NEW HOPE, PA (November  2008) – "A Green Winter," a special exhibit at A Mano Galleries in both New Hope, Pennsylvania and Lambertville, New Jersey from November 21, 2008 through January 30, 2009, proves that befriending the environment can be artistic, sophisticated and stylish.

"These exhibits at our two locations highlight the latest eco-friendly accessories and wearable art to make a dreary winter much greener," says Ana Leyland, owner of A Mano Galleries, which features handmade American arts and crafts, and lifestyle accessories at two locations.

Among the items included are Escama Studio's sleek, modern handbags made of pesky eco-threatening aluminum pull-tabs. These funky fashions are saving overflowing landfills from thousands of soda can tops. From the tiny clutch to the elegant evening purse, each metallic bag is made from 200 to 1,600 aluminum pull-tabs. Ana Leyland also appreciates that Escama supports fair trade. The studio works directly with two Brazilian craft cooperatives to ensure that the women who crochet these bags are getting paid appropriately for their labor.

Also on view, Nahui Ollin handbags and day planners incorporate recycled gum wrappers, while English Retreads transforms truck inner tubes with over 60,000 miles of wear into completely fresh, incredibly durable handbags, backpacks and belts.

Butterfly Artworks' designers Bob and Ravi Natalini of Mount Penn, Pennsylvania use butterfly wings and sterling silver to hand craft vibrantly-colored pendants and earrings. The butterflies are unharmed. They come from butterfly farms within the rain forest where they are gathered only after dying naturally. The marketing of these and other sustainable use products successfully helps preserve rain forests by giving them economic viability while at the same time providing needed income for local peoples.

A Mano Galleries is located at 128 South Main Street in New Hope, Pennsylvania and 42 North Union Street in Lambertville, New Jersey. For more information, or to shop online, visit  www.AManoGalleries.com or call 215-862-5122.

MEMORABLE MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS AT A MANO GALLERIES

NEW HOPE, PA (March 10, 2008) — Finding an affordable, yet one-of-a-kind gift for the important women in your life this Mother’s Day is easy and enjoyable at A Mano Galleries in New Hope, Pennsylvania and Lambertville, New Jersey. Representing thousands of fine artists and craftspeople from across the country, A Mano specializes in quality, handmade jewelry and lifestyle accessories for the home and office.

“ Why buy flowers that fade, when for the same price you can get exquisite floral earrings that your mother will treasure forever?” asks Ana Leyland, owner of A Mano Galleries. “From whimsical night lights to sculptural tabletop fountains, thoughtful Mother’s Day surprises are available in all price ranges at A Mano.

Among the favorite items this spring:

• Floral Jewelry by Sherry Tinsman

Lumberville, Pennsylvania-based metalsmith Sherry Tinsman finds inspiration in the natural elements she experiences living along the Delaware River. Spirals and flowers with rounded edges characterize h er sterling silver and 14K gold jewelry with occasional brass and copper accents. Her dogwood, daisy and rose designs are incredibly versatile—perfect to dress up jeans and a sweater or to enhance an elegant cocktail dress. Prices range from $22.00 to $300.00.

• Bella Luz Luminettes

These practical yet artistic night lights are meticulously handmade by a three-person team in a cozy Seattle, Washington workshop. They begin as vibrant pastel and colored pencil drawings, photographically reproduced onto durable, translucent, heat and light-resistant plastic film. Each “luminette” is housed in a fanciful hand-textured copper frame, illuminated by a bulb. The innumerable designs include imaginative interpretations of penguins, toucans, Noah’s Ark, sheep, hearts and flowers. Price: $45.00.

• Aqua Arts Tabletop Fountains

A tabletop fountain brings the soothing sounds of nature indoors. Small submersible pumps circulate the water in 6 x 4 x 4 inch sculptural fountains handmade in Clinton, Connecticut. In colors of bronze, black and green, the Mother and Child fountain exhibits the pair with clasped hands surrounding a rolling glass ball, gently aglow with LED lights. Price: $38.00.

• Sticks Decorative Plaques

Sticks has received national acclaim for distinctive furniture, accessories and object art. A Mano carries a wide selection from the Sticks line, including decorative 7 x 7 inch plaques. Amusing and inspiring mottos, lively colors and charming themes are applied to birch, poplar or driftwood with creativity and craftsmanship in their Des Moines, Iowa studio. Price: $110.00.

A Mano Galleries is located at 128 South Main Street in New Hope, Pennsylvania and 42 North Union Street in Lambertville, New Jersey. Owners Ana and Martin Leyland have represented over 1,200 contemporary American artists in their 26 years in business. The galleries feature the highest quality handmade arts and crafts available in the United States, including glass, decorative and functional clay, sterling silver and gold jewelry, kaleidoscopes, wearable art clothing, painted wood furniture, steel and wrought iron furniture, decorative wall art and lamps in glass, clay and parchment. A collection of handmade Judaica from American and Israeli artists includes glass and metal mezuzah, menorahs and dreidels as well as Hamsa jewelry. For more information, or to shop online, visit
www.AManoGalleries.com or call 215-862-5122.

 A MANO GALLERIES CELEBRATES SHAD FEST WITH APPEARANCES AND DEMONSTRATIONS FROM TWO ARTISTS

LAMBERTVILLE, NJ (April 14, 2008) — A Mano Galleries celebrates the Shad Festival in Lambertville on April 26 and 27, 2008 with special appearances by Gyotaku printmaking artist David Denick and jewelry craftswoman Sherry Tinsman. Both artists will display their latest work at A Mano’s Lambertville location at 42 North Union Street.

“David Denick’s Japanese-style fish prints make a perfect Shad Fest souvenir or Father’s Day gift to cherish for years to come,” says Ana Leyland, who with her husband Martin has represented more than 1,200 artists at their two galleries over the past 26 years. “Our customers also enjoy this annual visit from floral jewelry designer Sherry Tinsman. This is a great opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind creations, and to meet and greet the artists.”

An avid fisherman, David Denick of Columbus, New Jersey creates fish prints through the ancient Japanese technique of Gyotaku. A lifelike print of a fish is produced by applying ink directly to the animal’s surface and hand rubbing it to reveal the image on rice paper. Using Berol Prismacolor pencils, Mr. Denick touches up the resulting art work, and enables his favorite catches to achieve immortality. The artist offers demonstrations of this fascinating technique at A Mano on both Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Lumberville, Pennsylvania-based metalsmith Sherry Tinsman finds inspiration in the natural elements she experiences living along the Delaware River. Spirals and flowers with rounded edges characterize h er sterling silver and 14K gold jewelry with occasional brass and copper accents. Her dogwood, daisy and rose designs are incredibly versatile—perfect to dress up jeans and a sweater or to enhance an elegant cocktail dress. Ms. Tinsman displays her new and favorite work at A Mano on both Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

A Mano Galleries is located at 42 North Union Street in Lambertville, New Jersey and 128 South Main Street in New Hope, Pennsylvania. The galleries feature the highest quality handmade arts and crafts available in the United States, including glass, decorative and functional clay, sterling silver and gold jewelry, kaleidoscopes, wearable art clothing, painted wood furniture, steel and wrought iron furniture, decorative wall art and lamps in glass, clay and parchment. For more information, or to shop online, iswww.AManoGalleries.com or call 215-862-5122.

“HALLELUJAH LADY” LIMITED EDITION SCULPTURE AT A MANO GALLERIES SUPPORTS FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER

LAMBERTVILLE, NJ (April 2008) — A Mano Galleries in Lambertville, New Jersey, serves as a distributor of a special edition Sticks, Inc. sculpture created to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer. From April through October 2008, $100 for each purchase of a “Hallelujah Lady” by Sticks goes directly to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

“The Hallelujah Lady personifies the celebration of life and being a woman,” said Sarah Grant, the owner and creative director for Sticks. “Most everyone has been impacted in some way by breast cancer. I am thrilled to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure as their efforts to advance breast cancer research, education and treatment are unparalleled.”

The “Hallelujah Lady” is a sculptural rendering of a woman with her arms posed gracefully above her head as if she is celebrating or saying “hallelujah.” A pink ribbon is prominently incorporated into the design work for the commemorative sculpture. The base of the vibrantly colored piece is inscribed with such life affirming sayings as “Have Faith,” “Be Strong” and “Hope.” The sculpture measures 3 feet tall and is priced at $1,000.

Sticks has received national acclaim for its endlessly imaginative line of accessories and furniture adorned with imagery and text. Each piece is handmade at the company’s award-winning studio in Des Moines, Iowa. All pieces are finely crafted from birch, poplar and driftwood, and further designed with hand drawn imagery, etched contouring and blended paint. Many designs are also embellished with 3-D wood components, metal, leather and fabric.

A Mano Galleries is one of the top ten distributors of Sticks in America. The galleries are located at 42 North Union Street in Lambertville, New Jersey (609-397-0063) and 128 South Main Street in New Hope, Pennsylvania (215-862-5122). Sticks object art and furniture is also available through A Mano online at www.AManoGalleries.com.

“The Hallelujah Lady is a great example of how anyone can support the promise to end breast cancer and add hope to many women’s lives,” said Katrina McGhee, vice president of marketing at Komen for the Cure.

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer awareness movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize the science to find the cures. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, beast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-800 I’M AWARE.