Last Minute Holiday Crush

We don't really do the gift thing in my house, except for the kids. Between my husband and I, and our extended family, the general rule of thumb is to graciously and readily accept gifts any time of year, no reason needed. We usually manage to exchange some small, meaningful trinkets during the holidays.

Although I love to buy stuff, I hate to shop. My route home from the studio takes me down Smith Street, and boy, were the windows pretty this year. I stopped into Hasker. This is the stylish home goods store that replace Zipper, an LA transplant that never really took.

Having never been in before, I was expecting the usual jumble of stinky candles and Jonathan Adler crap. Much to my surprise, I found a jewel of a store. Roomy, but not bare or sparse. Warm and inviting, but not made to look like a living room. All of the items were unique, and everything looked like it "belonged".

The biggest surprise was art. Not the usual knockoffs, cheap and highly designed production ware or or useless hipster wall junk. Real art. Little paintings. Handmade ceramics. Information about the artists.

If I had to recommend one thing to buy this weekend, it would be one of these cups by potter Tom Spleth. He calls them "profanity cups", and some of them are really profane, which I happen to appreciate. Made of delicate and durable slip cast porcelain, each is different. These not only go in the "I Wish I Thought of It First" category, I wish to hell I could even make something this witty and highly crafted. Amazing.
Needless to say, several friends will be the lucky recipients. As for me, I'm waiting until after the holidays to add them to my collection. Maybe a custom phrase. Something really really profane.

Happy whatever it is you celebrate.