Detroit Free Press 12.7.07
-excerpt
You can dream all you want about a white Christmas, but this year it’s all about green.
Seriously.
Green — eco-friendly gifts — is the biggest trend in holiday giving.
It’s all about saving the Earth and turning what some might consider trash — found objects, old glass — to treasure.
Here’s a look at 10 things that make especially good green gifts for Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
And if none of these work, there’s always money — the ultimate in recycled paper!
2. Vintage cool. This green platter — great for serving cheese, since it comes with a cheese spreader — is made from recycled wine bottles. So go ahead, uncork another! You’re helping Mother Earth! It’s by Wild Eye Designs, $18.50 at Catching Fireflies, 3117 W. Twelve Mile, Berkley, 248-336-2030 and 203 E. University, Rochester, 248-650-3318. Also: www.catchingfireflies.com
timeless tiles
Meet Gretchen Kramp of Royal Oak, Michigan. She crafts wonderful decorative tiles that are truly timeless.
Gretchen graduated from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit in 1991 with a Bachelors of Fine Art majoring in painting and sculpture. At the time she was doing mixed media assemblages on wood, 3D paintings of sorts. 
She didn’t really acquire an interest in clay until she was out of school and working for local ceramicist Marcia Hovland. Through her, she was introduced to quite a few craftspeople making a living from their artwork and became more familiar with Pewabic Pottery, Detroit’s great local paradigm of Arts and Crafts style handmade tile.
Gretchen’s first tiles were just a batch of Christmas presents she made in December of 1994. She was immediately hooked.
In addition to selling her tiles at gallery and art fairs, Gretchen has designed and created two amazing installations for the Detroit Zoo – The National Amphibian Conservation Center.
..
…and the Artic Ring of Life.
A portion of her artist statement reads, "Clay is a wonderful material that really lets an artist have her way with it! Glazing, on the other hand is a difficult beast to tame. I mix my own glazes and it’s taken a lot of experimentation to figure out what works with my designs.
The best part of working in clay is opening up the kiln after firing a load of work. You never know exactly how things are going to look and it’s kind of like Christmas morning. (except once in a while I do get that lump of coal!)
The nice thing about being an artist is that I can incorporate any current interests I have into my work, whether it be entomology or motherhood, so I can’t imagine being bored. There are always new directions to explore and I’m are only limited by my imagination. (And budgets… And time….Ha!)"
I personally own over a dozen of Gretchen’s wonderful tiles. I especially like her little 2×2 gems that I sprinkle all over the house – like above our his & hers bathrobe hooks…
…and our front door light switch and guest bathroom soap dish.
We carry a small selection of Gretchen’s work at our Berkley & Rochester locations as well as her firefly tile online.
You can see her full display of tiles at her holiday home show this December 7th, 8th & 9th Friday 6-9, Saturday 10-5, Sunday 12-4 at 608 W. Houstonia Ave the little, funky-brick house 2 streets North of 12 Mile Between Main & Crooks in Royal Oak.
For additional information, you can contact Gretchen at (248) 616-1090.
decorate your house with the mouse
Why spend hours in the cold stringing lights and draping garland, when in a matter of minutes you could create a Christmas Extravaganza like this?
Yes, it’s true! With just a few clicks of your mouse, you too can have a holiday postcard-like photo of your very own home.
Happy Decorating!
Like learning about ultra hip sites? Simply subcribe to this blog and we’ll email you our latest and greatest finds. Pretty soon your friends and family will wonder how you’ve become such a trendy hipster (don’t worry…we won’t tell)
strut magazine 12.07
by Linda Lacina
Somehow, in addition to your significant other and immediate family, you also need a gift for your boss, your neighbor, you secret Santa, your hair dresser and your child’s bus driver. We’ve got the guide to get you through it – with most gifts for less than $30.
5. Write on… This Flip Notes pad is sized for the purse, and a great stocking stuffer for those hard-to-buy-for ladies on your list. $7.50 Available at our Berkley and Rochester locations.
(we also have flip notes available in mint and silver at www.catchingfireflies.com)
merry christmas charlie brown
When it comes to must have Christmas albums, this classic definitely ranks in my top three.
Here’s a little O Tannenbaum to get your toe tappin’.
A review reads, "The first time you listen to this disc you will undoubtedly be transported directly back to your childhood. Charles Schulz’s Peanuts characters will go toe-tapping and funky-dancing through your mind’s eye. Play it a few more times, though and you will begin to truly revel in Guaraldi’s wonderful, humorous, deep piano playing. You’ll hear why he’s such an influence on new age ivory tickler George Winston, but you’ll also realize that Winston’s holiday music never quite sparkles with the underlying passion, and humor, that twinkles in these grooves. Buy it for the nostalgia–keep it because it will remain one of the most enchanting albums in your holiday collection." –Michael Ruby
reporting from the big bright light show
I got a chance to chat with Dave LewAllen from Channel 7 News about Rochester’s Big Bright Light Show that kicked off Monday, November 26.
Even though the original interview was about 5 minutes long and I talked all about catching fireflies and how wonderful it was to be part of downtown Rochester… they used my silly stuttering 15 seconds for the evening news broadcast.
None the less… I do believe you got to see it for yourself. It really is like an amusement park set – ha ha! And starting December 2-21, our Rochester location will be open until 8pm Monday-Friday. So come on out and shop a little, eat a little and take in the spirit of the season.
sweet tree for sale
I was honored to be asked to participate in Friends of the RHPL Festival of the Trees this season. So I baked up a sweet tree full of 14 scrumptious looking ornaments, 10 gourmet lollipops, candy button garland, gumball lights and a candy cane yard stake to top it all off. I think this fun morsel would be adorable in a kitchen.
It’ll be on display with 15 other themed trees at the Rochester Hills Public Library from November 26 – December 9, 2007. If you like what you see, simply swing by the library and place your silent auction bid. My tree is valued over $100 and the starting bid is only $20.
Good luck!
Hour Detroit – 12.07
Past and Presents
Something about the spirit of giving is timeless. It transcends the ages. Mixing unexpected ideas creates unexpected gifts. Listen for clues. Look for hints. Then tickle their fancy with this and that. It needn’t be big, though extravagance is fun. Even a box of homemade cookies will do, along with hugs and kisses, of course.
Portraits by Roy Ritchie
retro rubber horse shoes game $12.50, John Wayne mini TV frame $17.50
eat dessert first canvas $22.50
felt fringe ball and felt dog bone $5.50 each
fairy lacing cards $15.00, microphone shower sponge $7.50, painted metal butterfly $14.50, food-to-go toy pack $9.50, picnic game $14.50
queen tolietry bag $16.50
rochester rocks the holiday season
Rochester has spirit – Yes they do! The city kicked off their first of many holiday festivities this weekend with the Christkindlmarkt, a German/American Christmas Market that offered one-of-a-kind shopping, seasonal greens, live holiday entertainment, traditional food & drink, and great gifts for the holidays.
It was a wonderful alternative to the hustle and bustle of 4am sales (can you believe they start that early now?), obnoxious lines and crazy behavior.
Our little store happened to be in the middle of this new holiday tradition and was buzzing all day long Friday and Saturday.
Friday night, Mr. & Mrs. Claus and their live reindeer (right next to our store!) helped announce the tree lighting.
We had a grand time and are looking forward to the future Christmas Festivities like… Lagniappe on Nov. 26 (where we’ll have live Christmas music and 20% off all ornaments from 6-9pm), The Big Bright Light Show, and the 56th Annual Christmas Parade.
In the world of strip malls and big box stores, we’re so happy that wonderful downtowns like Rochester continue to thrive. We’re blessed to be part of such a great community.
turkey tan lines
This funny photo came to me via a forwarded email and I couldn’t resist passing it on to all of you.
Now, you too can amuse your guests with turkey tan lines simply by strategically placing tin foil in the appropriate places while you roast your bird this Thursday.
Thanks Judy for sharing and Happy Thanksgiving!
