PUZZLING ISN'T IT?

Here's a puzzle you won't be working on all night long.  We love this accent pillow becasue it combines things we three Winnow partners love.  It's a puzzle (that's Brad's thing), it's wood (that's Linda's thing) and it's natural cotton flannel (that's Amy's thing).  This pillow will look great tucked on a chair, tossed on a bed, or nestled in a basket.  The wonderfully talented folks at Simplemente Blanco have created other pillow offerings including wooden spools, crocheted twine, and leather strings - so many choices and we love them all.  So we've solved your decorating dilema, now all you have to do is solve the puzzle of how you will make it to the shop!



Puzzle Pillow $88

Puttin' on the Dog (and cats and birds)

Well, it's not raining Cats and Dogs at Winnow but we are awash with artwork from three wonderful artists whose subjects are less than still life.  In fact we would imagine they barely sit still long enough to capture a whisker but each artist has given personality to each of their subjects.
 
Tamara Thornton has magnificently portayed the character of her canine subjects in oil - a lively and rich combination of color and brush strokes gives character and life to dogs being noble, playing catch, day dreaming, and just being pups - but these are not only for dog lovers, they would be an awesome addition to anyone's art collection (center image above).

Cari Garfield has caught on film what we all see in animals.  Their beauty and nobility, their spirit and their survival struggles.  A keen observer of the wildlife all around us in the Newport Bay area, she has captured the essence of bird and sea life, sometimes with great action shots and other times simply capturing the beauty of the moment (image at right above).

Dominique McKenzie uses watercolor on non-absorbent Yupo.  Her dynamic use of color speaks to the heart of each of her subjects.  An unabashed animal lover with two dogs of her own (currently), she enjoys finding and revealing the spirit and personality of a pet.  She is available to do commissions, and the variety of her work can be seen on her website at www.myanimals.net. (image at left above)


Their work will be on exhibit at Winnow from July 16, 2011 through Labor Day Weekend.

Please join us for the Artists Reception, Saturday July 16, 2011,  4:00 - 7:00pm

She Sells Sea Shells

We're not sure what mermaids do to relax - for the most part they don't seem to have much stress...but if they did, they would probably float around and make these incredible kelp and knotted seaweed baskets.  Our friend, LA artist Leah Danberg, has turned seaweed basketry into an art form.  Her kelp baskets will make your head swim!  Each one is unique and exquisite - some are woven more simply and some appear almost crocheted - and all are adorned with something from the sea - either a shell, a pearl, or kelp pods.   So dive in and flap your fins on over to Winnow and check these out  -  and if you don't know a mermaid, we think a merman will appreciate these as well. 
  

Prices range from $40 to $125

Shake Rattle and Roll

Get down babies!  We can't decide which of our knitted baby rattles we love the best because we love them all!  Perhaps our favorite is the donuts with sprinkles on top... but then we got the wonderful birdies and well, if you have been in the shop you know our love for birds, so there you go.  The little blue owl - well he's just the best!  And our long-running favorites are the knitted fruits and vegetables - What a way to get your little tyke to love cauliflower and carrots - you'll be encouraging them to play with their food!  Above all else, we love their story - Yellow Label Kids is a member of the Fair Trade Federation which supports fair wages and safe working conditions for artisans AND is also environmentally responsible.  What more could you want to give your baby than a safe toy made with organic bamboo yarn?  So shake, rattle, and roll your way down to Winnow and check out all our toys...even if you don't have a child of your own.

One If By Land, Two If By Sea

Whether you are alerting the arrival of "overseas visitors" or simply lighting an outdoor barbque, we have the lantern that's perfect for your decor and the occasion. You can light up the patio with a grouping of our great blown glass and wire lanterns or set just one of our large rattan lanterns in the center of the table.  We see our rusted cage lanterns on each end of a mantel for a simple statement and our small black metal lanterns hanging in a Japanese garden.  You can light a path with our votive lanterns and set a festive garden table with our galvanized pillars.  We really do have a love for lanterns and can't pass up most of the ones we find - maybe it's the anticipated glow of candlelight or just the superb shape.  Whatever it is we have a lantern that fits the bill.  We might even have one or two for a belfry! 


Don't forget:  This Saturday from 9am-1pm is the Flea Market in Pelican Courtyard (immediately behind Winnow) 
Vendors include Cascas Imports, Joie de Jewels, Gail's Island Shells, Quenchwear, JillyBGreen, Simple Peace, Ellen Gladis Art and more, PLUS refreshments!
Winnow hours on Saturday will be 9-5:30. 

Rub- a -Dub - Dub

When you're having the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick-maker over for something cool, don't you get tired of serving from the same old tub?  These rattan-covered galvanized ice tubs are terrific for simply holding ice or chilling waters, wines, and sodas.  With three sizes to choose from or as a set, you will aways have enough ice containers around to keep your cool.  They dress up a casual table as you set out your iced drinks and will serve you well when your large galvanzed tub is say...holding three strange men on their way to a fair?

How Does Your Garden Grow?

 So, Mary Mary, what are you doing this Memorial Day weekend?  Well we have a suggestion - stop by Winnow on your way home from the nursery.  Move aside the pots of silver bells and cockle shells and make room for some great garden finds. Did you know that Winnow is one of the only shops in Southern California that carries the Denman's "Red Pig" hand forged garden tools?   We have trowels and weed yanks that are undoubtedly the best you have ever used.  The hand forged steel and solid hardwood handles make these the strongest garden tools on the market. 

 We also carry Tahoe work gloves.  Their genuine leather construction makes them the ideal garden glove and they come in Ladies sizes S, M, L and XL for a perfect fit. 

  

Our fun and functional galvanized chalkboard garden stakes will help identify that row of pretty maids.  We have twines, clay pots, and of course our great wire door mats for when you come indoors.  Speaking of indoors, we have lots for the indoor gardener as well as great gifts for your gardening friends.  So Mary Mary don't be contrary - come on in to Winnow and let us help make your garden grow! 

Have You Any Wool?

Swan's Island Throws   $375 - $475

Imagine you are a sheep wandering around on Nash Island off Maine's Down East coast.  No humans - just seals and seabirds...shear contentment (pun intended!).  You would want your wool to go to go to the best, and our Swan's Island  blankets, throws, and baby blankets are worth the fleecing!  These luxurious blankets can be ordered in an array of sizes and colors, and come in both summer and winter weights.  All of the blankets and throws are presented in soft linen tie bags with a linen lavender sachet.  Meant to be preserved and passed along, the larger blankets come with cedar sides in the bags along with a provenance list to record each generation's use.  You will love these blankets so much you might just have to get three - one for the master, one for the dame, and one for the little boy who lives down the lane.

We're Walking, We're Walking, and Stop

Wood Walking Toys  $48

OMG we LOVE these!  Wonderfully crafted, these little wooden walking hedgehogs and elephants are the perfect pastime to break away from the high-tech world of computer games and all those Wii activities.  Simple and fun to watch, these adorable little animals "walk" down their little wooden ramps and come to a halt at the end.  They are a great addition for childen's rooms and of course adults can watch them on their desks. So "walk" on down to Winnow and pick up one of these cute little guys and see our other children's delights - we have something for the child in all of us. 

Wire not?



Wire Door Mat - $36



We can't understand why all doormats aren't wired like these!  Not only do they say Welcome they say Wipe your Feet!  Made from steel wire woven into a chain link pattern these are great by a muddy garden entrance or right at the front door.  They will not only clean the dirt off your wellies or the sand off your flip-flops they will look great while doing so.  We all have these at our own houses and the only funny thing that we see is that Penny and Meggie won't walk on them - by the way, Penny and Meggie are shop dogs here at Winnow - if you drop by to check out the doormats, they will share one of their dog biscuits. Wire not?