Rare Device

Rare Device is one of our favorite stores. We were so excited when they opened last October. Rare Device carries beautiful and unique products, and the store is a wellspring of creative and inspirational designs from a wide variety of designers, artists and artisans.

Owners Rena Tom and LIsa Congdon both have eclectic and creative backgrounds that inform the pieces they choose for the store. Rena is a former jewelry and graphic designer, while Lisa is a working artist.

As the website says: Every object in the store has its own story, and has been chosen because it is either handmade, well-designed, useful, beautiful or all of the above. The aesthetic is modern and quirky while remaining warm and inviting - design that is accessible to all. Influences range from comic book art to entropy in nature, laser-etching to hand-lettering to nautical lore.

Rare Device also hosts monthly gallery shows by current artists, and keeps a running blog on their website on new interests, favorite finds, and store news.