Barbara Diamond
With the future of the Pottery Shack up in the air, needleworkers may
be interested in the canvases offered by Strands and Stitches on
South Coast Highway.
"We have an 8- by 6-inch canvas of the Pottery Shack, painted by
Candace Mittman and long-time artist Shay Robb is coming out with an
12- by 12-inch canvas," said Carol Harrison, one of the five owners
of Strands and Stitches.
Other local scenes captured on canvas include the Sawdust
Festival, Las Brisas, Hotel Laguna, Date Shack, an overview of
Crystal Cove cabins, the Cottage restaurant, Greeter's Corner and
Forest Avenue.
"These are really special," said Nancy Kreder, who completes
sample canvases for the store to display. Mittman's canvases are 13
mesh, which means 13 stitches to the inch, up, down or across, 169
stitches to the square inch.
"They are going out the door like hotcakes," Harrison said.
Mittman also does 5-inch round canvases of the local scenes.
Robb's canvases of local scenes and Christmas decorations,
including one with the lifeguard tower, are worked on 18 mesh. The
larger the mesh, the more stitches per inch.
Harrison, a Laguna Beach resident, is the needlepoint expert at
Strands and Stitches. Lisa Triebwasser, Kelley Perry, Cindy Hartman
and Judy Macurda specialize in knitting.
Besides the owner's expertise, the cozy store offers canvases and
needles; a large inventory of yarns for needlepoint, crocheting and
knitting; pattern books; instructions and helpful advice.
Harrison conducts free needlework classes from 1 to 3 p.m.,
Mondays. Triebwasser holds a free knitting workshop from 10 a.m. to
noon, Wednesdays.
Strands and Stitches was located originally where Cafe Zinc's
market is now. All five of the current owners worked there.
"When the owner retired, we all threw in to save it," said
Harrison.
They moved the shop 12 years ago to the little cottage at 1516 S.
Coast Highway, across from the Surf & Sand.
"It's been a real success," said Harrison.
Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays-Saturdays; noon to 5
p.m., Sundays.
For more information, call (949) 497-5648.
HOMETOWN BARBECUE
The annual Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce Hometown Barbecue is
set for 5 p.m., July 5 at Wells Fargo Bank parking lot.
Tickets are $15, at the parking lot entrance or in advance at the
chamber office, 357 Glenneyre Street, next door to the Friends of the
Laguna Beach Library Bookstore, under the Orange County Library
branch.
Combination tickets for the barbecue and Pageant of the Masters
