If  you want to see really good pictures and full details about the latest irresistible retail arrival in town, read my friend and colleague Robrt Pela’s piece about Beatrice Moore and her new store, Kooky Krafts, in the latest New Times.

I’ve lusted after Moore’s work ever since I paid a visit to her studio many years ago, while working on a story about the Phoenix arts scene. Moore has a tendency to paint everything she owns (and she owns a good chunk of the historic properties on Phoenix’s funky Grand Avenue) in shades of pastel. She has a serious thing for vintage bump chenille and old plastic baby heads, but as Robrt writes, she doesn’t like to part with any of it. It’s always been hard to get into her studio, let alone buy her creations.

Until now. Be still, my beating heart.

I didn’t actually weep when I walked into her store for tonight’s grand opening, like I did when I first saw the new candy store Smeeks, but I did sweat quite a bit — since it’s 108 degrees (at least) and there’s no A/C (at least none that was on) at Kooky Krafts.

That’s okay. The merch makes up for it. Dozens of wreaths made of the aforementioned chenille (like a more sophisticated pipe cleaner), some glittered items, hand-made pinatas and flowers. The wreaths were close to $100 each, so I made due with a few flowers (pictured above), though I do have my eye on a pink and blue wreath with a poodle in the middle.

As you have no doubt already guessed, you have to see this place for yourself.

There’s more coming, Moore says. Bob Adams, another local artist (he’s got a case of wonderful stuff at Frances, Smeeks’ neighbor) is working on a line of dolls. But he’s been slowed down, Moore says, because he can’t find the right shade of pubic hair.

And they say Austin and Portland are weird.