March Artists of the Month

[monte cristo]

March Artists of the Month

The Monte Cristo Gift Shop & Gallery, in Chloride, features the works of more than two dozen local artisans. The March Artists of the Month are Crystal Diamond, mixed media, Kitty Jones, counted cross stitch, and Dallas Sullivan, jewelry.

Crystal creates a variety of art and craft items including decorative frames, floral wall art, beading, scrap booking, and items for home decor. Many of her handmade projects become gifts for family and friends and would make wonderful gifts for your loved ones as well. She says, "I enjoy making items for all occasions, but enjoy holiday projects most of all." Crystal and her husband, John, live on the family ranch at Beaverhead, northwest of Chloride. In addition to ranching, they own and operate a hunting supply business which along with her crafting keeps this young mother very busy.

Kitty has been doing counted cross stitch for more than 25 years. While working at the phone company she saw a friend start with a blank piece of material and through many coffee breaks and lunch hours watched as a beautiful creation came to life, with just a lot of x’s stitched onto the fabric. That year Kitty made the first of almost 20 family Christmas stockings for her infant son. Since, she has created pictures, hand towels, baby bibs, and many other fun and functional items. Kitty and her husband, Bob, also live in the mountains northwest of Chloride where they enjoy the outdoors. Kitty says, "I still love to create something beautiful from a blank piece of material."

Dallas grew up in Dusty, about 20 miles north of Chloride. She started making jewelry several years ago as a form of relaxation. Having always liked rocks, she started learning the names of the semi-precious stones and gems and then advanced to buying them and putting some of her favorite ones together for necklaces and bracelets. Dallas gave them to family and friends as gifts. She said, "One of my friends asked me to make a set for her daughter and offered to pay me for my time and the stones I used. That is how I got started making jewelry to sell." Dallas keeps busy with work, her daughter, and with making lovely jewelry from gem stones and beautiful crystals.

Works by Crystal, Kitty and Dallas are available at the Monte Cristo Gift Shop & Gallery located in historic Chloride, NM, just 35 miles west of Truth or Consequences via Hwy 52. The Monte Cristo is open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM. For more information contact the Gallery at 575-743-0493 or montecristogallery@windstream.net