Curious Nature — Local services in Phoenix

This place wasn't what I was expecting. I thought it would be dark and mysterious, but instead it was ultra brightly lit (like a laboratory or operating room) and not at all mystical.

This is the perfect place for someone who needs items to cast a spell--incense, a human shaped candle, snake vertebra or fangs, feathers, coyote bits--but is too scared to step foot in the local botanica. The eyes of the variety of mounted exotic animal heads on the wall may seem to follow you, but at least there aren't any life size (or nearly so) saint statues to worry about coming to life à la Madonna's "Like a Prayer" video.

If you like dead insects, there are plenty of beautiful ones mounted in frames and ready for purchase. If you need large eggs from large birds, you can get those here too. There are lots of bones (and skulls too) from so many critters. You can get a fetal pig and other once living creatures preserved in jars of liquid if that's what you're into. There are also jewelry, stickers, books, and notecards to choose from.

Need a lifesize taxidermied penguin? It's here (or at least it was when I visited the shop). Need taxidermied white mice? They're here. Need the head of a once living zebra or other exotic beast? This is the place in Phoenix to go for preserved and mounted animal heads.

Something about this place rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe it's because what should be shadowy and mysterious had been sanitized and is just so bright and shiny here. In any case Curious Nature does what it does well, which is present oddities in a scientific manner instead of...

I found the coolest shop...except judging by their 40K+ followers, I must be the last to know about it!

Curious Nature is discreet on the outside but bursting of personality once you step inside. Plants, books, jewelry, and bones full the spaces. Mounts of many African ungulates hand in the walls to one side, and the other end is covered with pinned framed butterflies. And then there is everything in between. There are femurs, hooves, horns, and skulls at every price point. Pick up eclectic stickers, posters, and bookmarks. Even check out their website to are the list of classes and workshops offered including: entomology, tea leaf reading, human decomposition, seances, and more. If you're curious, this...

I used to love Curious Nature. I have made several purchases at their previous location. Since they moved locations, a few years ago, not sure if their staff changed but they are not very friendly anymore at all. It's uncomfortable to go in now as you feel you are a burden and a waste of their time. Also, my husband and I were going to purchase a skull that was +$300, they would not accept any bills larger then $20 even on a purchase with such a high dollar amount. I don't know about you, but I don't normally carry around 15 or more, 20 dollar bills in my wallet. Not sure when I will be going back , which stinks cause this WAS one of the coolest oddities stores and who doesn't like supporting a...