Jane Harrison
For the Calgary Herald
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Every now and again, when I am zipping from one place to another, I notice shops that I have overlooked in the past. In Connaught, just off the 17th Avenue beaten track, there is a lovely little neighbourhood high street that would make you glad to be a resident there. It also offers a delightful afternoon outing for those who are not.
You can frame a picture, pick up groceries, find hip-hop clothing and fashions from Paris. When your energy flags, stop for a chai latte and then check out these shops.
Steeling Home was originally established in 1993 to show the metal work of five local artisans.
Over the years the shop has evolved into a treasure house of personal accessories and unusual decorative items for the home.
"Our bread and butter is hooks and hardware," says owner Jennifer LeBlond.
They source decorative hooks from more than 40 companies.
Many of them are manufactured in India and modestly priced.
"Jen's got a nice eye for vintage pieces," says Johanna Hayes who has managed the day-to-day operation of the store for the past five years.
She points out a '50s Lucite lamp that resembles a small aquarium; it is wearing a hold tag.
According to Hayes the vintage items are snapped up by customers.
Reproductions of vintage advertising signs for ski hills and campgrounds are also popular, with prices that range from $17 to $143.
Overhead, on the main level, mobiles have authentic models of antique aircraft, like the Bluebird, priced at $77.
Downstairs, mini pond yachts from the same company cruise the shelves with jaunty sails in red and turquoise.
Polished pewter dishes cast with sea shells are fashioned by Newfoundland artisans Delia and Ray Will.
There are reproductions of antique mariner's clocks and hampers filled with jute runners and hooked rugs.
Everywhere you look, from floor to ceiling -- upstairs and down -- there are nifty things to charm the eye.
Peaseblossoms, a neighbourhood fixture for 11 years, has customers from all over the city, but mainly the west side.
"We don't do roses, carnations and baby's breath," says owner Theresa Balak. They favour less conventional flowers arranged with "natural, intuitive design."
She shows me a presentation bouquet for a children's award that is composed of tropical orchids, pincushion protea, kangaroo paw and safari sunset, anchored by a bright Gerbera daisy. It's funky and fun. Set into a contemporary cylinder vase, the price is $42.
Another gorgeous arrangement destined for a banquet at the Hyatt combines creamy tulips, a soft blue hydrangea, freesia, eucalyptus and ribbon grass.
"We do sell an awful lot of houseplants for gifts and the home," she says, showing me a small ficus Retussia with a bonsai look, growing on an exposed root. Price: $16.75.
"Some very creative people come in and put their own bouquets together from the parts."
Kalidoscope Color & Glass gallery is a celebration of space and light.
"We focus on colour and colour energy," says manager Jane Shapka.
Established nine years ago, the shop supports the work of Canadian glass artists.
There are the meticulously crafted brass and glass kaleidoscopes of Darlene Musser from Cochrane and the fluid figures of Susan Gottselig from Canmore.
Blown glass balls from Kitras Art Glass in Fergus, Ont., are customer favourites, especially for gifts.
A calico ball is given as a token of friendship, whereas the helix ball is symbolic of change. See them online: kitras.com
From SAT Glass in Vancouver come unique contemporary wall clocks made of fused glass in vivid primary colours. Priced at $86, they are popular wedding gifts. Check them out online: satglass.com
Shapka loves the alabaster dinnerware from Spain made of recycled glass in luscious colours clouded with creamy swirls.
"People mix and match the colours. Turquoise and banana are the new colours for summer," she says.
The generous plates can be used as chargers and the bowls are particularly pretty with fruit salad. Price: $10 to $38.
There are stained glass fireplace screens as well as Tiffany and Arts-and-Crafts styled lamps. In the summer they stock decorative glass items for the garden.
These days she is seeing more men wander into the shop, attracted by the colour and brightness of the glass.
Like me, many people initially stumble on the shop while passing through the neighbourhood.
But when they return, it's their destination.
Shopping information:
- Kalidoscope Color & Glass gallery, 1407 11th St. S.W. Phone: 228-6665.
- Peaseblossoms, 1417 11th St. S.W. Phone: 245-1287. Online: peaseblossoms.com
- Steeling Home, 1417B 11th St. S.W. Phone: 245-0777.
© The Calgary Herald 2006Statistics: Posted by newsposter — Sat Apr 15, 2006 1:18 pm
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