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Treasure Trove: Once Around – Mill Valley

Knitting wool at Once Around

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One day a couple of months ago, I was googling (can you believe that is now a legitimate verb?) for art stores in my area as I was in need of a new reflector board for my food photography. My original one was, or should I say still is, packed away with some of the artwork somewhere in a box I have yet to feel motivated to open.

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Pink-baubles

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On demand, Google delivered: a hefty list of links on the left of the page, and a map filled with red pins on the right. Two of the red pins were even a voice throw away from where I live. But the one that called to me was one called Once Around in  Mill Valley, so I checked out the website. In my book, any excuse is good to go to Mill Valley. If the expectations are high, then the reasons pile up.

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Once-Around-shop-windowEntrance-to-Once-Around

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My expectations were not crushed: Once Around is one of the most beautiful and well assorted art and craft stores I have ever seen. If you are an artist, or enjoy crafts of any kind, or both, this is the kind of place you want to take your time exploring because you will find a lot of treasure you had never even thought of.

Not only is it well assorted with quality items, but everything is beautifully displayed, often by the use of vintage pieces both as display and decoration, making it a feast for the eyes as well as a session of color therapy.

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Open-sign-at-Once-AroundWelcoming-display-at-Once-AroundBusiness-cardsDate-and-cards

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Once Around is clearly the love child of someone very passionate and with a strong creative streak, in one word, an artist. Meet Julie Stanton, the Fairy Godmother and mastermind of Once Around. We e-mailed back and forth for a few weeks setting things up, and, when I finally met Julie on the day I went to photograph the store, I was immediately taken by her sparkling energy and bright smile.

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Julie-Stanton-of-Once-Around

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Julie opened Once Around five years ago together with her sister. It was their second creation, expanding from a previous knitting shop. Soon after, her sister moved away to be closer to family, and Once Around remained as Julie’s own. She said she likes to fill the place with all those wonderful items that your know are out there, but not easy to find.

Julie is one of those amazing women that make you wonder how they do it all. Besides being a successful business woman, she is also married with (grown) children. They are a family of artists, just expressing themselves in different ways.

I asked Julie where the name Once Around came from, and this is what she answered: “It’s primarily about living life to the fullest, since we only “go around once”. Also, there is a lot of “around” motion in crafting, knitting, sewing, even drawing; a lot of circular movements.”

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Tissue-Paper-Flowers-at-Once-AroundColorful-crepe-paperSky-blue-note-cardsWorkshop-Room-at-Once-AroundVintage-Seamstress-Models

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The spacious craft room above is where classes in various techniques are held, as well as free weekly workshops. You can check the schedule of what is coming by clicking here. The website also offers free tutorials in the craft of the week section, which you are able to save on your computer as PDF files.

You cannot help but be inspired. As I walked around the store taking photographs I considered taking up knitting again, or maybe learn origami. If my mom saw this store, she would want to start one of those colorful quilts she always mentions from American movies.

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View-of-Once-Around-StoreDetail-of-Exquisite-Wrapping-paperRed-and-gold-wrapping-papers

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This is going to be a very visual article, filled with lots and lots of images and rich in color and showing wider views of the store as well as details of the beautiful items within. So sit back and enjoy the scroll, and let your creativity be inspired.

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Japanese-style-papersBlue-toned-wrapping-papersBeautiful-wrapping-papersColorful-Papers-at-Once-AroundOrigami-paperPapers-and-ink-pads-at-Once-AroundStamping-anyone?!Assorted-rubber-stampsUrban-and-Nature-Stamp-KitsColorful-ink-padsFlower-petal-ink-pads

Assortment-of-Ribbons-at-Once-AroundTangerine-RibbonsRibbons-and-Felt-FabricColorful-feltBasketful-of-RibbonsDuo-toned-silk-ribbonDivine-TwineString Hemp-CordPatterned-ribbonsRainbow-Silk-Ribbons

Colorful Treasures at Once Around

Notice the vintage typewriters along the top shelf against the wall

Knit-and-purlKnitting-section-at-Once-AroundFluffy-knitting-woolHot-pink-woolSoft-and-fluffy-woolDouble-sided-knitting-needlesFluffy-woolFluffy-green-woolIt's-all-about-the-(woolen)-balls

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I think we are all creative in one way or another, whether we choose to make art our main activity or not. So which is the way in which you express your creative side? Do you knit, quilt, crochet or maybe cross-stitch? Do you paint or draw? Or maybe you are a digital artist, or a photographer. And there are no musical instruments in this store, but you could be a musician.

Besides my camera, my current tools of choice are colored pencils and acrylic paints, but over the years I have painted baskets, umbrellas and silk cushions, did pencil drawings for friends, took up cross-stitch for a while – the super-detailed kind – and even started a quilt I never finished. For a while, I even knit fluffy and gorgeous shawls for everyone just because of the pleasure of watching and feeling the colors and texture of the wool develop on my lap from the needles. It was like a meditation.

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The-Quilting-WallQuilting-fabricsSilk-Velvet-RollsVelvet-rosettesSmall-treasures-at-Once-AroundScrapbooking-anyone?Assorted-do-dads

Dried-flowersPine-cone-rosesDried-FlowersDried-apple-slicesPine-ConesDried-Rose-PetalsColorful-NotebooksCandy-striped-straws

A-wall-of-paintsColorful-crayonsIt's-all-about-the-turquoisePaint-brushesAcrylic-paints

Colored-pencilsPink-and-lavender-art-pensAssorted-chalks

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I still have my first, very treasured box of Caran d’Ache colored pencils, and have added several others since. So yes, I have lots of colored pencils in all sorts of shades. And now it is also canvases, paint brushes and acrylics – which I like because they dry faster than oils and can be diluted in water and not turpentine. Eventually, I will show you some of my work.

So, are you inspired yet? Any ideas of what you are going to create next?

A good place where to find fun ideas for crafts and D.I.Y. ideas on-line is a blog called A Subtle Revelry, which covers all sorts of topics.

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ONCE AROUND

352 Miller Avenue – Mill Valley, Ca 94941   l   ph. 415-389-1667   l   fax   415-389-1257   l   oncearound@me.com

Open Monday – Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm – closed on Sundays and major holidays

Update of July 12th 2016 – Unfortunately, I found out a few days ago that, because of a personal crisis in Julie’s life, Once Around will be closing on August 1. I am very saddened to hear this, and I know you will join in sending Julie love and wishing her the very best.

Update of June 6th 2017 – I have just discovered that Once Around has resurrected, probably under a new owner, at a different address but still in Mill Valley. I will go and check it out at the earliest opportunity, but in the meantime, if you are in the area and want to take a peek, they are located by the parking on the main plaza, near the Depot bookstore. The official address is 75 Throckmorton Avenue, with 415-326-5217 phone number, and the website URL is the same.

Update of July 26 2023 – Sadly, I have just found out that Once Around has permanently closed, and even the website is no longer. I will leave this post here a little longer, but will likely delete it at some point. It can be an inspiration, but also disappointing to know one can no longer go there.

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14 comments
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  • Linda08/14/2014 - 7:50 pm

    Monica,
    What beautiful photos of a heavenly place. The colors and choices fill me with joy when I see so many ways to be creative. I hope to visit this shop when I come to California. I’d love to go there with you.
    xoxo LINDAReplyCancel

    • Monica Schwartz08/14/2014 - 7:53 pm

      Thank you Linda! I would love to take you there. Just let me know when you are planning to come this way next. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Sonia (foodiesleuth)08/16/2014 - 12:33 pm

    Oh, my word! What a beautiful and exciting place…I would get lost in there…it would be so hard to decide what mischief to get into next and what to buy…so much to take in!

    In some of my previous lives, I have painted with water colors and pastels…I’ve sewn, did cross stitching (not pre-stamped on fabric but the Spanish way with a net over the part to be embroidered and following a picture pattern by counting stitches)…I’ve knitted and scrapbooked (mainly recipes)….sometimes I get the urge to go back to one or more of those activities, but have no place where I can just lay out everything to work on and be able to leave it each day until I can get to it again… One of the rooms in my dream house is a craft room I can just close the door on when not in use!

    Beautiful photos, Monica!ReplyCancel

    • Monica Schwartz08/16/2014 - 4:11 pm

      Ah, just like I want an art room, so I can also leave all the paints and tools out all the time and just close the door. A bright room with lots of natural light and white walls. Well, let’s hold the vision, Sonia, and fill it with details and let’s see what happens.ReplyCancel

  • Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella08/17/2014 - 3:42 am

    What an amazing store! I love the twines, ribbons and wools and the colours that it all comes in! 😀ReplyCancel

    • Monica Schwartz08/17/2014 - 1:22 pm

      Isn’t it just, Lorraine! It’s a prop paradise!ReplyCancel

  • Carley Biblin08/23/2014 - 8:53 am

    I found this post after I blogged about my own trip to Once Around a couple days ago (oh, happy accidents!). My photographing was cut short by my toddler, but it is the kind of place where you can click away and not have to worry as much about composition. I love all your pictures. And it’s so exciting that I found another blogger near me with some similar interests. I would love to get in touch and meet you.ReplyCancel

    • Monica Schwartz08/23/2014 - 1:55 pm

      Hi Carley: one of those synchronicities! Isn’t Once Around just wonderful?! Julie really has a magic touch. I would love to get in touch and meet you, too. I will e-mail you. Aloha, MReplyCancel

  • Nona12/26/2014 - 4:55 pm

    I ADORE once around! I visit whenever I’m in mill valley…..gorgeous job, Monica!ReplyCancel

    • Monica Schwartz12/27/2014 - 11:57 am

      Thank you, Kate! I love that store, and could spend hours there. Happy New Year! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Jeanie04/08/2015 - 9:22 am

    As I prepare for a move to Mill Valley, you can’t imagine my delight finding out about this great shop! I was not aware of this gem and was feeling bummed out thinking there were no shops to feed my quilting and knitting needs. As soon as we get settled, my first stop will be to Once Around! Thanks for this post:).ReplyCancel

    • Monica Schwartz04/08/2015 - 10:59 am

      Jeanie: I am happy you found the post so now you can delight in all the treasures at Once Around!
      You will really love it! And I am sure you will love Mill Valley, too!

      All the best for your move. Monica 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Proof Reading Services03/29/2017 - 11:56 pm

    You never cease to amaze us, your regular followers! The shared post is incredibly fascinating, I like the way you work! Just continue surprising us with wonderful things!ReplyCancel

    • Monica Schwartz03/30/2017 - 12:07 pm

      Thank you, Carmen, for your kind words and your support! It is always good to get feedback, especially when positive. I love creating my blog and sharing with all my followers. xoxoReplyCancel

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