Pro Arts Gallery is hosting its 35th Anniversary/Box Art Exhibit and Benefit Auction this Saturday evening, November 7th.  Box Art 2009 features “original works made from recycled materials distributed by Pro Arts in partnership with the Reuse People.”  This fundraiser allows a community of artists to have fun creating new works from the same materials.  Come check out what they’ve created and support a local art gallery!  Details are on Pro Art Gallery’s website.

October’s Full Moon Buy Night Shopping Bazaar was such a hit that we’re bringing it back–just in time for your holiday shopping!  On the evenings of December 10th and 11th, Oakland Unwrapped, in collaboration with Jack London Square, ProArts, and Oakland Grown, will be hosting a Holiday Buy Night Shopping Event.  Cozily situated inside a festive market hall with entertainment, activities for the kids, hot cocoa, beer, wine and creative gifts from local businesses and artists - it’s the best mall-ternative you could ask for. More details to come, so keep checking back here!

Save the date!  Add this event to your Outlook Calendar here.

The Crucible is hosting its annual Holiday Gifty Art Sale and Open House during the weekend of December 12th and 13th.  Here is a great opportunity to support local artists and community arts education while shopping for unique holiday gifts for everyone on your list!  Local artists selling clothing and accessories, jewelry, gifts and more (including some of our very own Oakland Unwrapped vendors) will be present.  The days also feature snacks, glass blowing demonstrations, a visit from Santa, and more!  You won’t want to miss this!  Get more details at the Crucible’s website.

Oakland Unwrapped would like to introduce you to the latest additions to our online marketplace:

Baby Girl Designs: fine artwork by Jeanette Madden on notecards, journals, gift bags and boxes, and more.

By Nieves: all natural handmade body care products made with essential oils.

CC Star: original and custom-made handmade cuffs and snap bracelets, coin purses and pouches made from vintage neckties.

East Bay Express eDeals: gift certificates to local stores, including bath & body, food & drink, books, music, and more, sold at 25% off the certificate face value.

Envirodryz: low-tech, eco-friendly clotheslines.

Ezme Designs: funky, unique, and custom-made ceramic bowls, mugs, and dishes.

Kristine Online: unique and fun collectible toys, dolls, and gifts.

Looks Good From The Front: handmade hair accessories and birdcage veils.

Pushcart Design: a graphic design studio that creates politically and geographically influenced t-shirts and posters.

Sarah Swell Jewelry: nature-inspiried handcrafted fine jewelry.

Steppen Simply: necklaces and earrings to make you look and feel “simply” beautiful in any outfit for any occasion at any time.

YB Timepieces: high-quality fashion watches.

More stores are being added all the time, so keep checking www.oaklandunwrapped.org for more fun and unique Oakland-based businesses!

Oakland Unwrapped! would like to introduce you to our latest additions to the marketplace:

1.by.liz: original recycled clocks inspired by bikes, created by combining the industrial design of worn out bike parts with funky patterns found in reclaimed textiles.

A Touch of Life, LLC: homemade face and skin moisturizer.

ALQUIMIA handmade jewelry: jewelry made using traditional silversmith techniques as well as chunky tribal-inspired gemstone jewelry.

Ashay by the Bay: African-American and Multi-Cultural children’s books.

Black Lotus Enterprises: handmade beaded jewelry, inspired by nature.

Corinthia Peoples Designs: handcrafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces made exclusively with authentic colored gemstones and sterling silver.

Cultural Crossroads: home décor, art, and accessories from around the world, including funky ethnic jewelry at great prices.

Estilo Clothing Co: original screen-print designs celebrating music and culture; clothes for men and women, including tees, tops, dresses, and sweatshirts.

fiftyseven-thirtythree: screen-printed, stenciled t-shirts and appliquéd hoodies, using solvent free inks on sweatshop free apparel and drawing from an urban aesthetic.

jadecicada jewelry: handcrafted jewelry with unique beads from all over the world, including new and old beads, gemstones, semiprecious stones, and unique cultural beads.

Just Glam: high end quality cosmetics at affordable pricing.

lemonade handmade jewelry: jewelry that mixes metals and textures to create bold and delicate earrings, necklaces, and more.

Lwanga Designs: original handmade jewelry as well as a unique array of eco-friendly African home décor, kitchen accents, jewelry and bags.

Mavazi–Clothes for the Soul: Oakland-based clothing company that sells dresses, pants, tees, handbags, tops, headwraps, and recycled denim skirts and jackets.

Paula Chan Design Studio: handmade earrings, necklaces, and bracelets made of Swarovski crystal, gemstones, and pearls, all on sterling silver; handmade greeting cards also available.

Pendragon Books: local independent bookstore that carries new and used books, greeting cards, magazines, journals, Moleskin, calendars, and book lights.

rosemary dudley designs: handmade jewelry using different shapes, textures, colors, and materials.

Sheila Moon Athletic Apparel: athletic apparel, specializing in cycling clothes, focusing on fashion, fit, and function.

The Joys of Life: skin care, including creams, soaps, lotions, washes, and body polish made with organic Shea Butter.

Vertical Home Gardens, LLC: a vertical garden container company that designs, manufactures, and sells attractive containers for individuals, schools, or businesses to grow a “real” garden year-round with limited space.

 We now have over 150 stores on our e-commerce website and are always adding more. Keep checking Oakland Unwrapped! to see the newest vendors and see how easy it is to support Oakland’s local economy while shopping online!

Come shop with the fabulous artisans of Oakland Unwrapped! on a moonlit October night at Jack London’s Waterfront!  Get cool, re-purposed stuff like hats made out of records and belts made from seatbelts.  Also find clothes, toys, jewelry, bikes, tableware, hats, accessories, fun t-shirts, fine art, photography and lots more – all from Oakland shops and artisans! 

Sample and scoop up produce and artisan foods from the twilight Farmers’ Market, sling down some drinks, grab some grub at Jack London Square’s restaurants.

Let loose and have fun with the strolling musicians, fire dancing, ice skating, and other surprise entertainers from the Full Moon Buy Night line up.

Brought to you by OneCalifornia Foundation, Jack London Square, OAKBOOK, and East Bay Express. 

Thursday, October 1, 5:03-9:30pm
Jack London Square.
Free!

Join us for the fun, support the local economy, and maybe event grab a few early holiday gifts!

The Rockridge District Association is pleased to bring you “Rockridge Out & About” on Sunday, September 27th.  This event will showcase the best of the Rockridge and North Oakland neighborhoods, including local businesses-from boutiques to restaurants to book stores and more-as well as health forums, live music and dancing, cooking demonstrations, children activities, a fashion show, and more!  Check the event website for more information.

Oakland Unwrapped vendor Entrez! Open House is hosting its last evening of its Summer Design Series this Friday, September 4th.  Check out items from Iittala and enter to win a Tools 3 quart casserole dish designed by Bjorn Dahlstrom.  But you have to RSVP to attend!  Click here to find out more.

Oakland Unwrapped! would like to introduce you to some of our newest members of our website:

One Small Step provides everything you need to pack a waste-free, “green” lunch-from reusable lunchboxes to food containers, bottles and utensils.  Also available are environmentally-friendly school supplies as well as books with ideas and recipes for healthy lunches.  Visit oaklandunwrapped.org/onesmallstep for more.

O’Lover Hats are one-of-a kind hats, designed and handmade right here in Oakland!  Visit oaklandunwrapped.org/oloverhats for more.

Skincare by Feleciai is all natural, handmade body soaps and creams, shampoo bars and shaving bars.  Visit oaklandunwrapped.org/skincarebyfeleciai for more.

These three are just a few examples of the diverse stores listed on Oakland Unwrapped!  We now have over 130 stores on our e-commerce website and are always adding more.  Keep checking Oakland Unwrapped! to see the newest vendors and see how easy it is to support Oakland’s local economy while shopping online!

The East Bay Express holds an annual reader poll to find out who is the Best of the East Bay.  Readers vote for the best in various categories, ranging from the Best Band to the Best Brunch Place for Vegans and Carnivores to Coexist, and everything in between.  To celebrate the winners, the East Bay Express holds the Best of the East Bay Party at the end of the summer!  Featured at this party are all types of East Bay food, drink, and retail vendors displaying their wares; East Bay non-profits educating the public about the amazing work that they do; a multitude of East Bay bands jamming on eight different stages as well as dancers, comedians, and other artists showing off their talents; sports demonstrations and car shows; and a kids’ zone with magic shows, art projects, and other hands-on activities; and more!

This year’s Best of the East Bay Party takes place on Friday, August 7^th from 5 PM to midnight at the Oakland Museum of California.  The Oakland Museum of California is located just one block away from Lake Merritt BART Station, so you can take BART to the event.  There will also be Bike Valet parking available onsite.

Each year the East Bay Express chooses an East Bay non-profit to highlight and support through the event; for the Best of 2009 Party, OneCalifornia Foundation is honored to be that chosen non-profit!  This means that, while the event is free, all bar proceeds will go to the Foundation.  See the article on the event’s blog about the party supporting local non-profits.  For more information about the event, check out the East Bay Express event blog.