Shop local, buy global

The shop: East Meets West, 2118 W. Lawrence Ave., 773-275-1976.
What they sell: Fair-tradedécor, Hindu and Buddhist ceremonial objects, textiles, furniture, jewelry, art posters and more from India, China, Myanmar, Indonesia, Eastern Europe.
What to expect: It’s a shame more Lincoln Square shoppers don’t make the short hike to Ravenswood to frequent this treasure trove of East Asian goods. The imported wares are strewn throughout a glittering front room and a temple-like back room where the owners also host occasional yoga, meditation and musical events.
The back story: Indira Choudrey bought this building and relocated her shop here a few years ago following an 18-year run on Evanston’s funky Dempster Avenue. Choudrey and her son, Sanjay Choudrey, who co-manages the business, return to their native India twice a year on buying trips, and also bring back pieces from other Asian nations. They’re beginning to shift toward wholesale, so browse while you still can.
Fave finds: Buddhist wood carvings, “singing” bowls, and thankas (handpainted ceremonial banners made with crushed gemstones) from Tibetan refugees living in India; South Indian Chola-style bronze decorative pieces from Java (since banned by Java’s Muslim leaders); Burmese life-size, carved, wooden Ramayana-character puppets; Balinese ceremonial dragon kites with papier-mache heads.
Check it out: The shop is open noon–6pm Tuesdays to Fridays, noon–5pm Saturdays, and noon–4pm Sundays. A special “alternative” holiday art sale will be held 11am–7pm December 1 and 11am–6pm December 2.

The shop: Artesanias D'Mexico, 1644 W. 18th St., 312-563-9779
What they sell: Mexican handcrafted décor, art, ceramics, serving ware and more.
What to expect: Pilsen is home to an abundance of colorful arts and crafts, but it’s likely no other shopkeepers in the barrio can keep pace with husband-wife proprietors Efrain and Eliamar Loza. The couple brings back their pan-Mexican artisan-made goods from 14 different states, made by Oaxacan potters and little-known masters in remote indigenous Huichol villages.
The story: The couple, who swapped successful careers in banking and food distribution for retail in 1996, is intent on showcasing the diversity of cultures throughout Mexico, elevating the standards of retailed art, and promoting a better quality of life for native artists. (To that end, each year they sponsor a different artist, who is provided funds to develop work and visit Chicago with a family member.) The Lozas maintain irregular hours, but it’s to our benefit: Every two months they make extensive buying trips throughout Mexico, relying on a van and a semi-trailer to haul it all back here.
Our favorite finds: Zapotecan alebrijes (wildly colorful carvings of animals and mythological creatures) by Joaquin Hernandez; pre-Hispanic–style pottery by Michoacan master Emilio Molinero; Oaxacan ceramic “Frida” dolls and beetles by Concepcion Aguilar; ceremonial jaguar masks with wild boars’ teeth and hair from a remote mountain village in Guerrero.
Check it out: Normal business hours are 10am–7pm Monday to Saturday. But call first to make sure the Lozas aren’t away on one of their trips.