Discovering Barbara Shaw’s gift shop on Bezalel Street in Jerusalem was like finding the perfect present pitstop for friends and family in Israel or abroad. With graphics that combine kitchy fun with contemporary abstract, Barbara’s textiles, pottery and glassware offer a wide range of gift giving options for that special man, woman, baby, child, friend, coworker, dinner host, parent or family member in your life – yes, the gift options are just that good. And – AND! – they’re all reasonably priced, under $50!

Below are a few of my favorite selections from Barbara, favorites that Id love to give or receive this Chanukah, or click to her English site – complete with an online shop – to peruse her complete collection yourself (and make someone very happy this holiday season

This pillow will adorn my couch one day. I love the Jaffa Orange retro-meets-Warhol print/ pattern.

Budding artists, kids included, will enjoy this portable pencil roll up with patterned notebook. There wasn’t a good pic to download but on the site you can see the opened roll with all the pencil slots. From the Seven Species collection.

UPDATE: If you’re in Jerusalem, Barbara is hosting a pre-Chanukah party at her store, 2 Bezalel Street, on December 15th. Enjoy live music, drinks, nibbles and good cheer as you stock up on some Chanukah presents for friends in Israel or abroad (with enough time to send by post). Details here.

And it turns out that like Israeli designers have a great – or should we say prophetic – outlook for the future of food because many of the finalists – including the 1st prize for Fragile salt and pepper shakers (below) – were by Israeli designers. My favorites are listed below, but check out the website for all the cool and futuristic distinguished designs from Israel and around the world.

Fragile
Salt and pepper shaker that you break apart by Mey Kahn and Boaz Kahn. Instead of destroying the work, the act of breaking it renders it usable thereby radically altering the user’s experience with the object.
1st prize

Fashion Victims
Mugs by Israeli designer Yael Kristal. Your morning coffee is victimized by the pervasiveness of fashion trends.

Turkish Coffee Set
Complete with burner, mugs, serving dishes and pitcher by Israeli designer Esli Alovi. Blending traditional practices within a modern design and commercial “kit”.

Eco Way
Ecological takeaway packaging using banana leaves by Israeli designer Tal Marco that keeps your food naturally fresh by using their natural waxy, durable and flexible traits.

For some reason I’m so tired these days – well having a head cold doesn’t help I imagine – and I find myself craving for and dreaming of coffee. Had a great cup last week at the new Cafe Joe chain that just opened here in Modiin. Joe takes their coffee very seriously. In fact, they were the first coffee place in Israel to roast their own beans. That perfectly piping hot, minimal milk-frothed, rich espresso has me still hankering for some more – and the energy boost that came along with it. So as the day winds down for me, the only thing I can do is plan my next morning cup and I scouted out some supremely fitting antique coffee mugs and saucers to do the trick. These are all available from Israeli antique auction sites (in Hebrew) and date back to Israeli ceramic coops from the 1950s through 1970s. Pretty neato, huh? I can’t tell which is more stimulating here the caffeine potential or the crazy retro patterns?!

For those of you interested in more contemporary ceramic tableware, check out the mugs by Israeli artist Efrat Gommeh. The ‘lock cup’ featured below, dissuades office coworkers from using your cup because of the drain hole which only you have the key or plug that allows you to use it! Gommeh was recently featured alongside ten other contemporary Israeli ceramicists making waves internationally at the Designboom Handle with Care exhibition in October 2007. Checkout the snapshot gallery for more amazing works for your table, home and imagination.

As the Jewish State you don’t get all the Christmas hoopla that you do in the US or UK for example. The highway to Bethlehem is lit up with Christmas lights and there are a few tree-decked areas for our Christian citizens and friends, but overall, the day passes – at work – without much fanfare. So if you’re in Israel and hard-pressed for some tree-based excitement in your home – or if you’re abroad and want the holiday spirit to never end – check out the Magic Tree from Israeli design company, FRAT which somehow is now a special gift and advertising product division of Landers Trading though the English site doesn’t mention it. So I don’t understand who’s in charge of what, and who cares because this thing is funny.

Although diminutive in size (miniature) and material (cardboard), the designers claim the Magic Tree is “a combination of art, science and creation”. And here’s why: You place the tree in in a plastic dish (provided) and pour on a liquid that is also provided in the package. Within hours, the paper balls grow into snowball-size and shape leaves/ tree decorations! Rave reviews also reveal that the Magic Tree comes with ‘leaf balls’ of various colors and little sparkles on them that glitter in the ‘wind’ (if you blow on it). And it’s fun for the whole family, especially if your irritating relatives need something to keep them occupied, and for hours. You could even insist they remain quiet until the thing is fully bloomed – which is anywhere from 2-10 hours! And for a whopping 15 NIS – approx. $3.25 USD – you can buy an entire enchanted forest and still have money left over for presents.

My only question is whether setting up the Magic Tree means you only receive miniature presents that fit under it?

Happy holidays!

All eight postings (that is a total of 32 gifts!) of the Hanukkah gift guide can be found here for your convenience.

Or alternately you can find each day listed here:

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8

Well tonight’s the first night! So if you haven’t ordered or purchased your Hanukkah gifts yet this year, you’ve got a full eight days to make it happen! And as the holiday gift guide winds to a close, above are four more incredible gift ideas and four more chances to show your love for Israel art and design, give friends and family some awesome presents and look cool yourself all at the same time!
(Clockwise, from top left)

If you lived in Israel, I would not advise buying your man these adorable asimon cuff links. Don’t get me wrong, I think they’re pretty cool and old school neato. It’s just that no one really gets that dressed over here – a suit is certainly suitable for most weddings, but be warned that many an Israeli groom dons a white mandarin collared linen shirt and jeans on his special day. And don’t even get me started on what the guests wear. So for all you dressier folk out there, please consider these retro Israeli public phone token cuff links to smarten up your man’s suit. The long-lost asimon of yore has sadly left Israel’s everyday life. Even the public phone cards are soon becoming obsolete in our on-the-go-techno-4G world. But luckily the asimon tokens are still in our vernacular, as the saying still goes, “And then the asimon fell in my head” which translates into: what? *clink* oh I get it now. So recycle an old token and turn it into a meaningful reminder for your man: call me or find me a pay phone! Available here.

So I found these totally awesome personal hygiene cases for women are by Israeli artist three green apples on etsy and it really was like an asimon falling into place. At first I thought the title was a typo – Pursonal Hygeine Case – but then i realized it’s a purse meets personal thing. Smaht (that’s Bostonian for smart). I then I was like, “Ohhhhhhh. Awesome.” I mean, how many women do you know could totally use one of these? Nearly all of my female friends and family. Because when you have to lug some gear to the powder room it requires a bit of improvising – up your sleeve; down a pocket; or into a makeshift tote. But now three green apples offers a range of funky patterned, discreet and functional pursonal cases! Almost makes you want to show it off however inappropriate that may be. Each Pursonal Case has 1 slip pocket and four tampon pockets. Available here on etsy.

Israeli artist Galia Chai has specialized in creating handmade cloth dolls for children and babies since 1995. The beautiful Angel doll featured above is hand embroidered and sewn from high quality fabrics. The colors are muted – not brash and primary – so that the entire doll has an ethereal presence that, included with its optional hanging string, makes for a magical guardian or imaginary friend for your child. For me, holiday times mean family times. And being away from most of my family is very hard, not to mention thinking about family members who are no longer alive. If I could give my daughter one wish this season, it would be for all the angels looking over her from heaven to be able to come down and kiss her, meet her, laugh with her, play with her and just make more memories with her. What an amazing gift that would be – or at least something I could tell her about in a story as Galia Chai’s protective angel us snuggled under her arm as she sleeps. Available here.

Israeli designer and optical illusionist Shahar Peleg does it again: another death defying feat of design for your home. This set of five magnetic vases appears to float above your table since the bottom half is hidden beneath your table. The vases can hold water and are suitable for both real and artificial flowers. Five aluminum vases and five metal bases per pack. Super cool – even appropriate to give a man as a housewarming present for his bachelor pad. My only problem with them is that they seem so delicate both in material and balance and I’m so clumsy sometimes that I just know I’d be knocking these over non stop… I mean, I fell face forward down my best friend’s wedding aisle. It was funny. Much later. But if that’s not in your book of embarrassing moments then these magnetic vases are for you. Available here.

Only three days left until Hanukkah begins, so check out these four incredible gift ideas before shipping time runs out:

(Clockwise, from top left)

Do not doubt that your man will love this amazing chain link wine bottle holder by multi-talented Israeli designer Shahar Peleg. It’s great a great gift for him for so many reasons. First, it’s metal. Second, it’s a big chain that you have allowed him to display in public. Third, it defies gravity (men love that). And finally, and perhaps most important, it’s magic (big boys love that too). Peleg revisits everyday objects with a fresh perspective that combines optical illusions, new takes on material and sometimes even low-tech reinvention. This Hanukkah, inspire your man to make some art out of his hardware or pick up a new magic trick. In our house, we levitate. No joke. Available here.

These hand knitted blue metallic hoop earrings will have your woman sashaying down the street with joy dangling from her ears. Israeli jewelry designer Karin Dery mixes knitting techniques, with thin woven metals and the traditional hoop earring for a dramatic but fun look that will go perfectly with everything from dark blue jeans to a camel colored trench coat. Understated, elegant, funky and different. My kind of accessory. Available here.

Who knew that the internationally renown children and baby toy brand, Tiny Love, was made and designed in Israel? I didn’t. Nor did I know that the whole Gymini baby developmental play mat was their 1992 break out invention. “The careful design and high quality of the toys have won their products numerous awards and honors worldwide: ‘Gymini’ – the original ‘Tiny Love’ activity gym, has sold more than 4 million units – and was even displayed at Pompidou Center in Paris.” Wow. Imagine your child playing with artwork from the Pompidou Center. Now that’s more than Baby Einstein inspiring. It’s more like Baby Duchamp. Above, the new Activitot Tropic Isle developmental play mat. Available here.

You may think it impossible to decorate your home with ideas and beauty but that’s exactly what Israeli designer Tal Gur has done with his Zer 1 or bouquet (for or of) 1. This beautifully handcrafted aqua colored polyethylene vase is suitable for one flower, leaf, dried branch, stalk – well, you get the picture. Gur is one of Israel’s leading designers using the rotational molding technique – one that lends an individual and unique finish to each piece he creates. Which is amazing but also ironically, considering that Gur now lives on a kibbutz. The challenges of which – the ideology of sameness, shared property and collective identity – seem to express themselves in his artwork. I wonder if that’s even allowed… Gur’s 2000 journey to the Far East inspired many of his more recent works, which explains the pared down simplicity but wholeness of the vase. After all, even with one flower or branch or whatever, the vase still fulfills its purpose no? Ohm. Available here.

Seven days left until Hanukkah and four more incredible gift ideas at your disposal:
(from top left, clockwise)

* Please note: all items are available for purchase online. Links provided below.

Just because your man has a jobby job these days, doesn’t mean he’s no longer cool. Remind him of his hipper, younger times with this vinyl record business card holder by Israeli design studio Groovy. The humorous creations of Tel Aviv-based Groovy designers Dannit and Yinnon Simhi utilize recycled materials and readymade objects within a “special combination of retro and active.” This holiday season, make his cubicle synonymous with cool. Available here.

Warm up your woman with these plush, fleece bootie/knee high slippers by the luxurious Israeli fashion and accessory designer Sharon Brunsher. Available in black, grey and even red, Brunsher’s Fall/Winter collection is inspired by Paris, romance and falling in love. The material is textural, rich, soft and downright sexy. Extra padding in the sole, means even more cozy comfort for her soul. Available here.

Immortalize your kids in this playful, handmade picture frame by Israeli craft artist Irushka where a sweet giraffe nuzzles a rich wooden base. Not too childish and not too babyish, this 3D frame easily makes a sophisticated statement either displayed on your mantle or hung in your child’s room. It says: I’ve got taste (and good looking kids). Available here on etsy.

Heading home for Hanukkah? Imagine the shockwaves you’ll send when you place this serving plate from Groovy Israeli design studio on your family’s Martha Stewart-perfect holiday table. This glass plate set atop two small pewter hammers will break convention and open conversation – the perfect gift for someone with a sense of humor and a bit of moxey in their design taste. Available here.

Recently spotted on Design Milk is this new credenza/bookcase from Israeli-born designer Ilan Dei. His new Namibia Line, “where the desert meet the sea” (sic), was launched just this week as part of his Art.Nature.Technology (A.N.T.) concept. The wooden table and detail featured above demonstrate Dei’s talent for combining mid-century Modernism with Japanese-trained woodworking. The rich wood – the line features walnut, mahogany and even zebra wood – provides color, texture and luxury while the details of dripping water, rippling waves or sand dunes in the woodwork make it so much smarter. I love (love) clever combinations of texture and material. It’s so hard to find in mid-range, commercial furniture. So you can imagine how low my jaw dropped when I saw Dei’s new line – by which I mean his furniture, not the typo in the tagline.

Overall, his aesthetic seems to perfectly balance colorful and tasteful, playful and elegant and retro and contemporary in products ranging from lighting and furniture to wall decals and interior design. In 2000, Dei received the Outstanding Merit Award from the National Association of Store Fixture Manufacturers (NASFM) for his design and construction of Oliver Peoples boutique retail store in Soho, New York. More recently, Dei was a finalist in the ASFD 2005 Pinnacle Awards for the Windows of Style bedroom collection, exclusively designed for Creative Elegance.

Dei’s studio is based in Venice Beach, California but I’m hoping he’ll consider creating some pieces for the Israeli furniture market – to improve the state of things around here. And if not, maybe he’d consider doing just my home.