If you look around Whole Foods or just about anywhere in Venice these days you’re gonna see our exclusive “Golden” sweatshirts. We completely sold out of the dark grey at the holidays but will be restocking our shelves tomorrow so come by or email us through this site to get your Gold!

]]> http://thegoldenstatestore.com/goldensweatshirt/feed/ 0 http://thegoldenstatestore.com/you-have-everything-you-need/ http://thegoldenstatestore.com/you-have-everything-you-need/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:36:06 +0000 Stephanie http://thegoldenstatestore.com/?p=267 Read More ]]>

Artist Deedee Cheriel’s work is right at home at The Golden State. Her work interests and excites me at a time when I’m having a hard time getting interested and excited. A visual artist who resides in Los Angeles, “Cheriel’s work explores narratives that recognize the urgency and conflict in our continuing attempts to connect to the world.”(posterchild) A theme I think about, blog about often.

YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED seems right just now, a comfort even and it couldn’t be more true as I end the year having whittled down what’s essential. A limited number of her posters and canvas bags are available now.

The Golden State is pleased to announce our partnership with Kerry Cassill at her lovely store Lala in Laguna Beach. Featured artists Esther Pottery, Feed Handcrafted Arts and Wilson as well as newest work by Thorn+Wood are available now. Items will be refreshed weekly (any excuse for me to go to LB) and through holiday 2011 at 1145 South Coast Highway.

It’s that time of year to stay home cuddle up with friends. In my case, those friends are often in the form of favorite films. Studying the films of John Ford for the past 20 years has helped define and enhance my deep love for the West. Film critic Michael Budd is quick to point out in his 1976 essay A Home in the Wilderness: Visual Imagery in John Ford’s Westerns that “the encounter of home and wilderness is more than a theme in Ford’s Westerns, it’s a central formative viewpoint, a way of looking the world.” There, according to Budd, is where “the tradition of John Ford’s Westerns is centered visually, where civilization is characterized by homes, forts and other forms of shelter, and the vast, open landscapes represent the polar opposite of that, very much riddled with savagery, culminating to a recurrent complex of images which, in various ways, relates home space to wilderness space, bringing them into visual confrontation within the frame.”

That “encounter of home and wilderness” has always been much more than fashion or some trend for me. It’s the recurring theme in my life and work. Many thanks to those hard working gals at Heyoka for helping me create that imagery to through their handmade items available now at The Golden State.

I’m so excited for and proud of my friend and amazing designer Louise Kolesnikow. I just previewed her 2012 Collection and it’s a total knockout. We became fast friends this year as I love and admire her excitement for what she does. A true California girl with a real knowledge of her craft, she’s rolled everything she’s ever learned into her work. Limeade is a true culmination of her many years of hard work and hard play.

About Louise (from Limeade California website): “Before diving into the swim sector Louise Kolesnikow designed for top labels including; Poleci, ABS and BCBG. Her designs have been sold in exclusive boutiques and top department stores including Fred Segal, Barney’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s. With such a diverse portfolio, Louise understands the importance of innovative design, quality materials and uncompromising product development. Her unrivaled talent for design is matched with her love of the business which has made her company Limeade CALIFORNIA an instant favorite.”

She’s up for an award for Designer of the Year, check out to register and vote for her in Hollywood designers category!

Spending my  summers in Laguna Beach I’ve been shopping at Kerry’s store “Lala” for over a dozen years now. Friends would come down for the weekend and say “when do we Lala?” and off we’d go. A trip to the candy store at Main Beach was my standard bribe for my three fidgety sons sitting on the floor while we shopped.

When I opened The Golden State there was never a question that Kerry would be one of my featured designers. Her fabulous collection of exclusive prints for clothing and home goods add beauty and color to my store and to my life.

More about Kerry (from the Kerry Cassill website): “The early ’90s was a pretty amazing time for creative souls. After spending much of the decade exploring the planet for inspiration, Kerry found herself drawn to the colorful and eclectic Indian prints she discovered throughout the markets of Paris, and followed them to their origins in India where she began developing her own signature look. With additional influences that included early mentors like acclaimed colorist and textile designer Bridget Singh, and the colorful impressionistic styles of painter Vincent Farrell, Kerry Cassill’s unique and adventurous collection of clothing and bedding has become highly regarded and celebrated around the world.”

I’ve always been inspired by the style and feel of Robert Altman’s “anti-western” film McCabe and Mrs.Miller. Starring on and off screen lovers, super hot Warren Beatty and lovely Julie Christie (when others say Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly I’ve always said Julie Christie and Natalie Wood!). The reviews were mixed when it debuted in ’71 but it has been remembered well.  In honor of this film and as an outlet for my personal obsession for it, The Golden State will showcase a unique collection of furniture, clothing and accessories including one-of-a-kind and other items reminiscent of this masterpiece. Stay tuned…

We’re serving up fresh Limeade tomorrow at The Golden State from 12-4pm free slushies and delicious deals on all Limeade California. Designer Louise Kolesnikow will be here with a huge selection of  fresh bikinis and cover-ups, live models and lots of fun….see you then!

More happy campers this week as FEED Handcrafted Arts Summer Camp continues, located in the luscious natural setting of Big Red Sun in Venice. FEED founder Jane Kifer as their ever- fearless camp leader, showing them the ropes (literally) this week leading them all around the wonderful world of drawing. They were here, they were there, drawing indoors at the big farm table and outside under the trees.

I was there to treat them all to the Green Truck’s fresh watermelon juice at the end of the day! Next week’s campers get to explore all new territory of ropes and knots… what beautiful adventures! Space is super limited, see below for more details..

WEEK 3- JULY 18, 19, 20, 21   ENDED TODAY
Drawing
Charcoal, conte crayon, pencil, powdered graphite- brushes, fingers, paper towels
blind drawings, drawing negative space, line drawings, contour drawings, look at tonal values of white to black.  Explore composition, paper textures, pencil lead density and perception.
*Student keeps all drawings

WEEK 4- JULY 25, 26, 27, 28   SPACE STILL AVAILABLE!

Cord work

Various knots, braiding, twists and macrame patterns to create interesting strands to be used in key chains, bracelets, necklaces, or light pulls, curtain straps. Experiment with thick cord and thin string to achieve varying effects. Explore rope gauges, knots, patterns and color.
*Student keeps all finished and practice projects.

WEEK 5- AUGUST 1, 2, 3, 4

Crochet

Learn basic crochet stitches- furthering the skills individually based on the child’s progress. Chain stitch, single crochet, double crochet.  Make a scarf, a hat, a potholder, a square.
*Student keeps, project ball of yarn, crochet hook and finished piece

WEEK 6- AUGUST 8,9,10,11

Paper

Paper in all forms! Make our own activity/coloring books and learn to bind it. Create stationery. Make paper beads, both rolled and cut out paper with metallic pigments and varnish for durability. Use as pendants for jewelry. Create sewn greeting cards, wrapped in beads and string.
*student keeps all items made

$300 materials/kid/week

Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs. 10am-2pm    15 kids max, 2-3 teachers

Held at Big Red Sun 560 Rose Ave. Venice, Ca.90291

Ages 6 and up. Pack and bring a lunch. Snacks provided
All checks to be made out to:
Jane Kifer, Feed Hand Crafted Arts
Mail to: 752 California Ave. Venice, Ca 90291  (310) 428- 3937
feedhandcraftedarts@gmail.com

I thought it was a perfect time to start the Rose Avenue Collective, a group of us merchants here in Venice that provide unique products and experiences! From Lincoln Boulevard west to Main Street there are many reasons to “Stay on Rose”…

La Cabana

671/Groundworks Coffee

665/Rawsome Foods

633/The Guitar Connection

566/M.E.+Blue

564/The Golden State

560/Big Red Sun

Venice Beach Wines

523/Oscar’s

513/Flake

507/Moon Juice

Ranch Market

423/La Fiesta Brava

411/DNA

220/The Rose Cafe