Anyone can take up needlepoint

Jebba Needlepoint Design has loyal customers from all over the

country. Rosie Greer shops here and they sell his famous needlepoint

book, “Rosie Greer’s Needlepoint For Men.” Owner Diana Li says that

more men are getting interested in needlepoint, and although it’s an

expensive hobby, it’s becoming popular with children. Private classes

are offered by appointment on Saturdays and group classes can be

arranged. The walls are covered with designs, or custom pieces are

made by local artist Esther Wells. Finished pieces can be made into

footstools, chairs, pillows, Christmas stockings and more. From 10

a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturdays. 2628 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. (949) 644-7904.

HARDWARE TO BEAT

European hardware is J. Nicolas’s specialty. Custom home builders

can chose from hinges, knobs, door handles and lighting suitable for

an English country home to a castle. Custom finishes are available in

pewter, black antique, brass nickel and gold. Also, Nicolas offers

custom lighting. If you bring in a photograph of a chandelier or

sconce, they’ll try their best to match it. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mondays through Fridays and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. 2640 E. Coast

Highway, Corona del Mar. (949) 644-5543. www.jnicolas.com.

HOT COTTAGE

Ever since the owner’s home of Cottage Corona del Mar was featured

on the cover of the fall 2002 issue of Country Decorating Ideas

magazine people from all over the country have sought out this store

for country furnishings. There’s a big selection of distressed white

antique and new furniture and accessories. The store is so popular

that merchandise just about flies out the door. Prices are low, and

merchandise arrives daily. Owner Melinda Kent also does custom floor

and wall art work. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays

and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. 2411 E. Coast Highway, Suite 200,

Corona del Mar. (949) 566-9339. www.cottagecoronadelmar.com.

OLD WORLD APPEAL

The Wine Gallery has a relaxed Old World atmosphere, and despite

its upscale location it’s not a snobby shop. Personalized service is

important to co-owner Jeff Schroeder, who makes sure that when you

purchase wines here you’re buying from an owner. Schroeder says he’s

tasted everything in the store and constantly travels throughout

California to meet with wine makers to select the best wines. Wines

that are of good value, hard-to-find and unique are its specialty.

His favorite wines are from Barnett Vineyard, Hanzell Vineyard and

Peter Michael. The majority of wines are from small production

wineries in California, yet there are wines from all over the world.

A wine tasting bar is upstairs, and large groups go downstairs. From

11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from noon to 6 p.m.

Sundays. 2411 E. Coast Highway, Suite 250, Corona del Mar.

www.cdmwinegallery.com.

EVERYDAY GOOD LOOKS

Owner Jill Markowicz of Trompe L’Oeil Cosmetiques says that when

she became a makeup artist 22 years ago, she decided that rather than

making celebrities look better, she wanted to help regular women look

good everyday. Markowicz opened her tiny studio in 1995, and since

then she’s become admired for her talents and for her high quality

makeup line. Eyelash tinting and eyebrow shaping and tinting are very

popular here; other services offered are: make-up lessons, make-up

applications, new colors with chart, make-up color consultations,

eyebrow waxing, lip waxing, facial waxing and glycolic peels. From 9

a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. 700 Carnation Ave., Corona

del Mar. (949) 675-2024.

OUTLET SAVINGS

A grand opening sale is happening at CM Designer Outlet in Costa

Mesa. The store advertises that it carries men’s and women’s designer

clothing at 50% to 80% off department store prices. It has popular

designers: DKNY, CK, Tommy Hilfiger, Polo, Guess, Liz Claiborne,

Jones New York and INC. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through

Fridays and from noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. 3831 S. Bristol St., Costa

Mesa. (714) 429-0202.

CANDY SALES

M& M Colorworks is the latest addition at California Candy

Creations in the Atrium Court at Fashion Island. More than 2 million

color combinations can be made at this M&M; display that features 21

different colors. Some of the unique colors are pink, purple and

turquoise. Custom mixes make great gifts, party favors and can

coordinate with holiday themes. (949) 760-1828.

* BEST BUYS appears Mondays and Fridays. Send information to

Greer Wylder at greerwylder@yahoo.com or 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa,

CA 92627, or via fax at (949) 646-4170.