Sandra’s WeeklyArtsEcho Email

Love and Other Fabrics

2010-08-06T15:49:00.000-07:00

"Love is a fabric that never fades, no matter how often it is
washed in the water of adversity and grief."

Dear Friends: Zoe and I were looking through our superb collection of clothing (to find more and more things to put on our phenomenal sale...thanks to all of you who have been emptying our sale racks and making it possible for us to have room for all the great new finds...) and it made me think of my deep and long-standing love affair with fabric. And that, of course, made me look around for some wonderful fabric quotes, like the one above. I do not know who said it originally, but I'm sure that the person knew a bit about fabric, not to mention love, adversity and grief.

Here at ArtsEcho Galleria, we believe in wonderful fabric. Some of the clothing we have here in our charming little shop is made from fabric that almost makes me want to weep, it is so beautiful. I have been searching for great fabric for almost 40 years...all over the world. I had the privilege of traveling widely while performing in places that most (normal) people never get to go to, like Isfahan, Mashad & Khorramshahr (in Iran...pre-Khomeini), Dubrovnik (on the Adriatic coast in the former Yugoslavia), Vishakapatnam, India (on the bay of Bengal) Gauhati & Shillong (North-Eastern India, past Bangladesh), not to mention towns in Thailand, South Korea, southern Taiwan and many, many more places. For a long time, I was performing a program for the US State Department all over the world that traced the story of American history through our wonderful folk songs (from songs like "Greensleeves" that pre-date Columbus' voyages to "Pollution" by Tom Lehrer...still, unfortunately, very current).

When I wasn't onstage or out meeting the incredible people in these countries, I was searching for fabrics to use in making my contemporary art quilts.

Here are a few of the pure silk quilts that I've made over the years:

And here I am with a quilt that I made for my son, Roy, called "Sinister Beauty". It reflects the exquisite sunsets in times of war, when bombs raise huge quantities of dust and the light at sunset turns bright orange/red...so that the skies are painfully beautiful and horrifying at the same time.

Now, just so you don't think I've used all of our qorgeous fabrics in my quilts, here are a few photos of our wonderful clothes that are all ready to be purchased and worn. That's Zoe in a Dotted Swiss Eyelet dress from about 1952 (this is a real "I Love Lucy" dress):

And here is Laura in a vintage Silk & Sequin green top (with the ubiquitous jeans):

And here is Laura again in a Cotton Eyelet lined and floral printed jacket:

Our wonderful sale, 50% - 70% off, is going on! We are adding more and more things every day (including some amazing fabrics) so stop by to check it out...

Warm regards,
Sandra and the marvelous people who spend a good part of their week here at ArtsEcho Galleria, Zoe, Liana, Yara, Laura (back to college this week!), Nao, Heather, Sylvia, Shenella & Lina.

PS: DEXTER LANE!!!! is that phenomenal Weehawken photographer who exhibits some of his incredible NY scenes here at ArtsEcho Galleria. Well, Dexter's amazing panoramas are now on display in a HUGE new display area in Port Authority (the 9th Ave side). Dex is the FIRST artist to exhibit his work in the new P. A. Gallery. Go Dexter!! Check out Dex's work here.

PPS: Our summer hours are M-F 12-7 and Sat 12 - 6. I'll be here all day tomorrow if you want to stop in and say "hi". Yes, still at 3809 Park Ave, across from the Pathmark parking lot and still at 201-617-1110.

PPPS: Make sure you visit our website! It's getting quite edgy...

Modern Women...Vintage Clothing...S(ECO)ND chances...

2010-07-30T18:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:
We women at ArtsEcho Galleria are all modern women (yes, even me...). We're all whizzes on computers...we all earn money (well...), we all text (most of us...), we download cool apps...and we all LOVE vintage clothing...how modern can you get?

Lately we've been getting a lot of "real" vintage clothing (as our connections continue to widen). We have stunning flow-y 1980's polyester dresses and secretary blouses with ties, amazing 1970's cowgirl and square dance dresses (from Kentucky and other Appalachian hotspots), and here is a truly lovely 1960's Kennedy-era wedding dress in the classic "shift" style with all its buttons and lace...held by a very modern Yara (notice the cool tattoos...).

But (lest they feel left out) we also love our "near-new" items...that perfect white Banana Republic shirt, the Gap linen pants, the gorgeous (and exquisitely crafted) Tahari blazer. They mean a lot to us and we work very hard to find them. We hand pick every piece, check thoroughly, replace or change buttons, repair, clean and do whatever needs to be done. And sometimes you can buy the piece of your dreams for as little as $4 - $6 (if it's on sale or you know the secret word). You get a fabulous, wearable item of clothing, we get your support (for the wonderful artistic things we do), and the planet gets to breathe a little easier.
The concept of recycling textiles is just over 200 years old and began in England (shortly after they lost the Revolutionary War to us...maybe it had to do with all those Red Coats).
Now, you're probably reading this sitting down. If not, please sit for the next bit. More than ONE MILLION TONS of textiles are thrown away every year!!!!!!!!! That's TWO BILLION POUNDS of clothing!!!! That's 909,090,909 kilos!!!!!! And soooo much of it is in near-perfect condition and could be used again (and again). So, aren't you glad to know that we modern women at our charming little shoppe are doing our bit to save the planet? And so are you!

Warm regards,

Sandra and the valiant ArtsEcho Galleria team: Yara, Zoe (back from Nova Scotia), Liana (styling a photo-shoot tomorrow with some 2d4 (told you I was modern) vintage clothes & lingerie), Sylvia, Heather, Lina, Laura (who already has a remarkable collection of vintage clothing and a great eye), Shenella, Claude (pronounced Clau-day...our Math intern for the show "Arithmetickles") and Nao.
PS: Speaking of modern young women who love vintage clothing, here is the delightful Sylvia, in a blue & black jumpsuit...vintage, of course.

PPS: And here is Nao (pronounced "now") who is working hard, updating our website with all of the cool things we have.

PPPS: Our summer hours are 12-7, M-F and 12-6 on Saturday. We're at 3809 Park Avenue and you can reach us at 201-617-1110.

PPPPS: We have been SOOOO busy today! Must be the lovely weather! Tomorrow is going to be beautiful, too. Hope to see you here.

PPPPPS: You can also sign up for ArtsEcho on Twitter and we will (pardon the expression) TWEET YOU!

WOMEN (and the vote!) and MEN (and jewelry!)

2010-07-23T19:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

Well, the weather is still not cooperating. My friend Google told me that the temperature tomorrow is going to reach...are you ready?...100 degrees!! (However, it's very pleasant and quite cool here at ArtsEcho Galleria, so don't be afraid to come on in!) There's a wonderful song called "We're Havin' A Heat Wave" by Irving Berlin made famous by the phenomenal Ella Fitzgerald. The lyrics and tune have been in my mind for about 10 days now, and I think I'll be hearing them for quite a while longer. Ah, summertime... (oops, that's by George Gershwin with lyrics by his brother, Ira Gershwin).

It was a bit of a gamble to schedule a concert for July and SUCH a disappointment to have to postpone it (Diego Garcia &amp) but Diego emailed me from Madrid and promised that he will save a date for ArtsEcho Galleria as soon as he is back in the States...I'll let you all know.

In the meantime, I want to announce an event on August 18!!

In addition to being the 2nd birthday of my adorable grandson Matthew Charles (lucky brother of the charming 4 year old, Gracie), August 18 is also the 90th Anniversary of the day we women in the US got the vote! NOW THAT IS A REASON TO CELEBRATE!! We will be having a HUGE SALE and I, personally, will be glad to lecture anyone about women's rights and the history of the feminist and suffrage movements in the US. OK, OK, if you promise to come, I won't lecture. Everything in the shop (other than antiques and artwork) will be on a HUGE 35%-70% discount!!! In the photo is Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who wrote the Declaration for the first Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, NY in 1848. We owe a lot to her and to other women like her. I don't know if I would have had the nerve to do what they did. I hope so, but I'm not so sure.

**********

We have a TON of fabulous new jewelry and clothing here at our charming little shop AND the great sale continues on summer things that are 50-70% off! (Thanks to all who have braved the weather, including that refreshing rainstorm today, and came in to shop!) That's Liana by the jewelry pyramid, and also with Raquelle (who is wearing a new beaded orange necklace, lacy blouse, black/white skirt and huge linen hair clip).

Oh yes! Here is our new MEN'S DEPARTMENT for all of you who have been requesting it for the past two years:

I know, I know, not exactly what you were expecting...but these are really cool stainless steel bracelets (...the latest thing for guys...) and we couldn't resist them...

Warm regards,
Sandra and the wonderful young women who work at ArtsEcho Galleria...Liana, Yara, Zoe (returning from Nova Scotia this week) and our volunteers and interns, Shenella, Nao, Heather, Claude, Sylvia, Lina, Laura and Mey.

PS: And thanks to Ben, my husband/partner and Artistic Director of ArtsEcho. Ben is currently booking "Arithmetickles", (our amazing interactive math assembly show) throughout the US for all of the next school year. Please pass this info on to all who many be interested as dates are going fast! You can find info on the show at www.arithmetickles.com

PPS: Our summer hours are M-F 12 - 7 & Sat 12 - 6. We're at 3809 Park Ave and you can reach us at 201-617-1110.

PPPS: We need MODEL TYPES of all sizes to dress up fabulously and parade on Park Ave and Boulevard East to promote our wonderful store and artistic mission. We'll give you ARTSECHO FUNNY MONEY to spend here for an hour or two of your time!

PPPPS: Here's me on the phone as usual (under some photos of actors who have performed "Arithmetickles" over the years):

PPPPPS: And for those of you who need your Guy-fix, here he is with Martha:

Living a Frugal, Eco-Cool (and Happy) Life

2010-07-09T18:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:
I always thought that my parents were...how should I say this...CHEAP...that's the word.

That's what we use to call people (in the olden days) who reused things or used them up. When I was a kid I thought this was not cool. I grew up in the 50s and early 60s when gasoline was forever (...it was 32 cents/gallon in April, 1965, when I got my driving license) and nothing could possibly happen to air and water...they were infinite and would always stay clean.

Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.

That was my parents' motto. They had gone through the Great Depression and then World War II and were simple, honest, hard-working people. They managed to buy a small house and save money so their 2 daughters could go to college.

Nowadays, we call people like my parents eco-savvy or green, and it's very fashionable. Today people in the know are eco-friendly and eco-conscious and dress with eco-chic. They use green design and green technology and even green toilets (as in low-flush...not that awful avocado color so popular in the 60s.)

I am thrilled that I live in this eco-world and, in addition to the little poem above, my own motto is "make it better and/or make sure someone else can use it"...and there you have recycling and the specialty of the house at ArtsEcho Galleria, UPCYCLING!

Maybe that's why I have always been drawn to making and creating things to wear and use and saving money for really important things, (like opening our charming little store). Without this philosophy, we wouldn't be celebrating two years in our lovely little enclave today and you wouldn't get to buy things that are of the highest quality (and often cost more than 10 times what we sell them for). Not to mention the jewelry...

Warm regards,
Sandra and the lovely, friendly and dedicated ArtsEcho Galleria team, Zoe, Liana, Yara, Ben and our interns and volunteers, Lina, Laura, Claude, Shanella, Sylvia, Heather, Nao, Mey and Sophia. What a wonderful crew! Here are a few new photos:

Zoe at the Jersey City Hamilton Park Festival and Market.

Liana in Pink Vintage.

PS: If you get this in time, please come on over to ArtsEcho Galleria to have a piece of birthday cake. It has purple and yellow roses on it! We are at 3809 Park Ave, as always.

PPS: We have SUMMER HOURS! We'll be open from 12-7 every day (except Saturday, which is 12 - 6) until Labor Day.

PPPS: Remember the Diego Garcia concert on July 22 at 7. I, personally, cannot wait.

PPPPS: Here is a smiling Guy for all of you who need the weekly fix:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US...and the return of DIEGO GARCIA, the magnificent!

2010-07-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

I often wish that I were a "planner"...that I could schedule our concerts and events at least two years in advance, have all the dates in a calendar, advertise well ahead of time, and prepare everything beforehand. Alas, this quality has eluded me. Instead, I tend (ready for some cliches?) to fly by the seat of my pants, play it by ear, and occasionally even go with the flow.

Makes life a bit difficult but really much more exciting. An example: last winter, when our Zoe said that her husband (bassist extraordinaire Nicholas) worked with an incredible guitarist from Madrid who was in NY for a little while, we jumped on a date to host this amazing musician here at the Galleria. Many of you remember the concert that Diego Garcia performed and the many encores he had to play to a very excited audience here.

Well, Diego is back in the States for a few days in July and will be playing a repeat concert (by huge popular demand!) right here at ArtsEcho Galleria, this time together with Nicholas. Thursday, July 22 is the date, at 7pm...brilliant music, food, neighbors...and all of us!

*********

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ARTSECHO GALLERIA

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!!!!

Next Friday we hope that you'll all stop by (and have some birthday cake!) to wish us YOU-KNOW-WHAT. We are turning TWO YEARS OLD! And, thanks to your support (not to mention your many purchases from our wonderful collection of jewelry, bags, accessories, clothing and artwork) we are looking forward to an even more exciting YEAR THREE here in our charming little enclave on Park Avenue. Here are some examples of fabulous new jewelry on new (to ArtsEcho) vintage sewing forms...

Warm regards,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho Galleria team, Zoe, Liana, Ben, Yara, Claude, Shanella, Sylvia, Lina, Laura and Nao...all good, hard-working, positive-thinking, fun-having people.

PS: Many thanks, as well, to the wonderful folk at the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs for their continuing recognition, friendship and support.

PPS: And thanks to the Hudson Reporter and Palisade Magazine and the other print and online magazines who have been so kind and generous to us over the past two years. We are thinking up lots of new (and terrific) ideas that we hope you won't be able to resist publicizing!

PPPS: Have a happy and safe July 4th!! Congratulations to this incredible country now celebrating its 234th year of Peacefully Passing Power! That is quite an accomplishment.

PPPPS: We are, of course, at 3809 Park Ave in UC across from the Weehawken Pathmark parking lot. You can reach us at 201-617-1110. We're open on Monday!

PPPPPS: Guy (who finished Liana's lunch when she was busy helping a customer) says hello and woof-woof to his many fans...(although possibly not Liana...)

When You're Having This Much Fun, TIME SOARS (or) We Are Almost 2 YEARS OLD!!

2010-06-11T21:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

I know, I know...I missed a week.

Well, I was really busy buying wonderful new jewelry, LOTS of great clothing, ordering zebra gift boxes, visiting with family, learning new software, watering the flowers, tomatoes & avocado plants in front of our charming little shoppe, taking my visiting sister-in-law to see Cape May, and also, I got a little...(how should I put this?)...lazy... Ah well...

I was also planning our 2nd BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!! Yes, July will be TWO YEARS that we are here in Union City!! You will all be invited to celebrate with us (an ArtsEcho zebra pinata...with Hershey's kisses perhaps?) and any other good ideas that we can steal (I mean appropriate). Here's what a quick Google (a quoogle) turned up:

The Swedes are are served breakfast in bed on their birthdays. (We don't have a bed here...cake on the pink couch?) In Scotland, kids get a smack on the bottom from everyone at the party for each year. In the Niger Republic, there are huge birthday parties hundreds of guests and everyone eats rice mixed with tomatoes, red peppers, onions and cassava.

China is big on symbolism so extra long noodles for long life are served. Malaysians get small red packets filled with money (that sounds good) ...better than in Nepal where a rice/yogurt mixture is smeared on the forehead for good luck. The Vietnamese celebrate birthdays in the Kentucky Derby fashion...everyone's birthday is on New Year's Day. The Germans light birthday candles in the morning and keep them lit all day long while the Irish lift the poor kid up in the air, turn them upside down and bump their head on the floor. In Argentina they pull on the earlobes for each year, and in Ecuador guests receive recordatorio which loosely translates into "goody bags".

But my all time favorite so far: in Nova Scotia, (where our Zoe hails from), the birthday kid is ambushed and his or her nose is rubbed in grease for good luck. Now THAT's what I call a fun birthday celebration!

Don't worry...we won't be greasing anyone's nose here (I'll make Zoe promise to restrain herself)...but we will have lots of fun. Actually, we always have fun here...seriously.

Don't miss the FABULOUS article by Lana Rose Diaz in the Hudson Reporter this week about our Sustainable Fashion show with lots and lots of great photos. It'll shortly be online as well at the Hudson Reporter.

Warm regards,

Sandra and the friendly, fun-loving, hard-working ArtsEcho Galleria team, Zoe, Liana, Yara, Ben, Claude, Lina, Shanella & Laura.

PS: If you're in Jersey City tomorrow, look for us in Hamilton Park at the 25th Anniversary Festival!

PPS: We're at 3809 Park Ave in Union City right across from the Pathmark Parking lot (between 38th and 39th).

PPPS: Guy on an antique, hand painted wooden Chinese horse:

Creativity...(sometimes known as getting off your backside & doing something interesting.)

2010-05-29T14:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

You may have noticed the change in our lovely little windows recently.

A while ago, when I felt like I was chained to this computer for far too many weeks, I took 1/2 a day off. (I can hear the cries of shock resonating throughout the neighborhood from those of you who think I live here and sleep on the pink couch...) I took what we used to call a "busman's holiday" and went to the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum in NYC. Among the amazing gowns displayed there by designers such as Ralph Rucci, Charles James, Yeohlee, Claire McCardell and many others, I noticed that all of the mannequins have movable wooden arms and hands. Talk about cool!

ArtsEcho Galleria has become home to two of these mannequins and here is the result:

The marvelous people who work here are amazing stylists...edgy, thoughtful, knowledgeable, fashion-conscious and also fashion-wise (we don't do "fashion victim" here). Which means that we can help you achieve the look you need, whether for a wedding (as the bride or a guest), a prom, a party, work or fun. Especially fun! It seems like everything we do here is fun. That's good.

Back to Creativity. You'll notice (hopefully) the two bags in the window in the top photo. They are a result of a wild burst of creativity on my part (and Zoe telling me that she wanted to buy a cross-body bag in NY the other day but it was hundreds of $$$'s and "not even leathuh!" (to quote Joan Cusack in "Working Girl")). I have a huge collection of silks and gorgeous leathers in all colors. This is the basis of the "Sustainable Couture" line that we are working on. I took some of the soft Nappa leather and made these sweet little bags. I had so much fun doing it that I hope to have several more done by Tuesday. They are priced at $48 and are TOTALLY ONE-OF-A-KIND-YOU-WILL-NEVER-SEE-ANOTHER-ONE-LIKE-IT-ANYWHERE-IN-THE-WORLD-ON-ANYONE-EVER (since they are all based on my imagination and sewing skills):

Speaking of Tuesday, we are closed on Monday, Memorial Day, in honor of those who died to keep the people of this amazing country free, united, and protected by a Constitution. I am against Memorial Day Sales. I think there should be at least one day a year in which we are more important as citizens than as consumers.

Warm regards,

Sandra and the hard-working, talented, fashionable and knowledgeable people who work, intern and volunteer here at ArtsEcho Galleria, Zoe, Liana, Ben, Yara, Lina, Claude, Shanella, (and Crystal, working from Maine, and whom we all miss terribly, especially me).

PS: Volunteers! We need you!! You will get great "Funny Money" that you can spend here on our wonderful collection, even our spectacular and unique silver jewelry. We have a lot of new things as we sold almost everything last week at a wonderful flea market in West New York...yay!!!!)

PPS: As always, we're here at 3809 Park Ave from M-W 11-7, Th-F 11-8, Sat 10-6. You can reach us at 201-617-1110.

PPPS: Don't forget that you can host an ArtsEcho Galleria Jewelry Party (with all your friends or co-workers...or both) and have lots of fun and also make 10% IN CASH of everything sold! We will come to you...

PPPPS: Here's a photo of Guy for all who asked:

PPPPPS: If those links above don't work, just Google!!

Photos...worth all those thousands of words...and we have the photos!

2010-05-21T21:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends: What can I say? (Other than THANK YOU to the wonderful James Colina for these incredible photos that he shot in the 3 seconds in which our lovely models walked out of the Galleria to the sidewalk. What a pro... You can see more photos on his website, www.jamescolina.com.

And a big, huge HUG to these amazing women who were so charming, helpful, professional and...READY...in their outfits!

In photo order: That's Zoe in one of Ji Young Song's "Sustainable Couture" designs from silk and leather, Sophia in Armani and DKNY, Virginia in a vintage hat and sequined skirt, Yara in Betsey Johnson, Lina in a Betsey Johnson tie-died dress, Olga in a boho floral paisley long dress, and, finally, Mikiko in Ji Young Song.

We will definitely be having another fashion show soon. GALLONS of work but TONS of fun!

More photos next week of the other fashions (including a few fabulous designs by Aileen Lowe) on the other spectacular models!

I love fashion when it is also art.

Warm regards,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho team, Zoe, Liana, Ben, Yara, Lina, Shanella and Claude. And a very tearful goodbye to Crystal who moved back to Maine and is already sorely missed here at ArtsEcho.

Fashion is Fabulous Fun!! (here in my office with 12 terrific women all trying on great clothes & jewelry for tomorrow's show!) AHHHH!!!

2010-05-14T21:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends: Never, ever a dull moment here at ArtsEcho Galleria. And this week has been one of the non-dullest of them all with the excitement of the Sustainable Couture Fashion Show goings-on...going on.

I get to emcee tomorrow and everyone who is modeling either works or shops here at the Galleria. Last night (and part of today) our wonderful models were trying on couture, designer and vintage clothing...and we were adding huge necklaces & earrings, tying scarves around necks (and sometimes knees), draping black feather boas on vintage bridal gowns and, generally, having lots of fun playing dress up with some really gorgeous dresses (and jeans and skirts and tops and even one romper from the early 1960's).

Speaking of that romper, modeling it tomorrow night is a wonderful new addition to ArtsEcho Galleria. Liana Wright hails from West New York. She is a superb stylist and has "pulled" for many fashion shoots and, just this past Wednesday, received her BA in Psychology from NJCU. Here is Liana in all her graduate glory:

And here is a photo of Liana in an irresistible vintage pink dress taken by the inimitable Zoe for our Facebook page (which you can check out and also FAN!). Alas, you can't really see Liana in this photo, but doesn't the dress look FABULOUS???

We are expecting a crowd tomorrow night...we'll have chairs inside and outside...photographers, friends, food, and as always, fun.

Sandra and the changing, but ever hard-working, charming, interesting and talented ArtsEcho Team, Zoe, Liana, Yara, Ben, Crystal, Claude, Lina and Shanella

PS: Here's Guy...for all of you who have asked about him. He's posing with our famous 12 inch heels that will be worn tomorrow night (by our neighbor, the lovely Olga) with a black beaded gown that weighs over 20 pounds...

PPS: The Sustainable Couture Fashion Show starts at 5pm. We're at 3809 Park Ave in the "Watertower District" on the border of Union City and Weehawken.

PPPS: Ji Young Song and Aileen Lowe, the two inaugural designers for ArtsEcho Sustainable Couture, will be coming in from other states...Ji Young is flying in from California and Aileen is driving in from Central PA for the show.

Mom's Day & Fashion Shows & Taxes & Did You Miss Me??

2010-05-07T19:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

Thanks to all for your concerned questions.

Yes, I'm fine, I haven't forgotten how to write English or who you all are (to answer a few of the queries...) Actually, it's all the IRS's fault. After getting several extensions, I had to bite a very large bullet and learn QuickBooks software...in short, I didn't quite expect that doing the taxes for the Galleria would take me 24 hours a day for a month...(with the help of 2 accountants). Oh well, such is non-profit entrepreneurship (gosh, I'm tired). But I never, ever, ever, ever, ever complain (or exaggerate...). Not me!

Much to tell. Sunday is Mother's Day and, of course, we have the most beautiful Mother's Day gifts right here at ArtsEcho Galleria! (You didn't think I was going to suggest a trip to a mall, did you?) We have really unique jewelry, including lovely sets, beautiful earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces and great watches! Even super-trendy CHARM BRACELET WATCHES! So cool. We also have those adorable FEDORAS (in white, beige, honey and black) and floppy SUNHATS and SUMMER SCARVES. Well, if you can't find a present here...how should I put this? FUGGEDABOUDIT! (What's the point of living in Jersey if you can't use Jersey-speak?) And you can always get a charming ARTSECHO GALLERIA GIFT CERTIFICATE for Mom (or GrandMom or daughter or girlfriend...actually, that might give the girlfriend ideas...)

We are all hard at work on the upcoming Sustainable Couture Fashion Show which is taking place on Saturday, May 15th, and promises to be lots of fun! It starts at 5pm (come a little early if you want a seat!) In addition to dresses by 2 new designers, Aileen Lowe and Ji Young Song (who just started designing for a company in LA; she's flying in for the show) we will be showing some great vintage and designer ArtsEcho Galleria goodies, all "blinged-out" to perfection by our team of superb stylists! Here is our Zoe (photographed by Ben Bendor) in "Ji Young Song for ArtsEcho Design":

Have a great weekend, Happy Mother's Day to all!

Sandra and the diligent and talented ArtsEcho Galleria team: Zoe, Ben, Crystal, Liana, Yara (beginning today!), Claude, Lina and our charming new Saturday volunteer, Shanella.

PS: A lovely article about us in InColor Magazine just came out! You can read it here:

ArtsEcho Galleria: An Artistic Ripple Effect

PPS: We are located at 3809 Park Ave in UC right across from the parking lot of the Weehawken Pathmark. You can call us at 201-617-1110 if you feel like it.

PPPS: We are open TOMORROW for your Mother's Day shopping pleasure from 10 - 6! M-W 11-7, Th-F 11-8; next Saturday...FASHION SHOW!!!!

PPPPS: Don't worry, we still have Hershey's kisses on hand...

PPPPPS: Look below for the famous "secret word"

We have "New Antiques" (...hmmm, isn't that an oxymoron, like "plastic glasses" & "found missing")?

2010-04-16T20:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends: "Oxymoron" is one of my favorite words...and concepts. Two married words that contradict each other (gleefully). The most famous is "military intelligence", but a quick Google search produced my new favorite which is "Microsoft Works". Ooo, nasty (but good...). The original Greek word means "sharply dull", and then there's "deafening silence" and "real phony" and "found missing" and the well-loved "jumbo shrimp". Well, I could go on and on, but...

Back to the antiques. I have been collecting wonderful things for many years...(something you shouldn't do unless you, too, eventually want to (or have to) open a shop). Many of my lovely things have sold here at ArtsEcho, and several are not for sale, but do help make our charming little Galleria the special place it is. Here is a peek at some of the newbies:

The one on the left is a "Stick and Ball" Victorian etagere that is now housing part of our fabulous collection of scarves. The middle one is a 200 year old hand-carved English chestnut piece (that's my Irish Minstrel Harp on the top) and great designer jeans (including Michael Kors, Burberry & 7's) on the shelves. The one on the right is a Wooten desk invented by William (you guessed it) Wooten in 1870 in Indiana. Wait 'til you see the inside...it has a pull-out desk and about 60 cubbies, drawers and shelves in both the case and the doors...everything the modern businessman needed to run his office in 1870. You can see a really fancy one in West Orange at the Edison National Historic Site...(a truly amazing place and only 1/2 hour from here...you should plan a little trip if you haven't been...and not only if you have kids...you'll love it as well...)

Notice the sculptures on top of the desk? They are part of our new exhibition by superb Ecuadorian artist Manuel Velastegui. We're having the opening tomorrow (Saturday) at 5pm. All are invited! (Party time!!)

Warm regards,

Sandra and the accomplished ArtsEcho Galleria team, Zoe, Liana, Ben, Crystal, Claude and Lina.

PS: Thanks for all the interest in the "21st Century Music and On" concert (in which I am singing) dedicated to the spectacular music of Ronn Yedidia, whom many of you have heard here during the past year. The concert is at Merkin Hall on Sunday at 7:30pm. It promises to be quite an event. Tickets ($35 & $20) are available at the Kaufman Center Box Office online or at 212-501-3330.

PPS: Since so many of you lovely people have told us that you need to shop here LATE, we're planning a "Friends & Family Spring Fling Shopping Extravaganza" here on Thursday, April 29th BEGINNING at 7pm (and EVERYTHING will be 30% off and, of course, we'll have nibbles, etc...we love to party). (However, if you see a nice woman asleep on the pink couch, please whisper...it's after my bedtime.)

PPPS: Thanks to Mayor Stack and the ENTIRE Union City Council for stopping in to see ArtsEcho Galleria on Tuesday night!!!! I gave the best "elevator" speech of my life (that's when you have to say EVERYTHING between the first & fifth floor...remember "Working Girl"?) and told the Mayor and Council everything we're doing here. Very exciting!

PPPPS: We are at 3809 Park Ave, between 38th and 39th in the lovely and blooming Watertower District! You can call us at 201-617-1110. We're open M-W 11-7, Th-F 11-8 and Sat 10-6.

Creating Art with Ancient Wood, Marble and...Recycled Car Engines?

2010-04-09T21:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends: One of the great joys of working here at ArtsEcho Galleria is that I get to meet fascinating people, many of whom are devoting their lives to creating art. Why are they doing this? Because they have to. I'm really not at all interested in the so-called "artists" who are in it for the fame & fortune. First of all, anyone who goes into art for fame & fortune can't be too smart and I try not to waste time on people who aren't smart (this falls into the "life is too short" category).

This week, our dear friend, Ecuadorian sub-realist artist Amado Mora (whose superb work is on permanent exhibit in our charming little Galleria and was featured in the "Art Vivo!" exhibition at the Brennan Courthouse Gallery in January...that's Amado in the photo), came in with a friend of his from Guayaquil, Ecuador, renowned sculptor Manuel Velastegui.

Velastegui is a sculptor who has exhibited throughout the world (...you all know what's coming...) and beginning this week, he will add ArtsEcho Galleria to his most impressive list! Among the many honors that he has received was First Prize for Sculpture in the Festival of the Americas and (get this...) a solo exhibit at Lincoln Center in NY (now that's impressive...)! He works in marble, metal and wood and has, for many years, reused all three materials to create new (and amazing) works of art. Doesn't that sound right up ArtsEcho's alley?

The following pieces were created from engine parts. The one on the left reminds me of the Degas statue of the 14-year-old-dancer (but really edgy). The one on the right is, of course, Don Quixote. Our Don Q is about 1 1/2 feet high, but in the Parque Lineal in Guayaquil, Manuel created a "Tribute to Don Quixote" (in honor of the 400th anniversary of the book by Cervantes) that is over 13 feet high!

So, we are proudly presenting an exhibition of sculptures of Velastegui beginning this coming week. (We will, of course, have an opening party (date to be announced) to which you are all invited...we don't do anything here without a party...actually, the whole place is a party!)

Speaking of Lincoln Center, next Sunday is the concert "21st Century Music & On", in which I am performing three songs by composer Ronn Yedidia (you did know that I have not always been chained to this computer...I performed for many years...actually, my first professional performance was at the age of 3...during the TRUMAN ADMINISTRATION! I continued performing through Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, and that guy who can't pronounce the word "nuclear"). The concert is on April 18th, at 7:30pm at Merkin Concert Hall, one block north of Lincoln Center. More on this soon.

Lest you think I've forgotten our boutique goodies, here are some of the delicious things we have here at ArtsEcho Galleria to (hopefully) tempt you all!

These photos were taken this week by my adorable, very charming, tall, funny & talented husband, Ben (who is trying to get me to use fewer exuberant adjectives in these weekly emails, but he may not mind these...).

Warm regards from Sandra and the hard-working and creative ArtsEcho Galleria team, Zoe, Liana, Crystal, Ben, Claude and Lina.

PS: We are at 3809 Park Ave & at 201 617 1110. We are also at www.artsechogalleria.com! Our website is up and running and great!

PPS: Speaking of bargains, don't forget tomorrow is 30% off bags and accessories! Monday is 20% off everything you buy...Tuesday is 30% off our jewelry collection, Wednesday is 40% off any ONE item, Thursday is buy one get one half off on clothing and Friday...I forgot(but I know it's good!)

PPPS: Volunteers! Thanks to the wonderful folk who responded to my request. Please keep calling me (201-617-1110) to give us a few weekly hours of your time and get that great "funny money" (as well as a wonderful volunteer feeling...we are an official US non-profit organization). Many thanks!

Friendship, Community, Being Human, & Why We Need One Another

2010-04-02T21:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

Here at ArtsEcho Galleria, I'm always thinking about human connections...why we are who we are and what we really (really...) need from one another, and what makes us happy. I'm sure it's not diamonds and fancy cars (or those ridiculous $4000 designer handbags...) (actually, I would love to have some of those ridiculous $4000 designer handbags here at ArtEcho, but only if I could buy gently used ones for $40. Well, if anyone has some $3850 bags lying around, bring them in...we're not snobs.) I think what makes us happy is other people...that's it...other people who share our values, our emotions and our humor (in other words, our lives) and validate what we think of ourselves while acknowledging the things we do (whew...I'm waxing philosophical ...well, better that than the floor.)

I have met many wonderful people here since opening our charming little shop and had the privilege of peeking into the lives of people doing amazing things. I will be writing about some of these friends and neighbors in upcoming emails (with your permission, of course...don't get worried.)

Our next big program, the "Sustainable Couture Fashion Show" is slated for Saturday, May 15, and we have several wonderful designers working on pieces using our collection of superb existing fabric. So many of you commented on the dress by Ji Young Song that was in last week's email, that I wanted to show you the new piece that arrived this week. Ji Young is creating a line of one-of-a-kind couture, handmade dresses; for this line she is incorporating her signature weaving which you can see throughout this dress. Here it is, the second in the collection, made from several leathers, suede and plaid raw silk; her design is based on a rose. I, for one, have never seen anything like it, and I am so delighted that ArtsEcho has been a catalyst in creating incredible work like this. Here's Ji Young Song and her art:

We have a date for the "Watertower District Festival" that will launch the "Watertower District Association" (about which you'll be hearing much more). July 10...a Saturday...we'll have music, artwork, fashion, food from our culinary neighbors, a wealth of friends and community in this special place, and lots of fun!

Have a wonderful weekend, enjoy the holiday and the weather,

Sandra and the terrific ArtsEcho Galleria team, Zoe, Ben, Crystal, Karina, Liana, Arianna and Lina (wow, that's a mouthful or maybe a handful, since I'm typing this)...

PS: Not all of the special friends in our life are necessarily human...here is Guy with the famous 10 inch heel shoes...and there he is making eyes at Raquelle with Duda Penteado's colorful canvasses in the background.

PPS: Speaking of not human...here is our new non-human friend, Martha, at the piano (she was named for Martha Argerich, the Argentine pianist, considered by many to be the greatest pianist in the world)...yes, that's Guy enjoying the music...

PPPS: We're at 3809 Park Ave, across from the Weehawken Pathmark parking lot. You can reach us at 201-617 1110.

PPPPS: We have something on sale every day!!! Tomorrow our great bags and accessories are 30% off!!!! Oh, and please forward this email to a friend.

PPPPPS: 'night, Gracie.

Talent...what is it? Where does it come from? Why? (OK, OK...Who? When?)

2010-03-26T19:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

I am, I admit, a total sucker for talent (and talented people). I have been thinking about talent for many years, never more so than during the past year and 9 months since we opened ArtsEcho Galleria. (That's all?? Doesn't it seem like a lot longer??)

We all know that Mozart's dad was a musician, but does that account for little Wolfgang's incredible abilities? And how many Wolfies with amazing musical talent were born to farming or bricklaying families or even glass blowing families who knew little about music and never discovered the talent in their midst?

There are so many People of Talent who find their way to ArtsEcho Galleria. In honor of our upcoming 'Sustainable Couture' Fashion Show on May 15, I'd like to introduce you to one of our favorite (incredibly talented) people.

Meet Ji Young Song. She is a graduate of Seoul University's famous Fashion Design Department and also graduated with honors from FIT where she won the departmental award of the School of Art and Design. She participated in the Hong Kong Young Fashion Week before moving to NY, and went on to win the Best Design Award for Levi's recent fashion contest. She was one of the national finalists in the highly competitive Mattel Barbie Design Competition.

Ji Young's desire is to create one-of-a-kind couture clothing that she hopes will be seen as artwork. That fits in perfectly with how we choose our collection here for ArtsEcho Galleria. We feel (and tell anyone who will listen) that many of our clothing and jewelry pieces are wearable works of art.

A few months ago, Ji Young trekked to my house in Weehawken (during a snow storm...remember those?) and chose fabrics from my large (30 years in the making) collection of silks, leathers, etc. Ji Young chose three silks; a black matte silk and two beige and black prints, and a soft black leather....and started working. She cut, sewed, and wove the fabrics together.

Here is the astounding result, modeled by (our new Project Manager) Zoe, photographed by Edwin Flores (more about Edwin later) right in that cute little Weehawken pocket park across from our shop:

There are many designers creating "eco"fashion with good new fabrics including bamboo and organic cottons, but because of our dedication to art, craftswomanship, recycling, and the very best existing designer fabric, we hope that our ArtsEcho Sustainable Couture one-of-a-kind pieces will make their own small, but important, statement in the fashion world. Ji Young is almost finished with her second design and I can't wait to see it! Remember...May 15.

Now speaking of talent, one of the most talented people who discovered ArtsEcho Galleria as we were discovering him, is fashion photographer Edwin Flores. Edwin and his partner Tyler just moved to the Watertower District. Edwin uses clothing from our terrific collection for photoshoots with some of NY's top models. Here is a photo that Edwin just sent me from the very same park (the model is wearing one of our Nanette Lepore pieces with a silver belt and purple Betsey Johnson dress). The photo on the right (with a wool Byblos jacket and purple belt) was taken on the steps leading down to Boulevard East from Sterling Place. Bet you never knew we were in such a photogenic neighborhood!

Speaking of honors...I want to publicly thank the County of Hudson and the charming (and funny) Thomas DeGise, our County Executive, who chose me to be among some pretty darned impressive Hudson County women who were honored this past week at Brennan Courthouse in Jersey City for Women's History Month in which the theme was "Writing Women Back into History". It seemed especially appropriate this year which is only the 90th anniversary of the year in which we women in the US got the vote. (Pretty shocking that it's only 90 years, hey?) Mr. DeGise introduced the evening by admitting that he grew up in a house filled with women...his only ally and fellow male was the dog...

Have a wonderful week and come visit us!

Warm regards,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho Galleria team, Zoe, Karina, Crystal, Ben, Arianna, Claude and Lina.

PS: We need volunteers! A few hours a week (on a regular basis) will net you "ArtsEcho FunnyMoney" which you can spend here on our glorious collection...it's like shopping for free!

PPS: On April 18th I will be performing in the concert "21st Century Music & On" dedicated to the amazing music of composer Ronn Yedidia (whom you may remember from the "DanzaNova" concert here last year.) The concert is at Merkin Concert Hall (one block north of Lincoln Center) on 67th Street in NYC and is at 7:30pm. There is a "Meet The Artists" reception (to which you are all invited) after the concert.

PPPS: Oh yes, 3809 Park Avenue, right across from the Weehawken Pathmark parking lot. 201-617-1110...M-W 11-7; Th-F 11-8; Sat 10-6.

PPPPS: Make sure to check out our new window displays! Very edgy...

ArtsEcho Galleria Reaches Out to the World! Well, to the eBay world...

2010-03-19T21:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

We have enjoyed seeing so many of you here (buying beautiful things of course) during the past week. I can imagine the conversation: "The weather is so gorgeous, let's take a walk! - Where should we go? - Let's go to ArtsEcho! They're having a sale!!" That's a (hopefully) cute (and somewhat sneaky) reminder that something wonderful is always on sale here at ArtsEcho Galleria. Tomorrow (and every Saturday) there is 30% off our wonderful bags and accessories.

And speaking of Saturday and gorgeous weather, last Saturday night when the weather was truly HORRIBLE(!!!!) with umbrellas blowing inside out and trees falling and wind whipping and geese-a-laying (ooops, wrong month) we had more than 75 intrepid souls here for a phenomenal concert and art exhibit! It was such fun. Brazilian artist Duda (the amazing) Penteado read a lovely poem he wrote for the occasion and then was gracious enough to translate for Renan and Bruno. They played spectacularly on cavaquinho and guitar and sang songs of Old Rio that made you long for samba on the beach even if you've never been closer to Rio than Atlantic City. Renan even demonstrated some traditional samba dance steps and then some of the audience joined in the dancing (and we all joined in the partying). What a night!

*****

We keep finding more and more lovely things for our charming little shop and, since we have no storage room to speak of (or not to speak of since there isn't any), we are running out of room and finally putting some lovely vintage clothes on our new online eBay store. Here are some of the great photos that Zoe took this week:

That's a pleated, black, see-through Yves St. Laurent vintage cocktail dress (creme de menthe, anyone?) next to a blue wool mini-dress (probably an ice-skating costume) from the 60s, next to a cute frilly top, next to a Paul & Joe Made in France criss-cross knit top, next to a dusky rose vintage tea-length afternoon dress. They are all "styled" with lovely ArtsEcho accessories (on sale tomorrow!) and jewelry (BUY-ONE-GET-ONE-HALF-OFF every Tuesday). Isn't it great how that bright green necklace brings the brown and beige sweater to life?

It's fun working here at ArtsEcho (did I say working?) Just this afternoon alone, there were four wonderful artists who dropped by to say hello and brainstorm artistic ideas...Margaret Steele, magician extraordinaire; photographer Dexter Lane, of the spectacular panoramas; watercolor painter Ben Roman with two beautiful new portraits; and Teddy Schapiro, whose work is proudly hanging in the front of the Galleria. So many people have commented on the innate humor in Teddy's highly personal pen & ink drawings that we have decided to adorn our new "ArtsEcho Galleria" T-shirts (and eco-friendly bags) with some of Teddy's soon-to-be-iconic images (including one of Einstein taking a bath that Teddy created for our Einstein wall).

Hope you all have a great weekend. Come visit!

Warm regards,

Sandra and the fearless and heroic ArtsEcho Galleria team, Zoe, Crystal, Ben, Karina, Arianna and Lina.

PS: We are, as always, at 3809 Park Ave across from that huge parking lot. Our phone is 201-617-1110.

FASHION * ART * MUSIC (our new "tag" line)...says it all!

2010-03-12T17:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

I can hardly keep up with it all...really (and I love every moment)!

Last Friday night about 100 lucky people (a huge crowd...standing practically all the way to Weehawken (which is, I admit, out the door and 10 feet away)...heard Diego Garcia play guitar. There should a word other than "play" for what Diego does. He masters the guitar. He conquers the guitar. He made those 6 little strings do things I have never heard before. Even with the door open and people listening from the sidewalk, you could have heard the proverbial pin drop. Diego will be returning to us after his concert tour in Latin America, and, for all of you who asked (begged might be the action word here), we now have some of Diego's CDs in our charming little Galleria.

And from Madrid to San Paolo & Rio!!

Tomorrow night we are hosting Brazilian artist Duda Penteado and his spectacular artwork (now making ArtsEcho Galleria proud). Two superb young Brazilian musicians, Renan Farias on cavaquinho and voice (singing in that amazingly cool way that only born Brazilians seem to be able to achieve...you know what I mean) and Bruno Menezes on guitar.

Here is a sneak preview of Duda's wonderful artwork:

And since we've "covered" ART and MUSIC...we can't ignore FASHION, (at ArtsEcho Galleria, heaven forbid). Here are a few photos of Zoe and Karina wearing "Little Black Dresses"! Why Little Black Dresses? Well, we have so many fabulous new dresses (including a ton of Betsey Johnson dresses...some perfect for the sophisticated prom-goer...) in our shop(pe) that we took all the LBDs out to a separate rack and thought that you might enjoy seeing a few:

Yes, that's Duda with Zoe...he's not in a Little Black Dress but in the honest, paint-splattered jeans of the hard-working artist.

Warm regards,

Sandra and the dedicated, fun-loving, hard-working people who make ArtsEcho Galleria such a great place to be (I'm prejudiced, but I'm also honest...)... Zoe, Karina, Arianna, Crystal, Ben, Lina, Sommer, Claude...and Tyler (more about Tyler soon).

PS: Yup, here we are...3809 Park Ave right across from the southern end of the parking lot of the Weehawken Pathmark. 201-617-1110; M-W 11-7, Th-F 11-8, Sat 10-6

PPS: Ahhhh!!!! I almost forgot!!!! Our first JEWELRY PARTY was last Sunday (you see what I mean about keeping up with it all?) It was a huge success!! Tremendous fun with a great bunch of delightful women. And now there are gorgeous, one-of-a-kind, "I've-never-seen-anything-so-beautiful" pieces of ArtsEcho jewelry adorning the hands, arms, necks and ears of some very happy ladies in Bergen county. We have two more JEWELRY PARTIES coming up this week in NEW YORK CITY! Call us for details about how to host your own party!

PPPS: See you tomorrow night at 7...we may have a huge crowd again, so come early...(I'm on my way to buy the "Brazilian Cheese Puffs"...yummmmm....)

You Never Know What a Day Will Bring...

2010-03-05T17:46:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

"What fascinating person will open the door and walk into our little shop today?"

It's a question I ask myself more and more...as more and more fascinating people find their way here. Yesterday we were interviewed by a lovely TV anchorwoman who filmed Zoe and me talking about ArtsEcho Galleria (what else?) and the show was already on TV (on channel 20-WMBS) last night! Then we met a superb artist from Ridgefield Park who paints on glass with tiny beads of colored ink (an exhibition in the making!)

And tonight, at 8pm, Diego Rivera from Madrid, will be playing virtuoso guitar here and lots of wonderful neighbors (including, hopefully, you!) will be here to listen and enjoy, and meet Diego and some really interesting and charming people in our community.

Sunday is our FIRST Arts & Accessories Party (with lots of our lovely jewelry, bags, scarves, and artwork...in New Milford, NJ) and we already have two more parties set up for the following week in New York City. (This should come under the category of "no rest for the weary"...but "weary"? Me? Not on your life. I'm having much too good a time with it all!)

On Monday, ArtsEcho Design, our new fashion label dedicated to SUSTAINABLE COUTURE, will have its first fashion shoot, photographed by Edwin Flores. Ji Young Song, one of our new designers, has created a dress that is so beautiful, it almost had me in tears. Ji Young is a graduate of both Seoul's famous School of Fashion Design and FIT Couture. She chose leathers and silks from my vast collection of designer fabrics (30 years in the making, collected all over the world) that is the basis of the new ArtsEcho Design collection, and created a dress that interweaves the fabrics and the leather. Wait 'til you see it!

Speaking of fashion, our first fashion show will take place on Saturday eve, May 15th. We will introduce designs from our new label (I get to be Heidi Klum...hey, I can dream, can't I?) and we'll also present some of our special ArtsEcho Galleria pieces on some special ArtsEcho Galleria gals. Our models will also include a few professional ones like our new neighbor, Natalia, (who just moved into the "Watertower District") below, photographed by Edwin Flores at the Galleria in one of our lovely, black velvet, (slightly backless!) gowns. You see? Never a dull moment here!

Next Saturday, March 13th at 7pm is BRAVO BRAZIL!! Join us for the opening of the solo exhibition of amazing artwork by Brazilian painter, Duda Penteado. The musical side of the evening embodies the sounds of two young Brazilians from Rio, singer Renan Farias on cavaquinho (the "sound of the samba" instrument), and guitarist Bruno Menezes. The two are recent arrivals in the US and will perform not only traditional Brazilian music, but the latest songs heard today in the edgy clubs of Rio. Here are Renan and Bruno (smiling on our pink couch) and Duda (who has graciously offered to translate during the concert since Renan and Bruno speak almost no English...

Warm regards,

Sandra and the charming ArtsEcho Galleria team, Karina, Zoe, Crystal, Ben, Arianna, Lina, Claude and Sommer.

PS: We're at 3809 Park Ave in the "Watertower District" right across from the Weehawken Pathmark PARKING LOT! You can reach us at 201-617-1110

PPS: We're up the block from the Park Ave Grill and across from Paula at Rigolettos...just south of Beyti and the new (and totally yummy) Touch of Spice restaurant.

Snow, snow, go away, come again another day (like late next year!)

2010-02-26T19:55:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

It may be snowing and blowing outside but here at ArtsEcho Galleria it is just about the warmest it has ever been! All day long we have had a photoshoot going on here (on, near, over and partly under) the famous pink couch (while some stalwart folk have been shopping.)

Our good friends, photographer Edwin Flores and stylist Tyler Callaghan, together with makeup artist Nik Masi, have been photographing some of our amazing clothes on two stunning (and very charming) models (Paola from Brazil & Gabrielle from Lithuania). Four of them are about 8 feet tall so I feel like a small plant in the middle of a forest. Here's Nik and Gabrielle (who is wearing a hand embroidered antique Mexican dress from our collection):

And here is Paola in a 1950's vintage wool dress with a headband and feathers:

Needless to say (but I'll say it anyway) these are photos I took...(I am generally acknowledged to be the world's worst photographer...and that's by people who love me...) Next week I'll enclose some of Edwin's photos and, believe me, you won't believe it...

We were supposed to have our very first ART & ACCESSORIES PARTY (also known as FABULOUS JEWELRY PARTY) tonight in New Milford. Postponed 'til next Sunday (emphasis on the "Sun"). But, of course, every day is a jewelry party at ArtsEcho Galleria. Here is one of our latest acquisitions...it's sterling silver, Brazilian drusy and carnelians and it's about FOUR INCHES LONG! As always, a unique and wearable piece of artwork.

Next Friday night (March 5) you are all welcome to "GuitarBurst" with the superb Diego Garcia at 8pm. And Saturday, March 13, at 7pm, is Bravo Brazil!

Warm regards,

Sandra and the energetic, highly capable, learn-something-new-every-day ArtsEcho Galleria team, Karina, Crystal, Zoe, Ben, Arianna, and our terrific (and much appreciated) interns, Claude and Sommer.

PS: Here are two photos of Gabrielle...one with the traditional haute couture "model look" and the other, where we made her laugh! (By the way, she's wearing a lovely Nanette Lepore jacket and one of our ethnic Indian necklaces...as a headpiece, of course...what else?)

PPS: OUR FABULOUS NOT-TO-MISS SALE DAYS!!!!!

Monday: 20% off your ENTIRE shopping spree!

Tuesday: JEWELRY! Buy 1 get 1 half off (BOGOHO!)

Wednesday: 40% off ONE fabulous item!

Thursday: BOGOHO on all of our gorgeous clothing.

Friday: Get a $10 gift certificate with a $40 or more purchase! (You can either keep the GC for yourself or give it to your mother-in-law so she'll forgive you for..whatever.)

Saturday: 30% off BAGS & ACCESSORIES (wallets, scarves, headbands, hats, belts!)

PPPS: We are here from 10-6 on Sat, 11-7 Mon-Wed and 11-8 on Thurs and Fri and you can call and chat at 201-617-1110.

PPPPS: Arianna would like to know if anyone wants to build a snowwoman...

PPPPPS: Look below for the SECRET WORD!!!!

Why "Valentine's" Day?...it seems no one knows...but have a happy one anyway!

2010-02-12T20:40:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends: Since there are lots of nice people in our cozy little shop buying beautiful things for that lovely lover's holiday, I thought this might be a good time to find out something about St. Valentine (about whom, I realized, I know absolutely nothing).

Turns out I'm not the only one. My good friends, Goog & Wiki weren't much help. They told me that the only "Valentines" they know were early Christian martyrs. How's that for romantic?! One urban legend (well, ancient urban Rome) has it that the Emperor Claudius tried to convert a guy named Valentine to Roman paganism, but Valentine almost succeeded in converting Claudius who then freaked out and had him beheaded. But just before they lopped off Valentine's head, he managed to restore the sight of his jailer's daughter whom he then presented with a card that said "From Your Valentine". Then they chopped off his head. Seriously, I read this.

More to the point, however, is that Valentine's Day supports the greeting card industry and is the second largest card-sending holiday after, of course, Christmas. There are more than one billion(!) Valentine Cards sent each year all over the world!

Now as for Valentine's Day presents, well, you have come to the right place!!! Tomorrow, we are selling our lovely jewelry at a heart-stopping 40% off!!!!! (by the way, it's my heart that's stopping). And with each gift you get a lovely gift bag, matching red paper, cute little gift cards, warm ambiance, Hershey's kisses, adorable mannequins, and excellent advice (from our Karina, the ArtsEcho Galleria Queen-of-Accessories!!)

All of our glorious costume AND sterling silver (with semi-precious gems) jewelry is on sale...rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, cuffs & fabulous sets.

*****

One of our new friends at the Galleria is a very talented young fashion photographer who has just moved to Union City. His name is Edwin Flores and we will be exhibiting his work in May together with our "Sustainable Couture" fashion show (and, of course, fashion-y songs like Gershwin's "The Way You Wear Your Hat"...any ideas, anyone?) In the meantime, Edwin uses items from our fabulous Galleria collection for his photo shoots and we get to use his photos! Here are a few recent ones to whet your appetites:

Doesn't our clothing look great? OK, the model (her name is Zane Mende) is pretty awesome, too. Thanks, Edwin!

*****

Teddy Schapiro's amazing pen & ink art is now on exhibit in the Galleria. The comments we've received are incredible; once people start looking, they can't stop. The exhibit is called "Between the Lines" but a few of the other names we thought of were "Death and Life in Pen and Ink", "Schapiro & Kafka", "Schizo-Frantic" and the one that really describes the work, "Ink-istentialism". Teddy is another artist who lives here in Union City.

Warm regards to all,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho Galleria team, Karina, Crystal, Ben, Arianna & Lina

PS: SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, March 13th is BRAVO BRAZIL!!!!! We are hosting the superb artwork of Brazilian artist, Duda Penteado, and we have several young, edgy, Brazilian musicians who will be performing music that is happening now in Brazil. Looks to be a great show!

PPS: We're at 3809 Park Ave (in case you forgot); 201-617-1110 on M-W 11-7, Th-F 11-8 and Sat 10-6.

PPPS: Thank you so much for forwarding these emails to your friends!!!! They are coming in and telling us that they got your emails!!!! Please keep doing so!!!!!

PPPPS: I love exclamation points.

What do you want first? The good news...or the good news?

2010-02-06T10:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

Yes, we are unabashed optimists here at ArtsEcho Galleria (despite the recession & the upcoming snowstorm).

The first really wonderful news is that we have been recognized by the Hudson County Office of Cultural Affairs & Tourism with an 2010 ARTS GRANT specifically for our concerts and programs!!!!! And that is good for us all, since we will be able to continue presenting superb (and free!!) evenings of music and art in the Galleria's charming and highly intimate setting that you have all come to know and love (or so we hear almost every day).

There is something really magical about hearing live music played by superb musicians in an intimate and warm place that is simply...magic. And where can you go today to hear live music? Either to a concert that often costs the big bucks, or a bar. Our events do not cost big bucks (or small bucks, either...) and we certainly are not a bar...although...maybe?...nah (our insurance won't cover it...darn).

So we wish to publicly thank the wonderful folks at the HCOCAT (thank goodness for abbreviations). Thank you, thank you from the bottom of our artistic hearts!

*******

And speaking of HEARTS (oh come on, you all knew this was coming...) we have been selling our lovely and unique jewelry for Valentine's Day! Rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, bags (OK, bags aren't jewelry but they're terrific) and scarves (ditto). As you'll see in the coupon below, ALL jewelry is 25% off this week...'til Valentine's Day. And you'll get a lovely box, red tissue paper, and a gift bag as well (we even have little gift cards just about big enough to write "I Love You"...how cool is that?)

*******

More good news: We are in the process of hanging a new art show of "Outsider Art" by one of the insiders at ArtsEcho Galleria. Teddy Schapiro is an artist who has studied at Cal Arts and the Chicago Institute of Art and exhibited in several galleries in NYC. He lives in Union City. We have loved his artwork since we met him and have displayed it frequently. This will be his first solo show here. It is very personal, often funny, highly iconoclastic, and pure Teddy. We're sure you'll enjoy it.

And yet more good news! In March we will be hosting the artwork of Brazilian artist, Duda Penteado. Duda's work, including his book, "Beauty for Ashes", has been celebrated and exhibited widely throughout the US, Brazil and Europe. We are very proud and delighted to host a solo show of Duda Penteado's powerful art (which will debut with a concert of Brazilian music...more on that soon).

Wishing you all a lovely (if very white) weekend...(anyone who braves the snowdrifts to get to our charming little outpost on Park Ave tomorrow will get a nice hot cup of cocoa from me!)

Warm regards,

Sandra and the highly personable & helpful team at ArtsEcho Galleria, Karina (our Style-Maven-Guru), Crystal, Ben, Arianna & Lina.

*******

PS: A big thanks to everyone who emailed us about the Art & Accessories Parties! We were delighted to get so many great responses. If you can think of a good place for a party (perhaps your office or school), please let us know! The very first party is scheduled for late February in New Milford, NJ.

PPS: We just had a meeting with our dear friends (and Park Ave neighbors) Praveen & Pepita from the new (and excellent) "Touch of Spice" Indian restaurant and have decided to form a "Watertower District Association" to promote this wonderful area! There are so many great people who live here, including lots of artists and musicians. And it seems as if TONS of young artists (who can't afford to live in the town a little to the south of us...I won't mention names) are moving in!!

PPPS: We're at 3809 Park Ave; open from 11-7 M-W, 11-8 Th-F and 10-6 TOMORROW, snow or no snow!!!

PPPPS: Please forward this email to all of the terrific, wonderful, fashion-conscious, fashion-challenged (we'll help them and then you'll never be ashamed to go out with them again), and charming people you know! Thanks!!

PARTY PARTY PARTY! ArtsEcho Galleria...another really cool idea...

2010-01-29T17:31:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

I'm here in our little sweet shop on a lovely, bright, sunny (and cold!) end-of-January day. The Beatles are singing "Strawberry Fields" to us and several of our regular customers are perusing the new clothing and jewelry, hopefully to wear to great parties over the weekend.

And speaking of parties...well, some backstory first:

At the Art Vivo! exhibition that we were honored to curate at the Brennan County Court House in JC, we displayed a few items of our spectacular ArtsEcho Galleria jewelry in antique display cases together with 2000 year old Roman coins, 12th century native arrowheads, Appalachian dulcimers, handmade silk quilts, and other things that make us...well, ArtsEcho Galleria! When we went to take down the exhibit (which took 2 hours as opposed to the 18 that it took to mount it)...there were several women waiting for us...they wanted to purchase our unique, "I've-never-seen-anything-like-it-before" jewelry.

This gave us (lightbulb going off over the head time) a great idea. We are going to start "ArtsEcho Galleria Art & Accessories" home/company/fundraising parties!

Since so many of you have told us about friends who would love our shop, our wares and our ARTWORK, but live too far (like Bergen County or NYC or Massachusetts) to come here, we have decided that we will go out to the world! And not just with our gorgeous jewelry, scarves, bags, etc, but also with a few wonderful pieces of art so that lots of people get to see (and perhaps even purchase) the amazing artwork that we proudly display here (all by incredible NJ artists).

There are several companies that do this kind of thing with jewelry (did you think I was smart enough to innovate a truly great idea out of thin air??) but they are "for profit" companies and their "bottom lines" are filled with $$$$$ dollar signs (they are also VERY expensive). We are a non-profit arts organization and our bottom line is promoting and presenting superb art and music in an intimate setting for a wonderful community! (Well, we do have to pay for our lovely items, rent, bills & (our very modest) salaries...we also pay performers & take no commission when we sell artwork...that's our mission.)

We're still working out the details, but part of the proceeds will go to the host(ess) or company who hosts a party who can then decide to keep their share of the moolah or donate it to their favorite charity.

Whaddaya think? Good idea?

Have a great weekend,

Warm (as in keep warm) regards,

Sandra and the amiable, avid, attractive, & appealing ArtsEcho Galleria team, Karina, Arianna, Crystal, Ben and Lina.

PS: Thanks for the GREAT RESPONSE to the little Monday Sales email...I will keep them coming so you all know everything that's going on here...

PPS: And remember, Mondays are 20% off your entire purchase!!

PPPS: We're here (yessss!!!) M-W 11-7, Th-F 11-8, Sat 10-6 and we're at 3809 Park Avenue, Union City, across from the Weehawken Pathmark parking lot and you can call to say hi at 201-617-1110.

PPPPS: Please PLEASE forward this email to any of your friends who would love our shop and get them to sign up for these emails! You know best who they are!!!

PPPPPS: Ladies, leave this email sitting around so that your guy will buy you a great piece of jewelry at ArtsEcho Galleria for VALENTINE'S DAY!

PPPPPPS: Guys! We have GREAT PRESENTS for VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

PPPPPPPS: Enough is enough...

Yves St. Laurent and ArtsEcho...a contest!

2010-01-22T17:40:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends: This week we are going to compare some new ArtsEcho Galleria agate earrings with some new Yves St. Laurent agate earrings. This is to give you all a genuine, concrete reason WHY you love to shop at ArtsEcho Galleria (other than the charming ambiance, our unique clothing, bags, jewelry, and chocolate).

OK, the one on the left is Yves. It is certainly lovely. Agate (discovered in Greece over 3000 years ago and often found in ancient sites inside volcanic rock) has endless variations, shapes and amazing colors. The one on the right is, of course, ArtsEcho Galleria. Also beautiful. Here are the differences: Yves' earrings are "silver-tone metal" and ours are STERLING SILVER!!! (...we are such a class act...)

And now for the real difference. Are you ready?

Yves (well, the huge corporation who bought his name) charges...are you sitting down...$545 for these earrings!!!!!!!!!

ArtsEcho Galleria charges $18 (and in case you forgot, ours are real silver).

So, if there are any name-dropping snobs among you, please drop the name ArtsEcho Galleria, and those in the know will know that you are both fashionable and SMART!!

*****

We have TONS of new items in our charming little place in addition to our agate jewelry.

We also have tons of NEW IDEAS like these:

1 We will soon be giving out PREFERRED CUSTOMER CARDS so our "frequent shoppers" (and you know who you are...) will always get a healthy discount no matter what is on sale.

2 And we're also creating cute little STAMP cards so when you buy over $25 you will have your card stamped and after 7 stamps, you get a $25 ARTSECHO GIFT CERTIFICATE (for free, of course) for you to use or to give!!

Warm regards,

Sandra and the always hard-working and charming ArtsEcho Galleria team, Karina, Ben, Crystal, Arianna and Lina.

PS: To brighten your day, here is a photo of Guy and John...Guy from today (in the office) and John from about 1964 (on a poster that we are framing for the store).

PPS: ON SALE THIS WEEK! Jewelry (which almost NEVER goes on sale here) is BUY ONE GET ONE HALF OFF!! That's for (hint hint) Valentine's Day! And wait 'til you see the new things we have here!

PPPS: Speaking of Valentine's Day, those lovely (and pricey) roses will be gone in a week...the chocolates will be gone in much less time(!), but a piece of exquisite, unique, jewelry from ArtsEcho Galleria (in an elegant box with our red paper and lovely black/white gift bags with gold stickers) will REMAIN FOREVER!

PPPPS: Have a lovely weekend and come visit us. We are here (3809 Park Avenue in the up-and-coming Watertower District) on M-W 11-7, Th-F 11-8 and Sat 10-6 and you can reach us at 201-617-1110.

PPPPPS: Please send this email on to a friend!

Art and the Meaning of Life

2010-01-15T18:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

Well, the 5 million hours spent hanging the work of eight splendid artists for our show Art Vivo! was time well spent! If you haven't yet been inside the incredible Brennan Courthouse (now celebrating its 100th year), do try and get there....it's only about 20 minutes from here (straight down Palisade Ave to the end, turn right, park, and cross the street!) Here are some photos to whet the appetite:

We have heard from the powers-that-be at the Courthouse that Art Vivo! is generating a lot of interest. The reception turned into a full-blown party (of course...) with singing and playing (that's the wonderful Jorge Chiquillo, Columbian singer/guitarist), international food, wine, tours of the spectacular historic Courthouse and mostly, wonderful artists and people (not to say that artists aren't people...oh, you know what I mean).

Speaking of wonderful people, today we are saying not goodbye but farewell to our terrific Lil Rodriguez. Lil is leaving us for the business world (she will be getting actual benefits...what does that mean, again?) at State Farm Insurance in Jersey City (...now you'll really have a friend at State Farm). Lil has been with us since before the Galleria opened and, needless to say, we will miss her terribly. However, I try never-ever-ever to lose contact with great people, so Lil will continue on our Board of Advisors (which means that I can email her frequently for her input) and, hopefully, you will see her here at every event (including "Bravo Brazil" coming up on Friday, March 14th...save the date!)

Lil just reminded me that I have to remind you to remind your significant others that Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching you should remind them to SHOP HERE! We have the loveliest presents! And they will be wrapped in beautiful RED Valentine's paper in our adorable gift bags with our cute gold stickers (what would I do without adjectives?). Here are a few more appetite-whetting photos of our gifts and some new things that have just arrived at ArtsEcho:

Hope you all have a lovely weekend; stop by for the BUY ONE GET ONE HALF OFF SALE on our delightful clothing collection all next week.

Warm regards,

Sandra and the hard-working, ever-cheerful ArtsEcho Galleria team, Lil, Karina, Crystal, Ben, Arianna and Lina.

PS: If anyone has a few hours a week to volunteer at the Galleria, we need you! In exchange, you will get as many chocolate kisses as you can eat and "funny money" that is good on purchases here at the shop.

PPS: Hours are, as always, M-W 11-7, Th-F 11-8, Sat 10-6. You can reach us at 201-617-1110.

PPPS: Tomorrow morning, Knitty Gritty in Union City with Toni Figaro!

ArtsEcho in Court! (well..Courthouse...) & What Makes America Strong

2010-01-09T13:10:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends: This has been an exceptionally busy week...so busy, in fact, that it is the first time that I did not get this email out to you all on Friday! The reason is that we were "hanging" our upcoming group art show Art Vivo! at the magnificent Brennan County Courthouse, the seat of government (and the Arts Council) in our county. This is our first experience curating and hanging a major art show (other than in our own sweet Galleria) and there is quite a learning curve...as a matter of fact, by 5pm on Friday we were finally getting the hang of it (sorry about the pun...you know I can't resist). It looks magnificent and the building itself is a major part of the wonder. This year begins the Centennial year for the Courthouse and we are highly honored to be the first exhibit of the new Centennial in the Rotunda Gallery

Brennan County Courthouse is one of the great buildings in the US and certainly one of the finest in NJ and Hudson County. Built originally in 1910, the building was closed for many years and almost demolished during those mid-20th Century years in which architects and city planners thought that anything old was not worth keeping (like the old Penn Station, priceless statues and all, now buried somewhere in the Meadowlands). By the 1960s, the courthouse was in terrible disrepair and was occupied by raccoons, mice and squirrels. The snow that fell on Jersey City at that time landed right on the main floor of the building. It was reopened in 1985 and has been wowing people ever since.

Hudson County, like New Jersey, is one of the most ethnically diversified places in the world and this, I believe, is one of our great strengths. The artists in Art Vivo! certainly reflect this. Jan Hinsch was born in Germany, Amado Mora in Ecuador, Sergio Rivero in Cuba, Ben Roman in Puerto Rico, Gerardo Latino in Nicaragua, Janet Diaz in Peru. Michele Papavasiliou Pattwell's parents are from Ireland and, well, Dexter Lane traces his heritage back to the Mayflower. Quite a diverse and fascinating group of artists and you will see the influences in their artwork.

Join us on Monday from 6 - 8pm at the Courthouse. You will see not only the work of eight amazing New Jersey artists, but also the soaring Corinthian columns, exquisite marble balconies, decorative scrolls, granite lion heads, a copper "victory torch" cupola, a bronze great seal of the State of New Jersey and marble pillars that support the most amazing stained glass dome (way up at the top) cirled by the astrological symbols! If that's not enticement enough, we will all be there (dressed to the 9s in ArtsEcho Galleria glory)!!! We are closing our charming little shop an hour early so we can celebrate (with great wine, food, company, neighbors, politicians, artists...)

Here's the info: 1/11/10, 6-8pm, Brennan Cty Courthouse, 575 Newark Ave, JC...or call us at 201-617-1110. Hope to see you there!

Warm regards,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho Galleria team, Lil, Ben, Karina, Crystal, Arianna & Lina

The New, the Old and the Vintage

2010-01-01T13:01:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

Today we are jumping headlong into a decade for which we don't even have a name. The teens? The 10s? (Anyone?)

These historical milestones always make me think about the past. It's hard to believe that in the decade beginning with 1910, aviation really got off the ground (sorry....) with commercial planes, freight planes, stunt planes...and not one security check! Actually, it really is hard to believe, since the Wright brothers (intrepid bicycle mechanics that they were) had only invented the darn flying machine a few years earlier in 1903 in the backyard of their home (probably with their mom yelling at them from the kitchen to do their homework and stop wasting time trying to get a machine to fly in the air...ridiculous!)

During the 1910 decade, Henry Ford invented the assembly line and managed to sell 10,000 cars...many to his own workers to whom he paid a wage high enough to buy them! In 1915, my own BFF, Albert Einstein, invented his General Theory of Relativity (which I don't understand but I know it's mind-bogglingly important, emphasis on the mind-boggling). The unsinkable Titanic sank in 1912 and the Great War (nicknamed "The War to End All Wars" and later known as World War I...so much for nicknames) brought lots of inventions, many used to kill people, such as the tank and the machine gun. On the positive side, a First Class stamp cost only 2 pennies.

In the 1910 decade, modern women began wearing much looser clothing and abandoned the corset (and thereby stopped fainting all the time). Feathers were on every woman's hat, and lo and behold, they are back again! In honor of the past, we have put together a little album of photos of some of our spectacular vintage dresses and feather headpieces from the past century. And here are our own Lil, Arianna and Karina modeling them:

We wish you all a wonderful New Year with health, happiness, enough money, and most of all, lots of laughter.

Warm regards,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho team, Lil, Crystal, Ben, Arianna, Karina & Lina

PS: All week long is Buy One Get One Half Off week! This including our stunning and fabulous jewelry (and even those amazing vintage dresses...but Lil and Arianna don't go with them...)

An (Almost) End-of-Year Letter From Your Favorite Local Boutique/Art Gallery/Cabaret (...now who else could it be?)

2009-12-26T15:10:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

Art will get you through times of no money

Better than money will get you through times of no art...

Have you ever thought what our lives would be like without the arts in all their vast and varied glory?

There would be no music...no Mozart, no Phoenix, no Beatles, no Abba

There would be no film or television...no Gone With the Wind, no MadMen, no Friends

There would be no actors...no Meryls, no Denzels, no Carys, no Audreys

There would be no storytelling...no oral history, no creative use of language

There would be no literature...no Jane Austen, no Pablo Neruda, no Mark Twain

There would be no humor...no jokes, no Chris Rock, no hilarious stories

There would be no painting or sculpture...no Monets, no DaVincis, no Kahlos

There would be no design...no useful objects, beautifully made

There would be no architecture...no warm and inviting houses to shelter and form us

There would be no fashion...no lovely fabric or jewelry with which to adorn ourselves

There would be no cuisine...no paella, no sushi, no ArtsEcho cheesecake!

Art is all of the creative accomplishments that have been achieved by ourselves and the twenty billion people who have gone before us on this planet. Art is of the highest importance in making our lives livable, enjoyable, meaningful, understandable.

This is our (possibly not too subtle, but only once a year) way of asking you to make an end-of-year, totally tax-exempt contribution to our extremely worthy non-profit organization, ArtsEcho. We use our charming, neighborhood-uplifting and warm little shop to present the most marvelous artists in our gallery (and sell their work with no commission). And as many of you know, we convert ourselves into a cabaret every so often to produce and present fantastic concerts right here since we believe that there is great value in experiencing superb live music in a close and intimate setting (for FREE)! All of this is done on the proverbial shoe-string budget by good people who care a great deal about art, community, our neighborhood, and the future. And just so we never get bored (LOL) we also produce and present the math show "Arithmetickles" for school assembly audiences thoughout the US.

If you want your donations to have a STRONG LOCAL IMPACT and to go to an organization that will use EVERY SINGLE PENNY of your contribution to promote its mission (and not to fly its Executive Director off to a meeting in the South of France...hmmm, that doesn't sound too bad), please consider making a donation to ArtsEcho. We are a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and official New Jersey charity, and will IMMEDIATELY provide you with a lovely letter (for Uncle Sam) signed by me (the one who's not going to the South of France...darn).

Here are a few pictorial reminders of who we are, how hard we work, and how much fun we have doing it:

That's Karina after dressing her BFF, Raquelle, in a perfect-for-New-Year's-Eve-outfit; a surprised Arianna putting a scarf on the "lady lamp"; me at my desk after I cleaned it (!), and Ben F. demonstrating a new, handmade feather headband.

We wish you all a delightful Holiday season, a productive and healthy New Year (more on that next week) and time to relax and enjoy the good things in life.

Warm regards, Sandra and the ArtsEcho Galleria team, Lil (returning from Florida today), Crystal (snowmobiling in Maine), Ben, Arianna, Karina & Lina.

PS: Oh yes, "ArtsEcho" goes on the dotted line...and the address is 3809 Park Avenue, Union City, NJ 07087.

PPS: All this week our wonderful collection of clothing is on a TWOFER sale! That's TwoFer One Price!

PPPS: This week we're open M-W 11-7, Thurs 11-whenever (New Year's Eve...), closed Friday (January 1st...sleep, sleep, sleep!) and open Saturday 10-6. You can reach us at 201-617-1110 if you are as confused as I am.

PPPPS: More soon about the ArtsEcho Galleria exhibit in the Brennan County Courthouse Rotunda Gallery (this is a BIG honor for us!) opening on January 11. It's called "ART VIVO! A Wealth of New Jersey Artists" (and truer words were never spoken).

Why Are We Smiling At ArtsEcho Galleria?

2009-12-18T18:41:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

Question: Why is our Arianna smiling in the following photo?

Answer: Because she is wearing one of our new, handmade white MINK headbands (you can't see the jewels and feathers on it, but they are there...) (Also, she's glad that she is standing next to peacock feathers and not the whole peacock.)

Question: Why is our Lil smiling in the following photo?

Answer: Because that ArtsEcho Gift Certificate says $1,000,000! (And, as you all know, Lil is worth every penny.) You, too, can get an ArtsEcho Gift Certificate (in a lovely envelope and adorable gift bag like the one in the photo) for $25 or $50 or $100,000...whatever....so that the special person(s) in your life can choose from among our amazing collection of gorgeous things like some of these great bags and scarves...(or even that vintage Sputnik lamps from the 60s!)

Last one:

Question: Why are we ALL smiling at ArtsEcho Galleria this week?

Answer: Because our wonderful new neighbors, the "Touch of Spice" Indian Restaurant is opening today! We are very excited about it since the owners, Prevan and Pepita (and all of Pepita's sisters) are among our favorite ArtsEcho friends. Last year they came into our charming little shop and asked if we thought an Indian restaurant in the "Watertower District" (that's our slice of Park Avenue heaven) would be a welcome addition. Well, after we finished jumping up and down and screaming "yessss" for 15 minutes, they got the idea. Yesterday Lil and I had the honor of being in the ribbon cutting ceremony (with the charming (and surprisingly funny!) Mayor Turner and Weehawken Councilfolk) and then SAMPLING THE FOOD. OMG...very, very delicious.

Merry Christmas to all, have a lovely week, stop by and see us, get a kiss (Hershey's, that is), soak up the warm and inviting atmosphere, buy some lovely gifts and try to RELAX!

Warm regards,

Sandra and the delightful ArtsEcho team, Lil, Crystal, Ben, Arianna, Karina, Lina & Dina.

PS: ON SALE THIS WEEK!!!!! CLOTHING AT (gasp!!) 50% off!!! OUR GORGEOUS ONE-OF-A-KIND JEWELRY, SUPER-DUPER TRENDY BAGS & COLORFUL SCARVES are 25% off!!!

PPS: We are at 3809 Park Ave, lest you forget, and we're open from 11-7 M-W, 11-8 Th (Friday is Christmas!!!!) and 10-6 on Sat.

PPPS: You can see lots more on our Facebook page. Please become a FAN! We're at "ArtsEcho". (I love Facebook...)

PPPPS: Please forward this to all of the trendy and cool people you know (and a few who aren't but could be if they shopped here!)

Thank Goodness for Heads...Without One You Can't Wear A Headband!

2009-12-11T20:36:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends: It is a cold and blustery Friday eve but inside ArtsEcho Galleria it is warm and inviting. We have had lovely people here all day long (but you know we think that all the people who come in here are lovely, and, well, they are.) Many men were her today buying presents for...guess who? You! We are so delighted when guys come in here saying "My wife (fiancee/girlfriend/daughter/significant other/all of the previous) told me to come here and buy a ring (necklace/bracelet/bag/scarf/all of the previous). (Don't worry...for the truly clueless, we have Gift Certificates in adorable gift bags...). Ah, the joys of December!

Speaking of December joys, we had a huge joy on Wednesday evening. The velvet-voiced Jennifer Lampert was here with two superb musicians, Gary Schreiner on accordion and chromatic harp (...a fancy harmonica) and Jeremy Beck on piano and vocals. Here's the beautiful Jen with Gary, and that's Jeremy in front of our gallery wall.

What a wonderful evening it was. New Jersey is so incredibly rich in music and musicians and singers and songs. The final song of the evening, "Slip Slidin' Away" by Paul Simon (born in Newark) has been playing in my head since then; while I was listening to Jen and Jeremy sing it, I almost felt like I was in a trance. There is something about hearing wonderful music being performed live in a small and intimate space that is an incomparable experience. We had a full house of happy people who also gazed in wonder at Dexter Lane's huge (shot in Weehawken...oooh, sorry, that sounds like Alexander Hamilton...) panoramas of the New York skyline. Dexter's photos are on exhibit here for the month of December. They are also on sale and are priced from $30 (for a 4" x 30" panorama) to $700 for a 17" x 112" panorama! All are original signed photographs, of course. Now that's a gift!

So...where were we? Oh yes, headbands! Feathers! Jewels! Silk! Feathers & jewels! Jewels & silk! Even zippers. These new, absolutely must-have fashion statements dress up any outfit immediately. And can, of course, be matched to bags, scarves, pins and tops. Here are a few modeled by some ArtsEcho favorites:

These headbands won't keep you warm, but they sure do look cute (even on one of our Chinese, wooden, hand-painted horses). If you want to keep warm, come visit us. And while you're here shopping you can munch on Oreo cookies, our "treat of the month"... (they were invented in Hoboken in 1912 and 362,000,000,000 (that's BILLION!!!!) have been eaten since then).

Happy Weekend, Happy Chanukah, warm regards,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho Galleria team, Lil, Crystal, Ben, Arianna, Karina & Lina

PS: Here are Lil, Arianna and Karina, three of the most charming (and hardest working...they turned the Galleria into a cabaret with 60 seats and back again into a shop) young women you will ever meet:

PPS: We're here M-W 11-7, Th-F 11-8, Sat 10-6; call us at 201-617-1110.

PPPS: ON SALE THIS WEEK!!! Our adorable headbands and our fabulous, you-won't-see-anywhere-else jewelry is 25% off this week (and that's off our already ridiculously low prices...)

PPPPS: There will be a surprise BOGOHO (BUYONEGETONEHALFOFF) sale on our delightful clothing collection this week. (OK, I'll tell you when it is...it's on Tuesday and Thursday but don't tell anyone...you know what? Tell everyone!)

PPPPPS: Oh yes...there is a FANTASTIC FOUR PAGE article about ArtsEcho Galleria coming out this week in PALISADE MAGAZINE! Don't miss it!

PPPPPPS: Bye...

A QUICK REMINDER! A GREAT EVENING OF MUSIC, PHOTOGRAPHY (& wonderful people & delicious goodies) TOMORROW NIGHT AT ARTSECHO!

2009-12-08T20:50:00.000-08:00

"THE SOUND FROM HERE, THE VIEW FROM HERE"

Wednesday, December 9 at 7pm

ArtsEcho Galleria

3809 Park Ave

Union City

"The Sound..." is by Jennifer Lampert, an extraordinary singer who will be presenting an entirely new and delightful show of music from New Jersey. Not only our favorite Frankie, but perennials like Leslie Gore, Whitney Houston, Jon Bon Jovi and of course, The Boss, will be making musical appearances in spectacular new arrangements.

"The View..." is by Dexter Lane, the amazing panorama photographer who often gets up before dawn (!!) to photograph the skyline across the river that can only be seen from ...you guessed it, NEW JERSEY! You've never seen anything like Dexter's huge panoramas.

Other than serving superb music and art, we will also be serving OREO COOKIES (invented in Hoboken) and homemade delights made with M&Ms (invented in Newark)...a real New Jersey FEAST for the ears, eyes and palate.

We'll all be here and we look forward to seeing you all here tomorrow night!

Best regards from Sandra, Lil, Crystal, Ben, Arianna, Karina and Lina

Wrap It Up! Scarves Have Yards and Yards of History

2009-12-04T20:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

I have been trying to write about our beautiful scarves for several weeks now, but everytime I try to, I find that we are almost all sold out! Well, it is December, and that makes it classic scarf weather and now we have a good stock of beautiful scarves in our charming little shop.

Scarves are so ubiquitous that it's hard to think that they actually have "history" but they do. Scarves date back at least as far as ancient Rome where they were called sudarium. They were originally used by the ever-pragmatic Romans to wipe their necks and faces. But, of course, they soon became a fashion accessory and both men and women wore them draped around their necks (the Romans loved to drape everything) or knotted around their waists. And here we are 2000 years later doing the same thing. Since Roman times, scarves have been in use all over the world, by Chinese warriors, Croatian mercenaries (who called them "kravatas", hence our cravats), the fashionable French, the freezing Scandinavians and just about anyone else you can name. They have been used to proclaim political beliefs and establish ethnic identities. Here are a few of the new scarves you'll find at ArtsEcho Galleria (we just use them as great fashion statements and for warmth and color):

The first photo has very stretchy, intricate scarves in fantastic colors, (all of which we can match our amazing bags and belts...that's a hint)...the second has fabric that is "poufed" all over (with a parrot pin...pins are great on scarves) and the last one is satin handsewn over velvet...beautiful and unusual and flying out of the galleria!

And here is our own Lil, back from amazing adventures in Panama, cutting through the jungle, digging the canal, (jumping on and off buses in Panama City!) just in time to model a new scarf, subtly shaded with a great metallic shine. Doesn't she look happy to be back?

That's probably because Lil and all of the rest of us are so excited by the upcoming concert with singer Jennifer Lampert and the exhibition of huge panoramic photos by Dexter Lane. Don't forget, it's this coming Wednesday (December 9) at 7pm. As always, you'll meet wonderful neighbors including many actors, artists and musicians, hear excellent music, see great art, eat delicious goodies and get to mingle and party with all of us! What could be better?

Have a lovely weekend, warm regards,

Sandra and the terrific ArtsEcho Galleria team, Lil, Arianna, Crystal, Ben, Karina, Dina and Lina

PS: Toni Figaro, who makes exquisite handmade scarves that are for sale in the Galleria will be here tomorrow morning knitting away!

PPS: If you haven't already, please go to our Facebook page (ArtsEcho) and FAN us! We'll be posting all of our new things there (well, eventually...)

PPPS: Please think of our charming little Galleria when you go shopping for the holidays. We have highly unusual things that you won't find in (horrors) the malls! And we have adorable gift boxes and gift cards to make your holiday season a joyful one.

PPPPS: Oh yes, we also have GIFT CERTIFICATES!!!!

PPPPPS: We're here M-W 11-7, Th-F 11-8 and Sat 10-6. We'll be closing a little early on this Wednesday to get ready for the fun!

Tschaikovsky, Brewski, Apres-Ski...but who is this Swarovski?

2009-11-27T20:50:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

OK...we all know Tchaikovsky's wonderful music like "Swan Lake"...(believe me, even if you don't know it by name, you'll know it when you hear it). And "brewski" is now in quite a few dictionairies (and I'm sure I don't need to explain that one to anyone)... Apres-Ski...well, not in this weather, but we can hope.

So who is this Swarovski and why does everyone who loves jewelry know the name?

It turns out that Daniel Swarovski was born in Bohemia (which has lent its name to the Boho style...more on Boho in another email) in 1862. His father had a small glass factory and young Daniel grew up playing among the shining shards.

After becoming a glass cutter, Daniel learned of a new invention from our own Tom Edison (and this was over a century before Google...) and was inspired to invent a machine for cutting thousands of perfect facets in crystal (which is the highest quality glass with lots of lead in it) with far greater precision than had ever been done before.

And the result? Exquisite Swarovski crystal can be found in magnificent jewelry all over the world, including at...you guessed it...ArtsEcho Galleria! Here's a tiny little sample of Swarovski crystal encircling a gorgeous, huge cubic zirconia:

We have lots of beautiful new jewelry, including sparkly earrings, glittering necklaces, gleaming bracelets, shimmering rings...I could go on and on but I'll just end with: Thanks, Daniel.

Warm regards,

Sandra and the wonderful ArtsEcho team: Lil (returning from Panama on Sunday), Karina (who has been filling in for Lil), Crystal (H. not S.), Ben, Arianna, Jackie, Dina and Lina.

PS: Hope everyone's Thanksgiving was wonderful...and now...on to Christmas! To accompany our exquisite jewelry, we have great boxes (including ring boxes), lovely red tissue paper (on its way), adorable gift bags and even gift cards...

all for free! Simplified holiday shopping, anyone?

PPS: Here's the lovely Jen Lampert who will be performing at our next concert "THE SOUND FROM HERE, THE VIEW FROM HERE" celebrating the music and views from NJ! The extraordinary panoramas (some TEN FEET LONG!) of our favorite photographer, Dexter Lane, will be on exhibit as well. Save the date: Wednesday, December 9th, 7 pm...music, art, food!

PPPS: Hours: M-W 11-7, Th-F 11-8, Sat 10-6; Phone: 201-617-1110

PPPPS: We are on FaceBook! And we update photos a lot! If you love FB, please go to ArtsEcho and FAN US!

PPPPPS: I have to go home now...

BLACK FRIDAY at ArtsEcho...well, perhaps DARK GREY Friday

2009-11-20T20:30:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

On this warm November 20 evening, I want to greet you all and wish you a very Happy upcoming Thanksgiving! I love Thanksgiving as it is really the only non-commercial holiday that we celebrate. It's all about eating, family, eating, relaxing, eating, watching football, eating, napping...

So doesn't it just get to you that the next day has become one of the most commercial days of the year? Well, if you can't fight 'em...

On Friday, in the spirit of "joining 'em" the ArtsEcho way, we will be open (not at 6am, not at 3am, not at 1am) but at 9am!!!! And unlike some of our competitors (like Walmart and Macy's...OK, lol) we won't have just a few things on sale, but EVERYTHING will be 40% off!!!! Even our fabulous jewelry (that you won't find anywhere else and that NEVER goes on sale since our prices are already soooo looooow) will be on sale. Here are a few samples of our wonderful new things to whet your appetites (for BLING, not turkey...):

That's Arianna and Karina behind the counter (no, they are not for sale on Black Friday) with flowers from Ben Roman and a basket of chocolate kisses that we always keep on hand to sweeten your day...

And that's Guy, the best doggie in the world...he's for sale...$20,000,000...no discount!

Have a wonderful week, warm regards,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho Galleria team, Lil (on her way to Panama!), Crystal, Ben (returning from Israel this week), Judy, Arianna, Jackie, Karina, Lina, Dina and our new intern Claude (pronounced Claud-ay).

PS: Next week I'll tell you all about the Dec. 9th "New Jersey" concert with the amazing Jennifer Lampert who has sung at the Rainbow Room, The Waldorf, Roseland Ballroom, Giant Stadium & Shea Stadium, not to mention touring the world entertaining the troops as Miss USO 2001! She will be joined by Emmy award winning musician Gary Schreiner and a few other surprise guests!

PPS: Ah yes, we are open M-W 11-7, Friday 9am - whenever, Saturday 10-6.

PPPS: Ben Roman's exhibit ("People of WaterColor") last Friday night was superb! Over 60 of our neighbors, friends, artists were here admiring Ben's amazing watercolors. Make sure to stop by to see them.

The Joys of "Visual Marketing" (or making it up as you go along)

2009-11-13T14:01:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

I've just learned that what we at ArtsEcho Galleria call "let's move everything around and see how it looks" is also called Visual Marketing. We always get comments from you all saying "Oh, you've changed the store!" Yes...it's fun to do it (builds muscles!) and we love to see what looks best where. Well, it turns out that you can spend about $200,000 and get a fancy degree in this. There are even universities that offer PhD's in Visual Marketing.

So here is the ArtsEcho Galleria do-it-yourself version of Visual Marketing with some lovely new items that are in the Galleria (notice how the bags and scarves and pins all match!)

And sitting on the famous pink couch (did I ever tell you that it is the exact same couch that was in the 2005 film "The Producers"? Yes, friends and film trivia buffs, Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick sat on this couch and 8 men danced on it in the film) is our mannequin Rachel, also VM'd with the Einstein Wall behind her:

So stop on by, enjoy our ad hoc Visual Marketing and all of the lovely things (and people!) who are here at ArtsEcho Galleria, our charming little shop.

Warm regards,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho team, Lil, Crystal, Judy, Ben, Jackie, Arianna, Karina, Dina and Lina.

PS: Speaking of wonderful people, don't forget that tonight at 7pm you can meet the watercolor artist Ben Roman right here at ArtsEcho Galleria in his first solo show "People of WaterColor". You'll also meet some terrific neighbors and other artists who will be here (and you'll get to try my famous homemade smoked salmon/ cilantro dip!)

PPS: Can't think of one, but didn't want to disappoint you...

PPPS: Oh yes! The secret (save 50% on one fabulous item of clothing including our really gorgeous "Classy Cardigans") word is "Hurricane Ida".

PPPPS: We're open M-W 11-7, Th-F 11-8, Sat 10-6 and you can reach us at 201-617-1110

The Fantastic Fun of Fashion

2009-11-06T21:10:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends: Take a little beret, add a sweet plaid jacket, a wonderful scarf, a big black belt, put it all together with a swirly leather skirt with some ruffles (leather ruffles!) some shiny black tights, thigh high suede boots and you get...fashion! Totally up-to-the-minute fashion. Fashion that feels fabulous...fun fashion... frivolous and fantastic facets of fashion...OK, enough with the "f" words...

Meet Karina Osorio, our college intern. Karina is studying Fashion Marketing at LIM (Laboratory Institute of Merchandising) in NY. Fashion is a very, very big business as in multi-billion dollar global business. Well, why not? Everyone wears clothes. But the how and the why of what you wear has a strong effect on how you feel. And that, in turn, affects how you present yourself to the world.

Of course, everything Karina is wearing is from our charming little Galleria. And, as you know, we don't just choose our collection from catalogs or lists, but search out every special one-of-a-kind item from designers, collectors, contacts and special sales. So stop by soon, swoon over scrumptious scarves, skirts, shirts, sables and saris in our sartorial showroom...OK, no more "s" words...

I'm so glad to be back at ArtsEcho, chained to my computer, loving every moment.

Warm regards, Sandra and the wonderful ArtsEcho team, Lil, Crystal, Ben, Judy, Arianna, Jackie, Dina, Lina and Karina

PS: Next Friday night at 7pm...join us for the opening of the exhibition "People of WaterColor", a solo show by the wonderful artist, Ben Roman.

PPS: Coming up on Wednesday, December 9: "The View From Here, The Sounds From Here". Save the date!

PPPS: We're here M-W 11-7, Th-F 11-8 and Sat 10-6 and you can reach us at 201-617- 1110.

Yassou! from Athens and "Sustainable Couture"

2009-10-30T10:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

A family issue brings me to Athens, Greece this week. In my spare time I have been wandering around the city trying to find the "Greekest" places. It's not that easy.

Years ago, the Athens flea market had stall after stall of items made all over Greece. Lots of handmade pottery, wood carvings and dolls in traditional dress, particularly those cute guy dolls in the short white skirts and blue blouses. (Will the Greeks ever live that down?) Now, of course, almost all of the Greek souvenirs are made in China.

The women here are very fashionable with the right shoes, jeans, skirts, tops, sweaters, jewelry and bags (huuuuge bags). And they look exactly like the women in Union City, Weehawken and New York (and probably Boise, Melbourne and Vladivostok.) These items all come from China as well. What d'ya wanna bet that the trendy women in Beijing only wear jeans made in the US, France or Italy?

This brings me to one of our new ideas: "Sustainable Couture". It seems the only way that one can have totally original items in our 21st century is to create them yourself (that's the couture part..."couture" in French means hand-sewn) or purchase them from a charming little shop (hint, hint) that supports designers making one-of-a-kind items out of superb existing fabrics (that's the sustainable part). A classic win-win. You get to wear fantastic original things while helping emerging designers, a sweet neighborhood shop (ArtsEcho Galleria, of course) and the environment!

We will be having a mini-"sustainable fashion" show as part of our next musical evening (December 9th) to show (and show-off) some of our vintage and designer clothes as well as some of the new and exciting things being created (as we e-speak) at the Galleria.

Upcoming events:

Friday, November 13: meet Ben Roman (and all of us) and see his wonderful watercolors.

Wednesday, December 9: Hear Jennifer Lampert (an amazing singer!) sing great NJ songs and see our own Dexter Lane prove photographically that "there's no place like home".

Warm regards and Yassou! from Sandra and the ArtsEcho Galleria team (busy holding down the fort)...Lil, Judy, Crystal, Ben, Arianna, Jackie, Karina, Lina and Dina (and Toni who will be teaching knitting tomorrow morn)...

PS: We're open on M-W 11-7, Th-F 11-8 and Sat 10-6. You can call us at 617-1110.

PPS: Since I'm in Athens, I have NO IDEA what's on sale, but I bet that the lovely Lil does and I'm sure she'll be glad to tell you! Hi, Lil...(I'm waving...)

PPPS: We are starting a list of artists (visual, musical, theatrical, photographical, etc) for a the North Hudson Artist Coalition, a new organization (for which we will donate admin services and a place to meet). We are doing this so that artists who live in our area can have a stronger voice in Hudson County. If you are an artist (or know one in Union City, Weehawken, West New York, Guttenberg or North Bergen), please give us a call or send me an email.

NUDE at ArtsEcho Galleria (isn't that a great marketing ploy?)

2009-10-23T21:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

Now aren't you glad you opened this email?

"Autumn" is an extraordinary new watercolor painting by artist Ben Roman. It is part of the upcoming solo exhibition of Ben's remarkable work, "People of WaterColor", at ArtsEcho Galleria. The thing that amazes me most about this painting (and you will see it much more clearly in the flesh...so to speak) is the way Ben painted the unforgettable expression on her face. Until I saw this painting I never thought about the fact that faces are not what you usually focus on when you see paintings of nudes. (Cut it out, I can hear you saying "duh".) But bodies can be a bit generic as in "you've seen one gorgeous nude, you've seen 'em all" (with apologies to Renoir) but memorable faces are quite astonishing...and much, much harder to paint. Ben is a master.

You are all invited to join us to meet the delightful Ben Roman right here at our charming little place on Friday, November 13th at 7pm and see 12 other amazing watercolor paintings as well as the new Albert Einstein wall (and, of course, partake of our yummy offerings...possibly even "The Cheesecake"!)

*****

And now for a spectacular announcement:

As many of you know, the young woman below is our own Arianna Cummings, who, today, received the highly coveted Nordstrom Scholarship. Arianna is a senior in Union City High School and has worked here since the day we opened. She is one of FIVE students from NJ to receive the scholarship which will contribute $10,000 (10,000 dollars!!!!!) to her college of choice. Although Arianna wants to study English, History & Drama, she is also a wonderful artist and the chief "stylist" of our famous mannequins. So a huge congratulations to this extraordinary young woman (who is, by the way, dressed all in ArtsEcho in this photo...you knew I had to get that in somewhere...)

Warm regards to all, have a terrific week,

Sandra and the marvelous ArtsEcho Galleria team: Lil, Jackie, Arianna smiling above (...and she really has what to smile about...), Crystal, Judy, Ben, and our intern/volunteers, Karina, Lina and Dina (and no, we did not ask them to work here because their names rhyme...)

PS: Get-out-the-calendar-time: In addition to Friday, Nov 13th at 7pm for the "Meet the Artist" reception with Ben Roman, please mark down Wednesday, Dec 9th, 7pm, for our concert/exhibition, THE VIEW FROM HERE/THE SOUNDS FROM HERE featuring the huge photo-ramas of Dexter Lane and an original take on well-known New Jersey music by singer Jennifer Lampert.

PPS: This week, get 50% off one fabulous item from our clothing collection when you mention the secret words which are "Congratulations, Arianna!" You can say it to any of us...we'll pass it on!

PPPS: Hours are M-W 11-7, Th-F 11-8, Sat 10-6; you can reach us at 201-617-1110; and for those of you who have asked, we do take credit/debit cards, (hey, we're a modern shop!) but only Visa and MC.

HUGE Rings & ENORMOUS Bags...don't you just love fashion?

2009-10-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

As I write this, Lil and Jackie are moving things around in the Galleria. Lil is putting our new and HUMONGOUSLY LARGE handbags on top of our antique Chinese tree trunk. Jackie is artfully placing GIGANTICALLY COLOSSAL rings in the wonderful walnut bookcase (the original from 1938) that we inherited when the Weehawken HS science lab was remodeled last year.

I love fashion. I love how hems go up and down...sometimes waaay up and waaay down. (Did your English teacher tell you that essays should be like a woman's skirt...long enough to cover the subject but short enough to be interesting?) I love how in some years women carry miniscule bags (but manage to squeeze in all of the essentials); and then the winds of fashion change and...voila! Here is the traditional 1 photo/1000 word proof (except here are 2 photos, modeled by Jackie):

And rings! Forget delicate. Refined? Pshaw! And most of all, forget SUBTLE! Want to see what I mean?

Wow! Now that's what I call BLING! And it's not even sparkly!

(Don't worry, we still have our lovely and elegant silver-gemstone rings and our exquisite (and petite!) beaded antique, vintage and designer handbags, but please don't tell the fashion police...)

Warm regards,

Sandra and the magnificent ArtsEcho Galleria team: Lil, Judy, Crystal, Ben, Arianna, Jackie and Karina, Dina and Lina (and Toni, knitter-extraordinaire).

PS: SAVE THE DATE!!!! WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9th, 7pm!

We will be having great music, wonderful art, a mini-fashion show and, of course, superb food (cheesecake lovers, do you even have to ask??) More soon...

PPS: We're open 'til 7 M-T-W and 'til 8 on Th and F! 'Til 6 on Saturday, but we open at 10am! Weekdays we open at 11am. Got that?

PPPS: You can call us at 201-617-1110 and visit our website at www.artsechogalleria.com if you want to read all about us! Our wonderful web designer, Tamara, is revising the site to make it very trendy and just a little edgy, just like us!

PPPPS: OK, just one more: Since you all love the "BOGOHO" sales (BUYONEGETONEHALFOFF), we will be having surprise BOGOHO days...but you can still mention this email and get 50% off one wonderful item of clothing (including our fabulous new winter scarves, sweaters and lacy berets...baby, it's cold outside!)

On Top of Mountains and Deep Underground

2009-10-09T17:42:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

Back at our charming little galleria after a short but fantastic trip. I must say I missed the shop, the wonderful people who work here, and all of you. In my brief absence, Lil, Arianna & Jackie rearranged the entire store as a surprise! Wow. It's so good to move things around as you see them with a new perspective. It's good to move yourself around occasionally as well for the same reason and that's what my friend Shosha and I did this week.

As I mentioned in my last email, we met Warren May, the last traditional Kentucky dulcimer maker and here he is (with me)! He sends dulcimers all over the world from his little shop in Berea. And here is a photo of one of the deer antler baskets that we found in the Kentucky Center for the Arts made by Janet Northern. It's quite amazing.

We met artists and musicians everywhere and lots of friendly Southerners who really do say things like "y'all come back now!" But most of all, we saw incredible sights like the huge Luray Caverns in Virginia and the view from the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina (that's Shosha on top of the mountain).

Still, it's always good to come back home. We brought lovely new jewelry, some great vintage square dancing dresses (what else?), amazing fossils and lots of great ideas.

Warm regards, have a great week, stop by and say hello,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho Galleria team, Lil, Judy, Crystal, Ben, Arianna, Jackie, our volunteers, Dina and Lina and Karina, our intern.

PS: Knitting, anyone? Tomorrow with Toni...

PPS: Look below for the coupon!

PPPS: Lil asked me to tell you all that our furniture and antiques are ON SALE for the first time as we need more room in the shop. Yay!

ArtsEcho Galleria and President Obama

2009-09-18T22:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends: It's been a lovely, warm and productive week here at ArtsEcho Galleria. For those of you who are "Prairie Home Companion" fans, I almost said Lake Wobegon...actually, here it's more like Lake Weebehawken.

Many of our friends are back from vacation and summer travels and have stopped in to say hello and enjoy our gorgeous new clothing and jewelry. We're working hard...finding more and more amazing things from all over the world, not to mention lots of designer items. I hate to be a name-dropper (yeah, right...I love it...) but Kate Spade, Ms. Prada, Mr. L. Vuitton, and Ms. Pucci are all visiting the Galleria right now together with many of their colleagues...

Ben Roman, the wonderful watercolor portrait painter who exhibits here at the Galleria, is back from his first trip to the Dominican Republic. This week Ben brought in his easel and paints and started painting right in the Galleria! He (like us and many of you) loves the warm and friendly atmosphere here (and possibly the chocolates...)

Just after Barack Obama was elected President, I begged Ben to paint his portrait. He chose a thoughtful and introspective view of President Obama and finished the painting this week. Never satisfied, now I want a painting of our stunning First Lady, too. (Artistically speaking, I am so spoiled...)

We are in the planning stages of our new "season". One of our soirees will be a (hopefully rather wild) fashion show....and all of our models are customers of the Galleria! We're also working on an evening of the glorious music and art of Mexico. And a Winter Photo contest is coming up as well.

Hope you are all well and enjoying the cooler weather.

Warm regards,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho Galleria team; Lil, Judy, Crystal, Jackie & Arianna

We Are Springing Into Fall (...or The Summer That Never Was...)

2009-09-11T20:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

Usually by this time of year everyone is saying: "What, summer's already over?" But summer 2009 seems like the summer-that-never-really-got-started and here it is almost autumn. At least all of my plants and flowers (like the magnificent mandevillas in prolific pink in front of ArtsEcho Galleria) are very happy.

I'm happy, too (although not prolifically pink).

We had our best day EVER on Labor Day. Not only did we break our previous one day $$$ record but we met the most wonderful people who wandered in all day long. Everyone always tells us that they have been meaning to stop in and see just exactly what goes on here (we sometimes wonder ourselves), and last Monday was one of those days. And the weather was glorious! (And naturally, everyone loved my secret-recipe cheesecake...)

Several couples walked in and the male halves always asked me if we only sell things for women (meaning, of course, our lovely jewelry and clothing like the gorgeous black velvet gown on our stunning Lil) and I was delighted to show off our "new" collection of 800-year-old-arrowheads from Western Canada and our Roman coins that are about 2000 years old (really). We have these displayed with a sign over them saying "A GIFT FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING"... so watch out, guys.

Speaking of gifts, we do have spectacular things. We keep enlarging our jewelry section since everyone loves our one-of-a-kind-never-seen-anything-like-it collection of amazing (and very reasonably priced) jewelry. And we're almost sold out of our handknit bags and scarves...

Which reminds me, tomorrow is KNITTING DAY at ArtsEcho Galleria(we call it Knitty Gritty in Union City) with the amazing Toni Figaro. Toni charges a small set fee to teach someone to knit and that includes coming back again & again to learn new stitches and how to read patterns and even to get help with that sweater that you started 8 1/2 years ago (and that has made you feel guilty for the last 8 1/4 years). And since we believe it's so important to learn to do something creative with your hands, ArtsEcho provides beautiful FREE WOOL & KNITTING NEEDLES! And then you'll be able to make your own presents!

Have a lovely week, come visit us...warm regards,

Sandra and the valiant and hard-working ArtsEcho Galleria team: Lil, Judy, Crystal, Ben, Arianna and Jackie

Cheesecake and Labor Day

2009-09-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

Where will you be on Labor Day?

After the bar-b-que or the sunbath, (or the 14 hour trip home from the Jersey shore), stop by and visit us here at ArtsEcho Galleria! We will be celebrating Labor Day with baked goodies, especially my famous SECRET-RECIPE CHEESECAKE! (Some of you...you know who you are...have been trying to bribe me for the recipe and all I can say is "fuggedaboudit"!)

We have recently passed our one year anniversary here at our charming little shop and we are so thrilled to be a vibrant part of the Park Ave neighborhood that we are having a BIG SALE!

Our adorable summer tops and dresses will be...gasp...70% off!!! (and that's well below cost...). Our luscious new arrivals for fall will be 30% off (but just on Monday...hey, have a heart...)

And here's the big news: Our exquisite, totally unique, you've-never-seen-anything-like-it-anywhere-else-ever JEWELRY (all of it!) will be on a BUY ONE GET ONE HALF OFF sale (also known as BOGOHO...honestly)...

And there's more! For everyone who spends over $50, we will give you a $10 ArtsEcho FunnyMoney GiftCard that you can spend on your next visit! And you all know that $50 goes much faaaarrrrrther at ArtsEcho Galleria than anywhere else!

And another thing: On Labor Day we will be RAFFLING OFF one of our gorgeous necklaces (yes...one of the sterling silver and gemstone ones) to one lucky Labor Day Visitor (even if you don't buy anything but just come for the cheesecake!) (How sweet is that?) (Not the cheesecake...us!)

With warm regards,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho team, Lil, Crystal, Judy, Ben, Arianna & Jackie

PS: Due to enormous pressure and huge demand, we will be open on Sundays(!!) from 1 - 6 and you are all invited!

Paloma Picasso (and her gorgeous handbags) at ArtsEcho Galleria

2009-08-28T19:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

It's very exciting here at ArtsEcho Galleria. Unlike other establishments (say...Macy's or...Walmart , for instance), we can decide on the spot what items we wish to carry. So many fascinating people come into our little shop and some of them bring very interesting things in with them.

That's how Paloma arrived at ArtsEcho (well, not in person, but represented by her wonderful handbags). One of our good friends worked for Paloma Picasso designing amazingly gorgeous bags. When Ms. Picasso decided that creating perfume was more to her liking, her NJ design center was closed and back she went to Paris. Ms. P is the youngest child of Pablo Picasso & Françoise Gilot (also an artist, and the author of the wonderful "Life With Picasso"). In Spanish, her name means "dove"; she was named after the symbol her father designed for the International Peace Conference in Paris in 1949, the year of her birth.

The lucky few designers who were close to Ms. P were given the best of the best. And so, one day the best of the best walked into ArtsEcho. Can you imagine walking into Walmart and asking the "greeter" if the store wants to acquire some handbags? No? Well, that's what ArtsEcho is for. We are your friendly neighborhood shop and WE DO WHAT WE WANT! (Take that, Walmart!)

This bag was made from a green alligator. It still has the price tag on it. It reads (are you sitting down?) $2,650.00. (Green alligators are very rare...) We, of course, will sell it to some lucky individual who loves our shop (and you know who you are...) for about 1/10th of the price...

And there are other Paloma Picasso bags that are just as lovely (but retailed for only (only!) about $1000...(so cheap...)). This one comes with an amazing belt. It is canvas and leather and totally unique.

And this one is handmade Lucite on both front and back with twisty solid brass handles...never seen anything like it.

As soon as I saw these bags, I realized that they are basically...artwork. That's why they fit in so well here at ArtsEcho. We love all types of art even the kind that was not necessarily made to hang on walls...some artwork was made to hang on arms.

Have a wonderful week, come visit us...come check out our "Red Dot" end of summer 1/2 price specials (great things!)...and make sure to stop by for our "Labor Day Blast" sale (great bargains and free goodies to eat baked by yours truly... possibly even my famous secret-recipe "to die for" cheesecake...)

Warm regards to all,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho Galleria team, Lil, Judy, Crystal (who got very rained upon on her bicycle this morning on the way to ArtsEcho), Jackie & Arianna (and lots of thanks to the two best summer interns, now on their way to autumn and university, Allison and Liz...we miss you!)

What Is It About Silver?

2009-08-21T20:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

This week at our charming little enclave on Park Avenue we acquired some amazing new sterling silver jewelry.

As you all know, we seek out items that are unique, exclusive, rare, artistic, distinctive, and one-of-a-kind (good thing I don't have a thesaurus on hand...)

Silver has an amazing history. No one knows exactly when it was first used in jewelry, but the pharaohs of Egypt received silver presents from visitors from the island of Crete about 5000 YEARS AGO! Silver is one of only seven metals that predate the famous Periodic Table. It is the most reflective metal known to science, even more so than gold!

I love sterling silver jewelry. While gold is certainly wonderful, I always feel that it's a bit too serious for me. I wear two gold rings and never take them off. That's what you do with gold. You get serious with it.

Now glorious silver is precious but also playful. You can dress up any outfit with silver jewelry. You can have a silver necklace or bracelet that you only wear with one special thing...or with one special person. You can change your mood with silver. You change change your silver with your mood.

And when you add coral, peridot, smoky topaz, mystic topaz, rose quartz, clear quartz, sun sitara, onyx, Russian ukanite, dichroic glass, Picasso jasper, blue goldstone, tourmaline, larimar, Balkan amber, turquoise, natural rubies, roughhewn sapphires, amethyst, garnet, tiger's eye, dendrite opal, crystal, moonstone, rhodonite, sodalite, lapis lazuli, and my personal favorite (this week, at any rate), Brazilian drusy, sterling silver jewelry becomes a little carry-around-with-you work of art. And here at ArtsEcho Galleria we love works of art, big and small.

Have a lovely weekend,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho team, Lil, Judy, Crystal, Ben, Arianna, Jackie and Liz (with a fond farewell to the delightful Allison, on her way back to Boston U.)

ArtsEcho Galleria and "Sustainable" Fashion

2009-08-14T21:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

We at ArtsEcho Galleria find ourselves at the forefront of the wonderful, much talked-about, "sustainable/green" world...so that in our own ArtsEcho-y way, we are also helping to save the planet.

Yes, dear friends, as you know, we search out the very finest super-trendy and/or vintage clothing we can find (from designers, antique stores, online haunts, and special shops that are only accessible to non-profit organizations like ours) and then make sure that everything is in the finest condition possible, with all buttons, hems, laces and belts. And then we offer it to you at the lowest possible prices.

There are so many beautiful and exquisitely-made garments (made with the finest fabric) that need a home and new life. And we, together with yourselves, are giving them (and the earth) a chance!

And when we find a garment that has fabulous fabric, but may not be trendy enough for our discriminating customers (you guys), we save it in our storeroom...it will become part of something glorious made by the emerging designers who we are finding (and who are finding us)...

We are getting ready for our first fashion show...(hopefully in the late autumn). Some of the fashions will be created from existing fabrics from our wonderful fabric collection. And you'll know that, although they will not all be green-colored, but they will all be GREEN!

Go world!

Warm regards,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho Galleria team, Lil, Judy, Ben, Crystal, Arianna, Liz & Allison (& the Jackster...still sunbathing in El Sal)...(and the delightful Tamara who is revamping our great new website!)

Tomorrow is August...Our New Season is On the Way!

2009-07-31T17:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Lovely People (and you know who you are...our customers!)

I'm tempted to say "Oh my gosh, it's already AUGUST!!! Time flies!! Where did the summer go???" But I'm not going to do that...

As many of you know, I am quite the optimist (even when it comes to government and the stock market and other not-so-easy-to-be-a-card-carrying-optimist institutions).

I don't mind getting older one bit and I'm quite proud of my age (I was born when Harry S. Truman was President; luckily, he's one of my favorite Presidents...Lincoln is another...glad I wasn't born when he was President)... Well, as I've thought (and undoubtedly said) many times, there is only one alternative to growing old...and we all know what that is...so while you're alive, live! Enjoy! Go out! Read good books! See good movies! Eat good food! Meet good people! Have fun! Come to ArtsEcho! (Had to get that in...)

And that includes living every hot and sweaty August day (like tomorrow)...and every slippery, frozen-fingered snowstorm and every drenching rain (although, come ON, enough is eNOUGH already)...

We are planning our wonderful new season. It includes our upcoming Fashion Show (which may be a contest with emerging designers and will definitely feature many of our wonderful customers who will model), our upcoming Spanish Conversation Hora (no, we won't be dancing the Hora, that's hour in Spanish for you anglos like me), the continuation of Knitty Gritty in Union City with the charming Toni Figaro, another photo contest(!) for the holiday season...and the amazing Danza Nova Quintet in December.

So it's very exciting here at ArtsEcho and I am so glad to be alive.

Warm regards,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho team: Lil, Judy, Crystal, Ben, Arianna, Allison, Jackie (still in El Salvador) and Liz.

The Roses Are Magnificent This Year...(but so is the poison ivy!)

2009-07-24T21:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

Well, we had the loveliest evening here on Wednesday night for the "Roses of Hudson County" Photo Contest Award Ceremony. We had roses galore and people galore and food galore, great magic, great songs in our rose singalong, and great fun! I had a wonderful time (and I hope everyone else did, too).

The First Prize winner was Mark Elliott, whose "Yellow Rose on Hudson Street" in Hoboken was exquisite. Second Prize went to Eileen Gaughan of Jersey City, a former flower shop owner (she knows her roses...or maybe, she knowses her roses...I know, I know, sorry) and Third Prize to Mickey Parani of Union City. The amazing Margaret Steele, magician extraordinaire, did rose magic tricks (how cool is that?). Our own incredible Judy Bro took time out from her ArtsEcho grantwriting to play and sing rose songs in a singalong with the entire audience (and when Judy tells you to sing...you cannot help but sing...and love it!) Ronn Yedidia, our musical director played a wonderful medlley of well-known songs about...let's see now...oh yes, roses (there are thousands of songs with the word "rose" in them...almost like the songs in Spanish with the word "corazon" which seems to be in EVERY song I hear). I baked my famous secret-recipe cheesecake, this time with rose petal topping. In short...a good time was had by all!! We'll have all of the photos up on our website this week.

Have you noticed that the roses are still blooming everywhere? They usually finish blooming by the 3rd week in June. I have NEVER seen a thing like it in the middle of July...EVER! But, then again, I've never seen a June that thought it was a rainy April. And that's not all...July seems to think it's May! Or maybe even October...this week we had someone in the store in a coat! I kid you not...a coat in July...

So....those glorious roses in pink, red, yellow, lavendar, that LOVE lots of water and coolish weather, just keep on blooming! Yay!

But here's the iffy part...it's not only the roses that love these conditions. In my (very) early morning walks throughout Weehawken and Union City I have seen more POISON IVY than I have EVER seen before. Lush, green, shiny, thriving, THREE-LEAVED, itchy, nasty, awful Poison Ivy. When I was manning (well, womanning) the Master Gardener Hotline in Bergen County several years ago, many of our calls were from people with poison ivy in their gardens and rashes all over their bodies. It's no joke. Since we are in an urban environment many people have never seen PI and don't know how dangerous it can be...but it's all over and it's BAD!

So check out this link and prepare to smell the roses and not get anywhere near the the poison ivy!

http://www.plantsgalore.com/articles/images/weeds/poison-ivy.jpg

(Anyone itching??? I start itching just thinking about it...)

Warm (and somewhat scratchy) regards,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho team, Lil (off to Washington, DC tomorrow), Judy, Arianna, Jackie (who sends regards from El Salvadore), Liz (from Wisconsin) and Allison

Michael Kors, eat your heart out...

2009-07-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

Thousands and thousands of pieces of wonderful clothing...made every day. Created by the finest designers in the world from the best FABRIC.

Sometimes the clothing is purchased and worn and loved and cherished...and sometimes...it just stays in a box in a storeroom until it is out of style...and after all, fashion is all about style.

That's where we at ArtsEcho Galleria come in. With our new label, ArtsEcho Design, we are gleaning the finest fabric (sometimes by the best designers, hence the title of this message) and we are starting to use their gorgeous fabric to make trendy, updated, upcycled fashion (often combining fabrics, lace, buttons, etc. from several designers as in Yves St. Laurent meet Betsey Johnson) while promoting the renewable-ness of Mother Earth at the same time.

That's the concept of "fashion upcycling"...using existing fabric to create a totally new, trendy, wonderful and desirable garment. Here at ArtsEcho, we are at the forefront!

With warm regards,

Sandra and the ArtsEcho team, Lil, Judy, Crystal, Jackie, Arianna, Allison & Liz

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Don't forget this Wednesday, July 22 at 7pm we are having the Award Ceremony for the "Roses of Hudson County" photo contest. Great food! Great prizes! Great photos! Great neighbors! Great gallery! Great food! (did I say that...it's all based on roses!)

So many of you have told me that you enjoy reading my humble (undoubtedly) weekly emails that I have started a BLOG!! You see what you did?

If you want to read more, please go to:

http://artsechogalleria.blogspot.com

and you will find me there writing about life, Albert Einstein, art, artists, fashion, gardening and other goodies!

And please comment!