You Never Know What a Day Will Bring...

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!)

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!

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?

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...

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!

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

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!