Hope Diamond

Place:	Hope Diamond at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
Location:	10th St NW Washington, DC
Phone:	202.633.1000
Hours:	Daily: 10:00am–5:30pm
Website:	http://www.mnh.si.edu/

The Hope Diamond is famous for its size and sparkle - recently the Smithsonian took the diamond out of its casing to showcase the gem on its own. It's gorgeous.

While we were at the Museum of Natural History we also checked out the other jewelry (see some of our pictures above, it has Knick and Knack's paradise, so many shiny objects, and all so pretty, we almost had to be contained) and the new marine life wing. It was amazing. We learned so much, we ooh-ed and ahh-ed at the beautiful artifacts and walked away a little more knowledgeable than when we walked in.

The Crafty Ones were also lucky enough to bring along The Baker as a special guest. He is the official chauffeur of The Crafty Ones and keeps us on schedule.

On a last note, even in March the place was packed on a Saturday, so we recommend if you are doing this to make sure you try to take some time off and see it on a weekday. That way you can ogle at the pieces all you want without elbowing people, since you will need a good 10 minutes to count every facet and then think of every possible occasion you might have of wearing it.

National Cathedral Museum Shop

Place:	National Cathedral Museum Shop
Location:	3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC
Phone:	202.537.6435
urs:	Monday–Friday: 10:00am–5:30pm Saturday: 10:00am-4:30pm Sunday:8:00am–5:00pm
Website:	http://www.nationalcathedral.org/shops/

It takes a keen eye to notice the sign that points toward the basement reading "Museum Store". But once you walk downstairs into the dungeon of the shop, you will be mesmerized.

The Museum Store is one of the largest Knack has ever seen, and it covers all kinds of items that would be of interest to any museum-goer. Knick loved the store too, it contains one of the finest collection of presents one can offer friends, from the funny and mundane (see the picture of the t-shirt posted) to really neat and high brow gifts. Next time you need to purchase a gift for that Washingtonian that has everything they want, go to the National Cathedral's store and get them something there !