Sfingiday — Local services in Seattle

Rude and intense about not taking pictures of items in store. Their policy is no pictures, but they don't operate solely as a gallery, nor are all (not even most) of their items made by artists from seattle. I tried to take a picture of a mug made by a ceramic artist from Ohio they were selling in store because I thought it was cute and wanted to ask a friend if they would like it. One of the workers immediately told me they don't allow pictures "because of their local artists" but she saw what I was holding- not local, from Ohio, which they bought and shipped to put in their store. The same item can be found all over the artists Instagram, website, and Google. There are pictures of it everywhere.

The only reason to have a no pictures policy of items in store is to hide the artists - which does not benefit the artist as they would otherwise gain more traction. Or to hide your cost markups. Which is unethical in general, if you know you're selling it at such markups that people would rather find the artist and buy from them directly. There is no good reason to implement a no pictures policy- people aren't copying these artists with pictures taken on their phones, when their works exist to be found on Google and on their websites already.

I don't enjoy being followed around the store either, and we would have bought more had it not been such an unpleasant experience with the woman following us throughout the store after telling us we couldn't take any pictures of items we were interested in. Super rude, super disappointing as a Seattle store. Recommended getting your art and pottery elsewhere.

Edit: editing to address the ridiculous response by the owner. You are being told that your store was a hostile experience to black and brown customers your employees followed around the store and made feel uncomfortable. And in all accounts hounding people about a no-photos policy for a resellers store is ridiculous. Your defensiveness about this feedback and how you’re justifying this behavior shows other customers how you’ll double down on treating them with the same disrespect....

(Disclosure, I know the owner, which is the reason I originally drove into Seattle from the suburbs to check out this place. But I've been back a few times not because I know her, but because it's a delightful and unique shop.)

I love the quality and variety of items you can find here. I love that I can count on supporting artists and small creators here, as they curate what they carry very carefully. I can find thoughtful and unique gifts for just about anyone and at just about any price point. When I first came in, I never expected to find something for my husband, who is terribly hard to shop for, but I did! A great wooden bottle opener with My. Ranier topography carving that he installed near his BBQ. He loves it! But that was just one of many gifts and home items I've found there over the last 2-3 (?) years since they opened.

So now, whenever I'm "stuck" going into Seattle for some drop-off kid activity, I spend my free time at Sfingiday and her neighbor stores. And a trip there in November is required for those hard-to-shop for folks.

I also really appreciate that the owner has always valued keeping staff and customers safe during the pandemic, including kind but firm...

Love this place and glad it’s in the neighborhood. Lived nearby for 5 years and enjoyed perusing their stuff regularly. Often get gifts and cards here for family and most recently picked up a bunch of interesting apothecary type items. Always have friendly people here. Sounds like the are soon moving to the old Burnt Sugar location a few doors down and across the street. I hope that means everything is going well for them because I want to continue visiting and exploring...