A few of your favorite things...

Sing:Ice on the windows
with old-looking granite
Ellicott City
is my favorite planet
Red decked-out windows
and steep sited streets

Come here and see
all the nice folks...you meet!

Refrain, minor key:
When the news bites!
When the words hurt!
When you’re feeling mad...
Upbeat again:

Remember a few of my favorite things,
And then you can sing
once more!

Narrative begins here: My second holiday feature, after the last overview, proceeded according to plan, mostly--to interview three women in three different shops on Main Street (owners and/or staff members, but a very short interview).

The question:

What is your favorite item in the store that reminds you of the holiday spirit...something you may have feelings about? That question works for me, but then I am a viewer, a passerby, and frequently a buyer.

For a change, I parked in Lot B, near the Patapsco River Bridge, put $.50 in a meter, then noticed it said DEAD, and wondered if this meant FREE? Deciding it did not, I moved my car and guess what? Someone had left over an hour on the meter...quid pro quo.

First stop: ZEBOP and Kate St. John: I asked Kate the "favorite thing" question as she came down from a display ladder and it became very quiet. I suggested it might include peace and love! "Of course! It's this jacket with the peace sign on it!" And beautiful it is...

But you have to visit Zebop to see it in reality!

Next, I walked up the hill to Still Life Gallery and posed the question to owner and artist, Rebecca Weber.

One of her holiday rituals is to pick bittersweet, and she offered me this photo (see below).

To my question, Rebecca answered without hesitation: "These T'boli Bells," pointing to them on display. I told her I had seen them online and was fascinated. This is what I read on the Still Life web site:

Originally placed in home entrances to ward off evil spirits, these bells are handmade by the T'boli people of the southern Philippines. Recycled brass is cast from beeswax, with inticate, traditional details decorating the outer shell. Purchase of these bells helps to preserve and protect the T'boli culture.
Finally, across the street and down the hill to Country Crafters, owned by Jane Phillips; I visit the shop at least once a season and have created a blog feature on it--and her. Jane was out, but Natalie, a fairly new staffer was in. I posed the question to her as I walked around looking at items. The store is packed with wonderful figurines, jewelry...always fun. She sighed and said "Oh, I can't possibly answer that, and continued unpacking boxes." So, I decided to choose with her and we started to have fun. I pointed to the hands!

So, now you know:

My favorite thing right now are these big sculptural hands that hold jewelry. And the ones you feature are very heavy, substantial so they won't tip over.

AND, I added, I want to buy one, the brown one (there were hands in black and one in white as well).

In order to experience the historic district, with its joyful holiday flavor, do take the walk soon. You will be glad you did!

Blog feature, content/photos, unless

otherwise noted: Kay Weeks

Tree with birds and ornaments

in Still Life Gallery.Thanks to Kate, Rebecca and Natalie for their time and enthusiasm!

12.11.10

Be sure to visit Jeremy Kipp Clarks

web site: http://www.ellicottcity.net/