Tag Archives: The LAB

Jewel of The LAB: The Shangri-La

Rings and bracelets have been my accessory obsession as of late.  So when I visited The LAB a couple of weeks ago (post here), it’s no accident that one of my first stops just happened to be a quaint boutique called The Shangri-La.  Owned by the beautiful Karen Hsiang, this little jewelry paradise appealed to my indie and gothic sensibilities at every turn, as you can see by my choices above.  Dominic even spotted a jar filled with candy Ring Pops, the only jewelry a three-year-old boy seems to be interested in.  I had the chance to chat with Karen about her boutique and how she began her mystical journey into jewelry design and starting her own business.

How did you make the decision to start your own business and how did you get started with jewelry specifically?

The start of the boutique came on a whim. I had an online jewelry boutique for a while as a part-time hobby, but it did not garner as much traffic as I wanted. One day I e-mailed The Lab, Anti-Mall in Costa Mesa to see if they had an any open retail spaces available just to get an idea of cost of rent, and lo and behold, a little Shasta trailer was available. I had to take that opportunity and I quit my full-time job to live out my dream. 

When we chatted, you mentioned that you create your own jewelry, but that you also have designs by other jewelers.  Do seek out designers, or do they come to you?
 
I am trolling the internet 24/7 to bring unique designers and pieces into the store. I have many local designers who also were just shopping in The Lab who stumbled upon the boutique.

What would you say is your “style”?  How is that reflected in what you have to offer at your boutique and in your own designs?

 I have a very schizophrenic way of dressing. I dress by mood, so one day I will be in a white lace dress, and the next day I can be geared up in combat boots and in all black. I honestly buy pieces to put in the store for myself, and hope that other people will take a liking to it. Since I don’t really have a specific style, I offer jewelry for all kinds of styles from bohemian to utilitarian and everything in between.

How long have you had a space at The LAB?

It has been 5 months already! Time passes by way too fast. I remember the day I signed the lease like it was yesterday.

Some of the boutiques throughout The LAB are situated in Air Stream trailers, and your boutique has a unique ceiling.  What is the story behind the chalk illustrations?

There really isn’t any specific story behind the chalk illustrations. I just thought it would be fun for my customers to leave a little bit of themselves behind in the store. I have all my friends and family leave their mark when they come and visit me.

What do you enjoy best about what you do?

The expressions on people’s faces when they see the store is pretty priceless. Honestly, I am so grateful for all the kind words and encouragement that complete strangers give me everyday. It makes my day when people tell me that they have never seen anything like the selection of jewelry that I carry. It makes all the blood, sweat, and tears worth it.

(Thank you Karen for taking the time out to chat with me and no doubt I will visit your shop whenever I’m in town!)

Weekend in Pictures: The LAB

As I mentioned in my “Anniversaries” post last Monday, my husband had a golf tournament last Sunday, so we decided to turn it into a mini-get-away by staying up in the Irvine area for the whole weekend.  Saturday was spent being lazy, sleeping in, lounging by the pool and having a late dinner.  On Sunday while Deon played in the golf tournament at the Oak Creek Golf Club, Dominic and I went shopping and then spent the rest of the time at Boomers (a mini-golf amusement park) in the Costa Mesa area close by.

Rather than hit up South Coast Plaza, one of my favorite malls, I decided to shop on a smaller scale at a place called The LAB nearby.  It has been quite a long time since I had been to The LAB, and I was happy to know that it was still there and just as quirky as I remember it.  This is what Space 15 Twenty reminded me of when I went shopping in LA last June (original post here).  The CAMP, which is right across the street from The LAB is also similar.

The LAB, also known as “The Anti-Mall”, stands for “Little American Business” and caters to more indie stores (the only “big” chain store would be Urban Outfitters).  The set up and design appeals to the visual artist in me:  great use of alternative spaces for boutiques and lots of visual eye-candy in the form of random sculptures throughout the area.  Even Dominic enjoyed looking and interacting with all of the art and chose to sport a funky pair of sunnies he found a store called popKiller (he asked me to buy them because they were green).

My favorite store there was an awesome jewelry boutique called The Shangri-La.  I chatted with the owner, Karen Hsiang and will feature her boutique on this Friday’s post.  When I get back from London, I’m going back to The LAB with some friends to spend a little more time in the shops and to try out the restaurants.  Happy shopping!