5/16/09 Made by Local Hobbits

This cracked me up: “These necklaces are made right here in Sedona by local hobbits.” Background: I was on the phone with a friend from WV. At the same time, a couple young ladies were in the store browsing through the jewelry. At Sedona Green, most of our merchandise is made in Sedona by local artists and craftspeople. Also, most Sedona artists have what we call a “Sedona Name.” A Sedona name is often intended to convey how in-touch with your spirituality you are: Enlightenment, Moon Heart, Sedona Harvest -- assumptive titles that typically have the opposite of the intended effect. The more original artists and “healers” choose Sedona names that fit their personalities, such as “Dizzy Bear" "Wild Fire" or "Hobbit." (And, no, I don’t have a Sedona name. Maybe some day ... probably not.) Anyway, so I’m on the phone, and one of the ladies begins fingering a sterling-wrapped turquoise pendant that’s sitting on the counter. I ask my buddy on the phone to hold on so I can tell the lady about the pendant. I tell her it’s Kingman turquoise, known for it’s pastel green hues, and that the silver wrapping is done right here in Sedona by local hobbits. A laugh comes through the phone. “Did you just tell someone a necklace was made by local hobbits?” OK, now I’m confused. The Sedona name of the wire-wrap artist is “Hobbit.” That’s what I meant to say. “Did I say it’s made by local hobbits? I mean, it’s done locally by a hobbit -- I mean, a local craftsman named Hobbit.” The lady seems confused. “Are there hobbits in Sedona?” My friend on the phone is laughing. I don’t know what to say. “Uh … well, there’s one that I know of, and he made this necklace.”

I attended “Conversations in Music and Dance” last night at Sedona’s newest creative arts venue, Studio Live, located on Coffee Pot Drive. “Conversations” featured my buddy, pianist David Vincent Mills playing a hour of impromptu tunes as Hillary Moore interpreted the music with dance. It was fun. And definitely a “Sedona thing” to do on an evening out. I haven’t been getting out as often as I used to since we moved Sedona Green Gallery & Gifts to a higher foot-traffic location -- I’m busy all the time now. But it’s a good kind of busy.

Artist Tara McGovern recently added “Javelina Rocks” to her items for sale at Sedona Green. She paints the cutest javelina I’ve ever seen on river rock -- much cuter than the Javelina On Parade sculpture around Sedona. I’ve a thing for javelina. Not sure why. They’re not very nice creatures. Two weeks ago, The Red Rock News featured a story of a local man who, in attempting to shoo a pack of javelina out of his yard, found himself in the emergency room with a broken hand and a bite on his upper, inner thigh. Ouch! I, myself, always give javelina the right-of-way. And when they’re in my yard, I leave ‘em be. Haven’t had any in my yard for months, though. I don’t have any plants growing in my yard, but Sedona residents with vegetable or flower gardens have to be on constant alert for these 50-lb rodents. Javelina will eat anything -- they’ll eat your house cat if they catch it. Some of my favorite Sedona stories involve javelina -- let me link you back to this one from Sept. 2008 about my friend swimming pool javelina experience. “Javelina and a Swimming Pool.”

I will try to keep the blog better updated over the summer. No excuses. This spring I’ve had a number of blog readers visit the store and introduce themselves. That’s always a treat for me. Fun to hear that this blog provides a chuckle and, occasionally, useful information to folks with an interest in the real Sedona, or what it’s like to live in a tourist town. Two weeks ago, a tourist told me this is the only Sedona blog that isn’t a front to selling lodging or time shares. Good to hear it’s appreciated. And I truly appreciate it when you folks drop by the store and introduce yourselves. Blog more at you soon. -- Mike