Meet me at the summer festival - Hutzot Hayotzer

It’s a busy time here at the Barbara Shaw studio! The long sunny days, filled with tourists and kids off from school, naturally make the summer a busy and energized time. But even besides for the heightened summer activity, there is something that has me and everyone else here in an eager and excited frenzy. “What could it be?” you, my loyal blog followers, ask yourselves, and I’ll tell you! The thing that has gotten me worked up into a hectic and thrilling whirl of excitement is the Hutzot Hayotzer festival.

The Hutzot Hayotzer festival is a ten day cultural fair in Jerusalem, from August 15th until August 27th, and is arguably one of the biggest summer events in this city. Taking place by the Sultan’s Pool, opposite the Old City ramparts and the Tower of David, this 30+ year tradition is a combination of art, food, and music, from all over Israel and all over the world! Every night (except Friday), from 6 PM to 11 PM, groups of families and friends come out to enjoy stalls of over 150 of the best Israeli artists of all types, food and craft stands from all over the globe, children’s events, small shows of exotic singing and dancing, and big name Israeli music performances. The combination of the breathtaking view, mix of all cultures, and great, and family-friendly, atmosphere makes this one of my all-time favorite events of the year.

This summer will be the third year that I’ll be privileged to have an artist’s booth at the festival. It’s a critical time at the studio, preparing all of the merchandise for the big event, especially all of the new gifts and designs that I’ll be debuting there! Although it’s a bit busy and crazy here, I am so excited, because Hutzot Hayozer is such a spectacular experience! If you’re planning on being in Jerusalem during those 2 weeks in August, I urge you to come to the festival, it’s truly an amazing, and come and greet us, we’d really love to meet you!

Summer Eating

Summer is the time for luscious fruits and foods. What a treat to stroll through any market or even the local supermarket and see the cornucopia of colours. I think I would be happy to live on grapes and watermelon alone! While Israel is not often thought of as a gourmet capital I believe it is. As the country is so small, the distances between the orchard to market is minimal so the freshness doesn’t have time to be squandered in transport. Being a country of immigrants with each group bringing rich culinary traditions wonderful eateries reflecting a myriad of cultures exists, yours for the picking!

Ira Ginsburg designed my new “I love Israeli Foods” apron and dish towel which reflects the wonderful eclectic variety of yummy dishes we all eat on a daily basis. Someone remarked, “but are they Israeli”? Well, we adopted them from lots of places over the years; Kube soup from Kurdistan, to Gefilte fish from eastern Europe to watermelon and Bulgarian cheese from Greece! Why not work your way around all the foods on the apron, but perhaps not all on the one day... :-)

Here is one of my favorite summer salads, so quick and tasty – takes just 5 minutes and is always a hit.

Barbara's super and simple mushroom salad:

Ingredients:

1 punnet of mushrooms

A handful of chopped parsley

A small onion chopped finely

Method:

Slice the mushrooms, or leave whole if they are small, and put in a bowl,

Mix with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste

Like us on facebook to win a free apron + dishtowel gift set this week, in our tasty new print, illustrated with Israeli dishes!

facebook.com/pages/Barbara-Shaw-Gifts

Pesach Goodies

When in Jerusalem come and visit our store at No 2 Bezalel street or shop on line at http://www.barbarashawgifts.com/. We have one of the most innovative shop windows designed by the ever creative Tova Safra.+ large selection of surprising gifts inside. Lots of Matza themed ideas. Bezlale street is a great place to hang out on Friday mornings when there is a fund arts and crafts fair  which will be on during Chol Hamoed Too.

Ma Nishtana Spring is in the air

Have had a great time producing lots of new items, for Passover. Started a new ceramic line have a range of Seder plates. Tova Safra is my new in house designer and its thanks to her that I am going into new medium.

Pesach items on my website  are located at http://www.barbarashawgifts.com/pl_products~6~40.htm

Sweeten the New Year

For the new year I have a new design - called "Be the head and not the tail" which is a saying taken from the Tanach and said on Rosh Hashana. The extremely talented Ira Ginzburg was the designer. She also designed my pomegrnate range one of my signature designs.

New Bezalel Store now open!!

So excited that my new store has opened. Tova Safra did a wonderful job of designing every detail of the store. Really wanted a streamlined uncluttered place with a sense of clear style and colour and line. Have a look and let me know what you think.
I have a fig leaf in my logo and opposite in the old Bezalel building there is a wonderful grand Fig Tree growing.

I have included a fabulous range of jewellery from Elk Accessories, in resin wood and silver. Have also stocked funky lines of lamp-shades, purses and have extended the baby line.

I am constantly looking for exciting new designers, I do aim to spot light Israeli designers. So if you are one or have friends be in touch.

Gearing up to Launch Second Store In Jerusalem

After searching for about a year I have found what I think is a great new location for my second store. No 2 Bezalel St. I'm nervous and anxious but feel I jsut have to do it. I working on the design plans at the moment with my wonderful designer Tova Safra. Would like to have the same look and feel as my first store but also have some surprises. Looking to open just after the 20th of July.
Bezalel is a wonderul street with great shops and coffee shops there a  fun artists market on Fridays. Love the feel of the street. See you there!!