Very Special Christmas Trees!

The last few years Christmas Market has hosted a silent auction of decorated Christmas trees donated by groups/individuals. The proceeds go to Anton Art Center Programing.

This year we have eight trees, each one is individual and very special. You can choose from colorful, fun, elegant, bright, traditional, even patriotic! All are under 3' tall...perfect to add to your holiday decorations.
Bidding closes Sunday, December 15 at 4pm., with pick-up beginning Tuesday, December 17.

                                  Here they are all together in our "Silent Auction" display.

1) "Three Boys and a Tree" was created by the three grandsons of one of our volunteers. The tree is decorated with tiny ornaments, some hand-crafted. Very bright, and very special.

2) Donated by Mary Friedman, this tree is elegantly decorated in teal, silver, and white. Just beautiful!

3) This very classy tree has been donated by Nancy Henk. The tree is fashioned from  spiraling grapevines. It is decorated with greens, pinecones, red roses, berries, and grapes. Lovely!

4) Donated by George Murphy, this tree is all U.S.A.! Handsomely decorated with red, white and blue ribbons and ornaments...topped with American flags.

5) Created by our own Anne Lilla (Executive Director of Anton Art Center), this cute little tree is decorated with spools, tiny pin cushions, and colorful felted ornaments. (I happen to know that Anne just learned to felt in a class offered this fall right here at Anton Art Center). This tree is just adorable!

6) "Merry 'Green' Christmas" tree donated by St. Mary School. As you might guess, it is decorated with recycled items. Little snowmen made of Christmas tree bulbs, garlands of poptops, and "topped" off with a jaunty top hat and red mittens. Such fun!

7) Connie Sochacki is one our gifted artists here at Anton Art Center. Her coloful tree is made from brightly wrapped presents. It is topped by a woven bird nest containing a tiny Christmas tree and little shiny presents. This tree is a collector's item.

8) "Scenes of the Season" This very clever tree has been donated by MCrest. It is decorated with handmade picture frames each one filled with holiday pictures. Very sweet tree!

Now its time for you to come in and see these trees, and bid on your favorites. Remember: Bidding ends on Sunday, December 15 at 4pm.
While you are here, do a little more Christmas shopping at our wonderful Christmas Market 2013!

Christmas Market 2013 gets more ink!

Check out the great article written by Stephen Bitsoli in the special section "Shop Till You Drop" in Sunday's Macomb Daily. Find even more pictures of Christmas Market 2013 on the Anton Art Center's Facebook page.

Christmas Market is almost open!

The annual Christmas Market is always a highlight for The Anton Art Center, and Christmas Market 2013 is going to be great!

The whole process is months in the making. In August the "Call for Artist" announcement went out to all potential  Christmas Market 2013 artists. The submissions started to come in. The art was chosen, and new work was judged.

The more physical work began on October 20. We dismantled The Gift Shop, and cleared The Art Center galleries down to bare walls. On October 25 we began to receive the artwork that would become the wondrous gifts that will be on display for the Market.

Since then dedicated volunteers have worked daily to set out and skillfully arrange thousands of pieces of art. Everything from jewelry, clothing, books, cards, wall art, ornaments, toys, art dolls, pottery, garden art, soap, carved wood, home decor, and of course Christmas items of all kinds, will be ready for your gift giving pleasure!

Christmas Market 2013 will open on November 14 with a members and sponsors preview party 5:30pm-8pm.
Christmas Market 2013 will be open to the public November 15 - December 22.
"Meet the Artists" reception Sunday November 17 1pm-3pm.

Shop early and often. This year's Christmas Market will not disappoint! 

Jewelry: Ribboned & Recycled

We have some very pretty ribbon jewelry on display here at The Gift Shop. They are made by jewelry artist Altha Wargelin from a lovely fiber that is a cross between yarn and ribbon. The color choices range from bright and vibrant, to natural, and pastels. Each necklace is adjustable. Some, as you can see, also have matching earrings.

Another of our jewelry artists, Janna Bissett makes her necklace pendants from recycled / found objects. Some are fashioned from camera parts, some from typewriter pieces, and others from bike parts! All are really interesting. The larger/chunkier ones may even appeal to those hard-to-shop-for men in your life.

Come in to see these and other treasures soon, because Saturday October 19 is the last day to purchase from The Gift Shop. After that date we will begin to prepare The Anton Art Center for our annual Christmas Market.

This week is also the last week to see the Monstrous and Things I See exhibits.

The Gift Shop does Anton Art Center.

I have shared with you before about the cards here at The Gift Shop being little pieces of frame-worthy art. Well, we also have cards created by photographer Michael Robinson that depict several different views of our own Anton Art Center. They can be sent as cards, of course, but they are lovely framed.

Here are three examples of Mr. Robinson's cards. Come in to see the rest.

And while you are at The Gift Shop be sure to go upstairs to the Community Gallery for "Things I See".
This show features original works inspired by a visit to the DIA's Elsworth Kelly exhibit. We open "Things I See" with a reception on Saturday, October 12 from 1pm to 3pm.

Time to think Halloween!

We have some fun choices in jewelry for you, and decoration for your home here at The Gift Shop just in time for Halloween.

This wonderful hand stitched witch by artist Connie Sochacki would look "scary" as a centerpiece, or flying on her broom in your front window to greet the trick-or-treaters.

And so that you can look your best we have ceramic pins, earrings, and necklaces from a new artist at The Gift Shop, Rosi Triano. Most of her jewelry at this time has a Halloween theme, but some are great for fall...or anytime. So cute!

Get here soon, because on October 20 we start dismantling The Gift Shop to get ready for Christmas Market which opens November 15-December21.

And don't forget:

Mount Clemens Zombie Walk

The Anton Art Center presents the 3rd Annual Mount Clemens Zombie Walk Fundraiser!   When: Saturday, October 26, 2013, 9PM Where: Downtown Mount Clemens, MI

Zombie Registration at 7:30PM at the Art Center:

Zombies 21 & Older $5; Under 21 $3

  Food Truck Rally for hungry ZOMBIES Best Zombie Prize Free Zombie Makeup Workshop (Thursday, 10/24)

Contact The Anton Art Center for more information at 586-496-8666.

We have more hand-made quilts!

We had a very good response to the wonderful hand-made quilts for sale in The Gift Shop during The Anton Art Center's "Quilts of Gee's Bend" exhibit. So good, that we asked the quilters of First United Methodist Church, here in Mount Clemens, to bring us more to offer in The Gift Shop. Each quilt is beautifully done. Some are in bright colors, others are in earth tones, and still others have a softer palette. Each cozy quilt is about 4'x5', just right for over your lap.

The quilts will be available through October 19. On October 20 we start taking down The Gift Shop to make way for the annual Christmas Market, which opens November 15.

Art has a sense of humor!

Daren Dundee is one of our most collected artists at The Anton Art Center, and he has pieces in The Gift Shop that you can have for your own. He creates each work from found objects and his vivid imagination. Even the title for each piece is so clever it will bring on a smile and a chuckle! Here are a few of his little gems.

This piece is called: "24 Foot Trawler"....(see the little feet in the hull?)

"Crystal Bonsai"

"Wedding Toast"

Come in and take a look for yourself!

We have a new wood artist

The Gift Shop has a new wood artist, Greg Towne.  His pieces are just beautiful! Some of his work uses a technique that creates a lovely play of light and shadow. The finishes are lustrous, and the choice of different woods makes for interesting contrasts. I especially love when the grain of the wood shows through, and he has really achieved that special effect.

Our look has changed!

The new look for The Gift Shop blog is cleaner and less distracting. After all...what I want to shine is the artwork, not the background. There are also new "reactions" buttons where you can have an opinion about a posting without having to comment on it. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE comments! This feature will just make it easier for those of you who want to leave a quick word.

Our address has also changed to: www.aacgiftshop.blogspot.com . Like the blog it is now cleaner and simpler. I have enabled a redirect for the old address, but my tech skills are shaky at best, so I hope it works!

New pottery in The Gift Shop

One of our most popular pottery artists, Cheryl English, has just brought in some new work to The Gift Shop. All the pieces are reflections of her deep love and knowledge of all things "garden".

Beautiful leaf bowls that look like tiny little bird baths. Lovely nesting bowls with deep texture and pretty glaze. Not pictured here, but definitely worth a look, leaf sconces to hang on your wall.
Come in to see these and all our other treasures and check out the new exhibit "Monstrous" opening on Saturday, Sept. 7. at The Anton Art Center.

All about Michigan!

We have quite a few talented artists here at The Gift Shop who create pieces with Michigan themes, including: Gayle Krause, Constance Powell, Darlene Bosman, Jackie Brooks, and Winnie Chrzanowski. Plates, pins, photos, pen & ink, paintings, cards, calendars, you name it. Whether you want an iconic view of Detroit, a stunning photo of the Mackinac Bridge, or serving plates shaped like the state (both peninsulas), you will find it here.

If you are a resident of our fair state in need of a keepsake, or a visitor who wants to take home a little bit of Michigan, we have something for you at The Gift Shop.  

Reminder: The Art Party is coming! The theme this year is Black & White. It is an evening of dining and entertainment to benefit The Anton Art Center. Save the date: Thursday, September 19, 2013.

Hand-made Quilts are here for another week.

The Anton Art Center has an exhibit of the wonderful "Quilts of Gee's Bend". These are hand-stitched patchwork quilts by the artisans in a remote rural community in Alabama. Most of the quilters are in their 80's and have been quilting their whole lives. It is a really inspirational show that runs thru September 8.

While you are at the "Quilts of Gee's Bend" exhibit, check out the hand-made quilts we have here at The Gift Shop. They are beautifully done, colorful, lap-sized quilts (about 4'x5' each).

Come in and see the exhibit and visit The Gift Shop. Reminder: The Anton Art Center will be closed on Saturday, September 1 ( September already?).

Go Fish!

September is almost here, but you still have time to get into the water, with these oh-so clever fish bowls by Jill Modena. The fish and their habitats are made from polymer clay. Colorful and fun, they will bring a smile to your face.

One thing more, each fish is on a spring so they gently sway in the "water". They are so cute!

Who made that?

I am always interested in which artist does a certain piece. Reading artists' bios, statements about their art, interests, and inspirations makes it all more personal for me. I hope you feel that way too.

Here at The Gift Shop, we have a book full of information about our very special artists. When some piece of art catches your eye, you can look up that artist in the book and learn more about them. For instance- you may be surprised to find that some of our artists create art in several different mediums. Maybe they have been creating all their lives, or caught the artistic bug later in life.

Check out the book next time you come in to The Gift Shop

More Jewelry? Oh Yes!

Let's talk pins. We like them. We have to have them. Wear them on your lapel, shirt or blouse, put them on a hat, add them to a scarf or shawl, or pin them to a purse or backpack. Here at The Gift Shop we have quite a selection. You will find them made from polymer clay, ceramic clay, metals, and fabric.

These colorful pins by Marje Stormont and Nancy Garcia, are made from felt, fleece, and yarn. They are light enough to wear anytime.

These polymer clay pins created by one of our most popular artists, Jill Modena, will appeal to kids, or the kid in you. 

The polymer clay pins above are on the whimsical side made by Nancy Garcia. Pay special attention to the fish pin in the lower right. It was made by Ron Cracchiolo who makes our fishing lures. He also makes pins that look like bugs!

Media Lab opens!

The reason this blog is here at all is because I learned how from a blogging workshop in my area. Then I got one-on-one instruction from the woman who ran that workshop, Maryanne MacLeod of  The Macomb Daily newspaper here in Macomb County, Michigan.

Now there will be even more help available for me, and any other would-be bloggers out there form a new "Media Lab". The  "Media Lab" is a community outreach project, offered by The Macomb Daily, The Daily Tribune, Advisor & Source Newspapers. The lab will offer free one-on-one instruction, workshops on press release writing, social media training, blogging, videography, and more. 

Still More Jewelry!

I have shared with you some of the lovely earrings, bracelets, and necklaces here at The Gift Shop. You can also choose sets of  necklaces with matching earrings/bracelets. Most can still be purchased separately, but I think you will agree that having a perfect match can be a big plus!

These are just a few examples of what we have. Contributing artists are: Elaine Kolodziej, Jeanne Krause, Marje Stormont, and Nancy Garcia.

We had a really wonderful talk this past Sunday from a fellow artist and volunteer at The Anton Art Center, Jan Dolland, about the "Gee's Bend" quilters. These African-American women, most in their 80's, have been crafting quilts their whole lives. Some of their beautiful work is on display thru September 8 in the upstairs Community Gallery. A must-see exhibit! Marvel at their work, and their fascinating  history.

Still more Jewelry! Bracelets galore!

Our jewelry artists have created wonderful bracelets for your pleasure - as gifts, or for yourself.

The styles and materials are as varied as those for our earrings and necklaces. Styles range from classic to funky, elegant to wild, organic to colorful, single to multi-stranded, frilly to traditional. Materials include: precious metals, gemstones, fiber, beads, natural elements, found objects, ceramic, polymer clay, and more.

Aren't they pretty?

Here are a few that will appeal to men.

More Jewelry! This time it's Necklaces.

Our necklaces are so varied I will not be able to describe them all in this post. You will just have to come by and see them!
I can tell you that some of the materials used are: precious metals, gemstones, polymer clay, ceramic, beads of all kinds, fabric, fiber, even leather. Styles run from elegant to wild, fine to chunky, and classic to informal. You can find colors to match any outfit.

Many of the lovely necklaces here at The Gift Shop are part of a set of  matching necklace, earrings, and bracelet.