Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Zinnia

If you haven't wandered into Zinnia, you're definitely missing out on one of the funkiest, most inspiring shops in the greater Los Angeles area. Modestly described as "an artist's store," Zinnia is more like a garage sale hosted by muses. You won't find oil paints or sketch pads (well, maybe they're in there somewhere...) but what you will find are overflowing baskets, bins and shelves of interesting stuff. There are beads and trinkets, stamps and old postcards, antique keys and buttons, shells, old typewriter keys, vintage photos, ribbons, rocks, papers, mismatched door handles, doll heads, springs and some unidentifiable items that just look cool. This isn't a mere store, it's an emporium of exquisite doodads and magical bijoux. If ever there was a chance to finally use the word gewgaw in conversation, it would be here. Zinnia definitely has the gewgaw you're looking for. (And a few more you didn't know you needed.)

The last time I stopped by I couldn't resist buying a mobile made out of old chandelier crystals and a rusted house number 3. If you are nodding your head, then Zinnia is the place for you. Plus, how can you go wrong with a shop that also has classes with names like "Needle Felted Fairy" and "The Art of the Altered Page?"

Read what others say about Zinnia here. Better yet, stop by and get lost among all the treasures. (And be sure to pet the store cat. He's a sweetheart.)

12 comments:

Judy Williams said...

Oh I MUST go there on my next visit. That place sounds like a treasure trove of goodies!!!

Jean Spitzer said...

I've been there; it's fun and definitely worth visiting.

wv: mencomen

TheChieftess said...

Where is Zinnia???

GratefulTwinMom said...

Love Zinnia. I have a trip planned there for Friday with my little kids. Am I setting myself up for disaster? Thanks for always sharing about the tucked away little place in South Pas.

Cafe Pasadena said...

I've passed but never inside, LA. From the outside it appears to be a space for contagious creativity.

dbdubya said...

I was sorry to read in the South Pasadena Review today that Wine Styles is closing shop. Kathy Bergstrom had a real nice little shop that is another victim of the economy.

TheChieftess said...

Nooooo!!! I love WineStyles!!!!

Laurie Allee said...

I am so bummed out about WineStyles. Such a great shop. I hate to think of all the South Pas casualties of the recession.

Alley Cat said...

Thank you so much for the wonderful post about Zinnia, I love the description, I could not have said it better myself... though I am not sure what the word "gewgaw" is I will now, wonderful! I am glad to hear that mobile went to a good home where it is appreciated, it was made by Paul he works and teaches at Zinnia. Please say "hi" next time you stop by, keep up the good work for South Pasadena, it really is a beautiful city with a lot of cool people. Tamara, Ali Alley the "cat" and the gang at Zinnia.
PS: Ali, our cat was found in the alley next to Zinnia when we were moving in to the new space last year, she is amazing and we love her very much.

Tyn said...

Zinnia is a must for any creative soul.

Laurie Allee said...

Thanks, everyone! And Alley Cat, I'll definitely introduce myself next time I'm wandering through the wonderful piles at Zinnia.

Laurie Allee said...

Chieftess, the shop is on MIssion -- of course!