Don't Forget - We're Opening Tonight at Portfolio Coffee House, starting at 7pm

We're taking a quick break from our final Pop Up preparations to invite you once again to join us tonight (Friday 12/18) at Portfolio Coffee House for the LB Pop Up Shop Holiday 2009 Opening Night Event.

I feel like there should be a drum roll and cymbal clash, or one of those retro "tah-dah" horn blasts in there somewhere. Maybe you'll indulge me and imagine it. There. Wasn't that cool?

Anyway, please stop in. We'll be at it from 7 pm to 10 pm. And it's going to be as good as it sounds, we promise.

2 Days 'til the LB Pop Up Shop pops up at Portfolio Coffee House on 4th Street!

I've never been very good about keeping news under wraps. And right now I'm bursting, really.

I want to tell you everything about everything we're cooking up for the LB Pop Up Shop holiday event this weekend. Unfortunately, my fellow Poperatives have sworn me to secrecy about certain things. Like this year's very different Pop Up Shop look and feel, complete with live Christmas trees from toddschristmastrees.com. And the live music we're having at our Opening Event on Friday evening (12/18 -- 7 pm to 10 pm). And most definitely the Secret Santa Mystery Gift that you can snag if you present one of our postcards* to any of the Poperatives manning the Shop this weekend.

Rest assured, it will be all I can do to hold back. The best thing for all of us would be for you to stop in and experience it for yourself.

Something I can share with all of you is the work of one of our new LB Pop Up Shop artisans, Anna Bae. Anna is a Long Beach artist, textile designer, art instructor, and fashion and costume illustrator whose hand-painted silk scarves and accessories have been showcased in greater-LA museum stores and local boutiques:

No silk-screening or mass production here. Each piece features hand-drawn images that are painted with dyes and then steamed for up to 4 hours to produce rich, brilliant colors.

Several of my most fashionable girlfriends back east were lucky recipients of Anna's sleek, chic silk eyeglass cases a few holidays back, and they rave about them to this day. I predict you will rave as well.

I also predict that you'll be seeing more updates to this blog as we get closer to Opening Night. We hope that you'll check back and we hope that you can join us this weekend.

Cheers!

Your Long Beach Poperatives

LB Pop Up Shop Holiday Event

Portfolio Coffee House - 2300 4th Street, Long Beach

Friday 12/18 -- 7 pm to 10 pm (Opening Event)

Saturday 12/19 -- 9 am to 5 pm

Sunday 12/20 -- 9 am to 5 pm

*Postcards can be found for the taking at shops throughout Long Beach, including (spoiler alert) Portfolio Coffee House.

Featured Artists: LB Pop Up Shop 2009 Holiday Edition

We have several of your favorite artists/Poperatives from our 2008 Holiday Pop Up Shop back by popular demand, including:

Jennifer Alden -- Jennifer Alden Design

Since last we Popped Up, Jen has been quite busy making both new merchandise and a big name for herself throughout the greater LA retail scene. You can find her handcrafted fashion accessories, home items, and artwork in an increasing number of local boutiques and on her just-launched website, www.jenniferaldendesign.com

We're bringing you some of the most sought-after items in her collection, all in one hot shopping spot.


Chris Giaco -- Circle Six Books



Circle Six Books continues to offer the most eclectic gift book and all-occasion card selection you'll find anywhere in Long Beach, and Chris has pulled the cream of the crop especially for us. And whether you've been naughty or nice, you can snag them at the LB Pop Up Shop for 50% to 70% less than you'd pay at retail.

Myriam Joseph & Steve Meyers -- Joy Spread the Word

We couldn't be happier to have Myriam, Steve and their wonderful Joy Jerseys with us again for 2009. These soft-as-your-favorite-blankie childrens shirts (made from bamboo and organic cotton fabric) are printed with inspiring and soulful words that make your little ones partners in spreading messages of joy.



Visit her website for more info: www.joyspreadtheword.com

Laura Crawford -- Tangerine Treehouse

Long Beach's favorite bike touring adventuress/blogger/metal artisan is back with a brand new item: The Bike Mustache! Laura is hand-crafting these copper 'mustache' head badges in her mobile studio during stops on her current Path Less Pedaled US bike tour, and is making a selection available through the LB Pop Up Shop this year.




See more of Laura's work at www.tangerinetreehouse.com, and follow her bike adventures at www.pathlesspedaled.com.

Jayme Lynn Basset

Speaking of bikes, the Bike Burrito is another sure winner for the cyclist on your gift list. We featured these last year, and Jayme is back with more styles to please any road warrior or casual rider. We'll also have a selection of her adorable handmade purses and clutches that will keep your essential items fashionably at hand once your bike is parked and locked.





See more Bike Burrito styles at www.bikeburrito.com

Cari Marshall

Gift a dash of Long Beach style to friends near and far with Core Poperative Cari's hand-applied transferware ornaments and cachepots featuring the most delightful retro images. We were able to snag the last pieces in this particular series for this year's LB Pop Up Shop, so be to sure to check them out before they're gone!

In addition to her artistic, curatorial, and promotional talents, Cari is plugged in to just about everything cool happening in Long Beach and pens an awesome travel and art blog that's well worth a regular read. Check it out at holarubia.blogspot.com.

Along with these LB Pop Up Shop All-Stars, we have several new artists joining us for this year's Holiday Event. Check back soon for information and photos.

See you soon!

Your Long Beach Poperatives.

Season's Greetings from your Long Beach Poperatives!

We have news to share with all of you: we'll be popping up again this year on 4th Street to bring you our special brand of hip holiday cheer. Here are the details:

We are thrilled to be working with the good folks at Portfolio Coffee House on 4th Street to once again bring you the coolest holiday shopping experience in Long Beach. We'll be there Friday December 18, Saturday December 19th and Sunday December 20th. We hope you will be, too.

Please bookmark this blog and visit us often in the days leading up to this year's event. We'll have lots of great things to share about the wonderful goodies you'll see at the LB Pop Up Shop this year -- lots of your favorite artisans are back, along with some exciting new discoveries -- as well as other cool tidbits to make your spirits bright throughout this special season.

We can't wait to show you what we've been up to!