From the Quixotic to the exotic

By Andrea Estrada
South Coast Beacon

Art, commerce and history collide in a new venture situated in the 117-year old Victorian at the corner of Chapala and Haley streets in Santa Barbara.

In Clover, the salon previously occupying the mixed-business space, has closed its doors and Quixotic Marketplace has taken its place.

The brainchild of Kristan Cohen, owner of Quixotic Creations, Quixotic Marketplace combines the talents of six artisans who display their wares and actually create their art right there on the premises.

“In Clover is leaving and Quixotic Creations is moving into that space, which is three times larger than what I have now, and we’re changing the name to Quixotic Marketplace,” said Cohen.

Joining her in the new venture are Amy Boyle, owner of Santa Barbara Dog Co., which offers luxury beds for the area’s canine companions; Maile Ellington, a designer of handcarved stone jewelry; Myla Kato, who practices glass fusion to create decorative plates and art pieces, nightlights, hair barrettes and jewelry; Theresa Meza, whose company MezAmi Designs features one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces; and Alexa Steadman, owner of the bath and body product company Bathateria.

“Other products will be in the store, from children’s wooden toys and bird houses to hand-painted silk scarves,” Cohen said.

She will continue to produce her own line of functional, hand-made and hand-painted ceramic tiles, dishware and home and garden accessories.

“I got into ceramics just by chance,” the artist/entrepreneur said, recalling her foray into business ownership five years ago. “A few people asked me if I could paint something. I used already glazed materials, painted them and had them refired.”

Requests and orders for hand-painted items continued to roll in and Cohen decided to make the art her business. She bought her own kiln and other materials. Now she goes so far as to make her own tiles and pours many of her own molds. For items such as piggy banks, vases and dishware, she buys “greenware,” clay that has been formed into rough shapes, and re-works them into her own creations.

Quixotic Marketplace opened for business Dec. 3 at 510 Chapala St. and celebrated its grand opening Dec. 10. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.