Shop Small Special | Rare Device
What is it: A shop of bold and beautiful things in San Francisco’s Nopa neighborhood.
Why you’ll love it: We always find something when we visit Rare Device: the exhibitions of local artists often lure us here, but we stay to browse the selection of stationery, prints, and tabletop objects, that bring something playful to the creative process.
What you need to know: The original Rare Device was founded by cultural entrepreneur and designer Rena Tom (of the now-defunct but once beloved Makeshift Society) in New York, before she focused on the SF (and now only) store with creative inspiration to many Lisa Congdon. In 2011 they sold the store to Giselle Gyalzen, who moved Rare Device to a bustling strip of Divisadero and kept the creative integrity going by bringing in useful, well-made, and modern things made by artists mostly near but some far.
How to bring this into your life: If the storefront is open, check out the monthly rotating exhibitions in the backroom – such as one of our favorites The Friendship Project by Erin Fong, or the exhibition of work from Creativity Explored artists. Rare Device has an open door to the community with kid storytimes, workshops, book signings, and creative pop-ups. During closed pandemic times, the store is still open for pickups and deliveries, and online projects like color meditation (follow along on Insta).
Why we’re happy it exists in the world: What we surround ourselves with matters. We think of that thing over there as just an object but it’s one that can make us feel a certain way, that might make an emotional connection to a time or place, or that might even support a local creative who is trying to make a living. Rare Device gives a platform for makers worldwide (though often they are SF based) who have something to say or something to offer the world. Like…
In our Holiday Gift Guide: … Gemma Correll’s Pep Talk, Taylor Reid’s Mixed Emotions watercolor, and Field Notes.
In their own words: “The storefront is filled with lovely, approachable designed items for your home, yourself, and your family. Every object in the store has its own story and has been chosen because it is either handmade, well-designed, useful, beautiful, or all of the above. The aesthetic is modern and whimsical while remaining warm and inviting. Influences range from the natural world to the interaction between humans and things, be it their clothes or what they choose to use in their homes.”
Something to inspire: Read the Coleridge poem Kubla Khan that inspired this pleasure dome of Rare Device… Then seek out what gives you pleasure – could be that the California bear or a candle that smells of Laurel Canyon or a pin that just says Stay Positive (though in a non-toxic way). Tiny gestures of loving for when we need more joy in our lives (like right now).
