Sweet Treats for Your Sweetheart

Valentine's day is less than a week away! In addition to our usual witty and tender card selection, this year we're excited to offer an array of sweets and treats that will make that special someone feel like someone special.

If you love the classic gift of chocolate, we've got a classy collection to choose from. Our newest line, which also features caramels, is Lula's, made right down the road in Monterey. For an exotic treat, you might give Poco Dolce, but beware, the Super Chile Toffee is spicy! What a Kick!

Or, why not impress your beloved with freshly baked scones made from Iveta's scone mix, right here in Santa Cruz. Choose from Cherry, Raisin, Chocolate Chip, Ginger, Strawberry, Apricot, Lemon, and Cranberry Orange. And you might also decide to top them with one of six kinds of luscious jams from Swanton Berry Farm and Happy Girl Kitchen.

And if your sweetheart is more of a savory hound, we still have gift options for you! Artisans is very excited to also carry a selection of Happy Girl Kitchen's pickled vegetables. Your valentine might like to eat them right out of the jar, or you use them to top a fresh, bright red Bloody Mary.

Come in soon to find the perfect gift, and don't forget that you can still bid on Hearts for the Arts artwork!

Hearts for the Arts at Artisans

Please join us this Friday, February 4th! For the second year in a row, Artisans is proud to host Hearts for the Arts. At this fundraiser, you can bid on over 20 original paintings, jewelry, ceramics, prints, and posters from local artists.

We know you'll want to bid on some of your favorite local artists, and you might just discover the work of someone waiting to become your new favorite!


Hearts for the Arts donates all proceeds to the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County, earmarked for SPECTRA arts programs for kids in Santa Cruz County.

And if you come with your sweetheart, be sure to pay attention to anything he or she notices--you can come back later to finish your Valentine's Day shopping! As always, we offer complimentary gift wrapping.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday, when we'll be offering fresh baked foccacia bread for you to nibble while you bid. Remember to please leave your contact information if you bid. If you win, we'll contact you on February 15th. The opening starts at six p.m., but bidding has already begun!

Artisans Loves...

...Linda's Seabreeze Cafe! Welcome to another installment of Artisans Loves. In this post, we will introduce you to one of our favorite breakfast and lunch spots in Santa Cruz. And if you've already been to the Seabreeze, then lucky you!
Top 5 reasons we love the Seabreeze cafe:

5. It's a great spot for kids.
The friendly staff will set your little one up with animal toys, a sippy cup, and lots of attention.

4. It's a great spot if you don't have kids.
Seriously--before any of us had kids, we never really noticed tables full of children. Even though it's a small spot, kids are so entertained that patrons without them won't be bothered.

3. The cinnamon rolls.
Yum! You might have to split a breakfast dish with a friend so that you have room for one of these tasty treats.

2. Turkey In The Garden sandwich.
Some folks don't know about the delicious lunch options. The Seabreeze says it's "Fresh roasted turkey breast on whole wheat bread in the company of sprouts, tomatoes, and thinly sliced cucumber. Spread with 1000-island dressing." We say it's delectable!

1. Coffee!
A word of advice: if you get to the Seabreeze after 9:00 on a Saturday or Sunday morning you will probably have to wait a bit. However, they have provided carafes of coffee to keep you fueled during your wait. Thanks Seabreeze! We'll be seeing you soon!

Petit Adorable!

We now carry adorable mobiles from Petit Collage. Each piece features super-cute themes like tree friends and jungle friends, but is clean and modern enough to hang up outside of baby's room!

Petit Collage states that their mobiles are hand-made in the United States. They are packaged in San Fransisco by a non-profit company that employs adults with disabilities. Additionally, they are made from sustainable, fast-growing bamboo.

They look good and you will feel good when you buy them!

Just Sayin'

Chocolate and Steel, one of our newest lines, is handmade by Christine Street in Pasadena, California.

Christine describes the birth of her hip and adorable line thusly, "One day a coworker told me about a bead store that was having a sale. I checked it out and so began my new passion of jewelry making. And I mean passion! I love making things - all things, but I also love wearing things. Jewelry making brought together my two biggest obsessions- creating and shopping. I am constantly trying new things.I have worked my way through a myriad of techniques all of which build upon the last. So brings us to Chocolate and Steel.."

We love the "Just Sayin" line, which features necklaces that proclaim She's Crafty or Ti Amo. A customer favorite has been the earrings, necklaces and rings with deer, whales, lovebirds, or flowers. Pay us a visit and decide which piece you love!

I'd Like to Buy a Vowel

Come on in and check out our new shipment of HomeStudio pendants and earrings! Handmade in Carlsbad, CA, HomeStudio uses Scrabble tiles as the backing for adorable pieces of jewelery. Snake chain and bail loop are made of sterling silver.

From birds and bicycles to Maneki Nekos and Dalahästs HomeStudio offers something to delight every woman on your list!

June

When we think of June at Artisans, we always think of "Dads and Grads." And, of course, Artisans is currently full of all sorts of great gifts and cards for the father or alumnus in your life.

But this year, June also has us thinking of...Weddings! (Could it be because two lovely Artisans ladies have been/will be wed in 2010? Perhaps, perhaps.) The next time you're invited to a wedding, break the habit of a predictable registry selection and consider a hand crafted gift, made in the United States. Consider a Treestump cutting board paired with a cook book from Bookshop Santa Cruz, or Rolf wine glasses and bottle of wine made with grapes grown in the Santa Cruz mountains from Vinocruz.

Finally, if you are getting married, check out our jewelery selection. We carry classic pearl sets from Violet Drury, as well as modern and fun earrings and necklaces for brides and bridesmaids. Ritch & Co. rings have also become very popular as wedding sets or wedding rings for men. We can order a ring to fit you, so don't be shy about trying them on!

Whether you're celebrating dads, grads, newly weds, or the sunshine, Artisans wishes you a happy June!