SELECT ITEMS ON SALE AT ARGENTUM 1/15/08-2/15/08

ARGENTUM IS HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE A SALE BEGINNING JAN. 15, 2008 AND ENDING FEB.15, 2008. SELECT ART ON SALE, SUCH AS LOVELY HAND CRAFTED WOODEN CUTTING BOARDS BY CORWIN BUTTERWORTH(http://corwinbutterworth.com/), COLORFUL GICLEE PRINTS BY JANET MCCRAW, ARCHITECTURAL FILM PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER UHRHANE(http://detailphoto.com/) OILS BY MYRON RUBENSTEIN (http://rubensteinfineart.net/), METAL WORK BY THEA ERNEST, SILKSCREENS BY JAMES POLISKY(http://jamespolisky.com/), STERLING JEWELRY BY DORA SZEKELY, BEADED JEWELRY BY JULIANNA RICCI (http://jriccidesigns.com/), DIGITAL IMAGES BY MAUREEN ZAHARIE (http://mobooksnart.com/) AND FILM PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA RYAN (http://gemineyephotography.org/) AND HAND KNIT SCARVES BY MELANIE MADDEN, TO NAME A FEW.

LOOKING FOR ARTISTS

AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR, ARGENTUM WILL BE LOOKING FOR SOME NEW ARTISTS TO SHOW THEIR WORK. ARGENTUM OFFERS THE ARTIST 60% OF THE SELLING PRICE OF THEIR ART, A SPOT ON THE WEBSITE WITH A LINK TO YOUR SITE, AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE YOUR OWN DISPLAY IN THE ARGENTUM FRONT WINDOW, HIGHLIGHTING YOUR WORK AND FEATURING THE ARTWORK OF OTHER ARGENTUM ARTISTS........PLEASE EMAIL ME BY VISITING http://ARGENTUMDESIGNS.COM. PLEASE BE READY TO SEND ME A JPEG OF YOUR WORK, PRIOR TO SETTING UP AN APPOINTMENT. OH, AND FEEL FREE TO PASS THIS ON TO THOSE ARTISTS WHO MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED! THANKS!

"Going North"

Sterling Earrings by Providence Jewelry Artist Heather Guidero

If you live in South County, RI, you know that sometimes you just have to do it; head "up north", meaning anything north of Wickford, RI. As I did yesterday for my traditional "Xmas shopping with mom excursion". Things are just more expensive in South County, and if you are on a tight budget as I am, then going "up north" is a necessity for holiday shopping. While shopping yesterday at the Warwick Mall, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by all the holiday regalia streaming from every possible corner. Xmas music abundant, choirs singing, people hustling by, and, in the words of Dr. Seuss from The Grinch, "all the noise, noise, noise!!!!" Being with my mom made it fun and the trip tolerable. Its a chance for us to catch up, and spend some quality time together. I love it.

Upon returning to my own home town of Wakefield, a sense of relief and calm settled over me.....how pretty and personal everything looks on Main St. The window displays at All That Matters, Purple Cow, Myopic Books, Orangelola, to name a few, all looked so warm and inviting. I love my little town. And I love that most of the merchants up/down Wakefield support artists and artisans in their shops. Most items are made by actual people and not machines or children.

I know that some of my presents this xmas will have been made this way, and i tell myself its because i cant afford to just by locally. I could just not buy at all, but I know this is not socially acceptable behavior and, being just as vulnerable as anyone to the idea of wanting to be liked, I succumb to the pressure. What does make me feel better is only purchasing a minimal amount of items from"up north" and supporting our local merchants to the best of my financial ability. So, it is with this sentiment that I extend to all my customers, a heartfelt "thank you" for purchasing your xmas/holiday gifts at my shop and from the others up/down Main St. We rely on you......

The season in full swing...

We are in holiday full season mode at Argentum. Work, work, work all day. At the end of a long day, I like to have a few minutes to myself to reflect and wind down. Today I am thinking of all the people who have made sacrifices to help me make Argentum succeed. Since beginning Argentum almost two years ago, I have had limited amount of spare time to share with my family and friends. I have missed bithdays, recitals and other special events. I have had to schedule time to spend with my best friends. I am so thankful they understand my commitment to the shop. I have never worked so hard in my life and I have never not seen my family and friends so much. My friend Lorie stopped in the shop today. I missed her two-day summer bash this summer, yet she found a way to forgive me and understand that if she wanted to see me, she would need to see me where I practically live. I am humbled by my parents, friends (you know who you are)who have been so patient with me during this time. I love you all.

OK, enough sappy gunk. Its late and its time for me to close.

ARTOMAT and FREE ORNAMENT ENGRAVING

Don't forget!!! ART-O-MAT tokens and art make fantastic and creative stocking stuffers!!!!! Make someone the owner of original art for $5.35!!!! Also, free engraving is available for all stained glass tree toppers and ornaments made by Luisa DeLuca/Argentum. Engraving really personalizes an ornament and makes it a treasured keepsake for years. As always, happy shopping!!!!

Ladie's night success and now crunch time!

Ladie's night was a success, we had at least one hundred people make their way down the hall to Argentum. The cider and brownies were a hit (thanks to the baking expertise of Melanie Madden)and we had a raffle winner! The lucky winner was Barbie French from Wakefield, and she was overjoyed at having won a piece of jewelry from Argentum. Now, its crunch time. A time to get all the stained glass stars made, ornaments, tree toppers, etc. Come see the paintings on sale by Julianna Ricci and the new stained glass lamp by Kristen Hudgik
....its a beautiful medieval inspired hand painted stained glass table top lamp....purely one of a kind.