They are all handmade by local artisans.
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When it comes to giving gifts this year, we’re looking beyond our usual spots. One unique place that captured our attention? Abask. The new home design site offers super-special pieces that you can’t exactly get on Amazon. Each product is handmade by skilled artisans around the world. In fact, the online retailer features nearly 200 on its site. So, if you’re looking for something utterly cool and, well, different for those on your shopping list this year, you’ve come to the right place.
Here’s the thing: Because everything is handmade, the pieces tend to skew expensive. Think a Josef Hoffmann sterling silver coffee set for more than $30,000 and a marquetry poker set for $15,000. Such luxuries may be a bit too extravagant for your run-of-the-mill holiday present, so we went ahead and chose 10 goodies for under $100 that don’t skimp on style or charm.
From a ceramic egg crate to a mouth-blown bud vase, there are plenty of chic options that anyone with an affinity for good design will appreciate. One of our favorite picks on the list (a beautiful notebook) just so happens to be one of our shopping editor's most-used items. Explore our favorite finds from Abask below, and while you’re at it, take a peek at the rest of its wonderful wares. We dare you not to snag a little something for yourself. No matter what you end up buying, you’re bound to get compliments on it and questions like, “where did you get that?”
Yes, there are easier ways to get the most juice out of your citrus, but none of them are as elegant and old-school as this glazed stoneware squeezer. Contrary to its name, it doesn't actually involve much squeezing. Rather, you simply pop half of a lemon, orange, or lime on the pointed part of this ceramic contraption and twist, gently squeezing to get the most juice out. It even has a little spout, so that you don't make a mess pouring the liquid into juice, water, or anything else.
Being able to read tarot cards isn't a magical power you either have or don't have. It's just a skill you need to learn that happens to be a fun party trick. So if a friend is hosting a holiday soirée, feel free to bring this to get the games going.
These hand-painted ceramic egg cups are so adorable that we couldn't leave them off the list. Abask is chock-full of rare finds that, in our opinion, people want but wouldn't necessarily buy for themselves. That's what makes them great gifts.
Any green thumbs will appreciate these mouth-blown water-diffusers that are as fashionable as they are functional. Each one can hold up to a liter of water, so just stick it in the soil and let it do its thing (water your plants as much or as little as they need).
"Abask sent me one of these beautiful notebooks a few months ago and it's so elegant that I now consider myself a journaler," Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner admits. "The hardcover is wrapped in ornately decorated fabric and the pages are anything but flimsy. It makes for a good experience when it comes to jotting down notes during calls or venting about something that happened earlier in the day."
Another mouth-blown glass piece we're pretty obsessed with? This adorable bud vase that's subtly decorated with soft-colored dots. It's nice and thick, so even though it's pretty small, it's not very precious.
Don't just pop your dripping, sudsy bar soap on the counter and walk away. Instead, place it in a ceramic dish that will keep all of the mess—albeit clean, hygienic mess—contained. The slightly upturned edges also helps the soap dry faster.
This is the type of butter dish you'll want on the table for every dinner party. It looks like something you'd find in an antique shop in the Caribbean, but it's actually handmade and hand-painted in Egypt.
Turkish towels are more absorbent than their terry counterparts. They also take up way less space in your beach bag, making them a great gift for anyone who lives by the coast. This set of two comes in six colors, so take your pick!
Skip the plastic egg crate that comes with the fridge or the cardboard one that eggs come in. Instead, use an adorable hand-painted ceramic holder with a little handle. There's something very provençal about this fabulous find that has convinced us we need this.
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