By Carol McCracken

Local artist Lisa Ferreira invites you to shop at her gallery to either start or finish your holiday shopping – as your individual case may be – for that special lady on your list who needs an inexpensive but quality gift. Ember Grove, at 247B Congress Street, is open special hours on Tuesday and Wednesday (from 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m.) to accommodate your busy schedule in the next few days before Christmas Day.

It’s a gallery of functional art – which means that it can be used as well as appreciated for its creativeness and beauty. Lisa’s speciality is lovely jewelry – bracelets, earrings and necklaces for that special someone who will be delighted to find her jewelry under the Christmas Tree or in her stocking on Christmas Day. The gracious Lisa represents 30 local artists in her gallery. Many of them are family members, friends or long-time neighbors, but her quality control is right up there and clearly not influenced by nepotism! Her work represents 30% to 40% of the total inventory in her gallery.

Growing up as an only child with two working parents, Lisa developed her own world of creativeness in which she reveled- and fortunately for consumers is quality and beautifully expressed in her creativeness. Home is the Maine coast and so nature is often integrated into her creations. Consider putting Lisa on your holiday shopping list as well as on your new year’s 2009 shopping list. Prices are moderate.

Please visit www.embergrove.com or call Lisa at 761-0408