Saratoga News Photograph by Shari Kaplan Artist Dori Simmons is one of Gallery Saratoga's members contributing to its annual Christmas exhibit and boutique. Gallery Saratoga presents its annual unique boutique By Shari Kaplan Through Dec. 30, Gallery Saratoga offers its 20th annual group holiday show, The Perfect Gift: A Unique Boutique. Because the gallery is a cooperative, it only exhibits artwork from its member artists, who at present number more than 22 from Saratoga, Los Gatos, Cupertino, San Jose, Soquel and other communities. About half the show's items hang on or sit below a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. The rest of the gifts and artwork are displayed on nearby shelves and walls. All items are handmade and are for sale. Among the art in this unique boutique are colorfully painted Santas, elves and angels made by ShaRon from small flower pots with fabric legs, arms and accessories glued on. Joan Foster contributes delicately needlepointed angels and tiny Christmas stockings sewn from glistening fabric. Floral and fruit designs on coasters are one of Teresa Hull's crafts, as are painted glasses and mosaic trivets. Felicia Peters Pollock fashions animals out of stone as well as Washi eggs--blown real eggs covered with Japanese rice paper and painted with lacquer. Dori Simmons' contributions are miniature birdhouse ornaments with celestial themes and dainty angel ornaments with sparkling gold halos, frilly dresses and blushing faces. Jane Garrod offers wheat weavings made from wheat sown from her farm, Bird Flat Ranch, located in Honey Lake Village in Lassen County. Wheat weavings are an old European tradition; they celebrate the harvest and bring good luck and abundance to their owners. Gallery Saratoga is at 14531 Big Basin Way, Unit 3. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, call 867-0458. [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, November 25, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.