Welcome to Miss Havisham’s Curiosities & Veneration of Light

A most delightfully macabre shop has opened its doors in San Pedro, CA. Melissa Johnson of Miss Havisham’s Curiosities and Heather Allison of Veneration of Light have come together to establish a brick and mortar that houses their exquisite creations, which include tea sets and dark fine art. They recently hosted a soft opening, and I had an amazing time exploring their retail space.

The establishment is located at CRAFTED, a 1940s restored warehouse where hundreds of artisans have set up shop to sell their wares. It’s essentially a huge marketplace. It was my first visit and I was in awe of all the vendors! Miss Havisham’s Curiosities and Veneration of Light are tucked away in The Wunderkammer section. I knew immediately when I found their spot.

Melissa and Heather have erected a gothic-inspired structure as their storefront. Ornate stained glass and hints of gilded accents adorned the exterior. Stepping inside, I entered an enchanting room filled with the most elegant treasures. The ambience made me feel like I was in a Victorian manor.

For those who aren’t familiar with the owners and their crafts, allow me to introduce you.

Miss Havisham’s Curiosities specializes in tea sets that have a morbid sense of humor. These aren’t your grandmother’s typical teacups unless your grandmother is like Melissa’s. Her grandmother’s biting wit was what inspired her to create the wicked sayings you’ll find inside every cup. In a past interview, Melissa elaborated saying, “She wasn’t the happiest lady, she had a bad temper and a mouth like a sailor. One of her many ventures was as an antique dealer. Her specialty was china and glassware. The house was full of mismatched pieces, essentially nothing matched. She used to write offensive things on broken or chipped pieces, often in nail polish.”

The Insult Cups and Dark Delights collections are to die for. A few of my favorite phrases are “I Could Poison You,” “We Hate Your Baby,” “Bride of Satan,” and “Haunted.” Each teacup comes with a matching saucer. The sophisticated designs, which possess Victorian and Edwardian influences, balance out the crude sayings on the fine china. Besides being pretty to look at, having a set would make for a great conversation starter and laugh…or a tussle if you happen to actually offend the person you’re serving.

I must also add that Miss Havisham’s Curiosities has done collaborations with burlesque star Dita Von Teese and Cassandra Peterson, aka Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. I didn’t see these collections in the shop, but you can check them out online.

I love dark art and wasn’t familiar with Heather Allison’s work until I visited her storefront. Veneration of Light encompasses the artist’s still life imagery, which is inspired by Victorian memento mori, various ephemera and other macabre elements. Her fine art is vibrant and features flowers, skulls, religious iconography, and succulent fruits.

I adored the Antique Union Cases, which are miniature framed versions of her pieces. She has also started putting her work on decorative plates. Heather and Melissa’s aesthetics complement each other nicely, and it’s magical to see their creations living in this ethereal realm they’ve produced.

I couldn’t depart without buying a print. I chose ‘Flēotan.’ It’s part of the artist’s Onwaecnan (Awaken) neo-Victoriana still life photography series. The crucifix, skulls, wilting flowers and aged book capture death and spirituality in such a transcendent style. While there, I also had the opportunity to meet the founders, who mentioned that they’ll be hosting special events throughout the year.

It was a pleasure to visit the Miss Havisham’s Curiosities and Veneration of Light establishment, and I do plan to return in the future. If you find yourself in San Pedro, CA, I recommend stopping by, even if it’s just to browse. The shop is open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where to Stalk

Miss Havisham’s Curiosities

Veneration of Light

Crafted: At the Port of Los Angeles