Fussy Gussy is so freakin' awesome! I bought a few potholders from her at the bazaar in the…read morebasement of the Unitarian church up in Harvard Sq. this past Xmas season... they were so adorable and amazingly well put-together, I couldn't resist. I was supposed to be out shopping for family and friends, but these were just for me. Everything is handcrafted and made with love. Definitely check out her wares online. FUSSY GUSSY RAWKS.

Fussy Gussy has been around for a year. She haunts craft bazaar's (only the best of the best)…read moreBuckaroo's Mercantile and Magpie. Soft sewn satchels, potholders, placemats, pillows, all of the things you realize you have to have! upon first sight... why? because they will make your life better. The schtick of F.G. is fabric fabric fabric (paired with the gifted designer's meticulous and tasteful knack/crusade for perfection) They are more than kitsch they are revved up hummina hermana- muy caliente- retro- new wave -goodness...think the Gabor sisters before Hollywood squares, Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra with bustin' out cleavage... or maybe more like Charro if she weren't annoying and lived in silent movies. This upstart is moving along and I am thankful to be around for the beginnings. fussygussy.etsy.com

My daughter was asking for a simple silver ring after her friend showed up with a snake ring at…read moreschool. She was looking at some rings online but I was unsure about the quality and I always prefer to support local business. First we stopped by a different store in the center and they did not have any good quality rings so we kept going down mass Avenue towards the Heights until we got to the Artful Heart. I remembered from buying a sun hat at their old location that they had a good selection of jewelry. The location is about the same size as the old location. Maybe a tiny bit smaller. I would not necessarily call it a gallery, although they do have some pieces of art. It specializes in costume jewelry and small gifts. Lots of the jewelry is not quite my style, but my daughter was able to find a simple silver heart knot ring for about $25. While we were in the store, the person behind the desk was very friendly and sweet. One of my favorite songs came on the radio and it turns out it is one of her favorite as well and she has seen them live. Bottom line is that I would recommend the Artful Heart Gallery as a good local shop for purchasing gifts for people who like jewelry (including yourself!).

The Artful Heart is the successor to whatever gift shop previously occupied this space. I've been…read morepeering in the window at the "opening soon" sign for several weeks and finally as I wandered by today with another in tow, they were open! According to the owner, they've been open for more more or less 3 days. Both she and the other two ladies running the shop (one was her daughter?) were extremely pleasant and helpful, and invited us to their "grand opening" cocktail party on Friday. I don't know if I'll go, but if you read this in time and want to check them out... I am sure you are invited too. The goods are a mixture of OOAK art, art prints, unique 'gifty' things, scarves, pottery, and lots of jewellery. The concept behind the store seems to be a mixture of showcasing local artists and selling regular but unique goods. It's a little Etsy-ish, although I don't think you'll find anything as outrageous or weird here as you would on Etsy. I did not look at or enquire about the prices of the art, but everything else seemed to be roughly in the $20-$100 price range depending on the item... for instance, I bought a necklace that cost about $60, but a similar but less elaborate version of the necklace (pendant only) was somewhere around $20. The store reminds me a little bit of Firefly Moon, but with a better location and a slightly better selection (not to condemn FM in any way- they are a lovely store as well). My first impression is that I like them and I hope they flourish in Arlington Center.

If you love jewelry it is a great shop to visit while in Harvard sq. They have a lil bit for…read moreeveryone's taste. Always great staff.

Popped in here for the first time yesterday after walking by the store hundreds of times. Loved the…read moreselection of jewelry from various vendors from different parts of the country. Prices are very affordable and range from about $5+. Hope the jewelry lasts and doesn't tarnish!

Friendly + helpful staff and a good arrangement of stuff. I got an essential oil here that gets me…read moretons of compliments on my scent

I've shopped here quite a few times and have ALWAYS gotten top-tier customer service. This shop is…read morevery welcoming with a great variety of items for your craft, I highly recommend it.

Kudos to Curate for braving the pandemic and bringing a new gift shop to Cushing Square at a…read morechallenging time! It's conveniently located in the heart of the Square near Savino's, Ovenbird, and the Spirited Gourmet, my other favorite neighbor businesses. Curate is a bright little shop with a variety of classy and fun gifts, stationary, and home items that change with the seasons. I usually pop in to buy a card and a chat with the owner. I've found gifts for hosts, housewarmings, and occasions in between. I especially like their candle selection, many of which are soy based. They carry amazing scents from a small business in Rhode Island, with candles and lotions that smell exactly like the seashore. After a cousin fell in love with one of them, I bought a bagful at the end of the season clearance to treat relatives to a scent party. They also carry British Christmas crackers when in season (like now!). These are so hard to find! The crackers (beautiful wrapped cylinders that pop open when pulled to reveal little gifts) delighted my family when I brought them to our holiday gatherings last year. (Note that crackers contain a tiny amount of gunpowder and technically can't go on a flight, something I had tried before...!) Curate's products tend towards the classy side with mid to higher prices to match. Sometimes I just go to poke around and see what's new. They have some baby gifts and customized items for Belmont and Watertown, but if you want a wider selection, I would go elsewhere. The owner has also kindly offered to order things that I couldn't find directly in the shop, but I haven't tried that option yet.

I found a very thoughtful selection of gifts and items I wanted for myself at Curate. The…read moreshopkeeper was personable and friendly but not intrusive. I look forward to seeing what other treasures are offered from this shop.

Gifts at Peppermint Place is absolutely adorable and supports a great cause!!…read more I stopped in on a whim trying to waste time before an appointment. They had really cool glass pieces hanging in the store front and I was looking for a gift for my super artsy bridesmaid. They sell local art, jewelery, crafts, knick-knacks and furniture - some even made by residents of Beaverbrook (a non-profit program for adults with disabilities). In fact, the store itself is a training module for its residents with developmental disabilities,helping them transition into the workplace with some confidence and skills. Everything is unique and I would highly recommended bringing your business there. Why not get some totally awesome art and do something good while you're at it?!

They have a lot of different things and at good prices. Last year I went in right before Christmas…read moreto do a little gift shopping and I managed to find some cute things to give as presents and a little something for myself. If you like stores like 10000 villages, you should check this place out.

An amazing little store. If you like pretty items for your home or as a gift, this is your place. I…read moregot a couple of shell shaped plates as a gift and it was a homerun. My friends loved it. I also got some items for our home. Some may complain that the store isn't cheap. Got to Marshall's or Walmart if you want cheap. Crane and Turtle is very reasonably priced considering the beauty and quality of their selection.

This is the most beautiful, airy shop with carefully-curated japanese goods! You will want to stay…read morein there forever because so many beautiful objects will catch your eye. Everything is hand-selected by the owners, Mieko and Rook. I bought a Japanese broom and dustpan which I have always wanted, but I was a little worried about the practicality. Just as Rook promised, it works perfectly. And it is soft. I will never go back to sweeping with a non-japanese broom! They also have a gorgeous online store, and I heard that they are planning some matcha tea parties soon!

I was able to discuss with the owner about attending a class in their place. I found the place…read moreclean and inviting. If you are looking to find sewing materials, machines, etc I would check this place out. Two thumbs up!!

Gather Here is much more than a typical fabric shop, it's a vibrant community hub for crafters in…read moreCambridge. True to its name, the store fosters a warm, inclusive environment where people can gather to create. They stock an impressive range of high-quality fabrics and supplies from famous brands for sewing, knitting, embroidery, and other fiber arts. Beyond just selling materials, their real standout feature is the fully-equipped studio space available for rent in the back. This area contains professional-grade machinery, like industrial sewing and embroidery machines, that most people don't have at home, allowing makers to tackle ambitious projects at very reasonable hourly rates. The staff are exceptionally knowledgeable and supportive, always willing to help beginners or offer advice to seasoned crafters. This community focus extends to their extensive schedule of workshops and classes for all skill levels, which aligns with their mission to be a welcoming space for everyone. Whether you need specific supplies, access to specialized equipment, or friendly guidance to start a new hobby, Gather Here is an invaluable and inspiring resource for the local creative community.