DeLuxe

The Crucible is one of those “only in the Bay Area” type places that I love. It’s a huge warehouse in West Oakland that offers courses and studio space in the industrial arts. This includes all kinds of welding, casting, glass blowing, neon, and electronics. I took a course there in the Spring of 2007 on basic electronic circuitry and can now build basic circuits include amplifiers, radios, little light and motion gizmos. It was so much fun. After taking that course I taught myself how to work with electroluminescent wire so I can (hopefully) make mini “neon” signs.

In addition to the courses they offer, they also have these open house events which often feature performances that show off what they do. In July of 2007, we went to their fire arts festivals and saw lots of fire based machines and robots. Additionally, they put on a nearly 2 hour performance of the Oddysey. In this movie, Odysseus is just getting on the boat to cross the river Styx on his was back to Hades.

The Crucible
1260 7th Street, Oakland, CA 94607
510.444.0919

I was sorry to see the 33 Grand Gallery leave Oakland’s uptown neighborhood but fortunately a great new store/gallery opened up in the same location: Industrielle. This place has a great blend of products from housewares, art objects, clothing by local designers to fine art. I’m particularly fond of the artwork of David Seiler who has shown there and done live portrait events there on Oakland Art Murmur nights. This is the gallery where I got my Spinnin’ Bebe Jesus painting (oil on wood paneling mounted on a lazy susan). This place is worth checking out and does a great job of supporting local artists and craftsmen.

Industrielle
33 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612
510.271.0633

I first learned of Fabric8 through their online store which sold all kinds of independently made t-shirts and other artist designed objects and clothing. Two years ago the owners opened a retail store in the Mission. The store not only sells all the stuff on the website but also sells art from a number of local artists. I’m particularly fond of the painted wood block buildings designed by Sirron Norris. They’re open on evenings and weekends only so check the hours before you head on down. If you can, I highly recommend you go when they’ve got a live painting event. Olivia, the owner, sometimes invites all the artists down to paint, and you can buy the freshly painted art right on the spot.

Fabric8
3318 22nd Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
415.647.5888

I was kind of disappointed when News Hunter turned into Smoke Hunter. It was a good newsstand but, as it exists today, it’s a smoke shop only. Along came Issues which turns out to be an ideal newsstand. Not only do they carry every magazine I want (except Straight No Chaser which they’re still trying to locate a distributor for), they also carry a fine selection of vinyl and t-shirts. The owner
has good taste in musuc with lots of jazz and other not so easy to find titles. I also got myself a new Cramps t-shirt — the one I had from when I was 16 doesn’t really fit me anymore.

Issues
20 Glen Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611
510.652.5700