Indonesia is Beautiful

Do you think when tourists go to Bali they know there are 13,676 other islands in Indonesia? Hmm, doubtful. They probably also don't know there are 350 different languages on this archipelago republic, so it's not surprising that the creative culture is rich. And Indonesia Beautiful in The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park proves it. Each of their lovely scarves, batiks, and sachets, are one-of-a-kind items handmade by Indonesian artisans. And all of the profits go back to Indonesia Beautiful's cultural center in Woodside, Queens to help continue their arts programs, art education, and cultural activity.

Scarf prices run from $29 to $300 for those stunning collector pieces on the bottom.

Indonesia Beautiful, D21 on the venue guide

Cuff Them

Market shopping is for the great, unusual find. At Taara, the wrist cuffs ($25) are one of these delights. Buy these for a trendy niece (they could have walked off a Gaulthier runway) or any crunchy punk rocker with whom you may be acquainted. They will think you are so cool.

(red cuffs below left, green cuffs below right, with flower pins, $15)

Taara's products are handmade Estonian, and the scarves, too, are so cool. There are heavy, organic ones (below left, $40) which will look fantastic with black anything and jeans, and the dressier, delicate thin-as-silk ones (below right, $60). These are thin because traditionally, in Estonia, they were worn pulled through a ring. Hmm, I see Estonian scarf rings in Taara's future...

Taara, B8 on the venue guide