Still painting pottery at Sapphire Wizard Fired Arts

Mary Ann Crosby, owner of Sapphire Wizard Fired Arts in the Gardnerville Ranchos, is excited to be going into her second year of business.

Since she opened last fall, her paint-it-yourself ceramics studio has donated a large hand-crafted bowl to Meneley Elementary School, gift certificates to the Boys & Girls Club of Carson Valley as well as reduced costs for members to paint golf ball boxes as trophies for their sponsored golf activity in July, and another item to GE's annual Bunco for Breast Cancer silent auction.

In January, the studio began offering a monthly painting techniques class taught by Camile Howard, ladies night every third Thursday from 6 to 8:30 p.m., and teacher appreciation day every Friday.

In March, the studio also began publishing a monthly newsletter to anyone interested.

To celebrate National Paint Your Own Pottery Day, Sapphire Wizard will be painting Halloween figurines from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 24. Preregistration is recommended.

The studio is located at 811 Short Court, suite A. Business hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Friday through Saturday, and by appointment Thursdays and Sundays.

For more information, call 265-6972 or visit www.sapphirewizard.com.

Drago Salon in Minden has a new stylist, Jennifer Barrett, a former assistant there, and a new esthetician, Robyn Stone.

Barrett has been in the business for more than a year.

"I've had the privilege of assisting Drago for a year, perfecting my technique and am now excited to be taking clients of my own," she said. "I had attended the Paul Mitchell School in Sacramento for one year, learning the basic building blocks on how to cut and color hair and learning more advanced things, such as how to do a photo shoot from beginning to end. After school, I came to work at Drago to learn more about the business and to build my career."

Born and raised in Gardnerville, Barrett loves "meeting so many unique and friendly people in the area and being able to make them feel great when they leave the salon."

Stone, who recently moved to Carson City from Spokane, Wash., has been in the beauty business for 13 years. She has an instructor's license and has worked in five-star day spas.

"I specialize in facials and full-body waxing, including Brazilians," she said. "I am very passionate about my work. Because every person is unique, I treat each client based on their individual needs. I empower my clients by educating them about proper skin care techniques and the effectiveness of the therapies and treatments on the market today.

"My goal is not only to exceed your expectations, but to also help you make educated decisions regarding your skin care and hair removal needs."

Both Barrett and Stone are available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Drago Salon is located at 1667 Highway 395. For more information, call 782-5909.

Turia Seiger-Todd, owner of Grace & Ida's Bakery and Cafe in the Minden Village, is extending her canned food drive through Friday.

She said she wants to fill the bins in her store before she takes them to the Carson Valley Community Food Closet. Customers who bring in a can of food receive 50 percent off a single pastry item.

Grace & Ida's is located at 1663 Lucerne Street, suite A. Regular business hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, call 783-4700.