Ask A Bay Area Expert: Best Gifts For Father's Day
(credit: David Ramos/Getty Images)
Avoid department store neckties for dad, and check out this family affair instead. Jack of All Trades Market in Oakland's historic Jack London Square was created by a local mother and son team. The market is held year-round on the second Saturday of every month, bringing 110 local makers, collectors, artists, designers and antique vendors together at the outdoor waterfront venue. The next Saturday market at Jack London Square is June 11, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry is free; the music is live; plenty of craft beer and food truck items are served, and the event is pet-friendly too. Make a day of it, and enjoy brunch and outdoor seating at great restaurants like Bocanova and Jack's Oyster Bar & Fish House.
Charlie Ansanelli & Daughter (credit: Laurie Jo Miller Farr)
Charlie Ansanelli
Co-Founder of Jack of All Trades Market
Jack London Square
Oakland, CA 94607
www.jackofalltradesoakland.com
Charlie Ansanelli is the co-founder of Jack of All Trades Market and its sister event, Treasure Island Flea. Being a Bay Area dad himself, Charlie has several unique vendors in the Jack of All Trades Market that catch his eye with Father's Day shopping in mind.
Ricky Nelson, Nelson Metal Arts, at Jack of All Trades Market (credit: Laurie Jo Miller Farr)
Nelson Metal Art
www.facebook.com/Nelson-Metal-Art
Artist Ricky Nelson makes cool, original art from recycled materials that eco-minded dads can appreciate. Everything from puppies to robots to dragster car models is crafted from re-purposed metals, such as vintage toolboxes, old tools, used car parts and more. Ricky's pieces range in size from desktop and bookshelf to much bigger and more elaborate statement pieces.
Left Coast Guitars (credit: Laurie Jo Miller Farr)
Left Coast Guitars
www.leftcoastguitars.com
Think outside the box. Left Coast Guitars turns old cigar boxes made of Spanish cedar into handsome handmade guitars that are a piece of art. And the guitars are totally playable for slide or pick too. Drums and amps are crafted from vintage suitcases. Based in Castro Valley, a freshly made selection is on sale each month at Jack of All Trades Market.
(credit: Laurie Jo Miller Farr)
Vintage Paper
Follow the crowds to this popular vendor under the white canvas tent, selling everything from antique maps to retro concert posters. Let your fingers do the browsing as you flick through cartons arranged in categories with transparent wrapping on each: maps, botanicals, birds, shells, astronomy, fashion, medical and architectural. Enhance your selection with a frame for a truly special keepsake that earns a place on the wall.
www.scotsmangrooming.com
You've seen the YouTube video, now check out the real thing in the handsome blue bottle. Supposedly, real men grow beards. Does dad want to reclaim his rugged scent and eliminate itch while achieving a soft beard? Scotsman Grooming makes natural custom soap, mustache wax, shave oil, beard balm and beard oils for men. No matter where dad lives, there's free shipping from the Rocklin, CA headquarters all across the USA.
Red Panda at Jack of All Trades Market (credit: Laurie Jo Miller Farr)
Red Panda
getredpanda.com
If your dad doesn't mind being noticed, invest in elevating dad's accessory style with a sleek carved, lightweight wood phone cover or bamboo wooden shades by Red Panda. Red Panda showcases an array of authentic designs that are laser cut into the wood, including these amazing, fashionable sunglasses. They can be mailed anywhere pronto. Ask about Red Panda's patterns for skateboards too, which can be customized for your original art or a corporate design.
