Icicle Lights Add Festive Touch To Home

Fri., Dec. 6, 1996

By Susan English susane@spokesman.com

First we had Christmas lights on the eaves that were either all on, or were all off. Then we had blinking lights and chaser lights. Now, there are icicle lights for the eaves. And they do, indeed, look like dainty light-catching icicles.

The Light Cicles aren’t inexpensive - $29.95 for a 6-foot set by mail - and the house pictured has 20 sets. For information: (800) 225-3870 (item number C7892B), or see the Good Catalog Co., 9592 S.E. Main St., Milwaukee, OR 97222. They’re also available locally for a lesser price at some home building supply and home and garden stores.

No power, no open house

Those planning to attend the holiday open house at the Gaiser Conservatory at Manito Park tonight and Saturday evening will have to find something else to do. The event has been canceled because of continued power problems at the conservatory.

The open house was to have been from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. both nights. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the holiday poinsettia display at the big greenhouse, however. The conservatory will continue to be open during daytime hours. And admission is still free.

On the tube

The public television home remodeling show “Hometime” will begin its 11th season in January; the new remodeling project is building a 1900s American Foursquare house. The show airs on KSPS-TV at 4:30 p.m. Sundays.

Make it yourself

Hand-made ceramic gifts aren’t just kid stuff anymore. There are several do-it-yourself ceramic studios in the area. All you do is paint the mug or ashtray or bowl and then it’s glazed and fired for you. One of the newest to open is ArtYourself at 122 S. Monroe ( block north of the Spaghetti Factory). It’s open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. For information: 838-8993.

Hunker down for some reading

There are alternatives to the Martha Stewart way of doing things, delineated so clearly in the ever-expanding line of M.S. books.

A couple of new books on the bookstore shelves offer inventive and often simple ideas for creating stunning holiday decorations, for wrapping gifts and for creating pieces that will be focal points in your home throughout the year.

Among them is “The Living Wreath” by Ted Colbert ($19.95, paperback), which details the creation of 50 wreaths. Materials include hens and chickens, impatiens, petunias and strawberry plants. There are, of course, directions for wreath maintenance.

Just in time for prime gift-giving season, Reader’s Digest has published “Potpourri and Fragrant Crafts” by Betsy Williams (24.95, hardcover). Photos accompany the step-by-step directions. The title pretty much covers the content.

Those needing inspiration might turn to “Ultimate Christmas” by Jane Newdick ($29.95, hardcover). Projects range from wreaths to tree decor, from cards and stationery to Christmas food. Projects range from simple to complex, but regardless, they’re fun to browse through even if your ambitions don’t match creating your own decorations.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

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