Can someone tell me: What are the best things to buy there other than glass & lace? What are some "do not miss" shops? Where is the main shopping area for top designers?

I like to buy stationary in Venice. They make very pretty stationary with initials printed on them, as well as metal stampers, with Murano handlers. There is a varied selection of waxes, in different colors, all very pretty. It's a very classy and personalized way of closing envelopes.

I also like Venetian puppets, dolls and masks.

You will find them around San Marco, as well as in the Ca Foscari area.

Designer clothing stores are mostly located at Calle Larga XXII de Marzo, close to San Marco.

The Venini Glass Museum and Shop is FABULOUS....this is an example of the BEST Murano glass in Venice....

As Surlok mentions, Venice has wonderful handmade paper sold as stationary and also made into address books, diaries, pencil holders etc.

There is a store called Bevilacqua that is known for it's beautiful fabrics. They sell throw pillows and other decorative items made from these fabrics as well as the fabric itself.

Also, I had read on this board before going that many Fodorites buy designer eyeglass frames at better prices than the US. They can be brought home to have your prescription put in.

Thank you--this is all GREAT advice!

Venice is also famous for its beautiful masks that remind the Carnival of Venice!
When I was in Venice a couple of years ago I found a wonderful mask shop called CA' MACANA, with extraordinary handmade masks. It is in the Dorsoduro area (Dorsoduro 3172), near Ca' Rezzonico (beautiful museum). Really worth a visit: hundreds of decorated masks of all kinds, shapes and dimensions hung on the walls and everywhere. You can also buy some neutral masks (white) that you can decorate yourself at home. They are cheaper and if you like handcrafts or painting, you will enjoy it. I bought some tiny tiny chalk masks there and decorated them at home and they were really nice!

I was curious to know, in Venice do they sell these hand made paper and stationary at a lot of places? I will be visiting Venice next summer and I would be interested in buying or shopping for different things besides glass and lace. Concerning the masks can those be shipped home? Or do you recommenend carrying them home?

I dont know if they ship the masks, but they should, as they must have a lot of foreign customers. I know that happens with the glass products in Murano where they can ship the stuff you buy.
If you want info about that mask shop, you can contact them through their site at www.camacana.com

YES...the mask shops will mail the masks...and it's quite reasonable...papier mache is very light-weight!!
Many shops sell beautiful papers...here is one of my favorite,
ArtigianCarta (Fresseria 1797, San Marco) 041 5225606
I always pack a cardboard tube...so I roll up the paper & bring it back in my suitcase!!

Yes, MJWatson111, as bailey mentions, there are paper stores in many places & I found the prices varied rather dramatically. I bought mine at Alberto Valese Ebru in Campo San Stefano (they have other locations too).

Here are a just a few shops I have been happy with:
Stuffi, Ruga Giuffa 4867 Castello, not far from Santa Maria Formosa. Prints, desk accessories, stationery, other small gifts

Perle Veneziane, Pondte della Canonica 4308, San Marco. They may have other shops in Venice; I know they have one at the airport. Beautiful jewelry made of Venetian glass beads.

Art glass objects Jolly, Castell 4683, E-E, S. Zaccaria, tel 041 5235565, behind the Danieli and Londra hotels.

Papier Mache: Castello 5175, Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa. Open 9am to 7:00pm and often on Sundays. This workshop/retail store is a gem if you are interested in handmade masks and can pay accordingly. The decoration determines the price and masks come in all sizes and are made to be hung rather than worn. These are just gorgeous, and the owners (husband and wife) take great pride in their work.

Proietto Perle, Castello 4308 Modern styling on glass-bead jewelry