From California to Long Island, the phone calls kept coming. The only redeeming quality in this disaster was to be reminded of the many lives you have touched and became entwined with; to see the outpouring of human kindness one to another in Joplin’s unparalleled time of need.

As I write, it has been 18 days since the tornado hit. Photos and news cast can’t begin to document this devastation! In many parts of Joplin, it’s as far as the eye can see. “The enormity of it” is a phrase I’ve often used.

As I drive down 20th street, knowing what once was there, I can only describe it as a desert. The sand has been replaced by rubble; masses of splintered 2×4’s, sheet metal, roof shingles, etc. The cactuses are trees, their arms and limbs truncated, looking to the sky as to wonder why. The boulders are masses of metal and steel, once automobiles; twisted chess pieces of nature’s sport. Here I am falling into the trap of trying to describe something that everyone who has witnessed knows is indescribable.

For those of you in the faith, I would encourage you to keep sending your prayers for the manifold needs that need to be met. I would especially encourage you to remember the families of those countless lives that have been lost. Some of these families, even in their darkest hour, have been able to take that first step of “closure”. Their loved ones recovered and identified; their spirits laid to rest.

The grim reality of this morass is that many will not be able to take that first noble step. The translation of their loved one(s) many never be more than it already is; a nebulous gray area, always circling around them; wondering and pondering, as they are forced to yield to these councils of delay. I ask that you lift these spirits up, as if they were your own.

If you would like to contribute to Joplin’s disaster relief, you may do so by visiting the following website. Just click here http://rebuildjoplin.org/donate. This website has various organizations to choose from.

We’re editing walls and making space, getting ready for new merchandise that has been arriving; spring will be budding in the store very soon!

Fresh artwork and lighting, and more to come…

What better time to use those gift cards you received for Christmas!  Bring some warmth to old man winter, come in and pick something that will get you through until the sun is shining and the birds start chirping again…

To Market,
To Market,
Off we go…

Here’s a little bit of what’s new this season and in the store now…

Bring a splash of spring home with a new piece of pottery… We have various colors, shapes and sizes to pick from.  Jazz up a coffee table, maybe bring some color to a bookcase,  or use as a centerpiece with a snazzy spring floral inside.

Below we used two pieces of this sage green in a collage of goodies atop this rustic round coffee table.  The color mixes well with the components in the collection and brings the urge for green indoors…hmmm, very inviting!

Great looking shapes and so many sizes to choose from…

Look at the splash of color this tall vase with simple greens adds to this bath; makes the giant garden tub very enticing!

These vibrant blues make you daydream of summer sky’s!

Oh…by the way, that wonderful lamp that’s been in the background of the pottery shots is NEW too!  We have some great new lighting in the store with much more to come!

Here we have yet another color in the pottery…White!  But look at these great black lanterns…I am sitting here thinking of a million wonderful ways to use them, what do you think?!?!

These vintage looking toile trays are fabulous to create a collection by adding candle sticks, stacking books, finials, or maybe a collection of your favorite jars…

I love, love, love these new kitchen towel sets that just arrived!  I think I might actually like doing my dishes with these hanging around…well, let’s not go that far!  Instead look what I come up with to add a little spring to the dining area…

Isn’t this fun?!?!  Using them as a napkin brings in a fresh element to this tabletop. Here’s a close-up…

Max & I are off to market this week…weather permitting!  I hope to take some pictures while we are gone to share with you next week.  Stay warm and see you soon!

As impatient wings bring a close to another year, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our progress possible. Cheers to each of you, and to another great year! Wishing you days filled with peace, joy, and laughter; and prosperity in the New Year, from your friends who will strive to find more ways to inspire, and welcome you, at Sandstone Gardens.

Vicki & I would like to extend a special thank you to our customers, but also to our staff and employees who helped make a great year! Many transitions occurred, and with each one it kept getting better and better.

The response and reviews from our customers in the past six months have been that the store was extraordinary, the best they had seen it since we opened; and also, the great service they received while they were here.

Keeping up with the inventory and displays at Sandstone Gardens is an arduous task. Vicki & I will always give credit where credit is due. To our customers and staff, thank you for a great year.

The bells are ringing, the trees are trimmed and shopping is in the air!  The excitement of holiday shopping can sometimes become a stress when you are trying to find that perfect gift for everyone on your list…

Well maybe we can help!  We gathered a few of our favorites from around the store and some of the top picks on wish lists this year.

Cutting Boards

These unique cutting boards are made of reclaimed cypress, walnut, and maple woods from the Louisiana area.  This is a great gift pick for your culinary lover on your list.  Not only designed well for their functional purpose, the color tones of the wood include chocolates, neutrals, gold, and wine tones to embellish your kitchen’s décor.

Beverage Jars

These beverage jars have a vintage look with the seeded glass and the bottom looks like an old pickle crock.  Coming in three colors these jars are ready to get the “Christmas Spirits” flowing, and will be great for your summertime lemonades and sangrias as well!

Known as the symbol of “welcome”, this pineapple beverage container would be a great gift, and have a delightful presence in its new home.

Cucina Hand Care Products

From Italy to your kitchen, these hand products will appeal to your inner epicure.  Cucina hand care products are enriched with olive oil and olive leaf extract, which combine purifying and moisturizing properties to leave hands fragrant and velvety smooth.

Holiday Tea Light Holders

Brighten up this year’s Holiday Season, and future ones as well from our vast selection of votives and tea light holders.  The glow of a receiving friend’s face, from year to year, a memory you can’t replace.

Candle Sticks

Candlesticks can always find a place to light in the home décor.  This rustic set of three in staggered heights with the faux diamond tops will reflect the candlelight a myriad of ways. This square architectural crystal set is a great anchor for a setting, and wonderful to start a collection of candle sticks as well.

Finials

Birds are great accents in a lot of different settings, always making your day a little brighter where ever we decide to place them.  Birds on the finials and spheres have really been popular both at the store and at our shows.

Santa’s Hot Cocoa & Cookies…

These festive tea sets, serving platters, and dessert dishes make for a fun gal pal gift!!

Sandstone Gardens Gift Cards

Maybe you just can’t decide which would bring a smile to their face and warm the heart… A gift card is great to let them pick the perfect gift of the season!  You can purchase gift cards at the store or by phone.

Merry Shopping!!                                   

Last week we shared with you some pictures of our exciting and successful show at the Nutcracker Market in Houston, Texas and the finished product, so to speak.  We thought we’d share some of the insight, preparation, and details that lead to the final results.  Markets like this from the east to west coast, over the years have been an incredible “live and learn” process, and stepping stones for Sandstone Gardens, as you know it today.   

 “Set-up” for the Market is a three-day period in which all merchants must start and complete the construction of their exhibit space (booth).  Our booth is a 40ft wide x 14ft deep space.  In a venue and setting that is constantly horizontal, we do everything we can to be as vertical as possible. 

Carlos and Dale start assembling one of five 10ft high x 12ft wide display sections. 

Carlos and Joel secure the top supports to each section.  This will allow us to display more products on the top of the displays. 

Carlos starts securing all the display sections together for adding stability.  This is essential with all the weight that will eventually end up on them with product and visual effects, and at this market we brought an abundance of tree limbs that will be attached to them as well. 

Jose is attaching the A frame peaks to each of the display sections, another layer of visual effects. 

Dale and Carlos are attaching wrought iron gates that will flank the back and front center displays. 

As we are creating a visual wonderland, we take in to consideration the stability factor… These iron gates not only provide an intriguing backdrop for merchandise, but also lend a hand to secure the tall display sections.  Again in the picture below, a cast-stone stable is used to secure a portion of the back display, along with providing a large space for products. 

Joel and Carlos place the 3pc demi-loom table which will anchor the middle back of the booth. 

This china cabinet anchors the back center wall as another visual layer to the table shown above. 

Two more stone tables are added to this same back center display for more layers.  Again, adding stability to the display sections and being utilized as another visual layer for merchandise. 

Jose starts wiring and screwing the tree branches to the west end of the booth. 

Though anchored to the display, Vicki has Jose start them where they will lend the illusion of coming from the urns, then more color and greenery will be added. 

Jose is wiring more branches, and more branches…  The booth had at least 12 to 14 places where gatherings of 3 to 5 branches were placed. 

Dale and Jose start hanging antique windows from the center front display. 

We brought 12-15 of our antique windows that we purchased at the Brimfield, Massachusetts Antique Fair in the past years.  The windows make a great backdrop in the back displays, and serve as a room divider as well in this front center display.  We felt the windows would be a nice added touch, and knew the vintage look is very accepted and used in Texas. 

The flocked Christmas tree starts 6 feet from the floor to give us a height that we need to extend up over the left side of the front display. 

This stone urn and pedestal start another flocked tree at 4 feet from the floor for yet another layer in the front left of the booth, and these new mirrors work great flanked on the front gates.  A wrought iron table with glass top lends yet another layer. 

This lantern display is on the top center left, and Jose wires more branches, and more branches! 

A console table, stone capitol coffee table, and these burlap covered chairs lay the foundation for the front center display.  The wooden cubes behind each chair will allow us to add more layers. 

Things start taking shape in this same front center display.  What a difference it makes by just adding the wreaths on the windows and lamps on the table. 

Fast forwarding a little ways in the setting! 

A mirror and table from reclaimed wood, along with a wrought iron trellis flanked by vintage looking shutters supply the backdrop for the west end. 

More layers take shape on the back left tabletop, with the large mirror framed in reclaimed wood, and the abacus from reclaimed wood as well. 

This right back tabletop has a large chalkboard and smaller mirror in reclaimed wood with an even taller mirror behind. 

The outer east end of the booth taking shape. 

Scottie hanging ornaments at the east end of the booth. 

As you can see up to now, there has been a central element and theme in this so far…layers, layers, and more layers, not only in the tabletop displays, but in the booth as a whole.  Once the eye starts at one level, there is a visual “ladder of layers” to keep taking it to the top of the displays…there is really no stopping point. 

This lends us the chance to display more products and also in a venue this large, allows us to be seen from a great distance.  If a potential customer sees our merchandise in the hands of one of our customers and asks “where did you get that?” it’s easier for that customer to point to the 16 to 18’ crystal clad branches extending from the skyline, than to remember that we are booth #1401! 

At this point the foundation of the booth is in place, and the layers of this winter wonderland keep coming in. 

After 4 days of doing our best to keep up with the customers, the show ended at 6:00 Sunday night.  What took three long days to set-up has to come down in one short day. 

The crew worked until Midnight, and then back at it at 8:00 the next morning.  Monday afternoon all the trucks are packed back up and on their way home to Joplin, so we could start to get ready for Candlelight shopping.  

We hope you enjoyed this little bit of insight into what has always been a part of Sandstone Gardens.  A special thanks goes out to Dale Doty, Jose and Carlos Perez, and Joel Ponce for their hard work and commitment to us over the years.  We couldn’t do it without them.