Renaissance News

The Shop Is Closing But We're Still Here

2006-01-14T11:59:00.000-08:00

Yes, Renaissance will be closing it's shop doors on January 31. Up until then everything non-consignment is half price! Come in and get some deals on all those things you were wanting but couldn't afford!

Strong Chairs for sale

2005-12-15T11:44:00.000-08:00

The fortitude of our chair was tested yesterday by Tom and Priscilla, thanks guys. I really was wondering if it could withstand a pile driver...

New bath products! Rising Phoenix brand

2005-12-13T13:54:00.000-08:00

We're featuring a new line of handmade bath products under the label of Rising Phoenix. Come in and check out the bath salts, lip balms, and salt scrubs! With names like Vanilla Latte Scrub and Ginger Lime Salt scrub, it's enough to make your head spin and your nose dance. Delicious!

What in the heck is this?

2005-12-08T12:14:00.000-08:00

The Thingie - can anyone tell me what this is or what they think it is??? I really really want to know. Tom just brought it in and I am burning wth curiosity. I also want to hear all wild guesses. I need a good laugh and I'll post them.

Yay, and I Clap

2005-12-07T08:07:00.000-08:00

Looks like I'm having fun at the Halloween Party I put on ... it's amazing I don't look stressed out! By the way my outfit was made by Jen and she does custom stuff at Renaissance, so if you want any fantasy, fairy, Renaissance or bellydancing clothes, come in and make a custom order!

Halloween Party Photos are Leaking In

2005-12-07T07:59:00.000-08:00

Here's a photo of the snake dance by Jennifer Ramautar at the Chateau St. Croix Winery. Halloween is way too much fun.

I'm Back! - Jewelry Making Classes

2005-11-30T08:21:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! Please forgive my lapse, I've been sick with various annoying things for the past month! But the Halloween party was great and as soon as I get some cool photos I am going to post them. About 120 - 150 people came and it was a BLAST!

The newest thing at Renaissance is that I will be giving jewelry making classes this coming week:

Renaissance

I've received so many requests for having a jewelry making class, that I thought I would do a few before Christmas so that you can give the jewelry as gifts or wear it to your holiday parties! Please come in early to reserve your spot as space is very very limited! Call (715)222-4897 if you'd like more information, or stop in and visit!)

Gemstone Earrings Class will be Wednesday, December 7th at 3:30 in the Renaissance Shop - $18 includes class fee and all the materials for a gorgeous set of earrings. There will be a good choice of stones for you with both classes.

Gemstone Bracelet Class will be Friday, December 9th at 3:30 in the Renaissance Shop - $30 for class fee and all the materials, and you get to take the bracelet home - that's the same as getting a free class, since gemstone bracelets usually sell for $30!

Please come in to Renaissance with your class fee to reserve your spot in the class before the 6th. Classes are very small so that I can spend time with each person and be sure they are comfortable with the techniques. Remember, the new location of Renaissance is in the Franklin Square building in downtown St. Croix Falls (the old Ben Franklin).

If I fill both classes, more classes and events will be scheduled during the year taught by me and other artisans - so support your area artists! And let your own imagination loose!

Yet another great performer!!

2005-10-26T10:28:00.000-07:00

Elaina Morley, a middle eastern dance instructor from the area, will be performing a cane dance, in addition to the incredible line up we have already set for the Halloween Party at the Chateau (Scroll for details!). The response from the community has been incredible, providing performers and booths from every corner of the area. Keep it coming! Come get your $5 prepad tickets at the Renaissance shop on main street, or at the Chateau St. Croix Winery , or it's $7 at the door on the 29th.
Enter Your Imagination!

Laileea

2005-10-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

Here's one of the bellydancing performers that will be at the Halloween Costume party at the Chateau St. Croix on Oct 29th, 7-1am. Come in and buy your tickets now, here at Renaissance or at the winery!

Halloween Party Update! 2 new performers!

2005-10-19T11:48:00.000-07:00

Hi Rennies! There have been 2 additions to our evening on the 29th.

First of all Baron Von Doctaire will be telling ghost stories beginning at 11pm, so get ready to be creeped out.
And secondly Laileea will be performing a veil dance in addition to the bellydancing performers we've already scheduled. The veil dance is a romantic side to the rich array of the types of bellydance. Come get your tickets at Renaissance or at the Chateau St. Croix for $5 each or $7 each at the door on Saturday the 29th at the Chateau St. Croix Winery!

'Nother photo of the Outlaws

2005-10-13T10:08:00.000-07:00

Aren't they cute??? I don't know about you, but they don't seem to unhappy to be in the slammer. Must be the live music and illegal alcohol. Prohibition you know. Hey, I run a tight jail. (Photo taken at the Dam Bistro in St. Croix Falls, WI)

Helga and Kim! The Jailbirds (I meant lovebirds)

2005-10-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

These guys are notorious bootleggers - so we threw them in the clink at the party Monday. Great poetry delivery, by the way, Kimball! We love you guys! You always add a little glamour to every event.

Halloween Party at the Chateau presented by Renaissance and the Chateau St. Croix!

2005-10-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday October 29th, from 7pm to 1am, Renaissance and the Chateau St. Croix Winery are presenting a Halloween Costume Party! 21 and over, cash bar, $7 at the door or $5 prepaid at Renaissance or the Chateau.

Entertainment:
*All night dancing and music
*Gypsy/Belly dance demos, handmade Jars of Venus clothing booth, and free mini lessons
*Costume Contest
*Once in a Blue Moon with Crystal Balls and more
*Renaissance Booth with emergency masks etc. for sale, for procrastinators and collectors
*Henna Body Art!
*Costume Contest with Gift Basket as prize
* Palmistry by Linda
*Art Unveiling by Dustin Carroll
*Tarot Booth by Patty
*More Fun Booths than we can list!

Flapper Party Group Photo by Lisa Vitalis Photography!

2005-10-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

Thank you all so much, for helping me make this party so much fun - special thanks to Lisa Vitalis and Mandy Howard, for taking great photos for me, to Mike Schaar and Cynthia Rintala for the great mood music, and to all those brave enough to read their very personal poetry - thank you for sharing! And thanks for the impromptu performance, Jodi Jarchow (American Gypsy)! Also thank you Jennifer Ramautar, for the incredible gypsy dance performance. There was such a great vibe last night from everyone. Thanks for believing in poetry.
For the next event after Halloween at the Chateau!!!), I had several ideas:

girl's pajama party night out
murder mystery night at the Bistro or at the Chateau
plain old come as you are party open mic at the Bistro on another Monday, with live music etc. (by popular suggestion)
disco 70's night

Could you guys vote by leaving posts, or also leave any other suggestions you may have??? Thanks!!!

Love you all,
Amy

More Flapper Preparations for the 10th LOL

2005-10-05T11:22:00.000-07:00

Ella is glamming up with my favorite feather boa.
Come in to Renaissance for yours too! Then if you're lucky you'll be as lovely as she is.

Halloween Party on Sat, Oct 29 at the Chateau St. Croix

2005-10-05T10:07:00.000-07:00

Halloween Party presented by Renaissance and the Chateau St. Croix Winery coming up! Music, dancing, wine and a costume party. Come dressed to the teeth. Mwahahahahah!
7pm to 1am.

Feather Boas and Flapper beads in from Nawleans!

2005-09-30T09:39:00.000-07:00

Sarah and Lani from the Dam Bistro, where the Roaring 20's Flapper Party is to be held. Come get your boas and strings of pearls!!

Preparations for Flapper Party are Underway!!!

2005-09-29T10:35:00.000-07:00

Lovely Patty (our own interior designer for Renaissance) dressed in a vintage lace gown from Gracelyn's, and a feather boa from Renaissance. More boas and flapper style beads will be in at Renaissance by Wednesday, shipped straight from New Orleans (we have to support the businesses!) Come in and play dress up with us to get ready for the party! Here's a link for 20's style: http://www.fashion-era.com/flapper_fashion_1920s.htm
Enter Your Imagination!!!

2005-09-28T12:40:00.000-07:00

I am so pumped for this party. We've got 2 live performers for music plus all the great poets who are going to do readings!
Bring mad money because I'll have lots of long bead strings and feather boas etc, and there will be an excellent cash bar at the Bistro.
I have a few flapper type dresses here, and I'm working on a pattern for cute flapper hats and or headbands. Remember the cloche hat? You might even want to rouge your knees. Be sure to bring your compact - the rage was to apply makeup in PUBLIC. LOL Be here 7-11 on the 10th of Oct!

Poetry Anthology in the Works - Submissions Needed!

2005-09-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

Please come to the big Kickoff Party on October 10th! Fabulous Flapper Theme (Roaring 20's) with music, hors de eouvres, and poetry readings by local poets. PLEASE bring in your submissions if you'd like to participate in creating the anthology ! Or you may also submit them during shop hours at Renaissance or Menagerie. Come in 20's costume (I'll be getting in really cute flapper dresses, hint hint, for only $25 each - something you can wear to other places as well - and Halloween is coming up!) Guys wear your zoot suits. Or just a suit. For women, flapper costume is a straightish dress, lots of fringe, long long strings of beads, and close fitting hats or headbands with feathers (also will be for sale here... and probably at the party as well). If you want to just come for the free music and appetizers, and just want to buy a drink and party with us, please do, poetry lover or no!
Remember, dahling, everyone who's anyone will be here. See you at the Kickoff Party!!!

New Earrings

2005-09-07T15:48:00.000-07:00

Hey all, I finished some really great new jewelry. Come in and check it out! This is a smaller pair of peacock feather earrings. I also made a lot of chalcedony jewelry just today - and a pearl and silver bracelet.

Also, Jen's next session of belly dancing classes will be held in the building by Valley View Vet Clinic on Highway 8, starting Sept 19 (basics) and 22nd (intermediate). The cost is $43 and you need to prepay, because class space is limited! you can do that here at the shop. It goes for 6 weeks. Call (651) 257-5660 with any questions for Jen.

2005-08-31T13:35:00.000-07:00

This photo has absolutely nothing to do with what I'm going to write, but I just took it and it was a nice one. No, what I'm going to say is - the hurricane in New Orleans etc. was a doozie, with a lot of casualties - they just found 2 children who had lost their parents. There isn't much relief coming, and things are getting worse. Red Cross is doing a big push and I wanted to give a link so you could donate if you wanted... http://www.redcross.org - I don't know if it'll work as a link in the blog but you guys can cut and paste. It's really easy to donate from your credit card - we did it, go for it. They need you. They'll even accept $5 donations!
Enter Your Imagination

2005-08-06T12:18:00.000-07:00

Perpetual Motion

Foolish fingers, type these keys
The l and the o and the v�
Passion is so everyday now, how can I keep up this fervor?
But it won�t go away.
Grasping and greedy, this adoration
Ardor that makes me dream in the day
And separates me from the rest of the world�s venue

Dance on this thin line, while the world runs past my toes like sand
I can�t stop dancing these perpetual steps.
Why?
Enter Your Imagination

2005-07-27T16:39:00.000-07:00

Check out our new line of clothes! Modern Fae, so named because it reminds us of what a fairy might wear if she appeared on the scene today. Thanks to my gorgeous models Amanda and Paige!! Come in to check these great clothes out today!!
Enter Your Imagination

2005-07-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

Belly Dancing classes will begin August 1st and 2nd, every Monday and Tuesday for 6 weeks. The cost is $35 for all 6 weeks - come in to Renaissance and prepay and sign up, classes are small! Monday classes will be 1-2pm and 6:30-7:30pm, and Tuesday classes will be 7-8pm at Renaissance. Come in comfy clothes, complete outfits and belts are available at Renaissance if you want!
Enter Your Imagination

2005-07-07T17:11:00.000-07:00

Belly Dancing Classes coming soon!!!! They should be starting up on August 1, but Jen is still firming up the times and prices. I'll post when I know!!! I am also selling her gorgeous hand sewn belly dancing costumes for a great price here in the shop.
Enter Your Imagination

2005-07-02T16:01:00.000-07:00

Phoenix

Like a phoenix
I rise from the ashes
Again and again no flame can destroy me
I'm finaly ready
I know what I am
Truth and fantasy
Combined to reality
Here I am and I'm ready
My time's finnaly come
No one can destroy me
No words can undo me
Now I know my secrets
So like a phoenix, I rise from the ashes
Enter Your Imagination

2005-07-02T15:38:00.000-07:00

Hey, my incredible photography buddy Lisa Vitalis took this pic of me when we had a girl's night at the Peculiar Peacock. She is a professional photographer - if you want her to make you look this good call her at (715)755-2090. Just some more networking!!~!
Enter Your Imagination

2005-07-02T15:01:00.000-07:00

Behind my eyelids
You are hidden
My wide eyed love.
When I am alone
You kiss me
And all my ardor writhes
And exits
In a sigh.
Enter Your Imagination

2005-07-02T10:46:00.000-07:00

This is our new "sign", a gorgeous mosaic Renaissance Woman by Dustin Carroll. She stands in front of the shop on the sidewalk.n Everyone talks about the Renaissance Man - a well rounded, well educated man patterned after the life of Leonardo DaVinci. Well, here is the Renaissance Woman, - clothed vibrantly and almost pulsating with energy and life. Vive la differance!! She is a perfect symbol for the shop. Come to see her!
Enter Your Imagination

2005-05-12T08:57:00.000-07:00

The Elf King

You will emerge from oaken grove
From broken twig, my twilight love
The Elvenking, my Even song
With eyes like stars, and hair worn long

I know you reach for me, my love
Tonight your heart has wings, a dove
That beats through quiet starlit night
And looks for me throughout its flight

You dress in silver, gray, and deep
You walk my dreams and guard my sleep
Your hand smoothes back my hair, you kiss
The hollow of my throat, and this

Is how you dream of me - we meet
In moonlight, by the lake, our feet
Are wet from wading at the door
Of here and there, of waves and shore

And have we ever before met?
Or are we seeking strangers yet?
My hearts desire, I wait for you
As hearts on fire ever do.

Enter Your Imagination

2005-05-07T17:36:00.000-07:00

When I close my eyes its your eyes that I see
When I open them its all darkness
In your eyes I see the universe
An ageless timeless universe
In your kiss I feel eternity
In your arms I find a moment
A brief and fleeting moment
Enter Your Imagination

2005-05-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

torn

by lisa vitalis

what i did
what i do
who i am
i am who?
careful tongued
wild child
song's been sung
phone's been dialed
the me they see is the me they want
the me i see no one would want
am i fooling you
or am i not?
one foot on the ground
one foot in the air
which foot is which?
i do not care
tiny dagger in my heart
would you like to tear me apart?
push and pull, choose your side
i think i will just go and hide
cause there's no going back
no marching on
live with lack
or die alone
Enter Your Imagination

2005-04-27T14:32:00.000-07:00

Like last breath leaving
exhale
and
it's
...
gone-

Did you ever love a beautiful fantasy?
Enter Your Imagination

2005-04-27T14:31:00.000-07:00

Senses
Enter Your Imagination

2005-04-27T08:46:00.000-07:00

Can you find me? lol ~ Amy's day off...
Enter Your Imagination

2005-04-22T20:06:00.000-07:00

The here and not here
The have and have not
The touch without touching, feeling without expression, calling for you without a voice

Its a silent dance, all steps with no music,
But the pulse and the song hang heavy in the air
And I can feel your palm on my back although its not

Its like pressing my face to the glass window
Its like remembering the taste of honey
Like the feeling of water, like my hair falling across my skin, the sun on my neck when I lie in the grass

Its the song that makes me still and weeping when Im alone and no one can see me
How can I love it? And how can I not? I just woke up, I just came alive, I almost wish I hadnt
Its so bright it hurts my eyes, it hurts my soul
But something in me had never lived until the moment that I looked at you.

What is it? I cant grasp it, I cant stop it
I cant show it, what should I do with it? Its taking me over
My existence has slowed, stopped - Im quiet now,
But I feel like crying out

How long can I pretend that my hands dont want to touch you,
That I dont need you to hold me
That I just want to call you friend?
I have to fight it, for your sake and mine, for just a little while longer
But Im losing, Im losing.

What I wouldnt give for just one moment, unguarded, with you
If for one second I could look at your soul and you at mine, exposed
Then I could live through this until time says its blessings over us
But blessed or not, right or wrong, it doesnt matter
Its unchangeable
I love you.

Enter Your Imagination

2005-04-21T07:53:00.000-07:00

Pure Water

I will become pure water
And my silver sheen will be
Looking through my eyes, nose, lips
Dont try to kiss me or youll
Become

Danger is my hood
I look out at you with secret eyes
You cannot know me, can you?
Or are you
Just as much a danger to me?
Enter Your Imagination

2005-04-16T09:26:00.000-07:00

We were getting a little crazy last night. Bonde reminds me of ann exotic shriner. I think we have a little too much fun here sometimes...
Enter Your Imagination

2005-04-07T16:59:00.000-07:00

The Feeling of Singing

Music smooth as a womans hair
Honey, lipstick and currants come
To meet and kiss in my voice
And that is the feeling of singing.

Throat vibrating, brain electrified
And now Im a flute, now a growl
Now I purr and change posture
To accommodate the sounds, to make
Them round and rich, then they thin
And whisper, I cry in your ear and
Smoothly slide into a howl.

Here my soul is dark like the sun
Warm like the moon
Weightless like a ton of wet sand
To dig your toes into
Are you comfortable with my ambiguity
Sfumato - I am smoke
curling, twisting, disappearing
slow and where oh where did I go?

Nervously you look for me
I am hanging in the air
I am tangled in your hair
I am taking hold, partial control
your mind senses it only subtly
just a tingle - shhhh
just a mental slide
your eyes close and a smile
twitches the corners of your mouth
you lose your jealous hold on
reality, and my voice moves in.
Enter Your Imagination

2005-04-02T15:37:00.000-08:00

Here's the girls out front, such good little saleswomen!!! Peacock feathers a dollar apiece!!! Bonde and I were so proud! (Who can resist those faces)...
Enter Your Imagination

2005-04-01T12:42:00.000-08:00

Meeting in a Coffee House

Delicious tasting your mind,
I love the flavor of the day - café au lait
Look at my lips as I sip
And pout, youre too hot, and so
I have to blow
Softly across the top.
Shaded rush of chocolate and cream
Sensuous caffeine
Your eyes and mine across the cup and the steam
Low, husky voices reach across the table
And we drink deep our cups of mink and sable
How the mind wanders over the hot cup

1-21-05

Enter Your Imagination

2005-03-25T16:39:00.000-08:00

This is a wonderful photo of Lou Michaels, The Sports Guy, who wandered into the Seasons Building from wonderland or somewhere and made me laugh so hard I almost - well you know. Can you tell why??? LOL his website is www.minnesotasportspudate.com. Hey, Lou, you still owe me 12.50 plus tax for that hat...
Enter Your Imagination

2005-03-24T09:57:00.001-08:00

Running

Down the uneven slope of clover
Sinking feet learn to fly
And the slow burn in my legs
Sings a glorious release

Always run with one
Focus
Always toward where the land and sky
Meet.
Run toward that meeting,
That embrace,
That kiss -
The in-between place,
The gloaming.
Become comfortable being
Where
You are neither fully in one place -
Or another.

Run, and Run, toward ambiguity
Uncertainty
Mystery

That wonderful magic of the
Unknown
The water shore
The horizon
The faerie ring
The stratosphere

There is danger there, have courage, child
You may drown, you may be lost
You may be stolen away
Yes, you may be frozen without breath
At that place in your mind
Where fear ends
And imagination begins.

Or - maybe theyre wrong. Maybe they are the ones who are
afraid
of your glorious burning ravenous marvelous screaming imagining!

Maybe
(glorious word of words)
Maybe youll swim smiling
Eyes closed through an aqua lagoon
Maybe youll find your
Edge of the world and
Scream in ecstasy over it, and
Hear the echo with your outstretched hands
Maybe youll be taken in an eddy
Of dancing trees, to Fae
Maybe youll find you are Fae.
Maybe youll travel past the
Earths cold-hushed-hallowed limits
And find your vision filled
With velvet-backed stars, luminous

Maybe your breath will melt
One.
So -

Run.

-Amy Elizabeth Danielson
3-21-05

Enter Your Imagination

2005-03-24T09:57:00.000-08:00

New Poem for the week:
Enter Your Imagination

2005-03-22T14:38:00.000-08:00

New progress on woman weeping by local artist Dustin Carroll - she's now (semi) waterproof. Dustin just has to work out the bugs and she'll be ready for display and sale here at Renaissance soon!
Enter Your Imagination

Poetry Contest Winner

2005-02-17T09:36:00.000-08:00

Hi, everyone!!! We finally have the winner for the poetry contest. It's Deb Clover, for her poem Summer Solstice, featured on Renaissance's main page. Congratulations Deb! Wonder what you're going to get with your $30 gift certificate...
Oh, by the way, I'll post it in the next issue of the Ledger, too. So enjoy!!!

2005-02-16T12:56:00.000-08:00

Another of Dustin Carroll's pieces, on display here at the Seasons on the St. Croix Building. A recast of this piece was just sold, and he can do more for $1200 apiece.
Enter Your Imagination

2005-02-15T11:07:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the huge photo of myself down there - had to post it that way so i could photohost it. Did you know that Bonde opened Goochy Noochy's Coffee Bar in the front of the Seasons Building? Here she is sampling her wares... you should come in and do the same. Dustin Carroll (the sculptor of the piece 2 entries below) did the mosaic in the front, doorway, and on the counter inside. you have to see it.
Enter Your Imagination

Poetry Contest

2005-02-15T11:03:00.000-08:00

We've got the winning poem picked out by Osceola High teacher Mrs. Bowitz, but I have to run and pick it up. Sorry I'm late!! I know you've been waiting for it for a while.

2005-02-15T10:50:00.000-08:00

me.

2005-02-15T10:30:00.000-08:00

Dustin Carroll is working on a new sculpture/fountain for the hallway - it will be available for purchase in a few weeks.

new blog

2005-02-15T10:20:00.000-08:00

Here it is! If I can get it to work. The new blog for Renaissance.