Dear Friends,

Finally it is time to get back to you with the latest from the never ending saga of The Craftsman Home. A great deal has happened lately, and I hardly know where to start. As some of you know the big news is we were closed for five weeks from our now famous FLOOD.

We had a 100 year old water pipe burst and flood our showroom in two inches of water overnight. Miraculously we had very little permanent damage. The rugs of course got soaked, but survived very well. More on that in a moment. The oak furniture is so tough it really showed no signs of distress. We simply cleaned everything up and everything is as good as new. Nothing in the office or warehouse got wet at all. The bathroom is still a mess, but functional. We really escaped with minimum loss, but great inconvenience.

From lemons we made lemonade

The flood forced us to replace the carpeting, paint the ceiling and bathroom and of course we could not stop there so we painted the whole showroom and façade. I have been wanting to redecorate for some time, but it took a disaster to create the opportunity for a real upgrade. I now love lemonade!

Michelle created a new color scheme for the entire store. We now have brighter walls, stunning trim, and lighter carpet. She completely re-organized the floor plan, re-hung all the art, and re-did the windows. The store looks fantastic!

The biggest change is to our tile section. We now have a full size example of a Michelle Nelson fireplace design, in Motawi Tile, for you to see and touch. There is nothing like the real thing to discover what is possible! She is making an important contribution to the world of tile design, a contribution that will last as long as the fireplaces she creates. I am very proud of her, she is something special!

The worst thing about the entire FLOOD was I had to cancel my vacation to Montana! Countless trout were saved from my depredations! But don’t feel too bad for me, after the clean up I snuck away for a week into the Big Sky country and gave my soul a much needed rest. The trout welcomed me with foolish abandon.

November 23: Flood sale on rugs starts

The good news for all of you is we are now having a FLOOD sale on RUGS! I have yet to work out a discount schedule (it is complicated as we have not yet settled with the insurance company) but I know it will be at least 20% off the tag price. They will be cleaned, no longer “new”, but fully serviceable. The sale starts November 23, the Friday after Thanksgiving and will go until all of the “flood rugs” are sold. About forty rugs will be at the sale price. Come early for the best selection.

November 18: Re-opening gala

We are celebrating our re-opening with a POST CLEANSING GRAND RE-OPENING GALA. It will be on Sunday afternoon November 18th from 4-6PM at the store. I will actually provide better than average food and drink and we will have a special guest, Yoshiko Yamamoto! Yoshiko many of you know from her letterset prints we have sold for many years. Now you can meet her yourself and see her latest creations. She will have new work with her that has never been offered before. She will also have her new baby, Anna Victoria, for everyone to admire. Mother, artist, and great soul, please come and meet Yoshiko.

November 17: Hillside Club Arts and Crafts Benefit Show

The Saturday before, Nov. 17th is the famous second annual Hillside Club Arts and Crafts Benefit Show. 2286 Cedar Street, Berkeley. 11:30AM - 5PM. $5 entry. Early bird entry at 10:30 is $20. For more info visit hillsideclub.org

Food Bank collection

Remember our Food Bank collection! We still have our red barrels waiting for your food donation. When you come to the post cleansing grand re-opening gala, please bring a non-perishable food item. Star Grocery will be open next door so you really have no excuse. Over 40,000 people in Alameda County are hungry every day. It is a disgusting reality that in the richest area of the richest country, people go hungry. You have the opportunity to help with nothing more than a sack of groceries.

We have been very fortunate this year despite our involuntary cleansing. Many of you have trusted us with your design needs and we have had the pleasure and privilege of serving you. Michelle continues to provide fortunate clients with guidance through the labyrinth of the design process. Major projects, often taking years to complete, are becoming her specialty. She is an important asset to anyone attempting to create an arts and crafts environment in their home. A small investment in her time will reap huge rewards in a successful interior design just for you. Give her a call, it could save you many headaches and heartaches.

Some sad news, Stuart Compton sole proprietor of Terracroft Tile has decided to close his business and work a day job. Stuart spent twenty years hand making art tile, one piece at a time. He created unique and marvelous forms appreciated by hundreds over the years. His work will always be considered among the best ever made and I am proud to have had the opportunity to represent him to the community.

No more room to write, so long for now. Please come to our grand re-opening gala!

See ya soon,

Lee Jester
The Craftsman Home