50% OFF SALE AT TPG THIS FRI./SAT.!

We want to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year and thank you for your support this past year! We are truly grateful for the tremendous support we’ve received from our local customers and the relationships we’ve developed over the past (almost) two years.

We’re nearly finished with inventory and an early “Spring cleaning,” and The Playful Garden has a fresh new look! Please stop by to say hello and check out our 50% off SALE table (lots of holiday decorations and other treasures) as well as many other cool things on sale (20% off) throughout the store–FRIDAY 1/8 and SAT. 1/9, 10AM-5:30PM!

December Events

“A Twinkle of Light” Trunk Show

starring

Asta Glass and Fire & Light

Saturday, December 5, 11am to 3pm at

1001 Caymus St., Napa

 

Color, sparkle and movement…that’s how Kathryn Gooding, owner of Asta Glass describes her unique barware—and these are a few of the qualities that the innovative businesses Asta Glass and Fire & Ice share. This Saturday, December 5^th, the two companies will display their luminous glass table and giftware for sale on our prestigious table (yes, the one where The Grateful Dead once played their guitars) at the center of our store.

Kathryn’s fun and original wine, champagne and cocktail glasses are well-known at TPG. On this special occasion, she’ll be bringing a full array of her playful Asta Glass barware to the table. “I try to add whimsy, delight (and even a little flirtatiousness) into the act of sharing a drink with someone, or giving a gift,” says Kathryn . Her distinctive hand-decorated barware makes the perfect gift for holiday entertaining—or a special person in your life. (Enter the drawing at the event and you may win a Lola and Orlando martini or champagne glass set!) www.astaglass.com

With a unique play of light filtering through a rich spectrum of colors, Fire & Light’s hand-poured glass tableware and giftware will also enchant the beholder. This enchantment is not simply a quality of the glass or its pigmentation, but of the care and spirit in which it is made.  Each piece is handcrafted one by one using more than 91% recycled glass in most of its rich spectrum of colors and textures. We’re pleased to welcome Deborah Tweddell, who will be representing Fire & Light at the table. www.fireandlight.com

Please join these two delightful women and the lively TPG staff this Saturday for a glass of wine, a really good time—and the twinkle of glassware that’s truly sublime!

Pictured at left: Asta’s “Twinkle” barware. As if this blown crystal glass wasn’t enough, Asta Glass etched beaming stars all around (plus one on the foot for extra glint) and embellished them with clear Swarovski crystals.

Living Wreaths and Arrangements for the Holidays!

Upcoming Event at The Playful Garden this Saturday 11/21

10am – 2 pm

Urban FarmGirls: Living Wreaths and Hypertufa Arrangements for the Holidays

Need a holiday wreath or a table arrangement? You’ll love Tina Vietmeier’s living wreaths made with succulents, berries, and seed pods. They’re absolutely gorgeous and so versatile!  Tina also creates living bouquets in her own organic hypertufa containers she designs at her S.F. business, Urban FarmGirls. These earthy faux stone pots planted with succulents may also be the special hostess gift you’re looking for. And best of all, Tina will be happy to create an arrangement especially for you right on the spot! Check out pictures of some of her creative designs below, and find even more in “Tina’s Succulent Photo Album” on our Facebook Page. Hope to see you there!

November is lucky for Napa Valley’s “Lucky Locals”

 

 

Are you a “Lucky Local”? If so, you could win weekly prizes! The Playful Garden is one of over thirty stores and restaurants in downtown Napa that will be giving away exciting prizes during the month of November to residents of the Napa Valley whose addresses are posted in their establishments.

Each week in November, participating merchants and restaurants will display a list of six Napa Valley addresses in their place of business. If your address is on the list and you can show proper identification bearing that address, you will win a prize from that merchant! The posted addresses will change every week, so a weekly visit to each business will certainly increase your chances of winning. Prizes vary by location and include merchandise, gift certificates, great wines, dinners for 2 and 4, gift baskets and much, much more. Thousands of dollars in prizes are available. (Note: Posted addresses will not be available by telephone.)

So what can you win at the Playful Garden? You’ll just have to come in and see for yourself! (We wish you the best of luck!)

This exciting and fun opportunity is being brought to you by The Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine, The Napa Downtown Association and the participating merchants listed and advertising in the “Lucky Locals” section of the November issue of Marketplace Magazine. Enjoy the hunt–your prizes await!



What’s NEW at TPG this Fall?

Susie's Swedish Trolls are works of art!

Just arrived! Pictured at left, Mimi’s sister Susie’s Swedish trolls (now that’s a tongue-twister!) were inspired by the John Bauer illustrations from the turn of the century. These whimsical little people would be very much at home peeking out amongst a grouping of plants on the edge of a garden–or in a little niche inside your home as well. Susie’s attention to detail is absolutely amazing! “I think of these troll guys as garden objects…humble…made of the earth…and ready to pick up the natural patina of moss and molds in a garden setting.”–Susie Miller  (Yes, Susie–we agree, but WE think of them as VERY special gallery pieces!)

Ellie's Clever Shoe Chime

Just arrived–unique chimes handcrafted from antique and recycled treasures!  Mimi’s sister Ellie, who creates one-of-a-kind chimes solely for The Playful Garden, has a knack for finding the perfect combination of objects and beads to make her very popuar chimes. We think that her shoe chime pictured at right is the CUTEST chime we’ve ever had in the store–a real “shoe” stopper!  Titled “If The Shoe Fits,” miniature high-heeled shoes hang on beaded strands from an elegant wire purse. Black & silver polka-dot beads add just the perfect touch!

 

TPG's "Rollicking Red" Wine

We’re rollicking and rolling now! Check out the new label on TPG’s wine, “Rollicking Red,” designed by our long-time friend and one of the best graphic artists in the world, Jan Wolfinger. Need a donation for a local fundraiser? Stop by and pick up a bottle!

Say "Cheers!" in several different languages with Bub Dalton's handcrafted bottle hangers

 

 

If you’re planning to take a bottle of wine or a non-alcoholic beverage to a party or dinner at a friend’s house, Bub Dalton’s cheerful bottle hangers make a perfect hostess gift. Cheers! Salute! Sante!

Harvesting food for the Napa Food Bank

 

 

The Playful Garden is sponsoring a Food Drive from now throughout the end of the year. Help fill our wheelbarrow and we’ll give you 10% off on all of your purchases!

What’s New at TPG

We’re countin’ sheep…Renata Allen’s whimsical sheep, that is! They’re just so darned cute that ewe just can’t help but smile when you take a gander at their adorable faces–especially those that sport a “sheepish” grin. Drop by The Playful Garden soon to see the whole flock!

The Playful Garden is harvesting edible goods for the Napa Food bank–and we need help filling our wheelbarrow! When you bring in a can of food (or two) we’ll give YOU 10% off on all your purchases– from now until the end of the year!

"Moe" Cake

The Playful Garden’s “Moe Moley” is pushing up fondant primroses as he emerges out of this scandalously rich chocolate-bourbon cake, filled with dark chocolate truffle.  Just one bite of this delectable confection will have you begging for “Moe”!  But don’t fret, because the Moe on top is yours to keep–that is, if you’re attending the The Kiwanis Club of Napa’s major fundraiser, “Hot October Nights,” tonight (Sat. Oct. 10)! Savor fine wine tastings (also a no-host bar), Kiwanis’ world-famous barbecue and oysters, and a dessert “social” where you get to choose your goodie (we encourage you to bid for “Moe,” created by Mellene Bruen, Miller’s Daughter). Proceeds from this event benefit youth scholarships, reading enhancement programs, the building of playgrounds (48 to date), Special Olympics, supplies for schools, students at risk, special kids and much more.

Coloring Outside the Lines

Allison Strine Designs--we LOVE her magnets!

I was lucky to be born into a very creative family. My parents, particularly my mom, always encouraged us to find a creative outlet. It didn’t matter what the end product was…a painted flour and salt plaque with our handprint in it or a hand-woven hot pad…she would glow with pride and marvel at our creations.  Back in those days (now I know I’m getting old) we weren’t allowed to watch many programs on our little b&w  t.v. and of course there were no computer games to play. Our imaginations were all we had to keep us busy, and busy little “brownies” we were.

One of my very most favorite things to do was to color in my coloring books. I tell customers that I was the only one in my family who painstakingly colored inside the lines. It seemed to me that everyone else could freely color outside the lines, adding their own pictures to the coloring books as well…and I marveled at their beautiful creations. One time I drew a freehand picture of my friend’s bird in its bird cage and entered it in a drawing contest. I wanted it to be perfect and must have erased and redrawn it 100 times. I ended up winning first prize and my drawing was printed in the newspaper, erasure marks and all. It was somewhat rewarding, but I still preferred to color inside the lines. I loved the challenge of it.

Now we’re all grown up and I feel so lucky to be surrounded by my talented family’s art pieces here at The Playful Garden. The works of all six of my siblings are represented…Diana’s poignant book, “While The Wind Blows,” Ellie’s clever chimes made from recycled “finds,” Roger’s stunning photo greeting cards, Susie’s whimsical clay creations, Doug’s incredible stained glass parrot window and Catherine’s gorgeous kimonos and other copper pieces. (The artwork of extended family members is displayed here as well, with my niece Molly’s marvelous mosaics and my nephew Alex’s amazing copper pieces!) Every day I marvel at their beautiful creations… and BEST of all I get to create fun displays with them and share them with all of our customers!

So…the point of this post is this: I realized today that The Playful Garden has given me the opportunity to create my own coloring book. I love adding a splash of color here and a splash of color over there…and yes, I feel that I’ve finally “graduated.” I love coloring outside of the lines!

Taking The Leap

Mary Anne Radmacher is coming to The Playful Garden this Saturday and I can hardly contain my excitement! I had a huge realization in the middle of the night last night that Mary Anne has had a tremendous impact on my life, even though we’ve never met in person. Being a collector of greeting cards, I’ve been a fan of her inspirational writings for a long, long time. One card in particular stands out because it’s been sitting on my desk at home for about 5 years. It says, ”the jump is so frightening between where i am and where i want to be. because of all i may become I will close my eyes and leap!” It is in fact those very lines that encouraged me to put fear aside and go forward with The Playful Garden after years of planning…and procrastinating. I DID feel as if I was leaping off of a cliff into the unknown, but thought that if Mary Anne could do it, so could I. I somehow felt more courageous knowing that I wasn’t alone in my fear. After reading and re-reading Mary Anne’s words of encouragement, I finally decided to go ahead and take a leap of faith. I felt that I could do it for my own personal growth if for no other reason. And that was that. I leaped! Here I am two years later, standing inside The Playful Garden, a garden store that was once a dream. Every day is filled with new opportunities and challenges and I love every part (well, except for the bookkeeping) of doing business in this way. And now, Mary Anne–a celebrated author, teacher and motivational speaker, is actually coming HERE, to my little store in Napa! And so, Mary Anne, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for helping me to take the leap and for inspiring me to be the best that I can be in all aspects of my life! I’m sure that your writings have influenced millions, maybe trillions of people in a positive way. Can’t wait to meet you in person…

Welcome to our new blog site!

We’ll soon be posting information relating to the store, our products, suppliers, customers, events–and whatever else we think you might be interested in! Stay tuned…