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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
