Min-t Condition: Beiluogu Xiang Gets Doilied Up With Min

Like so many boutiques in Beijing, Min is an eclectic mishmash of tired treasures. This particular shop looks like the caboose of an early 1990s crafting trend in the US, one that had hand-painted wooden cats and “Gone fishin'” signs filling hobby stores. In fact, much of owner Li Min's doilies, cobalt glass dinnerware and cutesy knickknacks are replicated vintage kitsch items that were created in China but never made it out of the country.

We think that's a good thing. Min is one of the few places in this city where you can reclaim a 1980s fad with sparkly, translucent handbags made of “jelly” or PVC plastic (RMB 850), and there's no shortage of decorative milk glass teapots, sterling silverware and baubled napkin rings with which to add some tasteful tackiness to your apartment. Sure, Min has a fair amount of zoo market jewelry and pottery, but that's easily forgiven with the efforts Li took to give her space a twist of creativity. Li said she's enjoyed crafting for much of her life, and it shows: knitted photo frames, wood letter cutouts and crocheted throw blankets give the shop the air of a cluttered, but earnestly-decorated sitting room.

Min will even do custom orders – when she's not teaching business classes at Beijing Normal University, she'll knit you a cozy for your water bottle, iPad or cellphone for around RMB 50. Let her pick the color and you'll probably end up with a shade of blue, but just like any proper crafting enthusiast, she stows a prismatic collection of quality yarn behind her register.

Photos: Mitchell Pe Masilun, Jessica Rapp