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An Elegant Way to Shop Local in Lenox
On Saturday night, Michele O’Hana unveiled LOCAL, her sophisticated new shop in the Lenox Commons. A combination gallery, workshop, salon, and meeting place, it features handcrafted work by dozens of local artisans, including paintings, photographs, jewelry and ceramics. Some of the most beautiful objects are the ethereal porcelain pieces that O’Hana makes herself, and many guests snooped around her workspace with its kiln in the back of the the store. LOCAL (55 Pittsfield Road/Route 7; 413.553.3557) will be open seven days a week through Christmas Eve.
LOCAL founder Michele O’Hana of Ha’Penny Designs and her husband, the photographer John Dolan.
Meghan & Caitlin Harrsion of Mission Bar + Tapas, which catered the party; ceramist and jewelry designer Naomi Blumenthal and her husband, Ronald Blumenthal.
Claire Pollart and LOCAL’s Judy Merritt; Annette Kramek, who owns Ancient Language on North Street in Pittsfield, which specializes in yoga wear she designs, with Shelly Williams who owns Haven, the Lenox cafe.
Jewelry designer Stephanie Iverson, Tom Rich of Pittsfield Paul Rich & Sons, and Andrew McDonnell.
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Last-minute Holiday Shoppers: Go LOCAL
Submitted by Amanda Rae Busch on December 22, 2010 – 1:07pm
Tick, tock, tick, tock: the holiday rush is on. Those seeking unique last-minute gifts, look no further than LOCAL, a swell new shop in the Lenox Commons (formerly the Shops at Aspinwell) on Route 7 in Lenox, Mass. This is responsible shopping, after all.
“I’m up to thirty-six local artisans and craftspeople,” says owner Michele O’Hana, who opened LOCAL earlier this month after seeking a new studio space for her fine-art pottery, Ha’Penny Design. (O’Hana’s kiln sits beyond a curtain to the back of the boutique.)
“My philosophy is to have anyone who makes anything beautiful under one roof,” O’Hana says. “The commission is very, very low; artists don’t have to mark up their work much, so it stays affordable. Everything in here is for sale…the response has been amazing.”
When I stopped by yesterday, I actually wished that there might have been more holes to fill on my Christmas shopping list. Alas. Instead, I snapped a few photos of LOCAL’s exciting array of reasonably priced art, craft, jewelry, clothing, knickknacks, stationery, and housewares:
Bright leather purses and wallets by Elizabeth Powell….
Stuffed bird ornaments by J. Louise Designs…
Stoneware vessels by Bridget Ford Hughes of the Pastures Retreat in Southfield, Mass., planted with cacti; letterpress stationery; candles from Chatham, N.Y….
Darling pompom hats by Christine Fromm…
Fragrant herbal skincare and “love potions” by farmacy…
And wearables galore from Artemesia: twice-made design and moho designs, among others.
These represent just a fraction of LOCAL inventory; among others are handcrafted kinives by John Manikowski, silver teapots by contemporary silversmiths Michael & Maureen Banner; feel-good gear from Charley’s Fund; wooden breadboards by Chris and Tanya Renz; goat’s-milk skincase by Lebanon Springs Soaps; jewelry by Naomi Blumenthal, Dai Ban, and Stephanie Iverson; and perhaps the coolest beeswax creations I’ve ever seen, Angel Candles, made in Chatham, N.Y.Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday 11-5
55 Pittsfield Road, Lenox MA 01240
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Space in our gallery is limited, but we welcome submissions. To submit your work for consideration, please email a link to your website or mail a press kit to the above address.
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LOCAL was created by ceramicist and designer Michele O’Hana.
With her studio in the back and a collection of beautiful hand crafted local artist’s work in the shop front, Michele has been able to showcase her favorite work from the surrounding Berkshire region under one roof. Here are some samples of her work:
Handmade
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