Baubles, Bangles and Threads

India is the inspiration for many of this season’s trendy fashions and home accessories, but luckily there’s no need to hop a plane to buy them. The latest ethnic aesthetic can be found right here in Southern California in shops on a four-block stretch of Pioneer Boulevard in Artesia unofficially known as Little India.

Savvy shoppers will find sumptuous silk saris, glittery bangle bracelets, embroidered pillows and slippers sewn with golden thread--all at affordable prices. In a few cases, the merchandise is the same as that sold in some upscale boutiques in L.A. for double the price.

The area is dotted with strip malls and storefronts that may look unremarkable to the naked eye. But what’s inside is what counts. Shopping here takes a little time and perseverance.

It’s important to know what you are looking for, and to be prepared to dig for it. Beautiful pieces can be hidden deep in clothes racks. Be patient, and go through everything. Ask store owners for help if you are looking for something specific. They may have additional merchandise in the back.

A few warnings: Typically all sales are final and there are no refunds or exchanges. Pieces are often one-of-a-kind so don’t have your heart set on something you’ve seen. Bangle bracelets, unless they are real gold or silver, will not last forever, and decorative mirrors are sometimes scratched. But the prices are low and fashion trends, after all, are fleeting.

Saris include 6 yards of fabric to drape around the body and a cropped top. A couple of stores sell the tops alone to wear with a skirt or jeans, but most sell the outfits only as sets with sari fabric included.

The two pieces together start at $75, which may seem pricey, but you can use the extra fabric for a shawl or wrap-around skirt. Designer interpretations of the tops alone retail at department stores for much more, even though the imported Indian fabric designers use is often the same fabric you’ll find in Little India.

Another major part of the business on the street is in gold jewelry, usually 22-karat. Some shops sell gold by the weight, others have a formula that takes into account craftsmanship and import fees. Some stores sell gold- or silver-plated jewelry. Bottom line: If you are going to buy fine jewelry, know what you are doing.

Little India can be a treasure trove of accessories for the home, including overstuffed pillows and tablecloths, wall hangings, jewelry boxes and picture frames decorated with colorful beads and sequins, elephants and other Eastern motifs. Sari fabric may be used to create a bright curtain for an apartment window, or a gold-edged duvet cover for the bed.

Even for those not into fashion, a journey to Little India is still unique. Restaurants entice visitors with frothy mango lassi drinks and the scent of curry powder hangs in the air. Sweets shops are stocked with treats in powder-puff colors, and salons offer the exotic beauty treatments of another culture. Not too bad for a day trip.

The Route

Start on 183rd Street and Pioneer Boulevard and walk south. Cross the street at 187th and head back up Pioneer, taking a right on 186th Street for a side jaunt. Return to Pioneer and back to 183rd.

The Stores

Here is a sampling, but explore as many stores as your energy level permits because inventory changes rapidly at these boutiques:

* Sona Chaandi Beauty Center, 18307 Pioneer Blvd., (562) 924-7274. Forget waxing, technicians at this pleasant salon, located behind a dress shop, shape eyebrows using thread to remove hairs. Try adorning your hands or feet with mehndi designs (created with henna dye that stays on the skin for two to three weeks). Brow shaping starts at $6 and mehndi designs at $10. Walk-ins are welcome. Similar services are available at Ziba Beauty Center, 18500 S. Pioneer Blvd., (562) 402-5131.

* Fashion Galleria, 18327 Pioneer Blvd., (562) 402-7525. The store has lots of bangle bracelets ($1 to $3), pointy-toed velvet slippers embroidered with gold thread ($20), mirrored shoulder bags ($10 to $35) and sequined evening purses (starting at $10). This shop sells accessories to buyers from department stores.

* Neema Sari Palace, 18427 Pioneer Blvd., (562) 860-1135. Saris galore, starting at just $35, are found here, but the real reason to stop in is the costume jewelry. Faux gold and silver ethnic earrings can begin at $3.99, and choker necklaces with pink and purple rhinestones at $25. A lot of the better pieces are hard to see in the glass cases. Ask for assistance.

* Sheela Jewelers Inc., 18505 Pioneer Blvd., (562) 809-0227. This jewelry shop, specializing in real gold starting at $25, is a family-owned place, with a branch in New Delhi. It has intricately designed 22-karat necklaces, earrings and bracelets, many imported from India, Pakistan and Malaysia. The shop also features jewelry with astrology stones, which are different from birthstones because they are determined by the date and time of day a person is born, not just the month. Sheela Bhola, the store’s namesake, can advise customers on gem therapy and palmistry.

* Laxmi Sari, 18605 Pioneer Blvd., (562) 809-1648. The shop has sari fabrics in hundreds of colors and patterns made to order in India for as little as $75. Check out the cute mirrored backpacks ($7 to $11), tablecloths ($25) and decorative pillowcases ($7).

* Novelty’s, 18607 Pioneer Blvd., (562) 865-5664. Visit this shop for stainless steel utensils, $10 sandals, pillowcases, wall hangings and decorative silk boxes, as well as a gigantic selection of bindhis (traditional Indian stickers for the forehead).

* Sari Boutique, 18619 Pioneer Blvd., (562) 860-1076. There’s a lot to see at this store, which is a favorite with No Doubt’s lead singer Gwen Stefani. Head to the back for patterned silk skirts and dresses in jewel tones, halter tops and cropped pants, embroidered 100% wool shawls and mirrored purses. Look for short-sleeve lace-up silk tops by Fashion Institute of Design and Marketing graduate Anupa Nagrani, whose family owns the store.

* La Mem-Sahib, 18641 Pioneer Blvd., (562) 402-7177. This pretty shop, loaded with saris and men’s Nehru jackets, outfitted Madonna for her “Ray of Light” video. The home furnishings--overstuffed pillows, antiques, gifts and wall hangings--are lovely but a little expensive.

* Patel Brothers, 18636 Pioneer Blvd., (562) 402-2953. Pick up delectable Indian breads--roti, naan, chapati and poori--packaged to take home.

* India Silk & Fashions, 18606 Pioneer Blvd., (562) 924-3383. Saris, of course, but this store also has a good selection of cropped choli tops (sari tops that are sold separately here) in cotton, velour, velvet and tie-dye ($8 to $35). These form-fitting tops (which are stacked on shelves in the back) go by bust size.

* Karim Jewelers, 11810 E. 186th St., (562) 809-4391. Karim Mulji’s custom and antique jewelry has been featured in fashion magazines like Vogue, Elle and InStyle. He specializes in pieces with elaborate enamel work, flower and bird motifs, which can cost thousands of dollars. Oprah Winfrey, Lauryn Hill and Halle Berry are fans of the 600-year-old craftsmanship.

* House of Spices, 18550 Pioneer Blvd., (562) 860-9919. Stock up on bulk bags of curry powder, black pepper, basmati rice and more at prices lower than at most supermarkets.

* Benzer, 18500 Pioneer Blvd., (562) 402-1414. Buy thin wire bangles by the dozens and colorful plastic bracelets encrusted in rhinestones for $10 and under. Also look for wide Cleopatra-like mirrored cuffs--pieces for those who want to make a bold statement ($10). The store also sells tops (starting at $45), some with elegant beading and detail, appropriate for a black-tie ensemble.

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Guide for Explorers Where: The area known as Little India runs along Pioneer Boulevard between 183rd and 187th streets in Artesia. Exit the 91 Freeway at Pioneer Boulevard and head south.

Hours: Most stores are open Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and are closed Mondays.

Parking: Two-hour street parking is available on Pioneer Boulevard, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Many shops and restaurants are located in mini-malls, which provide parking.

Stores: See accompanying story.

Where to Grab a Bite: At the Little India Grill, order meat and vegetarian dishes a la carte or try the $4.99 lunch buffet, which includes both, as well as rice and homemade bread. 18383 Pioneer Blvd. Open seven days.

Or try Ambala Sweets, an informal lunchroom with specials starting at $3.99. 18433 Pioneer Blvd.

Not a fan of Indian food? Stop in Artesia Bakery, owned by the Lakeman family since 1952, for a soda and a package of famous Dutch cookies. The bakery makes more than 60 varieties. 18627 Pioneer Blvd.

Indian crepes called dosai are a specialty at Udupi Palace, a South Indian restaurant. 18635 Pioneer Blvd.

Duck into Farm Fresh for a cold drink and a huge selection of English candies by Cadbury, Aero, Wispa and Club. 18612 Pioneer Blvd.

Standard Sweets & Snacks offers salty snack mixes, sweets and light lunch dishes. 18600 Pioneer Blvd.

For a light bite, try the saffron penda and bundi ladoo sweets at Surati Farsan Mart. This place, currently being expanded, offers a large selection of teas. Our favorite is the creamy masala tea. 11814 E. 186th St.

ATM: Cerritos Valley Bank. (18300 Pioneer Blvd.)