Picánte Designs

Any time I’m searching for a unique, personal gift, I make a stop into Picante. They have a fantastic selection of jewelry, and you’re bound to find something for that lucky friend, family member, or coworker (or even better — yourself!) who will cherish their new beautiful, one-​of-​a-​kind hand made treasure. If you adore oil cloth as much as I do, this is the place to shop — items such as table cloths, place mats, hand bags, and wallets can be found here, and for the crafty crowd, you can purchase gorgeous printed fabric by the yard or by the roll. They have an extensive selection of Dia de los Muertos merchandise, and sell beautiful, well-​made clothing items as well. The ladies behind the counter are super helpful, and they can almost always provide some background information (such as which village it was purchased in, personal details about the artist, etc.) to help inform your decision. Sometimes I come here to spark my imagination — the artwork and textiles are so vibrant, and seeing all of various color combinations gives me the courage to try them in my own home.
I guarantee this store will become a favorite of yours, too!

I can’t believe I had this place on my «must visit» list for two years! Pretty much es once Christy F wrote her rave review back in ’12. Finally… I made it in and so glad I finally checked it out. As mentioned in other reviews– there’s a lot packed into this little shop…
I spent well over an hour trying dresses on, I feel like I barely spent any time really going through all the other items– kitchen towels, woven table runners, art, jewelry, bags, paper goods (paper picado, paper flowers) and the list seriously goes on. Basically, almost everything g you love a lit Mexico can be found at this little gem.

Picante is one of my absolute favorite Tucson boutiques. I can’t visit without leaving with something… well actually, lots of things. I think they have the best jewelry selection anywhere. Lots of unique items from silver to beads to handmade one-​of-​a-​kind pieces. My mom came to visit and called me months later and asked me to go back and find a pair of earrings that she couldn’t stop thinking about. Picante just has that kind of effect on you. Its goodies are mesmerizing. The store itself is a visual adventure — vibrant color, patterns and texture dance in every direction. It’s hard to decide what to look at first.
Their clothing is on the expensive side (drool), but thank gawd they have a sizable sale section and I always seem to find something in my price range there. Inevitably, I get lots of compliments on my fashion finds here.
I love the staff, too. They are very friendly, super-​helpful and they have lots of info about all of their offerings. They can tell you where anything is made, fill you in on a jewelry designer, or help you find the perfect gift. They let me take pix of their jewelry to send to my mom on the east coast so that she could pick out what she wanted. How cool is that? Super cool.

I really love this store. Ever since I was in college, whenever I feel down, I go window shopping. This is one of my go-​tos for that, as soon as you walk through the doors you are bombarded with colors and creativity. Most of the store features goods imported from Mexico as well as some other countries. I am a huge fan of all things Dia De Los Muertos related, and they have a huge selection of novelties and decorations. The most recent purchase I made there was for my mom, she was re-​decorating her backyard and really wanted to find some mexican tissue paper garlands that were plastic and could withstand some moisture/​rain. I got her two different packs, they had a huge selection of tissue and plastic garlands.
This is also one of the only places in Tucson where you can buy authentic mexican oil cloth by the yard. For a sewing/​crafting fanatic, that is pretty awesome. If you don’t craft and sew, they also have many already made items using the same stuff, pillows, bags, you name it! Plus a visit to Picante Designs means that you can explore the rest of Broadway Village shopping center, including Yikes! Toy Store and Sugar Sweet Bakery, two of my favorites!

Day of the Dead figurine? Check
Oilcloth purse? Check
Beautiful thing that I don’t even know what it is? Check
Great place for unique gifts… like really unique, handmade, artsy-​but-​useful, Tucson-​feel gifts.

Wow!!! As I step into the boutique, I am transported to the streets of Mexico (well, I have been there since I was a wee one, so it is the streets I imagine). Picante is a wonderland filled with whimsy. There are tchotchkes floor to ceiling, nothing you truly need, BUT everything I feel I cannot live without.
I scored a awesome insect bracelet and ordered a metamorphosis bracelet too (think caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly). It is not for everyone, but I am a closet entomology fanatic. Picture to come… it is really cool. It’s one of those things so unique, I felt it had my name all over it. Super cool jewelry here and not just bug themed!
I also got the COOLEST bag made from packing material in Thailand. It is so colorful. I love fair trade and foreign co-op’s…it’s feel good shopping as the money I spent went back to support these ladies. These bags are sturdy and I get comments everywhere I go.
Next up, I got a really cool Guatemalan purse… it is just like the bags I didn’t purchase in Guatemala and have been dreaming of ever since. One of the hand sewn details was raveling and she broke out her needle and thread and fixed it on the spot.
I was torn in picking out a new mouse pad for my office, but I think I did pretty good! They have a great selection: lucha libre, Freida, day of the dead…
Then to top it all off I got a blue lightening lucha libre notebook with pin up girls on the back.
What I didn’t get but need are the tablecloths, clothes, paper mache luchadores, day of the dead shadow boxes, all the mini figurines, Milagros, the coolest dragon mobile, which was also fair trade and of course more jewelry… let’s cut to the chase… I want the ENTIRE store– no lie.
The owner is a sweet local who has traveled the globe… most products are fair trade… so shop away, it’s your duty to help out!!! At least that is what I like to tell myself.

Stopped here on my way back to the airport for a gift for a friend. Neat and colorful little shop. There were a lot of clothing and pillow items — would’ve liked to see some smaller gifts — but still nice overall. The shop owner was very kind. Overall, worth it if you’re in the area and have some spare time.

I discovered Picante Designs on an exploratory voyage to Bohemia. And (eyes squeezed shut) I prefer Picante.
Okay, now I’ve said it.
Bohemia was proclaimed such a mecca (in the media and on Unilocal). But, truth be told: I can’t stop thinking about that gorgeous rainbow-​colored woven bags next door at Picante. (As in, What the h#ll was I thinking? Why didn’t I buy one???)
Yes, Bohemia is funky, artsy and cool — and also (hope my front yard doesn’t burn for this) a bit snooty.
But, Picante? For me, it’s the real deal. Handcrafted items that run the gamut — from clothing to cheap Mexican shopping bags. The prices are not all that low! But the merchandise is well chosen. And, if you can’t make it to Guatemala this year (and I’m very sad that I can’t), Picante is a nice second. Next time, I plan to fold in a visit to the fresh fruit and vegetable market next door. And pretend I am in Guatemala.

Highly recommended for when you have a mile long gift list and absolutely no idea what to buy for anyone.
In the past, I’d usually just shrug and bring up my multigahundred dollar student loan debt when confronted with buying birthday gifts. Now that I’ve graduated and found someone willing to pay me for my skills, I knew the old song and dance wouldn’t cut it. I needed something to show my family I’m an adult. I needed something to compensate for never buying, but always accepting, birthday presents. Picante had it all.
I bought two pairs of gorgeous, exquisitely crafted silver earrings — one hibiscus and one lily, and one adorable pair of bronze hued sacred heart stud earrings for the ladies in my family. They were thrilled. I could easily have walked out with a delicate silver skull pendant, milagro bobby pins, or a beautiful embroidered shirt. There is so much to choose from it’s difficult to exercise restraint. Unfortunately, I still have to pay off those student loans.

Picante!!! Such a great place to do your holiday shopping — tons of eclectic imports and art pieces with Spanish flair. Where else this side of the border can you find a Mexican wrestling mask, a Dia De Los Muertos Apron and a Virgen De Guadalupe tote bag under one roof? Support your local businesses, and shop Picante!