December Art Walk- Featuring Cheryl Zahniser

Save the date for the last West Seattle Art Walk in 2013!  

This Thursday, December 12, we are featuring local artist Cheryl Zahniser. 

Her beautiful oil portraits and still life paintings on canvas and glass deck 

our walls and will be up during the entire month.

Come in to CAPERS on Thursday from 6-9pm to see beautiful artwork by 

Zahniser and meet the artist herself! We will have treats and drinks while 

you shop and there will even be a surprise performance by the Mistletones!

A little about the artist...

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Cheryl Zahniser graduated from the University of Oregon in 1975 with a BFA Degree in Painting. After graduation, Zahniser worked as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer in Portland and then moved to Seattle to work for Nordstrom as a graphic designer. Zahniser retired 24 years later as the Vice President, Brand Creative Director of Nordstrom. Since 2006 Cheryl Zahniser focused her passion on fine art, opening a studio and studying with a number of well-known artist.  For more information, visit Cheryl's website, cherylzahniser.com.

The Annual Giving Tree is Here!

Our Annual Giving Tree is officially up and we are excited to start accepting donations for the Hickman House. Simply come in to CAPERS, grab a star (or a few) from the tree, and return your gift to the tree before December 23rd. Donating a gift is a great way to give back to the local community this holiday season! 

The Hickman House is a local shelter that provides safety for women and children who have been victims of domestic violence, and they provide resources to help these women start new lives for their families. For more than 25 years, CAPERS has been collecting gifts and toys for the brave women and children who are transitioning from very abusive situations. This mighty holiday tree collects thousands of gifts each year for these families. 

For more information, call CAPERS at (206) 932-0371

Be the Perfect Guest this Holiday Season

Many of you will find yourselves as guests next Thursday or in the following month of holiday events.  This post will provide you with some great tips to ensure that you are the perfect guest and get invited back year after year!

• It is always a good idea to bring a nice gift for the hostess; after all, he/she likely spent several days preparing the delicious feast!  While wine is always welcome, try and think outside of the box this year. Here are some ideas for thoughtful hostess gifts this season. 

Some festive paper napkins and a nice candle votive

A dish towel with some scented dish soap

A cocktail book accompanied by some glasses

Candles and wooden candle coasters

• Be on time! If you are going to be late, call and let the hostess know. 
• Call an hour ahead to see if there is anything the hostess needs- perhaps a last minute run to the grocery store.
• Always offer to bring something such as an appetizers or dessert. 
• When you get to the hostess's house, offer to help.
• Be sure to introduce yourself to the other guests and circulate the room.
• Don't overstay your welcome.
• Send a thank you note the following week!

Susan Goodwin Trunk Show!

Susan Goodwin Jewelry Trunk Show

Saturday, November 23rd

12-5pm

CAPERS Home, 4525 California Ave SW

Susan will fill a 10 foot table with her one-of-a-kind pieces-- this is an event you don't want to miss!

The talented Susan Goodwin will be setting up shop in CAPERS next Saturday with hundreds of beautiful earrings and necklaces. This is the perfect time to stock up on gifts for the holidays! Susan is a local jewelry maker who has been designing jewelry for more than 25 years and she is internationally known for her gemstone and pearl jewelry designs. 

Here is an excerpt about the artist from her website, susangoodwin.net. You can learn more about Susan and see more of her designs on her website!

"Susan Goodwin has been a celebrated jewelry artist and tour de force in pearl and precious stone showpieces since 1980.  Born in Kirkland, WA in 1954, Susan traveled the world before returning to her roots and settling in Seattle. Her early years and first artistic influences were formed in the still exotic, tropical paradise on Hawaii. Her spirited mother fled the gray skies of the Pacific Northwest and moved to Honolulu when Susan was only three years old. It was there that Susan recalls becoming entranced by nature; exploring the beach, the jungle and the world around her and developed her passion for color, texture and light."

Save The Date...Holiday Open House and Susan Goodwin Trunk Show!

Saturday, November 23 from 10am-5pm

Our Holiday Open House is coming up in just 2 weeks and you need to be sure not to miss it! We have been busy stocking the shelves and decking the halls to prepare for the upcoming holidays. Be sure to stop by on November 23rd to pick up everything you'll need for the holidays. Plus, we will have treats and specials all day throughout the store!

Our Susan Goodwin Trunk Show will also be happening on Saturday, November 23rd from noon-5pm. This is an annual customer favorite! Susan is a local artist who has been designing jewelry for more than 25 years and she is internationally known for her gemstone and pearl jewelry designs. Susan will fill a huge table with her one-of-a-kind pieces, so this is an event you don't want to miss! For more information on Susan Goodwin, visit her website at susangoodwin.net. 

 

Dressing Your Table for the Holidays 101

The holidays are quickly approaching, so to help you out during this season of events and dinner parties, we made this handy guide that will teach you everything you need to know about dressing your table for company.


Setting your table 101:

 
These two diagrams from Brunch at Saks depict the proper way to set the table, both informal and formal. We won't tell if you edit the formal setting a bit!


Measuring your table for a tablecloth 101:
Finding the perfect tablecloth for your dining room table can be tricky. Luckily, we are here to help!
As a general rule of thumb, aim for a tablecloth that has dimension that are 24"- 30" longer in both length and width than your table.

60" round table- 90" round linen

72" round table- 102" round linen

30" x 72" banquet table- 54" x 96"linen

30" x 96" banquet table- 54" x 120"linen

60" x 60" square table- 90" x 90"linen

If you are still in need of a holiday tablecloth, we have some beautiful Le Jacquard Français linens at CAPERS and large selection available for custom order.

Dos and Don'ts

• Don't ever use scented candles in the dining room!
• Do play with fall colors- warm oranges, reds, yellows, and greens. 
• Don't use a tablecloth that reaches the floor.
• Do measure your table before buying a new tablecloth.
• Don't crowd your dinner table with decorations.
• Do utilize fall foliage and crops such as squash, colorful corn, and fall leaves.

We will be posting entertaining and decorating tips all throughout the holiday season!

CAPERS Philosophy- Responsible Consumption

Did you know that most of the items we sell in our store are either produced locally or with a socially responsible mission? When you shop at CAPERS, you can feel confident that you are supporting responsible companies!

Shop Local: We feature many products made right here in the Pacific Northwest! Buying local products is not only good for the community, but it is also good for the environment because it requires a lot less energy to transport the goods to you!

Shop Fair Trade: A fair trade certification ensures that the money made from goods gets back to the laborers involved in all steps of the manufacturing process.

Shop Recycled: There are several items at CAPERS that are made from recycled products (including a door mat made from recycled flip fops and a decorative basket made from recycled straws).

Shop with a Conscience: Many companies support organizations, initiatives, and philanthropies with their proceeds. It is always a good idea to check out a company's website to see how they give back to global communities.

Shupaca Alpaca throws are beautifully crafted alpaca throws made in
Ecuador. Shupaca products are fair trade and all sales support the economic
advancement of the Ecuadorean artists.  For more info visit shupaca.com

Jaipur Rugs support women artisans from India. They teach weaving
skills and ensure that proceeds from the sales go back to the
women and their families. For more info visit jaipurrugs.org

EmiLime supports and sells knits made by women artisans in Peru. EmiLime products are fair trade and beautifully crafted.
For more information visit emilime.com

These are just a few of the socially responsible products we feature at CAPERS. Stop by our store to learn more about the great products we carry!