Find of the Week: Gifts from a jeweler and a potter
Potter Maria White Mebane opens her Hollywood studio Saturday for a holiday sale with Branch Jewelry designer Michele Scholnick, offering a 30% discount on their collections of one-of-a-kind gifts.
Mebane, whose works adorn Jar restaurant as well as film sets, creates hand-carved ceramics, such as a $40 porcelain "shell" dish, $49 tea-light luminaries and a $400 black-glazed bowl. Scholnick will bring her nature-inspired sterling silver "branch" rings ($60), "leaf" necklaces ($75), "seed" diamond necklaces ($125) and "magnolia" diamond-cluster earrings ($470).
Sale Rack: In Sunday's Image section, a Sale Rack item about a holiday sale this Saturday at the studio of potter Maria White Melbane listed the price of her tea-light luminaries as $49. The lights are $70.
You can pay for these precious-metal and ceramic goods with plastic and paper.
Branch Jewelry and Maria White Mebane Ceramics holiday studio sale, 1965 1/2 N. Bronson Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 841-3377. Noon to 6 p.m. www.branchjewelry.com, www.mariawhitemebane.com.
EVENTS
West 3rd Street annual holiday block party Thursday: The neighborhood's row of fashion-forward boutiques and gift stores is holding its annual block party, featuring later hours and special discounts plus refreshments, music acts and carolers. Stores to look for include nifty gift emporiums Plastica, which features a $48 OOTS! lunch box container set, and OK, which has vintage Pierre Cardin backgammon sets ($125 to $200). Several free "community" valet stops will help make parking easier.
3rd Street (between Fairfax and La Cienega), Los Angeles. 6 to 9 p.m. www.westthirdstreet.com.
Diane Samandi and Jonquil annual holiday sale Saturday: This sale is for you if you want to pick up sleepwear, lingerie or silky dresses as gifts for 70% off wholesale (prices start at $10) -- and if you happen to be a fan of "The Office." Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute) will appear on behalf of the Mona Foundation, which supports grass-roots initiatives for women in the developing world. All proceeds go to the foundation. Pay by cash or check, made out to Mona.
1830 14th St., Santa Monica. (310) 452-5536. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. www.monafoundation.org.
EcoSkin and Laura Elizabeth jewelry trunk show and sale Saturday: Preview and order the spring 2009 collection for the eco women's line at the Blonde boutique while enjoying a 20% discount on fall looks ($120 to $250) -- and everything in the store. Laura Elizabeth will also show her "green" jewelry pieces made from recycled silver and gold set with semiprecious stones. The first 50 guests will receive giveaways and gift bags.
