My first new day of blogging here and I fail to show up! I was writing and writing about beads and here it is - an article for the local newspaper:

Point Arena Holiday Store open two more weekends

On Main Street the red and yellow building, formerly CityArt Gallery, is filled with an amazing array of unique gift items made by sixteen local artists. The shop will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon until four through December 21.. For the special shopping event, sponsored by Point Arena merchants on Friday December 19, the store will be open until 8 p.m. serving wine and tasty holiday treats.
Not only do these sixteen artisans bring diverse skills and ideas to their one-of-a-kind items, most offer several gifts for all members of the family and the person most difficult to shop for on your list.
Ceramic bowls, pitchers, mugs and a fountain
Artistic sterling silver jewelry
Pewter spoons, tree decorations, as well a jewelry
A variety of dolls for adults
Candles and candle plates
Cards, hand-colored, framed lithographs in all sizes
An assortment of matted prints
Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, amulet bags by six different beaders and bead-makers
Birdhouses, clocks, and wall jokes
Pillows, lamps, scarves, ties and even bowties
Framed photos of our area
Soaps, tarot cards, button necklaces, and peaceful jewelry to support the environment
Knitted purses and hats of all kinds and sizes
Paintings, soft wall sculptures
Dinnerware and wildly decorated ties
Long skirts for the ladies
Dream-catchers, belt buckles, and more jewelry with stones
T-shirts, toy bears, kits to teach knotting or stamping, candy
Other items from the Lighthouse Gift Shop for one-stop shopping
Stop by for a cup of coffee, cookies, chips and dip and meet and greet your friends in the warmth of true down-home atmosphere.

When you shop locally, and buy something made by a friend or neighbor, your dollar goes three times as far. Not only can you give someone a very special gift, but the same money you spend for it also supports all of us while also giving an artist the satisfaction of having made something you wanted. That is perhaps the greatest gift you can give.