Archive for the ‘Occasions! by design information’ Category

Got a Minute?

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

At Occasions! we have the time. Whether you can’t seem to keep yourself from burning your favorite recipe or make it to the office on time, or perhaps you are just searching for an artistic or useful timepiece, we have everything to keep you running on time!

We have contemporary clocks made from recycled aluminum by Bob Rickard at Rickard Studios in New Mexico, colorful kitchen timers designed by Michael Graves for Alessi, hourglasses of all sizes, and gear clocks. For a personal timepiece we have Watchcraft watches by Eduardo Milieris, whose distressed metal designs are perfect for men and women.

It’s time to quite stalling and get a new timepiece. For all of our clocks, watches and timers, visit our store or website,www.occasionsofscottsdale.com.

Roost Hourglasses, starting at $25

 

 

Watchcraft, Minstrel Watch, $290

Alessi, Michael Graves Timer, $38

Alessi, Michael Graves Timer, $38

Bob Rickard, Mondrian Clock, $475

Kikkerland, Gear Clock, $108

Do you Have Everything on your Bridal Registry Checklist?

Saturday, July 23rd, 2011

Whether you are newly engaged and need assistance getting your bridal registry started or only need to add a few last minute items to your registry, we are here to help! Saving frazzled brides and grooms from bridal registry overloads and meltdowns is what we do best.

To help out, we have come up with a bridal checklist, with our top five dining room and kitchen essentials for the bride and groom to be.

1-Serving Platters, Trays and Bowls

Every couple needs at least one of each of the following–a large serving platter, tray and bowl. For those couples who plan on doing some serious entertaining, two of each might be necessary–think one formal, one casual.

Beatriz Ball Soho Platter, $115

Vietri Quadri Platter, $110

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2-Bar-Necessities

Barware necessities include carafes, decanters, 8-12 wine glasses and any other barware items you need. This can include highball glasses, champagne flutes, brandy snifters, etc.

 

Waterford, Modavi Oakville Carafe, $98

Reed & Barton Marielle Stemware, prices vary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3-Dining Must-haves

What would your new serving bowl be without servers or tongs? Or what happens if you literally don’t have any salt to pass? These are just a few must-have items that you need for your dining table and kitchen. Stop in and see us or check out our website for others.

Wedgwood, Vera Wang Salad Servers, $25/each

Alessi, Programma Salad Set, $82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4-Capturing Memories

Once the smoke has cleared, and you are settling into married life you want to make sure that your lovely wedding photos are displayed properly–from cutting the cake, to walks down the aisle and even the candid shots in between, beautiful frames are a must for your bridal registry.

Tizo Frames, prices vary.

5-Sexy Gadgets

Sexy Gadgets are just that–fabulous kitchen gadgets that you are going to need once your marriage gets ‘cooking’. Some of our sexy gadgets include a mincing-machine garlic press for the cook, egg pillows and colorful kitchen timers–all are perfect gifts for the kitchen pro or chef in the making.

Egg Pillows, $14.50/set of four

 

Garlic Press, $26.50

 

Alessi, Michael Graves Timer, $38

 

 

Looking for Treasures? Search no further than Aunt Addie’s Attic

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

Vintage is the name of the game in Aunt Addie’s Attic, whether you need to replace a china plate from your grandma’s passed-down wedding china or another vintage item, you are sure to find many wonderful heirlooms in Aunt Addie’s Attic, our new web product line. In addition to vintage and antique treasures, we also feature contemporary items, including jewelry, serving platters and dishes, as well as, a wonderful collection of  serving and tableware for your entertainment needs, including Wainwright, Vera Wang, Villeroy & Boch and Royal Doulton, among others. Find Aunt Addie’s Attic on our website www.occasionsofscottsdale.com and let the fun begin.

The benefit of looking through our attic is that you don’t have to worry about the dust!

Antique Nippon Hand-painted Vase

Lilly Barrack Ring

Wedgewood Vera Wang Pink Duchesse Dinner Plate

 

 

 

Have an upcoming event? Hoping for a gift or two?

Monday, June 13th, 2011

Occasionsofscottsdale.com would like to introduce you to our online gift registry or gift wish list and new Registry Valet App. With our registry you are able to show everyone exactly the gift you would like for an upcoming birthday, engagement, wedding, shower, anniversary, housewarming or other type of gift-giving occasion.

bridal registry

Each registry is managed by you, giving you full control to add or remove items as well as adjust quantities. There are other useful features, such as, the tracking of gift items, e-mail forwarding of registries to family and friends, and an easy search option for finding your specific registry quickly.

Registry Valet

Available for Apple and Android devices

We’ve also recently launched the registry valet Mobile App for Apple and Android powered tablets and smartphones. The app allows you to manage registries and wish lists straight from your mobile device. Since the app runs online there is nothing to download or install. It allows your friends and family easy access on the go to your registry or wish list.

Make the process of giving gifts to you or your friends a gratifying, non-frustrating, experience. For help launching or maintaining your registry, call Christina, 800.482.2532, or e-mail christina@occasionsofscottsdale.com.

Contemporary and Nontraditional Enamelist To Visit Occasions! by design for January Show

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

Come and enjoy David Snow’s new enamel and copper work entitle “Portraiture”. This New Mexico based artist is having a weekend exhibition opening starting Thursday evening at 6pm for a “meet the artist reception” and going through until Sunday January 16th. His new work makes use of transparent and opaque colors to project a bold new technique in enamels. You won’t want to miss out on this show! -Occasions! by design (480) 423-0506

"Topography" by David Snow Enamel and Copper

"Topography" by David Snow Enamel and Copper"Ribbon of Glass" by David Snow Enamel on Copper

3-Dimensional Weaving Artist Susan Klebanoff To Come to Occasions! by design For February Show

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010
Susan Klebanoff's "Peaceful Garden" Mulit-Layer Weaving

Susan Klebanoff's "Peaceful Garden" Mulit-Layer Weaving

A new collection of tapestry weavings of Albuquerque artist Susan Klebanoff will be on display at Occasions by Design!  during the month of February. The special opening, with a” meet the artist” reception is on February 3rd  from 6:00-9:00pm.

Klebanoff’s work is characterized by its multi-colored, multi-layered, and multi-textured woven segments.  Her design, originally developed to explore the experience of light underwater, is unique and immediately recognizable.  The pieces are dynamic in their presentation.  Klebanoff explains “As you move around them, elements come in and out of visual alignment”.  Created on a loom, the shapes and segments are laboriously woven and then constructed into panels.  The yarns are hand dyed and the threads are hand painted.

The weavings of Susan Klebanoff are in the homes of private and public collections.  Most recently she has been invited to show her work in an International Exhibition at the Tokyo University Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, Japan.  In 2009, she received a commission to complete a large tapestry weaving for the Smithsonian Museum, Washington, D.C.

Other acquisitions to collections include, among others, the Museum of Modern Art, Nagoya, Japan;  “U.S.A. Today” Newspaper, Rosslyn, VA; United States Embassy, Colombo, Sri Lanka; and the U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C..

This show will be truly amazing and one not to miss!

Carole Pryharska’s World of Enchantment

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

Carole Pryharska’s work depicts a fantasy world of enchantment. While her new series “Morning Glory” is an accurate painting of a morning glory flower, the technique and composition suggest a magical land where the flowers are bigger than life and the images are painted with an airy touch.  It is as though the artist is allowing the viewer to take a peek at her magical garden.

Carole Pryharska employs a creative process using conte crayons and pastel on paper to achieve the special lightness in her work. The diptych below entitled Morning Glory may be purchased individually or as a diptych.

Enjoy her new series only at Occasions! by design now located in the heart of the Scottsdale Arts District. Open 7 days a week, feel free to contact us anytime at 480-423-0506 or 800-482-2532, We are happy to receive e-mails at service@occasionsofscottsdale.com.

"Morning Glory I" by Carole Pryharska 19.5 x 26.5 Pastel and Conte

"Morning Glory I" by Carole Pryharska 19.5 x 26.5 Pastel and Conte "Morning Glory II" by Carole Pryharska 19.5 x 26.5 Pastel and Conte

"Morning Glory II" by Carole Pryharska 19.5 x 26.5 Pastel and Conte

"Morning Glory II" by Carole Pryharska 19.5 x 26.5 Pastel and Conte

Cynthia McCrory’s Studies in Wax

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010
Cynthia McCrory's "Field Study 1" Encaustic

Cynthia McCrory's "Field Study 1" Encaustic

Cynthia McCrory’s new work is entitled “Field Study”, which appears to be based upon organic images and the landscape with an occasional reference to a horizon or tree like shapes. The works are small (14” x 14”) and subtle inviting the viewer to look closer at the heavily layered and textured surface.

The “Field Study” series is distinctive in their use of encaustic paints on canvas.  Encaustic is a wax based paint (composed of beeswax, resin and pigment), that is kept molten on a heated palette. It is applied to a canvas then reheated in order to fuse the paint.  Cynthia’s surfaces are alternately polished to a high gloss, carved, scraped, layered, collaged, dipped, cast, modeled, sculpted, textured, and combined with oil.

Enjoy her new series only at Occasions! by design now located in the heart of the Scottsdale Arts District. Open 7 days a week, feel free to contact us anytime at 480-423-0506 or 800-482-2532, We are happy to receive e-mails at service@occasionsofscottsdale.com.

Cynthia McCrory's "Field Study 2" Encaustic

Cynthia McCrory's "Field Study 2" Encaustic

Get Ready For A New Experience!

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010
Life-Size Pedestal Dress with Flower and Gold Trim by Marcia Sednek

Life-Size Pedestal Dress with Flower and Gold Trim by Marcia Sednek

Walking into Occasions! by design this week will be a unique experience.  Placed throughout the Gallery are large assemblages that appear to be full size mannequins in silk evening dresses. However, upon a closer look, you will soon realize that the silk fabric of the blouse is actually window screening, the billowing skirt is made of linotype metal, and the gorgeous details are actually bent and twisted wire.  These “mannequins” are in fact, life size hand constructed dress sculptures. To call these sculptures stunning is an understatement.    

"Marci's Wedding Dress" by Marcia Sednek

"Marci's Wedding Dress" by Marcia Sednek

Occasions! is a must see in your trip to Downtown Scottsdale. Come and enjoy a warm and inviting experience.

We are now located in the heart of the Scottsdale Arts District on Main St – Open seven days a week. Feel free to contact us at 480-423-0506 or 800-482-2532.  Peruse our website www.occasionsofscottsdale.com and discover beautiful art, jewelry and tabletop.

Chicken Wire Life Size Dress by Marcia Sednek

Chicken Wire Life Size Dress by Marcia Sednek

Life-Size Linotype Dress with Empire Waist by Marcia Sednek

Life-Size Linotype Dress with Empire Waist by Marcia Sednek

Life-Size Shift Dress with Flower Design by Marcia Sednek

Life-Size Shift Dress with Flower Design by Marcia Sednek

Life-Size Party Dress with Gold Flower Brooches by Marcia Sednek

Life-Size Party Dress with Gold Flower Brooches by Marcia Sednek

Forget Everything You Think You “Know” About An Art Gallery

Thursday, October 28th, 2010
William Wessel's "Seahorse"- Sculpted Steel

William Wessel's "Seahorse"- Sculpted Steel

There is a preconceived notion that art galleries are cold, scary and intimidating places to visit. Even a seasoned aficionado can feel awkwardly out of place when entering an art gallery for the first time. However, in reality you will find that the galleries in the Scottsdale Arts District support the concept of providing a welcoming and approachable environment.

Occasions! by design has spent the last twelve years building a gallery that is warm and inviting, one where both the first-time buyers and seasoned art lovers feel comfortable seeking information and purchasing art work for their collection.

Our trained art consultants will help you select the perfect gift for special occasions or that little something for yourself. We have a wide collection of unique fine art, jewelry and tabletop that you may choose from.

Please view the video sponsored by the Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau where we describe our beautiful space, art work and services. Occasions! by design provides a wedding registry, gifting services for every purpose… we are here for all of your needs.  http://blog.scottsdalecvb.com/spotlight-on-galleries-occasions-by-design/

Please don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions!

Occasions! by design phone: 480-423-0506 or send us an e-mail at service@occasionsofscottsdale.com.