Inside Pop-Cycle, 422 N. 4th Ave., the operative word is "upcycling." The shop carries a dizzying array of delightful items manufactured from discarded materials. Imagine clocks made of old vinyl LP covers, Scrabble tile rings, hand-sewn pouches, and bottle cap necklaces. Here I fell in love with a sweater monkey made by Friends of Socktopus. Founders Jennifer, DeeDee and Shannon have been open for 13 months, and with a special shop like this they're bound to enjoy many long years of successful business. Store hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-6pm, Fri.-Sat. 11am-7pm, Sun. 11am-5pm, 622-3297. Shop online: www.PopCycleShop.com. Gift idea: Cigar box purse by DDco Design, $34. Stocking stuffer: Cuff bracelet by Monster Booty Threads, $12.
At Bohemia, 2920 E. Broadway Blvd., framed artwork by local artists graces the walls and local music CDs line the shelves. Handmade magnets, pins, furniture and furnishings, light switch covers, pillows, coasters, body products, purses from Vy & Elle and t-shirts from Fuzzy Balls Apparel are all tastefully displayed for convenient browsing. This is a terrific spot to get a one-of-a-kind present for that person who has everything. Don't just take my word for it; Tucson Home Magazine recently declared Bohemia the "Best Place for Gifts" in town. Store hours: Sun.-Mon. 11am-4pm, Tues.-Sat. 10am-6pm, 882-0800. Shop online: www.BohemiaTucson.com. Gift idea: Hand painted trucker hat by Melo Dominguez, $30. Stocking stuffer: Floating pen by Janet Miller, $6.
Yikes! Toy Store, 2930 E. Broadway Blvd., has been selling fun for 20 years. Think Willy Wonka meets Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. This eye-popping, jaw-dropping humdinger of a toy store includes an astonishing inventory with squirrel underpants, thumb wrestling masks, yo-yos, wind-up toys, "Where The Wild Things Are" plush dolls, kites, mustache combs and Sigmund Freud refrigerator magnets. This is the place to find a Rubik's Cube, an Etch-A-Sketch, or pirate adhesive bandages. Here one constantly overhears customers saying things like, "Cool!" and "Dad, look!" At Yikes! it warmed my heart to see the books of my childhood, like "Rotten Ralph" and "Corduroy," available for today's young readers. Store hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am-6pm, 320-5669. Shop online: www.YikesToyStore.com. Gift idea: Sock Monkey Jack-In-The-Box by Schylling, $26. Stocking stuffer: Brain flavored Zombie Mints by Accoutrements, $3.
Picante Designs, next door to Yikes! at 2932 E. Broadway Blvd., is stuffed to the ceiling with clothing, textiles, earrings, calaveras figures, Frida Kahlo-emblazoned items, papel picado and as much folk art as the eye can see. At the time of my visit, Picnte was well stocked with everything one could possibly need to celebrate Day of the Dead. Mexican mirrors, milagros and masks were everywhere I looked. Store hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am-6pm, 320-5699. Shop online: www.PicanteTucson.com. Gift idea: 18" oval platter My Loteria tableware by Cristina Sosa Noriega, $44. Stocking stuffer: Sugar skull, $2.50.
For a classy selection of vintage clothing, jewelry and kitchen accessories, Razzle Dazzle at 1918 E. Prince Rd. is the place to go. You'll be amazed by their array of cashmere coats, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly-style hats, Hawaiian shirts, rhinestone pins, pearl drop earrings and handsome handbags. This is your one-stop shop for designing the perfect retro interior in your home, down to every detail. Store hours: Mon.-Sat. 11am-5:30pm, 323-4544. Shop online: www.RazzleDazzleTucson.com. Gift idea: Long sleeve embroidered pearl snaps Western shirt by Wrangler, $29. Stocking stuffer: Vintage men's cuff links, $8-$10 a pair.
You won't soon forget your visit to Lulubell Toy Bodega, 439 N. 6th Ave. Their zipper pulls and limited editions from manufacturers like Charactics Monsters and ToyQube are the stuff of dreams. Toys "R" Us, this ain't: Lulubell stocks the Rat Fink Sidewalk Surfer action figure by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, the Planet of the Apes Dr. Zaius snap together model kit by Aurora, and the OutKast Big Boi figure by Gruntz. Huzzah! Store hours: Tues.-Sat. 12pm-6pm, 622-LULU. Shop online: www.LulubellToys.com. Gift idea: Los Angeles Graffiti book by Mark Batty Publisher, $28. Stocking stuffer: Yummy Breakfast Keychain by Kidrobot, $5.
The Tucson Museum of Art Museum Store at 140 N. Main Ave. is a long-time favorite of mine, featuring charming works by local artists and impressive imports from places like Guatemala and Oaxaca. Between the vegetable wax blend candles, novelty napkins, calendars, bath salts, skull maracas, wind chimes, woven baskets, beaded coin purses, pottery, salt and pepper shakers, and take-out menu boxes, it's easy to find a clever, quirky item for that special someone. Jackson Pollock puzzle? Check. Invisible playing cards? Check. Store hours: Tues.-Sat. 10am-4pm, Sun. 12pm-4pm, 624-2333. Shop online: www.TucsonMuseumofArt.org/store. Gift idea: Solar Powered Rainbow Maker by Kikkerland, $25. Stocking stuffer: Jeez-Its Sticky Notes by Unemployed Philosophers Guild, $5.50.
Happy Holidays from Zocalo!
