Need to take a little time away from literary discussions for some hands-on crafting? Forgot a craft supply necessary to finish that project you brought along to do during the panels? Here is a select listing of Oakland/Berkeley craft stores. Included is the address, general location, driving and public transportation directions. Joy!

Lacis (843-7178)
"Books and Tools for the Textile Arts; Antique Lace and Textiles"
2982 Adeline St, Berkeley 94703
Mon-Sat 1-5:30

A nationally-recognized resource for old lace and lace-making supplies, this place has a lot to offer both the serious shopper and the curious browser. Big, bursting with interesting things of a wide variety of supplies and finished products related to Victoria era, lace, or small textile work. Spend an hour just looking. Location: Berkeley. Very near the Ashby Bart station. Shop is on Adeline near the north west corner of Adeline and Ashby.

Public transportation: Take Bart to Ashby Station. Exit station. Cross Ashby onto Adeline.

Driving: Drive up Broadway, veering left onto Shattuck. Take Shattuck to Ashby, turn left a few blocks to Adeline. Turn right and park.

Straw into Gold (548-5241)
"Yarns, Spinning Fibers & Wheels, Books, Classes"
3006 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley
Tues. - Fri. 12-5:30; Sat 10-5:30

Gazillions of kinds of yarns for knitting and weaving. Thin to thick, regular to exotic—this place has it all. Plus lots of books and instructional brochures.

Location: Berkeley. Near Ashby and San Pablo. Shop is on the south west corner of San Pablo and Ashby.

Driving: Drive up Broadway, veering left onto Shattuck. Take Shattuck to Ashby, turn left to San Pablo. Turn left and park.

Amsterdam Art (649-4800)
"Graphic Arts supplies, general craft supplies, Asian and handmade papers"
1013 University Ave., Berkeley
Mon-Sat. 9:30-6 (Thur till 8); Sun 11-6

The all-purpose craft supplies store. Graphic arts, clay, paint, paper, frames, etc.

Location: Berkeley on University near San Pablo. Store is on the north west corner of 10th and University.

Driving: Drive up Broadway, veering left onto Shattuck. Take Shattuck to University. Turn left to 10th. (Or, if doing this on the tour: Drive up Broadway, veering left onto Shattuck. Take Shattuck to Ashby, turn left to San Pablo. Turn right on San Pablo to University. Turn left on University for one block and park.)

The Caning Shop (527-5010)
"Seat Weaving, Cane, Rush, Wicker, Repairs, Supplies"
926 Gilman St., Berkeley
Tues-Fri 10-6; Sat. 10-2

A small shop filled to the rafters (literally) with neat stuff. It started as a cane seat repair shop and expanded in several directions. They offer classes (and sells supplies for) basket making, gourd decoration, and book binding, as well as caning. One of my very favorite places.

Location: North Berkeley, a few blocks to the east of San Pablo. Shop is on at the south east corner of 9th and Gilman; looks like a warehouse.

Driving: Drive up Broadway, veering left onto Shattuck. Take Shattuck to Ashby, turn left to San Pablo. Turn right on San Pablo a long way (past University) to Gilman. Turn right a couple of blocks and park.

Hida Tool and Hardware (524-3700)
"Japanese Tools for Woodworking, Gardening, Bonsai and Cooking; Traditional Tansu Hardware"
1333 San Pablo Ave. Berkeley
Mon-Sat 9 - 5

A small fascinating shop selling Japanese tools and other interesting things.

Location: North Berkeley, on San Pablo near Gilman. Store is in the middle of the block (across from REI) just before Gilman on the east side of the street.

Driving: Drive up Broadway, veering left onto Shattuck. Take Shattuck to Ashby, turn left to San Pablo. T

Misugi Designs (707-422-0734)
"Fine handmade furniture, bamboo flooring, tansu hardware, Japanese tools, garden design and shoji paper"

Cool place. Used to be in Berkeley, but is now in Napa

Bead supplies

There are so many great bead stores in the area that I can't choose among them; look in the phone book for one convenient to your direction.