pretty regularly.
posted by bibliogrrl at 6:31 AM on August 18, 2015
posted by bibliogrrl at 6:31 AM on August 18, 2015
Best answer: Best Made Co
Rare Device
Leif Shop
posted by Swisstine at 9:21 AM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Rare Device
Leif Shop
posted by Swisstine at 9:21 AM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Smoking Lily. They design and make their own clothing, accessories and housewares. Everything I've bought from them has been beautiful, functional, and well made from high quality materials.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:25 PM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:25 PM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: J.W. Hulme leather goods
Faribault Woolen Mills blankets
posted by lakeroon at 8:25 PM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Faribault Woolen Mills blankets
posted by lakeroon at 8:25 PM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by mdonley at 12:51 AM on August 18, 2015 [7 favorites]