October 31, 2009

Dear Stumasa Customers, After six wonderful years on Frederick Street, we have decided to close our store. It was not an easy decision for us to make. We welcomed our twins Gunnar and Ligaya on July 17, 2009 and boy do we have our hands full! We have seen many of your little ones grow through the years and it seems to happen so fast that we didn’t want to miss any of that time with our babies. So whats next? Maybelle will enjoy her time with the twins and whenever possible, work on calligraphy and illustration projects. (www.may-belle.com) Greg will continue with the wholesale operation of Stumasa. He is still available for custom built furniture projects out of his workshop in Oakland. (www.stumasa.com) Our dog Kiki will continue to hunt for squirrels in the back yard. Your support during the last six years has meant so much to us. It has been a lot of fun creating this environment and we could not have made it this far without you. We really enjoyed being part of the community here in Cole Valley and getting to know you. You have touched our lives in ways that you will never know. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Until we meet again, The Stumasa Family Maybelle, Greg , Kiki, Gunnar and Ligaya and our amazing team: Rusilah, Risaki, Tatyana and Jennie

April 1, 2008

YOU'VE FOUND THE EGGS...

...but the hunt is still on! If searching is half the fun -- or most, when the treat's for yourself -- then Stumasa's legendary variety will not let ya down. Maria Evora soaps are a night and day fantasy in 'Garden by the Sea' or 'Jabon Mineral' ($32, set of 4). And as if that weren't sudsy enough, you'll always find bars of Lepi de Provence ($5) in Verbena Flower or Grapefruit, just to name a couple! Need something a little... quirky? Soap 'stones' and 'leaves' from Thailand ($8) are sure to tickle.
What are the 'Egglings' you've been hearing about? Well: crack 'em, grow 'em... living lavender, petunia, Italian parsley or mint will poke out of the shell ($11 -- no worms required!) Tengui Japanese cloths ($13) and Pamela Barsky's irresistable plush firelogs ($14/$22) are more examples of gifts for those notorious hard-to-shop-for friends.
Yes, you can still find the classics: Poster Maps (only $5); Kobo Candles ($32), set into heavy glass tumblers, are available in scents for all noses -- D'Anjou Lychee, Vanilla Citrus Zest, Fresh Currant, Water Mint, Anisette Orange, Champagne Ginger, Yuzu Leaf, Asian Grove, Sakura Blossom, Red Grass, Mango Tree and [drum roll]... Manchurian Dragon Fruit!
There are earrings & necklaces, hairclips & watches, umbrellas & fish pens. It's true. Felt hedgehog coasters? Business card holders? Emergency chopsticks? Got 'em. Vases, orange head baby rattles ($7), coin purses, nursery blocks, Reisenthel totes & bins, pin wheels, lamps, plates and a full line of Speesees Fair & Organic clothes for wee little ones.
Puzzles, travel guides, handmade terra cotta houses, metal music boxes ($9), wooden play food by Haba, wind-ups, eco-friendly Baggu bags, stuffed pals... it's enough to make you pleasantly dizzy! Should that happen, why not relax and catch-up with The Perfect Note: Tips, Tools & Inspiration for Keeping in Touch (Chronicle Books, $24.95) -- a correspondance kit by Kerry Colburn, featuring illustrations by our own Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls.
Yet Stumasa's soul consists not just of gifts to grab, but furniture. Greg's in Oakland, busy crafting bookcases, CD racks & LP cubes out of sustainable pine. Trusted brands Whittier and Bridgetown supply alder versions, as well as several sizes and configurations of dressers. Desks, chairs & end tables abound. Old-Fashioned Milk Paint mix is available in 20 colors; General Finishes water based stains are headache-free. There's also wax!
Finally, no visit is complete without swinging by the Clearance Section... it's like dessert. You might find magnetic hearts, home decorating books, stencils, posters, bags or cups: all half-price. Large Wooden Letters were $11... get 'em for $5! Serendipity wears a different outfit each week back in this worth-the-trip corner!

...AND DID WE MENTION?

Stumasa Outlet is now open for business in Hayward, California! Greg & Maybelle had always envisioned a bigger, more rough-and-tumble emporium for their large, popular pieces to breathe (and Kiki the dog to play)... please say hello to Edwin C. and Pat P. and be prepared for bargains galore at 1098 'A' Street, Downtown Hayward. The phone number is 510-581-4001... http://www.stumasaoutlet.com its loading zone is overflowing with all manner of essential items for home, guest home, and guests' home(s). Natural. Affordable. Dare we say? Unforgettable.

ARRIVALS / DEPARTURES

Stumasa is proud to welcome two new additions to the San Francisco team: Katie F. & Amanda W. You may've already met these high-energy purveyors of good cheer... choreographing magic over the telephone or wrapping that special gift with a bow of scarlet. See ya next time!!

April 1, 2007

Many seasons have come and gone since we first opened our doors at Stumasa, and after lots of great feedback from our clients we are excited that our newly designed website is finally here!

We would like to thank our very dear friend Brad Rhodes of eudesCo. and the gang at Aedeas for making this all possible.

Pictured here, are some of the items that I have hand selected from around the globe that are new this spring. Please check back as our online Shop will be open soon.

We hope to see you soon.
--Maybelle & Greg