It’s far too long in coming (better late than never, I suppose), but here are some of the amazing and new to me places we visited that day…

I love ice wine, so when I saw the ice wine loose teaf tea at Cupteavity, I had to bring some home for myself. It’s delightfully sweet-tasting, even with no added honey or sugar, and really does taste like ice wine! Just as ice wine’s not an every day beverage, this tea is definitely something for special occasions. It was definitely a good purchase. They have a bevy of amazing flavors in stock, and I’d recommend checking out their online store or their B&M store if you’re in town — they’re at 88 South Main.

This is a perfect example of why I should write these posts the day of the experience and not six week later – I don’t remember the name or exact location of this next shop. So…on the far end of Main Street (on the same side as Cupteavity) next to the hookah dealer is a small shop that sells beads and Native American items. Lois and I picked up quite a few strands of beads that day, including the green stone in my new “Chosen Path” menswear piece pictured here. She had an interesting selection and plenty of stories to tell…do stop in if you get the chance.

I was far too enthralled by the food and the people to take pictures while we were there, but Italian Cucina at 95 South Main is possibly the best off-the-beaten-path restaurant I’ve been to in my life. A side note: I used to be a caterer; my dad’s a chef. I’m super-critical about restaurant food, and usually don’t care a heck of a lot for it. This? Was incredible. Joe Lombardi, the owner, and his sidekick/restuarant manager, whose name I have sadly forgotten, catered to our every whim, telling us outrageous stories and making sure we left well-fed. And oh, gods, the food. I had butternut squash raviloi in a cinnamon-sugar butter sauce that was lunch, dessert, and paradise all in one bowl. I don’t remember what Mer and Lois ate…I was too busy trying to inhale my food. And, of course, now I’m getting hungry. The food was drop-dead amazing, the people are fabulous, and it’s totally off the main path. We’re told it’s a favorite of the locals and I can totally see why…it’s enough to make me want to move to New Hope. They don’t have a presence online, so click the map above for directions on how to get there.

So, fearless readers, what are your favorite New Hope haunts?

Our loyal customer Kate picked up our Melange necklace at a show over the holidays. A hefty, striking necklace in deep amethyst and earthy moukaite, she loved it so much that she asked for its cousin in shades of blue and grey. I used the corrugated same spacer beads as the original to give the same overall effect and combined them with cool grey marble and tons and tons of sodalite to create Melange’s cousin, The Blue Spice. The orignal and custom pieces are below. (Click to embiggen)

Just like the custom ocean jasper set I did a few months ago for Sally, this was a ton of fun to work on. If you’re looking for your own custom piece — for a special event, gift, wedding, or just because — we’d love to create something for you. Contact us today to get started.

And don’t forget to stop by Simply SOTA in New Hope tomorrow to support your local artisans!

SOTA is located at 26 N. Main Street in New Hope; click here for directions. Hope to see you Saturday!