Jordanwood Blog

Jordanwood Expands with Anti-Aging, Health and Wellness Products

2011-06-29T10:21:00.000-07:00

As you can see from the entry that follows it has been some time since we have taken keyboard in hand and set about to provide some updated information.

It has been an eventful several months. First we decided to close the “Brick and Mortar” store in downtown Grass Valley. It was a tough decision but we decided we wanted to get our lives back. Being on site at the store or involved with the store in one capacity or another for 7 days a week 12 hours per day after seven years had taken its toll. We closed the store in January and began to live what we consider to be normal lives. The only downside has been that we miss seeing many of our wonderful customers on a frequent basis.

We continue to carry on with our internet businesses for Jordanwood and Flags & More. Of course, at our Flags & More site www.flags-and-more.com you can find U.S., State, Historical and World Flags along with a wide selection of Aluminum and Fiberglass Flagpoles. At our Jordanwood site www.jordanwood.com you can find many of the same fine products that we carried in the store. As time moves on we will be expanding the Jordanwood site to carry even more of those high quality products you became accustomed to.

After we decided to close the “Brick and Mortar” store we were fortunate to have an introduction to what is now our new business venture in anti-aging, health, and wellness – WE ALL WANT THAT! The products are from a well-established (27 year old), multiple award winning, 1.5 billion dollar NYSE traded company with markets in 52 countries worldwide. The company has over 75 scientist in-house as well as ongoing working affiliations with many leading research universities such as Purdue, University of Wisconsin, Harvard, UCLA, etc. The company is Nu Skin and you can learn more about the many products available by going to our website www.jordanwood.nsedreams.com or … even better … contact us directly at 530.478.0539.

In the blogs to follow we will be posting more information about the fantastic products that are available thorough us from Nu Skin.

Introducing a New Artist at Jordanwood

2010-07-10T12:19:00.000-07:00

We are excited to introduce Moon-Lily Mobiles by Jan R. Carson to our gallery of “distinctive styles for life and home”.

Jan R. Carson's mobiles are reminders of the outdoors for those who garden, hike, or otherwise interact with the elements. But these are not ways in which the artist spends her time. She prefers to observe nature from a distance and comprehend its beauty from a place deep within herself.

"My sculpture is inspired by the balance of strength and fragility in nature. I express this equilibrium by suspending each artwork in a state of free yet limited motion. As well, perpetual, circular movement conveys both my desire to extend time, and the sensation of its endless, inescapable flow."

Jan's fiber works have been featured in juried, invitational, and solo exhibitions and are in numerous private collections. She has recently begun creating larger, commissioned pieces for corporations and public spaces.

In 2002, Jan was a finalist for the prestigious NICHE Award, honoring excellence and innovation in American and Canadian craft. Since 1999 she has been the artist and owner of Moon-Lily Silk Mobiles, the name under which she created a line of popular kinetic sculptures sold in galleries, boutiques and museum stores throughout the U.S.

Jan received her M.F.A. in fibers under Tom Lundberg at Colorado State University and her undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University. She was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Jan creates these beautiful handcrafted mobiles from hand cut silk. Her handcrafted mobile designs are created from lightly starched hand cut silk and fine gauge stainless wire. Subtle variations distinguish each mobile as unique handmade pieces of art.

Shown above is one of her creations – Aspen Leaves, serrated leaves in gold tones grouped on delicate stems. Approximately 50” diameter, 20” depth

One tree is planted for every Leaf Mobile sold through our partnership with American Forests.

You may see other pieces she has created at http://www.jordanwood.com/moon-lily-mobiles-c-48_168.html

These pieces are made individually by the artist so please allow time for creation and delivery.

The Sierra Festival of the Arts, Sunday May 30th

2010-05-22T11:04:00.000-07:00

The streets of historic downtown Grass Valley will be splashed with color and the air charged with music during the 27th Sierra Festival of the Arts on Sunday, May 30. Mill Street will be filled this year with over 55 of the region's finest arts and crafts. You will find a vast array of incredible booths at this juried street festival. Included in this years show are Paintings, photography, sculpture, mixed media, jewelry, woodworking, fiber art, ceramics, stone, glass and leather. Some of the artists may be demonstrating their medium and all will be happy to give you background on their techniques.
Continuous entertainment will be provided on stage at the end of Mill Street towards W. Main Street. Among the entertainment featured will be Bob Mora and the 3rd Degree and Bedouin Dancers. There will be a multitude of food booths along with the great downtown restaurants to provide you with nourishment throughout the day. The event brings thousands of people to downtown and this year there are many new aspects. There is new work and new artists.
Admission is free and everyone is invited.

Drop in, say hi and take a look at our many beautiful products.

Handmade Bags from Material Things

2010-04-08T08:57:00.001-07:00

The Marmalade coloring is stunning for spring/summer events. The vibrant colors and design in this cotton blended fabric are a great combination. The small tote features comfortable over the shoulder handles, magnetic closure, zippered inside pocket with two additional pockets. Protective trim is on the bottom of the bag to protect it and the corners of the bag. Great structured style. 8.5" x 10.5" x 4" $115.00
Jordanwood features this and many other handmade bags from Material Things.

Gaze in Bronze by Manuel Ferreiro

2010-04-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

Manuel comments about his Gaze in bronze:
"Eyeglasses and its frames –or the absence of them- say so much of a person… In my opinion, they are the personal accessory or garment which does it the most. I did not wear them until I was about 40, therefore became conscious about them, but not because I minded –in fact, I thought they added some character to me- but because I became aware of the importance of my sight…without my glasses I am lost.
It fascinates me how much the design of frames changes with only a little modification, and how much that change can be of influence in someone’s personality. La Mirada (2005) is a generic design which reminds me of people whom I admire or who’s gaze has been somehow meaningful to me: Jesús Ferreiro, my father, cinema people like Spencer Tracy, Woody Allen or even Mike Myers’s Austin Powers, writer Gabriel García Márquez, as well as visual artists Antoni Tápies and Rufino Tamayo… no wonder the ones I wear nowadays are a styled version of those and I have been collecting all the models I worn in the past.
But I have found eyeglasses are sculptural structures by themselves, and by making them with the appropriate material, scale, proportions and position they can have an aesthetic meaning of their own or that any spectator gives to them… as lovely Jennifer says: 'Those glasses are so my dad (gentle Ira)'. "

This and other wonderful handcrafted bronze pieces by Manuel Ferreiro are now available at Jordanwood or through our website at http://www.jordanwood.com/bronze-manuel-ferreiro-c-48_166.html

Ne'Qwa Reverse Painting

2010-03-27T17:23:00.000-07:00

Ne'Qwa is recognized as the world's premier producer of reverse painting on the inside of glass. The same meticulous painting techniques that captivated emperors and art connoisseurs centuries ago are still used to create these amazing works of art. All of the Ne'Qwa products come luxuriously packed in a satin-lined, velour presentation case. In addition, each piece is accompanied by a signed Certificate of Authenticity describing the unique art history and reverse painting process... perfect for gift giving.
Shown above is a Limited Edition Ornament designed by Paul Brent.

Welcome Spring at Jordanwood - Tomorrow’s Spring Fling

2010-03-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

Join us tomorrow, Saturday March 20th, for the annual downtown Spring Fling. At Jordanwood we are offering a raffle entry with every purchase, refreshments of Bellagio Chocolate Martini and Homemade Cookies, and to top it off - 10% off on all purchases.
The raffle drawings will be at noon, 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM for $25.00 store credit. The final drawing at the end of the day for all who have entered the raffle will be for a beautiful comfy bathrobe.

The Wine, Food and Camaraderie at the Foothill Celebration

2010-03-07T17:30:00.000-08:00

It appeared that everyone had a great day. The weather was pleasant, the rain held off, the wines from Bent Metal Winery were great and the cheesecake and chicken from Pleasant Valley Grill was wonderful. Over 700 people came into the store to sample the fare. The lines were long but everyone thought it was worth the wait.
Make a point of attending next year – the first Saturday in March.

Totem City - Hip From Holland

2010-03-02T17:01:00.000-08:00

Nominated for Speciality Toy of the Year and selected by Time Magazine Green Style & Design as top 100 from around the globe, the Totem collection by Hip From Holland.
Shown above is Totem City which like the rest of the Totem collections is a 3D construction kit for the young and old. Totem City has over 130 building pieces made of sturdy recyled cardboard. The kit includes instructions for the four models shown. (Note the models are not made simultaneously.) Once you have made the models you can then go on to design your own creations.
Besides Totem City there is Totem Dragonfly, Totem Spider, Totem Papillon Night, Totem Papillon Day and Totem Nature.
Available in our store, these great kits range from $18.00 to $36.00.

Foothill Celebration - Saturday, March 6th

2010-02-27T11:24:00.000-08:00

Foothill Celebration Saturday, March 6th

Here is a list of all the downtown Grass Valley sites (click on the list to enlarge) with their respective wineries and restaurants for the upcoming Foothill Celebration on Saturday, March 6th.

Be sure to visit us at Jordanwood where we will be hosting Bent Metal Winery and Pleasant Valley Grill.

See you on Saturday.

Coming To Nevada City and Grass Valley

2010-02-16T18:00:00.000-08:00

Announced last week – on Sunday, May 16th the Amgen Tour of California will begin in Nevada City and make its way through Grass Valley before ending the first leg of the tour in Sacramento. The Tour of California is the premier professional bike tour in the United States drawing professional cyclist from around the world including the Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer and many others. Plan to spend that Sunday, May 16th on the streets in Grass Valley or Nevada City for a once in a life time opportunity to see some of the greatest cyclists in the world.
THEY WILL BE PASSING DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF OUR STORE.
So bring your cowbell and join us in cheering them on.

Hand Painted Lamps - Just In

2010-02-15T10:48:00.000-08:00

This hand painted lamp is ideal for that bedside night table for late night reading or as an accent lighting piece elsewhere in the house. It measures 17 ¾” high, by 14 ¾” wide and is 9 ½” deep. It retails for $149.00 and we currently have two of them in stock Come into the store and check out these and other newly arrived table lamp fixtures.

Another Find From The New York Gift Show

2010-02-13T17:59:00.000-08:00

Arriving soon will be numerous beautiful tiles with a variety of themes. The least of which is this table with a lovely inlaid wine scene. These items have been shipped to us from the Pacific Northwest so I would expect them to arrive during the coming week. If you would like more information just drop into the store or send me an email at john@jordanwood.com

A New Find

2010-02-12T14:18:00.001-08:00

At one of the shows last week, I believe it was the San Francisco show, we came across beautiful pieces of wood “sculpture” from Wood Wildflowers out of Minnesota. Several of their pieces will soon be gracing our store. For the items we will be bringing in the retail prices will range from $39.00 to $85.00. These are unbelievable prices for such beautiful pieces handmade in the USA. Stay tuned to the blog and will let you know when they arrive.

Railroad Birds by Stiles in Clay

2010-02-11T17:25:00.000-08:00

Created by Chris Stiles these railroad birds are an artistic expression combining man’s industrial pursuits and Mother Nature’s enduring presence. These intimate sculptures marry both discarded railroad hardware and finely carved porcelain birds. Each bird bares the maker’s mark ensuring that time was taken with each piece by the artist Chris Stiles of Stiles in Clay.
We discovered these items at the New York Gift Show and they arrived in the store today.
Bird on a ring retails for $49.00, Bird on a spike retails for $49.00, Two birds on a spike retails for $79.00, and not shown Bird on a square nut and Bird on a bolt/nut also retail for $49.00.

Blue Americas from the Glass Eye Studio's Celestial Series

2010-02-03T19:44:00.000-08:00

Born of Fire the Glass Eye Studio's Celestial Series includes this 3” diameter piece entitled Blue Americas. This item reveals a glimpse of the continents of Earth’s Western Hemisphere as they would be seen from space. This piece is just one of many of the Glass Eye Studio's Celestial Series available through Jordanwood. The retail cost of Blue Americas is $119.00.

The Gaze by Manuel Ferreiro

2010-02-02T04:08:00.000-08:00

One of the many new items we discovered at the New York Gift Show is The Gaze by Manuel Ferreiro. This piece along with several others of his bronze art objects will be gracing the interior of Jordanwood. Manuel’s pieces have been shown and are on display in Paris, Tokyo, Singapore, Washington, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, France and now they will soon be Grass Valley.
This solid bronze piece is approximately 7x8x3 in, weights 4+ lbs. and retails for $370.00

It's Cold Here In NYC

2010-01-30T05:48:00.000-08:00

We arrived in New York City after a long red-eye flight and it is cold here as evidenced by the above photo from Bryant Park. (Contrary to what you might first think, we were not in a search for new style fountains for the shop.)
Upon arrival they said it was 17 degrees with a chill factor of sub-zero. Can’t say it got any warmer during the day. We walked 10 plus blocks to one of our Christmas supplier’s permanent showrooms and it seemed that the wind was in our face both coming and going.
This morning (Saturday) it is currently 12 degrees as I am writing this and we are off on another walk to the gift show.
If we don’t turn into icicles on the way to the show I will have an update tonight on our show activities.

Valentine Ornament

2010-01-23T17:30:00.000-08:00

With Valentines Day rapidly approaching it is time to think about “Hearts”. At Jordanwood we have a wide selection of heart ornaments from Glass Eye Studio, Elias Studio, Royal Copenhagen, and German artists. Also we have beautiful heart paperweights from Robert Held out of Canada. Pictured above is one of the heart ornaments from The Glass Eye Studios. You can see these Glass Creations in our store or on our website www.jordanwood.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=heart%20ornament&sort=2a&page=1

The Italian Connection

2010-01-20T15:26:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Italian hand-thrown and hand-painted dinnerware - hand-carved and hand-painted marble Italian fruit – and Italian alabaster grapes all make for an exquisite setting. All of these pieces are available in our store or on our website www.jordanwood.com

Silent Auction To Benefit The Center For The Arts

2010-01-15T14:27:00.000-08:00

Starting today and running through the 24th many merchants in downtown Grass Valley and Nevada City are holding a silent auction. Just go into anyone of the participating stores and place your bid on the item they have up for auction.

The above picture shows what we are doing for The Center here at Jordanwood. So come on in and place your bid or just give us a call and we will be happy to put your bid down. If you have any questions just give us a call – 530.271.5600

Another Fine European Photograph From Barloga Studios

2010-01-14T17:37:00.000-08:00

CANAL BIKE – Amsterdam, Netherlands
This and other fine pieces from Barloga Studios are available in our store or through our internet. Check them out at www.jordanwood.com/barloga-studio-images-c-49_70_161.html

New from Alicia Klein - Red Croco Print Frame Wallet

2010-01-12T17:53:00.000-08:00

A sleek, slim, and sophisticated Classic Frame Wallet includes some clever updates!
Interior features include a window for a driver license or ID, six credit card slots, gusseted currency pocket, roomy zippered coin pocket, a pen loop and pen, a receipt/card pocket, and a clear vinyl pocket for photos, tickets, etc.
Dimensions: 7.25"W x 3.875"H x .75"D
Currently available in an Imagery print leather pattern, as well as a red croco print color.

Nancy Drew Taxi Wallet

2010-01-05T15:54:00.000-08:00

The world famous Taxi Wallet in a Nancy Drew motif will be available this week at our store. Once you are the proud owner of one of these Taxi Wallets by Alicia Klein you will never switch to any other style wallet.

Italian Dinnerware

2010-01-04T08:06:00.001-08:00

This beautiful pitcher is straight from the Umbria Region of Italy. Hand-thrown and hand-painted these pieces make a bold statement at the dinner table and are a delight to look at as accent pieces as well. Pieces available include dinner plates, soup bowls, pasta dishes, mugs and desert plates. Drop into the store for a closer look or go to our website at www.jordanwood.com

Barloga Studios - LAVENDER AND ABBEY - Provence, France

2010-01-03T08:50:00.000-08:00

Dennis Barloga-Fine European Photography

In 1966, when Dennis was given a camera to document an upcoming Peace Corps experience, his life's direction was forever changed. He found himself immediately challenged and frustrated by the difficulty of making his photographs express reality as he saw it. As he became increasingly excited by photography's possibilities, he worked almost as many hours in the darkroom as he was teaching in the classroom.Upon returning from his Peace Corps stint in Tonga, Dennis decided to abandon the security of teaching and began two years of commercial photography training at San Francisco City College. While in school and immediately afterwards he offered freelance commercial services in news, public relations, and portraiture to local and national clients. But even as his success began to grow, so also did his lack of fulfillment.In 1973, Dennis' work took a quieter, more expressive turn concerned mostly with natures's moods, design, colors, and forms. His photographic interpretations were well received and are collected on five continents and throughout the United States. Dennis' work has also appeared in books, calendars, and magazines on a national and local level. For over eight years (1979-87) he owned the Dennis Barloga Gallery at Pier 39 in San Francisco.However, in 1986, fate intervened again on a twentieth wedding anniversary trip to Paris. A new photographic interest was awakened by the architectural beauty of the city of light. Doors, windows, housefronts, storefronts, cafe scenes -- all became new subject matter; but mood, design, color, and form were still the primary interest. Since then, Dennis has returned twice a year with the sole intention of capturing on film those moments and places that define the uniqueness and beauty of Europe as he sees it. This new body of work is currently shown at various art festivals in the western United States as well as selected shops and galleries worldwide.

This is just one of the many images from Dennis that we now carry. Come by the store to see a wide selection of his work.

A Christmas Window

2010-01-02T13:31:00.000-08:00

I have been so bad about keeping the blog current that my New Year’s Resolution is to improve on my performance. So before the last window in the store is converted over from the holidays to our next theme, (I believe it will be an Italian Dinnerware theme or a Winter White theme), I wanted to get this last reminder of Christmas out on the blog.

We Have Been Busy

2009-11-12T04:43:00.000-08:00

With the upcoming downtown open house this weekend and the holidays rapidly approaching we have been busy getting the store ready for the season. Above is a picture of one of our windows loaded with beautiful handmade wooden items from Germany along with some wonderful hand knitted woolen stockings from Maine.
The other window should be finished today. Once it is done I'll post another picture.

Holiday Open House - Saturday November 14th

2009-11-12T04:38:00.000-08:00

Ready - Set - Go!
Downtown Holiday Open House
Saturday, November 14th from 10 AM - 6 PM
Join Jordanwood along with 40 other downtown merchants in this holiday kickoff
Refreshments - Raffels
All of our Holiday Items* as well as our wonderful unique gift selections will be out and ready for you.

* Wilhelm Schweizer Pewter, Muller and Richard Glasser Smokers, Pyramids, Nutcrackers, Ne'Qwa Ornaments, Jewelry by Hapa Nihon, Santas and much much more.

New Puzzles Have Just Arrived

2009-10-30T17:03:00.000-07:00

Some new and challenging puzzles have just arrived. You can try your hand at the "World's Most Difficult" puzzles or take the less challenging route of a 300 piece puzzle or something in between. Come on in to Jordanwood and check them out today.

New Handbags from Material Things

2009-10-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

This is just one of the many new beautiful pieces recently arrived from the collection of Material Things Handbags. Handmade in the U.S.A. these pieces start with beautiful fabrics coupled with contemporary styling and finished with the finest detail. Several pieces from Janet's collection in different styles and fabric patterns are now available at Jordanwood. Come in and take a look or visit our website www.jordanwood.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=material to see the wide selection of Material Things Handbags.

Vermont Grand View Thermometer by Conant and Weems & Plath

2009-10-09T17:47:00.000-07:00

The Vermont Grande View Thermometer was designed in response to a growing demand for high quality, easy-to-read weather instruments. The numerals are double the size of those found on most thermometers of its kind. Its 12.25 inch length allows huge half-inch numbers. This classic design has a solid brass housing finished to a beautifully warm antique patina. A crystal clear glass tube will assure years of unobstructed viewing. Solid brass mounting hardware is included.
This beautiful thermometer and other fine products from Conant and Weems & Plath are available through Jordanwood.

Birds in Trees

2009-09-30T14:12:00.000-07:00

These sculptural wall hanging are made from dried Manzanita branches, the bases are made of hardwood ash, and the birds are hand crafted porcelain. Every bird is hand carved by the artist and carefully placed within the Manzanita branches. Each branch has been carefully selected for its unique and graceful line. In the end these sculptures are a rendering of a moment in time. Designed, created and made in California by Chris Stiles. Available through Jordanwood in Grass Valley, CA.

Max the Cat

2009-09-26T17:04:00.000-07:00

For all you cat lovers out there - these beautiful representations of “Max the Cat” come from the studio of WGK glass works in Germany. The craftsmanship, detail and colors of these handmade lamp work pieces is something to see and appreciate. Come in today and take a look at our collection.

Holztiger Truck and Crane

2009-09-25T13:01:00.000-07:00

Another wonderful toy by Holztiger of Germany.

Their toys are aesthetic in form, feel good when you play with them, are designed for creative and imaginative play, are so well made and durable that they can be passed down from generation to generation, and of course meet and exceed safety standards.
Shown above is a basic truck with a crane attachment. The beauty of the truck is that it can be fitted with a flat bed trailer, a dump bed, a garbage truck attachment or the crane. In addition to items like the truck and crane, at Jordanwood we carry a wide selection of Holztiger animals, including a beautiful and unbeliveable Noah's Ark. Come on in and take a look today.

Fine European Photography from Barloga Studios

2009-09-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

Jordanwood has just received 10 beautiful pieces from the Barloga Studios. The photograph above was taken in France and is entitled “24 Pots”. The pieces we currently have in stock are from a variety of European locations including England, Belgium as well as France. The photographs are available in a number of different sizes and as portfolio prints (framed or unframed), image panels or on canvas. Drop in at Jordanwood and take a look at these beautiful pieces of art.

Japanese Teapots and Cups

2009-09-19T14:52:00.000-07:00

At Jordanwood we have a wide selection of teapots and cups from Japan. Pictured above is a beautiful Porcelain Leaf Teapot. We also have a large selection of cast iron teapots from Japan. Nothing sets off a wonderful cup of tea like a beautiful and artistic teapot.
Come in today and take a look or call us to request images from our in-stock selection.

Glass by Charlton Glassworks

2009-09-18T16:47:00.000-07:00

For a number of years we have carried the ever popular work of Charlton Glassworks out of Seattle. The pieces reflect the magical transformation of glass infused with copper, steel and brass. These and many other beautiful pieces are not only lovely to look at but are functional as well. We have a wide selection of Charlton pieces in the store ready for you to appreciate in your home.

Tiny Glass Animals & Creatures from Germany

2009-09-02T17:11:00.000-07:00

Just arrived from Germany are these tiny (1/2" -1" long) handcrafted whimsical glass animals and creatures. Currently we have more than 80 different little glass figurines in stock. They are priced at $4.50 each or, if like everyone else you have difficulty choosing just one, three for $12.00. Each one comes in their own little box.

Waiting For Our Plane at JFK

2009-08-21T15:10:00.000-07:00

We are sitting at the airport waiting for our flight. A recent storm just rolled through and it has delayed a number of flights. Hopefully, our flight is still on schedule; however, I refuse to check the board until our departure time gets closer.
Our latest addition to Jordanwood is a couple of beautiful pieces of porcelain by Minh Long from Vietnam. An additional piece shows a little boy doing calligraphy with a brush while being supervised by a little girl.
Deanna and I are tired and looking forward to getting home. The 6+ hour flight will give us a chance to catch up a couple of our orders that we need to place after we get home.

Day Six of the New York Gift Show

2009-08-20T17:37:00.000-07:00

Well the show is final over and thank goodness there will be six months to allow us to recuperate before the next one. Most of today was spent putting the finishing touches on our Christmas merchandise. One of the last of many additions is pictured above - Girl and Boy Angel by Boehm Porcelain. Boehm is a long-standing U.S. manufacturer of fine porcelain and we hope this will be just one of many of their pieces that we will bring to Jordanwood.
Tomorrow we get to sleep in a bit later, have a somewhat relaxing day and then we leave Manhattan and are off to JFK for the flight home.
If I don’t have a chance to blog tomorrow at the airport I will get back to it as soon as my feet hit the ground and I catch my breath from this trip.
It has been a wonderful trip.

Day Five of the New York Gift Show

2009-08-19T19:32:00.000-07:00

As many of you already know, for a number of years we have carried fantastic shaving products by Edwin Jagger in England. This year Neil has introduced their first line of after-shave lotions to complement their shaving cream and soap lines. Pictured above is the new after-shave lotion line which includes the fragrances of Seabuckthorn, Sandalwood and Aloe. These after-shave lotions will soon be in our store for that discerning man who may already be using products from the Edwin Jagger line.

Day Four of the New York Gift Show

2009-08-18T19:48:00.000-07:00

I thought we would have a picture of some new products for this blog entry. We did order several new items today, but their respective pictures will have to wait. As you can see the West Side Story Playbill took precedent. We started the evening with dinner at Virgil’s Real Barbecue Home Cooking on W44 Street. As you might expect, it was delicious. After dinner we hustled down to the theater – after some of my misdirection, we arrived. (Of course, my excuse is that the theater’s address is stated on the tickets as Broadway but it really is on 7th Avenue.)
The musical was fantastic, especially the dancing and the individual performance by Josefina Scaglione as Maria and Karen Olivo as Anita. (I had seen Karen in The Heights a year or so ago in which she was awesome as well).
As we were walking back to the hotel we started to see lightening in the sky. When we got to our room huge booms of thunder started – and the rain is now a gully washer. It is beautiful – but tomorrow it will be humid.
Speaking of tomorrow - More Shopping.
I know I won’t get the pictures of our new products in the blog while we are still in Manhattan so many of the pictures will wait until we get back to California.

Day Three of the New York Gift Show

2009-08-17T18:27:00.000-07:00

We’re getting tired but we just keep on going like a Worn Down Energizer Bunny. We ordered a number of items today from current and new suppliers. Pictured above is one of a new line of Italian puzzles. In addition, from the New York Puzzle Company, we ordered a number of puzzles with various vintage themes from Popular Mechanics, The New Yorker, Good Housekeeping, and House Beautiful. All the puzzles will be fun as well as a challenge to put together.
For dinner tonight, sorry no picture, we had buttered fettuccine, chicken saltimbocca (chicken with prosciutto on a bed of spinach), and finished with tiramisu.

Day Two of the New York Gift Show

2009-08-16T20:12:00.000-07:00

We walked our feet off but we are going through a rapid recovery. It’s amazing what a shower, a good glass of wine and a nap will do. Saw a number of new items that in all likelihood will make their way into the store, so stay tuned during the next several blogs to keep up on what is happening.
One of our wonderful suppliers is Napa Soap out of… you guessed it, Napa, California. These are handmade in small batches in the heart of the Napa Valley with grapeseed oil and wine. Some of the new items we will be adding to this line include Ladies Shaving Soap with Brush, Brown Sugar Body Butters, a couple of new lotions and several new bar soaps (White Jasmine, Mandarin Chardonnay, Clean-O Noir and Lavender Cedar). They should arrive within the next week so come in soon to check them out.
More tomorrow.

Day One of the New York Gift Show

2009-08-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

Last night we did make it to Junior’s and had the best combination pastrami and corned beef Reuben topped off with the famous Junior’s original cheesecake. If you ever have a chance to hit Junior’s when you are in New York City, we would highly recommend it. After gorging ourselves on dinner we went to the AMC 25 movie theater in Times Square and saw Julie and Julia. Great, great movie – (5 stars and 2 thumbs up). Now we have to buy Julia’s cookbooks and turn our Sundays into French cooking days.
We walked the Handmade and At Home sections of the gift show today. Saw a number of new items that we are considering for the store. More on these new items as we progress on our decision making this week. In addition, we met with a number of our current suppliers and placed some orders.
We had planned to start this blog entry off with a picture of a product but we got hooked on a great dinner tonight. So we had to show a picture, (though the picture doesn't do it justice), of the great tasting and beautifully presented Lamb Shank with Soft Polenta and Baby Carrots from Saju Bistro in Manhattan. Though not shown, since we ate it before remembering to take a picture, we also had Panna Cotta with Figs, (in fact we started with this desert first), Chilled Cucumber Soup, Baby Greens with Goat Cheese and Figs, Crab Cakes, the Lamb Shank, and finally Chocolate Mousse and Coffee. We did share everything so we weren’t complete gluttons.
I promise that the next blog entry will be more about the show and less about the food.

Here We Are In The Big Apple

2009-08-14T19:39:00.000-07:00

We made it! The red-eye was wonderful if you enjoy being in a can of sardines. You know how you can’t find a comfortable position so it is nearly impossible to sleep? Well, the flight, though only 5 hours long, seemed like it would never end. But, it did and it was worth it. We’re here - the weather is beautiful – not too hot and not too humid. The weather is supposed to be getting a little warmer with a few showers.
Tomorrow we hit the Gift Show so we will have an exciting picture or two to share with news about some new products we have seen.
We’re going in search of a fabulous dinner tonight. After all, we are in New York and pastrami and cheesecake at Junior’s is calling; and, later we hope to catch a movie.

Soy Candles from Makana and Our San Francisco Trip

2009-08-11T16:52:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday Deanna and I took the day to visit the San Francisco Gift Show. First, it is always wonderful to spend time in San Francisco for whatever reason. Second, though the show was small compared to what we will see in New York later this week, we had a wonderful time discovering some new possibilities for the store. One of the items that will soon be in the store is pictured above. The Makana soy candles are made by a small “mom and pop” company down in southern California and will be available in a number of different fragrances including a “non-fragrance”.
We also had an opportunity to visit with a number of our current suppliers including Menus and Music – cookbooks with music, Café d’Amore – delicious hot cocoa and sipping chocolate drinks, Tampopo - Japanese tea pots and cups, Holztiger – wonderful German wooden animals, Green Hill Music - great music CDs, Kubla – for those beautiful little boxes, and several others. So you can count on the fact that many of our most popular lines will continue to have a presence in the store.
In conjunction with the gift show the Gourmet Housewares Show was going on. Again we saw lots of great stuff, but we just aren’t a kitchen store. We did see some gift items that may find their way to our store.

Doggie Fire Hydrant Cookie Jar

2009-08-01T10:24:00.001-07:00

This piece is just one of many from Elias Ceramics depicting whimsical and happy little dogs and cats. Each piece begins with a hand drawn design, which is then hand painted, and finished with a clear glaze. The line we carry at Jordanwood includes cookie jars, bowls, ornaments and mugs. The finish is dinnerware safe and nontoxic. Handmade in the U.S.A.. Come by and see these delightful little pieces.

Sitting Bear by Rockin R Metal

2009-07-29T16:22:00.000-07:00

Metal wall art in original designs by Rockin R Metal Craft of New Mexico. Handcrafted, torch colored and finished with a unique polished clear finish. Each item is a unique piece of art and these fabulous pieces are now available at Jordanwood.
Handmade in the U.S.A.

A Butterfly by Haw Creek Forge

2009-07-11T13:14:00.000-07:00

From a riverside studio in the mountains of North Carolina artists create these beautiful handcrafted pieces of unique and whimsical art. Each piece starts with copper, then torch finishes and brilliant patinas are applied and finished with a clear coat for weather fastness and durability. Pieces of art from the Haw Creek Studio are on display in fine art galleries and museums, including Jordanwood. Handmade in the U.S.A.

Copper Matte Raku by W.K. Turner

2009-07-07T12:32:00.000-07:00

Signed and dated by the artist these beautiful pieces of decorative Raku are unique pieces of art. Using his own special techniques developed over 20 years William is a master Raku craftsman. His work has been exhibited in galleries throughout the nation and overseas. A number of his pieces are on display at Jordanwood. Other pieces from his collection are available through Jordanwood.
Handmade in the U.S.A.

Handbags by Material Things

2009-06-30T15:55:00.000-07:00

This beautiful piece is from the collection of Material Things Handbags. Handmade in the U.S.A. these pieces start with beautiful fabrics coupled with contemporary styling and finished with the finest detail. Several pieces from the collection in different styles and fabric patterns are now available at Jordanwood.

Autum Brown Pumpkin Set from The Glass Eye Studio

2009-06-29T20:17:00.001-07:00

The Glass Eye Studio was founded on the belief that talented glass artist should have a place to work where their skills and creativity are fully appreciated.
Today the work of the Glass Eye Studio artists is sought around the world. The artists use a variety of materials when blowing glass, from recycled bottles, to fine gold, to their signature ingredient, ash from the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.
Individually crafted by artists, every piece has its own unique characteristics.
Whether you have been collecting art glass for a number of years or if this will be your first piece of art glass, we are confident that you will enjoy your selection from The Glass Eye Studio.
Handmade in the U.S.A. and now available at Jordanwood.

Hand-Turned Seed Pots by Karen Fielding from Taos Dragonfly Art

2009-06-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

Karen's creativity is inspired not only by the enchanting landscapes of Taos, NM that surround her, but also by the spirit of the place she calls home. This sacred ground was named Rito de la Olla (Pot Creek) in the 1600's by the Spaniards who found the river bed full of pots left by an earlier civilization. These ancients were among the first to create pots for function, beauty, and trading.
Each pot is individually crafted and serves as a reminder to use our renewable resources in the propagation of food and the creation of art. The pots are wheel thrown, burnished, and bisque fired. For the final finish, she has developed a modern non-traditional approach to pit firing.
Although these pots are for the traditional use of seed storage from harvest till sowing, they are mostly desired for their decorative display. This decorative quality is achieved utilizing small diameter wood harvested during forest restoration and other green products obtained locally. From the fire and ash, arise pots kissed with a blush of color, subtle charcoal touches, and smoke tinged designs from horsehair, feathers, and sometimes ... even with sugar on top.
The function of these pots are to dry and store seeds. They can also display dried flower arrangements. The exterior surface may be gently cleaned and polished using a soft cloth and a paste wax such as Butchers wax. These pots are NOT FOOD SAFE and DO NOT immerse or fill the pot with water, doing such will cause leakage and damage.
Handmade in the U.S.A. and now availble at Jordanwood.

Thursday Night Farmer’s Market

2009-06-17T11:18:00.000-07:00

Don’t forget that every Thursday evening from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm you can get some great “homegrown” vegetables and fruit. The first week we got some beautiful bing cherries and apricots. Last week we picked up some swiss chard, green beans, cucumbers and beets. Besides the fruit and vegetables there is always some great "street" food and treats.
When you’re downtown for the market stop in, say hi and check out what’s new in the store.

Leather Handbags from the C.L. Whiting Collection

2009-06-14T21:33:00.001-07:00

No leaf has ever touched this leather. The leaf designs you see in these beautiful handbags have been hand-tooled using individual stamps. The leather is fantastic, the handwork is amazing and the stitching on the bags is superb. You’ll find each bag not only visually exciting but practical as well. Owning a piece of the C.L. Whiting handbag collection means that no one else in the world will have one exactly like yours.
And to top it off these bags like many of our other products in the store are hand made in the U.S.A.

Orient & Flume now at Jordanwood

2009-06-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

Deanna and I are pleased to announce that we have begun carrying Orient & Flume in our gallery. As many of you already know Orient & Flume produces fine art glass for the collector – from beautifully intricate paperweights to the simple elegance of fruit and animal forms. These signed pieces capture nature’s inspiration in both iridescent and crystal clear glass.
Nationally acclaimed for its excellence in design, the glass of Orient & Flume utilizes both traditional and contemporary motifs and can be found in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum, the Chrysler Museum, the Chicago Art Institute, the Corning Glass Museum and private collections through out the world.

The American Crafts Retailer Expo (ACRE) show in Las Vegas

2009-06-08T16:51:00.000-07:00

Well it has been almost a week since we returned from the ACRE show in Vegas, and I have been neglectful in not getting the blog updated. The flight from Sac to Vegas was fine as was the return flight. Unfortunately the room at the Hilton was not so good. We had requested non-smoking and of course we got a smoking room – purportedly they were out of non-smoking rooms. Deanna and I were absolutely certain that our hair and clothing immediately took on that stale cigarette smell – yuk. Of course the other thing I will never understand are those folks who sit for hours in front of a slot machine. One wonders if they never found a good book to read, movie to watch, or ever had a great discussion with another human being. Oh well. I will have to say we had a couple of great meals while we were in Las Vegas.
The ACRE show itself exceeded our expectations. We had never attended so we were pleasantly surprised. Though the show was small there was an abundance of beautiful items. A number of those items will soon be making their way into our store. A partial list includes handbags, raku, metal wall art, glazed pottery, art glass and more.
Keep checking the blog to see and learn more about these items as they roll into the store.

Viva Las Vegas

2009-05-30T12:13:00.000-07:00

They say "What Happens in Vagas Stays in Vagas" .... but we will tell all.
Deanna and I are headed to the American Crafts Retailers Expo in Las Vegas this weekend, and once we get back we will fill you in on all the details. All of the exhibitors are professional artists from North America. Besides seeing some of our existing popular artists like Robert Held and John Charlton, we expect to see many new potential providers of high quality handmade unique items for our store. Check back with us next week for all the details.

In Case You Missed It – Sierra Festival of the Arts

2009-05-26T15:46:00.000-07:00

Here are a few scenes from Sunday’s Sierra Festival of the Arts. This is an annual event held in the historic district of downtown Grass Valley, California. It was a beautiful day, there were many wonderful exhibits and a great time was had by all.
Mark your calendar for next year – the event is always held on the Sunday before Memorial Day.

Hopscotch Stepping Stones

2009-05-23T16:40:00.000-07:00

Remember the good ol’ days when children ate homemade ice cream, jumped rope and played hopscotch?
Bring those days back with our creative version of that most popular game, Hopscotch.
Designed by an Oregon sculptor, these unique and different stepping stones are true works of art. Made of concrete, the 12 pieces take up a space of approximately 33” x 72” depending on how you place them.
These sets have found their way into gardens, parks, business, patios and sidewalks, creating a sense of wonder and beauty for all ages.
(Photo above courtesy of one of our many happy Hopscotch customers.)

Join Us for the Sierra Festival of the Arts

2009-05-20T11:48:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, May 24th, Memorial Day Weekend, 10 am – 5 pm, in Historic Downtown Grass Valley. Join all of us for fun, food and viewing of fine arts and crafts. While walking the festival be sure to drop into the store to say hi and see what’s new.

Classy Classic Handbag by Alicia Klein

2009-05-18T16:18:00.000-07:00

The Tulip Bag - Designed by a woman for women, this is just one of the beautiful handbags by Alicia Klein. It not only looks great but inside it is functional as well. There are plenty of pockets for all your accessories, including your computer, and with its light colored interior it is even easy to find those items at the bottom of your bag. As with all her bags Alicia has combined beauty with function.

A Heart for Mother’s Day

2009-04-29T16:58:00.000-07:00

These beautiful hearts are from Robert Held Art Glass Studio. Nothing says “I Love You” like a heart from you to mom. So when you take mom out to breakfast or brunch on Mother’s Day, cap it off with a gift of a heart.
These and many other great gift ideas are in our store now. So come in and make your selection today. If you can’t come in and if you can’t find exactly what you want on our website wwww.jordanwood.com give us a call and we will work with you to find the perfect gift for mom.

Celebrating The Heritage of The Gold Country

2009-04-24T16:15:00.000-07:00

Reflecting the heritage of the Sierra Foothills, these Miner’s Candles are created by Tony Miller of Nevada City. The unscented candles come in three sizes: 3” x 6” which burn for an approximately 90 hours, 3” x 8” which burn for approximately 120 hours, and 3” x 10” which burn for approximately 150 hours.
Ideal for the mantle, or for those times when you just want to set a candlelight mood, or whenever you just need a warm glowing light in the dark.

Oh You Beautiful Doll - or aka Zoro

2009-04-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

As you stroll through downtown Grass Valley take a look in the store windows to see many of the Art Dolls that will be auctioned off on May 7th. So take a look and save the date – May 7 – for the 2nd annual Art Doll Show at the Miners Foundry in Nevada City where this year, Music in the Mountains joins the Gold Country Kiwanis in producing the event.

Above is a doll by Mike Weaver , one of the local wood turning artists who displays his artistic turned pieces in our store. The hat, arms and boots are beautiful pieces of finished wood. Stop into our store to take a closer look. And go to www.jordanwood.com/index.php?cPath=56
to see other fine pieces of wood by Mike.

Nevada County artists and community members are busy transforming some 130 plain muslin doll shapes into “art dolls” which will be available for sale at a wine and cheese auction and reception from 6 PM to 9 PM. Local personalities donating their time and talents include artist Julianne Van Dijk, cartoonist Bob Crabb and decorator Judy Soldavini.
Half the proceeds from this live and silent auction will be used to buy hundreds of the plain muslin dolls to be given to children by doctors and caretakers in hospitals and care centers in our area. The other half will be used by Music in the Mountains for their youth music programs.
Tickets are $10 and include a complementary glass of wine. For more information, contact Jan Nottingham 274-7164 or jan@hjmanor.com.
You can click on www.goldcountrykiwanis.org/Art%20Dolls%202009.htm to see more of these creative dolls.

Gourd Artistry by Tricia Burbank

2009-04-20T16:15:00.000-07:00

Tranquil Seas - just one of Tricia’s wonderful gourd pieces.

Translucent turquoise dye simulates the clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. Black Ponderosa Pine needles woven around the rim and accented with an Asian coin and Chinese Pheasant feathers complete this tranquil creation.

Tricia Tricia lives outside Nevada City in the beautiful foothills of the Sierras and is just one of several local artists that show their work in out store.

You can see more of Tricia’s beautiful work at:

www.jordanwood.com/index.php?cPath=119

Car Show - An Annual Downtown Event

2009-04-18T10:48:00.000-07:00

Coming up this Saturday April 25th is the annual Downtown Grass Valley Car Show. The downtown streets will be closed to accommodate the 300 plus entries that are 30 plus years and older. The above pictures are only two examples of the hundreds of gems you will see. Fast Cars, Classics, Hot Rods, 50’s Music and some great street food make for a fun-filled day. So come on down and enjoy a walk through memory lane.

An Easter Egg Than Isn’t Hardboiled

2009-04-03T12:22:00.000-07:00

A beautiful hand painted collectible porcelain Easter egg by Royal Copenhagen of Denmark. These eggs are beautiful hanging from your window or as a collection in an Easter Basket.
We carry a wide selection of collectible Royal Copenhagen pieces in our store.

Recently Arrived - Handmade Italian Jewelry

2009-03-31T17:21:00.000-07:00

Bernini’s Sun Truth was inspired by the image of the sun in the sculpture of Truth Unveiled by Gianlorenzo Bernini (1598 – 1680). Bernini was the supreme artistic genius of the Italian Baroque, arguably the greatest sculptor of his time. These earrings are in 18k gold plated sterling silver.
These new pieces and many others from Italy are now available in our store.
For other jewelry selections visit our store or our website at:

www.jordanwood.com/index.php?cPath=23

"Kaleidoscopic" Art

2009-03-26T16:48:00.001-07:00

Just arrived - Another great addition to the store, Kaleidoscopes by The Sea Parrot.

Check out our collection at http://www.jordanwood.com/index.php?cPath=142

The Sea Parrot is an exquisite collection of handmade glass kaleidoscopes. They are meticulously crafted in a broad color palette designed to surprise and delight the senses.
Kaleidoscope designer, Bob Rioux has been working with glass since 1976. Using creativity and fine craftsmanship he designs and produces beautiful works of art. Bob’s wife and business partner, Elissa comes to The Sea Parrot with 20 years of experience from her business, Elissa Glassworks. A love of glass and textiles has inspired her to design several new kaleidoscopes in the collection.
The Brewster Society, an international organization for kaleidoscope enthusiasts, has honored The Sea Parrot with several awards for its kaleidoscopes. The Sea Parrot is known for incorporating unique fused dichroic glass and iridescent stained glass in their designs, using detailed glass embellishments and having especially brilliant colors in the images within. These kaleidoscopes are in collections all over the world.
The Sea Parrot takes pride in creating unique and original kaleidoscopes for both the first time buyer as well as the experienced collector. Bob and Elissa work from their Kennebunkport, Maine studio where the ocean and the beautiful surrounding nature continue to inspire them. They hope that you enjoy your kaleidoscope as much as they enjoy making it for you!

Great Time Had By All

2009-03-08T17:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Saturday March 7th, found masses of people enjoying themselves on the streets of Grass Valley. Well they weren’t really on the streets, for the most part they were in the various downtown shops tasting wine and food from wineries and restaurants participating in “Foothill Celebration”. Jordanwood hosted Coufos Cellars' Winery (see picture below before the crowds arrived), and the Pleasant Valley Grill. Need I say the food from the PV Grill, (cheesecake and chicken), and the wine from Coufous was excellent. The Pleasant Valley Grill is located in Penn Valley and Coufous Winery is located in Rough and Ready - so drop in and say hi.
If you didn’t participate you missed out. Next year mark your calendar for the first Saturday in March, and be part of the throng.
Events like this are always posted in our monthly newsletter. If you do not already subscribe, go to our web page and sign up at the bottom of the home page.

WOW!! - Aren't These Absolutely Amazing?

2009-03-05T12:53:00.000-08:00

The perfect wedding, anniversary, birthday or "I Love Me" gift.

Just in – these beautiful pieces from the Robert Held Art Glass Studios. Pictured are a number of items from his signed, numbered and limited collection entitled “Cherry Blossom”. Each piece is as individual as nature itself, with bountiful, pillowy blossoms against the strong, sinewy trunks and branches. Grab anyone of these pieces before Deanna decides they need to be in our home.
We carry a large selection of Robert Held Art Glass, ranging from Vases, Bowls, Ginger Pots, Hearts, Ornaments and more. Each and every one unique and lovely.

Time For A Little Pampering

2009-03-03T11:51:00.001-08:00

Even in these times a gal needs to pamper herself. For the bath, from “Do Not Disturb”, three Fortune Fizzies in a Take-Out Box. Each Lavender scented “Cookie” contains special Words of Wisdom. So relax in your bath with the scent of lavender and see what wisdom is bestowed upon you.

Spring Brings Easter

2009-03-02T12:17:00.001-08:00

Some of the most popular items in our store are the beautiful hand-cast and hand-painted pewter items by Wilhelm Schweizer. We always carry a wide selection of these highly detailed pieces. The Schweizer Easter collection is now available in our store and through our internet site: www.jordanwood.com/index.php?cPath=153

Spring Around The Corner?

2009-02-28T18:43:00.001-08:00

Spring Is Around The Corner And These OKA’b Copper Malia Flip-Flops Prove It.

Below is a sample of the one of the spring collection of OKA’b sandals, flip/flops and shoes that have arrived. The OKA’b line has always been a proven winner with our customers. And why not? They are made in the U.S.A., washable, colorfast, one piece construction, ergonomic foot-bed with massage beads, antimicrobial and odor resistant. Many of our customers buy a pair and soon return for additional pairs.

Come on in, take a look, and try a pair on.

Candies - "How Sweet It Is"

2009-02-27T21:23:00.000-08:00

Wonderful items have started to arrive.

One of our most recent arrivals are these brightly colored and very tasty candies. You will love these eclectic mixes of candy coated cocoa sunflower seeds, almonds and other goodies. The small boxes are $6.99 for 4 oz. and the larger boxes are $11.99 for 8 oz. These candies come to us directly from “The Cocoa Factory” in Chicago. As they say “Cool Chocolate – No Drama”.

Come in and pick some up today.

Back In Beautiful California

2009-02-03T16:23:00.000-08:00

Well I have been home from the Big Apple for several days and thought I needed to bring you up-to-date on what’s going on. The weather here in northern California is beautiful – but we desperately need moisture, especially snow. It feels like spring but from the news reports yesterday Mr. Groundhog is saying we should have 6 more weeks of winter.
For the last few days I’ve been busy catching up on things at the store, accounting, returning messages, moving stuff around, etc. Fortunately we are blessed with two very capable employees that keep things going when I am out of the store.
Items from the New York show began arriving on Monday and more is on the way. As you can see I’ve included images of some of the items. To the left and up is a sampling of some wall plates and at the top of the blog is a set of Heart Vases. These products are made of a composite wood and then finished with numerous coats of lacquer. They are beautiful.

The Big Apple - The Last Day

2009-01-30T06:38:00.000-08:00

Well the winter gift show in New York is all wrapped up. It was a good show even though there were fewer vendors and retailers at the show. On the last half day I picked up a couple of small things for the store. When I get back to Grass Valley Deanna and I have a number of potentially new exciting items to consider as well.
Had a wonderful dinner last night at the Palms with Berkley and Lindsey. The food was fantastic and the conversation never ending. New York has been great but it will be wonderful to get back to the foothills.
See you there.

The Big Apple - Day 6

2009-01-28T15:31:00.000-08:00

Well the winter New York International Gift Show is winding down. There is only one-half day to go. I am down to a few follow up items which I am sure I can fit into the last half-day.
Today was another busy one. First I got to fight the snow/rain/slush that started last night and was still continuing as of 6 p.m. Stepping into a slush puddle that comes up over your ankles certainly makes you move quickly.
At the show we picked up some beautiful German mouth blown glass ornaments, some brightly colored cocoa sweets, new additions to our annual Christmas Advent Calendar collection, and some bright and colorful re-usable tote bags. For our future consideration we found a number of stylish handbags, along with some nice guy accessories. We will certainly be looking to bring them into the store.
Now it’s time for dinner.
See you tomorrow.

The Big Apple - Day 5

2009-01-27T16:22:00.000-08:00

Here is a quick update on today’s gift show activities in New York City.
Many of the items below will soon be arriving at the store. In fact they may get there before I do.
Mobiles,
New Art Cubes,
Beautiful hand-cast and hand-painted pewter from Wilhelm Schweizer,
Alicia Klein Taxi Wallets and newly designed bags for that busy woman,
And some great new puzzles and books.
Of course, coming for the holiday season we have some brand new hand-made German Christmas items, (Pyramids, Smokers, Nutcrackers and Ornaments), and Polish mouth blown glass.
No doubt there will be more tomorrow.

The Big Apple - Day 4

2009-01-26T17:56:00.000-08:00

Another busy day in the city that never sleeps.
In terms of the Gift Show, we have some beautiful new pieces of art glass coming in from Robert Held as well as an untold number of those enameled art boxes that are so popular with so many of our customers. In addition, from Hebi Arts we are bringing in some beautiful lacquer Heart Vases for Valentines Day along with some contemporary Lacquer Plates and Accent Mirrors.
I also had time tonight to attend Late Night with Conan O’Brien, courtesy of our son Berkley who writes for Conan’s show.
So it has been a busy day/night and I am ready to sit back and relax.
More Tomorrow.

The Big Apple - Day 3

2009-01-25T16:12:00.000-08:00

Another cold day in the city, but it was warm and delightful inside the Gift Show. Saw a number of new and interesting items:
Some premium wooden jigsaw puzzles. Each puzzle contains a number of charming whimsical pieces and no two pieces in a puzzle are the same.
Speaking of puzzles, I found some reproductions of a type of puzzle traditionally forged by blacksmiths. These puzzles are mechanical in nature and require old-fashion problem solving.
The store will have some new kaleidoscopes coming in. If you haven’t seen our kaleidoscopes before you will need to come in and take a look.
And of course a new supply of those beautiful real leaves dipped in gold, silver, or iridescent copper are on their way.
Well, so much for this third day in The Big Apple.

The Big Apple - Day 2

2009-01-24T14:41:00.000-08:00

It's a little cooler today and the wind makes it really nippy. Got in a lot of walking - 73rd to 34th and back as well as walking the 10 floors of 7W 34th. Began our Christmas purchasing even though Christmas seems like just yesterday; and, I saw plenty of interesting items from Italy and Brazil. Tomorrow I'll hit the show at the piers.
Had a great dinner last night at a Turkish restaurant. Tonight it's Belgian food. You've got to love the food here in NYC.

In The Big Apple

2009-01-23T13:11:00.000-08:00

Well I made it, a bit sleep deprived, but I am here. The trip from Grass Valley to Oakland to JFK to the Upper West Side was 12 hours door-to-door. Thought I would hit up a couple of showrooms today but I've just been kicking back. The weather here isn't too bad - mid 40's. I did manage to go to the greatest grocery store in the world - Fairway Markets - to pick up a few odds and ends. I need to start lo0king for Christmas items, so tomorrow I'll go to the permanent showrooms at 7W 34th Street. I'll let you know what I see.

Off To New York

2009-01-22T15:05:00.000-08:00

Off to the New York International Gift Show. It's a long flight, west coast to east coast, and the weather in New York doesn't appear to be that great, its rather cold, but it will be great to be in the Big Apple. The flight is a red eye out of Oakland, the only non-stop I could find at a reasonable cost, but hopefully I'll be alert enough on Friday to get to a couple of off-site permanent showrooms. I'll keep you up to date.

2009-01-17T17:33:00.000-08:00

The Store Has A New Look
Since the holidays we've taken some time to rearrange the items in the store. Of course we continue to carry the same high quality unique products you have come to expect, it just may be that you will find them in a different location within the store. If you don't see what you are after - just ask. Kate, Linda, John or Deanna will be happy to help you. And don't forget we are always happy to special order items for you. Just tell us what you are looking for and we will do our best to find it for you. We take pride in the customer service we provide.

New York International Gift Show
John will be off to New York within the next week. He plans to bring you a day-by-day description of what he sees and finds at the show. So check daily to see what's happening. (Berkley, John and Deanna's son, is hoping that John will carry some of this warm California weather to Manhattan as well. Berkley says it's the price of room and board at his apartment.)