Make. It. MERRY.

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Make (v): "To bring into existence by shaping, modifying, or putting together material".
Make (synonym): artisan; handcrafted; handmade.

Make: play on synonyms listed above that describe pepperberry's 2011 holiday story!

My inspiration came from these two reindeer that were peeking around the corner of a neighboring showroom where I was placing an order while at the NYC market last January. I think they even called my name. "Oooohhhhh, I'll beeeee righhhht with yooooou." I said aloud with a twinkle in my eye! I finished up my business and went over to meet my new friends. It was love at first sight and I wasn't leaving without them. The vision of holiday 2011 began just 30 days into the new year and it was a fabulous start!

Yards of colorful fabric roping make my friends festively unique! But do they look like Christmas? In western PA? Not so sure. In my head? Without a doubt!

It was at the Dallas market that my decision to shape holiday around these guys was cemented. I was pleasantly surprised to find lots more fabric roping. Lots. As in, how about oversize spools of it!

But what are they for? I don't know. They were just sitting around in the booth of a new vendor where I bought funky repurposed stools, and a chunky knit throw. They didn't sell Christmas items. The spools just turned into Christmas items by default. They match my reindeer!

There are 58 yards of rope on each spool. You can use it to wrap packages, or as a doorstop, or... with a sturdy post to restraint a small child.....JUST KIDDING! All of you are actually way more creative than I am and it's been fun to hear how you will be using it!

On a more traditional note, but in keeping with the colorful, artisanal elements I was building on, I give you this nativity set. Every year I look for nativity sets that are different from the ones you usually see but to no avail. Finally, my hunt was over.

Look at the vivid colors, painted by hand on this 9 piece tin set. We gave it a place of honor, front and center when you walk in the door.

As it should be.
Now don't be shocked but, for the first time in pepperberry's history, we put up a Christmas tree! Not your traditional tree, mind you. I was thrilled to find this winter white {my favorite color} yarn wrapped branchy kind of tree, perfect for showing off the red, blue, green, & silver mercury glass mini ornaments! Soooo beautiful they are! It's not a holiday without mercury glass, and adding these bright mini's was just the twist we needed to keep it fresh {and on theme!}.
{all photos courtesy of Susan W. Patton Photography}


Pepperberry's is not a "decorations" store. I just put in enough to set the tone, make a statement. The holiday story is the most challenging, as well as fun; and the process never ceases to amaze me. Every year the holiday collection comes together and takes on a life of it's own once I hone in on my inspiration. Watching it develop, evolve, and reveal itself to me is magical.
It's my pleasure to present it to you along with my wish for you to
Make it MERRY.