(Note from Celeste: Of course everything is more complicated than can be told in a few paragraphs, but this will give you the general idea.) When on a 3-week sojourn through New Mexico in 2005, while looking for the place that was calling out to be her new home, Celeste noticed that hardly any shops or art galleries had anything actually created in New Mexico. It was all made in China, made in China--or maybe Mexico or Bali or India. Even the art galleries showcased art from other states, not that of New Mexico artists. Although she had never worked retail before in her life, and did not have plans to do so, by early 2006, after several visits back to T or C, she felt compelled to fulfill her vision of a colorful, open, airy, spacious setting (an artspace, as it were) to showcase the talents of New Mexico artists, artisans, craftspeople & companies.
And because of the unique energy and all the water in and around the area, Truth or Consequences turned out to be the place that was calling out to her. Initially planning on just a one-night stay to take a soak, she ended up changing her itinerary and staying 5 nights in this town of about 8,000 people. The town she was moving from (Cambria, CA on the Central Coast) was about the same size as T or C, and with its growing arts community and eclectic mix of people, it really resonated with her. Two lakes, natural hot springs mineral water, and a river runs through it; for this, she felt could give up the cold Pacific Ocean.
After months of hard work renovating and re-decorating, she opened on September 1st, 2006 with 20 or 30 vendors and a few hundred items in inventory. In fact, the 3500 square foot location was so empty, she didn't even use the north or south rooms right away. At first, some artists and artisans were reluctant to commit to having their works for sale at Celestial Creations, especially since Celeste wanted an exclusive to most work in T or C (as the locals call Truth or Consequences). Others were grateful to finally have a business owner who believed in the talent of New Mexico residents, someone who was willing to put her money AND time where her mouth was, as the saying goes. And so it began...
My, how things have changed! Celestial Creations is now listed on the New Mexico Fiber Arts Trail (http://www.nmfiberarts.org) and has been featured in both New Mexico Magazine (Feb 08 Artscapes) and the Handweavers Guild of America, Inc.'s magazine, Shuttle, Spindle & Dyepot (Winter 08/09). The shop's flyers are in all nine of the State of New Mexico's official Visitors Centers.
This most unique art space/specialty shop now features the works of more than 100 NM vendors, including dozens of Sierra County artists & artisans, plus dozens more from all around the state. And while Celeste is always on the lookout for new, unique inventory herself, the reputation of the shop and Celeste has grown so much that not a week goes by without her being approached by someone new who wants to have their work represented in Celestial Creations.
Back to the remark in the first paragraph about not having planned to own a retail space: being both an artist and an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church since 2002, Celeste's original plan was to semi-retire to conduct ceremonies and paint. As it turns out, she is doing all three! Some of the exclusive items in Celestial Creations are due to Celeste's on art and photography; and she now regularly marries couples in Sierra County and other parts of New Mexico. You can visit that website at www.new-mexico-ceremonies.com.
Right now Celeste and her good crew are adding dozens of new items weekly to the new online shopping cart www.celestialcreations.mybigcommerce.com. We hope you'll shop with us soon, and check back often for new merchandise! Thanks so much for your support.
Vision Statement: Celestial Creations endeavors to offer the widest selection of items that are created in New Mexico and surrounding states, with an emphasis on high-quality merchandise that cannot be found anywhere else in Truth or Consequences--in many cases, anywhere else in the world! We like to be able to offer inventory that is exclusive to Celestial Creations in T or C, with about 30% of our stock being offered nowhere else in the entire World! One location, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, USA, Planet Earth. With the potential to purchase a few of our 3,000+ products online.
At Celestial Creations, we try new products before we offer them to you. We want to offer you good value for your hard-earned dollars. Our policy is to provide excellent service when you are shopping in our gallery/artspace/shop. We also believe it is our responsibility to be good care-takers of the earth and its resources. To that end, we strive to offer merchandise that is all natural or organic, made from recycled, salvaged, or repurposed materials--items that do no harm.
We also believe we are meant to enjoy life--to have a balance between work, play, spirituality, community consciousness and charitable endeavors. Speaking of charitable causes, at Celestial Creations, we have a drop-off bin for old cell phones and used ink cartridges, which goes to CASA--Court Appointed Special Advocates for foster kids; and another drop-off bin for dry and canned foods for the Matthew 25 Food Pantry to use to help feed the hungry in our area. Additionally, we support Bullock's Grocery Store's Cash for Kids program, which donates 2% of receipts turned in by local non-profits to those same non-profits. We have receipt boxes for The Bountiful Alliance (TBA), Sierra County Arts Council (SCAC), T or C Community Theater, and the Desert Haven Animal Refuge, a non-euthanasia facility.
Specializing in New Mexico- made creations and more!
Here are some news articles, online press, press releases and other items of interest about Celestial Creations, Truth or Consequences, Elephant Butte, and other areas in Sierra County:
This is the link to the official Sierra County Tourism site's visitor info page. In exploring it, please note that while you can find listings for everything from birdwatching and fishing guides and marinas, to motels and restaurants, but they refuse to put any listings of retail shops and art galleries! If you think this is unfair, please send them an email and ask them to put in a listing of art galleries and retail shops with links to their sites. We deserve representation, too! Thanks so much!
