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::DEPARTMENTS:: Market Makers Magical Moments Jill Gurule plays with clay. In a quiet, rural setting in Alameda, she maintains a clay studio on the property she shares with her husband, son, and dog. A self-taught artist, Gurule has explored the art of hand-forming clay figures and scenes for the past 20 years. The remarkable group of old New Mexico mission churches, nativity scenes, and Native American and Spanish figures carefully crafted under her skilled hands captures magical moments in New Mexico’s history and time-honored cultural traditions. “I’ve completed 10 old New Mexico mission churches so far,” she says. “Most have between 50 and 60 people, benches, and animals around them. I make the church first and then scale the people to size. When I begin, I have no idea how the entire scene will turn out.” Gurule’s 14- to 20-inch-high figures are usually crafted in active positions and colorfully dressed in traditional attire. The intricate beadwork on some of these figures is actually tiny glass marbles that are sprinkled onto the characters like glitter. Elmer’s glue keeps them in place. Each clay figure is painted and kiln-fired. Some are adorned with 22-karat gold. The Christmas season, a particularly special time of the year for Gurule, inspires the clay worker to experiment with new designs. She always enjoys making a Santa and dozens of tree ornaments such as Madonna with Child, angels with halos, and saints. Her multifaceted nativity scenes are very popular. Ornaments sell for as little as $4 while nativity scenes can cost $1,000. “ Working with clay is fun rather than a chore,” Gurule explains. “I love letting my imagination go and seeing what new designs I can create.” Jill Gurule, The Shop–A Christmas Store, 116 E. Palace Ave., Santa Fe, NM, (505) 983-4823. Luxurious hand-woven rayon and cotton upholstery fabric is Joyce Wilkerson’s trademark. A formally trained painter and printmaker, Wilkerson views her computerized loom as a giant paintbrush and the cloth as her canvas. She gathers inspiration from nature, the New Mexican landscape, and Japanese sensibilities. “My loom has 16 to 24 harnesses, which allows me to create complex designs,” she says. “The computer attached to the loom helps me and my weavers remember the intricate design patterns.” Wilkerson spends hours at the computer inventing new designs. Six to eight colors are woven into each fabric to help create the lush look that accompanies the fabric’s rich feel. She uses a palette of warm earth tones, subtle neutrals, and bright jewel colors. A New Mexico resident since 1972, Wilkerson began her career in textiles as a clothing designer and manufacturer, and continues to create a line of custom hand-woven chenille jackets. She entered the interior fabric marketplace eight years ago. Showrooms in Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle showcase her work. Three weavers help keep up with the brisk demand. Wilkerson’s collection includes 50 interior fabrics in textured and non-textured looks. She often adjusts color schemes to complement specific interior decors. Fabrics range from $100 to $250 per yard. Joyce Wilkerson, (505) 243-5670, jwweave@earthlink.net The warm glow of candles is often accompanied by dripping wax marring their surfaces. In contrast, beautifully tapered Chace Candles never burn down or drip. A spring unit inside a metal shell pushes wax refills with cotton wicks up to the flame. Refills are easily inserted into the candle’s body. Founded in 1947 on the East Coast, the company’s products have graced the most elegant of interiors. Chace Candles have been burning in the White House since the Eisenhower administration. Military personnel and dignitaries from around the world have ordered the candles, which are used by restaurants, clubs, and banquet rental businesses. In 1975 Sandra Butler purchased Chace Candles, then moved the company to Albuquerque in 1990. Butler has increased the number of colors, added taller candles, and greatly expanded her markets. Chace currently sells across the United States, in Canada, and throughout the Far East. “The candles are perfect for weddings because they stay at the same height all evening, and there’s no clean-up involved,” Butler says. The company recently received a patent for its new safety flame cover, a fire-prevention device. Chace Candles are available in six heights and 19 different colors. They retail between $11.25 and $27.60, with wax refills costing approximately 25 cents each. Chace Candles, Inc., 4208 Balloon Park Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109-5802, 1-800-225-2250, (505) 344-3413, www.chacecandles.com. TThe custom cabinets created by Escalto DesignWorks add elegance and warmth to homes throughout New Mexico. Though Joseph Yeske and Bruce Allison set up the Tijeras shop just last year, each brings 25 years’ experience in woodcraft and design to the business. “We’re on the leading edge because we push the design envelope,” says Yeske. “While we duplicate cabinetry finishes, each job is tailored to the specific needs and desires of individual customers. We listen to what cabinetry work people have in mind for their homes and offer ideas about what else is available to them.” Kitchen cabinets and islands, sideboards, hideaway beds, entertainment centers, fireplace mantles, and entry and passage doors are hand-crafted in a variety of woods and styles. “Cherry, maple, and alder woods are hot right now,” says Yeske. “Seven or eight finishes may be applied to the wood, depending on what the customer wants. There’s always some kind of finish on the wood, clear or otherwise.” Although Yeske and Allison have created cabinetry for few traditional Southwestern homes, a number of contemporary Southwestern homes feature the artisans’ work. One of their most unusual kitchen jobs involved a bake center that looks like a freestanding hutch but is actually built-in cabinetry. Escalto DesignWorks’ careful attention to detail was recognized in the 2000 Albuquerque Homes of Enchantment Parade, where cabinets were featured in two award-winning homes, and in the 2000 Santa Fe home tour, which honored Escalto with three Best Kitchen awards. While the company’s elaborate custom work is often seen in higher-end homes, basic freestanding entertainment centers and kitchen islands cost $600 and $1,200, respectively. Escalto DesignWorks, Inc., P.O. Box 2616, Tijeras, NM 87059, (505) 281-0198, (505) 259-9310. Like what you see? Subscribe here. |
The remarkable group of old New Mexico mission churches, nativity scenes, and Native American and Spanish figures carefully crafted under Jill Gurule's skilled hands captures magical moments in New Mexico’s history and time-honored cultural traditions. |
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