Enter VAB and Your Shipping is on Us! When you make a purchase on our Website, www.ChristmasSpiritShop.com, by September 30, 2009, Bar Harbor, Maine’s Christmas Spirit® Shop will pay for STANDARD SHIPPING to one address. To receive this special offer, you must enter the promotion code VAB at the bottom of the address collections page during your checkout process. Picture Frame Baby Ornament Click the photo for more info Vanta Making Snowmen Families, Pictured Below Snowman Family of 3, Under Construction Above Click the photo for more info In the Beginning As a young girl, Vanta enjoyed sketching, painting and crocheting. In fact, she enjoyed it so much, her 5th grade teacher caught her doing arts and crafts instead of her math! Over the years, Vanta learned shadowing and highlighting techniques and how to mix paint colors through her work with ceramics and wood. Sled Family of 6, Under Construction at Right Click the photo for more info Custom Designs Vanta’s ornaments became so popular with our customers that this year we asked her to try our custom designs. It is no surprise that they are a hit with our vacationers. Some of her most popular designs are her kayakers, whale watchers, and lighthouses. Custom Whale Watching Design Click the photo for more info Vanta's Family Vanta is a “one woman show”, making all of her ornaments herself. Vanta’s husband, Ken, and two children, James and Sarah, support her craft business as they put up with clay, paint and crafts everywhere! Sarah especially likes to watch her Mother make her crafts….their “girl talk” time. Even Miss Lana, the canine member of the family, has adjusted. She can open the door to let herself out but talks up a storm when she thinks she isn’t getting enough attention. Miss Lana Rivals Miss Samantha in the "Cute" Department Vanta, Ken, Sarah and son, James enjoying a Day at a Local Museum Featured Artist - Vanta This month, we are featuring our newest artist, Vanta. In early 2008, she sent us samples of her clay ornaments. We thought they were wonderful, and were confident our customers would think so, too. Most striking about her ornaments were the little cherub faces of her baby ornaments. Vanta varnishes the clay, except for the faces, so they take on a real life porcelain quality. She is one of the few artists who make twins and triplets ornaments in all the possible combinations. Vanta’s ornaments quickly became very popular both in our shop and on our Website. Triplets Baby Ornament Click the photo for more info A New Career After several years in the workforce, Vanta became a stay at home mom. She started her business by hand painting wooden ornaments and selling them at craft shows during the Christmas season. Vanta soon began experimenting with polymer clay, enjoying the texture of the clay and the freedom to create her own shapes and designs. Vanta's Workspace With 2 of her more popular designs, pictured below Bear Family of 5, Under Construction Above Click the photo for more info Custom Lighthouse Design Click the photo for more info Vanta's husband, Ken, and daughter, Sarah Stay Tuned... We are so fortunate to have her wonderful work in our shop. Like most of our artists, she is very modest about herself and her talent…but a joy to work with! Thank you, Vanta, for finding our Website! We are looking forward to more new and exciting designs in the future. You can see all her designs by going to any page of our Website, www.ChristmasSpiritShop.com, and typing her vendor code, VAB, in the SEARCH BOX.

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT®'S SAMANTHA

Labor Day is the unofficial end of Summer and Samantha is greeting it with mixed feelings. On the one hand, she loves the cool dry weather. She did her best to shed her heavy coat during the summer, but it was still hot and humid in August! But Labor Day also means the kids go BACK TO SCHOOL and she misses them. They are just her size and absolutely dote on her. Pampered Pooches                         Photo by Beverly Bono Dogs Like "Eating Out"                         Photo by Beverly Bono

Mason and Samantha                         Photo by Glenn Cooper Being the kind of breed that loves any attention from people, she is taking on her “Fall” role of giving out free “dog fixes” to anyone who has left their dog at home. She wants to remind you that Bar Harbor is a VERY pet friendly town. We have motels, outside restaurants and stores (including the Christmas Spirit® Shop) that welcome our canine friends. She hopes you enjoyed meeting Vanta’s dog, Miss Lana in this issue. Dogs Like Ice Cream Too!                  Photo by Beverly Bono

WEBSITE NEWS YOU CAN USE

Example Showing What is NEW THIS YEAR Click the photo for more info When you click on the product photo above the “New This Year” banner, it will take you to the new product’s order page. While there, if you want to see more of this artist’s work, just click on the “Show Me Other Items By This Artist” link. You’ll find this link under the product photo with three other underlined links that will take you to a listing of all items within the same general category, back to the index page where you saw other photos of similar items, or directly to the home page.

Whenever we add new artists, like Vanta, you can easily find their work on our Website. Just look for this banner, , under the appropriate product photos, on any index page of pictures. These banners tag any item that has been on our Website for less than one year, so you can quickly spot new artists or new products by any of our artists. Example Highlighting Link for Show Me Other Items By This Artist Click the photo for more info

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS
"I just wanted to let you know that we just got back this past Monday from a trip there in Bar Harbor - - and I was THRILLED to see and come to your shop in person!!! I was there with my husband and my College-age daughter, Jessica - - and all 3 of us got personalized ornaments while there! Just wanted to let you know one more time again how much we enjoyed coming to your shop in person - (and of course getting more personalized Ornaments!! - - This time of our visit there in Bar Harbor!!!) And also how we loved Bar Harbor - - and all of Maine, really!!! The Whale Watch trip was fantastic - (despite the fact my daughter did get a little bit sea sick!!), and we all totally loved Acadia Park and all the beautiful sites there. And, of course, I was in absolute heaven with being able to eat my most favorite thing on Earth nearly everyday - - - LOBSTER!!!! All in all - - everything was GREAT!!!! Keep up the wonderful work with all of your unique and truly "one-of-a-kind" Christmas ornaments!!! WE LOVE THEM!!!!! Am hoping to make a return visit there again some day - - beautiful place and enjoyable time!!!!!" Robin from NY.	"Thank you! I order your ornaments every year with confidence and gratitude for a job well done! My family loves your ornaments." Robin from ME.
	"I just completed my order for 2 "twin hearts 1st Christmas ornaments". I had spent a full hour online searching for 1st Christmas ornaments for twins, so I was happy when I came across your adorable design. Then as I was finalizing my order, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that you're in Bar Harbor. My husband and I are celebrating our 20th Christmas as marriage partners and we have a clay Christmas tree ornament hanging on our tree from our 2nd Christmas.... which we purchased at your shop! Just thought I'd share that and let you know that you've already been a part of our Christmas tradition for several years, and that makes the purchase of these twin ornaments for my nieces even more special." Chris from ME.

ISLAND UPDATE

Fall is “leaf peeping” season in Bar Harbor, as it is elsewhere in the Northeast. The fall foliage combined with sunny, dry days attracts many autumn visitors. They come by car, bus and cruise ship. On September 30th, the Cunard Cruise Lines newest ship the Queen Victoria will make its maiden voyage to Bar Harbor. The town plans a celebration to welcome the Queen Victoria and boat rides to view the ship from the water. Fall on Acadia Carriage Road            Photo by Beverly Bono

Fall in Acadia National Park            Photo by Beverly Bono We have lots of visitors from outside the state as well as the day-trippers from elsewhere in the state of Maine, who are out enjoying the variety and splendor of color Mother Nature has bestowed upon us. Peak season for the brightly colored leaves in Bar Harbor is generally the 1st 2 weeks in October. Come visit us this time of year to enjoy the spectacular show.

www.ChristmasSpiritShop.com 80 Main Street Bar Harbor, Maine 04609 1-800-242-2913

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