Goodness
Found
{MADE IN GAINESVILLE} 4
Hometown
GoodnesS Think local when it comes to unique — and sweet — Valentine’s gifts By Alyssa Fisher
G
ainesville’s charm and character is what brought many of us here, keeps us here and attracts frequent visitors. It’s drawn talented people who live to share their passion with the community. Whether you’re in search of a unique Valentine’s Day gift or treating yourself to something new, consider the work of local artisans. We’ve rounded up just a few of the impressive products made right in your backyard, all of which serve as a glowing reminder of how special this city and its residents are. 1. Spring for a painting. A wall should never remain bare. An empty space can be livened up with the work of local artists, of whom there are many. Karen LeMonnier’s oil painting, “July Springs,” displays the beauty of nature with its blend of warm and cool colors and defined brush strokes. The High Springs artist captures the romantic essence of the outdoors Gainesville is known for, perfect for enhancing a home’s aura. $700 at Artisans’ Guild Gallery, or online at karenlemonnier.com. 2. Bowl for compliments. Inspired by nature, the husband-wife artistic duo Sky Campbell and Sarah Hinds have created an impressive collection of blown glass sculptures, vases and bowls. To create each vivid piece, the couple melts recycled glass in a hand-built furnace in their Gainesville studio. Looking into this swirled blue bowl is like looking into the ocean. $375 at Artisans’ Guild Gallery, or online at
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GAINESVILLE MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY -MARCH 2014
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somewhereglass.com. 3. Invest in quality. Buttery soft and finely stitched, true leather goods are cherished fashion statements. Leatherworker and University of Florida biochemistry and molecular biology professor Art Edison makes unique, longlasting wallets from kangaroo leather, a strong, lightweight material. Each one is made by hand with the same tools and techniques that perfected old Western
traditions. $140 at Artisans’ Guild Gallery, or online at edisonleatherworks.com. 4. Time for a timeless piece. Pocket watches are an ongoing trend in jewelry, supporting the thrifty vintage look many strive for. Finding beauty in the intricacy of the interior of pocket watches, jewelry maker Rick Shamel found a way to share the details originally seen only by watchmakers. He fuses various watch parts together, highlighting their interesting, industrial shapes before embellishing with gems, semiprecious stones, gold and sterling silver. The vintage-meets-modern necklaces add a playful yet sophisticated vibe to every outfit. $65-$85 at Artisans’ Guild Gallery. 5. Make a case for a vase. A vase isn’t just for holding flowers. Sculptor and painter Miriam Novak proves it can be a sculptural centerpiece, a focal point, even a conversation starter that gives an entryway or table some artistic edge. The intricate 8-inch coral-like ceramic vase was hand thrown on a wheel, dried, hand carved, fired and then hand painted with acrylic. Water resistant, but created for decorative use. $200 at Artisans’ Guild Gallery, or online at mnovack.com. 6. Wrap yourself in luxury. Chic and refined, scarves are essential accessories for anyone’s wardrobe. For someone wanting to amp up their look this spring, check out designer Susan Torgerson James’ line of hand-painted scarves. Made 3
5
primarily of silk crepe de chine and silk georgette, they are vibrant, graphic and feature organic shapes inspired by North Florida’s landscape. $40-$75 at Artisans’ Guild Gallery. 6
7. Be sweet. What better way to tell someone they’re sweet than by giving him or her homemade honey? The Cross Creek Honey Company is a regular at Gainesville’s farmers markets, aiming to sweeten the community with wax-free raw honey. The 2-ounce jars are perfect for sampling the six premium Florida floral varieties and make a great addition to gift baskets. $2 at Cymplify Central, or online at crosscreekhoneyco.com. 8
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8. Smell lovely. The worldly conscious, organic-obsessed person in your life should
shower with products that reflect their ideals. Founded by Haskell and Melanie Martin, Moksa Organics Inc. are locally made soap products on a mission to respect the planet, support human rights and live healthfully and chemical-free. A nod to its hometown, the Paynes Prairie Body Wash is particularly of interest. $16 at Cymplify Central, or online at moksaorganics.com.
without a decadent box of chocolates. Homemade Armadillo chocolates offer a large selection made with responsibly 10 sourced, high-quality chocolate as well as organic butter, cream and nuts. The Almond Crunch Buttah Cruncha, which is toffee covered in chocolate and almonds, is the best-selling product and will satisfy even the strongest sweet tooth. $6 at Volta Coffee, Tea and Chocolate, 48 SW Second St.
9. Mix and match. Quilting takes a wild and modern form in designer Abby Hogan’s purse collection. Inspired by the textiles and techniques she came across while living in Africa and the Caribbean, she brought them to Gainesville for others to enjoy. Hogan’s use of African batiks, tie-dyes and small embellishments create a bold look not found anywhere else. $45 at Artisans’ Guild Gallery. 10. Quote Forrest Gump. Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be the same
WHERE TO FIND IT Artisans’ Guild Gallery 201 SE Second Place, www. artisansguildgallery.com, 378-1383 Cymplify Central 5408 NW Eighth Ave., www. cymplifycentral.com, 2253751 Volta Coffee, Tea and Chocolate 48 SW Second St., www. voltacoffee.com, 271-4361
9
T O R E W T IN N E “Like” Us on Facebook for a chance to win a new Apple iPad™ Air! “Like” Us by 2/23/14 for a chance to ! win a new iPad
s” are All current “Like in. w to le ib elig
ONE lucky fan will receive a 16 MB iPad™ Air! (VALUED AT $499) Visit Facebook.com/GainesvilleMagazine anytime between February 1st and February 23rd and “Like” us to be automatically entered to win! The winner will be chosen on Monday, February 24th.
GainesvilleMagazine.com •
/GainesvilleMagazine
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. CONTEST IS OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.). VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. PRIZES TO MINORS MUST BE ACCEPTED BY PARENT OR GUARDIAN. Contest begins Saturday, Feb 1, 2014 and ends Sunday, Feb 23, 2014 at 11:59pm. One 16MB Apple iPad™ Air will be awarded by random drawing. The drawing will be held Monday, Feb 24, 2014. Retail value of the 16MB iPad™ Air is $499. Sponsor: Gainesville Magazine and The Gainesville Sun, 2700 SW 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32608. APPLE, THE APPLE LOGO, IPHONE ARE TRADEMARKS OF APPLE, INC.,REGISTERED IN THE U.S. AND OTHER COUNTRIES. IPAD IS A TRADEMARK OF APPLE INC. GAINESVILLE MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY -MARCH 2014
77
{MADE IN GAINESVILLE} 4
Hometown
GoodnesS Think local when it comes to unique — and sweet — Valentine’s gifts By Alyssa Fisher
G
ainesville’s charm and character is what brought many of us here, keeps us here and attracts frequent visitors. It’s drawn talented people who live to share their passion with the community. Whether you’re in search of a unique Valentine’s Day gift or treating yourself to something new, consider the work of local artisans. We’ve rounded up just a few of the impressive products made right in your backyard, all of which serve as a glowing reminder of how special this city and its residents are. 1. Spring for a painting. A wall should never remain bare. An empty space can be livened up with the work of local artists, of whom there are many. Karen LeMonnier’s oil painting, “July Springs,” displays the beauty of nature with its blend of warm and cool colors and defined brush strokes. The High Springs artist captures the romantic essence of the outdoors Gainesville is known for, perfect for enhancing a home’s aura. $700 at Artisans’ Guild Gallery, or online at karenlemonnier.com. 2. Bowl for compliments. Inspired by nature, the husband-wife artistic duo Sky Campbell and Sarah Hinds have created an impressive collection of blown glass sculptures, vases and bowls. To create each vivid piece, the couple melts recycled glass in a hand-built furnace in their Gainesville studio. Looking into this swirled blue bowl is like looking into the ocean. $375 at Artisans’ Guild Gallery, or online at
2
76
GAINESVILLE MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY -MARCH 2014
1
somewhereglass.com. 3. Invest in quality. Buttery soft and finely stitched, true leather goods are cherished fashion statements. Leatherworker and University of Florida biochemistry and molecular biology professor Art Edison makes unique, longlasting wallets from kangaroo leather, a strong, lightweight material. Each one is made by hand with the same tools and techniques that perfected old Western
traditions. $140 at Artisans’ Guild Gallery, or online at edisonleatherworks.com. 4. Time for a timeless piece. Pocket watches are an ongoing trend in jewelry, supporting the thrifty vintage look many strive for. Finding beauty in the intricacy of the interior of pocket watches, jewelry maker Rick Shamel found a way to share the details originally seen only by watchmakers. He fuses various watch parts together, highlighting their interesting, industrial shapes before embellishing with gems, semiprecious stones, gold and sterling silver. The vintage-meets-modern necklaces add a playful yet sophisticated vibe to every outfit. $65-$85 at Artisans’ Guild Gallery. 5. Make a case for a vase. A vase isn’t just for holding flowers. Sculptor and painter Miriam Novak proves it can be a sculptural centerpiece, a focal point, even a conversation starter that gives an entryway or table some artistic edge. The intricate 8-inch coral-like ceramic vase was hand thrown on a wheel, dried, hand carved, fired and then hand painted with acrylic. Water resistant, but created for decorative use. $200 at Artisans’ Guild Gallery, or online at mnovack.com. 6. Wrap yourself in luxury. Chic and refined, scarves are essential accessories for anyone’s wardrobe. For someone wanting to amp up their look this spring, check out designer Susan Torgerson James’ line of hand-painted scarves. Made 3
5
primarily of silk crepe de chine and silk georgette, they are vibrant, graphic and feature organic shapes inspired by North Florida’s landscape. $40-$75 at Artisans’ Guild Gallery. 6
7. Be sweet. What better way to tell someone they’re sweet than by giving him or her homemade honey? The Cross Creek Honey Company is a regular at Gainesville’s farmers markets, aiming to sweeten the community with wax-free raw honey. The 2-ounce jars are perfect for sampling the six premium Florida floral varieties and make a great addition to gift baskets. $2 at Cymplify Central, or online at crosscreekhoneyco.com. 8
7
8. Smell lovely. The worldly conscious, organic-obsessed person in your life should
shower with products that reflect their ideals. Founded by Haskell and Melanie Martin, Moksa Organics Inc. are locally made soap products on a mission to respect the planet, support human rights and live healthfully and chemical-free. A nod to its hometown, the Paynes Prairie Body Wash is particularly of interest. $16 at Cymplify Central, or online at moksaorganics.com.
without a decadent box of chocolates. Homemade Armadillo chocolates offer a large selection made with responsibly 10 sourced, high-quality chocolate as well as organic butter, cream and nuts. The Almond Crunch Buttah Cruncha, which is toffee covered in chocolate and almonds, is the best-selling product and will satisfy even the strongest sweet tooth. $6 at Volta Coffee, Tea and Chocolate, 48 SW Second St.
9. Mix and match. Quilting takes a wild and modern form in designer Abby Hogan’s purse collection. Inspired by the textiles and techniques she came across while living in Africa and the Caribbean, she brought them to Gainesville for others to enjoy. Hogan’s use of African batiks, tie-dyes and small embellishments create a bold look not found anywhere else. $45 at Artisans’ Guild Gallery. 10. Quote Forrest Gump. Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be the same
WHERE TO FIND IT Artisans’ Guild Gallery 201 SE Second Place, www. artisansguildgallery.com, 378-1383 Cymplify Central 5408 NW Eighth Ave., www. cymplifycentral.com, 2253751 Volta Coffee, Tea and Chocolate 48 SW Second St., www. voltacoffee.com, 271-4361
9
T O R E W T IN N E “Like” Us on Facebook for a chance to win a new Apple iPad™ Air! “Like” Us by 2/23/14 for a chance to ! win a new iPad
s” are All current “Like in. w to le ib elig
ONE lucky fan will receive a 16 MB iPad™ Air! (VALUED AT $499) Visit Facebook.com/GainesvilleMagazine anytime between February 1st and February 23rd and “Like” us to be automatically entered to win! The winner will be chosen on Monday, February 24th.
GainesvilleMagazine.com •
/GainesvilleMagazine
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. CONTEST IS OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.). VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. PRIZES TO MINORS MUST BE ACCEPTED BY PARENT OR GUARDIAN. Contest begins Saturday, Feb 1, 2014 and ends Sunday, Feb 23, 2014 at 11:59pm. One 16MB Apple iPad™ Air will be awarded by random drawing. The drawing will be held Monday, Feb 24, 2014. Retail value of the 16MB iPad™ Air is $499. Sponsor: Gainesville Magazine and The Gainesville Sun, 2700 SW 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32608. APPLE, THE APPLE LOGO, IPHONE ARE TRADEMARKS OF APPLE, INC.,REGISTERED IN THE U.S. AND OTHER COUNTRIES. IPAD IS A TRADEMARK OF APPLE INC. GAINESVILLE MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY -MARCH 2014
77
