4 Best Places to Shop in UNM/Nob Hill, Albuquerque

With joyful designs composed in the spirit of traditional woodblock prints, whimsical pure cotton flour-sack dish towels—and yardage, napkins, potholders, and more—roll off the silk-screen presses here (don't miss their special misprint sales). While the perfectly soft and absorbent towel fabric is imported from Pakistan, the themes and attitude are purely local and New Mexico-inspired. View the printing process from their retail shop, where you will also find an irresistible selection of finely made hand-hewn products from other sustainably focused makers with keen eyes for design. The colorfully felted Flying Dragon children's mobiles (Nepal) are delightful, and the pewter animal magnets from Roofoos in Oregon are pretty cool too.

Cowboys & Indians carries a serious selection of fine Native American and Western art and artifacts culled from the collections of sharp-eyed antiques dealers from across the country. Set on the eastern fringe of Nob Hill, the door may be kept locked, but ring the bell—it's worth a browse when you are out this way.

A sliver of a shop that feels like an art gallery, IMEC (International Metalsmith Exhibition Center) carries an unusual range of jewelry and craftwork by a nationally renowned group of metal and glass artisans. Many are New Mexico based, like Luis Mojica, who does stunning work in sterling, resin, and mother-of-pearl, and Mary Kanda, whose intricate glass-bead pieces are richly colored.

Contemporary fine crafts, including jewelry, sculptural glass, ceramics, and fiber arts can be found at this longtime Albuquerque gallery. In town since 1974, a smart and changing selection of high-quality wares by local artisans has been a constant. Special exhibits focus on established artists (such as extraordinary mixed-media metalwork by Cynthia Cook and provocative pieces by collagist Suzanne Sbarge) and worthy newcomers.