Adventure browsing outside the box
By Kathleen Thomas
You've been on vacation for several days, and the itch to shop is strong. Really strong. But let's face it — even though you've chuckled at every resort T-shirt slogan at least twice and have enough logo-emblazoned coffee mugs to start your own latte den, you still feel empty.
You simply cannot go home without that perfect memento of your Colorado trip. Take heart, brave shoppers! For rising above the drone of malls and franchises is the lilt of funky little boutiques and consignment stores and the fanfare of designer galleries.
You want one-of-a-kind? Well, it's showtime!
When you look up "eclectic" in your Webster's New World College Dictionary, you'll wonder why a photo of Gracy’s in Aspen doesn’t accompany the definition. This, after all, is the cornerstone of all things glamorous and lots of things outrageous in Colorado's most glamorous town.
For years it was known as a highbrow consignment store, a place where the rich and famous brought their duds for recycling. But over the last year, since Karen and Brad Carner took ownership, Gracy's has evolved to its next stage. At 7,000 square feet and the biggest store in Aspen, Gracy's has completely redefined "consignment."
To wit: In the haute couture section you'll find a Chinese New Year's dress by East Coast designer and part-time Aspen resident Suzanne Gooch. Drop-dead red and resplendent with dragons and beadwork, the gown is a work of art.
Jewelry by U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado, work by Native American painter Gary Emrick and authenticated copies of Russell and Remington bronzes contribute to a Western theme — and a photo of Hunter S. Thompson adds some gonzo. Gracy's even has a collection of CDs by "local locals" such as John Sommers, a songwriter whose "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" was an enormous hit for the late John Denver.
Meanwhile, in the book department, you might just find a copy of Lynn Erickson's work — Lynn Erickson being the Harlequin romance novel-writing duo of Aspenites Molly Swanton and Carla Peltonen.
A large section is devoted to handcrafted items such as a magnificent custom-made, hand-carved juniper wood pool table that's been inlaid with silver, turquoise and arrowheads.
While keeping of the immense inventory, the couple also "tries to make sure people have fun," hosting belly-dancing classes in the store every Monday night, sponsoring the outdoor Gracyfest on July 4 and Labor Day and the summer long farmers’ market, complete with live music and a local chef to do demos and hand out goodies.
If Gracy's is an adventure in eclecticism, Scott Keating Design at the Midvalley Design Center in Basalt is a world tour of exquisiteness.
A longtime Aspen jewelry designer with numerous awards to his credit, Scott specializes in diamonds, gold and platinum — all Aspen elements, to be sure. He also works in gemstones such as tourmaline, citrine and amethyst, designing new cuts that include his trademark "turret bar."
His unique style has gotten the attention of a number of high-visibility Aspen residents, including Oscar-winning actor Jack Nicholson, parrot-head troubadour and author Jimmy Buffett, Charlie's Angels prototype Kate Jackson and the ever-glamorous actress Jill St. John.
Scott says he draws inspiration from art deco, from Egypt and from the mountains that surround him. Roll them all together and you have his Viewpoints Collection and an astounding one-of-a-kind ring that retails for $30,500.
Oh, what a ring. The 3.45-carat center diamond is a round brilliant cut with two side sapphires that total .95 carats. Another .80 carats of sapphires surround the outside of the band, eternity-style. All in all, the ring boasts 8.65 carats of precious gems.
If you want a little leather with your diamonds, Footloose and Fancy Things is the perfect foil. What began 25 years ago as a custom moccasin-making business in a second-hand store has become an outlet for some 120 artists and their work.
Owner Steve DeGouveia has many originals under his roof, including two jackets that practically shout their uniqueness. “Boot Princess” is a dynamite Texas-made, two-tone suede jacket with buffalo bone accent, fringed and fitted like a second skin. “Beaded Short Jacket,” cut like a traditional jean jacket, is soft lambskin and tricked out with black, cream and red beads.
The store has a fine selection of belts, silver jewelry, buckles and art, "And we still do the moccasins," Steve says.
From Gracy's to Keating to Footloose, Aspen is... well, Aspen. But there are still more unique shopping experiences when you visit Vail Valley and Summit County
At the western swing of the Valley is Beaver Creek Resort and the truly unique jewelry showcased at the Golden Beaver®. It is the industrious animal itself around which designer Vino Anthony created his beaver line "in recognition of Mother Nature's little engineer... the builder of dams and designer of ecosystems."
But these pieces of jewelry are not caricatures, not cartoonish replications of a big-toothed mammal. Rather, the stunning pendants, bracelets, rings, earrings and cuff links each bear the same signature design — an upright beaver looking to its right (or left, for matching links and earrings).
The pieces are in silver, 14 and 18 karat gold and sometimes platinum, and prices range from $50 to $9,000. One especially breathtaking pendant bears a 1.5-inch tall beaver with a total of two carats in his diamond pave body. His tail is polished gold, and the lively little fellow has a gleam in his emerald eye.
The Golden Beaver has admirers around the globe, Vino says, and the likeness is available on a line of BeaverWear clothing — including underwear — as well as fine glassware, golf balls, golf clubs and other gift items.
Vail Village is home of the Laughing Monkey, where Ghiqui Hoffmann has assembled a colorful collection of women's clothing, ethnic gift items and alpaca tapestries. She also sells sweaters by Planet Earth — the garments are her own design, hand-made of pima cotton, alpaca, llama and sheep's wool by South American craftsmen.
“I design the patterns and go to Peru and Bolivia to consult with the makers,” Ghiqui says. Planet Earth is carried by her store and others in the area, she adds.
Clothing is "trendy, not off the rack," and it appeals to women of all ages — "from 20 to my mother, and she's 81," says Ghiqui.
French designer Louise Della is among the labels carried, along with sweaters by Christine Folen. Jewelry includes Ayala Bar's designs, silver cuff bracelets by B.B. Becker and pendants by Chan Luu.
To the west of Vail Village in Lionshead is the wonderfully named Cabbages and Kings boutique, managed by Greta Burke.
"We have jewelry and accessories, embellished jeans, sweaters and fun tops. It's a contemporary look, not a particular age but a particular attitude," Greta says.
You'll find beaded, feathered, laced and rhinestoned jeans by Allen B., as well as rather minimalist Seven jeans, which are "plain, low and tight." Tops are by Weston Wear, Custo-Barcelona, Anac, Galima and Language — a peasant-y look took the town by storm in summer '02.
Chan Luu shows up in both jewelry and belts; other jewelry includes the mosaic and beads of Ayala Bar and a line by Wasabi. Footwear is limited to a brand or two each season, with Rocket Dogs and Geier-Wally clogs and fashion shoes as examples of what you might encounter.
When you leave Vail, cross the pass and dip into Summit County, you'll find yourself surrounded by Oriental tranquility and "art to wear" at the Flying Crane in Frisco. Owner Linda Axelrod has an amazing assortment of Asian art, including ikebana vases that are painted with traditional Japanese flower designs. Flower arrangement supplies are carried as well.
But neither man nor woman lives by flowers alone, so Linda carries sushi serving supplies, lots of teapots and Japanese pottery.
Japanese wall art adorns the shop; sumie painting, the black ink and brush technique on paper, gracefully punctuates the area. Signed and numbered prints and calligraphy pictures of symbols that translate to mean "laughter," "harmony" and "joy" are also available. Fifty percent of what is displayed is by Canadian and American craftsmen, created "with an Asian flair," Linda says.
And then there's the clothing and accessory side of the Crane equation. Jewelry includes hair clips, earrings and necklaces by Mar, Jan Michaels and local artisan Marla Starekow. Clothing, "art to wear," comes in limited numbers from designers across the country. "Styles range from dressy suits to funky casual to wedding on the beach," Linda says.
Beach? Ponder that as you head to the southern end of Summit County and Breckenridge, where shopping is an interesting blend of old and cutting-edge. In the middle of it all is Bay Street Co., a departure from all things ordinary.
Owned and operated by the Bingham family, Bay Street is the ground floor of a two-story Victorian edifice on Main Street. Inside are imported and domestic treasures for the home and outside you’ll find the most beautiful flower garden in the area.
Dodie Bingham is responsible for the flowers, which elicit ooohs and aaahs from passers-by, and the store is the domain of her children, Candy Van Runkle, Judy Girvin and John Bingham.
Candy says the buying philosophy for the store is Dodie's — stock "things you love and that amuse you." For the customer, that means at any given time and in any direction you turn, you're likely to find bright and colorful table linens, silk flowers, a line of Italian pewter, candles and bells.
Select pieces of furniture to liven up a room can also be purchased. "We have pottery from France, pitchers and serving platters," Candy says. Artful accessories and original cards by local painter Lana McCleary add to the palette. Whimsy abounds as well — a carved bear or two hangs around for grins.
For more carved bears and other animals, as well as log furniture for the entire house, Great Divide Furniture on the north edge of town is your place. In the historic old Quonset hut that variously served as a movie theater and a roller rink in Breckenridge's more humble years, manager Jane Timmons has a great mix of rustic log and country traditional pieces, most made in Western states and many crafted by Colorado furniture-makers.
Some is hand-painted, and some are custom-made. “We have a huge amount of stuff,” Jane says, “Dressers, armoires, occasional tables, sofas, chairs, lamps and many one-of-a-kind items.”
Traditional hardwood rubs elbows with lodge pole pine and aspen. “Our makers also use Mexican pine, hickory, oak, cherry, birch, maple and sometimes even bristle cone. And we have pieces made of recycled wood from old barns."
The art of local artist Bonnie Norling hangs on the walls of Great Divide, and those ubiquitous bears, lawn gnomes of the Rocky Mountains, hang around inside and out.
Now that you know the insider's story on one of a kind shopping in the high country, why not make tracks for one of these great stores? After all, you may just find that perfect memento in a silver-inlaid pool table, a honker of a diamond ring... or a great carved bear.
Kathleen Thomas is a freelance writer living in Hartsel, Colorado.
Shopping Adventures in the Colorado Rockies
To the west of Vail Village in Lionshead is the wonderfully named Cabbages and Kings boutique, managed by Greta Burke.