On Friday afternoon, I decided to hop back to the Winter Fantasy at Sawdust (my 4th visit this season) to purchase more of the coolest gifts on the planet from our own Artist Colony, Laguna Beach. As I walked back to my car loaded with packages, bags and bows, I felt quite sure that Santa will elevate my status to Superintendent Elf.
Winter Fantasy is open today (Sunday) from 10 am - 7 pm. It’s last weekend is this coming Friday-Sunday, Dec. 20th - Dec. 22nd, also 10 am to 7 pm. Just roll up to the ticket windows on site or get instant tickets online here:
Seriously, folks, this is where you get all the hostess gifts, stocking stuffers and surprise amazing gifts for all the people you like and love. I’ve shipped Mike Brennan’s Raku, Amy Kaplan’s trivets, Baruch Kaufman’s necklaces, Donna Ballard’s intricate Christmas trees, Suzi White’s toques and caps, Christopher Jeffries’ glass-blown ornaments, Michelle Burt’s scarves and paintings and more, more, more all over the world.
Not one of my recipients has ever said their gift was the wrong size or asked for a return. Everyone is absolutely charmed to receive a one-of-a-kind gift from our own artists.
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Here’s a quick compilation of photos from my multiple visits - just a handful of 180 artists are pictured here! Click on the galleries for zoomed views.
TOP ROW FROM LEFT: Starting with a little bubbly is the festive thing to do. Me and gal friends cleared out much of Amy Kaplan's trivets. MIDDLE ROW: Baruch Kaufman behind his necklace tree priced just right, me and gal friends with Baruch, Gavin Heath's South African flare. BOTTOM ROW: Donna Ballard with one of her trees and multiple Ballard ornaments we purchased for grandkids and friends, Krishnan Iyer's phenom photography.
TOP ROW FROM LEFT: Lisa (mom) and Tessa (daughter) Mansour prove that art runs in the family blood, Michelle Burt's inspirational pieces, Mike Brennan's Roku and Horsehair pottery. MIDDLE ROW: Rachel Goberman's intricate necklaces, Robert Jones' food-safe ceramics, Shane Dunlap's comic relief and his shared booth partner - Suzi White's remaining toques and famous Santa hats - that's me wearing the one I purchased on opening weekend, and last photo is buddy Troy standing in for Bruce Freund who was in the glass blowing exhibit. Bruce's yard art, foreground, is quite the rage.
TOP FROM LEFT: I had a great chat with Terry Tuzzolino who specializes in wood lathe projects like cutting boards and this awesome bowl with ground coffee worked into the resin. His pens are quite charming as they're made from everything from ground up money to popcorn, rice and even sawdust from the Sawdust (in close up photo here). MIDDLE ROW: Sylvia Simmons mosaic glass is a stunner, too. And, remember, there's always great food here - Evan's Gourmet is always in order for burgers and her smoky awesome tomato bisque. (That's Chef Evan ready to take your order.)Gonzo is her next door neighbor with Taco Loco love still coming your way, and my friends at GG's Bistro on the opposite corner offers up amazing gyros, kebabs and crisp salads.
