Pure Craft"pen"manship

Have you noticed the unique wooden pens? There are also two-tone pens and letter openers. 

You can make it an even more special gift if you put it in a hand-crafted pen box. Functional, beautiful, and conversational piece for any desk.

The pens have a cool back-story (something you will find from our USA artisan products in the gift shop). Based in Windsor, CO, Randy designs and handcrafts each Marq ART Wood Design product. 


Randy is a 3rd generation marquetry craftsman.  His brother shares his passion and they started out in their teens developing a business out of a high school hobby of creating cut-coin jewelry.
When they left for college, their father bought them out with the intention of giving it a professional makeover.  Belt buckle designs were all the rage in those days and Randy’s father saw an opportunity with cut coin jewelry designs for belt buckles. 


That is when Uncle Al jumped in and offered some Marquetry designs.  Uncle Al learned the art from Randy’s grandfather, a traditional craftsman.  Needless to say, the Marquetry belt buckles quickly outpaced the cut coin ones.  In the meanwhile, Randy had returned home and his natural affinity to woodwork attracted him to the delicate, detailed elegance of marquetry. 



We don't have belt buckles, but we are proud to carry Randy's pens and wood boxes!

Fun Hummingbird Facts

Handcrafted in USA hummingbird feeders in the gift shop

 

Hummingbird visiting some flowers at the Cafe

• The bright radiant color on hummingbirds comes from iridescent coloring like on a soap bubble or prism.
• Hummingbirds are very smart and they can remember every flowerthey have been to, and how long it will take a flower to refill.
• Hummingbirds can see ultraviolet light.
• A hummingbird's tongue is grooved like the shape of a "W".
• The hummingbird's body temperature is around 107 degrees Fahrenheit.
• An average sized hummingbird will have about 940 feathers.
• A hummingbird baby is generally smaller than a penny.

Sweet Chocolate Hand-made Soap!!!!

It is my favorite of the new soaps in the Gift Shop from All Things Herbal. The most precious family creates amazing smelling hand-made all natural soaps in Minnesota and we ordered a whole new batch of their most awesome "flavors" of soaps! They look and smell AMAZING. Did I say AMAZING?

 

You can completely spoil yourself for less than $7! We have the Lemongrass-Calendula one in our bathroom as it is a great motivator for our 3 year old to wash those hands!

Bottom Right ~  Lemongrass and Calendula

 I LOVE the sweet chocolate but since my 3 year old might try to eat it, we'll wait a while before getting it.

No, it doesn't taste good, but it smells SO delicious :)

Red Clover Tea and Lavendar Oatmeal

New Irish-inspired soaps also~ in front Dublin Mint

Juniper Breeze is a GREAT smell for Men
(Joshua the manager's favorite..shhhh...going to get some for his birthday!)

Get one for a friend, one for your guest bathroom, and one for yourself! Make it an even more special gift by including a hand-thrown pottery soap dish made in the USA:)!

This Kitchen soap takes away that fish or garlic smell, using coffee grinds and other  great smells, only $6.95!!

Parties!

A fresh fruit salad is one of those things that makes me think "summer"!

 Picnics and gathering with friends is another "summer" thing. The Bear Creek Cafe opens it's doors to private events, offering a special place with delicious food to celebrate or just gather with friends. Think of us for your next party, picnic, or celebration! Bridal or Baby Showers, Birthday or Retirement Parties, or even a chef's table for a few of your closest friends for a special evening...we would be honored to make your party memorable!

a light buffet for a special summer party

Kaleidoscopes Anyone?

Our Gift Shop provides an array of unique and quality gifts to choose from. Kaleidoscopes are back on our shelves and make a great gift! 

We currently offer three kinds, one great for kids because it extends like a telescope, one that has a stand and is great for a desk, and one that is the coolest I have ever seen - there are glass "gems" and shapes suspended in water that enhance the ever-changing reflections in the kaleidoscope mirrors.

Parking Face-Lift

Last week, we all had to park around men hard at work giving our parking a face lift. The men tore up the old blacktop and laid down a smooth new black top. It is 100% ready for parking and traffic (and no more potholes)!

Here is a little clip for those little guys who love seeing dump trucks.

First Photo Contest @ BCC

Let's have a photo contest! We need pictures of our Bear Creek Cafe in action ~ so let's make it fun and worth your while! 

The winners chosen will be the cover photo featured on our Facebook Page, Posted on our Blog, as well as in printed out and displayed in the Cafe (a copy given to the winner)...plus, all winners throughout 2012 will be automatically put into a drawing for an end of the year Gift Certificate to the Cafe!

Rules:

1) We will accept photos throughout August 15, 2012 digitally transferred (email or uploaded to our Facebook page). The next contest will be during the fall and the third will be during the holiday season.

2) We will announce the winners Labor Day Weekend.

3) There are Five categories. Pictures can qualify for more than one category, but only win in one: 

     * People at the Bear Creek Cafe (Guests eating/talking/shopping/sitting)

     * Flowers at the Cafe

     * Birds (or animals ~ Mr. Turtle isn't shy about posing)

     * Pictures of the Bear Creek Cafe itself

     * Misc

4) Second and Third Place Winners will have their name placed one in the end of year drawing, First Place winners will have their name placed 3 times for the end of year drawing in addition to receiving an enlarged print of their picture in a special Bear Creek frame.

Pass the word out!