Small Businesses Support Local Families

It can't be escaped. Over and over in all media sources we see information about the state of our economy, how to fix it, or when it might get better.

As a small business owner, I can only judge how the economy is doing by looking at how my business has faired during these difficult times. Over the past 5 years we have scrutinized our budgets and business plan to try to make ourselves as efficient as possible. As I try to understand what has kept us going through this economy, I always determine in the end that it has been the loyalty of our amazing customers.

As a business that has been in Lakewood for over 50 years, we have gained families of customers who have been coming to us for generations. Many times customers will drop by just to let us know what's new with them and their loved ones. We are so happy that our customers see us not just as professionals, but also friends. Many of our customers are active in programs that support our community. We often support those programs in their fundraising efforts.
All of us know businesses that are dear to us. Now more than ever it is so important to support these local people. By supporting them, you are keeping your dollars in your hometown. More than likely those business owners will turn around and spend those dollars locally or use them to support local causes.

Take your support one step further and write a review of those businesses online. There are many websites devoted to online reviews, Yelp and Google Reviews are just two of them. By writing a review, you are helping their business have a higher listing priority when people do an online search for their products or services. By doing so, you are helping to drive customers to that business and ensuring that they will be there the next time you want their product or service.

Thank you to everyone who shops locally. Now, more than ever, small businesses appreciate you!

Spring Brings Light and Color to Lakewood Gallery

I'm so happy that spring is finally here! The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming and the trees are beginning to bare their leaves. I took our big sign out of the front window and was blinded by the bright sunshine streaming in. Contemplating what to put up for a new window display, I brought some of our glass art pieces into the light and saw them come alive for the first time in months! That settled it for me, I loaded the front window with bright, cheery, blown and cast glass pieces in all colors. I didn't stop there... I hung on the walls some beautiful little floral original oil paintings by Karen Luke Fildes, flower field originals by Francoise Dubruille, and tulip fields by Rie Munoz. To top off the spring look in the gallery, I hung a uniquely framed wedding portrait by local photographer Kris Allen.

It is amazing how some light and color can energize a person! I was inspired to create feature displays for three glass artists that we represent at Lakewood Gallery & Framing. The first is Marcus Harper, a Browns Point artist who works with glass that is cast and cold-worked. We are so used to seeing blown glass in this region that his work is an interesting departure. With a focus on layering color and texture, his pieces are typically thick blocks of glass with a depth that can only truly be admired in person. After the pieces are cast, Marcus cold works them with a saw to give more texture and interest. Marcus recently had his work acquired by the Smithsonian Museum.

We have represented local glass blowing artist Jeau Bishop for many years and customers are sure to recognize his work from seeing it here. Jeau's glass is beautiful in color and grace and almost appears to be liquid at times. The colors change readily as the piece is moved in and out of the light giving it a life of its own. Jeau produces a wide range of size, color and texture and has even created a system for his disc-shaped pieces to be hung on a wall.

Finally, we are featuring the blown glass and jewelry by the young people of Hilltop Artists. Hilltop Artists has been helping at-risk youth for ten years by teaching them a skill that allows them to express themselves in a healthy way. We are proud to feature this student-produced work and encourage you to directly support their program by purchasing their glass. Priced very accessibly, this is a great way to own a beautiful piece of art while supporting our community.

I invite you to stop by the gallery and bask in our light and color - I know I'm definitely enjoying it!