BEST FRAMING STORE 2006 | 422 Fine Furniture and Framing | Shopping & Services | Phoenix
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BEST FRAMING STORE

422 Fine Furniture and Framing

If you've been to a Valley gallery recently, there's a good chance that you saw some fine work, and we're not necessarily talking about the art thanks to John Kitts' custom framing store. The store provides professional services for artists, galleries, and corporate and private collections. Frames are handcrafted and milled in the shop. These people are so good that they possess exclusive rights to build and design the Weston Series frames for Kim Weston's center in Carmel, California. The main room features rotating photography shows opening with receptions every third Friday, and a tiny office houses silver gelatin prints from photography legends Alfred Stieglitz and Brett Weston. 422 also designs and builds contemporary furniture including cabinets and tables, as well as unique art displays such as sculpture pedestals and rare book stands.

BEST HIPSTER KNIT HANGOUT

Jessica Knits

Swatch out! There's a new kid in town, and "her" name is Jessica. This recent addition to Valley knit shops is a much-needed breath of fresh air with a warm, well-organized feeling. Yarns are attractively arranged in traditional baskets and bins throughout the store. Everywhere you look, the latest titles in knitting literature are prominently displayed, so you can gain inspiration while sneaking a touch of the latest cashmere. Comfy sofas provide another good reason to stay a while, and the communal work table always seems to be buzzing with a generous cross section of the new knitting generation. Even the Web site is a tribute to modernity. Jessica Knits successfully creates a cool environment where men, women, and children of all skill levels feel comfortable and welcome. The stitch is back!

BEST KNITTING KNOW-HOW STORE

Arizona Knitting and Needlepoint

Packed to overflowing with cool yarns and fibercraft implements, this Old Town Scottsdale staple is to local knitting stores what Durant's is to Phoenix restaurants. In terms of yarn selection, you won't find a more extensive array of commercial and hand-spun fibers. And while that's a definite plus, the thing that keeps yarn fanatics going back to AZ Knitting is the wealth of knowledge that dwells within this stitchin' grotto. You'd be hard-pressed to stump owner Rebecca with a project question, and if she's occupied (she has a legion of fans in fact, she refuses to give out her last name, because she'll get calls at home from eager knitters), her staff is among the friendliest and most helpful of any Phoenix business, graciously imparting "purls" of wisdom upon the masses.

BEST CERAMIC STORE

Marjon Ceramics

A trip around this under-the-radar west-side shop quickly puts those overpriced pottery stores scattered around the Valley into immediate and lesser perspective. You'll know a potter's truly devoted to ceramics if he or she mentions Marjon's. It's hard to imagine a better selection of pottery wheels, molds, bisque wear, glazes, and, of course, the magical clay itself. But this joint ain't just for pros. If, like us, you utterly lack talent and experience, fear not. Buy an already "fired" mold, glaze it on the spot, and the staff will stick it in a kiln for you. Or better yet, take it home and paint it at your leisure. The results are guaranteed to make you appear "artistic." Maybe.

BEST BEAD SHOP

Beads Galore

You'll want to leave your purse in the car before entering this bead store (no large bags are allowed for fear you'll "accidentally" drop a few beads inside), but don't forget your wallet! Putting a crafter without cash in Beads Galore would be like shoving a plate of tiramisu in front of someone who just had gastric bypass surgery. This store a staple at the gem show held each winter in Tucson packs in a massive selection of bead strands, from freshwater pearls to malachite and jade to exotic baubles of carved bone and wood. The smiling staff is always ready to assist in picking good color combinations or point you in the direction of basics like wire and spacers. We've spent hours digging through the bulk bins for just the right shade of periwinkle Czech glass flowers, or drooling over semi-precious strands. When we had a question about some vintage beads we hadn't even purchased at Beads Galore, a staffer led us through a hallway to the back office, where Bernie, the proprietor, sat at a desk. He fingered the strand for a moment, then rattled off the bead, country of origin and year created. This is a bead shop that won't just string you along!

BEST FINDINGS

S II Findings

If you actually know what the term "findings" means, then you've come to the right category because our guess is that many of you won't, even if you've delved into the world of beading. It took us months before we figured out the term; we were too busy buying beads at gem shows, bead shops, on eBay. Then one day we realized we had pounds of beads, but no way to wear them. That's where findings come in clasps, wire, loops, tools all the stuff you use to make the stuff you wear. S II only sells wholesale, so you've gotta be hard-core (or, like us, have a friend who is), but trust us it's worth it for the friendly service, wide selection and great prices. And finally, you'll be able to display those cool vintage Czech buttons you bought in the middle of the night online last winter.

BEST GROOVY PAPER STORE

The Paper Studio

This place is a paper slut's dream and if you don't think such a person exists, head over to the Paper Studio, and you'll see them wandering the aisles, fingering the handmade paper and super-cute stationery. This store is a cut above the rest, featuring a gallery with rotating exhibits, and classes on topics including letterpress, papermaking and Polaroid transfers. You'll be hard-pressed to find a better paper shop!

BEST BASIC PAPER STORE

Xpedx Paper and Graphics Store

If you're looking for the basics for hot pink envelopes with matching paper or brown paper bag cardstock head to Xpedx, where we've found the biggest selection and the friendliest staff in town. Call ahead; this place keeps odd hours, probably aimed at big business more than the little person (the store opens and closes early), but even you, looking for just one ream of pale pink paper that will offset your newborn's face just so, will get great service, good prices, and the prettiest paper we've found.

BEST RUBBER STAMPS

Phoenix Rubber Stamp Company

We love stamps. Not the cutesy ones you can buy at the craft store, but the kind we make ourselves sort of with the help of the kind folks at the Phoenix Rubber Stamp Company. Did you know that you can take your kids' artwork (or your own, for that matter), Xerox a black copy and get a stamp made out of it? You can, and at this place you can do it in almost every size. Okay, so now our holiday cards won't be quite so original, but we figure Best of Phoenix is all about sharing the love.

BEST SCRAPBOOK SUPPLIES

Mystic Paper at The Peddler's Wife

Scrapbooking has practically eclipsed baseball as the national pastime. There are scrapbooking clubs, scrapbooking newsletters, even sold-out scrapbooking conventions. When's the last time you saw a full house at a Diamondbacks game? Mystic Paper may not be the largest scrapbooking store in the area, but it's always well-stocked, and with the antique store in front, you can pick up a couple of old tintype photos or antique advertisements to lend authenticity to your keepsake. There's a huge assortment of printed papers and vellum, punches, die-cutouts and cute little knobs shaped like door handles. The reason we love this shop so much is that the staff's friendly craft ideas are (mostly) idiot-proof. So, guys, next time you're looking to impress your wife or girlfriend, grab a fistful of photos and get some supplies from The Peddler's Wife. Chocolates melt, flowers die, but a handmade scrapbook is forever.

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