As part of the what's in store series that just kicked off at The Haystack Needle, I stopped by one of my favorite shops in the city, Jamali Garden, located right in the heart of New York's beloved flower district. Jamali Garden was an invaluable resource to me during wedding planning. Every time I stop by the shop, I'm surprised by how many affordable finds are there — and affordable is definitely on all of our minds these days.
favorites at Jamali Garden
slate cylinders (above): These vessels have the gorgeous texture of slate, yet they're made of lightweight resin and sealed on the inside (so you could use one as a vase or container for plants.) Price: $8.
moss cobbles: You can get a dozen flocked moss pebbles for $9 — the moss looked so real on the shelf that it fooled me! I think these mossy rocks would be a great table accent for an outdoor/woodsy wedding or be an artsy substitute for fresh flowers (a recession-friendly display) in a glass cylinder. The moss cobbles remind me of these felted pebbles I've had my eye on, but they're easier on the wallet.
acacia wood bowl set: This set of mini bowls, made from fast-growing acacia wood, is the perfect sustainable gift under $10. They're just the right size for stowing salt, nuts, candy, or even rings and earrings on your dresser.
color glass bowls, mini candle holders, and small vases: My photo doesn't do them justice, but this delicate, color glass is so pretty in person. I'm crushing all the yellow glass. Price? $4 to $7.50 per piece -- what a deal! Note: these glass pieces are sold as a set online, but you can buy them individually in store.
Read below the fold for a Q&A with Hewley, my favorite guy at Jamali, and my picks for budget finds from Jamali for weddings and any other special shinding.
Whenever I hear a friend is getting married, I always recommend Jamali Garden as a source for budget finds you can buy in bulk, especially for brides looking to do a more DIY wedding. The goods:
flameless candles for wedding sites, like the Maine barn where we held our reception, where candles and flames are a no-no
glass cylinders of every size: fantastic to make centerpiece luminaries (drop a candle inside) or use with flower arrangements
trumpet vases (above): Use an odd-number arrangement (groupings of 3 or 5) of a mix of silver-plated bud vases for an elegant table display of flowers. Bud vases make it simple to arrange flowers — just plop a bloom in each vase — and the look is much cheaper than pre-arranged flowers. Peony, dahlia, or orchid blooms would be so pretty.
antiqued mercury glass candle holder: gorgeous! A few of these hanging votives would add of a lot of style to a space.
Lanterns are a sweet way to illuminate a path down the aisle.
Meet Hewley of Jamali Garden! He shares a little more about Jamali here:
Jamali shares the block with many flower/garden wholesalers, but you sell so much more here. How would you describe what you'll find in store?
We deal in entertaining supplies, which ranges from anything for a wedding to candles for a dinner party. Plus we sell supplies for planting — whether you're making a window box or have a big garden.
What's one of your favorite finds in store?
The crystal tealight holders are simple and pretty — you get so much look for just $5.
You have so many fantastic containers for plants that don't have drainage holes. What's a solution?
Use rocks or gravel on the bottom of a pot with no drainage hole, and water your plant carefully. You'll want about 1 to 2 inches of rocks at the bottom. I use that trick with plants at home and it works well.
A special thanks to Jamali Garden and Hewley for showing me around the shop!
