A Day @ Sugar Loaf, NY Artisans Village!

Sugar Loaf, NY Artisans Village

What a spectacular day it was this past Saturday as my honey and I started out on one of our famous “day-trips”!  We headed to Sugar Loaf Artisans Village located in the picturesque Warwick Valley, Orange County, New York. Directions to Sugar Loaf.  Many people refer to Sugar Load village as a “mini Woodstock.”    

Oh my gosh, here I go again but, without a doubt Sugar Loaf is now on the list of my “Top Picks” places to visit!  Handmade treasures, meeting great local artisans and the beauty of the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley Sugar Loaf should be on your to-do list.  

You can’t help but fall in love with this quaint village filled with outstanding selection of handmade art, crafts and gifts. There are so many “wonderful” unique shops each offering a broad range of artistic items from oil and acrylic paintings, water color, stained glass, black & white and color photography, pottery, antiques, jewelry and woodworks, candles, soap, sculpture and much much more!  

I truly believe this village is one of the most unique shopping villages in the Hudson Valley.  This “wonderful” village has the distinguished reputation as a crafts community for over 250 years, Today, Sugar Loaf remains true to its heritage as the year round home of over fifty independent business men and women. Many of these artisans live and work in the original barns and buildings which date back to the 1700’s.  There you still find a rich history of artists, writers and creative people that have left a great legacy to build on.  

You’ll find everything in Sugar Loaf within easy strolling distance; there are specialty and gift shops, pottery, art and photography studios. Spend the day browsing though the “wonderful” collection of shops, bring a camera or sketch pad and create your own impressions, Sugar Loaf’s beautiful surroundings will release your creative energies! When your stomach starts to stir, stop at one of the fine restaurants for a rejuvenating meal, quick snack or a refreshing drink.  

As hard as we tried, we couldn’t visit all the great shops and galleries in one day. Darn, guess we’ll have to plan another trip LOL! We couldn’t visit them all because we were thrilled to spend time meeting & chatting with the owners/artisans of the shops we were able to visit!  So here are a few of my favorites:  

 The White Weathered Barn– what can I say but fantastic! I was thrilled to meet Rena (another Westchester County girl!) and wish here luck in her new and expanded space at Sugar Loaf.  And yes, I couldn’t resist purchasing one of the most beautiful bracelets I’ve seen!  It was like it was made for me as the colors were an absolute perfect match for what I was wearing, so, I just couldn’t resist!  Go ahead and follow The White Weathered Barn’s blog  or visit their website

  

Sugar Loaf Mountain Herbs, love it!  At Rena’s suggestion (knowing how much I too love gardening and such) we next visited Sugar Loaf Mountain Herbs and met our new friend Alicia.  This special shop offers a variety of specialty teas, organic bulk herbs and spices, heartfelt gifts, aromatherapy and herb plants and flowers in season. So if you are interest is in making your own or rather the convenience of ready-made, Alicia has it all. Okay okay, I know you’re wondering, so, did she purchase anything……and the answer….but of course!  I purchased this beautiful old style urn filled with dried flowers!  Keep up with Sugar Loaf Mountain Herbs via their blog!

     

   

Next stop,  Rosner’s Traditional Soap Makers, I’ve been anxiously waiting to visit this shop to get their Soapstone (also known as steatite or soaprock) soap dishes! Again, thanks to links on my friend Rena’s site is where I first learned about these soapstone soap dishesand couldn’t wait to get one for myself!  While I didn’t purchase any soap on this trip (I’ll save that for our next visit), I clearly understand why Rosner Soap was voted Best Soap in The Hudson Valley 2006, by Hudson Valley Magazine. Can’t wait to go back!  

Onward to  Kelly Jane Accessories, adorable accessories and more! Unique handmade handbags & coordinating accessories fill this shop!  Everyone loves to have a bag or accessory that is a conversation piece and that is what you will find in this great shop!  Kelly does all her own sewing and each piece is created to be a fashioned to be a statement of originality!  I know, I know, yes, I purchased a great little blue bead stretch bracelet! I just can’t help myself when I’m surrounded by so many “wonderful,” people and things! Go ahead, visit the website of Kelly Jane Accessories shop and see for your self.  

Up next was Bostree, okay so I wanted one of everything!  This shop/gallery has a large varied selection of unique functional and decorative American craft created by numerous local and national craftspeople as well as by its owners, Theresa and Ray Boswell. I fell in love with the many unique mirrors! And so, true to form, I purchased one and added one to my “wish list” for our next visit!  If you like these mirrors they can be customized to a particular color if you wish.  The picture here titled “wish list” I’m having done in a green – so go ahead and visit the website of Bostree shop, you’ll be glad you did as you’re sure to find something that catches your eye.  

Then on to The Exposures Gallery, here you will see the most amazing photos of the Hudson Valley and many other exciting places Nick has photographed along his travels.  He recently released a beautiful coffee table book entitled “The Great Valley” containing over 140 color photographs spanning 25 years in the region.  As we looked through the book we were in awe of the beauty of Nick’s photos of our great Hudson Valley.  This book is wonderful and now on my Christmas Wish List! Without a doubt The Exposures Gallery is a place to visit – visit their website.  

So these are just a few of the many shops that await you in Sugar Loaf.  There are a variety of restaurants too!  If you haven’t already visited then you must consider planning a day trip to Sugar Loaf, you’ll be happy you did!  Feel free to leave a comment on your visits to Sugar Loaf!  

As always, I wish you days filled with happiness and “wonder” – take the time to “wonder” what it is that made you smile today!