New in Store are these beautiful, fun, colorful and 100% handmade dog collars ($45 - $79) created by Maasai people in Kenya. Saba loved them so much that she asked for one of her own. And she never asks for anything!

Not only are they beautiful, they are also fair trade…and that goes a long way. The beading of these collars (and coordinating bracelets - $25) generates income for over 200 Kenyans who otherwise might earn as little as $1,500 a year. Other than the operating costs of the people in the US who are helping to bring their craft to market (one part time employee, marketing and air freight), all of the money goes back to Kenya. Good in so many ways.

So swing by Pfeifer Studio, get your pooch some style and feel good about it.

Labels: Africa, Color, Fiar Trade, gifts, handicrafts, New Arrivals, New In Store, Pfeifer Finds

It’s no secret that I’m a total fanatic of African objects. Their handmade masks and stools are my favorites, and I love sitting in a space surrounded by them pretending I am somewhere deep inside the Dark Continent. I’m so excited that we have discovered a few wonderful new African pieces to add to our collection. Most are vintage one-of-a-finds and our Hand Carved Ashanti Stool is a contemporary style, which is surely to become a favorite on the site for some time to come.

”Ashanti Stool

Our contemporary Ashanti Stool ($375.00 + Free Delivery) is hand carved by artisans from a single block of wood from the Cedrela tree. Like traditional stools, it has a crescent-shaped seat and flat base, but a simple central circle replaces the more typical Adinkra symbol in the middle.

Stools are spiritual and practical objects in the Ashanti culture of West Africa. They are understood to be the seat of the owner's soul and when not in use are leaned against a wall so that other souls passing by will not settle on it. Click here to learn more.

Our two new vintage Nupe Stools (above) are $279.00 + Free Delivery and $175.00 + Free Delivery, respectively. Most Nupe are Muslim and their art is therefore abstract, with only some stylized animals in relief on their doors and some pots. Their stools come in many forms yet are all carved from single blocks of wood. Amazingly, the grain of the wood runs horizontally, even across the legs. All share a richly carved top surface.

This vintage Punu mask ($175.00 + Free Delivery) from Gabon features many of the common characteristics from the region, including protruding lips. It is also painted in the traditional white with kaolin clay to represent the spirit of a dead ancestor. Click here to learn more about this One-Of-A-Kind piece now.

”Fang Mask

The Fang people used masks in their secret societies. Members of this male society wore the Ngil masks during the initiation of new members and the persecution of wrongdoers. Masqueraders, clad in raffia costumes and attended by helpers, would materialize in the village after dark, illuminated by flickering torchlight. Our vintage Fang mask ($279.00 + Free Delivery) is enormous at 50 inches long and is a one-of-a-kind piece. Click here to learn more about it.

Labels: Africa, Antiques, Art, gifts, handicrafts, home accessories, New Arrivals, Product Preview, Stools

New in Store and now online in our recently launched limited edition and One-Of-A-Kinds category are these enticing hands created from cast resin. They are a catchall for keys, change, soap, or any small thing that needs a helpful hand. Includes wall mounting hardware. Choose from Grab, C'mere or Offer.

”Resin Hand Hooks

Stop by our shop to see them in person or click here to order them online.

Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)

Labels: gifts, home accessories

If you can’t make it to Albuquerque, then how about Brazil, Africa, Japan, Vietnam, Haiti, or even the Middle East? Pfeifer Studio runs across some pretty cool one-of-a-kind finds in our travels, and for the first time ever we are making a few of them available on our website. Of course you’ll still want to stop into the studio, since there are always one-of-a-kinds you just can’t shop for online.

Our one-of-a-kind collection is filled with vintage finds, because we love their uniqueness of course. But, according to treehugger.com they are also eco-friendly and "can be the most green" of all and "require no additional resources to manufacture, are pre-off gassed and ease the load on the landfill."

For a little Tribal Influence, check out our seriously interesting vintage masks. Whether a single mask or a grouping on the wall, they are rich in history, full of spirit, and the artistic details in the colors and carvings will make anyone take a second look.

”Vintage Bambara Mask

Vintage Bambara Tribe Mask - $199 + Free Delivery

”Bozo Tribe Mask

Vintage Bozo Tribe Mask - $125 + Free Delivery

For the kid inside, this Japanese Paper Kite is from the famous Hayashi family, who has been making kites in Tokyo since the Edo period. Completely handmade, it features hand painted wood block printing, and the packaging it comes in is just as fabulous.

”Japanese Paper Kite

Japanese Paper Kite - $99 + Free Delivery

Crazy about textiles and color, I adore the Vintage Hmong Textiles in addition to this very preppy-in-spirit Hmong Textile Bag. Created from part of a garment worn by Hmong women in Vietnam, it features cross-stitching and indigo block printing.

”Vintage Hmong Fabric Bag

Vintage Hmong Fabric Bag - $79 + Free Delivery

Though I am definitely pining for the contemporary Handmade Ceramic Vase by Artist Mike McDowell next to Pfeifer’s Oval Leather Stool Table, I am completely drawn to the Vintage Stool from Cameroon.

”Handmade Ceramic Vase

Handmade Ceramic Vase - $279 + Free Delivery

”Leather Side Table

Oval Leather Stool Table - $259 + Free Delivery

The Cameroon stool, carved from a solid tree trunk is estimated to be from the mid-20th Century. There are areas where cracks in the wood have been patched with what appears to be clay, and other areas where nails are used for support. But what intrigues me most about the stool is how it reminds me of crossed legs and hands intertwined together as a symbol of communal strength.

”Vintage Stool From Cameroon

Vintage Stool From Cameroon - $129.00 + Free Delivery

Posted By: Angela (loftshoppe@gmail.com)

Labels: Africa, Antiques, Art, Asia, Eco-Friendly, End and Side Tables, gifts, handicrafts, leather tables, New Arrivals, New In Store, Pfeifer Finds, Product Preview, Stools

Holiday Shopping is in full swing and it is still not too late to order for delivery by Dec 24th.

Still searching for a last minute gift? How about our Moroccan Tea Glasses? (on Sale for a limited time at $6.80 each + Free Ground Delivery)

Plus, they are featured on Yahoo's Top 10 Green Gifts Under $30, which will surely impress even the most discriminating eco-shopper!

Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)

Labels: Eco-Friendly, gifts, handicrafts, Middle East, Press

Tons of cool stuff is streaming into the shop these days. We are only one week and one day away from our shop's Second Anniversary Party in the North Valley! Save the date and stay tuned for more info. In the meantime, check out these supa-studded leather cuffs. They'll make a great gift for that supa-stud in your life. Starting at only 20 bucks these are another in store exclusive. Swing by the shop soon to see them.

Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)

Labels: fashion accessories, gifts, leather, New Arrivals, New In Store

Newsworthy endeavors to clean up our earth are all around us, and at Pfeifer Studio we continue to seek out opportunities and products that help make our planet a better place. Big into the whole repurposing and recycling movement, our latest product discovery includes an entire product line that’s handmade from recycled and laminated newspaper. Adding to our extensive collection of unique waste bins, we couldn’t resist this newspaper wastebasket sewn and laminated with a durable water resistant finish built for everyday use. Adding a decorative touch to the office or bath, it makes for a very cool paper bin and serves as an important reminder to keep our recycling efforts going.

Recycled Newpaper Waste Bin - 10.5 x 10. 5 x 12.5 H inches - $65 + Free Delivery

While we’re on the subject, here are some interesting paper facts you might not know:

The history of paper dates back almost 2,000 years to when inventors in China first crafted cloth sheets to record their drawings and writings. Before then, people communicated through pictures and symbols etched on stone, bones, cave walls, or clay tablets. Today, paper is made from trees mostly grown on working forests and from recovered paper. Recycling has always been a part of papermaking. When you recycle your used paper, paper mills will use it to make new newspapers, notebook paper, paper grocery bags, corrugated boxes, envelopes, magazines, cartons, and other paper products. Besides using recovered paper and trees to make paper, paper mills may also use wood chips and sawdust left over from lumber operations (whose products are used to make houses, furniture, and other things). Today, more than 36 percent of the fiber used to make new paper products in the United States comes from recycled sources.

And, according to the American Forest & Paper Association...

- Last year a record-high of 63.4% of paper used in the U.S. was recovered for recycling.

- Last year the amount of paper recovered for recycling averaged 325 pounds for each man, woman, and child in the United States.

There are many great efforts happening to make our planet a better place. At Pfeifer Studio we have an ever-growing eco-friendly product line featuring modern designs that are 100% natural, finished with non-toxic earth-friendly products or created from reclaimed wood and materials. We invite you to check out our latest additions, as well as some of our other super interesting waste bins that could also be used for recycling paper.

Posted By: Angela (loftshoppe@gmail.com)

Labels: Eco-Friendly, gifts, home accessories, New Arrivals, Product Preview, waste bins

Give her an idea and she’ll paint it. She can sew it, build it, display it, promote it, and she’s even-so-good she can sell it. Famous artist, world-traveler, ultra-creative thinker, and carpenter (did I mention she can use power tools…yes!), she’s a social media maven, recipient of numerous grants and awards, well-published, and she’s even referred to herself as a linchpin. On board at Pfeifer Studio, we are excited to welcome our newest addition to the Pfeifer family, Rebekah Potter…and her little bloKs too!

Having just moved from New York City to Albuquerque, Rebekah’s wooden bloKs (you can learn more about them at bloks.squarespace.com), are now also available at Pfeifer Studio and have been featured in Time Out New York, Elle Japon, Cool Mom Picks parenting blog, The Jackson Free Press, Planet Weekly and Skirt! magazine.

Although her bloKs are typically only 3.5 x 5 inches, each one is known to make a statement. Combing a word and object, her art sometimes represents the obvious, makes a joke, or is there just to baffle. Sanded and hand painted in acrylic and ready to hang, her bloKs have been purchased by directors, photographers, incredible mothers, creative daughters, hip sons, adventurous librarians, and even Penguin Books and Delta Magazine. A great gift, especially for the person who has everything, she even makes custom commissions upon request.

Rebekah has lived many lives aside from being an artist, and has also lived all over the US and Japan. From production coordinator, office manager, yoga instructor, waitress, sales assistant, entrepreneur, marketing professional, creative director, foreign language instructor, retailer, department manager, curator, and proprietor.

Handpainted BloKs - $39.00 In Store Only

We invite you to stop in and say hello to Rebekah (she's here every Friday and Sunday + many days in between) and check out her ultra-seriously cool art bloKs. Though they may be small, they make a great impact…and we’re sure Rebekah will too!

Posted By: Angela (loftshoppe@gmail.com)

Labels: Art, designers and artists, gifts, New In Store, Our Shop

We are very excited to tell you about Feisty Elle, a beautiful collection of felt jewelry that we recently debuted in our showroom. These exquisite designs are created by Leslie Yang, a California native with a love for bright colors and bold accessories, who moved to the Bay Area for college, fell in love with the pace of life and its natural beauty and decided to call it home.

Petal Drop Felt Earrings in Pink - $36.00

Leslie’s style combines her expertise in both graphic design and fiber arts. She aims to design jewelry and accessories that are clean in form, vivid in color, and always fun and functional to wear.

Mocha Feather Necklace - $65.00

The collection has evolved with a commitment to use sustainable materials such as merino wool felt and caters to a woman who EMBRACES bold colors and shapes, LOVES that earrings can be big and classy, and CHOOSES jewelry that is as versatile as she is.

Dahlia Felt Earrings in Green - $36.00

Leslie was the first designer to produce earrings made from lasercut merino wool felt and one of the first to produce jewelry out of this gorgeous, natural material at all. The light, soft nature of the felt has made them runaway hits in boutiques.

Feather Felt Earrings in Blue - $36.00

All of her jewelry is designed and assembled in the San Francisco Bay Area and Pfeifer Studio is exclusive retailer of the collection in New Mexico! For our readers not in New Mexico, we suggest that you visit the collection online to learn more.

Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)

Labels: designers and artists, Eco-Friendly, gifts, handicrafts, Jewelry, modern design, New In Store

Recycled Metal Bicycles - $18 - In Store Only

We are always on the hunt for cool objects created from repurposed materials, like these adorable mini-bicycles handmade in Kenya from 100% recycled metal and rubber. The artisans who created these have an amazing eye for detail. We love the wrapped wire seat and handle bars. They even have working pedals and a kickstand.

These wonderful little items are only available in our shop, stop by soon to see them for yourself. We can also ship for those of you far and wide, call us at 1-866-804-1909 to learn more.

Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)

Labels: Africa, Eco-Friendly, gifts, handicrafts, New Arrivals, New In Store, Pfeifer Finds

Check it out! Our Cast Iron Bottle Openers are featured on this supa-cool blog: whorange.net!

once upon a time, a gal named tula jeng purchased a painting by artist paul kozlowski at the fake gallery in hollywood. from that day on, her favorite color has been whorange.

in 2008, tula created WHORANGE as a way to celebrate craveable style & design in all of its splendor -- from the beautifully innovative to the gloriously gaudy. throughout the pages of WHORANGE, you will find works by independent artists and designers, unique interiors, mid-century must haves, high brow art, low brow cravings, flea market fantasies, catwalk candy, fabulous events, ecomania, and stuff your eccentric gay uncle would love.

Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)

Labels: gifts, Press

OMG! Could you die? We just got in the coolest pop jewels! Polka dots, kitschy, BIG, rosy resin, glitter ball rings and color-splattered springy, slinky-inspired bracelets. Totally drop everything and hit Pfeifer Studio, like, right now!

Posted by: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)

Labels: fashion accessories, gifts, Jewelry, modern design, New Arrivals, New In Store

Our source in India found these wonderful Pula Chappal slippers a few weeks back and put together a little collection for us. They just landed in our showroom yesterday and we can tell already that they are going to sell out soon.

They also have a fascinating story.

Leather shoes made of cowhide were considered inappropriate for treading on the soil of Himachal Pradesh, a state in Northern India regarded as the land of the gods. Consequently the sacred grasses of shale (cannabis) were used to make pula chappal, the traditional footwear of the Paharis. These lightweight slippers are worn during religious ceremonies, within the temple precincts and to walk on snow.

Pula Chappal Slippers - $39.00 - In Store Only

Dried strips of cannabis grass or buckwheat stem are woven into a rope-like form and then strengthened by a process of twisting and stretching it. Five loops in increasing or decreasing size in relation to the toes are made from the prepared rope. Each rope is then tightened around the junction point of a t-shaped tool that is rotates at a great sped while holding the base of its stem.

The body of the chappal is made by intertwining very fine threads of grass spun on a spindle. In some instances, a decorative shoe upper is created with a blanket stitch and contrasting colors of wool. A simple system of hand measures is used to make different sizes.

Today, although the craft is chiefly practiced in the village of Chad, the market for pula chappal has spread to Rajastahan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and, of course, Pfeifer Studio.

Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)

Labels: fashion accessories, gifts, handicrafts, India, New Arrivals, New In Store

We found these great vintage school chairs a few months back and immediately brought them into the shop for our local clients. They proved to be such a hit that we though they deserved a place in our online collection as well.

They are reclaimed pieces from China and were first used in the 1960's. A range of paint colors were not available when they were first made. The bright, distressed painted finishes were recently added.

Colors vary and the options change frequently. Available colors include orange, green, baby blue, teal and white. Want a specific color? Please call 1-866-804-1909 to speak with a representative about the current options.

Chinese School Chairs - 13 x 13 x 24 H inches (approx.) $89 + Free Delivery

The Distressed Painted Finishes are new (and lead-free!)

Fun for young and old alike

Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)

Labels: Antiques, Asia, gifts, New Arrivals, Product Preview

We just received these great wooden serving utensils from Asia in our showroom. The bamboo tongs are already flying out the door (who knew?) and the huge wooden ladles are officially a hit (not surprised). My personal favorite, the little basting brushes made from frayed bamboo.

wooden utensils from Asia in our showroom
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Posted By: AJ (aj@pfeiferstudio.com)

Labels: Asia, gifts, handicrafts, New Arrivals, New In Store, Our Shop

The holiday rush is here and if you’re still looking for that perfect last minute gift, we have several elegant, handcrafted suggestions for the most discerning people on your list, which have proven to be our shop’s best sellers this season.

Unfortunately not all are available online. Too far away or too busy to stop by and pick one up for yourself? Call us at 1-866-804-1909 and we will be happy to assist you.

From the central Chilean village of Pomaire comes our fun Chanchitos; miniature, three legged pigs, which are traditionally given as a token of friendship, bringing good luck to the recipient. Each Chanchito is handmade from local clay and dried in the sun before being burnished with an agate stone.

Chanchitos 'little pigs' from Chile $5.00 each

Eco-Friendly Wool Caps from Stansborough Wools of New Zealand - $39.00 (available online here)

Our Stansborough wool knit caps from New Zealand are cozy and eco-friendly. The wool used to knit them is from 'Stansborough Greys', a rare purebred sheep with a fine, lustrous fleece. Available in Burgundy, Moss Green or Gold, they are created using biodegradable overdyes free of harmful acids. The only flock of their kind in the world raised solely for their fleece, the sheep live on a clean, green farm where workers are paid wages in line with other industries in New Zealand.

Hand Carved Cinnamon Wood Boxes from Vietnam - $18.00 each

Throughout Asia it is believed that the fragrance of cinnamon energizes the mind and enhances creative powers. The aroma of cinnamon is also widely thought to increase the chance for great prosperity. Whatever your beliefs, you will enjoy the sweet scent that greets you each time you open one of our pretty cinnamon boxes. Hand carved in Vietnam from cinnamon tree branches, they are ideal for storing sugar or tea.
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Wool Felt Handbags - $37.00 - $45.00 each
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Some of the most popular styles that we have had in our shop this holiday are made from wool felt, a bonded fabric formed when wool fibers lock together with heat and moisture. The fun, unique bags shown above were handmade in Nepal, where felting is an important folk tradition.

'Glittens' - Fingerless Glove Mittens - $18.00 each

And last, but not least to make the shop’s holiday best seller list are these wonderful fingerless wool mittens, also from Nepal. They are gloves and with the flip of the flap they are mittens!

Labels: Eco-Friendly, gifts, handicrafts, Our Shop

We wish you a handcrafted holiday! To help spread the joy we invite you to save 15% all season long on all gift styles when you shop our gift collection online.

Select a style from one of our popular gift collections, enter promotion code: HANDCRAFT during checkout and save 15% + free delivery!

Please remember that gift styles are listed on the product page as either In Stock or Made-to-order, make sure that you order in time for holiday delivery. Order Made-to-order styles online by Dec 9th and In-stock styles by Dec 17th for delivery by Dec 24th. Express delivery is also available. Please call 1-866-804-1909 to speak with a customercare representative if you have any questions.

Cuddle Blanket $239.00 - $389.00 + Free Delivery

Great Gift Idea for the Home - Snuggle up in our super soft cuddle blanket, woven from natural, undyed Stansborough wool in New Zealand. A rare breed of sheep, known as 'Stansborough Greys', produce the wool that serves as the foundation for many of Stansborough's designs. Noticing the exceptional qualities of a primitive gray sheep's fleece, Stansborough began breeding the animals, solely for their wool. Over 10 years of selective breeding has developed a silky and lustrous fiber and their flock is now over one thousand strong, still the only one of its kind in the world. Click here to see all Gift Ideas for the Home.

Cast Iron Bottle Openers $35.00 + Free Delivery

Great Gift Idea for the Him - Leave it to the Japanese to create object as innovative as these fun cast iron bottle openers in the shape of tools. The perfect gift for a guy who has everything. Choose from a hammer, pliers or a wrench.

Click here to see all Gift Ideas for the Him.

Quartz & Carnelian Necklace $119.00 + Free Delivery

Great Gift Idea for Her - Colorful necklace by Ethiopian-American designer Rahel Fikre-Selassie featuring Quartz stones and Carnelian beads. Click here to see all Gift Ideas for her.

Labels: gifts, handicrafts, Sale

Often the simplest things are best. Our clay cookware from Spain exemplifies this philosophy. Earth, water and fire, that’s it. The elegance of our cazuelas (clay cooking dishes) lies in their enduring usefulness.

They are formed by a potter and the handles are attached by hand. The high quality clay (as dense as brick) is finished with a clear lead free glaze and fired in a kiln over 2000° F. They can be used on the stovetop, oven, microwave, open fire, and grill.

These timeless vessels are EU and US FDA certified food safe, and are almost ready to use. A simple overnight soak in your sink is all that is needed. Resoak your cazuela from time to time, and it will provide you years of stylish service.

Eggs and Spanish Sausage in a Cazuela

People have crafted clay cooking vessels for thousands of years. The quality of the clay found in Breda, in the Pyrenees foothills, has been prized since Roman times. Breda’s celebrated cookware is crafted in the same tradition as it has been for the last 500 years.

Our Cazuelas are Kiln Fired

The cazuelas are a natural fit to various Mediterranean cuisines, Some of our favorite things to make using the cazuelas are: potato gratins, sautéed greens with piñones and bacon, goat cheese/green chile macaroni and cheese, enchiladas, carne adovada (pork in red chile) and baked trout with fennel…Happy cooking!

Stacks of Cazuelas at a Spanish Market

Labels: Europe, gifts, New Arrivals, Product Preview, Spanish Cazuelas

Spring has come to New Mexico. Cool blustery days seem to alternate with warmer days that remind us of what is coming. Here in Albuquerque’s North Valley the fruit trees are blooming and mountain snow melt is flowing through the irrigation ditches. One can’t help but notice the gardens and fields being readied for another growing season.

The changing seasons have us excited about the bounty to come from area farmers markets. The Los Ranchos Growers Market is less than 2 miles from our retail showroom, and opened on the second Saturday of the month. They will soon be open every Saturday, starting in May! The Corrales Growers Market, about 10 miles away, will start its spring schedule this Sunday. The world renowned Santa Fe Farmers Market is an early Saturday morning train ride away on the Railrunner from Albuquerque, and well worth the trip. Other area markets are gearing up for the season and we can’t wait to see what’s in store.

A recent visit to the Santa Fe market was a real treat. We left with red chile powder and bolita beans both grown in the North New Mexican village of Nambé, eggs, cajeta (goat’s milk caramel) and aged goat cheese from Sweetwoods Dairy, baby spinach, kale, lettuce, thick grass fed pork chops, greenhouse grown heirloom tomatoes, oyster mushrooms and the most sublime lamb shanks from Shepherds Lamb in Tierra Amarilla. The upcoming weeks promise to bring a greater variety of fresh vegetables as the season starts to unfold.

Our trips to the local markets got us thinking about a sustainable way to bring home our bounty and we came up with a great solution for carrying home all our market treasures. Our hand woven corn husk tote is sized perfectly for a trip to the farmers market, or a Saturday afternoon with a book at the park. Available in naturally colored corn husk, the interior is lined with cotton and features an interior pocket to help keep you organized.

Click here to learn more about it.

Labels: Eco-Friendly, fashion accessories, gifts, New Arrivals, New In Store, New Mexico, Our Shop, Product Preview