Recap of Indigo Dyeing Workshop

We had so much fun at our Indigo Dyeing Workshop with Erin of Feed the Fish Co. She made a technique that seemed super complicated fun and easy to do. The great thing about this class is you can't mess up! Literally everyone's pieces turned out so beautiful and unique. Each student made 4 unique tea towels and some even brought their own clothing items like socks and tops to dye. Missed out on the fun? Be sure to sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of the page to learn about workshops before they sell out!

Indigo Dyeing Workshop

Join us Thursday February 23rd, 2017 for our much anticipated Indigo Dyeing Workshop with local artist Erin Garcia from Feed the Fish Co. In this class you will learn a variety of techniques, like Shibori, the Japanese technique that involves twisting cloth and binding it to indigo dye fabric. Price include all materials including 4 tea/dish towels you will dye during the class and get to take home with you. You may also bring 1-2 small additional items to dye. Things may get a little messy so wear ok-to-mess clothes and feel free to bring an apron or smock. You'll leave the class with a plethora of knowledge to dye pillow cases, handkerchiefs, tops, and any other fabric you can imagine!

This three hour class includes drinks, snacks, and a discount on merchandise in the store that night.

Indigo Dying Workshop

Thursday February 23rd, 2017 at 7p

gather - 541 Octavia St., SF

Purchase tickets here (hurry space is limited!)

Holiday Gift Guide for Him

Freaking out because you just realized it’s December and you haven’t crossed any names off your shopping list? No worries! Our annual holiday gift guide for him is here!

What do you get for that special someone in your family who is sooo hard to shop for? Yep, we're talking about Dad. Sometimes you don’t need to get super fancy and realize that Dad just wants a cold beer. But make sure he enjoys his refreshment in style with this 16oz etched pint glass by the uncommon green. Each glass is etched with the streets, neighborhoods, and coordinates of the San Francisco Bay Area. This design is also available as an 11oz rocks glass and pairs well with the California State Slate. Perfect for displaying cheeses and charcuterie while hosting guests. 

Don't forget about your brother (or your brother from another mother!) We love our wooden California shaped bottle opener from Newton Booth Build. Each piece is hand cut from either cherry or walnut wood and sticks sturdily to any magnetic surface. 

Isn’t it funny how when we’re kids, we thought getting socks from grandpa and grandma was a form of punishment? Where’s the good stuff? As we grow older, we realize that socks ARE the good stuff! Return the favor by treating them to luxury socks by Little River Sock Mill. Made in Fort Payne, AL, these socks are made with organic cotton and are available in a variety of colors and patterns in both mens and womens sizes. Makes for a great stocking stuffer for the rest of the family, too!

Is it hard to plan things with your husband on Sunday because there is a game on? If you can’t beat them, join them! Show him you have team spirit, too, by giving him this Golden State Tee by Culk. Graphic has a vintage feel and is printed on a super soft cotton/poly/rayon blend tee. Top off this spirited gift with a handmade pennant by Erin of Feed the Fish, Co. Pennants are available in a variety of colors and sayings.

Are you waiting for your boyfriend to make the big move?...to get rid of his old wallet? Ya, I thought so. Surprise him with a new wallet by Tram-Anh Designs. Made in San Jose, Tram-Anh makes their products with recycled bicycle tubes, vinyl banners, and other found materials. Styles range from a more traditional bi-fold to variety of card sleeve options for a sleeker look. So not only are you getting him to use a new wallet, but you are helping him reduce his carbon footprint!

What about your employees or co-workers? Thank them for being awesome this year with our bartender gift box? Who wouldn't want a kit filled with goodies from our makers all about making your own cocktails?

Need more ideas? Stop by the shop anytime from 11-7 thru the holidays and we can help! And stay tuned for our gift guide for her.

By Sharon Leung

Hayes Valley Holiday Block Party

The Hayes Valley Merchant Association is hosting its 26th annual Holiday Block Party this Friday, December 2nd from 6-9 and Saturday, December 3rd from noon-3p. Free and open to everyone, all the shops in the neighborhood will be open for extended holiday shopping accompanied with festive food, beverages, music, and fun! 

At gather we will be hosting some of our local artists for two days of fun!

Friday, December 2nd at 6-9p

Local designers Amy and Anya from Theia Grazi  Clothing Co. will be joining us for a special trunk show featuring their locally made clothing. Meet the designers and have them help style you for your holiday parties. They will have dresses, tops, and skirts from past and current collections. 

Also joining us Friday is Erin from Feed the Fish Co. Erin make whimsical felt pennants and will be making custom ones on the spot. Step right up and request a pennant with your name or favorite phrase. The make the ultimate holiday gift. Watch her while she makes your pennant or just shop around until she is done (each takes about 15 minutes to make). 

Additionally Kelly from Elizabeth Street Cosmetics will be popping up with a Holiday Lip Color Bar starring Hayes and Octavia St glosses to spotlight our neighborhood. Full range of their lipstick shades will be available for purchase during event hours. Each lip color application comes with a personalized lip color chart done by the creator and designer of the line. This is the perfect opportunity to find your fall color to wear to all your holiday shindigs!

Warm cider will be flowing all night and all customers who make a purchase will be entered in to win a gift basket from the shop. 

Saturday December 3rd noon-3p

Meet Joanne and Andrew, the duo behind Alamere Designs when they bring their newest creations to the shop on Saturday. Locally made clothing meant to take you from your bike, to the bar, to your day job, to camping, and all your adventures in between. Their stylish men's and women's designs are made with the best technical fabrics with features like waterproofing and warmth. Fans of the brand rave about the exceptional quality and athletic fit. Talk to the designers about their process and check out their latest designs you can't find anywhere else.

Local designers Sharon and Mattias from Blue Gnome will be joining us for a special truck show featuring their journals, tote bags, pillows, cards, and magnents. Meet the makers and learn about their artistic process while picking out unique holliday gifts. 

We will also be offering a FREE mini workshop with any purchase. Learn how to make your own bath salt soak. You will leave with a jar that you persoanlly mixed - the perfect holiday gift. While supplies last.  

We will be sering up mimosas and all customers who make a purchase will be entered to win a gift basket from the shop. 

See you both days!

Gift Guide for Thanksgiving

It's almost time for Thanksgiving, and here at gather we're thankful for the healthy birth of baby Hunter, new additions to our gather team, our artists and their beautifully made products, and of course our supportive customers! Whether you're hosting at your place this year, throwing a Friendsgiving party, or just bringing a dish to a potluck dinner, it's always nice to add/bring a little something to make it more festive! Check out some gift ideas you can pick up in-store:

Feed the Fish Co. hand makes felt decorations for celebrations right here in San Francisco. For Thanksgiving, they've special created  "give thanks", "thankful", and "gather" felt pennants to fashion as a centerpiece at the dinner table!

Thanksgiving themed felt pennants made by Feed the Fish Co. Available in-store from $12.

Warm up your house or dining room with new holiday scents from Let's Put a Bird On It, fashioned appropriately with a golden turkey on the cap! If you've visited gather recently, you were probably hit with a strong whiff of Cranberry Spice, a sweet and spicy scent that will blend in well with your Thanksgiving meal. 

Turkey decorated candles in Cranberry Spice and Fraiser Fir by Let's Put a Bird On It, available in-store for $24. 

If you're hosting, or thinking of purchasing a gift for a host, there can never be too many kitchen towels, a much-needed item for wiping hands or mopping up messes while handling a juicy turkey, dribbly gravy, or cranberry sauce. Pick up  one of these California themed, hand-embroidered ones from Eko Kreations - we love that they're made from hemp, which absorbs moisture well, dries quickly, and wears beautifully, getting softer with time. 

California State Poppy Tea Towel from Eko Kreations, available in-store for $24. 

And how about adding in a hand-made ceramic spoon-rest from Whim and Vigor, a one woman operation making functional and decorative pottery. Perfect for preventing messes by the stove or at the dining table!

"GATHER" ceramic spoon rest made by Whim and Vigor, available in-store for $16.

Is it possible to celebrate Thanksgiving without topping off the meal with some kind of sweet treat? Why not brew some tea to pair with your pie? Steep Tea Co. is based in Oakland, all of their teas are 100% organic, and here at gather we offer four of their delicious flavors:
Sleep It Real: Caffeine Free, for if you're just too full to fall asleep, featuring chamomile, skullcap, valerian, kava, and lavender.
Jade Fade Tea: An everyday green for the afternoon pick-me-up (or if you're sneaking dessert before dinner!)
There's also an Earl Grey Tea, and Diamond Chai!

Steep Tea Co. four flavors available in-store for $14.

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate, gather wishes you have a very happy Thanksgiving!

Felt Succulent Workshop Recap

We had such a blast this Wednesday night crafting felt succulent gardens in the shop! One of our favorite vendors, Erin Garcia from Feed the Fish Co taught the class several different techniques to create a sustainable and colorful garden in upcycled dishware. The group was such a fun one and everyone got creative. Check out the pictures below. Missed out on the fun? Be sure to sign up for our mailing list to learn about future classes. 

Felt Succulent Workshop - Wednesday September 23rd

If you missed the Urban Air Market this past Sunday, you’ll be happy to know that you have a chance to meet and craft with one of the designers that was there, Erin Garcia from Feed the Fish Co. here at gather at our next workshop on Wednesday, September 27th, at 7pm. Erin’s designs can be seen on Darby Smart, and her handmade goods are popping up all over California. We particularly love her celebratory felt pennants, perfect for waving around at any festive occasion!

While others across the country prepare for the autumn season with maple and pumpkins, join us in celebrating San Francisco’s Indian summers instead by sprucing your home or workplace with a beautiful sustainable garden. With the heavy drought season, our Felt Succulent Workshop allows you to decorate your home with as many pots as you like without using an ounce of our precious water (not to mention if you’re just a bit forgetful with remember to water!) And let’s face it, we love succulents because they come in all sorts of shapes, size, and colors, and can be grown in any vessel we can come up with! At this workshop, Erin will teach us how to make three types of felt succulents arranged in upcycled dishware.

Bring your creativity and crafting spirit, we’ll provide the drinks and snacks, and if you find your eyes wandering on the many other beautifully designed products at our store, feel free to shop around and we’ll give you a 10% discount on any gather purchase that evening! Space is limited, so reserve your spot now!

Felt Succulent Workshop
Wednesday, September 27
7:00pm @ gather: 541 Octavia St, SF