take heart

Super cute store and I've visited several times but on my last visit, one employee treated us like I was a nuisance. Initially, another employee helped us and was super generous but ended up helping others. I was interested in this one particular item that varies greatly from one another in size, color, shape (sandstone card holder) and was told there were plenty to choose from (3 bags but was given 2 bags first to go through). Once I was done going through the two bags, I asked this new gal if I could see the third, explicitly stating I was done going through the first two and could swap out with the last bag. This employee responded "yeahhh, let's not" and proceeded to push the last bag even further away (it was already on the back counter behind them where I possibly couldn't reach??). I clearly had intentions of buying multiple (which I did) so I'm not sure why she refused to provide basic customer service. Docked a star for this particular employee's nasty attitude. But still kept 4 stars because majority of them are truly helpful and sweet.

Such a cute store. They have an incredible collection of handmade goods ranging from high-quality pottery and wooden kitchenware to bags and more. There's always a tag that says where the piece was made which is such a great touch! Prices seem very reasonable too.

Very cute local shop. Lots of little trinkets to look at. Not much was affordable but all of it looked very well made and high quality. If I was coming in here to do more than window shop I would need to be ready to spend $150 ish. Workers were friendly and ready to answer questions I could easily spend 30 minutes in here.

If I lived in Austin…I would come here all the time. (Like if this place existed when I was at UT) But I don’t … but I will always remember finding a.ok essential oil here. And so many beautiful products. A wonderful Austin shop not to be missed. You can buy beautiful Japanese incense, handmade decor and soft textile practical beautiful home goods. A shout out to my bestie for loving this store, too, and the happy introduction. Lots of nice smells here. 100/10.

Still the best place in Austin to get good gifts for your people, birthdays, Valentine's Day, the holidays, every special occasion they have you covered. Although everything is a bit expensive you can appreciate the craft and the art and the creative spirit. Everything's cute and 🔥, unique enough for you to wow whoever you are gifting for. Friendly staff too, avoid the weekends cause parking can be difficult on the weekends since it's right next to some popular restaurants in the neighborhood. Take Heart FTW

I cannot stay away from this shop, it’s full of beautifully curated, handmade kitchen and home goods, ceramics, and more. Because of the high quality and handmade nature of these items, be prepared to pay a little more than you may be used to at a larger retailer. It is, however, worth every cent to support this business and the artists they feature. The owner and employees of this shop are very friendly and I can tell that they care about their customers— it seems like they know so many people that come through by the way they talk to them.

My favorite place to purchase gifts in town. Impeccable store, lovely staff. Customer for life.

I found this gift store on yelp before trip to Austin and I'm so glad I had the time to visit!! It's so cute and has an amazing collection of house, spa, baby gifts and more. The staff was super friendly and not pushy at all. I ended up purchasing two brass card holders that I'll use for pictures.

This great little shop is just about a 4-5 minute walk from my apartment. And, I love it! Whenever I want to buy someone a little gift this is my go-to. Lots of unique items to choose from. Affordable for quality merch. Super nice people.

This is a small store with a collection of curated gifts - think candles, pottery, stationary, etc. Staff is friendly and helpful and the store is inviting. However, the prices are high for many items, even for a boutique store like this.

A really cute, cozy store with a ton of handmade/artisan goods! Not just from local artists, either. Everything from kitchenware and unique foods (gourmet chocolates, oils, spices) to leather and paper goods, pottery pieces, jewelry, and even a kids' section of toys and books. You can find a little something for anyone here (but be ready to pay a premium price). It's a great spot for gifts or specialty goods, but not your every day, go-to store. If you want to splurge on beautifully crafted items or unique teas and spices, this is your spot. If you know people who appreciate things like this, it's a great spot to know about and visit!

One of my favorite stores in Austin! I always find myself back at Take Heart. The store is exceptionally curated, and I find something special each and every time. I feel so calm in this space and the staff is very sweet and helpful :) What a gem!

I came here for some gift shopping and I'm in love with this super cute store!! The shop is well designed and decorated. I felt like I was shopping in Japan the moment I walked into the store. There are so many cute stuffs, from home goods to stationeries to dinnerwares...and what's even better is they have imported a lot of international (especially Asian) goods (which I'm obsessed). The only reason I'm leaving 4 stars instead of 5 is bc most of the items seem to be a little overpriced. Would be great if they could offer discounts for locals. Last thing worth mentioning is the parking space. They have a parking lot right behind the store. Super safe and convenient!

I LOVE my hemp washcloth and gua sha tool. So many unique items to choose from. Wish I had bought a few more items.

What an Austin gem of a place! Love the collection, the variety and the energy here. It's got wonderful options for gifts but also to simply treat yourself.

A beautiful store with lots of handmade/local home goods. There's a lovely selection of pottery and candles as well. Would recommend if you're looking for a really special gift!

Super cute spot that reminds me of a mix between a holistic store (incense, stones, oils) and local artisan workshop (pottery, wood, jewelry). Not local to Austin only. It features artisans from all over. Items range from affordable to steep.

This place is really special. Yes, many of the items are semi-pricey, but it's a really well-curated shop of interesting items and the service is top-notch. We definitely need to be supporting local establishments like this. I would recommend this shop for anyone looking for a unique gift or a nice treat for themselves.

beautiful store with loads of cool well curated items. Worth going for the incense alone.

Take Heart is an incense heaven, candle world of dreams, and local craft goods wrapped up in simply humble vibes. I've been wanting to shop here after passing by a couple times, but they're not open early in the morning when I usually have free time. I swung by recently and wanted to buy allllll of the incense! I LOVE that there are so many legitimate Japanese products, namely incense, but there are also so many subtle and essential oil-based smells and perfumes. I wanted to buy all of the candles too, but I ended up walking away with the Uedo incense box and a Sydney Hale candle (GARDEN MINT is so good without being overly in your face...and I'm not even a fan of mint-flavored things!). There are so many good vendors, like Zoe Comings and even the "How to Walk" book that I loveeee by Thich Naht Hanh. I love that they have things for everyone...kitchen tools to baby bibs, and awesome ceramics too. I seriously could have stayed in there for a whole hour if I wanted to. Their tagline is "objects to inspire," and that is such a true phrase. I can't wait to come back next time I need a pick me up...or new scents! Also, I believe they're moving just down the street or across the block...so YAY BIGGER SPACE! Support your local Austin shops!

Was in your store with my dàughter and bought several items for a total of about 350$. The salesperson was condescending and rude when asked for an itemized bill. NO issue with your products. Thank you

I found this gift store on yelp before trip to Austin and I'm so glad I had the time to visit!! It's so cute and has an amazing collection of house, spa, baby gifts and more. The staff was super friendly and not pushy at all. I ended up purchasing two brass card holders that I'll use for pictures.

Nina was able to get me a refund for the difference in price so I really appreciate her proclivity to make amends with her customers whenever she senses any dissatisfaction.

5 Stars and each of them well-deserved. I spent a good 45 minutes in this shop with my best friend last week while she was showing me around East Austin. I visit her once a year or so in Texas and she comes to Virginia to visit me. So Austin was our spot this time and I'm so glad we stopped in this shop! We talked to the owner's mother who was working inside the day we were visiting and she was very friendly and available but not in a hovering sort of way. She just politely made small-talk - offered some details about the shop and the idea behind it - and patiently waited while we browsed the entire store. My friend found a few items for a baby shower she was attending, a neat book, and some Japanese incense that smelled like heaven (it was $30 a box so it better!). They had some fantastic little pottery items I wanted to buy but since I had flown in from VA and had to bring everything back on the plane I had to be selective about glass items. I did purchase a beautiful pink hand-blown small decorative bottle with a cork stopper for around $35-45, a tbsp. sized decorative coffee scoop, and an absolutely amazing paper weight from the UK which is a dandelion suspended in glass (or plastic)... ohhhh, I love it! The items in this shop are all beautiful, eclectic yet classic, and pleasing to the eye. I found so many things I'd like to have and put in my home that I can't even begin to imagine the damage I'd have done if I lived in Texas. I spent $125 on three items! They're good quality but they aren't cheap - as with all items that are hand-made. The location is near Mana Couture and Blue Dahlia bistro. There is plenty of parking on the street, a small lot, and lots to do nearby. My friend and I rode bikes from her apartment and just locked our bikes on a nearby bike rack so we could walk around and shop. The shop itself is architecturally beautiful in a studio space with lots of wood and windows. It's a neat building to be sure and the use of light and windows in the shop adds to the charm while you're browsing. This shop is an excellent find - they have a website which will soon have a few of their items for sale and I plan to browse that and see if I can get any of those beautiful glass pottery items shipped to me in VA. If not, I'll be coming back next time I come to visit my friend for sure! A must see! Support local businesses that have quality products!

This general store felt like an art gallery, all the little accoutrements and nic-nacs could have kept me here all day. Very well curated..Beware you'll want to buy everything!

This is a beautiful store with very cute and quality crafted items. I loved looking at all of the ceramics and other home decor items. Everything was so lovingly curated, you can tell that the owner has great taste! I ended purchasing a few smaller items: washi tape, postcards to send to friends, and a little tray for my front counter. I love stationery and was happy to see that they had some specialty items in stock such as the MD Notebook. I will have to return and pick out some other things as well! This is also a great place to shop for presents for anyone that loves thoughtful design.

I absolutely loved this store. The products they sell are beautiful and unique and the store itself is airy, sleek, modern and beautiful. They sell gift items like stuffed animals, tarot cards, notebooks, spoons, ring dishes, incense, jewelry and much more. I ended up buying two mini bears for $21 each. They were so incredibly soft and cute. It is one of the softest things I've ever felt. I wanted so badly to get the fluffy lion as well for $44 but felt silly for spending that much money on a stuffed animal. Other than the bear and lion, they had a llama. If you're like me and don't have a pet but badly want one, this ultra fluffy stuffed animal may temporarily satisfy you're need to pet something. They had unique incense sticks that were mini or circular (like in Asia). They also sold candles and gift cards. Even their hand made pottery bowl for dog water outside was beautiful and aesthetically pleasing.

Absolutely loved this little store! My friend and I were on the search of cute boutiques that we could buy gifts for and we happened to stumble upon Take Heart! The lady working that day found out we were visiting and gave us a bunch of suggestions on where to go! We pretty much hit up all the spots she recommended and they were all spot on! Loved the vibe and all the little items in the store. What caught my eye most was the jewelry display case. I immediately got attracted to the rose quartz necklaces and just HAD to get myself one. Each stone had a little tag with it that tells you what their qualities are and rose quartz was definitely one that I need in my life. Everything here was so nicely displayed and bonus - they were giving us free lychee candies and stickers/buttons! Absolutely LOVE the one of the owner's dog. Wished I was able to meet that cute little pup! Definitely coming back to this store next time I visit Austin. :)

Beautiful store with high quality goods. Great for someone looking for meditation materials, natural skincare, and handmade Japanese home goods. Went on my birthday and it was a highlight of my day! The items are a bit higher in price but you're paying for quality. I'll definitely be returning next time I'm in Austin!

So many beautiful, eco friendly things! Love the greeting card selection and plastic free personal care items. Staff's always super friendly too.

A really lovely shop with a lot of variety and charm. Their selection of pottery, candles, books, jewelry, etc. was impressive and unique. There is so much to choose from and anything you buy is something you haven't seen before. I really appreciated that so many things were great quality but not extremely overpriced!

If you're looking for it, they got it. I'm not sure if this is a thrift store, consignment shop, or a gift shop, but this place has everything at pretty good prices. I was able to shop for gifts for my kids, colleague, and wife in one place and didn't feel roped in like I do at airport souvenir shops. Not everything is new, and there are some pretty cool hand made items as well. I'd recommend this place to anyone!

I reached out to Take Heart and Nina a few months before our non-profit's fundraising event to see if they would consider donating to our silent auction. Nina was quick to respond and was ready and willing to help Young Voices of Austin's fundraising efforts. When I went to pick up our silent auction item, I was so taken with the sweet shop and the sweet humans helping at the shop. I didn't get to personally meet Nina, but her kindness in our email exchanges are duplicated in the type of people who helped me when I wandered around the shop for my own personal shopping. I highly recommend this place if you're wandering off East 11th street or if you'd like to pop over intentionally for some good vibes and cute items after this pandemic. I've checked out their online store and think it will be supporting them while their store is closed. This is our Austin community. We are here for each other! https://www.takeheartshop.com

Very adorable little boutique shop in Austin. Went in looking for a small gift, lots of homey items to choose from. Had aromatherapy, kitchenware, candles, jewelry and more. Ran into a snafu with checkout, manager was quick to triage and issue a refund. Very much appreciated!

Take Heart is an adorable store with thoughtfully selected finds. They carry woodwork, pottery and jewelry from local artists. My favorite pieces however are their beautiful Japanese pottery. They carry beautiful cards, quality body products an so much more. Melinda who works there part time is an absolutely joy to chat with. She is one of those people that after having a conversation with you feel like you are in a better place. She showed me some of her favorite products an I ended up purchasing a card for a dear friend and a book written by Marie Kondo on the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing. There are several restaurants, boutiques and food trailers within a block or two. I recommend spending a couple hours exploring this part of east Austin.

Precious shop full of really good gift options! I really appreciated the tags identifying where the items were made, it makes shopping feel more intentional.

I had a similar experience to a former reviewer's (Rocio). Felt very unwelcomed as the only woman of color and was oddly followed around the busy store by the owner. I'll gladly keep shopping across and up the street. Would love to see some women and women of color owned companies in the store too. I buy local on the east side for unique gifts for colleagues and friends coming into town--the women at lovecraft and apartment f have always been incredibly warm and welcoming, & treat Black and Brown customers warmly.

Nice combination of local and imported products! You can definitely see that there was a lot of thought given to the content curation of the store. But while there's a variety of great products, the prices aren't justified, in my opinion. Candles, bowls, utensils, notebooks, stationary... Lots of interesting things for you to window-shop. But spending $40 on a small ceramic bowl? Not an everyday purchase for sure. Parking can be a bit difficult since there's only a couple of spaces next to the store that's for the customers. Otherwise, it's street-parking where you can find it.

This adorable shop boasts some unique finds from artists here in Austin and from around the globe. I was able to find a really beautiful, delicate vase crafted by a local artist and funky dish towels with a quirky cactus print made from an artisan in Brooklyn. The prices range from moderate to a little pricey, however I believe all the items are of high quality and made with...well, heart. It is a lovely collection of items like cute and punny cards to jewelry elegant pottery and unique and organic children's toys. I was greeted with a smile and left with a nice check-out experience. I definitely recommend this store to find a special, thoughtful gift for a friend, significant other, or a nice piece of jewelry for yourself!

I want to buy everything in this shop! It's so lovely and airy and with all kinds of little indulgences, Asian inspired trinkets, incense, lovely pottery, teas, small gifts, and I could go on and on gushing about this place, but really, please do go and take some time to just browse through the items here. I don't know where the owner scours to find such unique items, but there is certainly something for everyone. Plenty of locally made items are to be found here as well. If I ever happen to come back to Austin, I'm coming back here every time.

Such a beautifully curated store, showcasing handmade treasures from local and global artisans. Great selection of incense and pottery especially. The perfect spot for a quality gift for yourself or others :)

Awesome apothecary shop. Very minimalist in style yet full of amazing products! My kind of shop.

The shop has really lovely items. Most items have info on where they were made. Handmade items for home, self care and a little section for baby, which was really cute. I'd give the shop 5 stars based on the selection. But, I can't give this place 5 stars because I did not feel the warm welcome others speak of. I was not greeted when I came in. The older lady looked at me from afar but never asked me if I needed help. It's the feeling others have mentioned about how you're being watched because they feel like you might steal or break something. I was darker than the other customers but my wallet has green money like everyone else. There were other customers in the store. She greeted all of them, warm and friendly and made conversation as they paid. She lost money. I bought a baby swaddle and wanted to buy a more expensive item but decided to take a picture and look for it online instead. When I paid she didn't talk to me or looked at me. She tried really hard not to touch me as she handed me my bag with my purchase. It was obvious she was avoiding touching me, like I was disgusting to her. She did not say anything but a quiet thank you. I hope she's not the owner. Racism is ugly y'all. Welcome to the south.

This gift store was recommended by my hotel, and I stopped by to pick up some last minute souvenirs before my flight back home. They sell everything from potteries (a large collection), candles, skincare, baby goods, stationary etc. You can tell the owner has put in a lot of thought in everything sold in the store. Love how there's a note card on each product marking where the goods were made (as I was specifically looking for Austin-made products)! It suddenly rained heavily during my visit and the shopkeeper was nice enough to let me wander around in the store and even gave directions to my Uber driver who had trouble finding the parking lot.

loved this shop! The merchandise variety and unique gifts are one of a kind.

Oh goodness. I have another 'must stop in' place in Austin with Take Heart. Why? I'm guaranteed to walk out with unique and beautiful gifts for loved ones over the next few months of birthdays and even a couple new favorite things for myself. Take Heart has an array of items but they beautifully all make sense to be under one roof with impeccable styling. It's like the home section in Anthropologie x's 10000000. My last venture left me with a new ceramic coffee mug, 2 wall hanging vases, and 3 photo frames. Next time I'm coming with an eye for the jewelry and oils.

Nina was super responsive over email and shipped me the correct item across the country, which she sent expedited and free of charge. She was apologetic and included a nice card. I really appreciated her following up and my overall customer service experience. Thanks Nina!

Brief update - Take Heart remains my go-to stop for gifts. There's fantastic selection in the store, and you can follow/check out the Instagram (@takeheartshop) for updates on products. I purchased a ceramic mug recently, and they offered to 1) wrap in bubble wrap for travel or 2) place in tissue paper and bag for gift wrap. No extra charge. Personally, I love coming into the shop myself. I wish I owned all of the coffee / tea mugs. Also, Nina's dog is freakin' adorable.

This is the place I go when I have someone special in mind, but have no idea what to get them! My gift recipients are never let down. Take Heart has an impressive array of stock from practical home/wellness goods to eclectic art and ceramics. And check out the selection of jewelry at the counter!

Pretty amazing gift shop. Gentle, quiet ambiance with very nice natural material unique items. My millennial daughter wants everything in this store, so I got her a gift cert. Very tastefully thoughtfully curated with reasonable prices. I indulged in beeswax birthday candles and some great-smelling "body serum." Great place for UNIQUE baby gifts and birthday cards.

I feel like she really earns all 5 stars because I went past here with a friend a week ago after another person told me to check it out. I was in a hurry and will go back when I can actually buy something and spend more time there. It is a wonderful set up. Very clean. WONDERFUL gifts! I wish this business major success and following!

Fantastic place to find that "special something" gift if you know people who are hard to buy for!!! It seems like Take Heart is a gift shop with local, handmade items that have a Japanese twist. In here you can find hand-sewn dolls, candles, unusual ceramics and vases along with other decorative items. They also have a few gift books and a beautiful selection of gift cards. Prices are also reasonable for the quality. This is definitely a place to keep in mind if you want something unusual and beautiful.

I'm not sure why the first reviewer felt a need to be quite so harsh on this charming upstart store. Yes, the selection is "limited" - but that just means the owner has taken time to select the interesting goods you won't see at every other store in Austin. And sorry, but setting up shop on East 11th earns some bonus points in my book - I can only hope other retailers follow suit. It's not a mega-store, nor is it meant to be. Take Heart has a great selection of cards and gifts (sort of the "one for you, one for me" type that you can't resist). The owner's husband makes these really cool wood vases for a good price (considering they're local and handmade). Other favorites of mine are the small trays made of linen, fun vintage finds (like a set of 6 milk glass glasses - score), felt bowls, and these awesome candles I haven't seen elsewhere. I've talked to the owner several times; she says her selection will continue to grow as the store matures. If you need a quick birthday gift or hostess gift, you'll probably find something cute and within your price range. That works for me, big store or not.

...Attention to detail. ...Cute things in small packages. ...all things Japanese. If you like or love any of these things, then Take Heart is for you. For many months I walked by this store, noting its existence, but not actually taking the time to go inside. I was always on my way to yoga (East Side Yoga) or from brunch (Blue Dahlia), or just driving by, but last week I went inside. And I am so glad I did! I wasn't looking for anything in particular but I liked almost everything they had - hearts, paper stars, stationery, jewelry, dishes, and much more. Basically this store is full of gifts - for you or someone else. Do I need any of these things? Nope. Do I want them all? Yes.

I love this shop. Literally every item in the store is unique and beautiful. Everything's arranged so nicely... the owner has such an eye for putting things in just the right place. Very exciting perusing the shelves, treasures placed around. Local Austin artists are exhibited and promoted alongside crafters/writers from out of town. A collage of wonders from all over.

Quite a cute place to visit. It's in a very cramped area but you can't let that get in the way. Everything is hand made and some are imported from Japan. Beautiful, cuddle , boutique shop.

Wow! A truly special gem of a store. The kind of place that invites you to slow down, pick up and examine almost every single thing. Nina has a wonderful eye for handmade items with integrity. After three visits to Austin, we finally made tracks over there and will be spreading the good word to our friends back in Dallas.