happy holidays and a peaceful splendid new year!

Whew! 

This was a wild and wonderful year.  At times I felt like I was hanging on by my fingernails, but not to worry,

I would never let go.  Thankfully the Christmas spirit infused Santa Cruz and it seemed as if every able bodied person with excellent taste flocked to my shop rather than the mall to get special presents for all

(and some for themselves to be sure ;) 

I hope the holidays are very special for you, and wish you a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year. I think I'm going to take a few days to rest, a couple to go scouting around for goodies to restock the shop and another couple to change things up in here a bit.  See you in 2010!

The one about Jill Dion

Jill is a Santa Cruz local, I met her in the shop, she buys a lot of my cool stuff and we got to talking one day about these stones she crochets. Crocheted stones!!! I told her she must bring them in immediately. I am so in love with the stones and the rest of her art. She is fabulous at painting animals, or even stitching by hand free form on felt. She volunteers at the Native Animal Rescue of Santa Cruz, and has five cats, so animals are near to her heart. I could go on and on about her and all of the other fabulous art she comes up with, but I'm hoping you will come in and see for yourself. She's also got an etsy shop if you can't make it in.  

These mini bunnies paintings are so amazing,

I'm so lucky I get first dibs because I snatched them right up,

they are the perfect Christmas gift for a friend who I bet is not reading my blog so I'm not worried ;-)

I also picked 3 pretty nice stones for myself,

but there are plenty more for you here.  

She is making them as fast as she can, and 70% of sales are going to this scholarship:

Health Care Endowed Scholarship for students enrolled in Cabrillo College’s Allied Health Programs including Radiologic Technology, Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting and other healthcare related programs in celebration of Cabrillo’s 50th Anniversary. 

The one with the crafts for the open house this Saturday.

handmade stockings from Katie Baker

paper doll assemblage from Ronda at Rooks Hideout

This collection of tiny shells in boxes came to me, and became the perfect ornaments for my tree

letter press boxed cards and coasters from Laurie of Lucky Bee Press

felted recycled sweater flower pins and assemblage from Diane Ritch

Come in on Saturday from 11-5 and enter to win this lovely vintage inspired church!  Many of the artists have left their goods with me already, still to come are turned wood bottle stoppers by Larry Riordan, vintage reassembled jewelry by Alice Riordan, crochets stones from Jill Dion, and more wonderful jewelry from Mabel Chong.  For all of the details for the open house click here. 

See you Saturday!