Consumerism and the Holidays

Call me Ms. Scrooge but ever since I was a kid I found it odd to get manufactured greeting cards wishing me a Happy Halloween, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Valentines Day, etc from people who never wanted me to answer them honestly when they asked me how I was doing.

I took issue with the greeting card companies.  At 13 I wrote a paper for school criticizing corporate America’s greeting card phenomena.  Not only did these companies produce an enormous amount of waste but I could never understand the concept of buying mass-produced sentiment. I found the tear jerking advertisements offensive.  I made sure everyone in my family saw how the Giant Greeting Card Co.s brainwashed an entire society into sending store-bought cards; making those of us that didn’t send a purchased card into “outsiders”.

I’ve always felt that if you want to give something to someone you care for, give something that speaks to them. Choose a unique gift, send a written note, make a card just for them or have a meaningful conversation to let them know how you feel.  I think that if you turn up with even a token gift, that you obviously put effort into finding, just for them… you’ll score… big-time.

Fast forward 32 years.  We are prepping Surfing Cowboys for the Holiday Gift buying rush.  Ok, I know what you’re thinking here… Ms. Scrooge has bought into the holiday gift craze because she’s now in retail.  Well not really.  We have always made gift purchasing a unique and original experience at Surfing Cowboys.

I’ll never forget the first time one of our customers announced that his wife told him that she’d be happy with anything he bought her at Surfing Cowboys. That comment speaks to our edit.  But I think of those words every holiday season because it is at this time of year that we go into “gift-matching” mode.

It’s not about the price or the pizzazz… in our opinion gift giving is about presenting someone with an item that resonates.   And, if it looks like the giver had to hunt a bit to find it, all the better.  Often it is enough to send a token gift, to let them know you’re thinking of them, but wouldn’t it be great if that token gift rocked their boat?

Tell us about your person and put us to the test… we’ll “gift-match” you with a few items that will feel like treasure hunt finds. There’s never any pressure to purchase… and you’ll only need to dig for your confidence… to be different from the pack.

If your friends are anything like ours they’ll appreciate your individuality.  And after all, shouldn’t your special  one-of-a-kind friends receive special one-of-a-kind gifts that they know you worked a bit to find?

Donna G.

“SKATEBOARD: Evolution and Art in California”

The Surfing Cowboys’ Team had a great night out last week when we attended the opening of the first museum exhibition to celebrate the California skate movement. “SKATEBOARD: Evolution and Art in California” at the California Heritage Museum.

Located, about a mile from our shop, at the intersection of Main Street & Ocean Park, the exhibition traces the evolution of boards from pre-1950 to the present; showcasing the riders, designers, artists, and manufacturers that created the California phenomenon known as the skateboard.

The growth of a movement is captured within the Heritage Museum’s walls. On display is a range of boards representing the first planks of wood with metal roller skate wheels to the modern polyurethane wheels and kicktails of today.  More than 275 rare boards (including a few of our own) from the world’s finest collections are featured.

As art and fashion enthusiasts we were equally captivated by the evolution of skateboard graphics on display.  There’s quite a design correlation in graphics, board riding style and popular culture. There’s something for everyone to gain by visiting this exhibition… an experience for the whole family… from skateboard rider, advertising exec or art enthusiast to armchair philosopher.

Surfing Cowboys Skate Crate on Display at the California Heritage Museum

California Heritage Museum, 2612 Main Street, Santa Monica, California 90405,  Phone:(310) 392-8537

Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday
Guest curated by legendary Z-boy Nathan Pratt & museum curator Michael Trotter. With the assistance of Jeff Ho, Skip Engblom (Zephyr co-founders), Cris Dawson (1966 Hobie Champ), Z-Boys Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta, and 1980’s world champion Christian Hosoi; with contribution by our friend and local Dog-town Legend Ray Flores.

After your visit wander down the road to visit us at Surfing Cowboys where we always have a range of vintage skateboards, books and more…. for sale.

Surfing Cowboys' skateboards

Donna G.

a bittersweet goodbye

Our last goodbye.

We are often asked if it is difficult to sell precious, one-of-a-kind items that we might never have a chance to own again.  My response has always been the same.  I feel that we are mere custodians for these pieces.  While in our care we should absorb as much inspiration as we can from an item and then pass it on to someone else.  It’s what we do… search out beautiful, unique and inspirational items for ourselves and to share with our customer – friends.

Many of you know that Wayne and I have been the caretakers of an original Tom Blake paddle board for some time now.  It has been in our personal collection for 14 years to be exact.  The emotion that has welled up inside me with this farewell is a pretty good indication that with this item, I didn’t follow my own advice.

Yesterday, when the shippers showed up and I watched them drive away with the most beautiful paddle board I’ve ever seen, I felt like they were leaving with a piece of my heart.

I know I have to be crazy not to celebrate a successful sale in this economy.   I’m reasoning with myself that this paddle board is onto another phase in its life…. on a Hawaiian Island; close enough to touch the water and hear the ocean waves.

As we all know, sometimes there is no reasoning with emotion.   I’m still feeling the emptiness where it once hung and the separation pangs run deep. I thought that after 14 years in my possession I wouldn’t feel the loss… but it goes to show us all that even us pros have trouble sometimes, letting things go

Our Tom Blake paddle board has been the starting point of many a conversation…. and a magazine article for that matter.  Many of you have loved visiting it as much as we have enjoyed sharing it.  I thought you should all know that it’s onto another stage in its life… so you could share in the bittersweet good-bye.

Donna G.

Surfing Cowboys’ new Danish Secretary

She’s blonde and light on her feet! She’s not too tall, not too small and always neat!

Classic and chic,  sweet and discreet, our Danish secretary is perfectly neat.

We’ve had a bunch of new Danes in this week, but this one is a real treat.

To check her out…click here!

Mr & Mrs. Popular

Wow! What a day we’ve had already!

Earlier this week we sent out an alert to our S.C.VIP’S about our upcoming sale, and apparently it’s caused a bit of a frenzy.

The blogs are a-buzz with excitement for the ONLY-ONCE-A-YEAR reductions on some of our ( and YOUR) favorite pieces.

Check out the LA TIMES ( Thanks Lisa!) and Cactus Creek spreading the word.
APARTMENT THERAPY included us in their weekend sales update- so you know this place will be hopping this weekend!

And don’t worry, we’re not going out of business….WE’RE IN BUSINESS BABY!

Stop by and get the piece you’ve had your eye one before somebody else snaps it up!

Wayne Gunther reviews “The Damn United”

The Damned United

Do yourself a favor and go see this movie! Directed by the guy who did Frost/Nixon & The Queen.

It took me right back to the 70’s North of England: Bleak, rainy, 3-day working weeks, Labour strikes, and general anarchy against Edward Heaths Tory government. The only havens left are the pub and football. This isn’t a football movie, in fact there is very little football involved. Instead it’s about blind ambition and fanatical rivalry in the head of arguably the greatest football manager ever, Brain Clough, (pronounced Cluff) and his perceived nemesis Don Revie, the then Leeds United manager.

Shot in a docu-drama reportage fashion, each shot set up like a page in the B.J.P. ( British Journal of Photography)  in gritty black and white, or AGFA 6400 ASA grainy color. The director pulls out all the tricks and succeeds: you can taste the beer, smell the sweat, and hear the derivement as Clough rough-shods his way over all and sundry. But then you find out “it’s not all him”, it’s a partnership. He’s the mouth, but who’s pulling the strings?
Peter Taylor, that’s who. His job is finding new (or old ) players, working out positions and plays, and generally running the team, while Clough runs his mouth and subsequently, the show. Michael Sheen is great  as Clough but Timothy Space as Peter Taylor and Colin Meaney as Don Reveie are brilliant in football jargon.
It’s a draw!  “I wouldn’t say I’m the best manager, it’s just that I’m the number one manager.”, Brian Clough

No matter what kind of football you watch, kick back and relax in this Sergio Rodriguez style recliner!

The perfect man chair!

The 411 on 944, pg 77

944 Art & Architecture Issue

Glossy, black and chic, the Art & Architecture Issue of 944 magazine has hit the stands, featuring an Image section focusing on local Designing Women.  No, not Mary Jo,  Charlene,  Suzanne and  Julia, these are local Los Angeles “ladies who craft comfort and class”

And who do you suspect is smiling out at you from page 77 ? It’s Surfing Cowboys owner-ess Donna Gunther!  With all the talented women in this town, we were pretty proud that they chose Donna. Known for chunky silver jewelry and a discerning eye,  designers and locals have been coming to the shop for years seeking her advice and inspiration for their projects. It was pretty sweet to get this recognition amongst other talented peers.

And who inspires her? She quotes…”The greatest artists I know are those that neither paint nor sculpt, they are artists of being alive.”

There's Donna!

Oh, and of course Wayne, too.

P.S. If you want to get your hands on some great jewelry, check out the vintage collection we’ve got at the shop…

E. Granit Ring

Silver pendant necklace

Silver Cuff bracelet

The Fall Wrap up

Wow! If you were out and about on Abbot Kinney yesterday, you witnessed the wind wrecking havoc on our little street! Palm fronds a-flyin’, LACMA banners swinging wildly, our T-Shirts taking flight- Autumn blew into town with ferocity. I started the day in cargos and a tank, and by the end I was wearing not one, but TWO hoodies. (It’s a look, really!)

The cool(ish) weather and crispy nights have arrived, and although the rest of the world may not believe we have seasons, we know we do…it the perfect time for our new selection of gorgeous, handcrafted merino wool blankets.

If you’re not familiar with these blankets, the patterns are custom designed by a local California artist, who works with a group of craftsman in New Zealand who hand spin and dye the merino wool ( same kind as used for your favorite sweater!). The wool is then brought to a family in Oaxaca who have been passing down these weaving techniques for generations- and they bring his designs to life.

The result is a vibrantly colored, incredibly soft, generous blanket that is irresistable to the touch! So as you get chilly and you want to add a bit or warmth to your home, come see these wonderful blankets.

5 X 7 Merino wool blankets

“Everytime I come by, you guys are closed…”

We hear the same phrase from customers ( at least a couple times a week) that always makes us sad…and mildly confused.

” Everytime I come by, you guys are closed!”

And since we are only closed on Mondays… we figure all these folks must be sticking their sweet little noses on our plate glass windows, gazing into the shop with longing and frustration, EVERY Monday.

So, due to public demand, it will be a BLUE MONDAY NO MORE.

From here on out every Monday we are going OPEN 11:00AM- 7:00PM as per our usual hours, for your shopping, browsing, inspiration-absorbing pleasure.  Hooray for Monday! Now you can visit us EVERY SINGLE DAY from 11:00-7:00. How great is that?

Two more things that will make you smile…

Fresh organic veggies from the Gunther's Garden

Original folding Z chairs, perfect for watching your garden grow

Just in time for the Festival!

You may have noticed that Wayne and Donna’s vans have been making laps around the shop this week… and that I’ve been marching a variety of chairs, tables, bookcases, surfboards, skateboards, sculptures… everything but the kitchen sink,  in our skinny little door! (Grill, yes. Kitchen sink, no.)

We’re getting ready for the BIG ONE!

That’s right! Oh yes! We love it!….

The Abbot Kinney Festival is this Sunday, and we’re stocking the shop chock-full of coolness. We save up some of our best stuff to share with the throngs that descend upon our sweet little street every year. The store is practically bursting with new design pieces, awesome oddities and killer boards.

But wait, that’s not all! You loved our Peace Flag T-shirt last year? This year we will be premiering two new designs: a limited edition Charlie Don’t Surf, and a new creation inspired by a tee Wayne rocked as he surfed his way around the world. It’s message is as classic as it is epic, timely and timeless, with authentic vintage graphics. The T-shirt reads:

oh…. yea right! I’m not gonna tell you what it is…. that wouldn’t be any fun!

You’ll have to swing by the shop, set down your drippy ice cream/soft taco/meat-on-a-stick/frozen lemonade/drink with a lid(yes, even if it has a lid)/grilled corn/tamale/deep fried snickers and come see for yourself. They are limited edition, so get here early to get yours!

See ya SUNDAY!

Deep fried Snickers? really?…. hmmmmm