The Cooperage - a gift shop in Townsend, Mass.

I discovered the cutest store this weekend! It's the kind of place that makes me fall in love with New England all over again. It is an old mill building right on a rushing waterfall, and it's called The Cooperage. They have an eclectic mix of items and a wonderful, warm atmosphere. If you click here for their web site, you can see a photo gallery of the inside and outside of this lovely old store. The owner, Susan Bates, is the nicest lady who just loves to talk with her customers. When I was there, an adorable little sheep--I mean, a DOG--got down off his cozy spot on the couch and let me pet his soft curly hair. I was enchanted with the sweet little fellow (and that is really saying something since I generally am not considered a "dog person".)

I had a really good time there, and of course my full disclosure would not be complete if I didn't say that Susan also bought a bunch of my cards and magnets. She's got an "animal corner" of her store with animal-themed gifts, both for humans and for the animals (like catnip).

I'd probably say more, but I am being called by my son...he needs help with yet another project involving the Solar System.

Art Workshop by Susan Champeny

I've been busy discovering (and selling to) new stores! And, of course, keeping up with the creation of new designs and merchandise to sell. Sometimes the blogging takes a break when I get this busy.

First, let me say that my friend Susan Champeny is at it again. She is offering an art workshop on Saturday, March 29 at the Alternatives Unlimited building in Whitinsville. It is called "Paint Beyond the Horizon Line - create landscape greeting cards with artist Susan Champeny". Contact Sue at champeny@attglobal.net for more information. She has a nifty emailed postcard she can send you with more about what she will be teaching and a sample of her technique.

As for my latest news, I will be writing about those adventures in my next blog entry. (I like to keep topics separate.)

Crow Feathers Shop - Blackstone, Mass.

Last night I found out about a small shop in a barn in Blackstone, Ma. Called "Crow
Feathers". Here's how the owner, homeschooling mom Jeannine Manzola, describes it: " It's a combination of bulk herbs, herbal products I make, and salvaged things I find here and there. It has a bit of everything, including hand crafted furniture my husband makes and walking
sticks from the homeschooling family up the street. I also carry heirloom organic seeds and garden stuff in the spring. The name Crow Feathers came about because I was getting in touch with my Cherokee roots," Jeannine explains. "My Grandfather on my father's side was Cherokee, as was my Great Grandmother on my mother's side.

This lady's pretty amazing. I have not met her yet, but when I found out some of the things she's involved in, I could tell she is someone special. She's got a large house in Maine, a former tavern built in 1804, that she's turning into a retreat called The Bloomin' Lupine. She's also involved with some other local homeschooling moms in helping to establish a farmers market arrangement at a renovated, very "green," mill site in Whitinsville, Mass. to feature local artisans, crafters, and farmers. (Some of these homeschooling mothers are amazing. Where do they--we--find the time? As the old saying goes, "if you want something done, ask a busy person.")

Anyway, The Crow Feathers shop is located at 26 Chestnut Street, Blackstone, MA. They're open by chance or by appointment, and the phone number is (508) 883-1033 or (508) 330-1636.

Lottie Ta Dah (gifts & jewelry) - Hudson, Mass.

Ok, so after I went to Serendipity (see my latest post, below), I glanced over at the car and sure enough, my son and husband were still happily dozing. Time for one more store! (It’s wonderful, really, as nice art & gift shops had been increasingly hard for me to visit since my little one became mobile. It’s only now that he is nearly five years old, that I’m beginning to be able to trust him in such places--places full of what we call “breakables”. But I digress..)

Right around the corner from Serendipity, located on the rotary in the center of Hudson, is another lovely shop called Lottie Ta Dah. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to stop in there, but I’m usually whizzing around the rotary with a child in the back seat, so I just never have until now. I wish I hadn’t waited so long. It’s a place that is at once fun and elegant, and full of unique items. And you’ve really got to check out their web site (www.lottietadah.com) and read the story about how that name came about. The owner, Kim Gilligan, is yet another one of those fabulous woman/mom entrepreneurs who I admire so much. In the interest of full disclosure, I now have some of my art for sale there at Lottie Ta Dah, so while I am telling you what a great store it is (which it is), you must know that having my art there increases my own level of excitement! If you stop by, tell Kim you heard about her store from me.

Serendipity (gifts & art) Hudson, Mass.

I am so glad I didn’t let yesterday’s nasty weather keep me from going out. The family piled into the car and we took a drive out to Hudson, Mass. My goal was to investigate a store that I heard about from a fellow artist (Sarah Stallings of www.3catnite.com). Since my husband was with me, there would be someone to watch my little boy while I went in. Well, it turns out I might have had a nice visit even if my husband wasn’t there to watch the little guy, because this store has a play room for children! Let me tell you who this ingenious woman is. Her name is Lori Burton and her store is Serendipity. (Lori knows about the need for a childrens’ area because she’s a mom of a young one herself, but this brilliant feature is something you just never see in high quality gift stores.) You MUST go to this store! It is bright and cheerful and the art is so original and beautiful, your spirits will be lifted merely by walking through the door. Lori was nice enough to talk to me, despite the fact that her store was very busy indeed. Why not take a look at the web site (www.serendipityinhudson.com) and read Lori’s terrific story. And for all you guys out there....Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. (hint, hint)

Stay tuned for my next post, about another great Hudson find...