Bouncing Wall
Owner Kim Flanery-Rye (pictured) stocks pieces handcrafted from recycled materials. But what you'll find in this colorful space atop Queen Anne Hill is polished and pretty, not clumsy... a sort of haute handmade. Felted kids' backpacks, bicycle inner tubes made into belts, silk-screened neckties, earrings carved from skateboards, one-of-a-kind dresses with attitude--all of them blend modern utility with clean lines.
2225 Queen Anne Ave. N.; 206/285-9255.
Twilight Artist Collective
Rather than wait for their Big Break, three artists opted for real-time exposure, launching this collective to help "the little man get his stuff out there." If your personal style is eluding you, find inspiration here--from purses to headbands, ceramics to fine art. Check out the cat handbags (complete with tails) by KritterLicious. Two locations:
4306 S.W. Alaska St. in West Seattle, 206/933-2444; and 1530 Post Alley #4 in the Post Alley Market, 206/382-5520.
JayWalk
It's hard to know where to look first in this closet-size space. Tidy rows of jewelry and crafts from 50 local artisans fill drawer after drawer, which you're invited to open and explore. Vintage saltshakers and glassware sit next to wax-cast sterling necklaces by Tory Herford and Hot Cocoa's ribbon-bedecked blankets. We love Ann Lindsey's hand-stitched stuffed puppy called Dog Bless You.
Closed Mon; 1105 34th Ave.; 206/328-7776.
Velouria
When you think of Ballard, you probably don't picture anything as glamorous as this store, where the vibe is more Montmartre than Market Street. From delicate feathered hairpins to trendy tailored skirts displayed in an open, gallery-like space, everything is tres chic. Jersey essentials by Out of Line will get you in line for summer.
2205 N.W. Market St.; 206/788-0330.
