Things I wish I could find and buy here in Miami:
1. Gocco supplies
A reader emailed me the other day asking about finding Gocco and supplies here in Miami. I don't think there are any! Pearl had a stamp kit last month, but no inks, bulbs or screens.
2. Japanese fabric
It's probably a good thing I cannot buy this in person here. I already have so much from Superbuzzy and a shop in Berkeley (CA) that I need to use first. But it would be nice to have that option!
3. Better quality zippers
Some of the european crafters and designers have much nicer looking zippers on their goods. I've never seen anything other than the cheap ones you can get at JoAnns.
4. Purse Parts
I am actually thinking more about coin purse parts. My japanese magazines have ads for them and there are so many choices!
5. Japanese Craft Books
Of course! One of my favorite reasons to visit SF was to go to Japan Town to get books and magazines at Kinokuniya.
6. A Bigger Better Quilt Shop
I have yet to find a big midwestern-sized quilt shop with high quality fabrics and bolts from all the cool designers like Heather Bailey, Amy Butler, Anne Maria Horner, etc. They are all tiny and have one or two bolts (maybe!) from my favorites. The older women running the shops are nice and sweet, but they don't seem to have much interest in attracting a younger buyer to their stores which I think is a mistake. The sales they are missing out on!!(especially from me!)
7. A Bigger Better Bead Store
In the same strip mall as one of the small quilt stores, is a small bead store. It really doesn't have much variety and the beads were overpriced. They probably get away with it because of lack of competition. There is a cool place in Naples that is a franchise (normally a yuck from me, but this place was nice!). I hope they end up here in Miami soon.
8. Real Wool Felt
The wool felt at JoAnn's is horrible. In Europe, South America and Japan, they have access to REAL colorful felt that comes in different thicknesses.
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I think that's it for now. It's not that I hate Miami for not having any of this stuff, but it would be nice if there was more here! This is a Big Big City!