THE ITEM: Vintage backdrop necklace

THE COST: $55

WHERE TO BUY: Psalms 91:1, 627 Sheppard Ave. E. For info, see http://www.psalmsaccessories.com/.

The Constant Shopper loves visiting out of the way boutiques. There's something so satisfying about discovering uncharted retail territory, then sharing the off-the-beaten path adventure with your friends.

Psalms 91:1 is definitely off the beaten path. It's a tiny boutique in residential Willowdale. Sally Han, the 22-year-old designer behind the boutique, was studying film at Ryerson and started designing jewellery on a whim.

"I wanted to be an actor and had no idea I could make jewellery," she says. "But I wanted to help raise money for a charity event. I made some jewellery and sold it. I got good feedback, so I made some more," she says.

Calling her line Psalms 91:1 after her favourite sacred song in the bible, she started selling her jewellery to friends, at shopping events, and in a few stores.

She uses a wide variety of materials, including vintage buttons, gold- and silver-plated chains, wires, and charms, beads of all sorts, feathers, seeds, and even bits of fruit.

"I really focus on natural stuff because I get my inspiration from nature," says Han. She's now experimenting with cinnamon sticks in her designs, loving the way they smell when worn against warm skin.

Last fall, Han opened a small boutique on Sheppard Ave. E., stocking it with her own jewellery designs as well as accessories made by other emerging designers, including vintage pins and journals by Smitten Kitten ($20 to $60), cool hats by the New York label Parks Clothing ($45 to $49) and fun scented soaps by Demo.

The vibe is homey and eclectic, with Han's jewellery displayed in interesting ways. For example, she and her father collect driftwood while on fishing trips. Painted jet black and hung with Han's sparkly designs, they take on an other-worldly sort of beauty.

A cup of green tea is part of the shopping ritual.

"I like having tea and getting to know what every person is looking for," says Han, who designs custom pieces for weddings and proms and organizes shopping tea parties for groups.

Best of all, the price is right. Almost everything in the shop is priced under $100.

IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD: Bayview Village shopping centre is a short walk from Psalms 91:1. There's something so un-mallish about it, with lots of independent stores that you don't see elsewhere. If you're obsessed with contemporary jewellery, the Gypsy kiosk is a must-shop. For trendy clothes, visit Honey. For comfortable shoes, check out Ron White's Foot Shoppe. For flowers and gardening accessories, do Teatro Verde.

Daphne Gordon's Constant Shopper column appears every Saturday in the Shopping section and Monday to Friday online at http://www.thestar.com/constantshopper. Email: constantshopper@thestar.ca.