Eli Phant is a really special place, and not just because Xander, our Smile Specialist and Product Pro, works there part time. It’s a beautiful shop owned by Sally Struever and Peter Eiermann in the East End community of Portland Maine. Sally and Peter are a couple who, for two years now, have been combing the US and the globe for beautiful, handmade goods and sharing them with the Greater Portland community. (They have an on-line shop, too! Visit them here: www.eli-phant.com.)

Eli Phant puts the fun back in functional, with a range of silk-screened textiles, jewelry, furniture, hand bags (one can NEVER have enough bags), ceramics, and clothing. Their walls are hung with all kinds of colorful silk-screen prints by talented artists, and they even have a gold-painted ceiling!

We can really get behind Eli Phant’s ethos. Their stuff is awesome, and they feature so many talented crafters and artists! Check them out on-line or at 253 Congress Street in Portland for some great gift ideas, a special treat for yourself, or even just a little inspiration.