I came during an after-hours event and the shop was great!…read moreThe gems and crystals seem appropriately priced. When you purchase any gems or crystals you have to write down on one of their pieces of paper what and how many your purchasing with the price. They also have a large selection of incense, small tubes, and dried herbs. I had a great time looking through their collection. The owner and employees were super helpful and knowledgable.

Very helpful staff, lovely books, crystals, cards, incense. We wandered in just to look around, and…read morefound really interesting things to purchase. We will visit again soon.

A true Madison gem! This lovely shop has the perfect blend of thoughtful gifts, useful kitchen…read moretools, and little ways to "treat yourself"! I probably visit this shop every couple of months and rarely leave empty handed! The thoughtfully curated and well organized candle department is usually my first stop. Lots of variety, a recent favorite is the "supper club" collection. Lots of classic Wisconsin themes! There are gifts for all ages, from infant toys and books to puzzles and cooking kits. The kitchenware is an impressive range, everything you need to expand your skills, store your goodies, or spice up your presentation. Basically, you have to stop in-it's totally worth it! Also, the wonderful staff have gone above and beyond to create a safe and protective shopping experience during this crisis. Please respect them, give space and keep those masks over your nose!

I used to LOVE this store. Adorable and eclectic gifts, great location, pretty darn charming. In…read morethe past, my experiences with the employees were also pretty darn charming, or at least satisfactorily neutral. The last time I was in the store, however, I was made to feel chastised and unwelcome, and while I recognize that this is a very personal response to an impersonal slap down, it left me feeling so stung that I doubt I'll return. What happened was this: I needed a new pair of reading glasses, and I'd gotten the most adorable Peepers from this store in the past. It was 5:50pm, and I saw on their door sign that they closed at 6pm. Great! I thought. I'll pop in and grab a pair. Immediately upon entering, one employee said, "You know we close in ten minutes." "Got it! I'll be quick!" I replied. I went to the rack of glasses, considered a few pairs, and checked the fit in the little mirror on the rack. In that little mirror, I could see the employee behind me, who was frowning and rolling her eyes in exasperation, mouthing to her fellow employees on the other side of the room that , "No, not yet, she's still here." Yikes, I thought, checking my watch. It was 5:55pm, so I chose a pair and went to the register. One last thing--I wanted to get an e-cloth, a product a different employee had recommended to me the last time I was there. I mentioned this to the employee as she grouchily said, "Will that be all?" She huffed, "Well, the e-cloths are in a different part of the store." She strode off, and I said, "Any one will do!" She said, "No, just come pick the one you want." She proceeded to lead me to a section of wash cloths and sink cleaning scrubby brushes? When I explained that no, I was looking for a microfiber cloth to clean the lenses of the glasses with, and that they used to be stocked at the register, she huffed again and said, "Well, they're not anymore, are they? Also, we're just about to close...?" I bought the glasses, walked out the door, and checked my watch. 5:59pm. But golly, those nine minutes I spent in their store, encroaching on what I assume was their rush to be done and escape their pesky customers, left a bad taste in my mouth that nine days later still hasn't left. Which is a bummer. As I said, I really liked that store. Problem is, the cutest merchandise in the world can't make up for poor customer service.

This little shop has some cute gifts, jelly cats, and knick knack items. The employees were…read morefriendly and helpful. Some items were a little pricey but it's good if you're looking for something to give a friend and can't think of anything.

It's a cute gift shop, but overpriced and the owner is extremely tempestuous. Enter at your own…read morerisk!

A one-of-kind store in Madison, on Monroe Street…read more Owners Natalie & Mike do it all - screen print amazingly fun tees, Natalie sews fun-tastic skirts & pants & upcycles other cool clothing items she finds. The first Friday of every month, they host a fun community evening with various local artists. It's an eclectic mix of fun stuff: jewelry, purses, candles, cards, clothing ... and Mike designed a very cool card deck and just released a book called Folk Horror Stories of North America (he's lived in several haunted houses). Check it out! I get endless compliments on the clothing & other items I've bought here

This place was super cute and fun if you're looking for a unique gift...though I admit, a number of…read morethe fun gift items were a bit...inappropriate (language related)....things you can't give your in-laws, parents, etc, but still fun. There are interesting clothes and accessories (wearable and for the home) and friendly staff. If something unique is what you're after, stop in!

This is a dreamy shop that speaks to the uniqueness of Monroe Street and Madison. I was on my way…read moreto coffee after picking up some yarn on Monroe Street (don't let the roadwork keep you away!) and as I walked by Calabash Gifts pairs of hand-painted sneakers/tennies in child sizes caught my eye. Too adorable for words, and from Johannesburg, S. Africa. Had to have them for a 2 year old in the family who loves her shoes. The shopkeepers are old school in a way: it's their shop and they have a personal connection to the gifts, very knowledgable about their provenance. Pictures arrive of the 2 year old -- she approves of the new shoes and boy are they cute on her. Thank you, Calabash Gifts -- you are now my favorite!

Locally owned by a lovely couple who stock their shop with fair trade art and home decor pieces,…read morewhich predominantly come from South Africa and its surrounding nations. One of my favorite wedding gifts, a beaded set of salad spoons, came from here. The owners, who are originally from SA, know many of the artisans (and applicable history and cultural traditions) who created the weavings, wall hangings, beadwork, jewelry, etc. they sell. The owners are happy to help you find a unique gift and answer any questions you may have. Highly recommended!

I am weird when it comes to lotion and body oils -- I hate the greasy feeling that they usually…read moreleave. I have been known to apply lotion and then wash it off my hands! Somehow Perfect Imperfections' owner Jasmine Banks has found a secret formula for all her lotions and oils that is super moisturizing but not greasy! I met Jasmine a while back and have heard her story of the creation of Perfect Imperfections a couple times. I love the concept of creating something beautiful out of sadness, and her products are so pure and natural. I have tried the lavender body oil, the whipped body butter, and the lotion bar. I love all of them. My favorite is probably the body butter, because the scent of cocoa butter reminds me of my family. It absorbs into the skin so quickly. The body oil and lotion bar are also very moisturizing for Wisconsin winters! I sent some products to my mom as well and she loved them, especially since her favorite scent is lavender. I will probably run out of these soon, as dry as the winters here are, and I can't wait to see what new products Jasmine will have by then!

I first discovered Perfect Imperfections earlier this winter at the Femmestival at Garner Mill. It…read morewas hard to pass by her stall and not stop because it smelled so good! I immediately need to see her products right away. There's a variety of soaps, candles, body bars, body oils, scrubs, and more! I ended up purchasing the hand poured wax candle in Lavender Lullaby and my friend a body butter. We loved both! the candle burned beautifully and I'm a real sucker for lavender scented things, this one had a great scent!