GIVE Style: A Weissguide to Holiday Gift Giving

Well...it's that time again. The holiday shopping season is well under way and Weisshouse is here to save you. Whether you are searching for a special gift for the friend who has everything or simply something lovely to bring to a holiday party, read on for ideas and inspiration.
For that special someone in your life (man or woman), give Clarice Cliff inspired pottery or striking bronze hands. Either gift is sure to bring years of pleasure and will undoubtedly be the hit of this gift giving season. Perhaps, there is an art lover near and dear to you. The lacquered Mondrian boxes below will look great on a dresser, bedside table or console or give an original piece of art from artist and Pennsylvania native, Karl Mullen (mixed media on paper). The black and green metal bowls and handmade re-purposed tool bowl constructed of various discarded tools, screws, bolts, washers and other assorted found objects are amazing as a centerpiece or on a kitchen island. How about that environmentally conscious friend? Well...he or she is also covered when you give re-usable, re-fillable glass water bottles that can also be beautiful on a shelf or windowsill. In addition to the glass water bottles, please see the gorgeous pastel colored glass vases that are suitable for even the most particular of gift recipients.
Let's not forget our ever gracious party hosts and hostesses this year. Striking orchids, small framed pieces of art like the silhouette portrait of the dog below (available in various breeds) and luxuriously scented candles are all coveted gifts. Maybe you are the one who likes to give something edible. Give wrapped chocolate covered nuts in various flavors, packaged granola or snowflake crunch so that all of the guests can enjoy your graciousness. While all of these edible delights are sure to be appreciated, if you really want to wow, bring a locally made pumpkin pie or a dozen gourmet cupcakes enticingly boxed.

Hopefully, we have helped you cross a few names off your gift giving list. Just remember to always GIVE something that you would LOVE to receive. Happy shopping from Weisshouse!

Photos : (top to bottom) Clarice Cliff inspired pottery $ 250-380, Sculpted bronze hands $ 895, Mondrian lacquer box $ 125, Karl Mullen mixed media $ 350, Metal bowls $ 120-158, Tool bowl $ 295, Glass water bottle $ 35, Pastel glass vases $ 196-298 (available at Weisshouse), Three stem orchid $ 85 (available at Toadflax in Shadyside), Dog Silhouette $ 190, Diptyque scented candle $ 60, Chocolate coated nuts - various $ 10.50 (available at Toadflax in Shadyside), Snowflake crunch $ 5, Pumpkin Pie $ 15, Cupcakes $ 25 per dozen (available at Dozen Bakeshop-Lawrenceville)

Miners bottles as "objets d' art"

When searching for the perfect pop of color in your home, look no further than Miners bottles. These interesting accessories have an equally interesting story to tell. Made by miners in eastern Europe (probably Poland or Czechoslovakia), they are woven from detonator wires around discarded wine bottles. These objects were not made for their own use but for sale to tourists or other village people. The miner’s made them as they were waiting for their shifts to start or perhaps when the mine had to be evacuated for explosive gases. We liken this folk craft to scrimshaw objects which the sailors made during their long sea voyages. Circa 1960’s, 1970’s, 1980’s or 1990’s.

Equally cool are Zulu telephone wire art bottles and pots featured in the July-August issue of Veranda magazine. Colorful plastic-coated copper wire is woven into baskets and around glass bottles of various shapes and sizes to create beautiful little works of art. David Arment, an avid collector of Zulu telephone wire art began going on safaris in 1992. It was during his travels that he first became interested in the swirls and zigzags often portrayed in African art. Today, Arment's collection consists of over 1,000 pieces.

Whether you decide to include 1 or 1,000 bottles in your own collection, the addition of Miners bottles is one that will bring about much interest and conversation.

South African Imbenge basket artist Jaheni Mkhize demonstrates "soft basket" construction in Santa Fe, July 2005.

Don’t Pull the Wool Over Your Eyes

Wool was once thought of as itchy, hot and uncomfortable. However, wool is a wonderful alternative when it comes to its synthetic counterparts. Today’s interiors can take advantage of the many advantages that wool has to offer in upholstery, bedding and of course, carpet and rugs. Not only does wool wear better and outlast synthetic based goods, it is a sustainable, earth loving product unlike petroleum based textiles and carpet.

The advantages of wool products are endless. First and foremost, it wicks moisture away from the body better than any other material, manufactured or natural, says Chris Lupton, Ph.D., a wool and mohair fiber expert at Texas A&M Research Center at San Angelo. In fact, wool can absorb up to 30 percent of its own weight in moisture without feeling wet—more than ten times what synthetics or feathers can handle, according to an article published on www.natural homemagazine.com titled, Wool Bedding: Sleep Like a Lamb.

Finally, and perhaps most important, wool is beautiful. It takes and holds color gloriously and wears like steel. You will never regret investing in wool for your home or office. Wool is timeless, environmentally superior and a breath of fresh air in world filled with chemicals and synthetic products.

Photos (top to bottom): 1. Stunning patterned wool carpet that can be installed wall to wall or made into a custom sized rug available at Weisshouse 2. Machine washable Woolley “Down” Pillow available at http://holylamborganics.com/pillows.html 3. Adorable felted wool bowls available at Etsy from missyandme (seller)