I P.
Yelp
Visited Melrose Market today to look for sweet, unique Christmas gifts for my family. I am on a tight budget, so that makes it hard to shop local sometimes, but Melrose Market usually has at least a couple of nice things that I can afford. On my way out, a new-to-me shop sign caught my eye: Glasswing. I had to check it out!
It's a very Capitol Hill store, that's for sure. I say that lovingly and without judgment - I adore the aesthetic of bare wood, metal, and concrete. Filament bulbs abound. It smells like artisanal soy candles. That whole pseudo-rustic vibe really works for me, and Glasswing is all about that.
Lots of well-made, beautiful things in this store. I had particular things in mind (and the aforementioned tight budget) so I didn't walk out with much, but I coveted quite a few of their goods - small, delicate glass terrariums with wispy air plants inside; a sturdy pocketknife with wooden handle; thick, woolen blankets; mason jar cocktail shakers. Lots of things that are beautiful for beauty's sake, and other things that are lovely and also utilitarian. Your hipster chic camping trip will be beautifully outfitted.
They're a pretty new shop, and still growing into themselves. Many items in the store have no price tags or stickers; at first I thought it was the kind of store where if you had to ask how much a thing was, it meant you couldn't afford it, but that's not actually the case at Glasswing. (True, some of their stuff is pricey, but I could afford most of it on a good day. And I like to pay more to support local shops and things that don't fall apart after a few uses.) I overheard that they are just so new that they haven't gotten around to putting stickers on everything.
The staff is refreshingly engaged and effusive - they love the things they sell and they know a lot about them. They make good eye contact and give genuine smiles.
I want to buy everything. I can't wait to go back!