Nicolina’s in Narrowsburg

Nature-inspired gifts with a local focus

By SANDY LONG

NARROWSBURG, NY — When Ines Cramer bought her home not far from the hamlet of Narrowsburg, a popular local retail establishment known as Nicolina’s came with it. Cramer initially opened the shop last November, then closed it for remodeling and a relaunch earlier this year.

Cramer kept the store’s name to honor the memory of Nicole Gabrielle, the previous owner of the unique gift boutique on Narrowsburg’s Main Street. Since reopening the store, Cramer has begun to craft her own vision for it, and it is one that showcases the work of local artists and authors, while celebrating the influence of the natural world.

Cramer quickly realized that the region has become home to an abundant population of artists and writers. She began seeking locally produced work to sell in the store, including nature photography by David B. Soete, weavings by Charles Hadley Blanchard, felted wool bags by Jane Luchsinger, children’s coloring hats by Jane Sloyer, vintage lamps by Paul Pisanelli, children’s bracelets by Michelle Giannotti, paintings by Miriam Hernandez, blown glass items by Chuck B., bookmarks, children’s dresses, nightshirts and slippers by Annika Bernhard and sculpture and ceramics by Liz and Bob Hoheusle. Signed books by local authors like Elinor D’Andrea and Allysa Torey are also available.

Nature-inspired items are another specialty, with children’s mobiles featuring birds, trout, horses, cats and dogs, and hats designed to resemble flowers, lambs, bugs and pigs. Decorative glass fish, a new line of fishing lures and even a line of bugs imbedded in lucite that depict the life cycles of bees and silkworms are offered. Future plans include the addition of fresh flowers next spring. There are even hand-crafted petits fours, some created in the shapes of “critters.”

Cramer continues to define her own mix of items, like jewelry made from glass, metal and wood, and Iron Fairies, a collection of figurines that come with fairy dust, books and clues to help solve games and riddles associated with a related Internet game.

For more information call 845/252-3773.