I Love Santa Fe! (Part 2 of 3)

This is Part 2 of my tribute to Santa Fe, New Mexico. I love it there! Here are two reasons why.

My two favorite things about Santa Fe are entirely entwined with each other: I love its food and its people. Of course Santa Fe's cuisine comes from its people--its strong Native American, Spanish, and Mexican populations.

Did you know that Santa Fe is literally America's oldest, official city? It was founded an entire decade before the British colonials even landed on Plymouth Rock. No offense intended, but the Spanish colonials got here first, and thank goodness.
With such a long and diverse (and yes, tumultuous) history, nearly every cafe, barista, pub, club, diner and restaurant in Santa Fe, New Mexico, features the foods and spices of the city's past and present: Native American flat breads, Spanish tapas, French pastries, Mexican everything, and yes, even American food is here--and it's always fresh, tasty, and easy to find. No hunting in the phone book for ethnic food--just walk down the sidewalk, choose an eatery, and open the door. You'll find some of the best tasting food in the world. (In my last post I mentioned some of my travels. Having eaten on cruise ships and in Europe, I can tell you that Santa Fe beats them both.)


If you're a locavore like I am (you choose to eat locally produced food when possible), the best part of Santa Fe is the Santa Fe Farmer's Market, open year-round. You can buy everything from chile peppers (all varieties, from mild to 3-alarm) to standard and exotic fruits and vegetables. You can buy locally produced cheeses, wines, and even art at this market (yes, art!). And you will hear local street musicians, called buskers, too. The Santa Fe Farmer's Market is more than a market--it's a community event and gathering place.

My favorite breakfast place in Santa Fe is called the Horseman's Haven. We usually heard two or three languages spoken here each morning, and the huevos rancheros were the best we had all week (and large enough to share or save half for lunch). Speaking of lunch, we recommend Pasqual's, located on Santa Fe's famous Plaza (more on The Plaza in Part 3). For dinner you must go to Canyon Road (you'll be there anyway for its dozens of art galleries) and eat at El Farol's. It's pricey, but worth it. Save this restaurant for a special evening with a special someone. Andrew and I loved their tapas selection.

If you get hooked on Southwestern cuisine (I have always loved Mexican food, but the Southwest's flavors are even better), check out the Santa Fe School of Cooking. You can learn how to roast a chile and wrap a tamale, and then go home and repeat it in your own kitchen.

If you like to meet people who are different from you, go to Santa Fe. If you like foods that look and taste differently from what you normally eat, go to Santa Fe. If you love to learn and want to grow personally, go to Santa Fe and don't come back until you're a better person. It won't take long. Santa Fe will enrich you.


If you're in the Spooner area this month, stop in see us at Black Iris Gallery (located between the stop lights on Hwy 63). We are currently showing Paul Oman's new watercolor art show called Landscapes & Cityscapes: Paul Oman 2010. Several of his award-winning pieces are on display now through the end of June. It's an impressive show and just as good as what I saw in Santa Fe. See above for a sample of his work.

Above: A Day in Bayfield, original watecolor, Paul Oman, 2010

See you soon at Black Iris Gallery & Custom Framing!

Sincerely,
JoAnn
Black Iris Gallery & Custom Framing
Spooner, WI
715-635-4548
http://www.blackirisframing.com/


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Satellite locations, framing class coming soon

Hello, art lovers--Happy St. Patrick's Day! Here at Black Iris Custom Framing, we are Irish and proud of it!

Things are really starting to happen now. I have ordered street and building signage for my two new satellite frame shop locations at The TimberShed in Stone Lake, Wisconsin, and at Homestead Embroidery & Gifts in Danbury, Wisconsin. The moulding and matting samples are on the way, and in the April I'll be training staff at both places to design framing packages and price orders. Watch this space for more details to come!

My framing class, set for Thursday, April 10, 17, and 24, is starting to fill. If you'd like to sign up, please call me for details or visit my class link. You will need to come to the shop a week before your first class so that you can choose mats and frames, and, if necessary, I can order them for you. That way you'll have the materials you need on the first night of class.

This class will most likely run in an "Open Shop" format--students can come and go as they make progress on their framing projects. I will be in the shop to assist you with questions and techniques every step of the way. I'll see you there!

Please contact me if you ever have questions at 715-635-4548 or joann@blackirisframing.com, and thanks for reading!

JoAnn

Below are pictures of my SUCCESSFUL and TALENTED framing students with their framing projects - Congratulations (L-R) Kevin, Rob, & Dawn!

Welcome to by Web Log ('Blog)!

Hi, everyone. Welcome to my 'Blog.

I have wanted to start a 'Blog since I bought the Black Iris Gallery & Custom Framing two years ago. What stopped me is that most of my customers are Baby Boomers or older, and sometimes they don't use the Internet as much as my generation and those younger do to find what they're looking for. But so what!

I want to reach all my customers, not just the Baby Boomers. I have often found myself wanting to share funny framing stories ("Did you say you want to frame your severed thumb?") as well as educate customers on the importance of conservation framing. You just wouldn't believe what I have found in the back of frames when I open them up for inspection or cleaning or reframing. I'll share those stories in future posts, I promise!

When it hit me that a 'Blog would be a great place to educate people on the importance of quality framing for the longevity of their artwork, I included "Create a Black Iris Web log" as one of my 2008 business goals. So here we are!

Some facts about me, in case you're "new to JoAnn": I am an identical twin, and her Web site is here. My husband and I also own Spooner's bowling center called Kegler's Pub & Pin, right upstairs from my gallery. View his Web site here. I have been a custom picture framer since March 2006, and I love it! I am a member of the Professional Picture Framers Association, and I plan to sit for the CPF (Certifed Picture Framer) exam in January 2009. Once I become a CPF, I will be the area's only certified framer. This means you can trust my methods and materials with even your most valuable art purchases.

Enjoy my 'Blog, everyone--I'll try to keep it interesting and relevant. Please post replies, too--I would love to hear from you. I am always open to advice and feedback, so please, share your ideas with me!

Have a great day.