MAST feels like an oasis in the desert. Not just because of its nautical vibe - courtesy of a shell-filled jewelry case and high, curvy ceilings that make it seem like an overturned ship - but because of its quirky, eclectic mix of goods.
The Lost Barrio shop, which opened in December, carries pieces that range from refurbished, rewired chandeliers to leather, western-style belts and buckles displayed on ladder rungs to cactus and succulents repotted into milkglass. Earrings ($36) hang in bird cages, tricked out with lights. Knives with handmade leather sheaths and antique medical models of dividing cells sit atop hardcover books. The music wafting through the air? That would be actual vinyl, playing on a record player.
It's the kind of place where you wouldn't mind kicking back for a while on the cool couch ($1,200), cleverly reupholstered in coffee sacks.
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MAST is the creation of four artists and friends: Mellow Dawn Lund, Alison May, Sofie Albertsen Gelb and Tasha Sabatino. Take the first letter of each of their names and you have MAST. Sabatino and Gelb are jewelers. May does pottery, and Lund creates necklaces out of pencil nubs and sews detailed totes. The store is filled with their estate-sale finds, local art and whatever creations pop out of their imaginations. The women crafted sweet hair pins ($3.50, $6.50) out of colorful, embroidered butterflies and flowers plucked from a crazy vintage dress.
More retro finds include quill pens and ink ($4.50 and up) and records from local bands ($7.50-$20). The XY crowd will appreciate the high-end Loden Dager men's wear.
Though the store's only been open a few months, it's constantly being rearranged. Plans include adding women's clothing (courtesy of Lund) along with natural shoe shine, which Sabatino's been working on.
"We're trying to make it so that every time people come in, it's different," Sabatino says.
MAST
299 S. Park Ave., in the Lost Barrio behind Tooley's Cafe, 720-0299. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Look for the store on Facebook under "Mast Tucson."
The shop also features revolving art shows. Up now: works by Titus Castanza and Nick Georgiou.
Contact Kristen Cook at kcook@azstarnet.com or 573-9194.
