BeJeweled JEWEL

JEWEL of Woodstock, a dream come true. Not long ago Ronny and MIchael lived in the Real World as they dreamt their dream of Jewel. Ronny, director of human resources at CUNY in NYC wore a suit every day, and although I don't know this for sure I'm afraid her husband Michael may have too. We shudder to think of such things up here, but we all know people who do it don't we? And we hope, just like they do, that at some point they are able to toss the working stiffness, and find themselves accidentally running into town in their pajamas. Now I'm not saying I've seen Ronny or Michael in their pj's but I have seen and been inside their living and sparkling dream, Jewel. As Ronny explains it, the suits she wore were spiced up with her own taste for the eclectic. She donned her tamer garments with flare as she gathered treasures going to local craft fairs. That collection of hers as well as her eye grew until it blossomed into a destination shopping experience. Jewel prides itself on showcasing local and International artists such as Mandara Calderon, Carolyn Baum, Harriet Forman Barrett, and Liz Horn/Ron Zukor, Philippa Kunish, Sobrel, Ann Herring, and Mindy Ackerman, among others. If you like your fancy tickled you are sure to find it here. Boasting a broad spectrum when it comes to price points, Jewel satisfies every budget and personality with it's array of visual goodies. Cross the street from the Green and turn right for a quick hopping skip and you'll be there.

21 Tinker Street
Woodstock, NY 12498
(845) 679-3775

Crow or Raven?

"If men had wings and bore black feathers, few of them would be clever enough to be crows." Henry Ward Beecher. The crow is a creature of much fascination and perhaps that accounts for the popularity of this set, or perhaps it's because they're masterfully crafted. With these pieces this artist honors many other animals in her jewelry designs, see more at Jewel.

Earrings to match, keep scrolling it just gets better and better.

SOOOOO many magnificent handbags...

Discomania!

My cuff runneth over! Of course it is how could you ever pick just one? These resin beauties are as durable as they are pretty.

The fruit of Carolyn Baum's labor, inspired by Chihuly. Seascape geode,for wearing summer all year long.

JAY + RITA = JARITA'S

For 33! yes 33! years this wife and husband team has been brightening and lightening the winter blues with splashes of every season's souvenirs. Jarita's is a family run florist right in the heart of Woodstock. Directly across the street from the Green, you'll find any and everything you need to happify your house or fill your empty hands for the next dinner party. Their selection of Mother Nature's jewels showcases Her breathless perfection. There's a busy bee'ness upstairs out of sight where all the arrangements manifest. So if you don't see it, be sure to ask. From specialty gift baskets to one of a kind bouquets, Jaritas, Jaritas, Jaritas, pretty, pretty, oh so pretty, please! For MUCH more information visit their website to get an idea of what all this top of the line floral boutique has to offer.

www.jaritas.com

Jarita's Florist
17 Tinker St
Woodstock, NY
12498
(845) 679-6161

or (877) JARITAS
(877) 527-4827

We may not have sunny days, but at JARITA'S we sure have sunny flowers.

The all season Magnolia leaf wreath, the epitome of rustic, upcountry chic.

Not your everyday vase, but Jaritas has those too....from exceptional to classic, house your flowers here.

Looking more along the lines of a sustainable European Pot Garden? No problem, see you soon!

Red roses red roses please send them right over! Valentines day or not this magnificent creature could be yours, or hers, or his, or...

Clouds of Woodstock, nothing but silver linings and sterling people, everywhere you look.

Imagine downsizing a museum into the corner store. I couldn't begin to tell the love story of Clouds so I'm not going to try. I've had trouble narrowing the other posts down when it comes to writing about all my favorite people and their respective stores in town, but this one really is impossible. Clouds was the first retail space I stepped into when I came to Woodstock 10 years ago. The amount of hours I've spent in here are some of my favorite memories, for too many reasons. As I sit here staring at this computer screen remembering all those reasons the night is whizzing by and the morning is coming fast. I'm going to lift their artist list from their website and hope these photos tell the some of story you need to read. I love this place, I LOVE these people, so SO much! Tell them the bunny lady sent ya. ; )

James Aarons, Ben Accorso, Loy Allen, Scott Amrhein, AS Batle, Michael Banzhaf, Geoffrey Beetem, Paul Bendzunas Glass, Nicholas Bernard, Alexis Bittar, Bradford Wood, Rebekah Brooks Jewelry, Amy Bruml, Page Candler, C&H Glassworks, Donald Carlson, Charsinsky, Chatam Glass, Chee-Me-No Jewelry, Correia Glass, Paul Counts, Cuneo Furnace, Steve Dixon, Double Space, Eickholt Glass, Isha Elafi, Experimetal, Fire & Light, Jemerick Art Pottery, Fritz Glass, Roger Gandelman, Tracy Glover, Christina Goodman, Paul Harrie Art Glass, Robert Held, Gerhard Herbst, Hessel Studios, Hog Hill Poettery, Wes Hunting, Infinity Metal,Jeffries Glass, Jemerick Art Pottery, Jewelers Guild, Peter Karner, Kaser Glass, Dana Kellin, Becky Kelso, Ananda Khalsa, Jessie Kislin, Ann Krupp, La Chaussee, Kyle Leister, David Leppla, Ed Levin, Lotton Studios, Lundberg Studios, Christine Mackellar, Mad Art, Mediums to Masses, Melissa Joy Manning, Richard Messina Designs, Greg Milne Raku Vessels, Elise Moran, Motawi Tile Works, Mummy's Bundle, Natural Elements, Orient & Flume, Robert Orsini, Paradox Pottery, Jeanine Payer, Perpetual Flux Lamps, Peterman Baskets and Bowls, Phoenix Studios, Mark Poulin, Esteban Prieto, Sarah Richardson, Peet Robinson, RPM Studios, Run Run Studios, Saenger Porcelain, David Salazar, Satava Art Glass, Caleb Siemon, Schlecht Silver, William Scholl, Jeffrey Seaton, Julie Shaw, Shipwrecked, Josh Simpson, Anne Sportun, Tom Stoenner, Studio 311, Sue Trueman Menorahs, Sugarboo Designs, Union Street Glass, David Urso, Vandermark-Merritt Glass, Vitrix Glass, Wauhatchie Glassworks, Laura Wilensky, Willsea O'Brien, Zaytceva Designs, Zellique Art Glass, Zweifel Glass.

CLOUDS GALLERY
1 Mill Hill Road
Woodstock, NY 12498-1307
(845) 679-8155

http://www.cloudsofwoodstock.com/

All that glitters isn't gold. Sometimes it's glass.

In a town that's lost it's marbles, Clouds has more than enough.

Sometimes less is more, and...

then sometimes more is more!

Precious little handmade glass boxes.

Stairway to heaven.

Your idea of God, Fats and I are wishing you all potentially the best year EVER!

The most enchanted church in the world. It's ok to play favorites with Churches right?

If you see a tall, thin, long haired blonde man walking around town, wearing a black, floor length garment, donning a sizeable hat and he answers to the name of Jack, then do say hello. This is the church that Jack built, or that Jack keeps built, or however you want to say it. Ask him about the schedule if you care to attend a service, but the doors are always open so even if he's not there, you can go inside and have a one on one with that which moves you.

directions:

It's at the top of the mountain.
Turn right at the green and keep going up.
If you get to the monastery you've gone a
little too far.

Avalon, up up and away....

Alas the lovely Miss Avalon Peacock has returned from Nashville, rescued the contents of her storage unit and flown across the pond. She's building her new nest in the United Kingdom. Don't worry she's got a pocket full of fats's fur to protect her. She'll be back, but until then keep in touch with her via one of her myspace pages. OH and did you see her on CMT??? If not there's some great clips, check her out.

http://www.myspace.com/ryanandavalon

American Track is a song by Chase Pierson, waaaAAAAAAy too much to say about Chase, I'm saving his post for a snowy day. Here's his myspace songwriting link though.

http://www.myspace.com/chasepiersonmusic

Besides everything else she is, Avalon is a fantastic photographer so if you need one over there around Leeds, type up! Or forever hold your fingers.

cha cha cha CHANGES!

Behind this unassuming beige exterior lies the best Upstate men's just-about-everything selection and quite possibly the best Upstate man as well. I could go on and on about Lou, but is this really the place for that? What the heck, I'll keep it short. Lou is the type of person that sets the world right, no matter WHAT is happening. Regardless of how topsy turvy things may get, Lou, without doing a damn thing but smile, makes everything alright. We all need a Lou. If you don't already have one, you can borrow ours.

Step inside for all sorts of surprises!

Right across the street from the Green, here's the skinny on CHANGES:


19 Tinker St
Woodstock, NY
12498
845.679.4750

Hugo Boss, in a town without a stop light.

Is this really possible? Amidst the tie-dyed shirts and flowing robes of Woodstock's finest, is the most innovative menswear store upstate new york. Changes. Truly a place for the man who has everything or thinks he does anyway.

So perhaps it's not the greatest photo, but definitely some of the greatest and most classic hats!

Sterling Silver barbed wire cufflinks....where are my french cuffs when i need them?!?!?

Handmade by local artisan, Bill Miles.

Tie me up tie me down....Lou's store makes me almost wish I was a man. Finally some choices for the fashion repressed gender.

Happy Socks=Happy Feet=Happy Person.

Eyebobs.

If you venture past Joshua's and brave crossing the street you'll find one of Woodstock's true gems....Walkabout, think turquoise!

So many people that come to Woodstock do an about face at the first corner. You can sit and watch it happen as crowds of people look down the street but decide not to cross it. If you're one of those people you're missing out. So very much is beyond that corner and WALKABOUT is one of them. Bryn Kelsey, a lifetime traveller with a top notch esoteric eye offers you furthest reaches the world in every way possible. So if you just can't swing a trip to Timbuktu this winter, plan a trip to walkabout to tide you over.

68 Tinker Street
Woodstock, New York
12498

845.679.8288

Website:

www.walkaboutwoodstock.com

Directions: if you start at the 'Green' (that sidewalk triangle thing in the center of town) stay on that side of the street and walk down the hill. You're at the crest of a hill so which way down the hill you might be wondering? If you're at the Green and looking across the street at the Corner Cupboard turn right and stay on Tinker Street. You'll cross over a lovely little stream and Walkabout is a few steps beyond....in more ways than one!

Welcome.

Ancient marionette befriends a little bit of Horus.

Bountiful buddhas.

This explanation was lifted off the Walkabout website. Please check her out online, next best thing to being there. Just in case you didn't see it up there with all her other information, here it is again.

http://www.walkaboutwoodstock.com/.

Deities assume a variety of forms, but are frequently depicted as having human or animal form. Some faiths and traditions consider it blasphemous to imagine or depict the deity as having any concrete form. They are usually immortal. They are commonly assumed to have personalities and to possess consciousness, intellects, desires, and emotions much like humans.

Esoteric accoutrements? Walkabout, the real friggin' deal.

The mighty Tiny's store, "Wild and Sweet"....you can say that again and again and again....eye candy galore!

How do you possibly sum up Tiny, or her store WILD AND SWEET in a quickie blog post? You can't! So I release myself from this overwhelming task and suffice to say that Tiny is one of Woodstock's cornerstones of happy! WILD AND SWEET is the standstill evidence of such, even if the almighty proprietor Tiny isn't in there. Usually she is though and wooOOO if you catch her. If not, her staff (a bevy of beauties!) will NOT disappoint. Yes, she and her store are both modest in size, but don't let that fool ya, you'll be amazed how many treasures can be found inside. Because I can't simply begin to talk about the wide scope of her inventory, I'm going to focus on my favorite part of Wild and Sweet....her socks and stockings! Scroll down a few photos to see what I mean.




WILD AND SWEET
17 Tinker Street
Woodstock, NY 12498

(845) 679-1163

If you're standing at the Green, facing the Corner Cupboard....cross the street and go right for a few, don't blink it's right there! Next to the florist Jarita's

In a word, scarves.

For little toes toasty.

TIGHTS G L O R I U S TIGHTS!

Here's a few of those aforementioned tights! It saddens me to admit this may be the last season I try to wear my 7 year old tattoo tights. 7 years old, did you read that right? YES! And I haven't even done a darn thing special to care for them. I've just loved them as if they were my own skin. Which most people think they are when they see them. I get stopped all the time by those who wonder if I really have had both of my legs fully tattooed. I tell them it's just my tights. The next question is always the same and so is the answer....WILD AND SWEET, Woodstock New York.

Not your average hoodies.

Helloooooooo VIDAKAFKA!

Oh my gosh, another challenge as far as trying to figure out how to concisely convey what this store means to me or any woman out there who has had the pleasure of walking through this irresistible door. VIDAKAFKA VIDAKAFKA VIDAKAFKA!!! Ladies and gentlemen please treat yourself! Besides having silk long johns, which will alter your winter reality drastically for the better....you have at your fingertips the most exquisite lingerie imaginable, including the everyday staples. Stepping inside VIDAKAFKA is like walking into the coziest of dressing rooms where you instantly feel right at home and can't wait to start trying things on. You can't ignore the Parisian feel, except much friendlier....it's hard to describe so just go and save me the trouble of having to try to convince you!



VIDAKAFKA Boutique
43 Tinker Street
Woodstock, NY
12498-1234
845.679.9139

Do NOT hesitate, set the record straight with old man winter and see who comes out feeling warm and victorious!

These sell out quickly so hurry up and order some if you can't come by in person.


Phone: (845) 679-9139

The official panty endorsed by Sex and the City.

Just out of reach.

Since this is a lingerie store post I'm going to add it something rather personal. I have one of those hard to fit bodies....not a lot of cleavage if you know what I mean, ok not ANY cleavage! Anyway, like so many women, for so many reasons we all know the feeling of leaving an intimate apparel store feeling down about our bodies and coincidentally ourselves. This place Vidakafka eliminates that all too familiar feeling. I was in there one day having a silent meltdown wishing for some little something that would make me feel beautiful, Nancy observed my shopping style for about 5 minutes and started pulling hangers from the abundantly stocked racks. With each piece that she chose for me to try on i just couldn't believe how great i felt. Besides knowing her collection, she knows bodies. Each delicate whisper of a thing that she picked out for me looked and fit so perfect. She changed the way I saw myself and I will never underestimate the eye of a skilled clothier again.

So if you have any hang ups about your body and you're coming to Woodstock, reserve some time to get almost naked with Nancy at VIDAKAFKA. You'll be leaving that shyer side of yourself on the sidewalk, I promise!

Kissing distance.

The lace factor alone is enough to make you take out another mortgage on your home in exchange for a VIDAKAFKA account.

Vive your lingerie!!

This product makes all the difference in the world when it comes to preserving your delicates. Don't leave the store without it.