Warm Shape at the MSA Annex, 267 South Avenida del Convento.
Welcome back to the $25 challenge! This week I stopped by Warm Shape at the MSA Annex, 267 South Avenida del Convento, to round up some affordable treasures from local artists and creatives.
Owner of Warm Shape, Linus Schief, and her dog Lady.
Tucson artist Linus Schief opened Warm Shape in 2022, and in store, you can find locally designed T-shirts, hats, mugs, bookmarks, keychains, stickers, clothing, skincare, herbal remedies, ceramics and much more from dozens of Tucson makers.
Here are some of my favorite things I found around the shop:
I absolutely love a good mug, and Warm Shape has a collection of adorable Tucson-inspired mugs designed by Linus Schief, featuring roadrunners, javelinas, quail and Tucson’s beloved “A mountain.”
Mugs at warm shape designed by Linus Schief, for sale at Warm Shape.
Mugs are priced at $14 each, but if mugs aren’t your thing, you can also find the same designs on postcards for $3.
Desert-themed baseball hats designed by Linus Schief.
Schief also created a line of desert-themed baseball hats, with embroidered slogans that read “Desert Brat” and “Dehydrated,” which would go perfectly with any summer outfit in the coming months. Each hat costs $25.
Bandana ring by Tucson Artist Claire Tobias.
If you are looking for unique wearable art or decorative art pieces, Tucson artist Claire Tobias creates ceramic jewelry, mugs and even ornate incense holders, inspired by her desert home. She creates her signature “sgraffito” designs by carving away black slip to expose the white clay. For $20, you can get a keychain or bandana ring with Tobias’ art. If you want a toad patch for your bag, you can pick one up for only $10.
Soap bars by Larrea for sale at Warm Shape.
Warm Shape also stocks several local skin and body care brands, including soap bars by Larrea, which are made with plant-based oils and butters, scented with essential oils and colored with natural clays and botanicals. Each bar costs $12, and some of the scents include “Midnight Woods,” “Rose Geranium,” “Turmeric & Honey,” and “Cedar & Juniper.”
Creosote herbal salt soaks by Wolfberry Apothecary for sale at Warm Shape.
You can also find herbal salt soaks by Wolfberry Apothecary, including “Desert Lavender,” “Creosote,” and “Self Love.” Each 3-ounce packet is $15.
Mini watercolor book by Tucson artist Lindee Zimmer.
One of my favorite finds was a cute, mini watercolor book by Tucson artist Lindee Zimmer. Zimmer creates murals, paintings, and illustrations, and you’ll find her prints and greeting cards throughout the shop. Her mini watercolor book is full of small desert scenes that you can paint yourself. The booklet retails for $12.
If you love art or want some new wall decor, there’s a whole section of the store dedicated to prints from local artists, many under $25. Two of the featured artists that caught my eye were Amber Michon and Frankie Beesley.
Print by artist Amber Michon.
Michon experiments with many different mediums and techniques, and her work often uses bright, vibrant colors. I found one of her prints for $24.
Print by Tucson artist, Frankie Beesley.
Beesley creates maximalist designs, taking inspiration from graffiti and patterns. Her work explores how personal spaces convey important details of self-expression and identity. I found one of her prints for $20.
Blind Portrait by artist Linus Schief.
Speaking of original art — if you’ve got a little more cash to spend, consider having Linus create a custom, blind portrait of you. Cost varies, but for updated pricing, or to schedule your own portrait, you can contact Schief through her website, Face Me Portraits. She offers blind portraits, blind portraits with a pet, composed half-blind portraits and regular portraits.
