If you ever want a quick reminder of just how imaginative and industrious our Inland Northwest neighbors can be, visit etsy.com, click the Buy button in the grey bar at the top of the screen, then scroll down the page to Shop Local and enter Spokane.

I peruse the local shops about twice each week and am never disappointed. OK, not entirely true. At least twice each week I am disappointed with myself for not being a more prolific crafter. But I'm never disappointed with the things I find during my Shop Local tours. OK, that's not entirely true, either. A lot of times I am disappointed that I find items made much better, cooler, or quirkier than I could ever hope to produce. But other than that, I am totally happy with the things I find.

I'm posting a few of today's favorite things, just to give you an idea of what I'm talking about. See what I mean? We share city space with some downright inspired creatives. And I am totally not bitter.

From glamarita's shop: a bangin' halter top, made entirely from recycled ties. ($55) SO want one of these.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From pollyfusia's shop: an awesome woven glass dish ($35)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, rounding out my Top 3 for today … from rachel323's shop: some yummy lip gloss and tints in tempting flavors like peppermint bark and toasted marshmallow ($2 each)

It’s Thursday afternoon, the time when everybody starts tittering about all the great stuff they plan to get up to this weekend. Tailgates. Guitar Hero marathons. Hunting excursions (run, Bambi, run!!!).

And there you sit, with absolutely nothing to contribute to the conversation. True, lounging on the sofa and catching up on laundry is a splendid way to pass an afternoon, but who wants to admit that’s how they plan to spend an entire weekend? Not you, that’s who.

Don’t fret, my pets. I’ve come up with three totally cool things to do this weekend that require almost no planning and will get your butt up off that sofa faster than you can say fabric softener.

Friday night: Head to the Knitting Factory to take in local boy gone good, Tyrone Wells. Wells cranks out soulful pop/rock that’s surprisingly catchy and almost-instantly recognizable, probably because in addition to major air time it’s been featured on scads of popular TV shows, including Rescue Me, Gray’s Anatomy, and One Tree Hill. This local Guitar Hero’s show starts at 8, with help from Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers, and Matt Hires. There are still a few tickets available through TicketMaster ($13 in advance, $15 day of show), but they’re going fast so don’t dawdle. Click here for more info on the show: The Knitting Factory

Saturday: Lace up your skates, pop some pre-emptive ibuprofen and spend the afternoon at Riverfront Park’s Ice Palace. Saturday’s skate sessions run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. Admission is $4.25 for skaters 13 and over; and $3.25 for kids aged 3-12, seniors over 62, and members of the military. Group Health is graciously covering everyone’s skate rental during Saturday’s early session (usually $3/person), which means you’ll have an extra $3 to put toward your post-skate urgent care co-pay. (Come on, admit it. Ice skating is a total blast, but it’s one of those activities you go into knowing full well you’ll pay for it in the morning.) Click this link for a full list of skate times and other free skate rental days: Riverfront Park Ice Palace

Sunday: In case you haven’t heard (been hiding under a rock or something?) Disney’s The Lion King is in town through December 6. Get psyched for the show with a stroll through the lobbies of The Davenport Hotel and Tower. Replicas of the elaborate masks and puppetry are on display in both lobbies, and there’s a full costume on display in the Davenport’s hotel gift shop. Make an afternoon of it by plopping on one of the Dav’s comfy overstuffed lobby chairs (this may be the only place in town where sitting on a sofa can be considered an event) and sipping something from the Peacock Lounge. Click here for more info on the Broadway production: Spokane’s Best of Broadway

So there you have it. An entire weekend of super cool things to do. The laundry will wait, trust me.