FIRST DAY OF SUMMER

In the Northern Hemisphere, summer solstice begins on Jun 21 2011 at 1:16 P.M. EDT. The longest day of the year, it's also considered the first day of summer!

All through time, humans have celebrated the beginning of summer in various ways:

Ancient Pagans celebrated Midsummer with bonfires, when couples would leap through the flames, believing their crops would grow as high as the couples were able to jump.

In Ancient Sweden, a Midsummer tree was set up and decorated in each town, and the villagers danced around it.

The Celts celebrated with bonfires that would add to the sun's energy, Christians celebrated the feast of St John the Baptist towards the end of June, and it is also the festival of Li, the Chinese Goddess of light.

At Stonehenge, revellers still gather to see the sun rise...

How will you celebrate the first day of summer? Why not welcome summer with new art and decor from Serendip?

LP Designs offers these delightful glass panes, fresh and pretty for your summer windows.

This French Pot from Rush Creek Mosaics is great indoors or out, filled with flowers or on its own to accent.

Carol Fiorella's most recent offering is this watercolor of a tulip in soft, airy colors to complement the fresh, open decor of summer.

Handpainted oilcloth tablerunners offered by LP Designs will bring the sheer fun of summer to every meal!

MORE CHANGES COMING SOON!!

We are so excited to share our big news!!

Leslie Pannelle, from LP Designs in Powell, has agreed to become a member of the Serendip group! So, over the next few days/weeks, this means some BIG changes will be happening here as Leslie brings her creative personality and selection of art to our gallery.

LP Designs has become known in Powell for modern home accents by independent artists. Carefully selected offerings range from unique bamboo candlesticks, to Georgia clay pottery, to leather bowls, to hand blown glass vases, and pillows.

We are so excited to include Leslie Pannelle in the Serendip community. Her enthusiasm, design experience, and commitment to the unique work of independent artists will be an enormous asset to Serendip and our customers!!

FIND THE HEART

Several Powell Merchants have gotten together to give you a wonderful sale event for Valentines Day.

Find the Heart!
From February 5 through February 13, participating merchants will be offering discounts on unique items for the ones you love. Our list of goodies so far:

Market at Serendip: 14% off items with a heart sticker. On February 12 and 13, we will also present a special trunk show featuring the handmade jewelry of Elizabeth White.

Remembrances: 14% off heart tags or heart-shaped items.

LP Designs: 14% off items with a heart sticker.

Blackberry Patch Antiques: 14% off select merchandise.

Krysty Designs: select items throughout the store.

Nicoles for Children: 14% off heart tagged or heart items.

Paris Flea Market: 14% off heart-shaped or red items.

Cute as A Button: look for discounts on select items throughout the store.

This promises to be a wonderful sale event, offering you the opportunity to save while shopping for unique, memorable gifts... and supporting your local businesses!

Your Powell merchants, and especially the Market at Serendip, look forward to seeing you!

YOU SAY YOU CAN'T BEAR TO SHOP ON BLACK FRIDAY?

Yeah, I'm with you. Who enjoys trolling a parking lot for 30 minutes looking for a place to park? How fun is it to fight the crowds in the aisles, and then wait in line forEVER to pay for your purchases? Why would you want to spend Thanksgiving weekend doing all that?

May I suggest a delightful alternative: Downtown Powell's Annual Holiday Open House, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Visit Powell's unique boutiques, galleries, gift and antique shops! You'll find refreshments and smiles, one-of-a-kind gifts, music and joy, some special sales and prizes-- and best of all, you'll discover the joy of shopping with personal service and a relaxed atmosphere.

You're going to love Serendip more than ever this weekend! We're pulling out all the stops to make our Open House Weekend a great one! We'll be serving up wassail and music, snacks and sales, and on Friday, Daryl Roche will demonstrate his wire jewelry techniques. We have stocked up on extra-special art and handcrafted treasures by our 50+ artists, and we promise a pleasant, relaxing, friendly shopping weekend!

Many of our fellow downtown merchants will also be offering Open House Weekend festivities. After you've come to Serendip, you may want to visit a few others.

A Certain Charm lives up to their name with charming home accents, consignment clothing, and gorgeous accessories, plus their pick-a-discount basket.

Judy at Remembrances will guide you to distinctive gifts and collectibles to compliment the traditional, country and victorian home-- and offers a discount coupon for the Open House Weekend.

Marilyn's Paris Flea Market will add homemade open house treats to their collection of upscale vintage furnishings. A quick stop into Jeni's Ice Cream and then it's on to the Candle Lab-- both are complete sensory treats.

Glorious florals and spectacular home decor will tempt you into Patina Interiors/Petals and Leaves. Shyne offers women's and kid's accessories and offers some terrific Open House specials and prizes!

Pop into Kimberly's Diamond Corner for dazzling glitters; a few steps takes you to LP Designs, showing off everything from leather bowls to contemporary birdhouses to elf shoes!

Now that you've shopped a bit, you'll be ready for a specially-priced Peppermint Hot Chocolate or a Gingerbread Chai and a snack at Espresso Yourself Music Cafe.

So, you see, holiday shopping doesn't have to be a horror. Come discover downtown Powell, and visit Serendip and let us pamper you with treats and great service!