Kim's Corner
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The Acorn Doesn’t Fall Far From the Cool Tree
I’m a fan of a hotel - the Grand Californian Hotel - strange but true. Many of my favorite cool thing can be found here. From the Breakfast Buffet at Storytellers, to the shredded beef tacos at White Water Snacks to the goat cheese stuffed grape leaves and roasted garlic at the Napa Rose - but, it’s not all about eating at the GCH. I can spend time listening to the piano player in the lobby or go upstairs to appreciate the view from the fourth floor deck - it’s worth a visit just to visit. And then there’s Acorn Gifts & Goods, the hotel’s sundry shop. Well, it’s a whole lot more than that.
The hotel just “feels�? like California to me - from the use of redwood in its Workman styled architecture to the use of the California Poppy motif throughout - it’s a wonderfully welcoming space. Acorn is part of that - you can find almost everything to make your resort stay more comfortable - from a selection of stuff you most likely forgot to pack to serious gifts and goods. I like the new golden poppy logo line - apparel to pins - and the hotel’s own logo line also sells well. I like the design of the space itself - bisected into two sales spaces - the shop offers resort guests everything from $0.50 postcards to $650.00 Van Briggle Art Pottery.
It’s this line I think merits a cool mention - it’s superb - even if it’s not produced in California. I’ve always had a thing for art glass and fine art pottery - don’t know where it came from but I’ve always loved the stuff. Van Briggle pieces really appeal to me - and I own three pieces and am considering joining their Collectors Society - and I don’t even belong to the Disney version. If this product line appeals to you, stop by Acorn Gifts & Goods and take a look - or you can visit their web site at
www.vanbriggle.com or write for a catalog - Van Briggle Art Pottery, Post Office Box 96, Colorado Springs, CO 80901, (719) 633-7729.
The sales space is open and well lit - and the merchandise is well displayed. The range of product is probably the most diverse in the resort - plush to art pottery.
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The poppy motif works well with this representation of Grizzly Peak. This vibrantly colorful enamel box sells for $125.00.
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It's companion frame sells for $40.00.
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I really love this GCH Golden Poppy logo - it's elegant and whimsical - combining the poppy motif and Grizzly Peak - even has a hidden Mickey. This is an open stock rack pin and is available at Acorns and at other DCA locations. It sells for $6.50.
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I was knocked out by this product line - I'm a fan of the art pottery designs of the 20s and 30s. These items are made by the Van Briggle Art Pottery Company. Price points range from $25 for the art tiles and smaller vases to $650 and more for the larger vases.
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Established in 1899, the Van Briggle studios have been making art pottery. The award winning designs and bold use of color and their own satin matte glaze makes this line very collectable.
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Motifs from nature and the human form are incorporated into the design - the soft lines and vibrant colors are hallmarks of the Van Briggle studios.
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This is a cool vase - at $650.00 a bit out of my price range - but beautiful none the less. 17½-inches tall it's called "The Despondency" and is produced from one of studio founder Artus Van Briggle's designs first produced in 1900.
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-- Kim Petersen
Kim's Corner is normally posted the fourth Monday of each month and at other times for merchandise updates.
The opinions expressed by our Kim Petersen, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
-- Posted June 10, 2003