MADE IN SEDONA

Shop at home for the holidays. By Erika Ayn Finch

We’ve all been hearing a lot lately about shopping locally, especially those of us living in small towns like Sedona. As the only locally owned and operated magazine in Sedona that focuses on Sedona, we throw our wholehearted support behind keeping our dollars in Red Rock Country this holiday season. However, we’d like to take things a step further and not only shop with local merchants but also buy gifts made right here in our community (even our cover model this month comes from Sedona). And believe it or not, that’s not as difficult as it might sound. We’re here to help you get started, but what follows is only the tip of the iceberg. When we started researching this article back in spring, even we were surprised at the variety of merchandise made in Sedona. “It’s so easy to forget how many talented people live in the Verde Valley,” says Geoffrey Roth, watchmaker and gallery owner. “But it’s amazing when you really start digging.”

We asked each of the 15-plus people we interviewed for this Made in Sedona gift guide about the importance of purchasing locally made products, and each one had a unique perspective. Shirley Eichten Albrecht, a basket weaver, reminded us that local artists, in turn, spend their money in Sedona so it all “feeds on itself.” Sherry Lambly, co-owner of Design Elements jewelry, addressed the spiritual element to buying gifts made in Red Rock Country. “When you buy ‘made in Sedona,’ you are buying part of Sedona,” she says. Carol Servin, co-owner of Three Dog Bakery in Uptown, says locals support the economy as much as visitors do. “We can’t survive on tourism alone,” she says. Beatrice Welles, who creates her own handbags, says you build a stronger sense of community when you shop locally. Weaver Pam Gunning says she and her husband commit a portion of their income to supporting local artists. But it was Tudy Longmire, who has owned the same Uptown fudge shop for 27 years, who perhaps said it best. “It’s our town. We live here. If you want to keep that small-town atmosphere, you need to support your neighbors and do everything locally.” We couldn’t agree with you more, Tudy.

The Beatrice Welles Collection of handbags by Beatrice Welles
Available at Goldenstein Gallery (390 N. SR. 89A in Uptown; 928-204-1765). See more handbags at www.goldensteinart.com or www.beatricewelles.com.
Price Range: $600 - $1,650

The ideal gift for… The handbag-lover jonesing for something more unique than another Chanel knock-off

Body Bliss
When Nick James founded Body Bliss in 1999, he wanted to craft lotions and oils that were as healthy for the masseuse as they were for their client. It’s the masseuse, after all, who has the product on their skin eight hours a day. “Massage therapists use oils and lotions everyday on their clients,” says Nick. “We wanted to create products that affect the well-being of the therapists as well.” Ten years later, Body Bliss manufactures aromatherapy lotions, soaps, face creams, shower gels and bath gels for more than 50 spas around the country, including many right here in Sedona. Nick holds a master’s degree in botanical science; he buys already distilled oils from small farms all over the world – 85 percent of which are organic or ethically wild-harvested – to incorporate in his products (no preservatives are added). The oils arrive at Body Bliss’ headquarters in West Sedona where they are mixed into different products. Scents include mint, eucalyptus, lavender (from meadows at an elevation of 3,000 feet in France), vanilla cardamom, lemon grass, ylang ylang, Arnica, sweet marjoram and patchouli. The company also produces 20 different products specific to men’s health and aesthetic needs.

Beauty products by Body Bliss
Available at Body Bliss Factory Direct (320 N. SR 89A at Sinagua Plaza at Sedona Center in Uptown Sedona; 928-282-1599) or www.bodybliss.com.
Price Range: $7 - $45
The ideal gift for… Anyone who wants to feel good inside and out

Design Elements
Ten years ago, Sherry Lambly and Helen King retired from their jobs in Hershey, Penn., and built a home in Pine Valley. The two traveled for a while, but finally decided they needed something more to fill their days. In 2001, Design Elements was born. Sherry and Helen design and create one-of-a-kind contemporary, colorful necklaces and earrings using natural gemstones such as spiny oyster, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, lapis, coral, onyx, chalcedony and amber. Each piece is finished with an intricate sterling silver clasp. “If we’d have stayed in Hershey, we wouldn’t be making jewelry, or at least it would be more subdued,” says Sherry, who has a degree in engineering and retired as a vice president and corporate officer of Hershey Foods Corp. “Sedona is the reason we’re doing jewelry.” Helen and Sherry design their own individual pieces – Helen gravitates toward Southwest hues while Sherry puts combinations together until she gets a special feeling that tells her it’s perfect.

Design Elements jewelry by Sherry Lambly and Helen King
Available at Enchantment Resort (525 Boynton Canyon Rd.; 928-282-2900), Nectar (336 SR 179 at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village; 928-203-4749), Events by Show Stoppers (1710 SR 89A in West Sedona; 928-203-9096) and at www.designelementsjewelry.com.
Price Range: $40 - $4,000
The ideal gift for… The contemporary woman who loves to make a statement with color

Sedona Watch Works
“You can count on one hand how many watches are actually being made in this country,” says watchmaker Geoffrey Roth from his pristine Sedona workshop. When you consider those statistics, it’s remarkable that one of those watchmakers has called small-town Sedona home since 1972 – Geoffrey’s been making watches for the last 10 years. His line expanded to three styles this fall when he added his tonneau-shaped men’s watch to his already popular men and women’s classic curvilinear timepieces. All three styles feature sapphire crystal fronts and sapphire crystal exhibition backs; a solid 18-karat rose gold dial; a crown made from 18-karat rose gold set with a synthetic ruby and blue sapphire; a stainless steel case; Swiss movement (the only part of the watch not made in Sedona); and a leather band. Each watch is numbered and the timepieces are issued in limited editions.

Sedona Watch Works watches by Geoffrey Roth
Available at the Geoffrey Roth gallery (336 SR 179 at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village; 928-282-7756) and Geoffrey’s studio (928-282-0645; www.sedonawatchworks.com).
­­Price Range: $4,900 and up
The ideal gift for… The person who never has enough time on their hands

The Goods
After graduating from high school in Tempe, Jenny Waddington took a clay art class at Phoenix College in 1989 and was instantly hooked. She went on to graduate from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor’s degree in fine art and lived in the Village of Oak Creek for eight years before moving to Clarkdale two years ago. Jenny says it takes her about two weeks to complete a batch of clay pieces at her home studio. Each sculpture is a mixture of clay and Sedona earth. The figures are pressed with local flowers and washed with a red iron oxide finish for an eye-catching affect. Jenny wants each piece to be a “reminder of Sedona.” Choose from wall hangings and paperweights in the shape of hearts, crosses, masks, bears, ravens, circles and female forms. Jenny finishes many of the pieces with semiprecious stones for an extra pop of color.

The Goods clay art by Jenny Waddington
Available at Sedona Trading Post (10 Bell Rock Plaza in the Village of Oak Creek;
928-284-2555), Art Mart Gallery (2081 W. SR 89A in West Sedona; 928-203-4576)
and Made in Arizona (235 W. SR 89A in Uptown Sedona; 928-282-0707).
Price Range: $2 - $100
The ideal gift for… Spiritual earth-lovers

Arroyo Pinon Studio
A large Swedish loom sits in the middle of Pam Gunning’s peaceful West Sedona studio, completely threaded and ready to create a purple-and-blue scarf. Shelves are lined with fiber in every color of the rainbow. Two other smaller looms sit in the corners while Pam’s scarves, shawls and ruana wraps neatly hang against the walls. A Boston native, Pam moved to Sedona 25 years ago, but she’s been knitting since she was a child and weaving since 1972 when she first set eyes on a loom. She uses cotton, rayon, linen, silk and bamboo to create her one-of-a-kind clothing. The scarves and shawls are finished with short or twisted fringe, and Pam calls her patterns “tradtional.” Pam says she can be found in her studio five days a week and attributes her inspiration to nature, culture and husband Bill Gunning’s mixed-media art. “It satisfies something in me – there’s a peacefulness, a usefulness when it comes to creating cloth,” says Pam. “It’s a Yankee thing.”

Arroyo Pinon Studio weavings by Pam Gunning
Available at Isadora Handweaving Gallery (336 SR 179 at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village; 928-282-6232) and at Pam’s studio (928-282-9429; www.southweststudio.com).
Price Range: $60 - $460
The ideal gift for… The woman who liked to snuggle with her blanket when she was a little girl

Sedona Fudge Company
Twenty-seven years ago, a businessman from Michigan approached two young Sedona nurses about starting an Arizona franchise of his fudge company. Tudy Longmire and her sister, Sharon Nagi, decided to go for it, even though everyone in town thought they were crazy. Sharon passed away three years ago, but Tudy and her daughters still own and operate the family business. Not much has changed in the last quarter century – Sedona Fudge Company still sits at its original Uptown location. The rich aroma of fudge and the exhibition window continue to entice shoppers – the fudge company sells 150 pounds of fudge a day during the busy season. Tudy, her daughter Jennifer Longmire and eight employees bake more than 18 types of preservative-free fudge, including peppermint fudge during this time of the year, and 35 kinds of candy. The fudge recipe is the real deal: It’s the same recipe that was created on Mackinac Island in Michigan back in 1887 when a candy maker accidentally let his chocolate fondue set for too long, resulting in the first “fudge.” The Sedona Fudge Company also sells cookies using Tudy’s grandmother’s recipe (trust us, they are pure poetry). The Longmires are devoted to shopping local – Tudy still purchases her ingredients from Weber’s IGA in the Village of Oak Creek.

Sedona Fudge Company fudge, candy and cookies
Available at Sedona Fudge Company (257 N. SR 89A in Uptown Sedona; 928-282-1044) and www.sedonafudge.com.
Price Range: Fudge starts at $4 for ¼-lb.
The ideal gift for… Your favorite chocoholic

Sedona Pottery
Many readers may know ceramics artist Mary Margaret and her shop, Sedona Pottery. Born and raised in California, Mary left her simple life to study art in Mexico, Europe and the Middle East; she’s been a potter for the past 45 years. In 1969, she visited Sedona with her father and sister, and shortly thereafter she moved here. “[I] never ever have not been in love with Sedona since the first day I saw it,” says Mary. Her love for Sedona is her inspiration for her art. Mary makes functional pottery, which includes pots, coffee mugs, vases, platters, bowls, teapots and sculptures. She uses clay from Sedona to create her art. Each piece is fired in either a kiln or a pit fire and finished with glazes that contain no lead. Mary creates her pieces in her studio, which is located in an old horse barn just up the street from her shop. Mary says she works on a new piece every day. “This is my life I’m offering you,” says Mary.

Sedona Pottery ceramics by Mary Margaret
Available at Sedona Pottery (411 SR 179 in the Garland’s Building; 928-282-1192).
Price Range: $20 - $65 (sculptures are priced higher)
The ideal gift for… The entertainer who has a flair for the unique

Red Rock Basket Studios
Shirley Eichten Albrecht has her hands full working as the gallery director for the Sedona Arts Center Gallery, but she still finds the time to create her baskets using rattan dyed at her home studio as well as exotic materials you wouldn’t normally associate with baskets such as gourds, ceramics, antlers, beads, geodes, feathers and natural fibers. Shirley, who has lived in Sedona since 2001, has been weaving baskets for 20 years. While living in St. Louis, she attended a weaver’s guild sale with a group of friends – they left convinced they could create their own baskets and began working out of Shirley’s basement. Shirley taught basket weaving in St. Louis and continues to teach at SAC, but she also finds time to take classes in weaving and ceramics. “My work has morphed a few times – I’m always challenging myself,” she says. “I can’t do mundane.” Each basket is one-of-a-kind, signed and numbered.

Red Rock Basket Studios by Shirley Eichten Albrecht
Available at Sedona Arts Center Gallery (15 Art Barn Rd. in Uptown; 928-282-3809), Enchantment Resort (525 Boynton Canyon Rd.; 928-282-2900) and at Shirley’s studio by appointment (928-284-1375; www.redrockbaskets.com).
Price Range: $25 - $1,400
The ideal gift for… The discerning eye that understands baskets aren’t always for storage

Merlina Wooden sculptures and Vessels
In the winter months, Steve Hallmark and Robin Herman can be found in the ponderosa pine forests in northern Arizona, gathering pine trees felled because of the bark beetle infestation that’s been ravaging western forests. The couple brings the trees back to their Sedona studio to create wood sculptures and vessels unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Each vessel is inlaid with vintage glass or semiprecious stones; dyed; and then sanded, buffed and polished to create such a smooth surface you’d swear they were created from glass. The kicker: Steve and Robin have only been doing this for two years, and the pieces are selling as fast as they are created. Each vessel averages 18 inches in height, though the duo recently completed a commissioned piece that was 4 feet tall. “The wood is touchy, organic and has a life of its own,” says Steve. “It’s not like working with anything stable. Sometimes a piece is done over and over – 50 steps over and over – so that it comes out just right.” Robin says working with wood that otherwise has no real use makes the art even more special. “Nothing takes to our process like these pines,” she says. “We’re giving these trees a second chance.”

Merlina wooden sculptures and vessels by Steve Hallmark and Robin Herman
Available at www.harazz.com or by calling Steve and Robin’s studio at 928-202-9338.
Price Range: $3,000 - $10,000
The ideal gift for… The person who’s passionate about sustainability and fabulous art

The Sedona Table
Back in November of 2006, Sedona Monthly ran a cover story about local resort restaurants. We were determined to prove that Sedona’s culinary scene was on the cusp of becoming the Next Big Thing. Before we knew it, Three Forks Press, an imprint of Globe Pequot, approached us about writing a cookbook featuring Sedona’s top chefs. In March, The Sedona Table officially made its debut. The 192-page coffee-table book features 12 restaurants, 14 chefs and 60 recipes. Recipes run the gamut from breakfast and lunch to appetizers, dinner and dessert. Some are easier to pull together than others. All are accompanied by beautiful color photography. Spotlighted restaurants include Yavapai Restaurant at Enchantment Resort, Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano, Cowboy Club Grille & Spirits, L’Auberge on Oak Creek and The Grille at ShadowRock. Each chef also lets readers in on a few tricks of the trade.

The Sedona Table by Erika Ayn Finch, photography by Debbie Weinkauff
Available at The Well Red Coyote (3190 W. SR 89A in West Sedona; 928-282-2284); Worm Book & Music Store (6645 SR 179 in the Village of Oak Creek; 928-282-3471) or nationally at Barnes & Noble bookstores and Amazon.com.
Price: $25
The ideal gift for… Anyone who loves great food, good wine, stunning photography and Red Rock Country

Verde Valley Wines
The Verde Valley’s wine history might not be as new as you think: Henry (Heinrich) Schuerman, a German immigrant, began making wine near today’s Red Rock Crossing and selling it to miners in Jerome. Jon Marcus revived local winemaking when he purchased land along the banks of Oak Creek in 1992 and opened Echo Canyon Vineyard and Winery a few years later. Since then, wineries have been popping up all around the Verde Valley: Caduceus Cellars/Merkin Vineyard; Freitas Vineyard; Javelina Leap Vineyard and Winery; Alcantara Vineyards; Page Springs Cellars; Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery; and Jerome Winery. Other local wineries include Sycamore Canyon Winery south of Sedona, San Dominique Winery south of Camp Verde, Painted Lady Vineyard in Skull Valley and Granite Creek Vineyards in Prescott. Though locals are now well aware of the booming wine industry in the Verde Valley, many tourists are shocked to find out that wine is being made in Arizona’s high desert. “The biggest challenge [in growing grapes in northern Arizona] is the cold, the hard frost,” says Paula Woolsey, the national marketing manager for the Verde Valley Wine Consortium. “Most people think it’s the heat.”

Verde Valley Wines
For information on where to purchase any of the above-mentioned wines (there are just too many stores to name) or for the contact info for the wineries, visit www.arizonavinesandwines.com.
Price Range: $13 - $100
The ideal gift for… The wine connoisseur who’s already sampled all the offerings from California and France

Three Dog Bakery
If the tempting aroma wafting through the door at Three Dog Bakery makes both you and your dog hungry, don’t worry, you aren’t losing your sense of taste just yet. All the items created at this doggie hot spot are made with human-grade ingredients, says Carol Servin, who co-owns the bakery with her husband Gene, (and who admits to snacking on the healthy treats). More than 30 varieties of cookies, cakes, ice creams and brownies are made with carob, whole-wheat flour, honey, applesauce, yogurt, buttermilk, peanut butter, cinnamon and mint. Fido doesn’t need to be concerned with additives, either; you won’t find any preservatives or added salt in these treats. During the holidays, you’ll find cookies baked in the shape of candy canes, Christmas trees and snowmen – the baked goods are dyed using beets, spinach, tumeric and tomatoes. Dogs of all sizes can be found perusing the goods on any given day, but Carol says her own pups aren’t interested in running a business. “We’ve been here four years, and when we first opened we thought it would be fun to bring our dogs to work,” says Carol. “Turns out they hated it, so we’re here daily while they stay at home.”

Dog treats baked by Gene Servin at Three Dog Bakery
Available at Three Dog Bakery (320 N. SR 89A at Sinagua Plaza at Sedona Center in Uptown Sedona; 928-282-5550).
Price Range $1 - $4 per cookie ($11 for cakes)
The ideal gift for… The family who considers Spot just another one of the kids

Triple G Leather
By day, Vicki Garner works as a teller operations specialist at Bank of America in West Sedona – she’s been with the company for 36 years – but during her time off she can be found in her tack room, creating leather accessories including handbags, binders, visors, day planners, belts and horse tack. The Arizona native first experimented with leather crafting in high school but didn’t get really serious about marketing her work until her daughter went off to college five years ago. A competitive barrel racer, Vicki has sold her leather accessories at rodeos around the state (as well as in a few boutiques in Sedona). She bucks current fashion trends in favor of a traditional Western sensibility: All of her accessories are made with cowhide, hair-on-hide, silver, turquoise, rhinestones, rope and a canvas-like fabric. Vicki dyes, stamps, carves, stitches and antiques everything by hand – she has the battle scars to prove it – with her four horses only a few feet away. “I take a lot of pride in my work. I want it to last a lifetime,” says Vicki, who has lived in Sedona for 22 years. “When I get a new idea, I can’t wait to see how it turns out.”

Triple G leather accessories by Vicki Garner
Available at www.gggleather.com or by calling 928-300-5678.
Price Range: $25 - $350
The ideal gift for… Cowboys and cowgirls everywhere

© 2006-2007 Bar225 Media Ltd. All rights reserved.

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