Four new colors will catapult you into spring this season.  Ellie Blue will have you dreaming of a marketplace in India in no time!  Sense excitement all around you; finger the lush textiles with their rich colors.  It is an Eastern-inspired paisley motif in shades of indigo blue, and golden saffron accented with papyrus white and a touch of blue-gray.  Watch out for the elephants marching along the border!  They add whimsy and fun in the midst of all that bold color.  Ellie Blue is radiant and cheerful.

 Rosy Posies is an eye-catching combination of petite paisleys and oversized florals.  It appears as if it sprang full blown from a greenhouse full of geraniums.  Layers of colors from burgundy to berry, coral to cream and lemon drop set a positive tone to this fabric.  Rosy Posies is complex and dimensional-delightful paired with khaki or navy.

Camellia evokes the romance of a 19th century garden.  Warm shades of graphite gray, dusty taupe and soft white harmonize with the large energetic camellia blossoms.  Camellia is elegant and shares the ambiance of graceful movement.  Think gospel music; Camellia is a refined nod to a soulful journey.

Island Blooms will take you to paradise with its oversized white blossoms.  Very stylized and tribal inspired, it is reminiscent of Gauguin’s Tahitian paintings with its aquatic hues and tropical chartreuse foliage.  The interior pattern is contemporary, an artistic compliment to the outside fabric.

The Spring Collection is bursting with useful, technology related accessories such as the Tune In, Phone Case, Stay Tuned, and Phone Wristlet.  New this season is the Laptop Travel Tote which is checkpoint friendly, the Essentials Cosmetic, Wristlet, Brush & Pencil, Strap Wallet, and a great new purse, Laura, and a redesigned Bowler. 

 Handwoven baskets are made from materials indigenous to Rwanda, such as sisal fibers and sweetgrass and dyed with natural plant pigments and organic commercial dyes.  These baskets incorporate designs that range from centuries old to modern inspiration and are made by women who work in 52 cooperatives around the country.  The company has applied for its fair trade license and follows fair trade practices.

These are foldable, reusable water bottles that can go where you go.  Put an end to purchasing bottled water with these handy bottles!  They are BPA free, freezable, dishwasher safe on the top rack, attachable with a carbiner, and identifiable with a place to write your name.  These bottles easily fit into pockets, purses and packs.  They are flat when empty and stand up when full.  Bright orange, blue, and purple in .5 liter size and 2 packs in .4 liter.

 Women in Kyrgyzstan make felt, then fashion unique holiday ornaments and nativity sets.   We have ornaments ranging from birds, reindeer, and donkeys to whimiscal monkeys.  Each figure in the small and large nativity sets is made entirely by hand and is unique in and of itself.  Both nativities come in a hand felted bowl that can also be used as the manger backdrop.

 Gurgle Pots are Hot!  While attending his brother’s wedding in Southern France, Matt Ellison experienced a fish-shaped water pitcher that gurgled.  Many years later, he’s perfected a design and now has these amusing pitchers produced so they can be the center of entertainment at your table!  Gurgle Pots make great gifts and conversation pieces.   We have several colors from which to choose as well as both  large and small pots.

 Raika leather products are handcrafted in the USA using only the finest top grain leathers. Quality materials and precision contribute to the elegance and durability of all Raika products.  Our selection for 2010  includes picture frames and photo albums.  We carry luggage tags, passport covers, wallets, coin purses, gusseted card cases, travel shoulder bags, red heart leather paperweights, photo envelopes, journals,  and 5 x 8 writing pads.  Colors range from lime and tangerine to rich red and brown.  Textures range from alligator to ostrich and add to the variety and uniqueness of Raika’s offerings.  Ask us to show you other options available as special orders.  We have the leather swatches on hand from which to choose.   This is a great line for corporate giving; imprinting and engraving is available on special orders.

 Caralyn Kieckhaefer’s experience as a potter spans 40 years.  She has studied with a variety of potters including Carlton Ball and Jack Crouse.  Her work is influenced greatly by her travels.  In Korea, China and Japan she visited several potters and learned their techniques and sources of inspiration.  Caralyn has been a member of two pottery co-ops, and has exhibited in numerous galleries over the years.  Caralyn maintains her studio at Wildcat Lake in Bremerton, Washington where she is influenced by her natural surroundings.  

About the Pottery:  Porcelain pieces are designed by molding leaves, driftwood and water lilies from Wildcat Lake and high fired in an electric kiln.  They are airbrushed with lead-free glazes.  Ikebana Arrangers are available in both high fire and raku.  Raku glazes are fired in a propane kiln and reduced in a can with newspapers.  Wildcat Lake Pottery is food safe, oven proof and microwave safe. 

 Custom designed garden stakes are available in poppy, sunflower, and salmon .  They are one-of-a-kind pieces and are truly works of art.

 This winestopper will add a touch of whimsy to your outdoor party or indoor social event.  Whether you’re Alaskan to the core or a wannabe, the skeeter will remind you of summer on the Last Frontier!  Designed, patented and built by Doyle Letbetter, the tipsy skeeter is constructed of electro-plated stainless steel and made in the U.S.A.  Each comes carefully packed in its own box, easy for travel or gifting.

 We’ve added 40 new items to our already stupendous selection of asian pottery and iron teapots.  Our standout selection features botanical colorways which are well suited to Interior Alaska.  We also carry the more traditional blues as well as pottery with dragonfly, insect, owl, and flower motifs.  The versatility of these items is limitless.  Sturdy, functional and elegant pieces of excellent craftmanship, they complement any table and can be used everyday.  Our current selection of Japanese iron teapots, from the traditional to the contemporary, is our largest ever.  And if you don’t see what you want, we are happy to order it for you.

Ever wonder how a Musk Ox stays warm on the frigid coastal plain of Alaska? Qiviut, my friend, qiviut! Qiviut is the light under down from the belly of the Musk Ox. Eight times warmer than sheep’s wool and much lighter, it is the warmest natural fiber on the planet. Soft, delicate and deliciously warm, our selections from The Qiveut Collection are sure to bring a smile. Award winning fiber artist, Colleen White of Palmer, Alaska, produces heirloom quality qiviut treasures. We carry headbands and smoke rings and can special order a variety of other offerings. Truly an indulgence for yourself, a special friend or graduate, or World’s Best Mom.