Translucent Yellows
Glass artist Teal Rowe makes her home in Ojai, but operates her glass-blowing studio out of a small space in a little industrial corner of Ventura. Everything she touches, it seems, turns into a beautiful, flowing piece of art. Her hand-blown glass stem vases are no exception. This one in particular ($64), with its traces of yellow and fuchsia, is particularly eye catching. You can take a peek into Rowe’s showroom or studio, by appointment, or order online. Teal Rowe. Call 639-4097 or visit www.tealrowe.com.
Red Hot
It’s almost a little disconcerting when a piece of fabric has the same texture as butter, but that’s how the micro chenille from Colorado Clothing feels. It won’t take you long to learn to love it. Whether slipping into a robe or pulling on a sweater, this fabric will make you feel like you’re wrapped in, well, the softest thing you can imagine. This hooded zip-up sweater is perfect for an evening stroll on the beach or, perhaps, for that last camping trip you’re planning to squeeze in before the end of summer. B on Main, 337 E. Main St., Ventura. Call 643-9309.
Autumn greens in the kitchen
The sage greens and warm yellows of Vietri’s Cucina Fresca (which means “fresh kitchen” in Italian) dinnerware make us want to curl up in front of the fire and eat pasta until Christmas or, alternately, disappear to Italy until summer comes around again. This versatile dinnerware celebrates the rustic edges commonly found in peasant pottery throughout Tuscany in the 1300s, but will fit in a contemporary kitchen because of the pieces’ wonderful versatility. Kava Gifts, 212-A E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. Call 640-0491 or visit www.vietri.com.
Warm brown … but not too warm
This vest ($89) from Ojai Clothing is the perfect thing to keep you warm, but not too warm, on Ventura County’s crisp (but not too crisp) fall evenings. It’s chocolaty, kahlua color may look and feel like leather, but it’s really polyester — hence the vest’s name, “Italian Faux Vest.” And the fact that it’s polyester means you can just toss it into the washing machine anytime you need to. We like that in a piece of clothing. Order online. Ojai Clothing. Call 1-866-653-6524 or visit www.ojaionline.com.
Everything’s golden
Although jeweler Hugo Ormachea actually specializes in handmade, one-of-a-kind jewelry, made to order, we couldn’t resist the perfect autumnal colors in this intricate gold ring. The diamonds are almost an afterthought as the greens, reds and golds take center stage. Of course, at Ormachea there is an endless variety of jewelry to choose from … and if you don’t see anything that fits your needs exactly, Hugo will design the exact piece of jewelry you have in mind. Ormachea Jewelry, 451 E. Main St. #1, Ventura. Call 652-0484 or visit www.ormacheajewelry.com.
“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.”
Stanley Horowitz
09-01-2006
