Artists have found a new haven at Scotts Valley Artisans, a boutique showcasing the fine artwork of about 50 local artists in the Kings Village Shopping Center in Scotts Valley.
The store, along with the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce, hosted a grand opening ceremony, including a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday, March 15, to celebrate the store’s official opening.
“We have such a great combination of work,” said Dawn Teall, who owns the store along with her mother, Pam Nielson. “We’re just so proud to have all the artists here.”
The boutique opened temporarily for several months during the holidays as a place for artists to display their work. It had a surprisingly good run, and Teall and Nielson decided to make it a permanent fixture in Scotts Valley. They worked with the Ow family, which owns the shopping center to set up a workable lease.
Roxie and Bambi Gribble, who own Scarf it Up and make hand-crafted jewelry and their unique necklace scarves have their work in the store.
“I’m really excited about it,” Roxie said. “So many stores that have carried my work have closed. There’s nothing like this in Scotts Valley or even in the county.”
Each of the Gribble’s scarves are named — “Stardust,” “Big Basin” and “Funhouse” to name a few — earning the names because of their color scheme.
Ben Lomond artist Bill Hackett, who carves faces and figurines out of various types of wood, and most uniquely, the core of golf balls, has a fine display of his wares in the store.
“The management understands the business of selling your art,” Hackett said, noting that he can remove his work from the store to take it to a show, and then return it to the same space without a quibble from management.
Jannea Varni, a Scotts Valley artist who has been selling hand-crafted sea glass jewelry called Imaginative Jewelry, was part of the successful holiday boutique and chose to stay on.
“I made contacts to where people now follow me at different shows,” Varni said. “It’s wonderful to have a place to send people.”
Artists are required to sign up for six months, said Teall, and the store keeps prices low by charging only a 15 percent commission to cover overhead costs.
Sally Wood of Sally Creations and Heather Richman known as The Crafty Fox are two glass artists who work together, but create different looks.
Both make colorful glass lampwork beads, fused glass art and enjoy each other’s company.
“The fun for us is using the same materials and tools and seeing how differently the things we make come out,” Wood said.
The two are interested in the possibility of demonstrating their techniques at the store, or potentially teaching classes.
Teall said the boutique hopes to grow. Already, they are setting up a wedding registry system and plan to highlight artists with various events throughout the year.
“Most importantly, it’s locally made art,” Teall said. “This is part of the green movement for artwork, and you’re supporting local artists.”
AT A GLANCE
Scotts Valley Artisans
222 Mount Hermon Road, Ste. I (Next to Erik’s DeliCafé)
Hours: Tuesday –10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays
