Handcrafting in Vermont

Irene Spared Stowe!

2011-08-31T08:56:00.002-04:00

Lodges, Restaurants, Shops ( including Stowe Craft Gallery & Stowe Craft Design Center) and Attractions are ALL OPEN and unaffected by this weekend's
storm.
You are probably seeing on the news all the destructive affects tropical storm Irene
has had on Vermont. While there are areas of the state that suffered serious flooding
damage -- and we are hopeful for a swift clean-up -- Stowe was unaffected. All roads
leading into Stowe are clear, and our mountain resort town is operating as usual!

All the things that you love to do in Stowe are open and ready to welcome you this
weekend, or this fall, or anytime you'd like to visit!

Get all the latest info and make your getaway plans at gostowe.com

How to Link to our Sticks Art web site

2011-08-04T17:04:00.000-04:00

Every link helps and Sticks Art will really appreciate your link. We now have a page just for linking to us and our whimsical Sticks furniture, mirrors and lazy susans.

To link to Sticks Art from your website, click on the title above for code you can simple copy and paste to your own web page.

Thank You

New Jeanine Payer Jewelry now in stock

2011-05-24T23:35:00.000-04:00

Inspiring, Comforting Poetry In Jewelry

The jewelry Payer designs include quotes - poems from both contemporary and ancient philosophers, poets and writers. It is engraved in fine print on sterling silver. Our summer collection includes enraved silver and soft colored stones.
Below you can see the YABBA cuff. It is inscribed: "Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; They are charming gardeners who make our soul blossom." - Marcel Proust.

A beautiful tribute and appreciation of those who make us smile. This cuff, with quote inscribed into it, is sterling silver and measures 7 inches around.


Marcel Proust quote on Jeanine Payer Cuff Bracelet .

New Anada Khalsa Jewelry Just arrived

2011-05-24T23:22:00.000-04:00

Ananda Khalsa Jewelry combines Metalwork and Painting

Iris Earrings with Purple Stone Details

Each piece contains an original painting on paper, which is set behind tempered glass in sterling silver or 22k gold.

Miniature paintings created by jeweler Ananda Khalsa are in every earring, bracelet or necklace made by Ananda. Stowe Craft Gallery just received a summery collection of birds and landscapes in this exquisite jewelry for you to browse at our Vermont store or online.

Michael Michauds Silver Season Jewelry Updated

2011-05-22T18:35:00.001-04:00

Our 2011 collection of botanical jewelry from Michael Michaud is now out on display. It looks fabulous in the gallery. And this year we have something special by way of display.
Photographer Eva Deitch was in our Vermont gallery when the jewelry was received. She nicely agreed to point her camera at all the new jewlery.

The Result? Some great new photos of the best of the collection. When you delve into Michael's Silver Season Jewelry at www.silverseasonsjewelry.com. you will see it organized in news ways.

Find all the hidden gems in one place.
See all the necklaces or earrings or bracelets together
See just the blueberry
Or just the peapods, please

Do you think this way of displaying is a nice change? Love to know what you think!

New Dana Kellin Jewelry

2011-02-24T08:08:00.002-05:00

Just in, a new collection of Dana Kellin jewelry like this Ruby, pink spinel & gold necklace.

New Dana Kellin Jewelry Collection

For 2011, you will see Dana Kellin featuring large faceted gemstones surrounded by her strong but feminine 14K gold wire-wrapping. Pieces like this necklace with a large faceted ruby offset with a handmade gold chain with rubies and pink spinels.

What do you think of this latest style? To see more, visit Stowe Craft Gallery to see more necklaces and earrings from the 2011 Dana Kellin Jewelry collection.

Modern-Industrial furniture featured during Stowe Education Fund Village Stroll

2011-02-10T14:07:00.000-05:00

Friday, February 11, 6 - 10 pm. our Local Stowe Education Fund holds their Annual Walk-Taste-Sip Browse-Shop Progressive Tasting & Village Stroll.

Just a few tickets are left- Call 802.253.9300 to participate in this fun shopping & tasting event all for a good cause! Stowe Craft will be open until 8 pm at both our design center and craft gallery. We are offering some great savings for everyone participating in the stroll! And some great food from our friends at Harrison's Restaurant.

This would be a great time to see our new leather, wood and upholstered rockers and recliners. Also featured right now: Modern-Industrial furniture and lighting by Bill Kreider.

These great designs are all handmade in America.

At the Landscape Show Opening

2010-08-20T08:49:00.000-04:00

Artists, staff, keyboard player & guests at the opening for 'Different Views' landscape show. Do you recognize any of them?

Gallery Manager Help Wanted

2010-08-01T16:22:00.000-04:00

Stowe Craft Design is seeking a person to manage our Fine Art & Handmade Furniture Gallery. We are looking for an experienced individual looking to join a dynamic team. This is a full time, year round position located in Stowe village. We offer competitive pay, vacation & other benefits.

Candidates must have experience selling art, fine crafts or interior design. Excellent communication skills are a must. He or she should be outgoing, friendly and work well with the public both in the galleryover the phone and with e-mail. The successful candidate will be well organized, detail oriented and able to work independently.

Visit help wanted in Stowe, VT on Stowe Craft's web site for more information. Or, if you know someone else who might be interested, please send them a copy of this post.

To apply, send us a letter of interest and your resume. Email is fine. We will contact you promptly to discuss details.

Special Limited Time Sale on All Kaleidoscopes

2010-07-30T11:54:00.000-04:00

Stowe Craft Gallery has announced a Kaleidoscope Show Special - Limited Time: 15% off All Kaleidoscopes + Free Shipping (continental USA.) USE CODE: KFEST at checkout

Stowe Craft has many new exciting kaleidoscopes since tthe 9th annual kaleidoscope show last week. Take a look!

Trunk Show this Weekend: Tiny Art -Elegant Jewelry

2010-07-29T07:30:00.009-04:00

Ananda Khalsa Art-Jewelry Truck Show

If you like unique jewelry, you won't want to miss the Trunk Show at the Stowe Craft Gallery in Stowe Village this Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1, from 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

Jeweler/artist Ananda Khalsa "frames" her Asian-inspired miniature acrylic paintings in gold/silver and glass. The watercolor paintings are quietly uplifting. The Bluebird (happiness), The Magnolia (sweetness & perseverance) or Sand Cranes (Love Forever)

This is Ananda's first trunk show in Vermont. Visit Stowe Craft Gallery this weekend to meet the artist & see her complete collection.

Kaleidoscope Festival Tables Day 1

2010-07-16T11:45:00.005-04:00

Janet McKenzie Landscapes

2010-06-09T10:22:00.004-04:00

Janet McKenzie Landscapes at Stowe Craft Design

August 7: Janet McKenzie is one of 6 artists featured in 'Different Views' Group Landscape Show. The Art Gallery at Stowe Craft Design will host an oppening reception from 5 PM to 8 PM. Janet will have copies of her Award Winning book "Holiness & The Feminine Spirit "available for book signing.

Just Announced: Janet's book, "Holiness and the Feminine Spirit: The Art of Janet McKenzie" has won the 1st place award in the category of Spirituality (hard cover) by the Catholic Press Association.

This show includes original landscapes in a variety of mediums by artists Bob Rickard, Wen Redmond, Guitta Corey, Maggie Siegel, Byron Geigel and Janet McKenzie.

'Different Views' Group Landscape Show. will remain open 10 am - 6 pm daily through August 31st.

Artist Janet McKenzie has committed her life's work to creating inclusive art celebrating women. Creator of the controversial and well-known dark interpretation of Christ, Jesus of the People, she lives and works in Vermont.

McKenzie is Internationally known for her portraits of women; until now, her landscapes have been just for herself.

Janet says "I am not interested in the traditional and familiar Vermont landscape, as usually depicted. I go outside to paint landscape to purify myself, like washing my soul with only the openness of heaven overhead."

A Swinging Time with Cobble Mountain Porch Swings

2010-05-31T15:27:00.005-04:00

Cobble Mountain Hammmocks and Porch Swings are a big hit this spring.
It's great they are made here in Vermont, but the quality, style and comfort is what makes them so outstanding.

Cobble Mountain hammocks are attractive. We keep all 3 styles hanging on our decks and porches so people can try them. Lately, it seems somebody's husband is usually enjoying the view from one our Cobble Mtn hammock chairs while their spouse is shop shop shopping away inside.

After closing, I sometime see a couple lounging in the double hammock with a footrest that's on our Design Center porch.

What makes our hammock chairs sit and swing so comfortable?

The thick cotton blend rope is handwoven to provide support without binding.
It comes with pillows for neck and seat
You can adjust both the height and angle of your Cobble Mountain Hammock Chair quickly and easily.
The single chair comes in two sizes: Cobble Mountain Hammock Chair and the 6" wider and heavier Cobble Mountain Summit Chair Swing. (One is rated at 240 Lbs, the other at 350 Lbs.)
The footrest swings, too. When not in use, it stores under the Hammock Chair.

See all three hammock chairs in the Garden Accessories section of the Stowe Craft Web Site. Please allow 2 weeks for delivery of your Vermont hammock swing.

Stowe Vermont Kaleidoscopes Show

2010-03-14T19:35:00.004-04:00

9th Annual Kaleidoscope Show

Explore and share the fun of Discovering Art Inside a Kaleidoscope. Kaleidoscopes range from old fashioned cardboard tubes for kids to fine sculptures with top of the line optical effects. The Stowe Kaidoscope Show is a rare opportunity to see, hold and enjoy Hundreds of Handmade Kaleidoscopes from the best contemporary kaleidoscope makers in the world. Join artists, collectors, kids and curious on the beautiful outdoor decks and riverside behind Stowe Craft right in Stowe village.

Schedule of Kaleidoscope Activities

Opening Events, Friday & Saturday, July 16-17, 2010, 10 am - 6 pm daily.

Friday, July 16th: Welcome to the Show and Unveiling of Featured Kaleidoscopes

Voting for Best in Show. Ever visitor gets a guide and ballot so you can vote for your favorite kaleidoscopes. Special prize will be awarded in a new category this year: Best Outdoor Kaleidoscope.

12 Noon: Kaleidoscope making Mini-Classes For Kids and beginners, Starting at 12 noon then on going.

Open Kaleidoscope Sale and Swap meet

You could win a kaleidoscope- Every vote is a entry in the drawing Saturday at 5 P.M.

Show/swap/sell section open to all kaleidoscope owners/ collectors by arrangement

Kaleidoscope makers contact Stowe Craft for details on participation.

SUNDAY, July 18, 2010: On Sunday the show will run from 10 am - 2 pm.

MONDAY, July 19 - Sunday, AUGUST 1We will condense the show indoors so visitors may continue to enjoy exploring the many wonders of kaleidoscopes. The best of the show will be open indoors at Stowe Craft 10 am - 6 pm daily.

Sculptors, Kaleidoscope Makers and Collectors are all invited to contact Stowe Craft to participate in this fun show.

15 Ton Sticks Table Competes for 1/4 Million Dollar Priize

2009-10-07T14:11:00.004-04:00

One of Stowe Craft & Design's longtime artists has made it to the finals in a $250,000 Art Prize competition. Sarah Grant, founder of Sticks furniture and object art, is collaborating with a Grand Rapids, Michigan architect in this project. Her piece, a 28 foot by 30 foot by 20 foot tall table and chairs now sits on top of a bridge in Grand Rapids.

Stowe Craft has video of the installation as well as more details and pictures from the Art Prize event.

Kaleidoscope Show - 1st Photos

2009-07-20T08:07:00.011-04:00

We are tabulating the ballots for "best kaleidoscopes" and meanwhile- here are a few snapshots taken during the kaleidoscope show, 2009:

Chris Player taught the art, craft and magic of how to make a kaleidoscope. It turned out that Chris and the budding artists had the best spot at the show: their own private tent on the banks of the Waterbury River. Parents got to hang out by the river or just wander through the Stowe Village shops.
Over 30 kids made kaleidoscopes over the two days. Thanks again to Mary Wells at Nellie Bly in Jerome Arizona for supplying us all those kaleidoscope kits!

We have lots more photos and news- coming soon.
Despite Forcasts of Rain Every Day - the kaleidoscope festival weekend stayed dry every day.

8th Annual Vermont Kaleidoscope Show

2009-07-12T13:42:00.003-04:00

Hundreds of Handcrafted Kaleidoscopes on Display OnThe Riverbank in Stowe Village
Stowe Craft Gallery Hosts a Hands On Art Event

Opening Events: July, 17-18, 2009

* July 17, 11 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. Welcome to the Show and Unveiling of Featured Kaleidoscopes
* Kaleidoscope making Mini-Classes For Kids and beginners beginning at 12 noon, then on going.
* Voting for Best in Show. Ever visitor gets a ballot to vote for their favorite kaleidoscopes
* Open Kaleidoscope Sale and Swap meet
* Kaleidoscope Curious, Collectors Kids all welcome.
* You could win a kaleidoscope- Drawing Saturday, 5 P.M.
* We will have a show/swap/sell section open to all kaleidoscope owners/ collectors
* The show will be at Stowe Craft on the Mountain Road using our outdoor decks and our riverside for the first time

Kaleidoscope Show continues: Sun, July 19 - Sun, Aug 2, 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. daily.

Some of the New Kaleidoscopes Coming to this Year's Show:

* Sea Parrot- Bob Rioux

* Chesnik Kaleidoscopes

* Marc Tickle - On Reflection

* Henry Bergeson - Blackfoot Ventures

* Masimo Strino - Imago Kaleidoscopes

* Martha Radford's "Fire" will be unveiled. "Fire" is the first in a new series of elegant parlor kaleidoscopes from Martha's studio. It features brilliant stained glass exterior , a liquid and flameworked glass filled object chamber all standing on an exotic padauk stand.

* Fun New Wand Scopes from David & Nadreh at Ultimate Reflections

* Laura J. Wilde - Wilde Originals Handcrafted Kaleidoscopes

* Kaleidoscopes Made in the Shade By Steve Failows

* Charles Karadimos kaleidoscopes including both hand helds and one of his n ewest creations: an Odyssey. H e describes it as a "multi-dimensional fused and slumped glass kaleidoscope"

* Beverly Forester's wedding and "in memory" kaleidoscopes.

*Bob and Grace Ade unusual 'scopes featuring polarized light dry cells. Look fior the snowflake images

* Judith & Tom from Images are sending a fun collection.

* Cheryl Koch is sending something special.

* Marc Tickle kaleidoscopes using the infamous Fibonacci Sequence ( as seen in the Da Vinci Code movie) to calculate his mirror angles.

* A crossfire kaleidoscope and more from Michael Redmond

* Alex Bouteneff will be here in person and is bringing kaleidoscopes and his unique blown glass kaleidioscope stands.

* Harold Bieber is sending us some nice turned wood kaleidoscopes.

* Marcia Clark will be represnted by metal scopes including a hexagonal brass pieces and a unique lunchbox kaleidoscope.

* A few collectors have contacted me who intend to bring or send some of their vintage scopes for the swap and sell table. From New Hamshire, Gayle Troy is bringing some very nice vintage scopes: "Pastel Painted” 1987 by Peach Reynolds, “Karascope” 1978 ? by Judith Karelitz,"Splash” by Luc and Sallie Durette 2005, and "Sunrise” by Willie Stevenson , 1986

* And some of you will surely make your own kaleidoscopes right at the show with guidance from our Master Kaleidoscope Teacher, Chris Player.

Local Shops Listed In New Stowe Guide

2009-03-05T08:46:00.004-05:00

A new site organizes all the shops in Stowe Vermont by type of store. Shop Stowe lists the Stowe store hours open, locations and provides reviews of the Stowe shopping scene.

Guide to Stowe Shops with Hours and Locations

Progressive Discount Sale 20% - 80% Off

2009-02-12T12:45:00.003-05:00

The more you purchase the more your discount sale at Stowe Craft Gallery started today. When you purchase 1 item, it is 20% off. A second item is 25%, item #3 is 30% off. After 5 items your discount is 50% off. The discounts continue all the way to 80% off.

This sale is in Stowe only, not on the web site, but you can call to see if any of your favorite pieces are on sale. There is more information about the sale on the Stowe Craft Web Site.

last minute holiday Gift Update

2008-12-19T11:49:00.004-05:00

Now Give a Gift in an Instant: Gift Certificate by E-Mail for Stowe.craft.com

Still Time to Take advantage of Free Shipping on everything on StoweCraft.com

Instant Gift Cards

Now you can send our colorful gift card instantly as a last minute gift. As quick as you complete the on-line order- The card will automatically e-mail to your selected "ship to". It's a great last minute gift for anyone you feel would like our fine crafts and jewelry. They never expire and will look good in their e-mail.

Gift Idea Lists You Can Print from our staff:

Our staff have colllated all their best ideas into 4 compact guides you can click to read or print out:

Gifts for Him - Gifts for Her

Gifts for Couples - Gifts for Children

UPS Holiday Shipping Guide -

When do we need your order so we can ship in time for Christmas?

Any items that are smaller than a footlocker will ship UPS ground and arrive for the holidays without extra expense.

We need your order by Noon on December 19th for everywhere but New England, NY and NJ.

By Dec. 22nd for the New England area.

This is for delivery by the end of the day on December 24th, Christmas Eve which is also the 4th night of Hanukkah. Latest Updates from UPS indicate weather conditions may slow some deliveries- Don't delay- We'll contact you quickly if there any issues!

Do you participate in online forums, blogs or have a web site of your own?

Your Links, referrals or Reviews listing www.stowecraft.com or www.sticksart.com on social media sites are a big help for us and our artists. If you do make a comment or link referring to www.stowecraft.com or www.sticksart.com please let us know so we can thank you!

Last Day for Christmas Free Shipping

2008-12-17T09:38:00.003-05:00

Free Shpping Day at Stowe Craft - Sticks Art Furniture

December 18 is Free Shipping Day, a first-of-its-kind event designed for holiday shopping procrastinators

Holiday shopping procrastinators now have a day designed especially for them. The inaugural Free Shipping Day is 12/18/2008. It is a reward for people who wait until the last minute to cross those final gifts off their list.

On Free Shipping Day Stowe Craft Gallery and Sticks Art join over 100 major retailers to give free shipping to online shoppers with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve.

What is Free Shipping Day?
Thursday, December 18th, 2008 is Free Shipping Day. It's a day when participating merchants give free shipping to online shoppers with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve.

Free Shipping Day is the last chance for many procrastinators. There is even a web site listing all the free shipping stores- click here for the list of free shipping stores

Will Former AIG Chair Buy Stowe?

2008-11-21T10:51:00.004-05:00

Stowe and AIG have always been closely linked. The interesting historical links are described in the recent Forbes article.

Maurice "Hank" Greenberg, the former chairman of troubled insurer American International Group and an avid skier, says he wouldn't rule out buying the Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont's picturesque Green mountains and now in the midst of a $400 million expansion.

Hank's attachment derives from a fact unrealized by much of the outside world: The resort is 100% owned by AIG.

The attachement goes back to 1943. AIG's founder, Cornelius Vander Starr, visited Stowe for the first time in 1943. Six years later, Starr launched the Mt. Mansfield Company,which operates the Stowe Ski Resort to this day. Starr or his estate owned until it was sold to AIG in 1970.

Read the rest of the story in the Forbes Article about Stowe and AIG

A New Sticks Furniture Gallery Now Online

2008-11-21T00:41:00.007-05:00

We have developed a new Sticks Furniture web site where you can browse and purchase Sticks furniture and accessories on line.

You will find four major sections:

A detailed catalog you can browse and order a piece to be made just for you.

An In Stock section with a good variety of Furniture and Accessories In Stock, ready to ship.

A Sale Section

A custom design section

PS If you happen to have a web site or blog of your own, please consider reviewing or placing a link to www.sticksart.com - Every review and link helps.

Free Shipping now at Stowe Craft Gallery

2008-11-21T00:19:00.005-05:00

Shop Early! But Don't Get In Trouble With The Judge!

It was Christmas and the judge was in a merry mood as he asked the defendant, "What are you charged with?" "Doing my Christmas shopping early sir", replied the defendant. "Well that's not an crime", said the judge! "How early were you doing this shopping?" "Before the store opened", answered the prisoner.

Free Shipping Now - December 15!

From now until December 15, we are offering perfectly free shipping on your purchases -- the perfect opportunity to start holiday shopping for the perfect gifts.

Do keep in mind, our items are only available in limited quantities. Remember the Judge but it is True- The best selection goes to those who shop early.

Details - To receive free shipping, your order total must be over $75.00 and the products must fit within Post Office or UPS standard ground size and weight delivery requirements. (If your order contains something oversize, we will contact you and work out a special delivery offer.)

Free Shipping for Early Shoppers at Stowe Craft

2008-11-04T12:02:00.006-05:00

Free Shipping on All Jewelry and Fine Craft Gifts Announced by Stowe Craft Gallery

From now until December 15, Stowe Craft & Design is offering perfectly free shipping on your purchases! It is a perfect opportunity to get an early start on your holiday shopping for the perfect gifts.

Do keep in mind, all items are handmade and only available in limited quantities. The best selection goes to those who shop early. But Not "Shopping Too Early" like this person:

Details - To receive free shipping, your order total must be over $75.00 and the products must fit within Post Office or UPS standard ground size and weight delivery requirements. (If your order contains something oversize, Stowe Craft contacts you and works out a special delivery offer.)

Columbus Day Weekend in Stowe Jewelry

2008-10-12T07:57:00.006-04:00

The Stowe Craft Autumn beauty Jewelry show landed on a spectacular fall weekend, just as promised. On the left you can see Jenna from Stowe Craft and Andrea from Saundra Messinger having fun layering Saundra Messinger jewelry.
Local Vermont jeweler, Kathryn Geohagen set up her display on the new Stowe Craft Gallery back deck. It seemed to be a nice place to see her original designs.
More photos sure to come.

Autumn Beauty Jewelery Trunk Show in Vermont

2008-09-20T05:55:00.007-04:00

On Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12, Stowe Craft gallery is hosting four incredible jewelry artists for the weekend. The artists will be available to talk about their work and show their superb new creations. The Autumn Beauty Jewelry show will be on the new Stowe Craft River View Deck 12 noon-4 p.m. both days (store will be open 10-6). The public is invited to come to Stowe Craft for a fun Autumn event.

The artists we are hosting:

Saundra Messinger, whose Peace Collection was featured in the August edition of Vogue Magazine will be represented by Andrea Achelis. Saundra is a world renowned silversmith combines a soft finish with surprising diamond sparkles.

Kathryn Geoghegan. This young and dynamic local artist will be attending her second show with us. Kathryn was born here, grew up in the Mad River Valley and attended the University of Vermont. Kathryn works in oxidized sterling silver and copper. Her jewelry is playful, versatile, and unique. Frequently it has multiple options for wearing which adds fun and variety.

Karla Van Vliet. Karla, also a local artist, has been exhibiting jewelry with us since June 2007. Karla's bold use of colorful semiprecious stones results in brilliantly distinctive creations. She envisions her pieces as poetry --she chooses colors and patterns in making her necklaces as if they are words and patterns in a poem.

Sheri DeFlavio. Sheri joined our gallery recently and. Sheri handcrafts fine jewelry mixing colors, materials and shapes. Her jewelry is already a best seller. It stands out with unique combinations of faded, oxidized, sterling silver, gold and precious and semiprecious stones.

For the latest details visit the Autumn Beauty Jewelry Trunk Show in Stowe on our Stowe Events Calendar

Jewelry Trunk Show with Terri Logan

2008-09-12T15:42:00.004-04:00

Terri Logan and her River Rock Jewelry comes to Stowe, Vermont September 27, 2008
Jeweler Terri Logan announces she is holding a trunk show at Stowe Craft Gallery on Saturday, September 27th.

Terri is bringing a large assortment of her unique and collectable river stone jewelry.

Teri is a successful jeweler who is very selective about visiting galleries and doing trunk shows. So we are excited to let everyone know we have finally made the arrangements for Terri to visit.

Terri is bringing a large assortment of her unique and collectable river stone jewelry. Those of you who have or who have wanted her work in the past, I'd suggest you make an appointment. But, in any case, come to this show. It will be fun, there will be refreshments, you can met Terri and see lots of her work.

This show will be held at Stowe Craft Gallery, at the start of the Mountain Road, on our new riverside deck. Look here for the latest details for the jewelry trunk show

If you aren't familiar with Terri Logan's jewelry, it is unique and collectable.
She collects smooth stones and rocks from riverbeds. Each stone is hand selected for color, size and feel. Terri then handcrafts a sterling silver bezel, sets the stone by hand and sometimes etches a bit of whimsical design on the underside.

Stowe Craft Gallery normally has a nice but limited selection of Terri's jewelry, so this trunk show is a rare opportunity to see the full range of her work.

If anyone would like to schedule a one to one appointment with Terri, please call Stowe Craft at 253-4693 and ask for Jesse Paganelli. ( or 1-877-ilovevt toll free)

Help Wanted at Stowe Craft & Design

2008-09-01T15:29:00.007-04:00

If you love fine craft jewelry and design like we talk about on this blog, perhaps you would like to work in our Stowe, Vermont Craft Gallery.

We currently have a vacancy for a full time sales associate. This position requires:

A degree in art or business with any kind of sales experience

No related degree but specific experience successfully selling craft or jewelry.

And

Must have good people skills a great attitude and interest in learning.

If you are passionate about art, jewelry or fine craft this position may be a dream come true. Our gallery is an established, independent, local shop in the heart of Stowe, Vermont.

Visit help wanted in Stowe, VT on Stowe Craft's web site for more information. Or, if you know someone else who might be interested, please send them a copy of this post.

To apply, send us a letter of interest and your resume. Email is fine. We will contact you promptly to discuss details.

Stowe Vermont Independents Day

2008-07-04T22:58:00.010-04:00

Even Peggy came to Stowe leaving her summer camp on the lake for a busy day showing and selling gifts, jewelry and leather at the South end of the village
Molly was managing the Oxygen tent at the North End of main street. Activewear for woman at great prices all weekend.
Monique from Little River Hot Glass was showing handblown glass ornaments made in her studio on the sidewalk in front of the town hall
Next to Lackeys variety store, Susan Spera had boxes full of bargains in her tent and supplied those red - white and blue balloons for all of us.
Main Street in Stowe was busy on July 4th

Stowe, VT Sidewalk Sale July 4-5

2008-06-14T08:58:00.005-04:00

On July 4th, as we all celebrate our nation's independence, over 50 Stowe shopkeepers invite you to join us in celebrating our great local independent stores with sidewalk sales all over Stowe.

More details coming soon-
For now, plan on fun shopping in Stowe with lots of sale items, tent and table sales throughout town starting Friday July 4th and going through Saturday at the very least.

The Body Lounge
25 Main Street
802-253-7333
www.bodyloungevt.com
Anything with red, white or blue on the label or in the product itself is 15% off, which pretty
much covers the whole store. There is also a 20-40% off shelf which they will " up" for
the weekend.

Ferro Jewelers
91 Main St
802-253-3033
www.ferrojewelers.com
All red, white & blue stones on sale!

Lackey' " Tyme" Variety Store
109 Main Street
802-253-7624
Sidewalk and tent sale in front of the store.

Little River Hotglass Studio & Gallery
Gallery: 593 Moscow Road
Tent sale downtown location in front of the Town Hall on Main Street
802-253-0889
www.littleriverhotglass.com
Visit their downtown tent location on Main Street from 10am to 5pm. Little River Hotglass
will be selling their hand-blown glass ornaments, bowls, vases & perfume bottles.

Stowe Fabric & Yarn
82 Park Street
802-253-6740
Porch Sale!

Stowe Hardware & Dry Goods
151 Main Street
802-253-7205
Selected products throughout the store on sale!

Stephen Huneck Gallery
57 Mountain Road
802-253-9413
www.dogmt.com
Tent sale with refreshments! Saturday- A guest visit from artist Stephen Huneck himself.

Stowe Craft & Design
55 Mountain Road
802-253-4693
www.stowecraft.com
Tent Sale – Outside: discover great values in designer fur jackets and vests, art to wear, and
hand woven sweaters. Inside: revolutionary markdowns on our handmade contemporary
jewelry and collectable blown glass.

Stowe Mercantile
Depot Building on Main Street
802-253-4554
www.stowemercantile.com
Nicolas Mosse & Bennington Pottery 50 – 75% off! All Melissa & Doug Toys 25% off!
And Introducing Tulle summer & winter jackets: Receive a free piece of Warren & Sophia
Jewelry with any Tulle Jacket purchase.
And check out our garage sale bargain basement items! Tons of great values priced
ridiculously low! July 4th, 5th & 6th from 9am to 9pm.

Shaws General Store
Champion, Gear and more favorites on Sale in their Tent right on Main Street, Stowe.

VT Heritage Gifts & Crafts
48 South Main Street
802-253-7507
Tent Sale in front of their store!

Well Heeled at Oxygen
The fabulous Shoestore on the Mountain Road comes to the Village. for July 4th.
802-253-6077
www.wellheeledstowe.com
Well Heeled will have a lot of heavily discounted shoes and accessories in a tent on their lawn
and will keep it well stocked through Saturday eve! They will also have some items in a tent
at Oxygen on Sunset Street in the village.

The Wooden Needle
56 Park Street
802-253-3086
www.wooden-needle.com
Featured for the weekend:
Needlework demos: needlepoint/punch needle/cross stitch
All red & blue threads 10% off
"Americana" charts 20% off
---------------------------------
Lower Village
----------------------------------
Coco's Frame Shop & Gallery
954 S Main St
802-253-1918
www.cocodowley.com
All readymade frames & gallery items will be 10 - 20% off as marked. Special 4th of July
weekend drawing for specially displayed items in the gallery: all entrants must fill out entry
forms in person and all winners will be drawn at the end of the business day at 5 p.m. on
Saturday. The winners do not have to be present to pick up their items.
All custom picture framing orders will be 10% off. This discount is for materials only and does
not include labor charges.
And, Every customer who purchases a gallery item or places a custom framing order will
receive a special surprise thank you gift. Please stop by and see us. Happy 4th of July!

Decisions, Decisions
Stoware Common, 618 South Main Street
802-253-4183
20% to 70% savings on all summer clothing and accessories throughout the store, including
sportswear, swimwear, sleepwear, handbags, scarves sandals, belts and more!

Umiak Outfitters
849 South Main Street
802-253-2317
www.umiak.com
From July 4th – 6th, Umiak will have a tent sale with Canoe's and Kayak's of all shapes and
sizes (recreation, touring and river) on sale. You will have the ability to try before you buy on
the Commodores Pond right behind Umiak's store in the lower village of Stowe.

----------------------
Mountain Road
----------------------
Boots ' Boards
430 Mountain Road
802-253-4225
www.bootsnboards.com
Tent sale: all ski equipment, clothing and accessories will be at a deep discount, as well as
demos, rental equipment and selected summer merchandise.

The Christmas Loft
1800 Mountain Road
802-253-2684
www.christmasloft.com
Select items on sale.

Elements at the Spa at Stoweflake
Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa
Mountain Road
802-760-1083
www.spaatstoweflake.com
20% off Ilike Organic, B. Kamins, and Spa Rituals products.

In Company
344 Mountain Road
802-253-4595
Everything is at least 20% off from Friday, July 4th – Sunday, July 6th! Hours on Friday are
10am to 3pm.

Pinnacle Ski & Sports
3391 Mountain Road
802-253-7222
www.pinnacleskisports.com
Pinnacle Ski & Sports will fill their parking lot with a huge tent full of sale items all weekend.
Marmot, Tecnica, Volkl and special great values in skis, ski apparel, and tennis clothing.

Spruce Peak Sports
Stowe Mountain Resort
802-253-3000
www.stowe.com
Winter product (skis, boots, outerwear, first layer, mitts/gloves, goggles, bags and more)
marked to sell, at or above 50% off regular price.

Stowe Kitchen Bath & Linens
1813 Mountain Road
802-253-8050
www.stowekitchen.net
50% Off Merchandise on the deck!

Well Heeled at Oxygen
Store: 2850 Mountain Road
And more in the Sowe Village downtown at Oxygen on Sunset Street
802-253-6077
www.wellheeledstowe.com
Well Heeled will have a lot of heavily discounted shoes and accessories in a tent on their lawn
and will keep it well stocked through Saturday eve! They will also have some items in a tent
at Oxygen on Sunset Street in the village.

Yellow Turtle
Red Barn Shops, Mountain Road
802-253-4434
www.yellow-turtle.com
Sidewalk sale outside the store with:
50% off and Inside the store: 20% off

Job Opportunities in Our Gallery

2008-05-31T06:36:00.005-04:00

If you love fine craft jewelry and design like we feature on our web site, perhaps you would like to work in our gallery in Stowe, Vermont. Positions like these are available sometimes. If we have your info on file, you could be the first to know about opportunities that become available.

Some recent positions we have looked to fill were:

A sales associate in our Interior Design Center. This position works with our interior designer and focuses on handmade furniture and the art in our new art gallery section.

Another was a sales associate specializing in jewelry.

If you are passionate about art, jewelry or design one of these positions may be a dream come true. Our gallery is an established, independent, local shop in the heart of Stowe, Vermont.

Visit help wanted in Stowe, VT on Stowe Craft's web site for more information. Or, if you know someone else who might be interested, please send them this link:

www.stowecraft.com/about-us/employment.html

Sale on Fine Handcrafts

2008-01-14T08:27:00.000-05:00

It's been a great year at Stowe Craft. Your support of our artists and craftepeople made 2007 our best year ever.

Yet, we do have quite a few areas with simply too much inventory. For the first time, we are starting a sale page on our website Stowecraft.com. There is a good selection right now.

Our plan is to go through our inventory regularly and add items to the sale. So bookmark* the handmade on sale page and check back for updates.

*(Usually this means placing your cursor on the above blue link, right clicking and then choosing "save this bookmark"or "add bookmark/to favorites" )

Right now you can find handmade in these categories on sale:
Jewelry on sale
Glass on sale
Special Knives
Handmade for the Kitchen
Judaica on sale
Kaleidoscopes
Bags and Pocketbooks
Wearables
Home Accents
Art on sale
Lawn - Garden and
Games

Vermont Barn Birdfeeder -

2007-12-11T23:30:00.000-05:00

We just received a few of these recycled barnboard and galvanized steel bird feeders. I just set one up in my yard for our Vermont feathered friends-- And the next morning it was covered with snow-- Two days later several chicadees greeted me as I left the house-- How can they find a new feeder so fast?

Shop Savor Sip and Ski makes Vermont Shopping more rewarding for the Holidays.

2007-11-22T14:25:00.001-05:00

Stowe retail stores are bringing back the annual holiday shopping promotion, Shop, Savor, Sip & Ski. This program in Stowe, Vermont offers free discount ski cards, coffee and candy to shoppers who shop the local Stowe stores.
To participate all you need do is shop at Stores like Stowe Craft Gallery l while holiday shopping in Stowe or on the web.

Shoppers need to save their receipts and bring them in to Stowe Area Association in Stowe village.

Just by holding onto their Stowe shopping receipts, for every $75.00 shoppers earn:

1 Free local Coffee,

1 Free local Candy and

1 Free Discount Card which provides up to 25% off Stowe Mountain Resort Ski Tickets and year round discounts (these make great gifts for Visitors to Stowe)

In Stowe this holiday season, shoppers now can get into the holiday spirit, and feel good about earning rewards while supporting local, independent shopkeepers in one of the last classic mountain towns. Combined with Stowe's storybook scenery, Shop, Savor, Sip and Ski makes Stowe the place to holiday shop this year.

For more details visit the Stowe Official Information Center on Main Street or On the Web.

Handmade Holiday Gifts

2007-11-17T08:07:00.000-05:00

Handmade Art & Craft ... for the Holidays

As a child, memories of Thanksgiving included watching the parade, playing with the cousins, and laughing as old Uncle Joe fell asleep and snored in the chair after the feast--- nary a worry over the approaching holidays and what you were going to buy for family and friends that year.

Skip back to the present. Everywhere you turn, somebody is telling you that the holidays are coming, the holidays are stressful, or buy, buy,buy to make your holiday complete.

And sure, we all want to pick that "perfect gift" for the ones we love. But before buying anything, take a moment to sit back and focus on family and tradition. Stowe Craft strives to offer you fine handcrafts that not only provide a special gift for this season, but a future heirloom as well. Stowe Craft's handmade gifts, created by artists here in the USA, and are always treasured.

Do you have a story about a special item that has become a part of your family's traditions? Why not let us know about it so we can share it here?

We hope our ideas will help you with your own gift list, and will allow you those few moments to think about traditions, both new and old. Enjoy these creative and original products.

Our website has just been updated with a new "Gift Ideas" section and lots of fresh, new, handmade products for the holidays! To make the list, Staff from Stowe Craft Gallery were asked to list their favorite gift ideas for different people and at different price points.

Gift Ideas for the Kids

Gifts Ideas for the Home

Gifts for the Kitchen

Gift Ideas for Men

Jewelry & Fashion Gifts under $50

Jewely & Fashion Gifts under $250

Jewelry and Fashion Gifts under $500

Gifts Ideas for Pets and their Favorite People

Gifts that will "WOW"

We will be adding photos of new items weekly to this list- Keep checking and get in touch if you have any ideas you'd like to share!

New Webmaster - New Updates

2007-10-24T21:10:00.000-04:00

Updating our web site has been a challenge recently. Recently, my son Ari went back to Ganado, Arizona. Since then, we have not had anyone who regularly could update the site. Ari is teaching 7th grade science on the Navajo reservation. The good news is he has been sending us some great native American jewelry.
Those of you following the adventures of the Stowe Craft staff may know that our bookkeeper has been out on Maternity leave. Well, Heather has returned to us, and once a week baby (10 months old) Grady is with her.
Heather's return has freed up some of Gina's time. Gina has been writing our monthly newsletter that many of our site and store visitors enjoy. Now Gina is taking on the web site updating. So, the web site is once again moving forward and we do have several updates for you.
For now, you can see Gina's first efforts at photography, web writing and uploading on these new pages:
Sticks Lazy Susans
Wes Glebe Titanium Rings
Saundra Messinger Sterling Silver -Diamond Jewelry

Comments pro or con would be appreciated

Recognition and Staff Updates

2007-08-24T10:07:00.000-04:00

Stowe Craft and Design has received several new recognitions. Yankee Magazine will be listing us as one of it's favorite places to stop when Leaf Peeping in Vermont. Home Accents Today named our Interior Design Center as one of its "50 Retail Stars ". This magazine is a nationwide resource for the home accents industry and publishes a Retail Stars List once a year. Niche Magazine which focuses on Fine Craft Galleries listed this blog as one that's fun to read.

It's great to get feedback- so often the Stowe Craft staff and I wonder how you feel we are doing. We really enjoy getting your e-mails or questions- even if they are problems. We believe that fixing problems and answering questions are just as much our business as selling fine crafts.

We have new staff and some other changes. Meredith and Joel have joined us. Joel is in our inventory-shipping-receiving area and Meredith in the gallery. Brie, who is so knowledgable and passionate about jewelry, has taken over our jewelry section. Brie is our first "senior sales associate". She will oversee the displays, purchasing, teaching other staff about jewelry and double checking all the custom and special orders for jewelry.

Visit our website in the next few days for pictures of our new

Vermont Kaleidoscope Festival 2007

2007-06-15T20:12:00.000-04:00

Vermont Kaleidoscope Festival 2007

Science meets Craft to Create Collectible Art

Stowe, VT-- Everyone is invited to discover the allure of kaleidoscopes at the 7th Annual Vermont Kaleidoscope Festival. Kaleidoscopes evolved from a 190-year old scientific discovery and are considered collectibles today. Stowe Craft and Design hosts the event at its Design Center on Route 100 in Stowe Village; it is free and open to the public. This year's event highlights handmade kaleidoscopes by artist Marc Tickle and features many contemporary American artists and craftspeople.

The festival runs Saturday, July 7, 10am-6pm and Sunday, July 8, 10am-3pm. Come Friday evening, July 6 from 5pm-7pm for a preview and wine-and-cheese reception with Marc and the host staff. A tent will be set up all weekend for the outdoor activities.

Features include kaleidoscope-making activities for adults and kids, demonstrations, discussions, kaleidoscope viewing and sales. Grab a checklist, vote for your favorite scope, and become eligible to win one!

Festival host Stephen Fishman says, “Marc Tickle is one of America's top contemporary kaleidoscope artists. He will be on hand to answer questions and show his glass-working techniques.” The festival is Vermont's largest collection of kaleidoscopes and range from tiny necklace scopes to large parlor creations. Old favorites as well as the new and unique will also be available for viewing and sale.

If you cannot attend but want to share in the activities, artist and manager Kelly Bowden suggests, “Visit our web site. I will put the latest items and pictures of the activities online just before and after the festival. If you have questions about kaleidoscopes for Marc, e-mail us I'll post his answers.”

This year we will not be having a formal kaleidoscope class. Instead, outside under our tent, we will have an introductory kaleidoscope activity. We will have teachers and inexpensive ( under $20.00) parts available so anyone can make a basic cardboard tube kaleidoscope. Making a kaleidoscope involves craftmanship, art, creativity and science. And it's a lot of fun. There will be no pre-sign-up. But if you think you or your kids or grandkids would like to do it, let us know my email link by a quick e-mail so we have an idea how much materials to have ready.

2007 Kaleidoscope Festival Details

2007-05-27T09:24:00.000-04:00

One of our most fun events is our annual handmade kaleidoscopes festival. It is at the begining of July in Stowe, Vermont. This weekend really kicks off the Summer in Stowe. There is a hot air balloon festival at the Stoweflake Resort, a radio controlled sailboat race at the Commodore Inn, "Music in the Meadow" at Trapp Family Lodge and lots more to see and do in Stwe.

Marc Tickle makes glass kaleidoscopes with sophisticated mirror systems often with flameworked glass sculptures inside. Marc will be our featured kaleidoscope maker this year. You can meet him at our show preview and artist reception on Friday, July 6 from 5 - 7 pm. This is a casual, low key way to spend some time with a successful working kaleidoscope artist as well as with us- the Stowe Craft and Design Staff. You are invited to join us for some wine & local cheese at our Design Center Building.

Saturday, July 7, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Kaleidoscope Show, Hot Glass Demonstrations by Marc Tickle, discussions. Kaleidoscopes available to see, hold and view. Kaleidoscopes for sale.

Sunday, July 8, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Show, same as Saturday.

On Sunday, we are planning a kaleidoscope making class. We have not worked out the particulars yet. It will be a basic class, oriented toward how parents and teachers can do kaleidoscope making projects with their kids. Making a kaleidoscope involves art, craft science and allows for a lot of individual expression. If you are interested, watch for another post here soon. The classes usually fill up.

If you have questions for Marc or about the festival post them as comments here. We'll post any questions and answers that may be of interest to others here on-line.

A Vermont Retailer's Climactic Day

2007-03-12T08:32:00.000-04:00

It began with the glorious 3 feet of snow that blanketed Mount Mansfield on Valentines day. My wife and I skied all day- Managing a small gallery in Stowe, Vermont is nearly heavenly, we thought.

The climax came two weeks later. Business had been great since the snow storm. Lots of happy visitors in Stowe, all the snow plowers and shovelers are busy- It's so pretty with the huge snow banks and roofs piled high with fresh snow. And Anita Sandler from Vermont Magazine called to ask if we could send her photos for an Interior Design article she is writing.

On Tuesday: a 20 below zero day, ice dams on the roof were pushing a steady stream of water into our front wall. So much so that overnight, a five gallon catch bucket under the worst leak overflowed.
That morning, we learned one of our sales associates was leaving.
Later, our local car wizard, Willie, called to tell us the salt, the frost heaves and a hole in the transmission has doomed our Dodge Caravan. After 175,355 trouble free mile, it is hard to complain, but our Urgent To Do List was getting longer.

Wednesday, 6 AM: 25 below zero: My phone woke me, Our computer/phone tech (who only works in the middle of the night) tells me our 10 year old telephone system has died. It needs spare parts I didn't get on Ebay for $250 two months ago. Now it will cost $3,500. A phone system is crucial to a business, could anything be more urgent?

Yes! 8:30 am- Gina, our new bookkeeper calls from her cell phone-"Water is spraying everywhere- I can hardly see! " A water pipe had burst, in our receiving area and was flooding and freezing at the same time. Gina finds the main in the mist and gets the water turned off.

As I rush my 10 minute drive to work, I'm thinking of my list:
Find a Plumber
Find Spare Parts for 10 Year Old Phone System
Replace our work-personal Van
Get the Snow Off the Roof
Find a new Sales Associate
Arrange a photo shoot in local homes
Try to keep the store open

You know one of the wonderful things about Vermont? The people rally.
Nick the plumber arrived within an hour.
Our staff mopped and cleaned and hung paperwork out to dry.
The snow plow guy sent some helpers to climb up on the roof to shove the snow and channel the ice.
Mark, our computer guy located a spare part he superglued into the system to keep the phones working.
The Store stayed open, never missing a beat.
Susan and I were able to get to Burlington and found a replacement Van.
That afternoon, we even got an e-mail from a good candidate for our abut to be vacant sales position. An we spent the next day taking photos together in some local homes.

So, the store never closed for even an hour, Spring Skiing and riding is good and Vermont still is heavenly - Once you get through the inevitable Climactic Day

Help with Writing to Your Valentine

2007-01-22T04:53:00.000-05:00

Want some help with writing a love note to your Valentine? Try this new, free help site- It may be just what you need to get those creative juices flowing

2007 Valentines Day Gift Ideas

2007-01-21T21:22:00.000-05:00

Stowe Craft has posted it's 2007 list of unique Valentines gift ideas. This year, over 50 Handmade - Contemporary - gift ideas for Valentines Day can be found on one special page. Original jewelry designs from silver seasons, Dana Kellin and Sarah Graham are featured. But you can also discover much more. Handmade jewelry boxes, Vermont blown glass wine and champagne goblets, pewter pocket hearts and angels at just $1.00 each, and the quirky, illustrated love- friendship story-poems by Brian Andreas.

For a limited time, Stowe Craft if offering free shipping on almost every order over $25.00.

Free Shipping for the Holidays

2006-11-29T21:39:00.000-05:00

FREE SHIPPING!
Almost everything online at www.stowecraft.com now will ship for free. All designer jewelry, handmade hardware, blown glass, kitchen accessories will ship for free.

A few details:

First, the total in your shopping basket must be at least $50.

Next, a few types of items are excluded. These would be oversize items (like our large floor vases) and Fine Art.

If we run out of an item you order, we will let you know quickly. If you want, we will order it for you, direct from the artist. Shipping will still be free, even if delivery is after the offer expires.

Last, this offer ends Midnight, January 1.

One more detail, if you are ordering something Oversized or from the Fine Art category, please create a separate order for those items. Our computer doesn't understand how to figure some shipping free and some not.

Have a happy holiday season and thank you all who give gifts made by contemporary American artisans.

Turned Wood Exhibit at Stowe Craft Design

2006-10-06T08:10:00.001-04:00

October 1 - November 30, 2006: George Peterson Wood Bowls - Sculptures

Turned and shaped wood by North Carolina woodworker George Peterson will be featured at Stowe Craft Design Center October 1 – November 30, 2006. This one man show of reveals the control and beauty in this American master wood carver’s unique method.

Working from a small North Carolina studio, George uses only a chain saw and a handful of gouges to create wood platters and bowls of unusual beauty.
“ I take an intuitive and spontaneous approach to my work. The action of shaping the wood with my hand-held tools is satisfying in a very basic way. As I work the wood, I collaborate with it. The wood has a voice and I have a voice; we interact. The finished piece illustrates that interplay" George Peterson

New Pottery for Fall

2006-09-24T09:22:00.000-04:00

Local potter Sarah Russel has become a favorite for many visitors here in Stowe, Vermont. Sarah combines functionality with color and painstaking detail in unique ways. Her tree mugs and bowls are a pleasure to see and use. While there are several pieces of her work available on the Stowe Craft website , many more can be seen by visiting Stowe Craft Gallery on the Mountain Road in Stowe.

A Warm & Wonderful Kaleidoscope Weekend

2006-07-12T07:55:00.000-04:00

On July 7-9, kaleidoscope and art - craft collectors enjoyed a near perfect weekend at the annual Vermont Kaleidocope Festival. This year, visitors received ballots so they could vote for their favorite kaleidsocopes. Families and friends had fun comparing, viewing and debating their choices. The ballot boxes were so full of entries we haven't had time to tally them all.

We have photos like this from the event thanks to local visitor,artist Matt Moore who took several photos for us.

The weather was great. Saturday evening, after the show, some of us went out to eat with kaleidoscope artists Sheryl Koch and Scott Cole. We sat outside at the Swiss Pot restaurant, had a leisurely fondue meal and watched the Hot Air Balloons drifting up and away over the Stowefake Resort.

Enjoy the colors around you

Stephen

Artist Craftspeople Open Studios to the Public

2006-05-18T18:29:00.001-04:00

Artists' Inner Sanctum Open for the Weekend

Vermont has always been known to celebrate Independence and creativity. On Open Studio Weekend 2006 the public is invited inside the studios of 100s of independent, working Vermont artists and craftspeople. Visitors can browse the art, see their studios, talk with the artists and often see them at work. Some will have sign-ups for future classes, many will be offering work for sale.

The weekend of May 27 and 28 is the 13th year of this once a year event. Here in Stowe, several artists are among the nearly 300 participating studios. Maps are available at the news and events section of Stowecraft.com, at Stowe Craft Gallery in Stowe, village, VT and at artists studios throughout the state and on line at www.vermontcrafts.com. These statewide maps are designed by local Stowe, Vermont graphics artist, Sally Stetson.

It is a two way street, many of these artists rarely participate in fairs and shows. This event gives them a chance to get feedback direct from you.
The Open Studio Weekend was named one of the Top Ten Summer Events in a competition sponsored by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce in 1997. Independence has always been a key part of our Vermont history. Today, so much of America has become corporate - copycat chain stores. Can a small time independent operator "make it" in our Walmart World? Besides the art, this event gives insight and inspiration about real artists and craftspeople "making it" in their own studios.

In Stowe, Lisa Beach, Sally Nelson, Karen Nasman, Dee Macy, Debra Diender, Tom Trevor and Susan Bayer Fishman will all have their Studio Doors Open for the May 27 - 28 weekend. After a coordinating meeting at Shimmering Glass Studio, Susan Bayer Fishman visited each of them in their studios and came up with this preview.

A colorful date

2006-03-15T08:16:00.000-05:00

On July 9, kaleidoscope teacher Scott Cole is coming to Stowe, Vermont. I just got off the phone talking with him about the class he will be teaching. For anyone who likes to make art or craft, for anyone who loves kaleidoscopes, this is exciting. Scott, assisted by his partner Sheryl Koch, will be teaching how to make a kaleidoscope at the 6th annual Vermont Kaleidoscope Festival.
This fun event takes place on the same weekend as the Stoweflake Hot Air Balloon Festival followed by a concert in The Trapp Family Lodge meadow. It may be the perfect Vermont weekend.
Scott and Sheryl are true working artists and long time kaleidoscope makers. They live in North Carolina. Stowe Craft Gallery has represented Sheryl's classic 2 wheel kaleidoscopes for many years (That means I can't remember ever not having them.) On Friday evening, I will be hosting a little get together to welcome Scott & Sheryl to Stowe. You are invited to drop in, see some kaleidoscopes, say hello and share some great local Vermont wine & cheese. I will post the details of where and when on our Vermont Kaleidoscope Festival page as soon as I have them

Stowe Vermont Shopping -A Real Deal

2006-02-13T07:07:00.000-05:00

A real village- Our retail shops are mixed in with inns, restaurants, coffee houses, offices and homes. Many of the buildings are old and each is different and interesting just to walk through. Park on the street or behind the Congregational church at the end of Main Street. There are no big parking lots, so you won't be trying to remember which row and section your car is in.

Independent, local, owner operated stores- No franchises, no absentee owners, just family run stores. Local shopkeepers own and operate nearly every store. Your visit to any of the shops will be appreciated. The shopping, local information, Stowe village scenery and local character makes shopping here an old fashioned treat

What is Stowe really like? I searched for some "real" photos of Stowe village without much luck. So, I'm posting a few Stowe photos I took on a recent cold afternoon. If some of you will send me your photos of Stowe, I'll post them here to replace my cobbled together efforts.

Stowe Shopping features Family Run Stores

2006-01-30T02:19:00.000-05:00

All the stores in Stowe are family run stores.

Yesterday, I picked up my sharpened & tuned skis from Mila & Graham Lonetto at Edgewise. Across the street, I picked up some electrical stuff at Stowe hardware where another husband wife team, Chris & Martha Mask were helpful as always.

Looking down Stowe's Main Street I realized ... Stowe village is truly unusual. Almost every store is created, managed and run by a local person or family. 30 family run stores. They each set their open hours and days, and select and display products they feel connected to. No franchises, no absentee owners, just people who really want to be your local source for something.

Something clicked that morning. One of the things people often ask is when is so & so open? As a partial answer, I've set up a list of all the Village stores with their hours. Maybe it will help more of us to plan a visit to our shopkeeping neighbors.

Pottery Care and Use Tips

2006-01-09T21:00:00.001-05:00

In general, handcrafted functional pottery made in the USA is oven safe, dishwasher safe and suitable for the microwave. The guidelines and tips described here will help you enjoy your pottery for the longest possible time.

Avoid sudden temperature changes. For example, place a room temperature baking dish in a cool oven, then turn the oven on.

Your handcrafted pieces will last a long time with a little care. Our best advice ... slow down ... and enjoy the look and feel of your handmade items while using them.

DO remember pottery will remain hotter for longer
DO avoid subjecting to sudden changes in temperature.
DO warm to room temperature after removing from refrigerator.
DON'T preheat the oven before baking with this dish.
DON'T heat pottery on a stovetop burner.
DON'T put pottery on any open flame or directly on a heat source like a hot plate
DO Microwave with care.
DO keep your grill heat source least 2½" from the closest edge of your pottery
DO place pottery items taken from a hot oven onto dry, room temperature surfaces- A wood trivet is ideal.
DO wait for your leftovers to cool to room temperature before putting them away in the refrigerator.
DO not put a hot pottery piece directly into cold water.

The Microwave and Ceramics

Although pottery and ceramics can be used in microwave ovens, we would rather see you heat your food in microwave-safe dishes and then transfer it to your handcrafted piece. The issue is if there is any part of the pottery which is not glazed. You see,if moisture gets behind the glaze in your ceramic piece, it can cause problems when microwaved. A small amount of moisture like this could be super-heated causing small rapid expansions and contractions. Over time this will weaken the integrity of the pottery.

Porcelain is glazed at the highest temperatures and is more resistant than pottery to the heat stress created by microwaving. However, id the porcelain has any metallic decorations, keep it out of the microwave oven.

Last words on Cooking with Handcrafted Pottery

This article covered a lot of "Dos" and "Don'ts". Maybe the most important point is pottery does not like thermal stress.
When using handmade pottery for cooking the pottery should be at room temperature before being placed in the oven. Do not pre-heat the oven. The pottery should be allowed to heat up gradually with the oven.
Food on the pottery going into the oven should evenly cover the entire piece of pottery. Casserole recipes work well, since they evenly distribute food through out the pottery. Cooking a chicken or turkey in a lasagna dish, for example, exposes some areas to more intense heat than others. This can cause the pottery to crack or shatter.

If you have any questions, problems, suggestions, comments, tricks or techniques- please share them so we all can benefit

Kaleidoscope Sunshine

2005-11-16T08:02:00.000-05:00

Every day, this time of year, we receive less and less sunshine. Soon, articles about light therapy for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) will start to appear in the news. If lack of sunshine affects you or someone you know, you may like to look into color therapy kaleidoscopes. Color, you know, is the visible part of the sun's energy.

Stowe Craft Gallery in historic Stowe village and stowecraft.com just received six new Color Therapy Kaleidoscopes. They have attracted a lot of attention and make a great under $50.00 gift.

You know, many people believe specific colors have the power to stimulate intellectual, emotional or physical needs. Energy, fear, stress, love, communication, intuition, self-healing, love, self-control, confidence, creativity, intuition and many specific physical conditions can be affected. Select a color you are attracted to or pick from the list below. My personal experience is that five minutes looking into a golden yellow kaleidoscope makes a grey day much more bearable.

Using a kaleidoscope for color therapy is something like meditation. Pick up a kaleidoscope, let you mind follow the pattern of color you like most. Do not over-think it, just breathe and allow your inner-self to follow the color:

Yellow: Improves memory and increases happiness
Red: Increases competitiveness and sharpens decision making,
Blue: Helps make sober business decisions, It is a calming color and puts you in touch with the real world.
Green: Soothes stress, helps with sleeplessness ,
Purple: Deepens intuition and connects you with universal values. Promotes the inner strength which overcomes fears.
Orange: Resourceful confident orange stimulates all your appetites.

For more information visit Stowe Craft Gallery in Historic Stowe Village or on the web: www.stowecraft.com

Wood Kitchenware

2005-10-30T11:41:00.001-05:00

I love the feel of my birdseye maple sugar spoon. It looks good, but more important, it feels good. To keep it looking good for a long time, I've spent time researching the best care and cleaning advice I could find. Today, I'm sharing what I've learned about caring for wooden spoons, bowls and cutting boards.

Routine care: Wash your cutting boards or spoons with soap and water. I recommend all natural real soaps like Sunflower or Dr. Bronner's. To be extra effective, use a scrub brush to get into any nooks or crannies.

Air dry your wooden ware. Be sure water does not pool inside a bowl or on your wooden ware.

Occasionally sanitize your wooden ware. Did you know, studies have shown that wood is more sanitary that those polyethylene, hard plastic boards? Scientists aren't certain why, but bacteria prefers to live in the artificial plastic scratches and cracks. So, that old wood chopping block is actually more sanitary than the modern "improvement"

After washing your woodenware, cover the surfaces or soak the board in one of these sanitizing solutions:
Homemade Sanitizing Solution 1: Hydrogen peroxide 3% solution.
Homemade Sanitizing Solution 2: White distilled vinegar, 3 tablespoons in 1 cup of water
Homemade Sanitizing Solution 3: Two tablespoons of bleach in a quart of water.
Then rinse with warm water and air dry.

"Do Not"s:
1. Do not soak your wood in water for more than 10 minutes,
2. Do not store it in your oven if it has a pilot light,
3. Do not leave it in bright sunlight for long periods,
4. Do not put wooden ware in the dishwasher.
5. Do not leave metal objects on a wet board, the metal will mark it.

Sometimes your wood will need a little extra love & care. Signs your wooden ware needs more attention:
1. It is changing color, getting darker or lighter
2. The surface is becoming rough or "feathery"
3. It feels tacky or sticky.

How to refinish your wood spoons and bowls:
Cover your counter with several layers of newspaper. If there appears to be a layer of oil on your wooden ware, scrape off what you can with a wooden spatula. Clean and sanitize as described above. Then, wet the entire piece with water and coat it with lots of kosher salt. After ten minutes, wet a soft cloth with warm water and scrub the piece. The salt draws out bacteria and gently smoothes the finish. Alternately, use 120 grit sandpaper.

Once it is dry, oil the wood. I use Ed's cutting board oil. This product has a natural walnut oil base. Some people prefer mineral oil, saying it is more stable than nut oils. Mineral oil, though, is a man made petroleum product and many hand crafters prefer nut oils. Nut oils are safe, natural and environmentally friendly.

Ed says "Shake the bottle thoroughly to distribute the beeswax, then apply liberally. Rub the oil in with a soft cloth in the direction of the grain." Many woodworkers recommend oiling with clean bare hands. The warmth and friction from your fingers helps the oil penetrate deeper. After a few hours of drying, wipe off any oil not absorbed. Then do it again. Two coats is normally enough to last months. If you find your pieces need retreatment sooner than this, try three or four coats.

If you have any questions, problems, suggestions, comments, tricks or techniques- please share them so we all can benefit

A Handcrafted Family

2005-10-27T22:33:00.000-04:00

Nan, a woodworker I have known for a dozen years, was telling me about using handcrafts in her home. She said, "When our daughter was nine year old, I found her lying on the living room floor, looking around.

"What are you doing? I asked.

"I like our house," she said.

"What is different about it?" I asked her.

Her reply stays with me even now with my daughter married and living in a different state: "None of my friends know who made their stuff; I do!"

Indeed, she was lucky; she could sit in a rocking chair made by a man she knew;
The shining vases, goblets, etc, all came from craftspeople her Mom had met or knew about. We ate off plates made by our neighborhood potter. Even the dog and cat ate out of special dishes made by a craftsperson!

These all help us still today connect to the rest of the world and help make it a beautiful place to live. I hope that the handcrafted gifts we have given each other help connect her with us and bring warm thoughts of family and friends whenever they are used.

For me, whenever I pick up a jewelry box made by Nan and Bill Bolstad, I think of Nan's story-

Kaleidoscope Attraction

2005-10-20T21:51:00.000-04:00

Kaleidoscopes attract people. Kaleidoscopes heal people.
Let me explain.

As you go through your normal busy day, stress increases, energy becomes unbalanced. A part of you craves high quality, clear energy like what is within a kaleidoscope. You know, color is visible energy. Many people believe specific colors can stimulate an intellectual, emotional or physical need you have. Energy, fear, stress, love, communication, intuition, self-healing,love, self-control, confidence, creativity, intuition and many specific physical conditions can be affected.

Many kaleidoscopes are full of colors. Others emphasize one color story. If the kaleidoscope has many colors, you may simply be attracted to the colors you need. Pick up a kaleidoscope, let you mind follow the pattern of color you like most. Do not over think it. Just breathe and allow yourself to follow the color.

Some good examples of colorful kaleidoscopes may be found at our Vermont shop, Stowe Craft Gallery. We will try to update our kaleidoscopes information online so you can see examples of kaleidoscopes for color therapy.