Amy Peters' Studio Buzz

Featured Store(s): Abacus

Today we are heading to Maine to visit some fun stores..

The name of your store?

Abacus

When did you open your doors?

opened in 1971 

Where are all of your stores located?

44 Exchange Street

Portland, ME  04101

207-772-4880

 

36 Main Street

Freeport, ME 04032

207-865-6620

 

2 Ocean Avenue (Dock Square)

Kennebunkport, ME  04046

207-967-0001

 

213 Main Street

Ogunquit, ME  03907

207-646-0399

 

12 McKown Street

Boothbay Harbor, ME  04538

207-633-2166

(seasonal)

 What Makes your stores unqiue?

unique?  Our eclectic mix of things and price ranges.  We sell wearables, watches, home furnishings, jewelry, glass and lots more.  It's a store that makes people smile.  The buildings we're located in are special too and each store is located in the heart of a busy neighborhood or resort where there are lots of other things to do and see and great palces to eat.

 How did you first find Amy Peters' Studio jewelry?

We first found you at the Rosen Show I think and I can't remember how many years it's been.

What styles of jewelry from Amy Peters' Studio do you carry?

We carry word rings and most of the different kinds of pewter charms.

 

Since Dana is so modest...I'll share about his amazing artwork!  Each year he prints a beautiful calendar from some of his amazing paintings and we are lucky enough to receive one.  The calendar graces the studio wall, year round.

If you live in the beautiful area of Maine where these stores are located make sure to stop by and visit them!  Or make sure to put them on your shopping list on your next vacation to Maine! Or if you can see them in person, stop by and visit them virtually on their website.

Featured Store: Polkadots and Popsicles

Today we are going to take a peek into a fun shop in Gilbert Arizona.  I just love Heidi's energy and the shop looks adorable. 

Name of your store:

Polka Dots & Popsicles

How long has your store been in business?

September 1, 2010

Where are you located? 

2206 East Williams Field Road, Suite 104

Gilbert Arizona

85295

**in SanTan Village, next to Famous Dave’s**

phone: 480-963-1101

email: [email protected]

Heidi Doyle & John Braden

What makes your store unique?

We carry artists from all over the world, and have an abundance of amazing stories! From jewelry that supports villages, items made from veggies & paper from a war zone, treasures that support single Mom’s, Angels that each have their own story & of course the very beginning of our store was a call to Amy after wearing her necklaces for many years I knew her treasures would be a HUGE part of our dream. We also have a wonderful kids area that has a palm tree & lighted pussy willows behind the picket fence and a Man Cave guaranteed to make one giggle!

 

What is something you would like customers to know about your store?

 

When you walk thru our doors we truly believe it’s an experience that you will want to take time to savor, from the wonderful way it smells, to the messages that touch your soul bringing goose bumps & giggles all at once! Laughter & tears are daily occurrences at Polka Dots & Popsicles; we believe we have brought the best of the best into one location; we did the traveling for you!! You will feel welcomed & reminded of some of life’s simplest, yet most remarkable joys as you meander through our whimsical & inspirational gallery.

Do you give back to your community? How?

YES!!! We participate in many local charities. We collected dresses for the Cinderella Affair, participated in the Boys & Girls Club annual fundraiser, we are involved in a Hope & a Future & closest to our heart is our own non-profit organization called Sharing Hope, that was started in the name of my 9 year old daughter & helps collect electronic gaming systems to help kids that are hospitalized by providing them with something to keep them busy & keep their minds off of the ordeal they are facing.

 

Do you have a Facebook, Blog or website?

Our Website.  (Check us out, currently you can browse about and take a peek at who we are! We hope to be up & running for online purchasing any day now!

Our Facebook page!

And I am working on getting our Blog underway!! Amy has told me it’s a must.

 

How long have you been carrying Amy Peters’ Studio jewelry?

Since Day 1 of course

How did you first discover Amy Peters’ Studio jewelry?

I found her treasures in Fireworks Gallery in Seattle. I have loved her wonderful work forever! I own many of her pieces, my 2 matte chokers: Follow Your Heart & Life is a Journey, are pieces I never take off, as they are constant reminders to me of 2 very important messages I believe to be integral in keeping me on track in my journey through this crazy thing we call life.

 

Which collections of jewelry do you carry from the Amy Peters’ Studio line?

We have the Matte Chokers, the mini fortunes, the Be True To You bracelets, Simple Secrets, the Stacking Rings & the amazing pewter pieces that allow people to create their own story in a unique piece of jewelry!

Share a fun/interesting/heartfelt story about Amy Peters’ Studio jewelry:

 

Amy was truly the very beginning of my journey to this dream that is now a very real reality called Polka Dots & Popsicles. When I decided I was truly going to go for it, quit my big girl job & cash in all my chips, my very first baby step was to remove my Follow Your Heart choker from my neck & flip it over to see who the amazing artist was that I had been wearing around my neck for so many years. Amy was my first call to inquire if she would even consider allowing a girl with a dream to carry her beautiful treasures! Not only did she agree but helped point me in the direction of many other wonderful artists & even more importantly wonderful people!! We visited Amy on our journey searching for what was to become Polka Dots & Popsicles she was so warm & wonderful & spoke words of encouragement that kept me going & I do believe I also gained a wonderful new friend.

(Oh!! And guess what Amy & I discovered a few weeks ago we share the same Birthday!! How ironic is that! And, we are both 21)

 

What other collections do you sell in your store?

 

Soul Soup by Kristen Jongen AMAZING art from another amazing lady!!

Barret DeBusk amazing metal sculptures

Story People

My Tribe, an amazing line of clothes that is gorgeous & so very soft & twirly to wear

Iron Chinchilla

Angel Frost & She Bloom, amazing Baby treasures

Razzle Baby, the softest baby blankets EVER & now they are making them in our size J

Curly Girl

Bottoms UP!! Delightful & leggy Vino glasses sure to make you giggle!

 

Thanks so much Heidi for giving us a look into your fun shop!

If you NEED to see more from her cute shop..

The shop was recently featured on TV in her local area, you have to watch...so cute. 

Their daughter Hope is pretty amazing too!  You MUST read the inspiring story of how Hope brought hope to a girl in the hospital!

 

Featured Store: Creative Genius Art Gallery and Studio

Today we are going to peek inside another store that carries Amy Peters' Studio jewelry.  This is one of the stores I'd really love to visit.  I just know that if it was in my hometown, I'd be there all of the time.  The idea of a creative space where people can explore and be inspired by other artist's work...in a word Genius.  I dream of one day owning a store like this!

 

 

Name of your store:

Creative Genius Art Gallery and Studio

 

How long has your store been in business?

Seven and a half years

 

Where are you located? 

32 North Main Street, Medford, NJ 08055  phone 609-714-1131

 

What makes your store unique?

We are a unique environment because we are both a gallery for the appreciation of the creative genius within others as well as a studio for the opportunity to explore one’s own creative genius. We think this gives folks a unique perspective on creativity, fine craft and the creative process.

 

What is something you would like customers to know about your store?

We love our customers and try to be very open to creating an accessible, fun environment in which to purchase art or create it.

 

Do you give back to your community?

We try to donate on a regular basis for anything that is raising money for any of our town’s schools and school programs. We are also active on our business association. In addition we donate to related causes beyond just our local community throughout the calendar year. In the past few years, we have donated proceeds from an exhibit to Artsphere (bringing art to inner city Philadelphia children), Flashes of Hope (supporting photographers who freely provide custom shoots for children suffering from life threatening illnesses) and American Cancer Society along others. 

 

How can we find you online?  

We are on facebook (as CreativeGeniusArtGalleryandStudio)

on Twitter as CreativeGeniusG

our blog site is www.creativegeniusonline.blogspot.com.

Our website is www.creativegeniusonline.com

 

How long have you been carrying Amy Peters’ Studio jewelry?

Since we opened seven years ago.

 

How did you first discover Amy Peters’ Studio jewelry?

Online when I was researching opening my gallery seven years ago.

 

Which collections of jewelry do you carry from the Amy Peters’ Studio line?

I have tried quite a few but the tiny fortune cookie necklaces and pewter collections are our customer favorites. 

 

Share a fun story about Amy Peters’ Studio jewelry:

I special ordered a series of pocket charms for an entire soccer team. Their coach wanted to remind them that they had done a great job and the charms were to celebrate their growth as players and as a team.

 

What other collections do you sell in your store 

We represent 150 so there are too many to name but among the most famous are Storypeople (by Brian Andreas).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Featured Store: Shapiro's

Today we will be peeking into Shapiro's Galleries.

 

How long has your store been in business?

We have two locations – on the West Coast of Florida in St. Petersburg and a second location in the mountains of Northeast Georgia in a small town called Sautee-Nacoochee. We opened the Florida gallery in 1998 and the Georgia location in 2005.

Where are your stores located?

SHAPIRO’S on Beach Drive –
300 Beach Drive NE St.Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 894-2111

SHAPIRO’S in Sautee –
2269 Highway 17 Sautee, Ga 30571 (706) 878-1221

 

What makes your store unique?

SHAPIRO’S Gallery is owned and operated by Mike & Sue Shapiro and shortly they will add their son Matt to the team. Prior to opening SHAPIRO’S,  Sue & Mike traveled around the United States selling Sue’s pottery. Sue has
been creating and selling her artwork for more then 30 years. Everything in
SHAPIRO’S is handmade in the United States.

What is something you would like customers to know about your store?

Visit either location and you will find top quality, handmade in the USA
craft objects that can fit any budget. In addition, you will find friendly
staff, good music and just an all around positive vibe.

Do you give back to your community?

Sue and Mike are very active in the community, especially in St. Petersburg. SHAPIRO’S raises money for many, many worthy causes through donations of art work, participation in auctions, hosting events and monetary contributions

 

How long have you been carrying Amy Peters’ Studio jewelry?

We have been carrying Amy’s work since 2006

 

How did you first discover Amy Peters’ Studio jewelry?

We met Amy at an Art Show in Philadelphia. We first purchased her work because when we were introduced, she quickly discovered we already carried one of her competitor’s artwork. It would have been bad form not to purchase from her as well and are we glad we did! 

Amy Note: That competitor is a friend of mine, Kathy Bransfield.  I love her work! Mike never forgets to tease me on how much more of her jewelry they sell than mine!

 

Which collections of jewelry do you carry from the Amy Peters’ Studio line?

The collection is always changing and evolving. Stop in and see the
latest creations we have to offer.

Share a heartfelt story about Amy Peters’ Studio jewelry...

Amy’s words always seem to connect and resonate with her customers. I am
almost always moved when sisters buy jewelry for each other that contains
messages of sisterly love , devotion and support.

Get connected with Shapiro's Gallery on Facebook.

 

We just shipped them another order, so stop in soon for the best selection!

Featured Store: Bliss Knoxville

 

Today we'll be taking a short trip to Bliss in Knoxville for an interview and a peak into their fun shop! Ok, I wish I was really heading to visit them.  This will be a virtual trip!

Where is the Bliss store located? 

We are located in Market Square in downtown Knoxville.

24 Market Sqaure

Knoxville, TN 37902

865-329-8868

 

How long has your store been in business?

Bliss began in 2003 and then 2 Bliss Home stores were opened in 2005 and 2008.

 

What makes your store unique?

Bliss is a unique and interesting place to shop! We have such a wide variety of gift items, clothing, jewelry and accessories so that you are sure to find something new each time you visit!

 

What is something you would like customers to know about your store?

Shopping can be boring and frustrating sometimes if you don't know what you are looking for.  With our funky displays, unique gift items and our great mix of trendy and classic apparel-there is no way you can't have a good time at Bliss! We want Bliss to be a FUN place to shop!

 

How can we find you in cyber space?

We can be found online at:

Shopinbliss.com

Twitter.com/blissknoxville

Facebook.com/blissknoxville

How long have you been carrying Amy Peters  Studio jewelry?

About 5 years now!

 

How did you first discover Amy Peters' Studio jewelry?

We first saw Amy Peters jewelry at the New York gift show and knew that it was something that Bliss needed in our jewelry cases.

What other collections do you sell in your store? 

We carry clothing and accessories from Free People, IT! And Miss Me jeans, Desigual, Kersh, Jane Marvel, Maggie Bags, Tulle and many others! We have gift and home items from Kikkerland, Umbra, Fred and Friends, Boston Warehouse and lots more!

If you are lucky enough to live close to Bliss, stop by soon.  This Valentines day window is AMAZING!

We just shipped them a big order of our jewelry, so stop by soon for the best selection of our lovely jewelry!

The Zoo Gallery

I dream of one day taking a road trip around the United States to visit all of the wonderful stores that sell my jewelry.....The dream usually starts with the Zoo Gallery (actually there are 3 stores!) Located in the Florida panhandle. 

I often get happy emails from customers that have found my jewelry designs at the Zoo Gallery and they just have to tell me what a wonderful shop and the helpful staff are at the stores. 

One customer emailed me that he takes a vacation there every year and she and her sister buy my rings.  She must have quite a collection by now, she's been going there for 8 years! 

Offering an eclectic mix of art and craft on the Emerald Coast of Florida, since 1979. They are on the panhandle with shops in Destin, Sandestin, and Grayton Beach. At each location you’ll find a wide variety of framed art, pottery, jewelry, furniture, accessories, and apparel. The Zoo Gallery, main office and frame shop is at 1209 Airport Rd - #3, Destin, Fl 32541: 850-837-0100, 850-837-5367 fax, [email protected]


Loaded with American made crafts! 

Unique treasures to delight everyone...

Look at all of those jewelry cases....

Tour the Destin Store

Tour the Sandestin Store

Tour the Graton Beach store

So if you are lucky enough to live near the Zoo Gallery....stop by and pick up some handcrafted goodies! Don't forget to say hi from me!

And if you are ever on the lookout for a great vacation spot.  Think about the beautiful Florida panhandle.