Abby's Holiday Gift Guide!

Art! Art! Abby the Elf here with my top picks for the best gift ideas for all of the two-legged artists in your life! With so many colorful products in store, it was hard for me to pick my favorites, but since  all of these things looked good enough to eat,  I thought you might like them too! 

Here are Abby's top picks for holiday gifts this year!

1. NEW! Elmer's Painters, opaque paint markers in ultra-fine, fine, medium, and chisel tip,

 starting at $3.88 each!

Use these awesome new acrylic paint pens to decorate and customize your favorite things! Use on surfboards, backpacks, furniture, shoes, and more! Paint is permanent when dry.

2. Amsterdam Acrylic paint sets in 6, 12, and 24 colors! 

Starting at $13.80 each

These paint sets are perfect starter kits for painters of all ages! High quality paints in clear, easy-to-squeeze tubes will make creating your next masterpiece a cinch!

3. NEW! Montana Water-Based spray paint in 300ml cans! In dozens of bold colors, 

just $8.79 each!

Low odor and non-toxic, these new water-based spray paints are friendly and fun for the whole family! Decorate your surfboards, furniture, household objects, and more with these vibrant colors, in neons and metallics too!

4. NEW! Americana Satin Finish paint for Plastic, Metal, Canvas, Wood, Fabric, & More!

Available in 2oz. bottles, $2.30 each  and 8oz. bottles, $7.50 each!

Feeling crafty? Paint your own gifts this year! Use these vibrant, satin-finish acrylic paints on all of your next projects!

5. NEW! Intricate postcard colouring books by Pepin with 20 pages of unique designs on high quality watercolor paper that you can paint and pop in the mail!

Just $9.99 each!

Pair with a travel watercolor or paint set and these postcard coloring books make the perfect gift for any artist on the go! Bon voyage!

6. New Gold Shadow Gellyroll pens!

5 pack, just $8.95 each!

Unleash your inner pre-teen with these smooth and sparkly gel pens! Write colorful notes to your BFF's or use to embellish your drawings. We, like, totally heart these!

7. NEW! These water-soluble pigment drawing blocks from Portugal are perfect for sketching! 

6-block gift set, $49.00 each!

Create beautiful water-color effects with these professional quality drawing blocks in six  beautiful earth tones; sanguine, ochre, sepia, brown, dark brown, and carbon black!

8. Last but not least, these awesome journals made from recylced vintage library books are perfect for everyone! My personal favorite is the "Pokey Little Puppy!"  

Journals just $14.00 each! 

These unique journals are made from deconstructed library books and are filled with bright white sketching paper so you can doodle to your heart's content! 

Trust me, there is a lot more where these ideas came from, so stop by today and I will show you around the shop! 

I woof you all a very happy holiday season!

xoxo Abby, the shop dog xoxo

Framing Peruvian "Huacas" from the Chimu Culture

   We have a long time customer that always brings in interesting things to frame. She reminded us that we've framed original oil paintings, Australian Aborigine songline paintings, etchings, and watercolors. We always have a great time discussing design and like all of our customers, focus on creating something special that they will love for years to come. Recently, she brought in two ceramic pieces from Peru called  "Huacas". One is a Ceremonial Burial Jar and the other a representation of an Entity or human like Character. She was kind enough to share her story with us and we're excited to share it with you!

 

















   I would like to explain a little background on these pieces. These particular pieces are at least 450 years old. The general name for these are called Chimu ceramics from the Chimu culture in Chan Chan, Peru.  They serve two functions. They are containers for daily domestic use and others made for ceremonial use for offerings and burials. The main features of Chimu ceramics were small sculptures molded as animals, fruits, characters, and mystical entities. And unlike the Incas who worshiped the Sun, they worshiped the Moon.

      These magnificent little pieces were given to our customer after her fathers death in 2003. She was motivated to travel to Peru in 1985 after she heard him speak of the time he visited in the 1920's. He had brought them to the United States after he was hired as an engineer to work on the copper mine in La Oroya. They predict that it most likely came from the Chimu culture which centered near the present day city of Trujillo. Once he was home, he offered them to the UCLA Anthropology Department in the 1990's. He was told there was no need for them so he decided to keep them, and they were later passed onto her. She mentioned that until we framed them, they remained wrapped in a couple of old pillowcases. Now the "Huacas" are beautifully displayed at her home in Colorado.

     These pieces were framed with a moulding called Foundry Float Iron from Larson Juhl. We then floated the pieces onto a beautiful fabric called Bonsai Brown Tatimi. We hand wrapped the backing and side liner. It is propped up on a tiny piece of foamcore and neatly wrapped with the fabric. It is held by manipulated crystal clear acrylic to hold it into place so that we do not damage the piece by any adhesive or damaging mounting. We then protected it with a crystal clear Plexi box to showcase the piece and it can be seen from many angles.

     Thank you for reading and we have many more stories to share. If there is something special in your home that is tucked away, we would love to help you showcase it!

Click the link here to learn more about where these came from. The photo is from the site.

Introducing the NEW SCAS Rewards Program!

Introducing the SCAS Member Rewards Program! 

As 2015 rapidly approaches, year's end gives us an opportunity to stop and consider the interconnectedness of our Orange County art community. San Clemente Center for the Arts is proud to be entering its 12th year. The heart of our business is listening to you. That's why we are always changing and improving our products and services to help you pursue your artistic path.   

The community both locally and nationally, has created what we are;

• The Art Supply: We work to match artists with highest quality, hand selected products at an everyday discounted price.  

• Classes: Come pursue your artistic passions or simply relax and escape the daily grind with local and internationally known instructors.
• Green Flash Gallery: A gallery/performance space for local talent, also available for art instruction parties for business, social or kids
• Custom Framing: Both to preserve and display what we love. We don't send your treasures out, all work done on premises by our experienced framers.
• North Beach Art Walk: Second Friday of every month, connecting local artists with local and visiting shoppers.
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Recently to further promote our connection with you, we are excited to announce our Rewards program. Designed to "give back" to our customers who support us, it allows you to earn significant savings on future purchases.

Framing - earn 10% rewards

Classes - earn 10% rewards

Art Supply - earn 5% rewards

Another very tangible reward for being our customer is our focus on customer service. We task ourselves with giving you the best possible experience each time you visit. We adhere to the idea as you find success so will we. Whether you shop us at our historic Ole Hanson location or through our mobile and desktop-friendly online store,  our mission is to help you find the best solutions for all your artistic needs.

The Entire Staff of San Clemente Center for the Arts wishes you and your family

fantastic holidays and a happy new year!