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

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.)

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!

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!!!

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??

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")?

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?

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!