Oct 18, 2007

Cynthia Webb Designs Assists Effort to Rebuild Camp Stevens; Sales of Popular Piece Will Help Repair Buildings Damaged by Fire

San Diego gift designer Cynthia Webb is donating 100 percent of the proceeds of her “Quiet Time” treescape ornament to help rebuild Camp Stevens, the Julian conference and retreat center heavily damaged by a Sept. 15 fire. The quickly spreading flames destroyed much of the picturesque mountaintop refuge, including 15 cabins and lodges, the outdoor chapel and over 100 acres of forest.

“I designed this piece to evoke a feeling of peacefulness, of serenity,” explained Webb. “Camp Stevens has been that place for my whole family to feel renewed, to take a break from our busy lives. When I heard about the fire, we wanted to do what we could to help with its restoration, and this piece seemed like the natural choice for our efforts.”

Like all Webb Designs, the ornament is originally carved, signed and titled in jeweler’s wax before being cast in pewter. Each piece is hand-finished, oxidized and polished, all of her work is created exclusively in the USA. The back is etched with the words, Find your quiet time and quiet place under the trees, let your soul rest and your mind wander – “If you’ve ever been to Camp Stevens, you know this is too special a place not to help, for everyone who needs that quiet time and quiet place,” said Webb.

The piece was first introduced in 2000 and was featured in the Marshall Field’s Direct catalogue. It is offered in two different sizes: the 2 in. x 5.5 in. fine Pewter Wall Ornament is $37; the ornament is also available in a museum frame with a finished size of 7in. x 8in. and is $62. Cynthia has committed to donating a minimum of 100 Wall Ornaments and 15 Framed pieces. They are available through the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego at edsd.org/campstevensfire.htm or through the studio’s affiliated website at theGiftedWoman.com. Other Cynthia Webb Designs pieces can be seen at the studio web page at cynthiawebbdesigns.com.

The donation continues the studio’s commitment to community involvement. As part of the release of the new “Home” series of tabletop cottages, a charitable donation to organizations fighting homelessness is made for each piece sold in the new popular line. Other Webb designs now support non-profit organizations working with seniors in need, child abuse victims, breast cancer awareness and children with autism.

Cynthia Webb Designs opened its doors in San Diego in 1992. For more than 15 years her work has been showcased in galleries, gift catalogues, and select shops around the USA. Cynthia Webb Designs sells wholesale only and exhibits Cynthia’s work at wholesale handcrafted gift shows, including The Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia, the American Craft Retail Expo in Las Vegas, the Handmade sections of International Gift Fair in New York and AmericasMart in Atlanta, and the Beckman Show in Chicago. Cynthia Webb Designs are also available at many Niche Top 100 galleries throughout the United States.

Locally, her work is available at St. James By The Sea Bookshelf, 743 Prospect St., La Jolla, CA. 92037 and Heaven on Earth Gifts & Books, 1885 S. Centre City Parkway, Escondido, CA. 92025.