Lark has been voted the Best Gift Shop in San Mateo

“Thank you SO MUCH to everyone for your support. It means the world to this small business.” – Eilish Lancaster, Owner of Lark

Locally Made

70% of our items are locally made by talented artists

Discover Unique Gifts, Artisan Goods, Creative Workshops & Summer Camps at Lark San Carlos. Lark is a gem for artisan handcrafted home goods & gifts in the Bay Area.

We feature a thoughtfully curated collection of handmade items, with a focus on locally made products, as well as select global finds. Whether you’re shopping for a meaningful gift or a special piece for yourself, you’ll find one-of-a-kind treasures here.

Lark is also home to inspiring creative workshops and summer camps designed for all ages. Join us to learn leathercraft, sewing, purse and bag making, painting, upcycling, and wellness-based art sessions. Our summer camps focus on eco-friendly creativity—teaching kids and teens how to reuse materials to create original art.

Welcome to Lark

Inside Lark

Workshops at Lark

Lark San Carlos offers a thoughtful and welcoming lineup of hands‑on creative workshops, led by owner and lifelong maker Eilish Lancaster, that bring both craft and community to life. Recent events include the popular Bag‑Making Workshop (no experience or tools needed), where participants walk away with their very own handmade bags (eilishlancaster.com). There’s also the adult-friendly “Design & Make Your Own Tote” leather workshop—complete with a homemade vegan dinner and drink—for a relaxed evening of creativity.

On “Workshop Wednesdays” (and beyond), the shop transforms its back room into a calming space for leather‑jewelry design, sound‑bath meditations, and seasonal refashioning classes—a recent highlight being the Sew & Refashion upcycling session, where attendees learn both hand‑ and machine‑sewing to revive wardrobe favorites for just $45.

With Eilish’s patient guidance and emphasis on local materials, these workshops offer makers of all skill levels a nurturing environment to explore craft, sustainability, and connection in San Carlos.

SEE UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

Lark’s Sip and Paint Workshop

A Soft Hello to Lark’s Next Chapter

Lark San Carlos has long felt like “a community as much as a store.” Originally founded in October 2022 by Angela Kalayjian, the shop has since become a hub for handcrafted goods and creative workshops (Interview with Eilish). In the fall of 2024, the baton passed to Eilish Lancaster, a “lifelong maker,” during a leather‑work workshop at Lark. For Eilish, it wasn’t just a store—it was serendipity.

From Maker to Keeper

Eilish reflects, “That’s how I met Angela and learned she was looking toward a new chapter.” Feeling deeply aligned with Lark’s values, she seized the opportunity with both hands—and heart. Today, she carries forward the founder’s legacy, while accentuating local creativity and accessibility. “We have so many talented artisans locally…and I’m also mindful that the economic situation is a factor for many. I work hard to carry great products at all price points,” Eilish shares.

Behind the Shelves: Artists & Connections

Under Eilish’s stewardship, roughly 70 % of Lark’s inventory comes from local creators. She spotlights artists like Suzanne Shah, whose distinctive work has been a constant since the shop’s founding, and Judi Eichler, whose hand‑painted jewelry Eilish “sought her out because I love her work”. These collaborative relationships transform transactions into moments: “When shoppers unexpectedly meet the artist behind their purchase… it’s always a hero moment,” observes Eilish.

Community Moments and Growing Pains

Lark’s recognition as Best Gift Shop in the San Mateo Area (2025 Best of San Mateo Awards, with over 22,000 votes!) comes as a validation of the store’s intimate, local focus. Eilish recalls being “so nervous until I had it in writing…”. She also notes real‑world challenges: “I’d say I’m still overcoming many challenges,” she admits. Yet she stays adaptive and grounded, guided by an unwavering commitment to the shop’s visitors—and those talented makers.

Advice from the Heart

To anyone dreaming of opening an artisan shop, Eilish offers grounded wisdom:

“Any project needs to be a mix of passion and practicality. Find something that speaks to you, and also maps to a reasonable business plan. Be ready to iterate and pivot.”

It’s this blend of intentionality and flexibility that continues to shape Lark’s identity.

Why Lark Matters in San Carlos

• Local impact: Featuring 70% artisan-made gifts, Lark uplifts Bay Area talent .
• Inclusive design: Beautiful items at multiple price points reflect Eilish’s ethos—“beautiful things should not be exclusive”.
• Human moments: From workshop entry to handshake, Lark nurtures connection, community, and celebration.

A Thoughtful Future

Under Eilish, Lark is more than a gift shop—it’s a canvas for creativity, connection, and gentle curation. She envisions the space as a daily retreat: place to explore, gift, or simply unwind amidst thoughtful pairings and handcrafted stories.

Invitation

Lark now invites artists and makers to join the community. Interested? You can reach out via larksancarlos.com. Eilish hopes to grow both the aisles and the relationships they hold.

As summer meanders through Laurel Street, Lark stands as San Carlos’ elegant, curated moment of pause—anchored in passion, purpose, and local heartbeat. Discover it this afternoon, and follow its unfolding story on Instagram @larksancarlos.

Lark’s Essence in a Nutshell

• Warm & welcoming: no hype, just a genuine creative space
• Personal & sincere: grounded by Eilish’s own maker journey
• Community‑centric: centered on local artisans & San Carlos life
• Low‑key sophistication: curated, inclusive, intentionally elegant

Under new ownership, Lark continues to glow—a space stitched together by craftsmanship, care, and community.

Artist Suzanne Shah and Lark Owner Eilish Lancaster