Recommendations for short shopping venture?

[Island Dreaming]

We'll be making our second trip to St John next week and can't wait after our record breaking 80 inches of snow here in Baltimore! On our first trip in 2008 the only shopping we did was at the spice shop and Lily's for provisions as my husband is not a shopper. I would like to visit a couple in a quick shopping venture - are there any standouts you would recommend that I could hit in a short period of time? Interests would be art, jewelry, pottery.. Thanks!

[Diana2]

Wander through all the really great shops at Mongoose Junction. Let DH sit in the Tap Room a have a couple of cold ones while you shop. Even my DH doesn't mind going to Mongoose shopping if he can sit in the Tap Room, have a few cold draft beers and check his e-mail and the stock reports on his laptop. (free wifi) Maybe grab a little lunch at Sun Dog and then walk down St. John Spice, Freebird and the other shops in Wharfside with the promise that you can finish up at the Beach Bar.

[michele]

Mongoose Junction is awesome and we also loved Coral Bay Jewelers right in Cruz Bay

[Lindy]

If you like jewelery be sure to go to Caravan Gallery at Mongoose Junction! They have some really interesting items.

[tothectothec]

Be sure to check out Sugar Birds in Mongoose they have such different gifts a little of everything.

[jayseadee]

Agree with the others. Spend some time at Mongoose Junction - Island Fancy, Sugarbirds, R&I Patton and there is a nice gallery upstairs, but the name escapes me.

DH can either hang out at the Tap Room or the Gecko Gazebo.

[michigancouple]

Since we're on the shopping subject...have any of you ever seen a bead that is unique to USVI that can go on the Pandora type charm bracelets? I'm hoping that maybe one of the jewelers may have a handmade one of a petroglyph or something else about the island.

[LandLockedBeachLover]

http://www.freebirdcreations.com/braceletbeads.html

Freebird Creations has these types of charms. They are close to the ferry dock in Cruz Bay. There are a bunch of unique jewelry places in Cruz, either at Wharfside area or Mongoose. I also like Shae Designs, which I think changed names to Bamboo something or another. Just ordered a STJ hook bracelet from there! Great quality.

Happy shopping! Grab a painkiller while you shop. Hell, maybe even hubby will enjoy it then!

[lazylane]

the shops at Mongoose Junction are wonderful - great atmosphere here.

http://mongoosejunctionstjohn.com/

and lots in Wharfside Village, too!

http://www.wharfsidevillage.com/

Easy walking and you can take breaks at the great bars and restaurants along the way!!

[michigancouple]

Freebird Creations has these types of charms. They are close to the ferry dock in Cruz Bay. There are a bunch of unique jewelry places in Cruz, either at Wharfside area or Mongoose. I also like Shae Designs, which I think changed names to Bamboo something or another. Just ordered a STJ hook bracelet from there! Great quality.

Thanks Landlocked...somehow I knew you'd jump in on this one. In fact I almost pm'd you about it first!

I thought maybe Freebird or Into The Blue might carry them. That petroglyph bead has my name all over it! Maybe one of those pretty caribbean blue stone ones too

Hubby's not going this trip, just me and my girls! Shopping is definately on our list.

[INfamily]

We always visit R&I Patton in Mongoose while we are on St John. Their charms are made from molds using baby shells, etc. I've never seen anything like them before and we always bring a few back home with us.

[Island Dreaming]

Thanks for all of the suggestions and information. I think the one for my husband having a beer while I shop is probably a winner!!

[Diana2]

We always visit R&I Patton in Mongoose while we are on St John. Their charms are made from molds using baby shells, etc. I've never seen anything like them before and we always bring a few back home with us.

Definitely visit R&I Patton. It's one place that I always stop in. I have them polish up the pieces that I've purchased over the years from them. They have some beautiful things in there and I almost always find new things that I can't go home without. Big Planet and Sugar Bird are a couple of my other favorites at Mongoose.

[cocosmom]

Last trip to STJ - Hubby had a beer at Gecko Gazebo while I shopped & met a great couple from DC ( we are also from MD) and another family stopped who actually wanted to buy the house the first DC couple just bought...freaky. We ended up drinking & cigar smoking with the first couple for a couple hours..
They have family on island & told us to eat at Joe's BBQ. About an hour later, as we were eating at Joe's they stopped by to make sure we liked it...gotta love STJ

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

http://www.freebirdcreations.com/braceletbeads.html

Freebird Creations has these types of charms. They are close to the ferry dock in Cruz Bay. There are a bunch of unique jewelry places in Cruz, either at Wharfside area or Mongoose. I also like Shae Designs, which I think changed names to Bamboo something or another. Just ordered a STJ hook bracelet from there! Great quality.

Happy shopping! Grab a painkiller while you shop. Hell, maybe even hubby will enjoy it then!

Uh-Oh. I really, really, really like that bracelet and all of the different beads. (hint, hint, Pete)