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entertainment

Medium Rare

Left to your own devices, you’d knit your own winter wardrobe and handwrite notes on paper you pulped yourself.

But your weekly community service efforts and start-up cupcake venture are really cutting into craft time.

Right.

Fortunately, you can cater to your DIY desires without actually having to make anything — except a quick stop (between ashtanga and clarinet lessons) by the new Brooklyn design boutique Rare Device. Owner and jewelry designer Rena Tom stocks her shop with beautiful and unique wares from more than 30 international and local designers. She carries everything from clothing, jewelry, bags, and belts to delicate tea bowls, tabletop pieces, and paper goods — all handcrafted with Mamma Nature in mind.

Ditch pottery class and invest in Lithuanian ceramics. Play hooky from beading and pick up a felt pompom necklace. Rena selects new designers every few weeks, so if those Jill Bliss journals or One Good Bumblebee’s owl cards are out of stock, a cable-knit clutch or ceramic and wood tea set from the Finnish Tonfisk should fit the bill.

Who knows? You might just want to spend all your free time here.


Rare Device, 453 Seventh Avenue, between 15th and 16th Streets, Park Slope (718-301-6375 or raredevice.net).