Sip, Snack & Shop!

Why go to the mall or discount store and deal with crowds of people, park a mile away, and making your holiday shopping experience unbearable?!?!

Come into Spectrum and get out of the cold weather and rain! We have hot coffee, cookies and wine for the ultimate shopping experience! With a friendly and knowledgeable staff, we can help you find the perfect gift to fit any budget. Fill your belly and your hearts this season with gifts from Spectrum Art & Jewelry!

Interactive Art~A Hot Gift Item this Year!!!

Ever wish your artwork could interact?  Now it does!  New pieces from Carol Roeda allow you the freedom of mixing and matching different words, phrases, flowers, hearts, boats, fish, flip flops and more!  Attached with magnets to stands, frames, or other metal surfaces, this interchangeable art is perfect gift for someone who is starting an art collection and wants a more affordable, fun, and easy way to decorate, while expressing your individual style! 

These have been very popular this season and we will not be reordering more before the holiday, so come and get your pieces now before they are gone before Christmas!  Love, laugh, beach, friends, stars, swirls and fish are readily available as well as the small black and silver metal frames.  Stop in this week to design and interact with your very own piece of art!

Conni Mainne is BACK!

Conni Mainne lives and has her studio on the picturesque coastline of Northern California. From her studio, Conni is inspired by the lushness of her surroundings, professionally handcrafting each individual piece.


Brilliant blue moonstones have always been a integral part of her distinctive designs, chosen for their intense color and mystery.  Her work is feminine, elegant, and organic, with natural floral and fern motifs.  Conni's work has been very popular at the gallery and we are excited about her new arrivals! 
 
Stop in today to see her new collection! 

Event Marketing ~ Parties with a Purpose

Our marketing plan has always included events. I find them to be very effective ways to get good numbers of people in the gallery. It's non-threatening, as we aren't really pushing sales during these events. People get a chance to see our latest offerings while enjoying social time. It has been especially useful for convincing spouses to visit the gallery. They don't want to be pressured to shop but are happy to stop by for a free glass of wine and a chance to peruse at their own pace.

To that end, I have made the gallery available for private parties in the off hours. We will see, when we get to the end of December, just how effective that will be. It really seems to be a no-brainer - an opportunity to get my artists' works in front of a fresh group of people on a regular basis. The experience, itself, is often what makes it work.

So far, I have booked four special events in the gallery and they run the gamut from a Christmas party for an extended group of friends to a networking/social event for a local BNI organization to an internet meetup group and an off-site open house for a new business colleague. I'm pleased because each group of people embraces a slightly different demographic. I'll be able to see, from the feedback, just what appeals to whom. It may really help with my planning for the coming year.

I think that in the New Year, the events will lean toward networking and business presentations. I feel that first quarter will be an excellent time to further develop this concept. I plan to invest in some folding chairs and other types of supplies, to make the space more attractive to other businesses. I'd appreciate any feedback from businesses out there about what they are looking for in a space.

Where in the World is Nancy Noel May???

Next time you visit the gallery, keep an eye out for Nancy's new baby: "Bebe", the "Art Smart Car". You are going to be seeing alot of Bebe. Check out the car at http://www.artsmartcar.com/ or her blog at http://www.artsmartcar.blogspot.com/

Stay tuned for more information.

"Come Together.. Right Now" Seeking Connection with Beauty.

Web 2.0 tells us that social media is the wave of the future for the internet. What it really boils down to is people will spend hours on sites like twitter, myspace, facefook and youtube to learn more about each other and share their thoughts and feelings. This just tells me that people are hungry for connection. When the world seems so confusing and full of uncertainty, the only thing we can count on is each other.

I can tell you that after more than twenty years in jewelry sales, that it has always been about connections. Spectrum Art & Jewelry is just a method through which I personally choose to connect with an ever widening circle of people. The artists who create for the gallery are making their own statements, but they wouldn't put out the effort if they didn't want someone to receive those messages. The customers who come into the gallery are looking for an opportunity to connect through their appreciation of beautiful craftsmanship and creations.

Social media is a wonderful way to keep up with your friends, but it will never replace the experience of visiting a beautiful place and taking in the energy. Be that the beach, the woods, a museum, a church or an art gallery. The physical action of "being" in a lovely place is more nourishing than food sometimes.

I hope you'll take the time to treat yourself to the uplifting experience of just visiting a beautiful place. Take a break from the desk, the computer, the cell phone or the TV and get out and connect with people and beauty.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Less than $100

You'll love all the marvelous and memorable gift ideas we have at Spectrum Art & Jewelry. They come in all price ranges starting as low as $12. Here are a few suggestions for under $100:


1. Brighten up their home with these lovely glass ornaments by Luke Adams, including starfish, hearts and twists ranging from $33 - $40 each. (see photo)
2. Colorful dichroic glass keychains by Yourkowski Glass for only $15! This is a great way to celebrate someone's new home, car or business.

3. Remind them they are loved with thoughful and provacative jewelry designs by Kathy Bransfield. Each stylish pendant is inscribed with a meaningful quote. Prices range from $55 - $90

4. Luscious silk travel bags keep your jewelry safe and protected for only $12. Great stocking stuffer for all your girlfriends.

5. Dailey Woodworking creates hand turned maple burl and jewel toned acrylic pens. These fine writing instuments are works of art and are a special way to let someone know they have something important to say! $57