The streets in downtown Mountain View will be transformed into a stunning visual feast of fine art and one-of-a-kind handmade crafts for A La Carte & Art, May 17-18. Meet 250 extraordinary artists and craftmakers and stroll among well-stocked booths filled with dazzling jewelry, functional ceramics, breathtaking photography, wood carvings, boutique-quality fashions, watercolor landscapes, shimmering glass vessels, leather goods, original jazz music and much more at Mountain View’s popular springtime festival of the arts.

Dean Johnson rock sculpture Ilona Hindt wool felt sculpture

Sculpture and Mixed Media
Mountain View artist Dean Johnson stacks rocks from lakes in California and the Sierra Nevadas to form gorgeous stone sculptures. “I love going to A La Carte & Art because it’s very relaxing and gives me a chance to reconnect with old friends,” Johnson said. Speaking of relaxing, “Tranquility in a bottle” is how Joy and Dwight Dagenais of Las Vegas describe their soothing wine bottle fountains. Since these vineyard-inspired creations don’t splatter, they can be used inside or outdoors. Los Altos Hills resident Ilona Hindt makes wool character sculptures. She buys freshly-shorn wool, washes it and dyes it in a variety of colors. Next, she pokes the wool with a needle and shapes it into sculptural forms. Choose from fairies, dragons, farm animals, people, trolls, puppies, kittens and much more. Tony and Qing Lee of Menlo Park sell insect paperweights. Choose from honeybees, butterflies, ladybugs and their most popular –– scorpions and tarantulas! The Lees also make insect boards used in schools across the United States. They also give discounts for teachers since they are strong proponents of education. Millbrae artist Lin Jon Lee makes whimsical hanging mobiles. She combines chicken feathers and wood to make flying pigs, horses, turtles, hippos, rabbits and chickens. Since they are waterproof, all mobiles can be hung outside year round.

Laura J. Wilde kaleidoscopes
Chandra Callaway stained glass

Functional Art
Morgan Hill resident Bob Allen carves boxes and flower vases from redwood driftwood. The natural sculptures look as if they are fresh from the salty beach. No living tree is damaged or cut for Allen’s work. A floral designer fills each vessel with colorful silk flowers. Do you need a fantastic stress buster? Check out Laura Wilde’s colorful kaleidoscopes. They make great gifts and are a perfect detour from the daily grind. The artist uses acrylic covered with pretty papers and materials. Kaleidoscopes are filled with glass beads, charms and pieces of metal. “What I look through and see is a little bit different from what you look through and see,” Wilde said. Another soothing home accent is a Bonsai tree from Elk Grove resident Tu Tseng. Bonsai trees go hand-in-hand with today’s popular Zen home décor theme. Chandra Callaway of Milpitas sells wonderful stained glass gifts. After winning a lump sum in the California lottery during the early 1990s, she quit her full time job to pursue her dream of becoming a copper foil stained glass artist. Callaway is respectful of everyone’s budget and loves to help her customers shop for gifts in the $25 to $30 price range. Choose from sparkling glass candleholders, window hangings, terrariums and more.

	Nathan Blunt photography
	Amy Steinberg painting		Nathan Blunt photography

Fine Art
Wine corks, rustic fishing boats, vibrant fall foliage, Asian architecture –– Vacaville photographer Nathan Blunt has traveled the world to find interesting subjects for his color and black and white photography. Blunt has a knack for stripping away frills to uncover minimalist images. “I try to take complicated subjects, such as two boats crossing in a river, and present them in a simple, clean, elegant manner,” Blunt said. Errol Specter of Ben Lomond is a true Renaissance man. He has dabbled in everything from music to ceramics to leather wall art. He will be selling his inspirational nature CDs, which provide a peaceful backdrop for meditation and relaxation. Arizona artist Doug Horne uses computer technology to make pop art. He begins with a pencil drawing, scans the image and applies color. The artist is crazy about ’40s and ’50s vintage cars, tiki bar scenes and restaurant signs. Horne describes his work as “moody yet colorful.” Morgan Hill artist Amy Steinberg paints contemporary images of dream destinations such as Paris, Venice and 20th Century India. Her work combines paint and collage elements to put a modern spin on traditional themes. Randy Snyder’s beautiful Raku hand-thrown vases, bowls and candleholders are stunning in just about any room. The Rohnert Park artist prefers the Raku technique because of its spontaneity –– hot flames crawl up the pottery and result in a coppery, iridescent glaze.

Sandy Armagost earring, bracelet and necklace Frances Casey vintage button bracelet David Lilienthal T-shirt

Wearable Art
Sandy Armagost of Mammoth Lakes sets gorgeous semiprecious stones in silver. Her pieces are modern and delicate. The artist is intrigued by the healing powers of stones. Her personal favorite? Carnelian – a deep, translucent reddish-orange stone. Cotati artist Napoleon Paz crafts leather bags lined with tapestry. Since tapestry is stronger than regular lining, the bags are extremely durable. The popular hobo style has spanned the pages of all the spring 2008 fashion magazines. Check out the Paz hobo in all sorts of stylish colors. Inspired by the elegance of the Victorian Era, Frances Casey strings vintage button jewelry. The Mendocino resident uses mother of pearl, silver, glass and shell buttons purchased from private collectors. Casey’s oldest button was made in 1840. Unlike other button jewelers, she keeps the vintage shanks on her buttons so each piece maintains its historical value. Fremont resident David Lilienthal’s Welsh corgi, Corky, inspired a whimsical line of men’s and women’s shirts and hats. The artist’s soft cotton creations feature Lucky, the dare-to-live dog, doing all sorts of outdoor activities. “The lovable dare-to-live dog celebrates life,” Lilienthal explained. “Though faced with obstacles, he always embraces the possibility of triumph, inspiring us to dare to live.”