Personalizing, embellishment and glitter. These three words express the decorating and gift trends for the 2004 holiday season.
Jana Johnson-Label of Joyworks in Snohomish knows exactly what people are looking for, and her shop is ready to provide it.
Its silver, glitter, tinsel and glass beads, Johnson-Label explained. Everything is really fancy this year.
She indicated a stylish tinsel tree covered with unique sparkling ornaments. Each decoration has a vintage or retro feel, but is in fact a brand new reproduction and far more affordable than its authentic counterpart.
We always have the tinsel trees and of course, anything that sparkles, people will love, she said.
Some of Joyworks customers go for this new vintage look because its what they remember seeing at their own house or their grandmothers house when they were small. But most just seem to be naturally drawn to the timeless styles.
Decorations and ornaments at Joyworks start at about $2 and range up to $15. There is something in everyones price range, whether theyre looking to decorate their own tree or are simply participating in an ornament exchange with friends or family. Delicate sparkly beaded garlands start at $6.99. Joyworks also sells the small tinsel trees themselves. These come in several colors starting at $15.99.
Then there are the little houses, snowmen and the Santas everything to go with them, Johnson-Label said.
The glitter and glamour dont stop with holiday decorating. She is seeing the same trend in gifts.
Gift-wise weve been selling anything thats girly. Whether its black with pink polka dots, shoes, poodles or anything with velvet, boas and fluff. People like diamonds and sparkles and beads. Its like they took the French theme and just made it more feminine. Its very much the Jackie-O glamour, but brought up to date.
Dcor items with mottos such as Its All About Me or You Go Girl have been selling well. Another popular item at Joyworks is the framed reproduction vintage print starting at $16.95. Dainty ladies shoe advertisements rub shoulders with reminders of Hollywood glamour and are just the thing for decorating a feminine bedroom or bath.
Joyworks also has a special area aimed at members of the Red Hat Society. This national group of women, with their red hats and purple dresses, meet regularly for luncheons and teas. Club members are often seen in Snohomish.
We have cards, clothes, accessories and gifts for the Red Hat ladies, Johnson-Label said. They often come in here to buy their hats to wear out to tea.
The store carries a large selection of clothes, all new but with an elegant vintage feel. Satin bows, flowers and brooches are making a big comeback and are among the most requested styles.
Scarves are always a big seller during the holidays and Joyworks has a wide variety of colors and textures from $12 to $28.
The store is also known for hostess gifts. The regular gift collection includes an array of household items that can be mixed and matched. Popular themes include the white room, a blue and yellow collection and the bistro or caf theme.
We try to do things by color and theme, Johnson-Label said. People really like that. We have a lot of things where people can put together a towel, a bowl, ornaments or napkins and create a unique affordable gift. Our store isnt a real expensive store.
Clarice Johnson, owner and founder of Joyworks, agreed. We have lots of little affordable things, she said.
Johnson, who is Jana Johnson-Labels mother, opened the shop about 25 years ago. It all started when she went to an art fair on the waterfront and saw an attractive display of flowers. She went home and reproduced it with flowers out of her yard. From there she started doing crafts with a neighbor. Soon her work was on consignment and appearing at home shows and craft fairs. Eventually she moved into a shop and Joyworks was born.
It started as mostly floral arrangements and that sort of thing. Then we started buying other stuff to go with it, she said.
We were one of the first country-themed stores, Johnson-Label said. My mom was a pioneer.
Since then the shop has been through several significant moves and upgrades. What appears to be a small single shop from the outside actually encompasses the space of three stores inside, with a second level to match. Overall its 5,000 square feet of retail space.
And it just keeps growing, Johnson-Label said.
Joyworks is located in downtown Snohomish at the corner of First Street and Avenue A. Regular store hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Holiday hours start with the citys Home for the Holidays celebration on Nov. 26. Most Snohomish merchants, including Joyworks, will remain open until 7:30 p.m. on Fridays through Dec. 17. For more information on store location or hours, call (360) 568-5050. n
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