Find everything from handmade bracelets to secondhand threads in this top-shelf roundup of Valley products and practitioners.
Best online charm shopping
Irasema’s Accessories
Choose from a dizzying assortment of charms and pendants (evil eyes, crosses, cacti, hearts, suns, moons, stars and flowers) – and select your own chains (gold, silver, chunky or dainty) – to create one-of-a-kind bracelets and necklaces at this pop-up jewelry shop. All accessories are also stainless steel or gold-plated, so they won’t tarnish over time.
@irasemasaccessories
Best Charm Bar
Mod + Co.
Much like hat bars, charm bars are trending big-time in the Valley. Mod + Co. takes the concept up a notch with 14-karat and 24-karat gold-filled jewelry and charms that tend more toward the dainty and refined than the kitschy and loud. Bonus: jewelry-making workshops at its new brick-and-mortar, opening this summer. 10267 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, modco.shop
Best Place to Buy a Bracelet and Help a Child
Giving Bracelets
Founded by Valley activist Lesa Sawyer as a way to repurpose the remnants of her former handbag business, Giving Bracelets provides a sustainable way of giving back to the community via several local and national charities. Plus: bling! High-end designs and more casual bracelets (and handbags) for younger folk are big sellers. Jewelry-making workshops are popular here, too. 7122 E. Fifth Ave., Scottsdale, 480-947-0802, givingbracelets.com
Best Place to Buy a Plushie Shaped Like a Demon
Collectors Marketplace
Our friend’s evil sister made off with her vintage Talking Stacey doll, and we wanted to make things right. Enter Collectors Marketplace, where we found not only Stacey but her Lemon Kick ensemble – plus a pet rock and a Funko Pop Weird Al Yankovic figure. Score! Stop by to relive your childhood, or just to ogle the wall of collectible Hot Wheels cars. 4031 N. 24th St., Phoenix, 480-442-1117, collectorsmarketplace.com
Best Soap that Looks Good Enough to Eat
Soap Des Jour
Cupcakes, popsicles, doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, macarons, waffles and berries. No, it’s not the offerings at the local bakery, or dessert menu at your favorite restaurant. They are just some of the soap shapes at the Desert Ridge or Tempe Marketplace locations of this local soap shop. These goodies are guilt-free: clean conscience, clean behind the ears. Two Valley locations, soapdesjour.com
Best Candle Shop
Light + Bark Candle Co.
The staff will help you pick out a jar and fragrance, and then guide you through pouring a soy candle. Light + Bark also stocks premade candles along with gift items, including tea towels, mugs and jewelry. A portion of all sales are donated to help shelter and rescue dogs. 7227 E. First Ave., Scottsdale, 480-886-6244, lightandbark.com
Best Handmade Jewelry
mer.made jewelry
Stop by jewelry artist Keri Mosier’s studio at local arts and shopping collective The Hive on 16th to peruse her collection of hand-stamped pendants, dainty hoop earrings, bolo ties and other conversation-starters. Working by hand with shells, stones, beads and metals, Mosier can customize any piece and is especially adept at upcycling vintage jewelry – transforming outdated cuff links, brooches and bulky earrings into chic statement pieces. 2222 N. 16th St., Phoenix, 602-391-3730, mermadejewelry.com
Best Place to Find a 90-Year-Old Atlas
Book Gallery
You’re planning a trip to Zimbabwe, but want to do a deep dive into its former life as Rhodesia. No problemo. Just drop in on local paleographer Mike Riley at this local landmark, which recently moved a couple doors down to bigger digs, and ask him to help. While you’re there, browse an antiquarian’s dream – or just breathe in that lovely smell of old books. 3615 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 602-508-0280
Best Place to Browse Acres of Secondhand Books
Volunteer Nonprofit Service Association Book Sale (VNSA)
Every February, savvy bibliophiles line up before dawn at the Arizona State Fairgrounds to get first crack at hundreds of thousands of bargain books, DVDs, puzzles and more. You’ll find everything from vintage cookbooks to kids’ books to current bestsellers. This year’s proceeds generated more than $500,000 to benefit local charities. The 2025 event will take place February 15-16. Free admission. 1826 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, vnsabooksale.org
