Yes, there are all the usual shopping places for Cupids Day....jewelery stores, chocolate and wine stores and of course the florist. But if you want to find something just a bit different...something with more of an artistic quality..then I have two wonderful suggestions...
Taylor Backes glass blowing studio is one of the areas treasures with national prominence. Just a walk through their fabulous studio at 2nd and Washington street in Boyertown is and awe inspiring experience. The wonderful and sensuous glass objects, both vessels and sculpture pieces, will delight the eye. The vivid dance of colors as you go from room to room is so visually pleasing and exciting you will have to pause just to catch your breath from wonderment. And, of course the furnace is usually burning and an artisan can be seen working on a project of molten glass... Even if you are not planning to spend several hundred dollars for and object d'art you will have sensation of having visited a fine art museum. But the real beauty of Taylor Backes studios is that you can always find gifts in all price ranges...from $15.00 up. To find out more about this national treasure and to plan your trip...http://www.taylorbackes.com./
At Christmas time a friend took me to Bey's rock shop on Rte 100 north of the walmat store in Bechtelsville. I need to have a necklace restrung. What a surprise. The building is quite deceiving as is the name of the magnificent treasures inside. Beys is much much more than a rock shop. It is a jewelery makers heaven with whole rooms filled with tables of beads from ordinary to exquisite.I picked up several beads for my charm bracelet for under $10.00.
Venture deeper into the shop and you find there are other rooms filled with Objects made of gemstones, crystal quartz and other exotic earth material. There are fabulous bowls , pedestals, paper weights and other objects in all sizes and prices. This place is a must see....wwwbeysrockshop.com for more information..
And finally, this Monday morning is day 4 of the renovation in my home and the Framing is up and the new window is in and today the electrician is working his magic...and tomorrow the sheet rock...unbelievable! A finished basement in just over 7 days....I am a very happy home owner....thank you Greg! http://www.ghremodelers.com/
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
back with New places, New Ideas and New Information
I'm Back with New places,New ideas and New information It has been almost a year since I last posted. I took time off to survive the recession...and now that its over...I am back with many of new discoveries and ideas. In the coming weeks I will be sharing information and opinions on new places I have discovered and new ideas in the design community.
I am also embarking on a huge (for me) renovation project at my home and will be sharing the trials, tribulations and progress with you. The bids are in and the contractor is selected...My job in the next few weeks will be to empty the space for the builders. Its an arduous job, but for me this process is particularly insightful. You see, in my profession, I have occasionally had clients that required assistance in purging and de-cluttering. I assist them as a "coach" helping them to understand their need for 'stuff' and then release it. I am now getting a whole new perspective. I consider myself a neat and organized person.. so I was surprised at some of the items I have " given space to" over the years. Emotional attachment?..validation that I was there?... I already feel a new sense of freedom and liberation with the first 5 garbage bags on the curb.
Also, in the coming weeks I will share with you fabulous shops I have found..some new.. some just new to me. I will share great places to shop for valentines Day and lots lots more. And we will soon be in the Home Show season. It's always fun to see whats new and exciting. I hope you will check back often.
I am also embarking on a huge (for me) renovation project at my home and will be sharing the trials, tribulations and progress with you. The bids are in and the contractor is selected...My job in the next few weeks will be to empty the space for the builders. Its an arduous job, but for me this process is particularly insightful. You see, in my profession, I have occasionally had clients that required assistance in purging and de-cluttering. I assist them as a "coach" helping them to understand their need for 'stuff' and then release it. I am now getting a whole new perspective. I consider myself a neat and organized person.. so I was surprised at some of the items I have " given space to" over the years. Emotional attachment?..validation that I was there?... I already feel a new sense of freedom and liberation with the first 5 garbage bags on the curb.
Also, in the coming weeks I will share with you fabulous shops I have found..some new.. some just new to me. I will share great places to shop for valentines Day and lots lots more. And we will soon be in the Home Show season. It's always fun to see whats new and exciting. I hope you will check back often.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
so much going on...catching up
Finally an hour to catch up on all that has been happening. So excited about the Pottstown Garden club photography contest. Unfortunately, my new garden will not be in full bloom until after the April 30th deadline. I am hoping they run it again next year, so we can all capture our summer gardens for submission..
I discovered a wonderful new and interesting place for entertainment. There is a charming Artisan style Bed and Breakfast.. way up in Bally. Landhaven is owned by a delightful couple, Ed and Donna Land and They have been restoring the former Huff's Church store. They have adapted large store area into a fabulous BYOB venue for singer song writers. They can seat approx 80 people and have added a great sound system. On the other side of the building they created 5 terrific guest rooms, all with state of the art spa baths. I like that they gave each room it's own name reflecting previous owner's of the store. They have a full venue of concerts and its all on their website www.landhavenbandb.com. A must check out for the music lovers.
I also recently visited the Reading/Berks fine arts and crafts festival in Kutztown. After experiencing the OJR arts and craft show...it was a bit disappointing. It was a smaller show and although they did have wonderful music It lacked the diversity of the OJR show.
On the way home, I did satisfy my thirst for artistic inspiration with a visit to the Dancing Tree Creations,off rte 73.(www.dancingtreecreations.com) Lynn and Beth have increased their offerings greatly and are adding an outside garden art section for the spring. It was great to visit and pick up a few gifts and hear their plans. I know it will be exciting. You must check them out....
So now.. I will just wait until the temperatures are warm enough to get started in my new gardens. Happy spring!
I discovered a wonderful new and interesting place for entertainment. There is a charming Artisan style Bed and Breakfast.. way up in Bally. Landhaven is owned by a delightful couple, Ed and Donna Land and They have been restoring the former Huff's Church store. They have adapted large store area into a fabulous BYOB venue for singer song writers. They can seat approx 80 people and have added a great sound system. On the other side of the building they created 5 terrific guest rooms, all with state of the art spa baths. I like that they gave each room it's own name reflecting previous owner's of the store. They have a full venue of concerts and its all on their website www.landhavenbandb.com. A must check out for the music lovers.
I also recently visited the Reading/Berks fine arts and crafts festival in Kutztown. After experiencing the OJR arts and craft show...it was a bit disappointing. It was a smaller show and although they did have wonderful music It lacked the diversity of the OJR show.
On the way home, I did satisfy my thirst for artistic inspiration with a visit to the Dancing Tree Creations,off rte 73.(www.dancingtreecreations.com) Lynn and Beth have increased their offerings greatly and are adding an outside garden art section for the spring. It was great to visit and pick up a few gifts and hear their plans. I know it will be exciting. You must check them out....
So now.. I will just wait until the temperatures are warm enough to get started in my new gardens. Happy spring!
Monday, March 7, 2011
The OJR craft show...
First of All, let me make it clear that this was no ordinary "craft" show...The quality of products offered by the juried vendors was exquisite to say the least and very, very affordable.
This was my first time attending this show and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the beautiful and creative wares. When I returned home I asked several friends and neighbors if they were aware of it and none where...so my mission for next year is to alert all my art loving friends to this wonderful event...and to save up lots of money to spend there...
I also discovered from one of the artisans that they will also be at the Kutztown Univ for the Reading/Berks Fine Art fair on March 26th and 27th....hope to see you there....enjoy
This was my first time attending this show and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the beautiful and creative wares. When I returned home I asked several friends and neighbors if they were aware of it and none where...so my mission for next year is to alert all my art loving friends to this wonderful event...and to save up lots of money to spend there...
I also discovered from one of the artisans that they will also be at the Kutztown Univ for the Reading/Berks Fine Art fair on March 26th and 27th....hope to see you there....enjoy
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Home Show in Oaks
It was a blustery but bright day for my trip to the Suburban Home Show in Oaks..and worth the trip and the entrance fee..I wasn't able to attend on the Free day Thursday, but this show definitely was worth it. When I entered I was delighted with the sight of beautiful Landscape designs complete with grass and flowers surrounded by waterfalls...and if that doesn't get one's heart in the mood for spring, I don't know what will.
The vendors where the usual heating systems,all kinds of windows and awnings, roofing contractors and other hard building suppliers, but also grand spa's and wonderful outdoor lighting, drapery workrooms and garden suppliers. There where gift and food vendors and even a few musicians as well as entire modular home that you could walk through..and boy,they have come a long way in design and layout.
They also had an interesting schedule of speakers on a variety of subjects... but I was not able to attend at the time they were scheduled.
I was taken in by one supplier selling exotic flowering bulbs that I have never seen before. Before I knew it my checkbook was out and my new garden spots all planned. Now I just have to wait til planting time.
This show was definitely worth the entrance fee and if you didn't make it this year, put it on your schedule for next year.
My next adventure will be the Valley Forge Home Show March 24th thru 27th. My only concern is whether or not to take my check book...
The vendors where the usual heating systems,all kinds of windows and awnings, roofing contractors and other hard building suppliers, but also grand spa's and wonderful outdoor lighting, drapery workrooms and garden suppliers. There where gift and food vendors and even a few musicians as well as entire modular home that you could walk through..and boy,they have come a long way in design and layout.
They also had an interesting schedule of speakers on a variety of subjects... but I was not able to attend at the time they were scheduled.
I was taken in by one supplier selling exotic flowering bulbs that I have never seen before. Before I knew it my checkbook was out and my new garden spots all planned. Now I just have to wait til planting time.
This show was definitely worth the entrance fee and if you didn't make it this year, put it on your schedule for next year.
My next adventure will be the Valley Forge Home Show March 24th thru 27th. My only concern is whether or not to take my check book...
Friday, February 18, 2011
BIE Home show...
I finally made it to the home show last Sunday morning. I always have great expectations of discovering new products and services when I attend events such as this. The focus of this show seamed to be structural and hard building elements.. heating, cooling, roofers and construction and kitchen design companies. I thought this show missed the mark..no flooring companies, no lighting companies no appliance companies. I know there are many great new products in all these fields..As a designer, I am constantly receiving information on the "latest and greatest" of everything for the home. I realize the economy has been tough, but I know there are companies in the area doing business in all these areas...but did not see them there..could it be that having the event at a fair grounds instead of Sunnybrook influenced these business in their choice to not be represented? I trust they had plenty of time to prepare..
On the other side of the coin, I received a mailing on 2/12/11 inviting me to participate in another home show at Sunnybrook in mid March...I am not clear on the organization running this show..with just a month's notification of this event, I won't be there..one month to plan for an unproven event, that is costly and a fundraiser for an unrelated organization...well I will just sit this one out..
My next outing will be the Philadelphia Home and Garden show in Oaks...it starts the 24th of February...Perhaps my thirst for inspiration and new products will be quenched at this show...
On the other side of the coin, I received a mailing on 2/12/11 inviting me to participate in another home show at Sunnybrook in mid March...I am not clear on the organization running this show..with just a month's notification of this event, I won't be there..one month to plan for an unproven event, that is costly and a fundraiser for an unrelated organization...well I will just sit this one out..
My next outing will be the Philadelphia Home and Garden show in Oaks...it starts the 24th of February...Perhaps my thirst for inspiration and new products will be quenched at this show...
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
ITS HOME SHOW SEASON!
After a winter of way too many "snowed in" days, I am looking forward to all the up coming "Home Shows" in our area. I love these shows. It is a chance to get out and see what is new, what exhibitors are finding important to show us...a chance to get inspired.
The first of the local shows is the Tri-County show...this year at the Kimberton Fairgrounds with the Pottstown BIE as the organizer. The BIE's main purpose is to showcase and promote its members to the greater community. I am not a member of the BIE, but perhaps I will find that this is an organization I want to join. Their show is Feb 11th until the 13th...I will be reporting my findings and observations here after the show and I hope to hear from those of you who attend.
The second show is in Oaks on February 24th through 27th and this one will be a bargain on the first day, Thursday, as it is free on that day. You know which day this frugal designer will be attending. This one is run by a professional exhibition company, so I know it will have a different focus..The disadvantage to attending on the "Free Day" is that most of the Keynote speakers are scheduled on the paying days. If you are not interested in hearing the speakers, then attending on the "free day" could be a bargain for you too..Again, I will be writing about this one too and look forward to your thoughts after you attend.
And the final show is from March 25th through 27th...at the Valley Forge Convention Center. It also will be organized by a professional exhibition company, but unlike the other shows, it is free every day. What this tells you, the con summer, is that the exhibitors pay a higher fee to be there and you are more likely to find the larger companies showing their wares there...and I will be commenting on this after the show...
Happy exploring and shopping to you all...
The first of the local shows is the Tri-County show...this year at the Kimberton Fairgrounds with the Pottstown BIE as the organizer. The BIE's main purpose is to showcase and promote its members to the greater community. I am not a member of the BIE, but perhaps I will find that this is an organization I want to join. Their show is Feb 11th until the 13th...I will be reporting my findings and observations here after the show and I hope to hear from those of you who attend.
The second show is in Oaks on February 24th through 27th and this one will be a bargain on the first day, Thursday, as it is free on that day. You know which day this frugal designer will be attending. This one is run by a professional exhibition company, so I know it will have a different focus..The disadvantage to attending on the "Free Day" is that most of the Keynote speakers are scheduled on the paying days. If you are not interested in hearing the speakers, then attending on the "free day" could be a bargain for you too..Again, I will be writing about this one too and look forward to your thoughts after you attend.
And the final show is from March 25th through 27th...at the Valley Forge Convention Center. It also will be organized by a professional exhibition company, but unlike the other shows, it is free every day. What this tells you, the con summer, is that the exhibitors pay a higher fee to be there and you are more likely to find the larger companies showing their wares there...and I will be commenting on this after the show...
Happy exploring and shopping to you all...
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