Hello and happy Saturday! π We are now offering 1-hour Zoom shopping appointments to our guests looking to explore the brick and mortar from the comfort and safety of their homes - simply DM, email or call us to set it up. We recently did this on the fly with a few regulars and it went really well! π
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Modern Mouse Maker Market is a locally and independently owned gift shop featuring wares from over 250 artists across the US, most of whom reside on the West Coast! We have something for just about everybody - graphic tees, handmade jewelry, enamel pins, housewares, and much, much more. π
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#shoplocal #shopsmall #shophandmade #modernmousegifts
These minimalist glass earrings evoke the smooth flow of molten glass, frozen forever in an elegant droplet. π₯° Whether youβre running a few errands or dressing up for an evening, these deceptively simple beauties can be the finishing touch to any outfit!
Can you believe that Berkeley-based Sundrop Jewelry uses a giant magnifying glass to melt each individual droplet? π€―
If you're looking for a cuddly new friend, head on over to the Toys section of the webstore! The entire #plush collection by Indiana all-stars @tastypeachstudios just got uploaded. π
Also, if you're not following us on Tiktok already, you should go check us out and see a couple of these plush cuties starring in our latest video. π
The wondrous #handmade #candles from Scented Designs by Kate look and smell fantastic! This woman-owned business is based in San Jose. π
Many of her amazing candles are poured into recycled mugs and glasses, so there's always something new to enjoy! Try the best-selling #Vanilla #Latte #Candle today by visiting us online. π
#shoplocal #shopsmall #handmade #plants #vanillalatte #fall #autumn #home #homedecor #gifts #ecofriendly #fun
Thereβs something so meaningful and special about original art. Maybe itβs the pieces of heart and soul that the artist leaves on the page, or the fact that every stroke of paint and ink has to be deliberate and represents years of practice.
These amazing framed originals by le petit elefant will be going up on modernmousegifts.com at 12pm tomorrow 9/18 (PST), so set your alarms! β°
Also, weβre thinking about offering original art by various artists on a regular basis like this (with advance notice and a countdown) on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. What do you think? π
Sometimes it takes finding a cute bumblebee in the parking lot to brighten your day ππ
Happy Wednesday folx! A friendly reminder that tomorrow is our weekly β¨delivery dayβ¨, so if you live in Alameda and need some gifts personally delivered for free, place your order on modernmousegifts.com by 12pm tomorrow! π
(If you live outside of Alameda and would like to have an order delivered, please feel free to message us! Weβd be happy to accommodate you.)
Today we're featuring one of our very own mice, @bymurry! Murry is a Filipino-American illustrator and designer based right here in the Bay. π§‘
Though she initially studied at UCLA for her BA in Sociology, she's been working on Graphic Design in recent years! Spread a little bit of validation with this awesome holographic sticker, available on the webstore. π€
If you're in the market for a fresh face mask, we just added Sacco Studios' to the webstore! This cattastic pattern is perfect for your favorite ailurophile and 12% of the proceeds go to the Trans Women Of Color Collective. π»
Lindsay Sacco designs and crafts her goodies in Windemere, Florida! She's all about making fun products inspired by the fuzzy friends in our lives. π±πΆ
The first Quest For Brightland book by Angeleah Donahue and longtime Mouse artist Ashley Bell is now available! Enjoy a wondrous magical story while teaching your child about gratitude in The Blessing Ball. β¨
Both Angeleah and Ashley are California residents! This Co-Author/Illustrator Team of Sisters (in-law) have spent years laughing, and crying, together while creating the magical world of Brightland for you. ππ
One of your favorite Alameda artists is now offering her original hand-stitched characters as stickers! The Lisa Inez's whimsical creations can adorn your water bottle, laptop, car, or any smooth surface. π
Follow the link in our profile to check these adorable newbies and more! π±πΆπ°
Cotton Tree and Orange Blossom Candles by Koviashuvik ART are now available online! π These candles look as great as they smell!
This Alameda-based artist handcrafts fantastic soy scents and adorns each mason jar with mulberry paper. π±
Many thanks to Jean of Inkblot Gallery for helping us model some of our in-house designs a couple weeks ago! β¨ Inklot is currently featuring a bold and vibrant Alameda landmark photography collection by TaSin Sabir - be sure to check out their window gallery by the end of the month!
The great thing about these tees is that theyβre made with 100% ethical and fair labor practices; as well as polyester made from recycled bottles (donβt worry, theyβre still incredibly soft), US cotton, and a more natural alternative to rayon. Both feminine and masculine fits are currently available, so get your size today at modernmousegifts.com! π
Shane originally started My Town Club looking to share artwork with a local cafe in Oakland! Every art piece starts out with a reference from his own photography, which is then turned into the pop art places we now know and love. π
We all have our favorite places and if we're going to enjoy those memories at home, they might as well look awesome! π
This little pouch can get a lot done! Whether you're storing art supplies or travel essentials, the California Dreamin' Pouch from Doodles.Ink is here to help. π
Oakland artist Regina Schachter of Doodles loves to bring memory-filled landmarks to your abode as simple reminders of travels and places you've called home. ππ²
Crawl over to the webstore for these awesome laser-cut earrings! The folks at Unpossible Cuts are all about creating unique accessories you'll love and enjoy, as their We Make Fun slogan gets across. π
Born from their gallery experience and passion for the arts, Domingo Daquioag and Philip Eggleston are always making the improbable possible with laser-cutters! π§
If you've been on our webstore recently, you've noticed that we've spooked out the front page with some of our favorite Halloween + witchtastic products! This amazing art print is by the one and only Bee's Knees Industries. π
Cate Anevski, head bee with knees, lives in the woods in Portland with her family! Magical daydreams of nature, books, and animals come to life in her wonderful collection. π
Head Mouse Matt's original 2015 photo series is now available on the webstore! As a jack-of-all-trades, Kuro-Same Arts is the culmination of three of Matt's artistic passions: jewelry, sculpture, and photography. π¨
50% of the proceeds from photography sales will be going to Black Lives Matter! Follow the link in our profile for more info on Charity & Donation items. π₯°
This beautiful pair of earrings by Darling Marcelle depicts the ancient symbol of the ouroboros (snake) eating its tail, symbolizing the circle of life or infinity. π
Kaelen Van Cura of @darlingmarcelle crafts uncommon accessories for uncommon people! Her collections are eclectic and unique, drawing inspiration from big names like Maya Hayuk, anonymous graffiti artists, and the arts as a whole. π
Drawing inspiration from daily life, dynamic design duo Edgar and Suzanne Cabrera create cheerful paper goods for every occasion! Greensboro, NC-based @anopensketchbook has been delivering artful joy for over 10 years now. π
Stock up on cards on our website and you'll always be prepared for written greetings! π
MEOW BITCHES is an art project by Stephanie Hatch that celebrates Living unapologetically, radical self-Love, body Acceptance, Joy, and living oneβs Truth. β€οΈ
MEOW BITCHES doesnβt tolerate haters, throws shade generously, and comes with an attitude! Join the movement today and add some anodized flare to your pin collection. π½
Alameda-based Craft Chocolate just dropped off these spooktacular chocolate trios for the season! Grab a can for yourself or a friend on the webstore today. π«π«
We've been sold on her work ever since Bente first treated us to samples of her handmade delights! This limited edition pack contains a Spooky Mynt Mouse, Skull, and Brains. π»
Look at that adorable face! San Jose-based CarryOn Designs recently added a few of these fantastic doggo pouches to her collection and you can now find them on our webstore. π
Although the cute doggie faces alone are enough to make us happy, the magic doesn't stop there! Amy's handmade pouches are crafted with repurposed designer fabric samples for a truly unique look. πΆ
One of your favorite crochet artisans a the store has been arrived online, just in time for Halloween! Handmade Hill's hats are the perfect combination of cozy and cute for both costuming and year-round enjoyment. π€
Formerly a Crafternoon & Modern Mouse regular, Hilary started sharing her hats with us in 2016! We love the colorful combination of characters ranging from bears to monsters and everything in between. π»
Shoutout to our good friend Shawn for modeling the latest batch tees by Head Mouse Mynt! These three fantastic designs are available on Rebel Blue in masculine styles and Space Black for feminine cuts. π
Not only are the blank tees super soft and ethically made, but we had them screenprinted by local superstars WeNeedMerch.com! There's nothing like working with your favorite folks from start to finish to make magic happen. π Follow the link in our bio to shop online!
Your favorite eco-felt masks are back from Dawn Kathryn Studio! You'll find a plethora of feathered and furry friends over on the webstore right now. π¦
Berkeley yarn-bomber Dawn spreads her creativity across crochet, felt, screen-printing, and more! Her handmade masks are great for quick costuming and fun throughout the year. π
Our Bath & Body section isn't the only one that's gotten a makeover! Sugar Scrubs by Tricia has three new scents available in bigger jars on the webstore. π
Tricia's scrubs are made with 100% pure essential oils, cane sugar, and fractionated coconut oil! This breaks down to you having the most fresh experience and least greasy skin after use. π
Check out the awesome new framed @sfhqart section! Oakland artist Stephen Wagner is included in the permanent collections of the Riverside Art Museum, the San Diego Museum of the Living Artist, and plenty of personal collections in the Bay Area and beyond. ππ¨
Stay tuned for our upcoming soft reopening announcement this week! π
Happy Halloween! We hope you have a safe and fun day filled with treats and surprises. π»
This lovely card is by Forage Paper Co, currently based in Texas! Christina was once an Oaklander-turned-New Yorker, but no matter where she ends up, she'll be designing fantastic stationary. β
Boo! We're all about sharing our favorite spooktastic goodies right now, but Jean Chen's (@inkblotgallery) Skully Pin is especially fantastic. π
Not only is this just awesome pin, but we donate 30% of the sales from her collection to the Bay Area Anti-Repression Committee's Bail Fund! βπ½βπΎ
Originally formed to support Occupy Oakland actions, the Bay Area Anti-Repression Committee (ARC) Bail Fund provides support for individuals arrested at demonstrations that may not have access to money. Check out their website for more info!
Here we see a loving Zombie Alpaca sitting atop the highest reaches of the store, keeping watch over their lively counterparts! π¦π€
These buddies by Tasty Peach Studios seem to be enjoying their recently rearrange home, but any one of them would happily come home with you from our online store. π₯°
You've heard, right? You haven't?! We're reopening for in-store shopping on Saturdays from 12-6pm, starting THIS Saturday (11/14). π
Matt & Mynt are excited to see all of your masked faces! Comment below if you're going to be the first to say hi, and see our previous reopening post for more info. π
Weβve been redesigning our sales floor in anticipation for our grand re-opening THIS Saturday, 12-6pm! Thank you all so much for your patience as we make our way through 2020 with intention and care. β€οΈ
Hereβs a preview of our safety protocols in place:
π· Masks required - noses, mouths and chins must be covered by at least 2 layers of fabric at all times in-store. Sorry, bandanas and masks with valves are not allowed.
𧴠Hands must be sanitized at entry. If youβre allergic to hand sanitizer ingredients, please let us know at the door.
π£ One adult over 18 must accompany each walking child under 10.
If you have a fever, cough, or generally just donβt feel well, please protect others by staying home.
Thank you for your cooperation! π
Modern Mouse added 22 new photos.
November 9 at 11:44 AM Β·
Today we celebrate and look back on 11 years of Mousedom; so much has changed over the years! It has truly been an honor, and our hearts are full of love and gratitude today. π Hereβs to many more years! π
TODAY ONLY (11/9/20): Free gift (or gifts!) for all orders with subtotals above $20 (graciously donated and lovingly crafted/designed by our artists π) while supplies last; aaaaand as a bonus, all wares by Head Mouse Mynt are also 20% OFF today! No promo code necessary - this is all ready for you on the front page of MODERNMOUSEGIFTS.COM under Featured Items. π
A special shout out goes to each one of our amazing artists, staff (past and present), and @eleenhsu who (with the help of @jimmyjagustin and the rest of her family) is responsible for 7 of the 11 wonderful years of shining a light on the handmade + indie scene in Alameda. We love you all!
Cheers,
Matt & Mynt ππ
This choker-length necklace features the minimalist beauty of the white hydrangea! IMPRESSED by nature has adorned the off-center bar of this piece with terracotta, turquoise, and cream beads for a lovely cascading composition. π₯°
Kyla's desire to preserve the beauty of nature in a wearable format is what led to her jewelry business! All of her pieces are handmade in Oakland with locally-grown flowers and hypoallergenic copper. π»
Oh happy day! Not only are we celebrating a groundbreaking election result, we're also excited to announce that our brick 'n mortar will reopening to the public in just one week! π
For those who have taken advantage of our curbside pickup and Thursday delivery options, don't worry! We're still continuing those services concurrently.
We also have an exciting announcement for Monday, aka our 11th Mousiversary! Stay tuned, and in the meantime, comment with any guesses you may have. π
See ya in person soon, or on modernmousegifts.com! β¨
#shoplocal #shophandmade
Have you seen the new wallets online from Ostri Studio yet? There are a handful of naturally-tanned vegan leather options to choose from, each with a different fabric window. π
Martin crafts all of his wares by hand with lasting meaning and heartfelt soul in mind! These wallets are functional and fun. π
We're very pleased to announce that we're now working with Oakland-based Tom Chantler Design! Say hello to the handmade Peace Symbol Ornament, the first ornament to be featured on the webstore this season. π
This beautiful piece was crafted with the intention of spreading joy to Tom's friends who collect handmade ornaments! Better yet, 30% of the proceeds from the sales of these lovelies will go to the Alzheimer's Association. ππ
Each one comes gift-boxed with a signed info card, so you'll always have a safe place to keep it when not being enjoyed out in the open!
The new screen-printed drawstring bags from Dawn Kathryn Studio are so versatile! Though originally intended for yarn projects, these fair trade organic cotton beauties would be great for produce, toys, and other soft crafts. π§Ά
The possibilities are as limitless as your imagination! Check them out on the webstore now, or visit us on Saturday 11/21 from 12-6pm for in-store shopping. π₯°
Now that we're open for in-store shopping on Saturdays, we had to make a special spot for the fantastic masks our artists are offering!
These handmade beauties by Ostri Studio, Sacco Studios, and Panic in Polkadots are also available online 24/7. π
We're very excited to now be working with Koko Chic Earrings! Her minimalist acrylic jewelry collection contains perfect accents for any outfit. π€©
As a makeup artist, Julieta has always been driven by colors and creativity! Once she started Koko Chic, she knew she wanted to contribute to folks' confidence, uniqueness, and beauty. π₯°
Aaaand thatβs a wrap for today folx! THANK YOU so much to everyone that came out and said hello π
If you missed out on some in-store browsing & good (socially-distanced) company today, no worries! Weβll be open again next Saturday from 12-6pm. ;)
Aaaand WE'RE OPEN! Swing on by today until 6pm to see all of the latest and greatest goodies from your favorite artisans. π₯°
Hereβs a preview of our safety protocols in place:
π· Masks required - noses, mouths and chins must be covered by at least 2 layers of fabric at all times in-store. Sorry, bandanas and masks with valves are not allowed.
𧴠Hands must be sanitized at entry. If youβre allergic to hand sanitizer ingredients, please let us know at the door.
π£ One adult over 18 must accompany each walking child under 10.
If you have a fever, cough, or generally just donβt feel well, please protect others by staying home.
Thank you for your support and cooperation, and we'll see you at the Mouse! ππ
Happiest of birthdays to the one, the only, Head Mouse Mynt! ππ
We're closed today and tomorrow for birthday + Autumnal Feast shenanigans, so pickups and Alameda deliveries are disabled on the webstore; however, *wait for it* we will be open for in-store shopping this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12-6pm. π€©
We'll have more Alameda Strong Shop Local and Small Biz Sat Bags available for lucky guests, so stay tuned for more information! Remember, now that we're back open for in-store shopping on select days, you can shop online 24/7, pickup at the store, and then shop s'more. π
We are absolutely ecstatic to now be working with Cheery Human Studios! As fate would have it, Kristina discovered us through a shared post by a mutual friend, Le Petit Elefant. π₯°
Glendale-based Kristina Yu is all about spreading positivity and fun through artwork! This fantastic piece is from her Everyday Pep Talks collection, which is now entirely available on our webstore. π
If you're in the market for a new slim card case, Heathered has you covered with some fantastic local options! Every map is hand cut, laminated, and sewn to perfection for your everyday essentials. π
You'll find Oakland, Alameda, SF, and vintage cookbook designs on the webstore right now by just searching "Heathered"! Clipper commuters love these wallets. ππ
The majority of us will come into contact with these lil guys at some point in our lives! Chances are, everyone has had some experience with them this year with so much uncertainty. Any guesses? π€
The new #Anxiety & #Depression plushies from GIANTmicrobes are perfect to help educate, spread awareness, and hopefully get more people talking about these complicated and vitally important #mentalhealth topics. ππ
Head Mouse Mynt has been hard at work adding a variety of seasonal items to the webstore every day! You can find her fantastic Palm Tree Lane Card Set on modernmousegifts.com right now. πΈ
Not only is the top of our webstore filling with new holiday goodies every day, but you can also visit us for in-store shopping today (11/21) from 12-6pm! You'll find our holiday card racks and bountiful ornament trees right when you walk in. π
The Alameda Strong Shop Local Campaign starts tomorrow (11/21)! Thanks to the City of Alameda - Local Government and Alameda Business Associations, every $50+ pre-tax purchase at the Mouse will receive a free gift bag containing a variety of pandemic essentials.* π€©
Each gift bag contains:
β’ A three-layer machine washable and re-usable face mask with a filter insert pocket and an Alameda Strong logo. Mask is 95% cotton, 5% spandex, and has adjustable ear loops.
β’ A disposable mask filter, size PM2.5.
β’ A keychain wet wipe container with 30 sanitary wet wipes.
β’ 1 oz hand sanitizer.
We're open for in-store shopping tomorrow (11/21) from 12-6pm. π₯°
West Alameda Business Association
Downtown Alameda
*While supplies last! This promotion only applies to in-store shopping and online shoppers who have chosen Store Pickup or Alameda Delivery on our website.
Even when we're closed to the public, you can still shop online! A plethora of amazing cards like this one by Christa Pierce Paper Goods await you on the webstore. βοΈ
When Christa isn't happily sitting at her desk with a fistful of paint brushes, you'll likely find her playing with her dog, biking through Portland, or getting lost in at her favorite bookstore. π
Alameda-based Aroma Fizz is here to help you and your loved ones relax in the best bath ever! Each bomb is made with pure essential oils for a lovely scent that's sure to help you unwind. βΊοΈ
You can try individual bombs for yourself, or grab a gift pack of three from the webstore as a gift. π
Do you consider yourself more of a basic or extra rainbow fantastic flower crown type of person? Feed the Fish Co's handmade felt crowns are perfect for special occasions and everyday wear throughout the year. π₯°
Head Fish Erin Garcia has been working with us since 2014! Many of you may recognize her from the Sunday Crafternoon days, when she used to run craft workshops with us. π»
β¨ Happy Small Business Weekend! β¨ We're excited to announce that a) we're now open FRIDAYS-SUNDAYS, 12-6pm; and b) we're offering free gifts for purchases above $20 and $50 this weekend, while supplies last!
We are following in Bay-Madeβs footsteps in not offering a discount so that we don't directly compete with the very artists we work with this weekend; however, our sale section is fairly expansive and mostly consists of items with discontinued (therefore limited!) designs. We are also gearing up for our annual #12DaysofDeals, due to launch mid-December, so stay tuned, and THANK YOU for shopping small, local and handmade this season! π
The latest candle from Summer Solace Tallow is inspired by Spring! Megan has combined organic California-grown marigold, Iris non-phthalate fragrance oil, and orris butter essential oil to create her new Flora Iris scent. π
Megan Bre Camp was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, but eventually transplanted to the San Francisco Bay Area! She's deeply committed to sustainable living and enjoys sharing her passions through handcrafted items. π―οΈ
This year has been a true test of gratitude, love, patience, and more! We've learned more about ourselves, our business, and those around us in the last 6 months than we have in a while. π
Among many things, we are immensely grateful for our fantastic friends, artists, and fans that have made all of the Mouse magic happen, especially this year! Without you, who knows where we would be in the 2020 sea?
To you, our favorite folks, thank you for:
π selling your beautiful wares with us,
π liking and commenting on our posts,
π shopping online and buying gift cards,
π sharing our store with friends,
π visiting us in-store since reopening,
π sending notes & waves of encouragement,
π donating to our Ko-Fi fund,
π and so much more!
From the Matt, Mynt, Marybeth, and every mouse in between, we hope you have a wonderful day. π₯°
Boston Ivy Thank You Card by An Open Sketchbook
This year has not been ideal. Matt and I started January 2020 with a wealth of ideas for events, sales, handmade products, and more; however, when March hit, everything took a back burner while the world entered survival mode.
During quarantine, we both had a chance to slow down, reflect, and set aside the fear and panic as much as we could. We've probably had more in-depth conversations this year than in our entire history as business owners (and that's sayin' something because if you've met us, you know that we're both eloquent speakers, both highly invested in our work)! π We took the time to also revamp our website and to set up a routine that allows us to continuously add to it day by day, week by week. This has been a major accomplishment for us, as it was something in the works for a couple of years.
You've also most likely noticed we've been slow to reopen to the public - this was a tough decision that we came to together, to protect ourselves and the people we love due to the amount of uncertainty that still surrounded the research and the quality of governance (state and federal) this year. We're continuing to protect ourselves and others by requiring 2+ layer masks for in-store shopping, as well as social distancing and hand-sanitizing at the door. π§΄
In ways other than the obvious, December feels like a culmination of all of 2020, a test of all that we have learned this year. We thank all those who have visited us to tell us how glad they are to see that we're still around - it's truly a pleasure to serve you, and to tell you we have no plans to quit any time soon. We now have extended in-store hours for the month of December - please come masked for your holiday dose of local and handmade goods! We're very much looking forward to saying hello (at a distance) to you all; otherwise, please visit MODERNMOUSEGIFTS.COM for a curated selection of our offered wares. β¨
Much love,
- Mynt, co-Head Mouse π
Weβre so excited to be working with Rachel and Diane of Girls Curls Jewelry! You can now find their crafted leather wrap bracelets here: modernmousegifts.com/Bracelets-c47098023 π
Freshly added to modernmousegifts.com! Framed 5x5β prints by SFHQ β¨
Do you consider yourself more of a basic or extra rainbow fantastic flower crown type of person? Feed the Fish Co's handmade felt crowns are perfect for special occasions and everyday wear throughout the year. π₯°
Head Fish Erin Garcia has been working with us since 2014! Many of you may recognize her from the Sunday Crafternoon days, when she used to run craft workshops with us. π»
Mini stockings galore! How perfect are these for stocking-stuffers? π₯° Find these (handmade by WORD Handsewn Couture) on the front page of modernmousegifts.com!
Modern Mouse added 26 new photos.
December 12 at 1:04 PM Β·
Who remembers when we used to post βInside Modern Mouseβ photos of more regularly? ππ
Open Wednesdays-Sundays, 12-6pm; open 24/7 on modernmousegifts.com!
Fresh on modernmousegifts.com! β¨ Tomoko Maruyamaβs embroidered ornaments are a great way to decorate your tree without weighing any branches down. π
Weβre so excited to be working with Rachel and Diane of Girls Curls Jewelry! You can now find their crafted leather wrap bracelets here: modernmousegifts.com/Bracelets-c47098023 π
Freshly added to modernmousegifts.com! Framed 5x5β prints by SFHQ β¨
This year has not been ideal. Matt and I started January 2020 with a wealth of ideas for events, sales, handmade products, and more; however, when March hit, everything took a back burner while the world entered survival mode.
During quarantine, we both had a chance to slow down, reflect, and set aside the fear and panic as much as we could. We've probably had more in-depth conversations this year than in our entire history as business owners (and that's sayin' something because if you've met us, you know that we're both eloquent speakers, both highly invested in our work)! π We took the time to also revamp our website and to set up a routine that allows us to continuously add to it day by day, week by week. This has been a major accomplishment for us, as it was something in the works for a couple of years.
You've also most likely noticed we've been slow to reopen to the public - this was a tough decision that we came to together, to protect ourselves and the people we love due to the amount of uncertainty that still surrounded the research and the quality of governance (state and federal) this year. We're continuing to protect ourselves and others by requiring 2+ layer masks for in-store shopping, as well as social distancing and hand-sanitizing at the door. π§΄
In ways other than the obvious, December feels like a culmination of all of 2020, a test of all that we have learned this year. We thank all those who have visited us to tell us how glad they are to see that we're still around - it's truly a pleasure to serve you, and to tell you we have no plans to quit any time soon. We now have extended in-store hours for the month of December - please come masked for your holiday dose of local and handmade goods! We're very much looking forward to saying hello (at a distance) to you all; otherwise, please visit MODERNMOUSEGIFTS.COM for a curated selection of our offered wares. β¨
Much love,
- Mynt, co-Head Mouse π
Weβre feelinβ the warmth from Nate of New Skool today! βοΈ Shop local for your new favorite fleece-lined beanie and fleece scarf.
Weβre now open every day until Xmas! For a refresher on our hours, check out our story. Weβre also still offering Xmas Eve delivery between 6-9pm - shop for gifts safely from the comfort of your home at β¨modernmousegifts.comβ¨
Happy holidays! πβοΈ
Surprise! We weren't expecting them this year, but the annual Alameda Calendar from Stephen Seche is now available. πβ
β
You can reserve yours by purchasing online at: β¨ www.modernmousegifts.com β¨ β
β
We'll also be open every day from now until 12/24 for in-store shopping, so grab your holiday list, check it twice, and we'll see you at the Mouse! πππ
AAA Craftsβ dainty statement pieces have joined the modernmousegifts.com collection! π
Xiaoyu personally crafts each piece, guided by a "less is more" approach. The result? Modern, lightweight pieces - perfect for everyday wear.
Mini stockings galore! How perfect are these for stocking-stuffers? π₯° Find these (handmade by WORD Handsewn Couture) on the front page of modernmousegifts.com!
Modern Mouse added 26 new photos.
December 12 at 1:04 PM Β·
Who remembers when we used to post βInside Modern Mouseβ photos of more regularly? ππ
Open Wednesdays-Sundays, 12-6pm; open 24/7 on modernmousegifts.com!
This year has not been ideal. Matt and I started January 2020 with a wealth of ideas for events, sales, handmade products, and more; however, when March hit, everything took a back burner while the world entered survival mode.
During quarantine, we both had a chance to slow down, reflect, and set aside the fear and panic as much as we could. We've probably had more in-depth conversations this year than in our entire history as business owners (and that's sayin' something because if you've met us, you know that we're both eloquent speakers, both highly invested in our work)! π We took the time to also revamp our website and to set up a routine that allows us to continuously add to it day by day, week by week. This has been a major accomplishment for us, as it was something in the works for a couple of years.
You've also most likely noticed we've been slow to reopen to the public - this was a tough decision that we came to together, to protect ourselves and the people we love due to the amount of uncertainty that still surrounded the research and the quality of governance (state and federal) this year. We're continuing to protect ourselves and others by requiring 2+ layer masks for in-store shopping, as well as social distancing and hand-sanitizing at the door. π§΄
In ways other than the obvious, December feels like a culmination of all of 2020, a test of all that we have learned this year. We thank all those who have visited us to tell us how glad they are to see that we're still around - it's truly a pleasure to serve you, and to tell you we have no plans to quit any time soon. We now have extended in-store hours for the month of December - please come masked for your holiday dose of local and handmade goods! We're very much looking forward to saying hello (at a distance) to you all; otherwise, please visit MODERNMOUSEGIFTS.COM for a curated selection of our offered wares. β¨
Much love,
- Mynt, co-Head Mouse π
Wishing you all a happy and safe holiday season π€ππ€
With notes of hemp and sage, the Herbalist candle by Everlasting Safe Haven (Hayward, CA) is sure to wow everyone in your household. πΏ Now available in-store and on modernmousegifts.com! β¨
Our store is open 11-7pm today; curbside pickup & Xmas eve delivery also available!
Did you know that Head Mouse Matt was born and raised in Oakland? Brand new in-store and online: The Courtesy of Oakland long-sleeve tee by Sky Oak Co! π²
modernmousegifts.com/Courtesy-of-Oakland-Long-Sleeve-Tee-p272536086
#Mandalorian Season 2 spoilers ahead!
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RIP Razor Crest; may you live on in our hearts (and in certain cases, over our hearts in the form of a t-shirt). π Handprinted by unqiueFITZ (Alameda, CA), these 100% cotton tees come double-sided with the corresponding sides of Razor Crest.
Now available in-store (open 11-7pm today) and via modernmousegifts.com (open 24/7)!
Calling all December babies! π£
A) Happy birthday to you! B) Did you know you receive 20% off an ENTIRE purchase with your ID & a VIP/loyalty account with us? Swing through and treat yourself to some handmade, locally made & independently designed goods π
[Rest assured, your name & contact info are safe with us - we have never and never will sell our guests' info!]
If you've yet to commemorate 2020 on your tree, don't wait on this ornament! We just got another small batch in stock from Under Construction Creations, but they're sure to go fast. π
This piece would also look fantastic hung in a window or other spots around the house! Inspire yourself to move forward beyond this year and look forward to the future. βοΈ
Wishing you all a happy and safe holiday season π€ππ€
With notes of hemp and sage, the Herbalist candle by Everlasting Safe Haven (Hayward, CA) is sure to wow everyone in your household. πΏ Now available in-store and on modernmousegifts.com! β¨
Our store is open 11-7pm today; curbside pickup & Xmas eve delivery also available!
Did you know that Head Mouse Matt was born and raised in Oakland? Brand new in-store and online: The Courtesy of Oakland long-sleeve tee by Sky Oak Co! π²
modernmousegifts.com/Courtesy-of-Oakland-Long-Sleeve-Tee-p272536086
#Mandalorian Season 2 spoilers ahead!
.
.
.
.
.
RIP Razor Crest; may you live on in our hearts (and in certain cases, over our hearts in the form of a t-shirt). π Handprinted by unqiueFITZ (Alameda, CA), these 100% cotton tees come double-sided with the corresponding sides of Razor Crest.
Now available in-store (open 11-7pm today) and via modernmousegifts.com (open 24/7)!
Calling all December babies! π£
A) Happy birthday to you! B) Did you know you receive 20% off an ENTIRE purchase with your ID & a VIP/loyalty account with us? Swing through and treat yourself to some handmade, locally made & independently designed goods π
[Rest assured, your name & contact info are safe with us - we have never and never will sell our guests' info!]
Happy New Year! We hope you had a safe and lovely start to 2021. π₯
We have had a productive holiday season, and intend to start the new year with clear minds and eyes. Matt and I will be offline and the shop closed from Monday 1/4 until Sunday 1/10 for some much needed rest and relaxation. Curbside pickup, order shipping and delivery will be paused until we return. (One would think that being closed 8 months out of 2020 would have given us a chance to take some time off, but on the contrary and like all other small business owners, we feel like we worked harder than ever last year to make ends meet.)
Purchases made on and after 12/21 will have their return period extended by 7 days; the same applies to USPS orders placed on or after 12/14. Please note that purchases are eligible for exchange or store credit past the 14-day straight return period.
β¨Artists!β¨ Please be sure to time drop-offs and shipments so that they reach us outside of the aforementioned time period. π
Thank you all so much for your continued support while we navigate this ever-fluctuating landscape, and a special thank you goes out to those who waited patiently in line or thanked us for our robust safety protocols this past season! π (My best memory of this to date was when we had Annie, a healthcare professional, visit us and fervently thank us for helping her feel safer in-store while shopping.) For those who have yet to visit us in person, we do ask that, aside from social distancing and sanitizing, your masks be 2 or more layers, and that you refrain from touching your personal belongings (i.e. your phone, keys, etc.) while in-store until checkout. π·π§΄
Much love and gratitude,
Head Mice Matt & Mynt
Please allow us to share with you this absolute treasure that came in the mail from our Holiday Mouse, Clare π And yes, we will be framing this.
If you've yet to commemorate 2020 on your tree, don't wait on this ornament! We just got another small batch in stock from Under Construction Creations, but they're sure to go fast. π
This piece would also look fantastic hung in a window or other spots around the house! Inspire yourself to move forward beyond this year and look forward to the future. βοΈ
Wishing you all a happy and safe holiday season π€ππ€
With notes of hemp and sage, the Herbalist candle by Everlasting Safe Haven (Hayward, CA) is sure to wow everyone in your household. πΏ Now available in-store and on modernmousegifts.com! β¨
Our store is open 11-7pm today; curbside pickup & Xmas eve delivery also available!
Did you know that Head Mouse Matt was born and raised in Oakland? Brand new in-store and online: The Courtesy of Oakland long-sleeve tee by Sky Oak Co! π²
modernmousegifts.com/Courtesy-of-Oakland-Long-Sleeve-Tee-p272536086
Happy New Year! We hope you had a safe and lovely start to 2021. π₯
We have had a productive holiday season, and intend to start the new year with clear minds and eyes. Matt and I will be offline and the shop closed from Monday 1/4 until Sunday 1/10 for some much needed rest and relaxation. Curbside pickup, order shipping and delivery will be paused until we return. (One would think that being closed 8 months out of 2020 would have given us a chance to take some time off, but on the contrary and like all other small business owners, we feel like we worked harder than ever last year to make ends meet.)
Purchases made on and after 12/21 will have their return period extended by 7 days; the same applies to USPS orders placed on or after 12/14. Please note that purchases are eligible for exchange or store credit past the 14-day straight return period.
β¨Artists!β¨ Please be sure to time drop-offs and shipments so that they reach us outside of the aforementioned time period. π
Thank you all so much for your continued support while we navigate this ever-fluctuating landscape, and a special thank you goes out to those who waited patiently in line or thanked us for our robust safety protocols this past season! π (My best memory of this to date was when we had Annie, a healthcare professional, visit us and fervently thank us for helping her feel safer in-store while shopping.) For those who have yet to visit us in person, we do ask that, aside from social distancing and sanitizing, your masks be 2 or more layers, and that you refrain from touching your personal belongings (i.e. your phone, keys, etc.) while in-store until checkout. π·π§΄
Much love and gratitude,
Head Mice Matt & Mynt
Please allow us to share with you this absolute treasure that came in the mail from our Holiday Mouse, Clare π And yes, we will be framing this.
If you've yet to commemorate 2020 on your tree, don't wait on this ornament! We just got another small batch in stock from Under Construction Creations, but they're sure to go fast. π
This piece would also look fantastic hung in a window or other spots around the house! Inspire yourself to move forward beyond this year and look forward to the future. βοΈ
Wishing you all a happy and safe holiday season π€ππ€
With notes of hemp and sage, the Herbalist candle by Everlasting Safe Haven (Hayward, CA) is sure to wow everyone in your household. πΏ Now available in-store and on modernmousegifts.com! β¨
Our store is open 11-7pm today; curbside pickup & Xmas eve delivery also available!
Did you know that Head Mouse Matt was born and raised in Oakland? Brand new in-store and online: The Courtesy of Oakland long-sleeve tee by Sky Oak Co! π²
modernmousegifts.com/Courtesy-of-Oakland-Long-Sleeve-Tee-p272536086
For all the times that someone has stood a bit too close in the grocery store line - if you're the kind of person that respects when someone asks you to step back a couple of feet, you rock! π
New lasercut pins by Oakland superstar Under Construction Creations, now up on modernmousegifts.com! Open 12-6pm today.
New stock alert! We're so excited to carry two designs of A Jar of Pickles' "Taipei" pin collection - Bao Dumpling & Lucky Red Envelope - just in time for Lunar New Year! η¦ (fu) means "good luck" or "fortune" as you begin a new year. π
Currently open 12-6pm, Wed-Sun!
We're thrilled to announce that the preorder listings for our latest releases, designed by Head Mouse Mynt, are live on modernmousegifts.com! β¨
Get 'em while they're hot (or ya know, on preorder pricing) π
Last chance! Grab your 2021 Alameda Calendar before they're gone for good! π
β
https://modernmousegifts.com/SALE-2021-Alameda-Calendar-p268515233
We're back from staycation, and OPEN 12-6pm, Wednesday through Sunday. Come masked for your dose of all things local & handmade! π₯° A major thank you goes out to all those who placed online orders while we took some time to ourselves - your patience and support is greatly appreciated. β€οΈ
Please allow us to share with you this absolute treasure that came in the mail from our Holiday Mouse, Clare π And yes, we will be framing this.
We get the sense that a stop at the Mouse isnβt all thatβs on our favorite Vermont grandpaβs to-do list today π
Store hours are Wed-Sun, 12-6pm; open always on modernmousegifts.com π
These handmade photo frames by Black Sheep Studio were made for hopeless romantics (and plant parents) ππΏ
Our in-store browsing hours are 12-6pm, W-Su; open 24/7 on modernmousegifts.com! β¨
For all the times that someone has stood a bit too close in the grocery store line - if you're the kind of person that respects when someone asks you to step back a couple of feet, you rock! π
New lasercut pins by Oakland superstar Under Construction Creations, now up on modernmousegifts.com! Open 12-6pm today.
New stock alert! We're so excited to carry two designs of A Jar of Pickles' "Taipei" pin collection - Bao Dumpling & Lucky Red Envelope - just in time for Lunar New Year! η¦ (fu) means "good luck" or "fortune" as you begin a new year. π
Currently open 12-6pm, Wed-Sun!
We're thrilled to announce that the preorder listings for our latest releases, designed by Head Mouse Mynt, are live on modernmousegifts.com! β¨
Get 'em while they're hot (or ya know, on preorder pricing) π
Last chance! Grab your 2021 Alameda Calendar before they're gone for good! π
β
https://modernmousegifts.com/SALE-2021-Alameda-Calendar-p268515233
We noticed some new faces on our follower list, so we thought it was time to introduce ourselves officially. Hello! We're Matt Ortega and Enkhzaya (Mynt) Davaanyam-Ortega. Together, we are the driving and main operating force behind Modern Mouse π
I, Mynt, was born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and immigrated to the Bay Area when I was nine. I'm an EHS grad (fun fact: I took Advanced Placement Art as a freshman and was one of the youngest students then to pass the exam); coincidentally, EHS is also where I met and fell in love with Matt. I would often shop at Modern Mouse (when founder Eleen was the owner) for gifts for Matt before we assumed ownership. Art has always been a love of mine - I enjoy painting, designing, illustrating - any creative processes that push my limits and help me stay in touch with my core self. Most of the window drawings you've seen at the Mouse over the past 3+ years have been my work (some have been collabs), and I absolutely love creating displays of the wonderful wares of the artists that we're lucky to work with. β₯οΈ
Matt is a Bay Area native who grew up in East Oakland and then Alameda. His interests lie with 3D art (clay, ceramics, sculpture), sci-fi (e.g. Doctor Who), D&D, photography, jewelry-making, literature, and music. You can find a plethora of his works ranging from photography prints, Wizard sculptures, and clockwork jewelry at the Mouse and (when there isn't a global pandemic) local shops and galleries around the Bay. Outside of the Mouse and the pandemic era, you can usually find him at reuse stores and coffee shops across the Bay. More often lately, he's enjoyed the simplicity of a long walk or bike ride in nature, as well as gaming and writing at home. At the Mouse, Matt's responsible for the majority of vendor management, staffing, and other major administrative tasks, though I will say that he often tag teams with me on the administrative and creative. π
Together, we work hard to continuously foster an environment where people come first, not profit - a healthy and honest environment where we ourselves and anyone who comes through our doors (whether it be staff, guests, artists or friends) can be themselves and thrive, even during chaotic times. We do our very best to operate from a place of kindness, accountability, and sustainability every single day. When you purchase from the Mouse, half of your money goes directly to the artist who lovingly makes or designs the product, per our consignment model, and the rest helps us with our staffing and overhead; the only exception is when you buy items online from our "Charity/Donation" category, where an agreed-upon amount goes to a charity or cause of the artist's choosing. In the past year alone, we've donated to Black Lives Matter, Bay Area Anti-Repression Committee, Alzheimer's Association, Trans Women of Color Collective, and Unicorn Riot.
If you'd like to personally stay in touch with Matt or I, please feel free to follow us on our personal Instagram accounts: @myntortega & @kurosamearts. Otherwise, we are so pleased to make your acquaintance! π Please feel free to comment with any questions for us.
Modern Mouse added 19 new photos.
January 28 at 2:59 PM Β·
Today was Marybethβs last shift at the Mouse - please join us in wishing her the best of luck on her future endeavors! βοΈ
Marybeth has been with us since 2018 and has grown so much in that time; as an illustrator and designer, she has had such a positive impact on the Mouse throughout her time as a member of the Core team. While weβre saddened to see her go, weβre so excited to root for her in this next chapter. Please consider giving this talented local artist a follow on Instagram @bymurry_ π»β¨
[Photos 2-4 are from pre-pandemic times, hence the lack of masks π·]
We get the sense that a stop at the Mouse isnβt all thatβs on our favorite Vermont grandpaβs to-do list today π
Store hours are Wed-Sun, 12-6pm; open always on modernmousegifts.com π
These handmade photo frames by Black Sheep Studio were made for hopeless romantics (and plant parents) ππΏ
Our in-store browsing hours are 12-6pm, W-Su; open 24/7 on modernmousegifts.com! β¨
For all the times that someone has stood a bit too close in the grocery store line - if you're the kind of person that respects when someone asks you to step back a couple of feet, you rock! π
New lasercut pins by Oakland superstar Under Construction Creations, now up on modernmousegifts.com! Open 12-6pm today.
We noticed some new faces on our follower list, so we thought it was time to introduce ourselves officially. Hello! We're Matt Ortega and Enkhzaya (Mynt) Davaanyam-Ortega. Together, we are the driving and main operating force behind Modern Mouse π
I, Mynt, was born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and immigrated to the Bay Area when I was nine. I'm an EHS grad (fun fact: I took Advanced Placement Art as a freshman and was one of the youngest students then to pass the exam); coincidentally, EHS is also where I met and fell in love with Matt. I would often shop at Modern Mouse (when founder Eleen was the owner) for gifts for Matt before we assumed ownership. Art has always been a love of mine - I enjoy painting, designing, illustrating - any creative processes that push my limits and help me stay in touch with my core self. Most of the window drawings you've seen at the Mouse over the past 3+ years have been my work (some have been collabs), and I absolutely love creating displays of the wonderful wares of the artists that we're lucky to work with. β₯οΈ
Matt is a Bay Area native who grew up in East Oakland and then Alameda. His interests lie with 3D art (clay, ceramics, sculpture), sci-fi (e.g. Doctor Who), D&D, photography, jewelry-making, literature, and music. You can find a plethora of his works ranging from photography prints, Wizard sculptures, and clockwork jewelry at the Mouse and (when there isn't a global pandemic) local shops and galleries around the Bay. Outside of the Mouse and the pandemic era, you can usually find him at reuse stores and coffee shops across the Bay. More often lately, he's enjoyed the simplicity of a long walk or bike ride in nature, as well as gaming and writing at home. At the Mouse, Matt's responsible for the majority of vendor management, staffing, and other major administrative tasks, though I will say that he often tag teams with me on the administrative and creative. π
Together, we work hard to continuously foster an environment where people come first, not profit - a healthy and honest environment where we ourselves and anyone who comes through our doors (whether it be staff, guests, artists or friends) can be themselves and thrive, even during chaotic times. We do our very best to operate from a place of kindness, accountability, and sustainability every single day. When you purchase from the Mouse, half of your money goes directly to the artist who lovingly makes or designs the product, per our consignment model, and the rest helps us with our staffing and overhead; the only exception is when you buy items online from our "Charity/Donation" category, where an agreed-upon amount goes to a charity or cause of the artist's choosing. In the past year alone, we've donated to Black Lives Matter, Bay Area Anti-Repression Committee, Alzheimer's Association, Trans Women of Color Collective, and Unicorn Riot.
If you'd like to personally stay in touch with Matt or I, please feel free to follow us on our personal Instagram accounts: @myntortega & @kurosamearts. Otherwise, we are so pleased to make your acquaintance! π Please feel free to comment with any questions for us.
On a bit of a personal note, did you know that Head Mouse Matt had a bit of a habit of taking clocks and watches apart and putting them back together as a child? He now has a fresh batch of clockwork jewelry and accessories available in-store (open 12-6pm today) and online on modernmousegifts.com! π°οΈβ¨
As self-proclaimed plant parents, we are so excited to work with Made by Ada King, who specializes in greeting cards with real pressed flowers πΏ
Check out her collection in-store (we're open 12-6pm today!) or online at modernmousegifts.com π
πΈπ
You Are Not Alone
November 14, 2019 at 3:05 PM Β·
to be a small curly-haired white mouse sniffing a flower
be happy πΈ
Photo taken by the talented & amazing Paula Zhao, please follow her at saison.mousery on Instagram
https://instagram.com/saison.mousery?igshid=1nmq6ufsa0mi5
Lunar New Year is almost here, and we're so happy and grateful to see the engagement with our newest LNY goodies! π₯° We now only have a handful of these Red Envelope pins from A Jar of Pickles available, so be sure to grab yours today and start your year off with a little extra η¦ (fu; "luck" or "good fortune") π§§π
"Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful." ~ John Maeda
Can you tell that we're really feelin' these new heart tees by Flat Toothpick? Available now on modernmousegifts.com! π
We noticed some new faces on our follower list, so we thought it was time to introduce ourselves officially. Hello! We're Matt Ortega and Enkhzaya (Mynt) Davaanyam-Ortega. Together, we are the driving and main operating force behind Modern Mouse π
I, Mynt, was born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and immigrated to the Bay Area when I was nine. I'm an EHS grad (fun fact: I took Advanced Placement Art as a freshman and was one of the youngest students then to pass the exam); coincidentally, EHS is also where I met and fell in love with Matt. I would often shop at Modern Mouse (when founder Eleen was the owner) for gifts for Matt before we assumed ownership. Art has always been a love of mine - I enjoy painting, designing, illustrating - any creative processes that push my limits and help me stay in touch with my core self. Most of the window drawings you've seen at the Mouse over the past 3+ years have been my work (some have been collabs), and I absolutely love creating displays of the wonderful wares of the artists that we're lucky to work with. β₯οΈ
Matt is a Bay Area native who grew up in East Oakland and then Alameda. His interests lie with 3D art (clay, ceramics, sculpture), sci-fi (e.g. Doctor Who), D&D, photography, jewelry-making, literature, and music. You can find a plethora of his works ranging from photography prints, Wizard sculptures, and clockwork jewelry at the Mouse and (when there isn't a global pandemic) local shops and galleries around the Bay. Outside of the Mouse and the pandemic era, you can usually find him at reuse stores and coffee shops across the Bay. More often lately, he's enjoyed the simplicity of a long walk or bike ride in nature, as well as gaming and writing at home. At the Mouse, Matt's responsible for the majority of vendor management, staffing, and other major administrative tasks, though I will say that he often tag teams with me on the administrative and creative. π
Together, we work hard to continuously foster an environment where people come first, not profit - a healthy and honest environment where we ourselves and anyone who comes through our doors (whether it be staff, guests, artists or friends) can be themselves and thrive, even during chaotic times. We do our very best to operate from a place of kindness, accountability, and sustainability every single day. When you purchase from the Mouse, half of your money goes directly to the artist who lovingly makes or designs the product, per our consignment model, and the rest helps us with our staffing and overhead; the only exception is when you buy items online from our "Charity/Donation" category, where an agreed-upon amount goes to a charity or cause of the artist's choosing. In the past year alone, we've donated to Black Lives Matter, Bay Area Anti-Repression Committee, Alzheimer's Association, Trans Women of Color Collective, and Unicorn Riot.
If you'd like to personally stay in touch with Matt or I, please feel free to follow us on our personal Instagram accounts: @myntortega & @kurosamearts. Otherwise, we are so pleased to make your acquaintance! π Please feel free to comment with any questions for us.
Recently, Matt and I have discovered a new routine of listing items on the website where we play to our strengths: Matt preps the listing, focusing on info about the artist and product descriptions, and I focus on the product photography, and double-check the listing in its entirety, and voila! β¨
This divide & conquer tactic was especially helpful while we were listing over 90 Blue Q goodies on the website last week! Find everything via [modernmousegifts.com/search?keyword=Blue%20Q&offset=60] or by searching "Blue Q" on modernmousegifts.com π
We're so excited to showcase handmade heart trinket dishes by Carol Granas! This particular one has a rose quartz embedded, which is a stone of universal love. It restores trust and harmony in relationships, encouraging unconditional love. π
We're open 12-6, Wed-Sun; otherwise, you can find handmade goods at any hour on β¨modernmousegifts.comβ¨
[The featured trinket dish can be found here: modernmousegifts.com/Trinket-Dish-Red-Heart-with-Rose-Quartz-p286455667]
In Chinese element theory, each zodiac sign is associated with one of the five elements: Metal (Gold), Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Each element comes once in a 60-year cycle, and it's believed that someone's personal characteristics are often influenced by their birth year's zodiac animal sign and element.
2021 is the year of the Metal Ox, and people born during such a year are said to be hardworking, active, motivated, and personable - sound like anyone you know? π Notable people born during the year of the Metal Ox are Barack Obama, Eddie Murphy and Princess Diana!
Find our Year of the Ox enamel pin online: modernmousegifts.com/Enamel-Pin-Year-of-the-Ox-p276233602
These fantastic brooches by Under Construction Creations are inspired by the Among Us game! It might help you make new friends, but it won't help you look any less sus. β οΈ
Find these and more Among Us goodies here: modernmousegifts.com/search?keyword=among%20us
This gold tin of chocolate jewels (lovingly handmade by Craft Chocolate) features 10+ larger pieces filled with dark chocolate ganache, 10+ smaller solid dark chocolate pieces; all in all, they're not as permanent as a π, but are way more delicious!
Plus, you can reuse the tin - I made a mini-sewing kit after Matt and I sampled a tin for... quality assurance purposes. ππ
modernmousegifts.com/Golden-Tin-of-Chocolate-Jewels-p282708610
We noticed some new faces on our follower list, so we thought it was time to introduce ourselves officially. Hello! We're Matt Ortega and Enkhzaya (Mynt) Davaanyam-Ortega. Together, we are the driving and main operating force behind Modern Mouse π
I, Mynt, was born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and immigrated to the Bay Area when I was nine. Fun fact about me: I took Advanced Placement Art as a freshman in high school and was one of the youngest students then to pass the exam; coincidentally, EHS is also where I met and fell in love with Matt. I would often shop at Modern Mouse (when founder Eleen was the owner) for gifts for Matt before we assumed ownership. Art has always been a love of mine - I enjoy painting, designing, illustrating - any creative processes that push my limits and help me stay in touch with my core self. Most of the window drawings you've seen at the Mouse over the past 3+ years have been my work (some have been collabs), and I absolutely love creating displays of the wonderful wares of the artists that we're lucky to work with. β₯οΈ
Matt is a Bay Area native who grew up in East Oakland and then Alameda. His interests lie with 3D art (clay, ceramics, sculpture), sci-fi (e.g. Doctor Who), D&D, photography, jewelry-making, literature, and music. You can find a plethora of his works ranging from photography prints, Wizard sculptures, and clockwork jewelry at the Mouse and (when there isn't a global pandemic) local shops and galleries around the Bay. Outside of the Mouse and the pandemic era, you can usually find him at reuse stores and coffee shops across the Bay. More often lately, he's enjoyed the simplicity of a long walk or bike ride in nature, as well as gaming and writing at home. At the Mouse, Matt's responsible for the majority of vendor management, staffing, and other major administrative tasks, though I will say that he often tag teams with me on the administrative and creative. π
Together, we work hard to continuously foster an environment where people come first, not profit - a healthy and honest environment where we ourselves and anyone who comes through our doors (whether it be staff, guests, artists or friends) can be themselves and thrive, even during chaotic times. We do our very best to operate from a place of kindness, accountability, and sustainability every single day. When you purchase from the Mouse, half of your money goes directly to the artist who lovingly makes or designs the product, per our consignment model, and the rest helps us with our staffing and overhead; the only exception is when you buy items online from our "Goods For A Cause" category, where an agreed-upon amount goes to a social justice organization or cause of the artist's choosing. In the past year alone, we've donated to Black Lives Matter, Bay Area Anti-Repression Committee, Alzheimer's Association, Trans Women of Color Collective, and Unicorn Riot.
If you'd like to personally stay in touch with Matt or I, please feel free to follow us on our personal Instagram accounts: @myntortega & @kurosamearts. Otherwise, we are so pleased to make your acquaintance! π Please feel free to comment with any questions for us.
Just thought you should know β₯οΈ
modernmousegifts.com/Wildflowers-Stand-Zipper-Pouch-p293420205
The Sisterhood Co. was born in 2018 when a pair of sisters wanted to gift their loved ones something handmade; fast forward a couple of years and people are still raving about their wood wick candles! π―οΈβ¨
Find the most recent batch of Sisterhood Co. candles here: modernmousegifts.com/search?keyword=sisterhood
For best results - and this goes for all candles - be sure to burn edge to edge during the first lighting, to avoid tunneling and to get the most of out of your candle. π
Show some love with these lavender-scented bath bombs by Aroma Fizz! Available in-store and online for curbside pickup π
modernmousegifts.com/Valentines-Day-Bath-Bomb-p169267970
We're quite enamored with these handstitched wall hangings by Moonlight Rose of Alameda! A few of these have pockets, which makes them perfect for the occasional flower, trinkets, or even cash. π
Easy link for featured goods: modernmousegifts.com/search?keyword=moonlight%20rose
Need some V-day goodies for your kiddo? Check out these tot/youth options by Flat Toothpick - as a mom of two tiny humans, we like to think that she has inside info on what appeals to kids currently. Also, pocket pillows because we couldn't resist how cute and soft they are. π₯°
Easy links for the featured gifts:
modernmousegifts.com/Hand-Drawn-Love-Heart-Girls-Tee-Raspberry-p286404655
modernmousegifts.com/Red-Heart-Pocket-Youth-Sweatshirt-Graphite-Heather-p286455668
modernmousegifts.com/Pink-Heart-Patch-Youth-Sweatpants-Black-p286479651
modernmousegifts.com/search?keyword=pocket%20pillow
We noticed some new faces on our follower list, so we thought it was time to introduce ourselves officially. Hello! We're Matt Ortega and Enkhzaya (Mynt) Davaanyam-Ortega. Together, we are the driving and main operating force behind Modern Mouse π
I, Mynt, was born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and immigrated to the Bay Area when I was nine. Fun fact about me: I took Advanced Placement Art as a freshman in high school and was one of the youngest students then to pass the exam; coincidentally, EHS is also where I met and fell in love with Matt. I would often shop at Modern Mouse (when founder Eleen was the owner) for gifts for Matt before we assumed ownership. Art has always been a love of mine - I enjoy painting, designing, illustrating - any creative processes that push my limits and help me stay in touch with my core self. Most of the window drawings you've seen at the Mouse over the past 3+ years have been my work (some have been collabs), and I absolutely love creating displays of the wonderful wares of the artists that we're lucky to work with. β₯οΈ
Matt is a Bay Area native who grew up in East Oakland and then Alameda. His interests lie with 3D art (clay, ceramics, sculpture), sci-fi (e.g. Doctor Who), D&D, photography, jewelry-making, literature, and music. You can find a plethora of his works ranging from photography prints, Wizard sculptures, and clockwork jewelry at the Mouse and (when there isn't a global pandemic) local shops and galleries around the Bay. Outside of the Mouse and the pandemic era, you can usually find him at reuse stores and coffee shops across the Bay. More often lately, he's enjoyed the simplicity of a long walk or bike ride in nature, as well as gaming and writing at home. At the Mouse, Matt's responsible for the majority of vendor management, staffing, and other major administrative tasks, though I will say that he often tag teams with me on the administrative and creative. π
Together, we work hard to continuously foster an environment where people come first, not profit - a healthy and honest environment where we ourselves and anyone who comes through our doors (whether it be staff, guests, artists or friends) can be themselves and thrive, even during chaotic times. We do our very best to operate from a place of kindness, accountability, and sustainability every single day. When you purchase from the Mouse, half of your money goes directly to the artist who lovingly makes or designs the product, per our consignment model, and the rest helps us with our staffing and overhead; the only exception is when you buy items online from our "Goods For A Cause" category, where an agreed-upon amount goes to a social justice organization or cause of the artist's choosing. In the past year alone, we've donated to Black Lives Matter, Bay Area Anti-Repression Committee, Alzheimer's Association, Trans Women of Color Collective, and Unicorn Riot.
If you'd like to personally stay in touch with Matt or I, please feel free to follow us on our personal Instagram accounts: @myntortega & @kurosamearts. Otherwise, we are so pleased to make your acquaintance! π Please feel free to comment with any questions for us.
There's nothing quite like a full jewelry display to make us feel accomplished; many thanks to Xiaoyu of AAA Crafts for the hefty restock! π₯°
Xiaoyu is an El Cerrito artist who's inspired by how geometry manifests in nature and a "less is more" approach in design; as a result, her jewelry pieces are lightweight enough for every day wear, yet elegant enough to still make a statement. β¨
Check out her goods online: modernmousegifts.com/search?keyword=AAA β₯οΈ
Feeling grateful for this beautiful place we call home π
With struggles and stress mounting, letβs remember to reach out to those who have slipped in and out of our conscious thoughts; whether you hear from them often, or you have not seen them in ages, show them you care with a card!
Pictured is the Radiant Lotus card by Boundless (my current favorite of their collection, which is now up on modernmousegifts.com). One half of the duo behind Boundless is what we've dubbed as a "Sole Income Artist," a group among our roster whose craft is their sole source of income, so we encourage you to show them some β₯οΈ!
Something that made my brain really happy is when I noticed, shortly after these pins were made, that the "LA" is where LA is. π΄
modernmousegifts.com/Enamel-Pin-Hella-CA-p276206516
We hope that you all had lovely holiday weekend! Matt and I were both beat and very grateful to have Monday & Tuesday off enjoying leftovers from our little Lunar New Year celebration.
Speaking of which, all LNY goods are now β¨20% offβ¨ in-store and online, while supplies last. π§§β€οΈ
modernmousegifts.com/On-Sale-c64901099
We noticed some new faces on our follower list, so we thought it was time to introduce ourselves officially. Hello! We're Matt Ortega and Enkhzaya (Mynt) Davaanyam-Ortega. Together, we are the driving and main operating force behind Modern Mouse π
I, Mynt, was born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and immigrated to the Bay Area when I was nine. Fun fact about me: I took Advanced Placement Art as a freshman in high school and was one of the youngest students then to pass the exam; coincidentally, EHS is also where I met and fell in love with Matt. I would often shop at Modern Mouse (when founder Eleen was the owner) for gifts for Matt before we assumed ownership. Art has always been a love of mine - I enjoy painting, designing, illustrating - any creative processes that push my limits and help me stay in touch with my core self. Most of the window drawings you've seen at the Mouse over the past 3+ years have been my work (some have been collabs), and I absolutely love creating displays of the wonderful wares of the artists that we're lucky to work with. β₯οΈ
Matt is a Bay Area native who grew up in East Oakland and then Alameda. His interests lie with 3D art (clay, ceramics, sculpture), sci-fi (e.g. Doctor Who), D&D, photography, jewelry-making, literature, and music. You can find a plethora of his works ranging from photography prints, Wizard sculptures, and clockwork jewelry at the Mouse and (when there isn't a global pandemic) local shops and galleries around the Bay. Outside of the Mouse and the pandemic era, you can usually find him at reuse stores and coffee shops across the Bay. More often lately, he's enjoyed the simplicity of a long walk or bike ride in nature, as well as gaming and writing at home. At the Mouse, Matt's responsible for the majority of vendor management, staffing, and other major administrative tasks, though I will say that he often tag teams with me on the administrative and creative. π
Together, we work hard to continuously foster an environment where people come first, not profit - a healthy and honest environment where we ourselves and anyone who comes through our doors (whether it be staff, guests, artists or friends) can be themselves and thrive, even during chaotic times. We do our very best to operate from a place of kindness, accountability, and sustainability every single day. When you purchase from the Mouse, half of your money goes directly to the artist who lovingly makes or designs the product, per our consignment model, and the rest helps us with our staffing and overhead; the only exception is when you buy items online from our "Goods For A Cause" category, where an agreed-upon amount goes to a social justice organization or cause of the artist's choosing. In the past year alone, we've donated to Black Lives Matter, Bay Area Anti-Repression Committee, Alzheimer's Association, Trans Women of Color Collective, and Unicorn Riot.
If you'd like to personally stay in touch with Matt or I, please feel free to follow us on our personal Instagram accounts: @myntortega & @kurosamearts. Otherwise, we are so pleased to make your acquaintance! π Please feel free to comment with any questions for us.
We were quite touched to receive this poem by local poet & friend Gene! A worthy addition to our "To Frame" pile π₯°
We noticed some new faces on our follower list, so we thought it was time to introduce ourselves officially. Hello! We're Matt Ortega and Enkhzaya (Mynt) Davaanyam-Ortega. Together, we are the driving and main operating force behind Modern Mouse π
I, Mynt, was born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and immigrated to the Bay Area when I was nine. Fun fact about me: I took Advanced Placement Art as a freshman in high school and was one of the youngest students then to pass the exam; coincidentally, EHS is also where I met and fell in love with Matt. I would often shop at Modern Mouse (when founder Eleen was the owner) for gifts for Matt before we assumed ownership. Art has always been a love of mine - I enjoy painting, designing, illustrating - any creative processes that push my limits and help me stay in touch with my core self. Most of the window drawings you've seen at the Mouse over the past 3+ years have been my work (some have been collabs), and I absolutely love creating displays of the wonderful wares of the artists that we're lucky to work with. β₯οΈ
Matt is a Bay Area native who grew up in East Oakland and then Alameda. His interests lie with 3D art (clay, ceramics, sculpture), sci-fi (e.g. Doctor Who), D&D, photography, jewelry-making, literature, and music. You can find a plethora of his works ranging from photography prints, Wizard sculptures, and clockwork jewelry at the Mouse and (when there isn't a global pandemic) local shops and galleries around the Bay. Outside of the Mouse and the pandemic era, you can usually find him at reuse stores and coffee shops across the Bay. More often lately, he's enjoyed the simplicity of a long walk or bike ride in nature, as well as gaming and writing at home. At the Mouse, Matt's responsible for the majority of vendor management, staffing, and other major administrative tasks, though I will say that he often tag teams with me on the administrative and creative. π
Together, we work hard to continuously foster an environment where people come first, not profit - a healthy and honest environment where we ourselves and anyone who comes through our doors (whether it be staff, guests, artists or friends) can be themselves and thrive, even during chaotic times. We do our very best to operate from a place of kindness, accountability, and sustainability every single day. When you purchase from the Mouse, half of your money goes directly to the artist who lovingly makes or designs the product, per our consignment model, and the rest helps us with our staffing and overhead; the only exception is when you buy items online from our "Goods For A Cause" category, where an agreed-upon amount goes to a social justice organization or cause of the artist's choosing. In the past year alone, we've donated to Black Lives Matter, Bay Area Anti-Repression Committee, Alzheimer's Association, Trans Women of Color Collective, and Unicorn Riot.
If you'd like to personally stay in touch with Matt or I, please feel free to follow us on our personal Instagram accounts: @myntortega & @kurosamearts. Otherwise, we are so pleased to make your acquaintance! π Please feel free to comment with any questions for us.
There's something about Summer Solace Tallow soaps, candles and perfumes - when someone picks up a SST soap, I can only hope that they sense the care, concentration and quality that Megan puts into each piece.
Crafted from the rendered fat of California pasture-raised cattle, Fair Trade & organic cacao butter, and blended with truly extra-virgin olive oil grown by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, these rich and hydrating tallow soaps makes for an especially luscious cleansing experience, and can be used on all skin types.
The Desert Rose soap contains mild kaolin clay which gently draws dirt and oil to the skin's surface, helps to support and strengthen skin cells, and increases circulation.
Gardener's is fantastic for those working in the kitchen or the artist's studio, as it performs equally well at ridding the skin of food odors, inks, paint, and resins, leaving the skin cleansed and refreshed.
Find these soaps and more SST products in-store or online at modernmousegifts.com!
Bold colors used to capture small details on heavy-duty art paper? Must be My Town Fan Club, a fan-favorite (pun intended) here at the Mouse.
Who recognizes the bridge in his newest print? π
Find the newest of Shane's works here: modernmousegifts.com/search?keyword=Fan%20Club
We were quite touched to receive this poem by local poet & friend Gene! A worthy addition to our "To Frame" pile π₯°
For those of you who have been respectful of the safety rules we have set to protect ourselves and our space, we are truly grateful for you - thank you ππΌ
Please know that there's a monumental effort on our part to keep everyone safe until everyone is vaccinated; it's not just the mask requirements for everyone in-store. We have a well-ventilated and separate area for eating during breaks, we thoroughly steam clean all returned fabric goods (after making sure they were just tried on, and not worn), and we have probably spent a total of literally hours sanitizing the store for the past year. We can tell that we're doing something right because we, and those under our employ who have chosen to get tested, have tested negative for COVID-19 thus far and we'd really like to keep it that way until we qualify for vaccines.
Every small business is different, and we certainly cannot control what people do outside of the store; however, please respect the store's safety policies, just like you would in someone else's home.
(If you are the "K" mentioned in this post, please grow up.)
Matt Ortega is with Enkhzaya Ortega.
February 26 at 10:13 PM Β·
Why has this pandemic lasted so long? It's a simple enough question with a plethora of answers. One of those answers is the radical individualist culture that often runs rampant in the US.
I had the displeasure of interacting with a female-passing person and their child right at the start of our day at the store.
As a bit of background, we're a bit more thorough at the Mouse than most businesses. We follow CDC recommendations *on top of* local regulations and accredited scientific studies in regards to COVID-19. At the door, if we don't immediately recognize a medical-grade mask being worn, we ask "is your mask at least two layers of fabric?" to ensure safety. After that, we ask to sanitize guests' hands and that they keep those hands away from personal items until checkout. We believe that this helps prevent cross-contamination and allows guests to browse to their heart's content. We don't allow single-layer masks (neck gaiters, bandanas, etc), but do offer medical grade masks for $0.25 which many folx take advantage of. Most guests understand and appreciate our safety measures. This one (let's call them K) was not one of those guests.
Me: *coming to the door, cheery & welcoming* Hi how are you?
K: *with their child, both wearing fabric masks* Good thanks!
Me: Were you looking to do some browsing today?
K: Yes.
Me: Wonderful! Are your masks are least 2 layers of fabric?
K: *perplexed* Uh, no? I think so?
Me: Well we do require 2 layers of fabric in-store, but-
K: *cutting me off* I'm already wearing this one, which is impeding my breathing, that's enough.
Me: I understand, but per CDC recommendations we-
K: *cutting me off again* I don't care what the CDC says, you can't tell me what kind of mask to wear and you need to respect my rights.
Me: *realizing this isn't going anywhere* I understand that and I respect your choices. Simultaneously, this is my business, and I ask you to respect how I choose to safely run it.
K: Well I'm just not going to shop here then!
Me: Okay, have a great day.
K: *walking away, pulling the child along* I'm going to serve you with a violation! (w/e that means)
Another guest comes over, is much more understanding, apologizes for us having to deal with that, and I go into the back for a moment to breathe. In the meantime, K walks by, this time not wearing their mask, still pulling their small child along, and yells into the store "THEY'RE DISCRIMINATING!" Mynt goes out to see, but by that time they've power-walked to the food court area.
After this, I had a lovely conversation with the guest that actually came into the store. The expressed their appreciation for our more intricate mask safety procedures. They noted that K had likely never been truly discriminated against like they were as an Asian-American, *especially* during the pandemic.
Since that incident, I've explicitly thanked every guest that's come in for their understanding of our safety procedures. During the holidays, about 1 in 10 folks had problems with our procedures, but everyone in between was considerate and thoughtful. Since the new year, those with issues have decreased significantly, so I guess we were overdue for an anti-masker.
"My rights"
"I don't care"
These words, when used as a platform for radical individualism, are partially why the death toll has soared in the US. This person wanted their rights to be respected, but didn't want to respect the rights of anyone else in return. I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt of having difficulties traversing one of the most difficult times in recent history, like we all are, but their choice of words makes that hard to believe.
I have high hopes that we'll be out of this mess by Halloween if vaccinations continue as they do and nice humans prevail, but folx like K definitely make that light a little dimmer from time to time. Thankfully, everyone in between keeps things balanced.
Stay safe out there friends.
Why has this pandemic lasted so long? It's a simple enough question with a plethora of answers. One of those answers is the radical individualist culture that often runs rampant in the US.
I had the displeasure of interacting with a female-passing person and their child right at the start of our day at the store.
As a bit of background, we're a bit more thorough at the Mouse than most businesses. We follow CDC recommendations *on top of* local regulations and accredited scientific studies in regards to COVID-19. At the door, if we don't immediately recognize a medical-grade mask being worn, we ask "is your mask at least two layers of fabric?" to ensure safety. After that, we ask to sanitize guests' hands and that they keep those hands away from personal items until checkout. We believe that this helps prevent cross-contamination and allows guests to browse to their heart's content. We don't allow single-layer masks (neck gaiters, bandanas, etc), but do offer medical grade masks for $0.25 which many folx take advantage of. Most guests understand and appreciate our safety measures. This one (let's call them K) was not one of those guests.
Me: *coming to the door, cheery & welcoming* Hi how are you?
K: *with their child, both wearing fabric masks* Good thanks!
Me: Were you looking to do some browsing today?
K: Yes.
Me: Wonderful! Are your masks are least 2 layers of fabric?
K: *perplexed* Uh, no? I think so?
Me: Well we do require 2 layers of fabric in-store, but-
K: *cutting me off* I'm already wearing this one, which is impeding my breathing, that's enough.
Me: I understand, but per CDC recommendations we-
K: *cutting me off again* I don't care what the CDC says, you can't tell me what kind of mask to wear and you need to respect my rights.
Me: *realizing this isn't going anywhere* I understand that and I respect your choices. Simultaneously, this is my business, and I ask you to respect how I choose to safely run it.
K: Well I'm just not going to shop here then!
Me: Okay, have a great day.
K: *walking away, pulling the child along* I'm going to serve you with a violation! (w/e that means)
Another guest comes over, is much more understanding, apologizes for us having to deal with that, and I go into the back for a moment to breathe. In the meantime, K walks by, this time not wearing their mask, still pulling their small child along, and yells into the store "THEY'RE DISCRIMINATING!" Mynt goes out to see, but by that time they've power-walked to the food court area.
After this, I had a lovely conversation with the guest that actually came into the store. The expressed their appreciation for our more intricate mask safety procedures. They noted that K had likely never been truly discriminated against like they were as an Asian-American, *especially* during the pandemic.
Since that incident, I've explicitly thanked every guest that's come in for their understanding of our safety procedures. During the holidays, about 1 in 10 folks had problems with our procedures, but everyone in between was considerate and thoughtful. Since the new year, those with issues have decreased significantly, so I guess we were overdue for an anti-masker.
"My rights"
"I don't care"
These words, when used as a platform for radical individualism, are partially why the death toll has soared in the US. This person wanted their rights to be respected, but didn't want to respect the rights of anyone else in return. I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt of having difficulties traversing one of the most difficult times in recent history, like we all are, but their choice of words makes that hard to believe.
I have high hopes that we'll be out of this mess by Halloween if vaccinations continue as they do and nice humans prevail, but folx like K definitely make that light a little dimmer from time to time. Thankfully, everyone in between keeps things balanced.
Stay safe out there friends.
There's nothing quite like a full jewelry display to make us feel accomplished; many thanks to Xiaoyu of AAA Crafts for the hefty restock! π₯°
Xiaoyu is an El Cerrito artist who's inspired by how geometry manifests in nature and a "less is more" approach in design; as a result, her jewelry pieces are lightweight enough for every day wear, yet elegant enough to still make a statement. β¨
Check out her goods online: modernmousegifts.com/search?keyword=AAA β₯οΈ
Say hello to newest batch of lightweight and hypoallergenic beauties by Koko Chic Earrings, aka Julieta of Chicago! β As a makeup & jewelry artist, Julieta strives to help people feel unique, confident and beautiful; hence her colorful line of lasercut acrylic jewelry.
Featured earrings: modernmousegifts.com/Hoop-Earrings-Synergy-Iridescent-p282262272
This sudden cold & rainy weather has us seeking warmth in our knitted and crocheted goods; speaking of which, a new batch of hand warmers by Handmade Hill of Blackfoot, ID has hit the store! This particular pair is my current favorite due to its cottagecore-esque buttons π₯°π
modernmousegifts.com/Hand-Warmer-Pink-p282296282
There's something about Summer Solace Tallow soaps, candles and perfumes - when someone picks up a SST soap, I can only hope that they sense the care, concentration and quality that Megan puts into each piece.
Crafted from the rendered fat of California pasture-raised cattle, Fair Trade & organic cacao butter, and blended with truly extra-virgin olive oil grown by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, these rich and hydrating tallow soaps makes for an especially luscious cleansing experience, and can be used on all skin types.
The Desert Rose soap contains mild kaolin clay which gently draws dirt and oil to the skin's surface, helps to support and strengthen skin cells, and increases circulation.
Gardener's is fantastic for those working in the kitchen or the artist's studio, as it performs equally well at ridding the skin of food odors, inks, paint, and resins, leaving the skin cleansed and refreshed.
Find these soaps and more SST products in-store or online at modernmousegifts.com!
Bold colors used to capture small details on heavy-duty art paper? Must be My Town Fan Club, a fan-favorite (pun intended) here at the Mouse.
Who recognizes the bridge in his newest print? π
Find the newest of Shane's works here: modernmousegifts.com/search?keyword=Fan%20Club
We were quite touched to receive this poem by local poet & friend Gene! A worthy addition to our "To Frame" pile π₯°
β€
Kaylin Ashley
March 12 at 6:22 AM Β·
Because I care about your well-being, here is various pictures of Dolly Parton holding kittens π πββ¬ π
Edit: while weβre here check out my shop for fun jewelry π₯° www.Instagram.com/ruledbyvenusdesigns
For us, Sugar Scrubs by Tricia checks all the boxes: Organic, vegan, non-GMO and paraben, gluten, & dye free. All in all, a great self-care gift for someone in your life (and let's face it, we can all use some extra self-care after the year we've had)! πβ¨
Featured sugar scrub: modernmousegifts.com/Lavender-Sugar-Scrub-12oz-p239040558
Thank you, Handbrewed Soaps! Feeling honored with this shout-out π
Handbrewed Soaps
March 12 at 6:23 PM Β·
My three favorite reasons why I f-ing love Modern Mouse!! Where do you go to shop local artists?
Good to know! π
Jim Rittenhouse
March 7 at 7:30 AM Β·
Rachel Diaz-Bastin's attention to detail is famous here at the Mouse, and their newest "A Miniature World" print is no exception! As a depiction of life on the forest floor, with mushrooms, lichens, and a ten-lined June beetle (Polyphylla decemlineata), this print makes a great gift for the nature admirer in your life π
Featured print: modernmousegifts.com/Miniature-World-mushroom-8-5x11-Print-p286405624
We noticed some new faces on our follower list, so we thought it was time to introduce ourselves officially. Hello! We're Matt Ortega and Enkhzaya (Mynt) Davaanyam-Ortega. Together, we are the driving and main operating force behind Modern Mouse π
I, Mynt, was born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and immigrated to the Bay Area when I was nine. Fun fact about me: I took Advanced Placement Art as a freshman in high school and was one of the youngest students then to pass the exam; coincidentally, EHS is also where I met and fell in love with Matt. I would often shop at Modern Mouse (when founder Eleen was the owner) for gifts for Matt before we assumed ownership. Art has always been a love of mine - I enjoy painting, designing, illustrating - any creative processes that push my limits and help me stay in touch with my core self. Most of the window drawings you've seen at the Mouse over the past 3+ years have been my work (some have been collabs), and I absolutely love creating displays of the wonderful wares of the artists that we're lucky to work with. β₯οΈ
Matt is a Bay Area native who grew up in East Oakland and then Alameda. His interests lie with 3D art (clay, ceramics, sculpture), sci-fi (e.g. Doctor Who), D&D, photography, jewelry-making, literature, and music. You can find a plethora of his works ranging from photography prints, Wizard sculptures, and clockwork jewelry at the Mouse and (when there isn't a global pandemic) local shops and galleries around the Bay. Outside of the Mouse and the pandemic era, you can usually find him at reuse stores and coffee shops across the Bay. More often lately, he's enjoyed the simplicity of a long walk or bike ride in nature, as well as gaming and writing at home. At the Mouse, Matt's responsible for the majority of vendor management, staffing, and other major administrative tasks, though I will say that he often tag teams with me on the administrative and creative. π
Together, we work hard to continuously foster an environment where people come first, not profit - a healthy and honest environment where we ourselves and anyone who comes through our doors (whether it be staff, guests, artists or friends) can be themselves and thrive, even during chaotic times. We do our very best to operate from a place of kindness, accountability, and sustainability every single day. When you purchase from the Mouse, half of your money goes directly to the artist who lovingly makes or designs the product, per our consignment model, and the rest helps us with our staffing and overhead; the only exception is when you buy items online from our "Goods For A Cause" category, where an agreed-upon amount goes to a social justice organization or cause of the artist's choosing. In the past year alone, we've donated to Black Lives Matter, Bay Area Anti-Repression Committee, Alzheimer's Association, Trans Women of Color Collective, and Unicorn Riot.
If you'd like to personally stay in touch with Matt or I, please feel free to follow us on our personal Instagram accounts: @myntortega & @kurosamearts. Otherwise, we are so pleased to make your acquaintance! π Please feel free to comment with any questions for us.
We have to be honest: We have a soft spot in our hearts for Katy of K is for Calligraphy. She's one of our original 50 artists, and has a penchant for creating digitally unaltered, hand-lettered paper goods. Best of all, Katy also makes every attempt to re-purpose/reuse/recycle; if you've ever perused her vintage stickers in-store, then you know. β¨ Her newest batch of stickers are up on modernmousegifts.com, including this lovely Rosa Naranja Sticker πΉ
The newest kid on the block! Ultra lightweight keychains featuring my updated Alameda Stamp design, available exclusively in-store and on modernmousegifts.com (Accessiories > Keychains). π
Antonia of SugarHigh Art recently dropped off a fresh restock! Her Oakland-themed stickers and patches are now up on modernmousegifts.com π
As an Asian-American woman, Iβm finding myself exhausted with trying to take care of myself, my family, and sustain my small business in the midst of a climate that allows for a sheriff to say that a terrorist (who murdered 6 Asian-American women) was just βhaving a bad day.β Hate crimes against Asian Americans are at an all time high, and we all need to do our part to protect and educate and dismantle the white supremacy that exists in our society and within ourselves.
Matt and I have both been individually thinking about doing something like this, and seeing our friend Jean of @inkblotgallery partnering with @hopemengdesign to donate all of the proceeds from the sale of their LNY posters and enamel pins to organizations benefitting the AAPI community has inspired us to do the same.
Effective immediately, all profit (on our end) from the sale of @ajarofpickles_β Red Envelope Pin, @penandpaces LNY cards/stickers, and my Year of the Ox pins will be donated to @stopaapihate and @redcanarysong.
Justice for Delaina Ashley Yuan.
Justice for Paul Andre Michels.
Justice for Xiaojie Yan.
Justice for Daoyou Feng.
Justice for Julie Park.
Justice for Park Hyeon Jeong.
Justice for the 2 victims yet to be named.
#stopAsianhate #stopAAPIhate #AAPI #hateisavirus #whitesupremacyisterrorism #atlantaspa #protectasianlives
modernmousegifts.com/Enamel-Pin-Year-of-the-Ox-p276233602
modernmousegifts.com/Lunar-New-Year-Enamel-Pin-p276533259
modernmousegifts.com/Ox-Chinese-New-Year-Card-with-Sticker-p290798662
modernmousegifts.com/Ox-Chinese-New-Year-Sticker-p290801649
β€
Kaylin Ashley
March 12 at 6:22 AM Β·
Because I care about your well-being, here is various pictures of Dolly Parton holding kittens π πββ¬ π
Edit: while weβre here check out my shop for fun jewelry π₯° www.Instagram.com/ruledbyvenusdesigns
We noticed some new faces on our follower list, so we thought it was time to introduce ourselves officially. Hello! We're Matt Ortega and Enkhzaya (Mynt) Davaanyam-Ortega. Together, we are the driving and main operating force behind Modern Mouse π
I, Mynt, was born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and immigrated to the Bay Area when I was nine. Fun fact about me: I took Advanced Placement Art as a freshman in high school and was one of the youngest students then to pass the exam; coincidentally, EHS is also where I met and fell in love with Matt. I would often shop at Modern Mouse (when founder Eleen was the owner) for gifts for Matt before we assumed ownership. Art has always been a love of mine - I enjoy painting, designing, illustrating - any creative processes that push my limits and help me stay in touch with my core self. Most of the window drawings you've seen at the Mouse over the past 3+ years have been my work (some have been collabs), and I absolutely love creating displays of the wonderful wares of the artists that we're lucky to work with. β₯οΈ
Matt is a Bay Area native who grew up in East Oakland and then Alameda. His interests lie with 3D art (clay, ceramics, sculpture), sci-fi (e.g. Doctor Who), D&D, photography, jewelry-making, literature, and music. You can find a plethora of his works ranging from photography prints, Wizard sculptures, and clockwork jewelry at the Mouse and (when there isn't a global pandemic) local shops and galleries around the Bay. Outside of the Mouse and the pandemic era, you can usually find him at reuse stores and coffee shops across the Bay. More often lately, he's enjoyed the simplicity of a long walk or bike ride in nature, as well as gaming and writing at home. At the Mouse, Matt's responsible for the majority of vendor management, staffing, and other major administrative tasks, though I will say that he often tag teams with me on the administrative and creative. π
Together, we work hard to continuously foster an environment where people come first, not profit - a healthy and honest environment where we ourselves and anyone who comes through our doors (whether it be staff, guests, artists or friends) can be themselves and thrive, even during chaotic times. We do our very best to operate from a place of kindness, accountability, and sustainability every single day. When you purchase from the Mouse, half of your money goes directly to the artist who lovingly makes or designs the product, per our consignment model, and the rest helps us with our staffing and overhead; the only exception is when you buy items online from our "Goods For A Cause" category, where an agreed-upon amount goes to a social justice organization or cause of the artist's choosing. In the past year alone, we've donated to Black Lives Matter, Bay Area Anti-Repression Committee, Alzheimer's Association, Trans Women of Color Collective, and Unicorn Riot.
If you'd like to personally stay in touch with Matt or I, please feel free to follow us on our personal Instagram accounts: @myntortega & @kurosamearts. Otherwise, we are so pleased to make your acquaintance! π Please feel free to comment with any questions for us.
This not-so-traditional marmalade by Alameda Fruit Co. is made of mostly limes with sugar, lemon and oranges, a sprinkling of red chili flakes, and a splash of tequila. π₯΄ Great on cheese and crackers, as well as grilled chicken sandwiches!
Featured marmalade: modernmousegifts.com/Marmalade-A-Kick-in-the-Pants-3-p166416396
Please join us in wishing good friend and Modern Mouse founder Eleen a very happy (belated) birthday! We hope your day was filled with love, gratitude and fun π
Since passing the torch to us 4 years ago (how has it already been 4 years???), Eleen has built another business, Flat Toothpick, which is now one of our most popular local apparel brands! Matt and I are so thankful for her unique perspective, sound advice, and (most importantly) her friendship in our journey as small business owners. ππ
Matt and I are huge fans of artist who reuse, reduce & recycle, and Carry On Designs is no exception! Amy gives new life to fabric samples to create handcrafted bags, purses, luggage, totes, and accessory bags. We are so excited to have recently received some cute puppy pouches, as well as handcrafted greeting cards with the same aesthetic! πΆ
Featured Corgi Pouch: modernmousegifts.com/Corgi-Dog-Bag-p290888553
Personally, I'm a huge fan of these high-low scoop festival tees! Not only are they super soft, they're great for all of my favorite pant combinations - jeans and big belt buckle, or leggings. Head over to modernmousegifts.com to grab Flat Toothpick's newest Alameda Anchor scoop tee, or drop by the store today! Open 12-6pm. πβ
Featured tee: modernmousegifts.com/Alameda-Anchor-Fem-Scoop-Tee-Heather-White-p315751040
βThe new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light if only weβre brave enough to see it, if only weβre brave enough to be it.β β National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman
Art: Mynt Ortega