Signor Blum - Bottega artigiana Venezia — Local services in Venice

This place is a must for something unique to bring home to a loved one. I stopped here to pick up something special, and it was so hard to choose. I decided on wall art (a scenic puzzle) for my mom, and a few animal puzzles for my niece and nephews. I’ll have to upload the pictures after the holidays, as the proprietor kindly gift wrapped them for me at check out.

I always try to choose souvenirs that support local artisans rather than the junk shops and kiosks. I believe the owner said her family had been crafting these puzzles since 1980. The wood is hand cut by them with an electric saw, rather than laser or computer, and then either airbrushed or dipped in paint. The pieces are priced fairly for the amount of work that goes into each one, and they’re such a...

This one is a jewel actually! It's a small and cosy shop and the woman at the counter is extremely friendly. A lot of the things they sell are kids toys, but you can also find gorgeous souvenirs like houses and monuments of Venice, cut out of wood and beautifully coloured. I was told their products are produced by a collective since the eighties just five minutes away from the shop! It was great to find something so genuine these days in Venice, when every souvenir shop looks exactly the same. Highly...

I'll be back in Venice this fall and am thrilled not only to show my friend around the city but also to take her to your store. One question: I have a few pieces from 20 years ago of one of the Venetian palazzi and the Rialto bridge. Neither are painted but are just the raw wood, which I love. Some years ago when I went back I was told you don't sell those anymore; just the painted ones. Is that still true? I'd love to buy more buildings,...