Dispatches from Austin: Take Heart

Contributor Post by Tracy Castro of Fair Morning Blue


Hello, there! I am giddy with excitement over the shop tour I get to show you today. Take Heart is a sweet little East Austin boutique, one of my very favorites in fact. Sparsely decorated yet brimming with treasures - it's the perfect spot to pick up whimsical little presents for friends and family, and hopefully a treat for yourself, as well.

I just can't get over these darling, little ginger cat dolls (pictured above) by local Austin artist, Kathryn Davis. 




It is evident that Take Heart owner, Nina Gordon, has curated her inventory with great care and deliberation. The shop is a lovely showcase for handmade, modern and vintage home goods - many of them locally-made.


Don't you just adore these Bodhisattva tea cups from Japan? I'm not much of a tea drinker, but with these, my early morning espresso would be complete.


Check out these charming soft owls and rabbits, hand screen printed by UK artist Jane Foster. I love the Scandinavian fabric, as well as the bright cheery faces. Don't you think these would make perfect baby shower gifts?


Here are two gorgeous, ceramic vases, made by Austinite Ryan McKerley. The texture of these pieces is just stunning.


Handmade by Kathryn Davis, these handmade wool felt forest dolls come from the Buddha Hill workshop in the Texas Hill Country. Oh my goodness - the cloaks, the tiny details, the pink ears! 


These porcelain ceramic pieces by Villarreal Ceramics in Tucson are folded into shape just like paper! I love how delicate and perfectly imperfect they are - and the bright designs are exquisite, especially the feathers and cacti.


Local Austin furniture and cabinetry maker, Brian David Johnson of BDJ Craftworks, is behind these amazing wooden vases and planters. They are fitted with glass liners, which are removable for cleaning. Isn't that clever?

Many thanks to Nina and Take Heart for the tour, and for bringing such a lovely shop to Austin.

Take Heart
1111 East 11th Street
Suite 100
Austin, Texas 78702
512-520-9664
nina@takeheartshop.com

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Tracy Castro - a designer and rural Texas Panhandle native - has called Austin home for the last sixteen years. Tracy's new design venture, Fair Morning Blue, features seasonal cards, hand-stamped textiles, and whatever other whimsies come into her head and heart. Find Tracy on her blog, facebook, or twitter.

Jan Halvarson

1 comment:

Notes from Maggie's Farm said...

LOVE the wool felt forest dolls. I want one for myself.