Caught in the Web

Surfing for Something Special

Web sites that offer unique products and reasonable prices

Looking for something a little bit different? The World Wide Web gives you access to an incredible array of unique items from all across the globe! Here are some suggested sites for finding that out-of-the-ordinary special something ...

Novica.com, part of the National Geographic family, was founded in 1998 to empower artists in developing countries by providing them with a global marketplace — helping to cultivate a resurgence in traditional cultures and art forms by making it economically feasible, in many cases, for artisans to return to their native crafts. NOVICA.com artists set their own prices and have their own web pages on the site.

Visitors can purchase thousands of exotic items, including hand-thrown ceramic vases from Venezuela, alpaca tapestries and flutes from the Andes, hand-dyed linens and cushions from Indonesia, exotic carvings from Brazil, handwoven clove baskets from Bali, wire art from Zimbabwe, original oil paintings and djembe drums from Ghana, and handwoven traditional clothing from around the world. All 2,000 master artisans are profiled and pictured on the website, and each purchase arrives on the customer’s doorstep with a biography of the artisan who made it.

At UncommonGoods.com, you’ll find anything but ordinary housewares, gifts and personal accessories. Combining the treasures of a specialty boutique, the great finds of a craft show and the discoveries of a faraway bazaar, the website offers an exciting collection of products for yourself, your home or for anyone on your gift list.

Some of the specific items carried on the site include: footprint-casting kits, recycled jewelry, pizza scissors, write-on mugs, Tom Sawyer book birdhouses, city plates, pee-pee teepees, beechwood flashlights, peculiar pet pillows, and super magnetic putty. These truly are uncommon goods at reasonable prices.

Founded in 2001 by a group of industry professionals, SilverShake.com is a one-stop online silver

jewelry store, combining a huge selection of up-to-date, high-quality silver jewelry with customer service and professional advice. The website’s goal is simple: Offer in-trend, finely finished sterling silver jewelry for realistic prices, while maintaining 100-percent customer satisfaction. At SilverShake.com, you will find one of the largest online selections of fine sterling silver jewelry — with up to 1,000 new stylish designs added every month. And if you’re not happy with your purchase,

This is a unique children’s online toy store. With over 800 unusual toys, you’re sure to find something of interest here. Toys featured include: Tiddly Winks, Zibbies, Giant Microbes, buzzing magnets, Crocodile Dentist, Flip ‘n’ Stack Monkeys, Froggy Boogie, Light Up Techno Tazer, Pulsar Ball, Newton’s Cradle, Pickup Sticks, Peek-a-Boo Turtle, and much more.

This is a home-decor website featuring wall tapestries, theme throw blankets, and pillows. They offer unique items, such as personalized, woven tapestry throw blankets; blankets and wall hangings created from favorite photos — e.g. family, pet, sports team, vacation memory — the list is endless. They also offer complimentary gift service, embroidered personalization, and same-day shipping nationwide on all in-stock throws and tapestries.

Catering mostly to men, the website motto says: “You don’t quit playing because you get old, you get old because you quit playing! Having fun is serious business.” When searching this website, you can browse a variety of main categories such as sports, games, tools, collectibles, leather, doormats, retro music gifts, billiards, etc. This website makes it easy for visitors to choose that perfect gift for the special men in their lives.