Just what Mama needs

       Mother's Day is three days off, and if you haven't bought your mum a gift get, well, it's a good thing you're reading The Nation. We've got a rack of ideas here that ought to keep you in her good books for at least another year. Just pick the shop and the items that you think suit her best and get your wallet out.
       Patploy
       Conceived on a trip to Japan and born in Chiang Rai, this store-full of cotton patchwork and quilted bags and accessories is in the Zen zone on the second floor of CentralWorld.
       Designer Panida Powsrisornjit and her sister draw inspiration from flowers and cartoons and frill up the cotton with colourful imported yarn and zips.
       "The best thing is our bags can be washed, and I guarantee they won't lose their shape," sayd Panida, who's on the job daily from 10 to 10. Call (080) 135 3895 or (081) 649 8606 or dial up www.PatPloy.com or wwww.Goodddd.com.
       Liken
       This star attraction at the Bangkok gift and houseware fairs can completely refurbish your home with Japanese-influenced decor in animal shapes with floral and marine paterns.
       Eco-minded owner Gullayanee "Kat" Jiamisnkul sells ceramics, denim bags and tablecloths and hardwood and teak furniture at 866/15 Soi 28, Lad Phrao 101. She's open daily except Sunday from 9 to 6. Call (02) 729 2568-9.
       Goose
       More terrific scrapbooks and photo albums are on offer at Goose on the fourth floor of Siam Discovery Centre. Stationer sisters Penpunnee and Kesinee Horrungrueng cater to cool people with simple, functional, charming designs using materials brought in from the US, Holland and France.
       They've also got notebooks, organisers, binders, storage boxes and marking pens in any colour you want, and those Acme Studio pens featuring desings by Frank Lloyd Wright and Todd Falkowsky. There are antique brass seals and rubber stamps from America, wrapping paper from Nepal, stickers from Canada and Les Deglingo's cotton dolls from France.
       Be there any day from 10 to 9. The phone numbers are (080) 201 9421 and (086) 622 3094.
       Phonthip Jeweller
       One of Fon's Code 10 neighbours is 27-yera-old Phonthip Tangviriyamate, who makes dazzling silver bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings and brooches.
       Resin, refined silk and leather mix in with the precious metals in designs inspired by plants and coral.
       The shop's also open daily from 10 to 10. Call (081) 620 3809 or see www.PhonthipJwewller.com
       Flow
       Valaipan "Fon" Chupan often outshines the other young designers in the Code 10 zone at Siam Paragon with fantastic yellow-gold brass jewellery.
       The "Be Flow" collection inspired by Thai architecture mingles silver and Jim Thompson silk in an array of pearls, with "Geo Flow Metric" gets natural in wood grain and water lines.
       Be there any day from 10 to 10 ro investigate via (086) 977 8381 or www.FlowOrnament.com.
       Guate
       Mana Promrat's little piece of Chaktuchak Weekend Market boasts a splendid collection of leather bags and accesories that are complex in the cutting and stitching but still simple and functional.
       Most of the designs are in geometric shapes, with an eye, says Mana, to "conserving Thai-style handicrafts".
       He's in Section 23, Soi 33, from noon to 7 every weekend. Phone (081) 444 9144 and (081) 818 6911 or visit www.GuateMana.com.
       Amitie
       If Mum likes rustic French wooden furniture, Panomporn Tresukosol and Wannipa Keatkajohnjumroen say, "Bienvenue!"
       They've got two floors cosily stocked with hand-painted hardwood gear and zinc garden tools, plus lots of decor items with flower and animal designs that are made primarily, fro New Zealand pinewood. Don't miss the corner laid out with camel carpets from Egypt.
       The store is 933 Soi Thonglor and open from 10.30 to 6.30 six days a week and 10 to 3 on Sundays. Call (02) 712 8335-6 or visit www.AmitieFurniture.com.
       Nancy J's Factory
       The best (and safest) gift is a card, and the ones at this store in the Atrium zone on the third floor of CentralWorld are handmade. Hobbyists and students crowd in here to see what Chatchaya Watcharaporn's come up with.
       There are also fancy scrapbooks made materials imported from the US, and you can customise your own, with expert advice if needed, In fact, the Factory's focus is on do-it-yourself, so all the bits and pieces are first rate, in prices ranging from Bt60 to Bt1,000.
       Drop by any day from 10 to 9.30 or call (081) 773 7888.