Art Gecko

Amazing little finds in this place. Make sure to bring plenty of money because you’re going to want to buy everything in here. My cousin bought me a painting from here for my birthday and I couldn’t get home fast enough to put it on the wall. I don’t feel you should bring children into this store (because there is so much to touch and break) but they are kid friendly and were extremely nice to my nephew. Make sure to stop in if you’re looking for something new, beautiful and interesting to add to your home. Their jewelry selection was quite unique with many beautiful pieces. I for sure will be stopping in the next time I am in Wisconsin.

They have really unique & beautiful natural stone jewelry. On my recent visit I was drawn to a moldavite pendant set in sterling silver for $ 80. The staff was knowledgeable about the origin & energy properties of the stone as well as the artist that made it. I also found really cute halter tops for only $ 5 each on the same rack. I think this is a great shop for unique home goods, accessories & clothing at an affordable price. Definitely stop in if you are looking for natural stone jewelry.

Fun, funky little shop on State Street that deserves a visit when you are walking by. Lots of jewelry from costume pieces to sterling silver — there is lots to look at in many price ranges. Then onto scarves, clothing and curtains. If that isn’t enough shopping you can loom for some unique décor for the house. A wooden giraffe, a small Buddha or metal cat maybe! They box and wrap items nicely if they are gifts too. The store smells so strongly of incense it was almost more than I could deal with! It could use a bit more ventilation in the summer!

I know, I know, I know. I can never make my mind up. My latest bout of indecisiveness resulted in new flooring that in no way matched the décor or furniture in my home like I’d originally planned. Oops. So on my merry way I went to a million places searching for something that fit and Art Gecko was on the list.
I’ve been to the Art Gecko once before and remembered the eclectic merchandise they carried, so I was anxious to see if I could find something unique. Stepping foot into the store I was immediately greeted by a friendly group of employees who displayed a keen interest in my shopping needs and showed me around.
The store itself isn’t terribly tiny by State Street standards as it’s two levels. The floor, the walls, and the ceiling are stocked full with fun, creative and bohemianesque décor and lighting that, if I could afford. would all be nestled in my home right now. Luckily I came at a time where most lights (lamps, pendant light things, paper lanterns, etc.) and other items were marked for sale at a somewhat manageable price, and for the whole month at that. I definitely took advantage of the deal.
As other reviewers have stated, this isn’t just another knock-​off store trying to push cheaply made products. Most of their merchandise is handpicked in Bali, Indonesia throughout the year by this locally owned business themselves.

I love browsing around in this store! The items are from the East, which adds a great variety to Madison. The jewelry and the smaller items around the jewelry are generally reasonable, but the rest of the items are are little bit overpriced. However, coming from a small town, the uniqueness of the store is compelling. And it smells nice.

I love this store! The only reason I’m giving it 4 and not 5 stars is because the prices have gone up recently and in my opinion things are starting to cost more than they’re worth (especially since they probably bought everything for dirt cheap overseas).
Still, if you like funky décor or jewelry, this is a must visit shop. Basically everything in my apartment is from here or Earthbound across the street. They have awesome textiles and curtains, interesting lamps, boho jewelry and even some furniture (there’s more at the Monroe street store). I’ve bought beautiful pillows, scarves, mosaic mirrors and blankets just to name a few things.

I really do like Art Gecko… it’s a great place for groovy and eclectic worldly gifts for those hard to shop for relatives. I stop in at least 5 or 6 times a year to see what new inventory they have, find sale items, etc… I don’t think I have EVER left empty-​handed.
I think some of the prices are a bit much, hence four stars, over five.
Hint: Check the upstairs and back room for larger items, and deals… also, LOOK UP! They have many items for sale mounted higher up on the walls.

Great place for an eclectic accessory… or two… or five. It’s hard to walk out of this store with only one item! I’m a earring junkie. Dangly, bold, jingly, long — I want to wear them all, and I never have a problem finding a new and interesting pair of earrings here. Many of my friends have purchased sterling silver rings here… pretty semi-​precious stones, a huge selection.

This is a lovely store, with all kinds of jewelry (including a huge ring selection), artworks and imported clothes. I go there mostly for fabric items. I don’t know how they cram it all into their small space, but they carry curtains, bedspreads, cushions and more. The handcrafted rug and bedspread I brought home are just beautiful! I didn’t even ask, and they even gave me a discount just because I was buying the last patchwork bedspread on the shelf.

Ohmygosh, all the scarves you could ever hope for! What an awesome little store.

I appreciate that they buy stuff from other countries and bring it over here, but I bought a beautiful purse that tore within a few days and by the end of the month the bottom was completely torn out. It never had more than a couple of things in it… bummer.
So a few stars for beauty, no stars for quality.
Upadated ²⁄₁₁: Originally, I gave them two stars.
Around Christmas, I wrote them about the purse, not to ask for a refund, but just to let them know how quickly it tore. They kindly offered to replace it. After several weeks, they let me know that the exact one wasn’t available, but that they would send me another. It arrived soon after. It’s certainly not one I would have picked out for myself, but I very much appreciate their willingness to work with me on this. So, three stars!

I remember my first trip to Art Gecko– I was 17, the only girl on a school trip, and my head was swimming from all the gorgeous jewelry. I don’t know what possessed me, but I decided to try on rings and I found a green Baltic amber cabochon one that looked somewhat like a turtle’s back. It became probably my most prized possession and in my head, Art Gecko’s been a treasure trove ever since.
I’m pretty picky and so it’s been a long time since something here’s grabbed my attention like that… but on my last trip, I realized that, despite my initial out-​of-​place-​ness in a hip-​kid store like Art Gecko, I’m pretty much their ideal clientele.
Their curtains are just loud enough to be funky, but classy as all heck. I wish I’d picked some up when I was there, but alas, next time. Their jewelry is still unparalleled, and somehow I came home with a gorgeous amber pendant, very much like my old ring (which went to Japan with a boy that now, I probably won’t see again) and is my new favorite piece of jewelry. Their clothing is cute, if not really my style, but still, the scarves are super cute. All their housewares are unique and I really just could comfortably move right in~
Love Art Gecko~ Can’t wait to come back!

NoSheen is always beautiful & ready to answer any question you have about the shop & Marcel always seems to bring back stuff from Indonesia (& elsewhere I presume) that I genuinely luv.
People always ask where I get my ‘unusual’ apparel. If its not from NY, it’s probably from here…
It’s very easy for me to walk in look around at mother of pearl, silver jewelry and clothing.
…then leave with $ 200+ less in my pocket.
Go here.
Shop.
See for yourself.

I miss Art Gecko! When I lived in Madison I bought nearly all my jewelry here– and wanted to buy all the jewelry in the store! I always got compliments on the stuff I bought here. It’s beautiful and affordable and unique. I must remember to stock up when I visit Madison!

During my time in Madison, Art Gecko was my #1 favorite place to spend money I didn’t really have. Where I would really lose it was the jewelry case. The shop has a fantastic collection that showcases many different gorgeous stones. whee! shiny things! There is a ton of other stuff — clothes, knick knacks, furniture, etc. — crammed into the store, so you can really spend a while poking around in there — and when I say «a while» I mean «a ton of money.»

Whenever we are in Madison we always visit Art Gecko. One of the most interesting collections of offbeat and Asian clothing, fabric, furnishings, and world /​import goods we have found in the Midwest. Not just another knockoff hippie knick knack and gift store. They find some really interesting items during their buying trips.

During my college years, Art Gecko was my favorite store in Madison. Probably once or twice a year I have to call a friend who still lives in Madison to stop by Art Gecko and pick me something up. Anything, just something from AG. They have beautiful silver jewelry, great gift items, organic clothing if that’s your bag, and all the incense you can imagine. It’s easy to take advantage of these type of local haunts in Madison because there are so many but once you move you realize just how special it is.

Tends to be full of out-​of-​towners impressed by the incense holders and recently reconstructed dreadlocked freshmen, but a good destination for comfy and inexpensive Indian-​inspired tops and skirts, as well as wooden and silver earrings and decorative enameled boxes.