Museum Shop Standout: Aita Design Woven Wire Baskets

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I can learn a lot from Friday night dates with my husband.

For starters, I learned I can convince him to change out of his crumpled work clothes into something chic if I smile real big and hand him a martini when he comes through the door. Once the babysitter arrives and we are ready to roll, we don’t just have to walk down to our neighborhood haunts on West Portal, but can actually venture out to new places in the City. Like…the de Young Museum at Golden Gate Park. Yes, on Friday we explored Friday Night at the Museum which a friend had told me about during a morning workout. From 5pm to 8:45, all exhibits are open, including the amazing glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly, which we explored after a glass of wine and observing some very serious tango dancers closing their eyes and strutting across the lobby.

But what is a date without shopping, you ask? Naturally, I had to do my EcoSalon homework (what an excuse) and hit the museum gift shop, where I was blown away. One standout: The baskets woven from telephone wire by Zulu weavers from Aita Design ($300 for the large one). Apparently these fabulous spiral baskets are crafted with methods passed down from generation to generation, including weavers recognized internationally for their work, which is largely done at home. I also learned just because I drool over something and find it fabulous doesn’t mean my husband will buy it for me, even if my birthday is just around the corner. Maybe next week I should deliver that martini in baby doll pajamas. What do you think?

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Luanne Bradley

Luanne Sanders Bradley is the West coast Editor at EcoSalon and currently resides in San Francisco, California.