However, as she traveled the state, she noticed it was very difficult to shop for items actually made in New Mexico, as opposed to China, India, Bali, Mexico--but especially China. Something led her to the location in Truth or Consequences, and she immediately had a vision of an colorful, open, airy space that would showcase all kinds of New Mexico made inventory, including many hand-crafted one-of-a-kind pieces. In March 2006, she put in an offer on the locaion at 220 N. Date St. in Truth or Consequences and started remodeling. After a few intense months, she opened the doors of Celestial Creations on September 1st, 2006. With prices from $1-$3,000, Rich claims to have something for every taste and budget, and it's all made in New Mexico!
Since opening, Rich has been successful in negotiating the process to become listed on New Mexico's first ever Arts Trail, the New Mexico Fiber Arts Trail (http://www.nmfiberarts.org). The Fiber Arts section offers quilts, blankets, ponchos, barefoot sandals, necklaces, scarves, gourds, wood sculpture, walking sticks, wall hangings, potholders, aprons, dishtowels, and hand-tied fishing lures from about 30 different artisans. Most recently, the store was featured in the Feb 08 Artscapes section of the prestigious New Mexico Magazine.
The store has also grown from representing a mere 30 artists, artisans, craftspeople & companies of New Mexico to representing more than 150. Inventory on hand has grown from about $20,000 to over $115,000, with several thousand items on hand at any given time.
The only uniting factor of the eclectic inventory is that it was all created in New Mexico in some way. Stock includes the largest selection of jewelry in town, including Native American made, dichroic glass, silver, gold-wrap, copper, deer hide, bone, beads, natural stones, even ostrich shell! Their Gourmet Foods section consists of items from more than 20 different companies, including local honey, fudge, and truffles. Celestial Creations has a large variety of ceramic styles from southwestern to cowboy to Native American to raku. The metal art is incredibly fun and funky: horseshoes make up frogs, dancing couples, horsehead wall hangings; railroad nails are turned into dragonflies and roadrunners;
The store carries plenty of inexpensive tourist items, too. Note cards, T-shirts, mugs, shot glasses, painted rocks and more offer the words "TorC', "Elephant Butte" and "Truth or Consequences"
Their Bath and Beauty Section includes soaps, lotions, hand creams, bath salts, candles, sachets, loofa sponges and sunscreen from companies such as Southwestern Soapworks (Angel Fire, NM), New Mexico Soap Company, Blackhawke Ranch (Sierra County), Clear Light the Cedar Co. (whose products are used by Cher), as well as locally made all natural bath salts. They have environmentally friendly candles made from honey, soy or palm oil and scented only with essential oils.
The store features custom Gift Baskets, where you choose the items you want (or let them choose on your budget). With so many bath, beauty, relaxation, and food items, you're sure to find plenty to fill it up with.
Lest you think there is no 'real art' in this gallery cum gift/home decor/gourmet foods artspace, Celestial Creations consistently sells more art by Connie Baca than any other vendor, and they also offer art by established artists Skeeter Leard (twice chosen by the National Wildlife Refuge Association to create their annual poster), Ezell Nolan (whose work is represented in more than 250 collections nationwide), Alise Anima (whose work was included in the national Judy Chicago tour and is mentioned in the book about Judy Chicago and her work). The gallery has also held Artist Receptions for watercolorist Barbara Massingill and mixed media talent from Las Vegas, NM Jade (aka Jackie Herrera). Additionally, the gallery represents 14-year olds Manuel Golden and Jaylah Dow as well as newcomers Regeana Keech and Scott Weber. With original art priced at under $100 to $3,000, there is something for just about everyone.
The city of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico (known by the locals as T or C) has itself been written up recently in Sunset Magazine and Vanity Fair. Indeed, Sunset Magazine lists it as number five of the "Ten Places You've Got to Visit in 2008", due to both its burgeoning arts scene and the historic bath house district. In fact, until the early 1950's T or C was called Hot Springs, as the entire downtown area sits on top of a hot mineral water aquifer.
There are about a dozen choices of hot mineral baths in which to soak, including the Sierra Grande Lodge, Firewater Lodge, and Blackstone Baths and Beds (formerly Blackstone Apartments.)
