G Squared Gallery in Ligonier, PA

A Word from Ed Whol

2012-01-23T11:44:00.001-05:00

We just received a new shipment from Ed Wohl. Upon researching him a bit, I found this great video!

Fall Art Tour from Illustrated Radio on Vimeo.

Earth & Vine

2012-01-13T16:25:00.001-05:00

We have another delicious addition to our G Squared Gallery gourmet food selection. Earth & Vine Provisions is a Loomis, California based company and they make the most amazing balsamic culinary sauces! Everything is 100% natural and they use locally grown produce to flavor their products giving them taste that's truly unique. Try drizzling the Tangerine Fig Balsamic over feta, brush on salmon, or as a dressing for melon wrapped in prosciutto. The Blood Orange Balsamic is perfect with French vanilla ice cream or drizzled on a dark chocolate souffle. We will be adding more products by Earth & Vine Provisions so stop buy, give them a try and let us know what you think!

New Flavors of Pappardelle's Pasta have Arrived!

2012-01-04T16:50:00.003-05:00

We've had nothing but great feedback from customers about our new line of Pappardell's Pasta. This small batch artisanal pasta is hand made in Denver by pasta makers who have an intimate knowledge of every step of the time-honored tradition of making pasta: the flour, the added ingredients, the mixing and extruding, and finally, the drying process. Available in a variety of flavors, shapes and gluten-free, G Squared Gallery will be introducing new flavors to our selection every few weeks. Pappardelle's is only available in a hand full of gourmet food retailers. G Squared Gallery is so excited to be one of them. Our new flavors this week include Sun Dried Tomato Fettuccine, Gluten-Free Porcini Mushroom Trumpets and Fire Roasted Red Pepper, Porcini and Saffron Orzo. Recipes available!

Happy Holidays from G Squared Gallery!

2011-12-22T18:46:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas to All!

This is a wonderful time to celebrate and give thanks to all those who provide for loved ones and spend time helping others navigate the rough spots. We at G Squared are very thankful to our old and new friends for finding the time to shop local, shop "Made in America" or simply come in for a chat. These have been tough years for everyone in the retail business and we could not have survived if it hadn't been for you - our ardent supporters.

Pat & I think it's important to express our thanks to our customers for their support this year. We love that we have the opportunity to serve you and the community at G Squared. Without you, none of what we do would be possible. We know you played an important part in any success we may have. It's important that you let us know how we can continue to grow and meet your expectations.

As for our artists, they are people who believe in their work so much that they have dedicated their lives to excellence and inspiring others. They show us that beauty, creativity, spaciousness, and generosity of spirit are alive and well in the world. Important reminders.

Finally, we cannot thank our exceptional staff enough. They are the glue that binds all of us together, representing the outstanding work of our artists so that our artists continue to grow. They are the team that understands our vagaries and occasional "waffle" and keeps us from wavering too far off the track. Thank you!

It requires a whole team of people to make business possible -- dependable vendors, faithful customers, excellent employees and of course the cornerstone -- exceptional artists making exceptional art.

Thank you to all of you that make our livelihoods possible.We are finishing up our 16th year in the Ligonier community and hope to have many more years providing an outlet for American and Canadian artists to showcase their work.

Once again, Happy Holidays to your and all your friends and family members! Health, Happiness & Prosperity in 2012!

Wilhelm Schweizer, Not Just for Christmas

2011-12-16T12:54:00.000-05:00

Wilhelm Schweizer pewter ornaments are the ultimate Christmas collectible. Every year new pieces are released, creating a collection of stunning limited edition, hand painted German miniatures that are unmatched in workmanship and detail. Starting this year, GSquared will begin carrying the Wilhelm Schweizer Halloween and Easter collection! Also note that Iif your considering Christmas ordering, today is the absolute last day to receive by Christmas. Call or stop by G Squared Gallery right away! We do have a number of pieces left at the gallery. Hope to see you soon!

New Cook Book Addition

2011-12-14T16:37:00.001-05:00

The Blackberry Farm Cookbook - Four Seasons of Great Food and the Good Life

The Blackberry Farm Cookbook is simply beautiful. It's filled with the history, culture and wonderful food of The Blackberry Farm in Tennessee. Nestled in the blue mists of Tennessee's Smoky Mountains, the 10,000-acre bucolic refuge of Blackberry Farm houses a top-rated small inn with one of the premier farm-to-table restaurants in the country. This sumptuous cookbook offers a collection of recipes that are as inspired by the traditional rustic cooking of the mountainous south as they are by a fresh, contemporary, artistic sensibility. Some of the dishes are robust, others are astonishingly light, all are full of heart and surprise and flavor — and all are well within the reach of the home cook.

The book has recipes for each time of year, using season appropriate ingredients. The pictures are absolutely amazing and give you a great feel for the nature of the area, as well as the delicious food offered at the Inn. Some recipes that sound absolutely amazing are Lemon Cucumber Soup, Peach-Glazed Baby Back Ribs, Toasted White Chocolate Ice Cream, Cider-Basted Venison and Citrus Carpaccio with Chocolate Covered Clementines. There are so many interesting ideas.

As we expand our gourmet line, we love to introduce new and special cook books that inspire. The Blackberry Farm Cookbook is a wonderful addition to your cookbook collection. It would make a wonderful gift or a fun and enlightening coffee table book.

Come by G Squared Gallery to see our full collection!

G Squared Presents Holiday Adornments 2011

2011-11-05T08:35:00.002-04:00

G Squared is very excited about the upcoming show "Holiday Adornments 2011". We will be presenting new work by five Pennsylvania jewelers - all known for their exquisite and sophisticated designs. Beginning on November 18, the show will run through the holidays so be sure to stop in, if you have a chance, before Christmas and pick out a piece that is perfect for you or the special person in your life.
The jewelers are Abra Gorby from Washington Crossing, PA. Abra designs her own fabulous beads and her pieces are sought after by discriminating woman around the country; Bessie Jamieson, Carlisle, PA. Bessie's work is wrought from fine gold and sterling silver and is reminiscent of medieval grainwork; Lisa McChesney, Rector, PA. Lisa's work is created from sophisticated beads purchased from around the world. Her designs are worn by many collectors and are perfect for business or evening attire; Olga Mihaylova hails from Pittsburgh and her work is wrought from her own designs using many techniques she has developed herself. Olga teaches beading in Pittsburgh and will be in our gallery from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. demonstrating her prodigious talents. Finally, Rachel Walton is also from Pittsburgh and will be presenting her crocheted glass bead work in new and unusual designs.

Be sure to stop in and check out all this fabulous work. If you can't make it in, be sure to hop over to the G Squared website and see the work there.

The New Uber Cool Corkcicle at G Squared

2011-11-01T08:27:00.001-04:00

G Squared has found the Corkcicle to be one of the coolest inventions to come along in some time. With the required "field testing", we have found that the temperature of white wine has remained at a perfect coolness while the bottle sits on the bar.

What looks like an arctic front freezing its way through the center of your bottle is actually the innovative Corkcicle. This icicle is made of BPA-free plastic filled with a reusable freeze gel, so you don't have to worry about an early thaw diluting your wine. Simply place your Corkcicle in the freezer for at least two hours, and then insert it into any bottle of wine (after 1 glass has been poured) to maintain chilled white wine or to bring up red wines to their perfect temperature. The Corkcicle enhances the subtleties of the red and white wine's complex flavors.

The Corkcicle makes a fabulous gift for all those hard-to-buy-for men type gifts. Also makes a great and affordable hostess gift for all those holiday parties!

Elaine's Toffee at G Squared

2011-10-22T15:45:00.000-04:00

Janet Long (and her Mother) are the candy artists behind Elaine's Toffee. The very best handmade English Butter Toffee we've ever tasted! Thick pieces of flaky toffee covered in milk or dark chocolate then rolled in crushed almonds. Were now excited to carry her toffee as part of our new "Art of Yum" gourmet food selection.

2011 Wilhelm Schweizer Collectible Ornaments

2011-10-21T13:23:00.000-04:00

Just in the new 2011 Commemorative Wilhelm Schweizer Santa!

It's called "Visiting the Christmas Market" $126

Another 2011 addition "Angel Serenade" $94

Stop by G Squared Gallery see these and the rest of our newest additions by Wilhelm Schweizer!

Special orders are always available.

Wilhelm Schweizer ornaments and figurines are hand cast from slate molds. Each piece has been hand painted. Many of the designs are based on originals, often hundreds of years old. For more about the history of pewter art visit this link- German Pewter

Best Sign in Ligonier

2011-10-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

Our photographer just brought this great rendition of The Driftwood's classic American sign into G Squared. I, personally, have always loved this sign because it is a great example of Americana and it is evocative of the high-life in the 50's and 60's. It somehow reminds me of Vegas. Can't you just see this on the Strip beside the Sands? Can't you just see the "Rat Pack" hanging at the bar? This signed photo is available at G Squared in sizes from tiny (2x3 inches) to large (11x14 inches). Come in and pick up your piece of local Americana. A Ligonier Beach signed photo is also available. Remember, G Squared Gallery's website has lots of contemporary craft and specialty foods all made in America.

G Squared Gallery PresentsA New Exhibition by Rita Haldeman

2011-10-01T08:51:00.001-04:00

"Up Valley View" by Rita Kambic Haldeman

G Squared Gallery is proud to present a new Rita Kambic Haldeman's exhibition for the months of October and November. The artist will be showing new work from the Laurel Highlands region and elsewhere. The theme of the show centers around the family farm. This includes barns, animals and the landscapes surrounding the farms.

There will be an opening reception on Friday October 7th at 5 PM. The public is invited to attend.

“Family Farms” will featureapproximately 20 new works by Haldeman. The artist’s purpose was to record, inclear, precise and detailed hand, the portrait of the local farm. Given thecurrent regional development of natural resources, the artist felt that itmight be a good idea to paint a snapshot of the environs as they are today.Combining this documentation with her artist’s eye and romantic realism in oilsand pastels results in an exciting exhibition in keeping with her emotivelandscapes – for which she is best known.

Inher words, the artist says, “I have always been drawn to the elemental aspectsof the world around me. Possible changes to that familiar world prompted me towant to make a record of how it looks right now. My hope is that each workspeaks for itself and will involve the viewer in my close relationship with thescene - for each successful piece is indeed the result of a collaboration betweenthe subject, my brushes, my paints and me.”

Haldemanis a native of western Pennsylvania and has been painting most of her life. Shegraduated from Penn State with a BA in art and quickly followed those yearswith graduate studies in Vermont and on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. She hasreceived numerous awards for her work including the prestigious Landscape Awardat the “Arts for the Parks” exhibition and competition in Jackson Hole,Wyoming. A testament to her ability rests with her many collectors who followher career with a keen interest. Individuals, museums and corporate collectorseagerly seek Haldeman’s work.

G Squared Gallery is located at 138 East Main Street in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.Hours of operation are 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM Monday through Saturday withextended hours until 7:00 PM on Thursday evenings. The gallery is also open inSundays from 12:00 noon until 4:00 PM. The gallery is handicapped accessibleand there is metered parking on East Main St. For more information, visit thegallery on the web at www.gsquaredligonier.com, or by calling 724-238-8083during regular business hours.

Announcing The New G Squared Gallery & Gourmet!

2011-09-24T11:10:00.000-04:00

G Squared is very excited to announce a change in itsmission – a change that Pat & I have been thinking about for a very longtime. When we first opened G Squared in 1995, the two “G”s stood for Galleryand Gardens. The gallery part was Pat’s background and the gardens were mine.Over time, we developed another passion – for food. Acting upon that thirdpassion, we made a journey to The Fancy Food Show in Washington, DC this summerand became so enthralled with the possibilities for G Squared that we decidedto phase out the gardening half of the business and bring in a new fooddepartment. A friend in Denver, when she heard this, said, “So you’ll now be GSquared Gallery and Gourmet?” That was an “Aha” moment and so we are nowinaugurating the new “G Squared Gallery & Gourmet”.

Staying true to our mission of selling mostly American madeproducts, we are happy to say that all of the food products we are selling aremade by small operations in the U.S. Many of them are family operations. We will be having tastings during businesshours on Saturdays and hope that you’ll stop in to discover some mouth-wateringartisanal offerings.

Some of the products we have at the moment:

TCHO Chocolate, San Francisco, CA, 30 employees: Started by Timothy Childs (no relation, darn) andKarl Bittong in 2005. Both were from the tech world and never expected tofashion a high tech chocolate company using classic machines from Europe. LouisRosetto, a founding editor of Wired magazine, is also highly involved. Bestchocolate since Scharffenberger.

Sarabeth’s Kitchen, Bronx, NY, 40 employees; These award-winning fruit spreads began inSarabeth & Bill Levine’s Manhattan apartment in 1981. Fast-forward and their products have wonnumerous sofi awards at the NASFT shows. Check them out now at G SquaredGallery & Gourmet. Breakfast will never be the same.

Bonnie’s Jam, Cambridge, MA, 10 employees; Do you ever wonder why your jams and jellies don’treally taste like the fruit that’s in them? That’s because most makers add toomuch pectin, which means more sugar which eventually masks the true flavor.Bonnie Shershow uses no pectin and half the sugar thereby showcasing theluscious fruit flavor. Check out the Raspberry Lime Rickey, my personalfavorite!

Kitchen Table Bakers, Syosset, NY, 16 employees; Just the fresh scent of Parmesan cheese and sesameseed will put you over the top. This award winning combination gave KitchenTable Bakers a Silver Finalist sofi award from NASFT. Bet you can’t eat justone and gluten free to boot!

Saxon Chocolates & Nuts; Toronto, ON; 40 Employees; Gifted chocolatier and designer Johann De Greef hascreated a company whose products are a feast for the eyes as well as the mouth.Wonderful nut combinations are a perfect compliment to the much-loved cocktailhour. Combinations like Tuscan Rosemary, Honey Sesame and Fruit and Nut makedelectable hostess gifts.

Terrapin Ridge Farms, Clearwater, FL, 3 employees; Friends Brian Coughlin and Mary O’Donnell purchasedexisting Terrapin Ridge in 2010 and have revamped this 13-year-old company toreflect their personal tastes in specialty foods. Our largest provider,Terrapin brings us delicious all natural salad dressings, salsa/dips like AsianSweet Pepper Black Bean dip, Spicy Mediterranean and Mango Habanero. OMG arethese delicious!

Rustic Bakery Inc, San Rafael, CA, 60 employees; We tasted these flatbreads, cookies and granola atthe NASFT show and immediately fell in love. Flavors like Olive Oil & SelGris, Rosemary & Olive and Sweet Onion Crème Fraiche pair with soft cheeselike no other flatbread we’ve tasted. Add to this array Pan Forte, savorycheese coins and yummy dessert cookies and you get a home run.

Daelia’s Biscuits for Cheese, Cincinnati, OH, 25Employees; These Melba toast stylebiscuits are filled with yummy, wholesome ingredients with flavors that meldperfectly with goat cheese, Brie, Camembert and other soft cheeses. The almondand raisin combination has a wonderfully surprising peppery finish that willblow your socks off!

Papparadelle’s Pasta, Denver, CO, 15 employees; Founded in 1984, this family owned pasta maker hassuch stringent guidelines for its ingredients that every stage of the pastamaking process has an in-house inspector looking at every piece of pastaproduced. We toured the facility this fall and it is one heck of a small familyowned business. Flavored pastas are surprisingly fresh tasting even without anypasta sauce! Popular flavors like Porcini Mushroom Linguine and Italian PestoMedley are a nice alternative to the everyday variety. Gluten free varieties available.

All these products are now in the store! Stop by to check them out. All these specialty food items make great hostess gifts, corporate gift baskets and "because I deserve it" gifts! We haven't had a chance to put the food items on the website yet, but keep checking - they'll be up next week.

Step Into Fall with Style and Warmth

2011-09-16T11:57:00.000-04:00

These are quite possibly the cutest slippers I've ever laid eyes on.

Just arrived in a variety of colors and sizes.

A little bit about the artists-
Back in 1996 two free-spirited young women, one from the southern hemisphere and the other from the northern hemisphere, met on a small barrier island in Massachusetts, USA. Both had spent their childhoods dreaming away the days and filling them with images of exotic, faraway places, animals, plants and fanciful folk art. Instantly they recognized in each other a similar sense of spirit and independence and the desperate need to avoid the 9-to-5 lifestyle.
Together they joined creative forces and formed Hansard Welsh Design, a small feltmaking company specializing in wearable art. True to the gypsy spirit within, they traveled around the USA exhibiting their wares at the nation’s premier craft shows—including the Smithsonian Craft Show, the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show and a number of others. One day after many years of rubbing wool on an old glass washboard in the kitchen sink, out of the blue, an email from Nepal arrived.
This beautiful collection is born out of an international feltmaking relationship between HWD Felt and a feltmaking workshop in Nepal. Together both parties have worked to create high-quality, unique pieces of decorative and functional art. Each individual piece is handmade, therefore there may be irregularities. Check out the slippers on our site.

A Paula Deen Favorite | Tin Woodsman Measuring Cups

2011-09-09T15:14:00.001-04:00

Crosby & Taylor Pewter Measuring Spoons and measuring cups are a beautiful addition to any kitchen, contemporary or traditional. Seeall the choices here and explore the varied designs created by Deborah Chapmanand her husband, Jim.

Crosby and Taylor used to be known as The Tin WoodsmanPewter Company. The name was changed in 2009 to reflect the ever-growing arrayof beautiful kitchen, bath and home accessories in ceramic as well as theirwell-known pewter work. At G Squared Gallery, we carry the full line of pewtermeasuring cups and spoons as well as the various display stands and racks.

For everyday cooks these quality measuring utensils willwithstand the rigors of daily use. While they are dishwasher safe, we recommendhand washing, as the dishwasher will darken the pewter. This patina has noeffect on food preparation, but the shine is one of the beautiful aspects ofthe utensils – hence the recommendation to hand wash.

Paula Deen, from the television show “Cooking with PaulaDeen” uses the Crosby & Taylor (formerly known as Tin Woodsman) measuringspoons and cups on her show and raves about their beauty and functionality.Like Paula Deen, you can make your everyday kitchen activities more enjoyableby using these great pieces.

These cups and spoons look good and feel great in yourhands. They are accurate and meant to be used. Remember, they are dishwashersafe, but it’s pretty easy to hand wash these pieces. That way they’ll keeptheir beautiful finish and always be a joy to behold. You could put them in thedrawer after you’ve cleaned them, but why? The Crosby & Taylor measuringspoons and cups are so beautiful why not display them in one of several waysdesigned by Deb Chapman? She has designed cherry wood wall mount racks, cherrywood posts, pewter stands and pewter wall mount racks. There is also a pewtersuperpost that holds both the spoons and the racks on one convenient display.The superpost is designed to fit under most standard kitchen cabinets.

At G Squared Gallery, we offer you all of these options aswell as the choice to buy the spoons or cups without any display stand. This isunique in that nearly all of the stores selling on the web don’t give you theoption to buy the spoons or cups separately.

You can see all the different designs by clicking on theirpictures on the G Squared Gallery website. The different designs are Bird, Celtic,Fleur de Lys, Vineyard, Fish, Bamboo, Dragonfly, Moose and Hearts. The moose and heart styles are special orders. Please allow 3 weeks for delivery. Each designis available in the measuring cups or spoons.

Yes, these utensils are very spendy, but remember that you'll have them your entire life. They are also guaranteed forever and if you have any kind of a problem with them, Crosby & Taylor will fix them for a nominal cost. You can even send them back for a "spa" treatment! They'll come back looking as gorgeous as they did on the day you bought them. This is a G Squared Gallery endorsement and we've been selling these great kitchen tools for way longer than Paula Deen has been famous! If you are a cook, you won't be sorry you spent a few extra bucks on something that will outlast any imitations. Remember these are made in America, by Americans, not offshore in Asia somewhere. We know the Chapmans and can vouch for their skill and artistry. Please email us anytime with questions if you have them. Our email is in the right hand column.

G Squared Debuts Positively Green Cards

2011-08-09T09:37:00.006-04:00

G Squared Gallery in Ligonier, PA has added a wonderful and new green card line to its greeting card offerings. Beautiful illustrations by Postively Green artists are distinctive and very memorable. Sentiments are culled from quotations of the world's most famous and not-so-famous personalities.

Heart-warming cards celebrate the occasions in your life - birthdays, friendship, love, congratulations, sympathy and encouragement.

These thoughtfully crafted products feature beautiful illustrations, vibrant colors, inspiring quotations and an easy-to-do environmental tip on the back.

All Positively Green products are "green manufactured" to leave the lightest possible environmental footprint. Plus, 10% of the profits are donated to organizations that protect our environment and fight global warming.

When it comes to ensuring a livable, healthy planet, it takes each of us to make a difference for all of us. Sure there's an important environmental role for scientists, inventors and government agencies. But there's also a very special role to be played by individual consumers like you and responsible companies like Compendium.

If more and more companies will use their ingenuity to design innovative green products, we believe that millions and millions of consumers will be empowered to make a difference for the environment every day simply by choosing to "buy green."

Positively Green design wants to show that you really can purchase everyday products that honor and help the environment without sacrificing quality, style, heart or feel.

New from Blue Q

2011-07-29T15:30:00.009-04:00

These unbelievably cute bags by Blue Q are our absolute favorite. We've carried the shoppers for some time, but the smaller totes have just arrived. These bags are perfect for use as super fun gift bags or to bring your lunch to work in style. I use mine everyday for lunch. Washable, Super strong, 95% recycled woven polypropylene. Also, 1% of the sale of Blue Q goes to The Nature Conservancy. You gotta love that!

Sporting Life Artist Gordon Allen at G Squared

2011-07-28T14:48:00.003-04:00

Sporting Life artist Gordon Allen is in Ligonier for a week to paint the hills and dales of the Laurel Highlands. This is in anticipation of his one man show at G Squared Gallery running from August 1st through September 30th. The opening reception is Thursday August 4th from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. We are very excited to have the artist here as the last time he was in Ligonier was 10 years ago for the Loyalhanna Waterdshed Association's annual Sporting Life auction and art sale.

"As an artist, my work comes from my life experience and, of course, from my love of art and its history. For me, both etching and painting are opportunities to experience the world, whether man-made or natural, and to study what is there. I feel that I have only scratched the surface, literally and figuratively, of what the world offers, and I enjoy the challenge of trying to capture some of its faces and to share them with others. I like nothing more than spending all day outside painting, whether in the middle of a vast, alive, marsh or on a stretch of trout or salmon river studying a subtle composition of water, grass, and sky.

Etchings offer me the opportunity to work in the studio at a slower, more studied pace, and to create images which can be reproduced in small editions and so shared with more people. My etchings are done on copper, and I carefully and meticulously print each on on German Etching paper with my own special blend of inks. I've been etching since 1983 and I find it a fascinating discipline about which there is always much to learn and enjoy."

The artist and his wife currently live in Chapel Hill, NC with their sidekick, Albert.

A.J Glass.....beautiful

2011-07-06T13:04:00.001-04:00

These beautiful, handmade pieces for the kitchen are created by Amélie Lucier and Julien Mongeau of Montreal.

"Our pieces are the result of a attraction for playing this game where we would exchange ideas, invert materials, assemble and disassemble. Their unique character, both playful and simple, combines with a high functionality, which make them decorative but still very functional. But before all this, the combination of glass and ceramic takes a large part of our work, and we are always pleased to see the other coming into our playground, suggesting, modifying or trying something crazy."

We simply love them! We just got them in, so be sure to stop by soon.

Karen Howell Superdog Tile

2011-06-23T16:08:00.001-04:00

G Squared loves dogs and this tile is what a dog's life is all about. Pittsburgh artist Karen Howell has created this 6 x 6 inch ceramic tile in honor of all the dogs who love riding in cars.

Tiles and mosaics are the focus of Karen's work. Various designs and colors are available. The work is inspired by flora and fauna - animals and the outdoors. Each piece is handcrafted and painted with glazes which are then fired to achieve a gloss or matte surface.

Karen Howell (b. 9/28/48) has been creating functional pottery and one-of-a-kind pieces for more the forty years. She’s a full-time studio artist currently producing porcelain mosaics and tiles as stand-alone feature and installation pieces. A veteran exhibitor in the art festival world, she has sold work retail…and wholesale to galleries across the country. Solo artist shows and invitational exhibits highlight Karen’s career. Her art is included in museum and private collections.

Oprah Loves Jonathan

2011-05-25T16:27:00.003-04:00

The Jonathan's Spoons we love, featured in Oprah Mag & Oprah.com!

April 04, 2011

What to give the woman who's given you everything? From edible treats to handy housewares and eye-catching baubles, here are 28 gifts we think your mom will just love.

Photo: Gregor Halenda

Featured in September 2006 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

23 of 28
Jonathan's Wild Cherry Wooden Spoons

The Lovin' Spoonful

"Because they're wood, these beautifully designed spoons won't overheat or scratch cooking surfaces, and the notched handle guarantees they'll hang on the rim of your bowls and pots." — Oprah

The Big Day - A Royal Extravaganza

2011-04-28T21:17:00.003-04:00

This time tomorrow, Deo volente, Kate and William will be husband and wife and the pomp and circumstance will be history; however, the charm and collectibility of the "Royal Trinkets" will only increase with the passing of each day. Of particular interest is the collection of royal trinkets G Squared will be giving away tomorrow - direct from London. Our delivery includes the unique and popular "Throne Up" sick bag (shown above), the Dolly Dress-Up book, a limited edition plate, flags, a miniature plate accompanied by a matching miniature book about the couple. Plus earrings, official sanctioned souvenirs and shopping bags. Our "Royal Picnic" celebration begins at 3:00 P.M. with prizes being given every hour until 7:00. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by and enter to win!

Beverly Adams-Hoover

2011-04-22T11:28:00.004-04:00

We have a new sculptural artist at G Squared Gallery. Beverly Adams-Hoover is from the Pittsburgh area and works with sheet metal to create these great dogs, cats and flowers. We have several different pieces of her work that have just arrived at the gallery. You have to see them in person to appreciate them!

New Simon Pearce

2011-04-13T14:08:00.002-04:00

Simon Pearce has just released a new collection of vases for spring. They are beautiful!

Answers to the MYDrap Napkin Questions

2011-04-09T12:22:00.008-04:00

See this great video which explains how easy it is to use the MYDrap napkins and placemats for your next party - or even just eating at home with the family! Washable up to 6 times and recyclable make these napkins the answer to the eco-minded in all of us.

2011-03-23T15:41:00.005-04:00

New work by Iowa artist Valerie Miller

Fun New Clocks!More Mini Moo's
She's added new cows to her collection! Her Mini Moo Limited Edition giclee's on canvas measure 8" x 8" and are framed in environmentally sustainable maple. Come buy to visit Ali, Edith, Greta, Jackie, Grace, Martha and Vera.

New Tiny Tail Waggers!

Valerie donates 1% of her sales to environmental organizations.

Just In! Fun New Cards

2011-02-15T16:59:00.003-05:00

Here are two great new cards that have just arrived. Can't get enough of them. The first one about avocados is so true. As a matter of fact, this just happened to Pat today - before she had even seen this card! The art is by Great Britain artist Simon Drew. It is blank on the inside. The other card is a completely new line for us and is from Whirled Atlas Paper Company. The inside of this one says "Now everyone knows that little secret". Stop in to see all the new cards from this company. The Simon Drew line has been replenished, so there are some clever new ones from him as well.

We LOVE These Belts!

2011-02-11T14:24:00.005-05:00

Were so excited to start carrying these wool embroidered belts by Jenny Krauss. They are fair trade, hand-made and ecco friendly. Julia Robert's wears one in Eat, Pray, Love! Each belt is a one-of-a-kind work of beautiful craftsmanship using a contemporary take on traditional Andean techniques. These belts are hand made by women's cooperatives in rural areas of Peru. The work is done according to fair trade guidelines; most of the artisans sew in their homes or at a communal studio workshop and are paid a living wage. So important and such beautiful work!

Check Out New Valentine's Day Cards

2011-01-24T19:55:00.003-05:00

Check out our hot-off-the-press Valentine's Day cards from Amy's Cards and Some Of Me cards. They are great cards and perfect for everyone's sweetie. Don't forget the big day. Dog House? That's for others. It's not for me...or for you. These cards are not posted on the website so stop by the gallery Tuesday through Saturday to check them out!

NEW! Lollia Candles by the folks who created Tokyo Milk

2011-01-18T16:35:00.012-05:00

Not only are these new for G Squared for Spring 2011, but these are totally new for Lollia also. These bright, cheery candles will bring happiness to these dreary, dark days besetting us in the Northeast this January. With names such as "Sunspots on a Photograph" and Sleeping Under the Stars" each frangrance is fresh and not too overpowering. The candles are a soy wax blend, come in an attractive, reusable square glass jar. Burn time is 28 hours. Stop in to check them out. Check out the candles here. The Tokyo Milk line is here on our website.

The Nomad iPad Paintbrush

2011-01-09T10:02:00.007-05:00

Were always interested in the new latest fun technology, especially when it comes to art. For those of you with iPads, check out the soon to be released Nomad Paintbrush by Don Lee. "Made with a long handle and soft bristles, it is the first paintbrush stylus for the iPad. Incredibly responsive, it is ideal for sketching and painting on touchscreen devices." So cool!

Nomad Brush for the iPad from Don Lee on Vimeo.

New Nighttime Holiday Picture of Ligonier

2010-12-18T14:16:00.005-05:00

This beautiful picture of Ligonier's Gazebo at night is a wonderful reminder of our charming town during the holidays. The Diamond has been decorated by volunteers from the town for many decades and everyone anticipates Santa's arrival and the lighting of the twinkling lights on the evening after Thanksgiving Day. The picture is completed by the United Methodist Church in the background.

This charming photograph is available on our website in various sizes from 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches up to 8 by 10 inches. See the picture on our site .

More G Squared Gallery in the media!

2010-12-09T11:17:00.006-05:00

As seen in today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette today, December 9th:

"On the other side of the gazebo, G Squared Gallery (138 E. Main St., www.gsquaredligonier.com; 724-238-8083), also has an eclectic mix of Pennsylvania and American crafts among its merchandise. G Squared owners Patricia and Harvey Childs attend shows across the country to select pieces for the gallery store.

Among these are Stephen Day's Petrified Forest bowls and other stoneware from his shop in Berks County. He starts each piece with a walk in the woods to collect leaves (like snowflakes, each leaf is different) and then presses the leaves into clay that is colored and fired at more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Many of the bowls range around $60.

You'll also find Jonathan's Wild Cherry Spoons and Moonspoons, created by husband and wife team Jonathan and Julia Simons at their shop, also in Berks County. (Many of the wooden spoons and utensils are less than $25.)"

G Squared Gallery | As seen in the Media

2010-12-08T02:00:00.001-05:00

Great placement for a small ad in American Style Winter Issue. It's on newsstands now through February 2011, so check it out! There are a lot of good articles this issue. There is a great review of emerging artists and lots of great contemporary craft to drool over. Love this art mag.

Fashionista Bangles - Hot New Bracelets by Meg Galligan

2010-12-02T21:53:00.004-05:00

Ringing in the holidays with these new bangles by California artist Meg Galligan would enthrall anyone. We discovered Meg's work on a recent trip to Cape Cod and Maine and after some critical espionage, we found Meg out in California. Behind a desk at Google. That's right, you read it correctly. These simple, beautiful bangles are fashioned by one of Google's own. Of course, that's not how it all began. Like many things, these jewels began in a dorm room. She then moved to California to work for Google, but continued hammering out jewelry because it continued to be a great outlet for her creativity.

"I feel really fortunate to be able to work in technology at Google/YouTube, while also having a creative outlet designing and making jewelry. I find that I get some inspiration in the online world- I follow many design blogs (interior design, fashion, architectual design), and I’m constantly in awe of the creativity that’s out there! But I’m also inspired by the colors and lines of nature and the things I see just simply walking around. One of the best feelings is to spot a neat shape or structure and think to myself, “How can I make a necklace like that?”

See Meg's jewelry on our site at Meg Galligan. I haven't put up a ton of her work yet, but you can get a better look if you jump on over to the site.

Fun Fiber From Colorado by Nina Sampsel

2010-11-26T18:11:00.004-05:00

These fun stockings from Nina Sampsel are just the ticket for the overflow from Santa's goodie bag! Made from recycled wool and all sorts of buttons and other sewn objects, these are quintessential pieces from Nina. The pillow has a stuffed mitten sewn onto it with fabric buttons on the corners. Perfect for that winter themed chair. Each piece is handmade and therefore no two will ever be alike. Stop in to see them in the gallery before they're gone! They came in this morning and three have already found new homes.

Friday's Opening Is Fast Approaching!

2010-11-14T20:37:00.005-05:00

G Squared's 15th Anniversary celebration is fast approaching. We have already begun the setup - working all day Sunday moving fixtures around. Then moved some of them back to their original location! We will continue this process tomorrow and Tuesday, then we'll start hanging the new paintings on Wednesday. Stop by to say hello and check out the new work. We will be preselling the work, so if you're in the market for some great art, come on in. The work has to hang through Friday night's celebration, but it can be packed up on Saturday and on your wall by Saturday afternoon! This piece is the invitation piece and it's by Kevin Kutz of Bedford. He has delivered it and two other really good paintings - to be unveiled Wednesday. Stay tuned.

Knipschildt Artisanal Chocolate Bars

2010-11-09T15:25:00.006-05:00

Yummy new chocolate bars in three flavors - Mocha Coffee Milk Chocolate(shown here), Fresh Mint (64% Dark Costa Rican bean), and Rosewater (80% Ghana Omahlene cacao). They have been created by Fritz Knipschildt, a native of Denmark. He moved to the USA as a private chef cooking for the rich & famous. After which he was sponsored by a french restaurant in New York. People were truly stunned when they tasted the infusions of chocolate and spices. They thought Knipschildt was crazy, but as they tasted the chocolates, they soon realized that these combinations were true matches in heaven.

"It felt good to be a pioneer in the modern chocolate making and bring new spicy sweet experiences to people."

Check out the other varieties on our website. Here's the link. Knipschildt Chocolates

2010 German Pewter Ornament

2010-11-05T14:32:00.006-04:00

"Hurry, Santa" is the title of the new 2010 Wilhelm Schweizer Bavarian pewter ornament. A wonderful collectible, these ornaments have been made in the village of Diessen, a beautiful town on the shores of Lake Ammersee in the heart of Bavaria's romantic countryside. The tradition of crafting pewter ornaments had been in the Wilhelm Schweizer family since 1796. There are many other ornaments from which to choose, and most are dated with the year they were made making them a perfect collection to start for your grandchildren, children or even yourself! Check here, G Squared Bavarian Ornaments for the current inventory. Please make sure you order these before December 6th if you want them in time for the holidays!

Wise Old Owl

2010-11-01T01:00:00.000-04:00

This is the cutest little owl from Canadian artist Clayton Dickson. Hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Clayton Dickson hand works the clay to fashion these very charming little figurines. There are about 5 different designs but since each is handmade none of them are exactly alike. SO cute!

New Liz Kinder Bowls Arrive!

2010-10-28T16:55:00.004-04:00

We have received a new shipment of wonderful Liz Kinder "Teensie" bowls. We've been waiting for them and they do not disappoint! We all love Liz's work. The colors are fantastic and the swirly design is unique among potters.

Here's a little bit about one of our favorite artists:

Massachusetts native Liz Kinder is a ceramic artist who has been working for 25 years, currently living and working in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her work is functional wheel-thrown pottery made from six different clay bodies and three different firing methods. Kinder makes most of her glazes, using wax resist for the surface. All pieces are food, microwave and dishwasher safe.

The artist received a Fine Arts BA in painting from Amherst College, taking a ceramics class her senior year rekindling an earlier interest in pottery. After living in San Francisco for a few years, the artist pursued and achieved a Masters degree from the Royal College of Art in London. In 2004, Kinder moved to Philadelphia where she now lives with her family.

Successful Workshops End

2010-09-19T11:32:00.007-04:00

...The weather was moody, the painting hardly.

Nine lucky workshop participants spent two days working with Colorado artist Dix Baines this past Thursday and Friday in the fields around Ligonier. After weeks and weeks of fine weather locally, both painting days had tons of atmosphere, but little sun. That didn't dampen the spirits of the painters. They all completed small paintings with excellent skill. We all thank Dix for his superb teaching skills and helping hand! We all hope he'll return soon for another few days.

Dix Baines Conducts Fall Painting Workshops

2010-08-22T15:45:00.004-04:00

Save the Date…

Announcing a painting workshop with artist Dix Baines at G Squared Gallery on September 16th and 17th.

Bring your paints, easels and materials and come to create, discuss and enjoy art! This casual, two morning workshop will include :
· Oil painting demonstrations
· Importance of composition thumbnails in outdoor painting
· Critiques of your work

Time: 9 AM – 1 PM
Cost: 1 day 50$ / 2 days 80$

Location:

Day 1: Laurel Valley Farm on Freeman Road
Day 2: Pine Springs Farm in Stahlstown

Dix Baines paints a variety of subjects in his expressive light infused style. Characterized by his bold brushwork and dramatic use of light and color, his paintings depict landscapes, villages, barns and adobe buildings, fishing scenes and the river environment as a whole. A pond, is the latest feature at his studio. Small works of Koi and water plants will be on display in the Gallery. Dix will also have work featured at the Loyalhanna Watershed Auction this same weekend.

Please call G Squared for more information or to sign up for one, or both, of the workshops.

For more information on the artist, go to www.dixbaines.com

Click here to return to the G Squared Gallery website.

Judith Trager at G Squared & The Westmoreland

2010-08-14T08:40:00.004-04:00

On a sunny Thursday afternoon I found myself in a meeting at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. After the meeting, I went to see the current exhibit "Rooted In Tradition: Art Quilts from the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum". While reading the introduction panel, I noticed that Judith Trager was the curator for this particular show. Amazingly enough, Judith is one of the artists we represent and my wife had just been to see her in her Colorado home a few days before.

This show chronicles the history of the art quilt movement from 1980 through the present and brings the quilt decisively from the bed to the wall. The quilts in this collection reflect the change from the traditional craft of quilt making based on the repeated block to the free spirited, sometimes-edgy art form of today. The exhibition features 48 quilts and works by the artists in this collection represent the best in American art quilts today. Curated by Judith Trager, an internationally known quilt artist and lecturer, Rooted in Tradition is the first exhibition to tackle the art quilt historically. The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, located in Golden, Colorado, celebrates, educates, and preserves the art and history of American quilts and quilt making, past and present.

Naturally, these quilts are out of reach for most of us and therefore it is really great that we have her potholders and placemats available in our gallery as well as on the new website (or will have them on the site very soon).

We've gone Live!

2010-07-24T14:59:00.004-04:00

After months of development, the new G Squared website has been launched! We are very excited and encourage everyone to visit it and give us their feedback on its functionality. We're still adding items to the site, but there is a lot of work on it already. With the proliferation of online retail sites, we felt it was time to get with the program and develop a meaningful retail site for the gallery. It is well known that much of our inventory is one of a kind. What that means that if there's something on the site one day, it may not be there the next. We'll be updating the status daily - adding new things and taking sold items off. Hopefully, this will be a new revenue stream for us that will smooth out the hills and valleys of an economy that no one seems to be able to diagnose. So check out the site, tell your friends to check it out and pass on a link to the blog. This link G Squared Gallery will take you to the new site.

Outstanding!

2010-07-22T15:40:00.003-04:00

Bud Gibbons has done it again! This fantastic new painting is completely evocative of Ligonier in the summertime. It's 48 inches square and framed with a simple strip frame. It's called "Hill-July" and it's a perfect name. Come in to see this wonderful interpretation of a summer day in southwestern Pennsylvania.

The Coolest Bracelets!

2010-06-22T16:22:00.004-04:00

We have just received these fab new bracelets from Tesse Poppe. Handwoven from strong natural fibers and sealed in wax to make them waterproof, these bracelets are the the perfect combination of fashion and durability. Wear them in the shower, or better yet, show them off at the pool! Striking accents of silver colored beads and distinctive buttons carved out of coconut give these accessories an exciting look that appeals to women, men and kids. Plus, the wide array of colors they come in make them a great choice year 'round. The company, Wikkitz, works closely with women in Southeast Asia who help make the bracelets. There aren't a lot of work options for these women, most of whom are mothers, and it's been important to Wikkitz to find alternate forms of employment for them. Crocheting these bracelets gives them the opportunity to work from home on their own schedule without having to leave their kids in the care of someone else. Not only will you look incredibly fashionable, but you'll do so knowing that you're helping to promote women who start their own businesses. Plus the materials are green and very renewable. These are the Eco choice!

New Bird Garglers!

2010-05-21T15:01:00.003-04:00

We have finally received the hard-to-get fabulous Bird Garglers from Colorado artist Doug Fey. We received 5 great garglers and now is the time to get the birdhouses out for brooding the little birdies! In stock now are the following choices: a troll/man, a bear, a red fox, a dog and a frog. If you're interested in checking them out, you should probably come in quickly as they sell fast and are hard for us to get in as they take so much time to hand build.

All of Doug's ceramic birdhouses are individually handmade; no molds are used in their creation. By attending to each creature separately , he is free to explore variations and combinations of physical attributes and personality traits thereby imparting a unique character to each Bird Gargler.

Made of quality red earthenware clay, each completed Gargler is allowed to air dry and then fired to 2000°F. After cooling, glaze and colors are applied; the Garglers are fired again to 2200°F.

The completed Bird Garglers are quite durable and can remain installed outside throughout the year to provide all-season protection for the birds.

Each Gargler measures approximately 9"-12" from mouth to the back and about 8"-9" across. Dimensions will vary according to the particular style of Gargler.

Amy Butler Bags

2010-05-15T06:42:00.000-04:00

The Amy Butler bags have arrived and we are already going to have to reorder! The fabrics are so great and the bag shapes are very utilitarian while being oh-so stylish. We have everything form little cosmetic size bags to big duffle bags with great sizes in between. Come in and check them out!

Fuel Cafe, Denver

2010-05-13T18:36:00.004-04:00

We heard about this hip, new arts district in Denver called RiNo. The acronym stands for River North. It lies between about 20th and 40th streets running along the Platte River. There are tons of very cool studios and galleries as well as a couple of great places to eat. Fuel Cafe is one of them. A very inventive small restaurant with incredibly knowledgeable and helpful wait staff. We had a chicken salad sandwich and a spicy lamb meatball sandwich which was wrapped up in flatbread. Delicious! This will be one of our regular stops on our many trips to Denver.

Give Peace A Chance!

2010-04-02T11:26:00.005-04:00

This just in! Peace is all the rage. Jump on the bandwagon and spread the word. This soap is made with "Fresh" mint and herbal natural scent. Made with organic aloe vera juice. Smells great and lathers up really well!

Hummingbird Season Approaches!

2010-04-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

We've just received our shipment of beautiful, handblown, recycled glass hummingbird feeders from Parasol. The Hummers will be back soon and we want to be prepared for them when they arrive. Designer Alfredo Garcia-Lucio created a number of innovative hand-blown glass feeder designs. Alfredo and partner Jim McKeever then committed themselves to quality materials, craftsmanship, presentation and service, and PAR·A·SOL was born. Since then, PAR·A·SOL has grown into an industry leader in providing alternatives to traditional notions of bird feeding and garden products. If you want to have Hummingbirds in your yard this year, put your feeders out in mid-April because they start to return around the third or fourth week of April.

Art Glass Jewelry from Maine!

2010-03-25T16:37:00.005-04:00

These wonderfully colorful and cheery earrings and necklaces are created in Maine by Linda and Ken Perrin. They are familiar faces in Bar Harbor area craft shows and markets. Taking inspiration from seaglass chips found on the beach, the Perrin's manipulate flamework glass rods into these alluring colors. They then work with Sterling Silver wire and create interesting mounting techniques for the glass beads. We have just received a good selection of this new work and it has been very well received, so stop in and see it for yourself!

Cool Looking Candles from Skeem

2010-03-18T16:45:00.004-04:00

Graphic designer Geoff Weiser and former retail buyer, Suji Meswani, are the co-owners of Skeem Candles. Prior to launching the Skeem brand in 2004, this Philadelphia based husband and wife team, did more than a year of research and development to perfect the wax formulation, develop the scents and colors and, of course, create the candles themselves. The name “Skeem”? Well, it is a play on words and the company is named after the couple’s “scheme” to break free from the corporate world. The rich, colorful designs and unique long-lasting scents are inspired by their vast travels which include three to four annual trips to exotic locales such as, India, Costa Rica, and Thailand.

"We've never understood the plain-ivory-candle-in-the-fancy-box thing. Isn't it a bit of a let down when you open it up, and the box, which is the nicest part, is just trash? We’ve thoughtfully designed all our products so they are beautiful and intriguing on their own, without any excess packaging. Our candles are silk-screened, then poured with our custom soy/paraffin wax blend to ensure a clean, even burn. Once the wax has burned down, our pillars are reusable as drinking glasses. We also encourage you to reuse our 3-wick containers for things like holding cotton balls, storing paper clips, or even as a sugar jar. In addition to making beautiful, long-lasting products, we’re proud to manufacture candles that can be reused and recycled. It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."

Hand-painted vintage bird prints bought at an Argentine flea market set the stage for our Migration collection. Layered on top are bits of lace, borders, type, and stamps, all from our ever-growing collection of found objects and ephemera. In keeping with our philosophy, each jar is completely reusable once the candle is finished burning.

80 hour burn time
Triple wick
4 3/4" wide x 3" high

Feeling Good with a Tokyo Milk Bubble Bath

2010-03-13T15:38:00.005-05:00

This Rose with Bees bubble bath is simply incredible, with luxurious fragrance and moisturizing premium ingredients, including Japanese Green Tea Extract, and avocado and olive oils with with vitamin E. Envelop your senses with this incredibly fragranced bubble bath. This fragrance, called "Gin and Rosewater", is Tokyo Milk's number 12, which combines citrus zest, rosewood, mimosa, and mandarin in a beautiful balance. And the Denver based Tokyo Milk never disappoints with the super stylish and chic packaging. This bubble bath comes in an elegant glass bottle with an "inside-out" label, showing the prettiest side through the inside of the bottle. This wonderful bubble bath comes in two sizes. Pair it with a bar of their triple French milled soap and you will feel absolutely decadent! Created with a vegetable base and shea butter to moisturize. Each bar is lavishly packaged in a beautiful paper wrapper with bees and glitter accents.

Color in the Garden

2010-03-06T13:03:00.002-05:00

Let's start thinking about the future. Not the far distant future, but simply the near future. Like May. My garden is a dream in May with all the Forget-Me-Nots, Euphorbia and Daffodils in full bloom. These three colors are fantastic together. Now with the addition of Diane Markin's Garden Sparkler, the color really bursts forth. We've carried these sparklers for many years and they are always popular, but with all the clouds we've had over the last 6 weeks, thinking about these colors really wipes away the gloomy winter blahs. Each sparkler is comprised of handmade glass and ceramic beads on sturdy wire "fronds". The flower part sits atop a 48" steel rod that sticks into the ground. You can leave these out all year round with only a simple spring cleaning to keep them shiny. If you want to prevent the metal parts from rusting, just spray metal and beads alike with a clear lacquer from a spray paint can once a year. I have to admit that they even look great in the snow!

Soups On! Save the Date!

2010-03-04T16:04:00.003-05:00

On Saturday, March 27th, the Ligonier Chamber of Commerce is holding the first Soups On! event in Ligonier. Beginning at 11:00 A.M. more than 20 area chefs will be vying for bragging rights to Ligonier's best soup. Each restaurant will be paired up with a local shop in which they will be serving up their masterpiece. Visitors to town will sample the soups and vote for their favorite. Visitors need to register to participate. Cost for pre-registration is $5.oo plus a canned good. Registration on the day of the event is $8.00 plus a canned good. The canned foods will be donated to a local charity. This is going to be a great event for the town and local food banks. Please help us get the word out by forwarding this entry to all your friends! Thanks! And may the best chef win!

New Cards from Tokyo Milk

2010-02-25T12:46:00.006-05:00

We have been trying to find these cards for years and after months of sleuthing (a regular aspect of our business!) we have located the source. The images and the sentiments seem anachronistic and require just a modicum of concentration to fully appreciate their satirical content. These four are only a snippet of the choices we have just received from pop culture icon Tokyo Milk... Come in to see the other choices. We're open Tuesday through Saturday 11-5 during these interminably long winter months. However, with March in our sights, daffodils will be popping up their heads soon enough!

Sick of the Snow Yet?

2010-02-17T13:46:00.003-05:00

These will brighten your day! We finally received a new shipment of the colorful and extra warm gloves by Sue Burns. Each pair are hand made with %100 vintage boiled wool. Super cute and stylish! Many colors to choose from. Now at G Squared Gallery.

Unusual Soap - Unobtainium?

2010-02-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

Can you stand it? Right from Pandora we have the first available Un-obtanium in the modern era. (In the event that you have not seen "Avatar", Un-obtanium is the mineral the Earthlings have come to this moon to mine.) We get it from an outfit in Massachusetts and they swear it's authentic. It comes in a variety of alluring, crystalline looking forms and believe it or not, you can wash your hands with it! Sudsing is top notch and the anti-bacterial qualities will (maybe) prevent H1N1. I must equivocate here though and say that this claim may not be supported by the scientific community. Check it out! Only at G Squared. Call today for market prices.

More Wulff & Morgenthaler cards

2010-02-13T10:00:00.001-05:00

Another great card. Love the line.

Hilarious New Cards

2010-02-12T10:00:00.002-05:00

There are so many reasons why we love our jobs and finding funny cards is one of our top ten. We just found this line when we were in New York and it has already arrived. This is just one that is my personal favorite. Danish cartoonists Anders Morgenthaler and Mikael Wulff definitely have an unusual sense of humor that we love. Here's a quote from their website: "Besides
that we kind of enjoy life; we have a huge mortgage to pay and have no insurance - we're just being optimistic. We love our TV and follow our mortgage rate constantly on the teletext. We think it would be a good idea for MTV to create a new channel just called MTV Mortgage which would only be about tips and tricks from real estate agents." And another, "We
rarely go outside and are a little uneasy with the whole concept of hotels and travel. Why would you want to travel when you can just go (sic) Spain and relax?"

New Desert Heart Jewels!

2010-02-08T16:39:00.004-05:00

We've just received a great order of Desert Heart jewelry. Texas jewelry designer Deborah Sparshott has created new designs for Spring in a myriad of fun turquoise and coral colors. Affordable and good looking, these pieces are perfect for everyday.
each bracelet, necklace and earring is constructed with semi-precious stones, sterling silver beads and faceted crystals. Stop in and check out all the new work!

The Big Snow!

2010-02-06T12:38:00.008-05:00

Well, what a treat! A major snowstorm descended upon us overnight. It began at about 6:30 P.M. and continued on through the night. Before it was over we had nearly 20" on the ground. It was a gentle snow, so no drifting or blowing to distort the total accumulation. The serious aspect of the storm is that both Westmoreland and Allegheny counties are under a State of Emergency. I've never been under an official State of Emergency; however, I'm pretty sure I've have been under some personal States of Emergency. But this one is official. No vehicles are allowed on the highways. OK, continuing on, we got up this morning, put on our XC ski equipment and took a little tour of the town. The picture of our skis is outside of Abigails where we stopped for coffee. We couldn't belive they were open! It was beautiful and here are a few of the pictures. Hope you enjoy!

SHOPPING!

2010-01-31T17:10:00.001-05:00

One of the hardest aspects of owning a retail business is the need to go and BUY STUFF. It's that time and we are in New York looking at some of the coolest things to hit the retail scene. I actually always look forward to February because it is the winter buying month. Winter can be a long and trying season for us in the upper parts of the U.S. and any distraction is a welcome thing. And these February buying trips and the best kind of distraction. We'll start getting work in pretty quickly so keep tabs either here on the blog, on our Facebook page or on the website. More posts to follow!

Recycled Aluminum Jillery Jewelry

2010-01-29T16:39:00.008-05:00

Jill Fagin's designs combine metals and colors and set a style standard that no other artist of the time replicates. The thread of Jill's designs is the use of aluminum throughout every piece. What keeps the work unique is Jill's unwavering commitment to a "hands-on quality approach to all of her designs and products. Each piece is hand-made by skilled artisans in her Greenwich Village studio. Jill is the originator of this sophisticated, yet whimsical style.

This piece is made up of 13 open 1 1/8" discs that dangle from a fine gauge chain. It is 16" long w/ a 3" extender. Made from recycled aluminum and recycled aluminum which has been anodized to create gold color. This link Jill Fagin will take you to the necklace on our website.

Way Out West

2010-01-18T10:00:00.000-05:00

On our recent trip to Colorado, we managed a day at the National Western Stockshow. Going to the stockshow is a regular part of our January visit and this year was no exception. The exception this year was the opportunity to meet these gorgeous rodeo gals! On the right is Miss Rodeo America 2010, Kelli Jackson; center is Kelsie Winslow, Miss High School Colorado; and on the left is Kasie Pigg, Miss Colorado Rodeo 2010. They were all really nice and happy to sign photos for the multitudes of fans and well-wishers. We had beuatiful weather while we were in Denver. Warm and sunny! A nice break from the winter we've been having here! Finally, these two beasts were really tired after a long hard day. Best friends. Hope they get to stay together!

Welcome to Stephany!

2010-01-15T11:46:00.004-05:00

We are very excited to announce the hiring of Stephany Frede to the G Squared team. Stephany hails from California and moved to Ligonier several years ago with her husband, Clay and son Cole and daughter Willa. On the West Coast, she worked in a gallery managing their online business as well as floor operations.
As a part of our 2010 resolutions, G Squared will be ramping up its internet presence with exposure in all the social media spaces - Facebook, Twitter, LinkdIn, etc. We will once again send out email newsletters, update the blog regularly, and rebuild our website. It's a tall order and our goal is to have all these different venues up and running by next fall. Which is where Stephany comes in. She will be running our social media "empire", while I'll be handling the blog and email newsletter. We'll both work on the website. Stop in and give a big welcome to Stephany!

Thank You All for a Great 2009

2009-12-31T12:07:00.002-05:00

2009 was a tumultuous year for the nation and for G Squared. What started out somewhat humdrum ended up with our move to a fabulous new space that we all love. The transition was easy and with the help of our friend, Denise, we made the move in one day. The move was hectic and crazy and we still wonder where some of the stuff is, but that's why Rome made January. We will now have the time to look in all the nooks and crannies for missing links. Plus I'm itching to reorganize the office. Building shelves and getting boxes off the floor are my idea of fun!

We will see you all in 2010!

Roland Pine Fragrance - Just Like Real!

2009-12-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

New from The Soap & Paper Factory, Roland Pine scent is available in a variety of products all designed to stimulate the senses and evoke the fresh scents of a walk in a balsam pine forest. Soap, candles, room spray and diffusers all add up to one dynamite package for the holidays. We have a diffuser set up in the gallery and we all love the fresh scent wafting around the place.

Jeweler Jeff Gray Hard at Work!

2009-12-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

Bennington, Vermont jeweler Jeff Gray has always been a hard worker and this proves it! Jeff works in sterling silver and creates beautiful earrings, bracelets and necklaces with universal and classic appeal. Each piece is completely hand made in Jeff's studio. His meticulous attention to detail shows in the finish work on each and every earring, bracelet and necklace. G Squared has represented Jeff Gray for nearly 10 years and he is always introducing new designs which resonate well with out customers.

Yummy Peppermint Bark

2009-12-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

If you have never had Peppermint Bark from Simply Scrumptious, you have been missing out on one of life's little pleasures. Each delectable piece has layers of dark and white chocolate infused with antural peppermint oil. And then to top it off there is a festive snowfall of crushed peppermint candy! Yummy! Each 5 oz. box is the perfect size for a stocking. We also have Pecan Toffee and Chocolate Cherry boxes available. Call us today and place your order for the holidays.

Collectible Nativity from Tin Woodsman

2009-12-03T15:03:00.003-05:00

This darling little nativity was handcrafted by artists Jim and Deborah Chapman from Oregon. Each of the pewter pieces is free-standing and ready to be set out for your holiday. The nativity is available in a set of 12 pieces (as shown) or in a set of 4 pieces. The smaller set contains the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the stable. You can then add pieces over the years to complete the set. Each piece is available individually as well. For those of you who collect nativity sets, this is one you should not miss.

2009 Santa Ornament from Germany

2009-11-03T10:00:00.003-05:00

The new German pewter ornaments have arrived! The 2009 Santa is pictured in the front of this picture. It's Santa strolling along with a little girl. The standing pewter ornament is completely handmade and handpainted by different artisans from Bavaria, Germany. Each ornament is different and can be viewed from either side.

There is also a new angel ornament for 2009 that features and angel and a child mailing a letter in an antique mailbox.

As many of you know, these pieces make an excellent collection for children or grandchildren. They will become an heirloom and have, actually, been crafted by the same family in Bavaria for over 200 years. This link 2009 Santa will take you to the ornament on our website.

Can you guess where I am?

2009-10-31T12:20:00.002-04:00

You may win a prize...

Finally, we were able to get away for a few days after the Fort Ligonier Days madness and the onslaught of holiday shopping. We had a great vacation and would have liked to spend more time relaxing, but the tug of retail sales pulled us back with lots of new ideas and merchandise. We found some great things for Christmas that won't break the bank. These are the best things to find.

So, if you can identify the location of this image, make a comment and I will randomly pick a name from a hat. The lucky winner will receive a unique gift from G Squared! You will be contacted by email if you have the winning entry. Don't you love contests?

Rachel Ray Goes Dynomighty!

2009-10-21T21:38:00.008-04:00

Rachel picks Dynomighty Luggage Tags!

In the November issue of Rachel Ray's gotta-have-it magazine "Every Day with Rachel Ray", the eponymous cooking magnate has chosen as one of her picks for the month these fantastic and completely indestructible luggage tags. Gorillas for luggage handlers? No problem. Kids with insatiable appetites for hangtags? No problem. Constructed from the heaviest Tyvek (place copyright symbol here :) these tags will outlast gorillas and kids. And guess what? We have 'em. And ours cost less. $.50 cents less. So call us for your package today. There are 10 tags to each package. We also have a good supply of the Dynomighty indestructible wallets in a great selection of designs. The wallets are equally indestructible, although if a gorilla luggage handler somehow gets a-hold of your wallet, I think you might be in trouble; however, your kids can gum the wallet and it won't be any worse for wear.

New Sign!

2009-10-18T14:34:00.003-04:00

We were down to the wire. It was drizzling and Fort Ligonier Days was upon us. The new sign was in our office on the floor. Not exactly prime viewing from that vantage point; however, by 4:00 on Thursday Jim Valley of Acorn Signworks was on the job. In a few minutes he had installed the sign and as you can see for yourself, "C'est magnifique!". We love it and it is practically the first thing you see when you drive into the Diamond from Market Street. Talk about visibility!
Pictured are Linda Mitchell of Mitchell Glassworks and her three boys. Linda, Greg and the kids were here all weekend selling her great melted bottle cheeseplates and spoonrests. She was quite successful and lots of people have been calling us since Ft. Days for bottles. Congratulations to Linda and her "hardworking" crew!

Charles Pitcher

2009-10-06T08:33:00.003-04:00

On Saturday, October 3, 2009, Charlie Pitcher passed away. We will all miss his optimism and positive approach. He was an inspiration to us because of his dedication to his art. We are still going to have his work in our show this year and it will hopefully be a nice tribute to his life.

Charlie's health had been compromised since last January and while he never let it get him down, we could see that he wasn't doing well. On his last visit to our gallery in late August, he had a positive attitude, but was clearly struggling. We will miss him and our thoughts and prayers go out to Susan and the entire Pitcher family.

November 20th Invitation

2009-10-02T16:53:00.002-04:00

I have finally finished the invitation and am preparing to send it out to the printer. I thought I'd get the word out early through the blog for those who like to plan months in advance. Please feel free to spread the word. There will probably be a few changes here and there (like an RSVP block), but the main points are covered here. Save the date!

Spaced Out - G Squared's Annual Thanksgiving Show

2009-09-29T20:11:00.010-04:00

Save The Date-Friday November 20th

We've finally gotten it together in the new space to formulate a plan for our annual show. Many of you know that we've had the show in our home for the past 4 or 5 years. This year, in our new space, we are "Spaced Out" with walls for art. This piece is by Ron Donoughe and is called Red & Yellow Winter and is a great representation of Ron's architectural pieces. The show will unveil new works by Rita Kambic Haldeman, Bud Gibbons, Ron, Charlie Pitcher, Bill DeBernardi as well as some new surprises. Bill D. may be bringing a huge still life which will be really great. At any rate, save the date for a great p{art}y with lots of food, libation and good friends as always.

Johnstown Magazine Ad

2009-09-28T16:31:00.001-04:00

Here is a copy of the ad we'll be running next month in the Johnstown Magazine. The work is by Nancy Gardner from Chicago and her work has pleased us for many years. Lots of whimsy in shape and glazes, Nancy's work is always entertaining and will likely never become outdated and boring! Never! She makes the most wonderful little boxes with miniature houses for the handle on the lid or vases like this one tht have the funniest scroll handles that just always entertain. This diminutive piece is only 4" tall!

Santa Fe Cutthroat Run

2009-09-28T15:32:00.008-04:00

On our recent trip to New Mexico, we briefly drove up to Santa Fe to look for one of our bracelet artists, Randy Secataro. He's usually on the Plaza, but, alas, he wasn't there this trip. So we walked around and found this fantastic sculpture a few blocks north of the Plaza at the Civic Center. We were both very impressed with the movement of this piece. Colette Hosmer’s "Santa Fe Current" utilizes multiple forms of Rio Grande Cutthroat trout to simulate flowing water. This sculpture was chosen for the Santa Fe Civic Center Public Art Project. Twenty seven carved granite fish (each two feet by three and a half feet) analogizes Santa Fe as a stream - fluid, vital, and forward moving. We later were at a gallery in the Railyards and saw two more of these trout only they were probably 5 feet high.

Curly Girl Prints

2009-09-23T16:20:00.001-04:00

While we have carried Leigh Standley's Curly Girl cards for years, we have just received her latest venture of magnets and prints. Each is available in all her designs and we are very excited to have them in stock in our new space. The magnets are about 3.75" x 2.75" or 3.5" square. The prints are 8 x 10" and will fit easily into an 8 x 10" frame.

Greetings from Gallup, NM

2009-09-22T23:09:00.006-04:00

On a flash trip to Gallup, NM to buy some Navajo and Hopi jewelry, we had to take in a few of the local sights. This guy may be in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest "Dude" on the planet. It was next door to Jerry's Cafe, THE place for lunch in Gallup. I had some great Chile Rellenos and Pat had a combo of tacos and enchiladas. We had to satisfy our cravings for some good New Mexican grub. A rare find...and much needed nutrition after a long day of trading post buying. Can't wait to get back to the new space to show it to y'all! Heading up to Santa Fe tomorrow for the day. Check back! For now, we have some great silver bead necklaces, stunning Bruce Morgan (yes, a Native American with an Anglo moniker) sterling and 14K gold bracelets, Navajo artists Steven Begay and Melvin Frances and incredible overlay bracelet work by Hopi Deford Masauvtewa. We also got some nice baby silver spoons and rattles. We'll be back by this weekend with some of the work. We'll not be putting everything out, but if you read this and want to see some of the work we'll be setting aside, just mention this story and say you want to see the "special stuff"!

Elvie Zell Animal Cards

2009-09-21T10:00:00.001-04:00

One may know Elvie Zell from her many years of creating enamel dog pins that are so great - great faces with personalities that shine through. She is now creating greeting cards that also exude personality. This cat card is just one of the many humorous examples. Follow the rules:
"1. I don't have any problems"
"2-3 I am the highest power"
"4-10 See #1"
"11. See #2-3"
"12 Now feed me"
We have lots of Elvie's designs to pick from and as any dog or cat lover will tell you - one is never enough...

Curiously Strong Magnets

2009-09-17T15:33:00.004-04:00

These great magnets have just arrived in a huge variety of designs and shapes. They are really, really strong and absolutely jump from hand to surface. Your notes and photos are not going to slip from under these charmers. iPop Clicks are the result of many artists' and designers' works being translated to this new venue for an excellent twist on hanging art. Great for the stocking this holiday season.

Outside the New Gallery

2009-09-06T10:37:00.004-04:00

Here we are on the sunny side of the street! This is what the new gallery space looks like from the street. We have moved the familiar red bistro table and chairs to the front so people can sit and enjoy the view. I have to say, our weather has been so nice that it gets kind of hot out there in the afternoon! There is a hubbub of activity down here in this part of town and we are really enjoying the proximity to the gazebo and the center of town.

We're In!

2009-09-06T10:18:00.006-04:00

After a week of moving, the new G Squared has opened to great fanfare and accolades. We began the move last Saturday, finished the move on Sunday and began the design work on Monday. By Thursday we had completed most of the redisplaying of the inventory. We sold a bit of work on Thursday but by Friday we were open for business. Saturday was very busy and lots of fun to see how the traffic flowed. We've still got some work to do, but for the most part we're good to go!

The New York International Gift Fair

2009-08-28T10:00:00.000-04:00

For those of you who have never attended a wholesale trade show before, this is what they look like. This is only about 1/20th of the booths. This scene goes on and on and on. The space is akin to the length of the Statue of Liberty if it were laid on its side. I'm not sure about that, but whatever it is, the space is huge and takes days to get through. We found a bunch of new, fun things for the holidays. We also are bringing back some old favorites, like the Christmas light necklaces. They are still the same price which is rare in this day and age. No price increases! We are also bringing back the Carrol Boyes pewter serving pieces. We looked for other comparable work out there and there simply isn't anything as good looking that's made from metal.

This is also a great time to see old friends and catch up on the state of the planet. You can imagine those conversations! This show was also about eco-consciousness. Re-Use, Re-Use, Re-Use! Nearly every booth had an eco story. I think it's probably a good thing in the long run, but one has to wade through an awful lot of you know what to find the right thing!

Kimono Kool, Kool, Kool

2009-08-24T10:00:00.001-04:00

One of the most fun thing we found were these shoelaces constructed out of vintage kimono fabrics. The designer purchased bolts of kimono fabrics that were never used and were left over from the 60's and 70's. (Of course, Pat & I don't really think of 1970 as vintage because that makes us way older than vintage and that's simply not possible.) These shoelaces will be in the range of about $18 per pair. They are really fun! They'll be in our new space by Fort Ligonier Days (October 9,10,11). We'll also be getting friendship bracelets, rings and lucite bracelets from this designer. All very kool and affordable.

Liquid Metal Bracelets In Stock!

2009-08-21T17:03:00.004-04:00

Popular can't begin to describe these fabulously comfortable snap metal bracelets. We have a complete selection of Sergio Gutierrez's Liquid Metal bracelets in stock at the moment, but we can't keep up with the sales! There are a dozen styles to pick from and they can all be checked out here on our website. Everyone who tries one of these beauties on buys them on the spot because they are so kool and comfortable. You will also be the envy of the pack and not a single person you see will ignore the jewel on your wrist. Check out the site! We just got an order in and have a good selection for the time being. The next order will be arriving in early October.

What Buyers do at the Shows

2009-08-20T15:12:00.002-04:00

Learn to do the Hula Dance!

Why go all the way to the Islands to learn how to Hula Dance when you can do it right in New York City!

After a very hard day of buying things for all of our thousands of stores across the country, America's buyers kick back and throw down a couple of Planter's Punches. After that, the sarongs come out and it's Don Ho all the way. Fortunately, Pat & I are way too civilized for all this. We just throw down the Planter's Punches! Tough duty, but someone has to do it!

Recycled Banner Bags!

2009-08-20T10:00:00.000-04:00

EcoStyle Delights!

Dynamic grphics meet utility in these fashionable ecofriendly totes. Each bag is cut from a vinyl marketing banner that was headed to the landfill. The webbing on the handles is overstock from well-known outdoor gear companies. Join the global effort to reduce waste. Use a banner bag as a purse, grocery bag, beach bag or lunch sack. Produced in Colorado

New Work from Rita Kambic Haldeman

2009-08-17T10:00:00.001-04:00

Rita has brought us a number of new pieces to hang in the new gallery! We're very excited about the new work. Rita is a gifted artist and we are lucky to represent her. We don't receive many paintings in a given period, so we are thrilled to have received so many all at once. We are showing them in our current space at 207 E Main and if they are still here when we move, they'll be in a prominent position at 138 E Main St.

Inside the New Space!

2009-08-13T13:27:00.000-04:00

Here we go...

They're putting in the new floor today. Track lighting will be going up shortly. It looks like a bit of work still to go, but we're on schedule to open in the new space for Labor Day weekend!

We have new jewelry display fixtures being built and floor plans are being worked on for location of the garden area, wood, ceramics, Simon Pearce and Brian Andreas's work of Storypeople fame. Lots of space but how to place all of our great work is definitely mindboggling.

Keep checking out the blog for a running journal of the move...

Beginning to Pack

2009-08-11T14:05:00.002-04:00

Look at this mess! This is a view of one of our storage areas. We will start moving this tomorrow and continue to move through the end of the month. Anybody want to help???

Our e.t. is to remain open in the current space until August 26 or 27 and reopen in the new space in time for the Labor Day weekend. We have been ignoring the fact that we need to pack up and get our gallery moving so we will be starting with the unseen-by-the-public-eye things first. Then we'll move all the inventory when the store is closed.

Keep track of the move by checking the blog often :)

G Squared is Moving!

2009-07-27T15:18:00.006-04:00

On September 1 of this year, G Squared will be moving to a new gallery space a block closer to the famous "Diamond District" of our historic town. We'll be in the space on the right in the image - right next door to Currant Thymes, a great kitchen store. We are going to have fantastic wall space for hanging our artists' work and our Fall show will be spectacular. Keep Friday, November 20th open for a blowout of a party! Not only will we be in our new space, but we will also be celebrating the 15th anniversary of G Squared.

Check back here for updates on our move!

Why I Love My Job

2009-07-01T17:05:00.003-04:00

Midge Cureton, Ohio

One of the most fun things about having a gallery is the discovery of new talent. The story behind this work is a perfect example. Three or four women came into our store about 6 weeks ago. One of the women was carrying this purse that was obviously made with great care. The fabric choices were unusual but very cool. I asked her where she got it and it happened that one of her friends with her that day was the maker. To make a long story short, Midge Cureton said she'd love to make us a few purses and true to her word, eight purses arrived today. The size is perfect and there are multiple pockets, some with zippers and some without. There's even a cellphone pocket. Midge's attention to detail is what we at G Squared believe makes a great product. Call us at 724-238-8083 for more info. Great work, Midge!

Valerie Bunnell

2009-06-20T14:51:00.004-04:00

One day last winter while walking down the aisle of one of the finest shows representing the art of the creation of contemporary craft, I was struck mad by the work of Valerie Bunnell. Her imagination and creativity is precisely why I am in the business I am in. She is currently living in western Massachusetts creating figures "that could refer to other realities, and which would possess a mysterious logic of existence". These objects develop narrative identities as they are built. Little by little they begin to speak to the artist and then to us, the viewer. In addition to the expressive personalities of these figures, Bunnell collects old tin boxes which form the body each figure in her series called "Tin Men". This link, Valerie Bunnell,will take you to her website.

No Newsletter this Month

2009-05-29T16:29:00.003-04:00

Unfortunately, the company I use for my email newsletter misled me in its efforts to prevent spam emails. To this end, they removed many of our subscribers who have indicated they wish to receive email from G Squared. Not being interested in discussing a remedy to their misrepresentation, I have decided to cancel my account with them. To that end, there will be no June newsletter while I research other email companies.

Constant Contact was great to work with until this episode. I would have preferred to stay with them, but they were really not helpful with an issue caused by their associates.