Votiv: A Wallingford garage doubles as a shop for hand-blown glass

Look for the hand-painted sign advertising art glass to find this tiny Wallingford "shop." Officially, Votiv is the garage of shopkeeper/designer Meredith Ida and her glass-blower boyfriend Ian Lewis, who live upstairs. On the weekend they open the double doors and it turns into a spot to score bargains on colorful glassware and votive candle holders.

Simple wood shelves are filled with functional and decorative glass which pops with color against the white-painted walls. At any given time Ida has the designs of up to six local glass artists on display. Most pieces are seconds and are discounted 30 to 50 percent. "It's a chance for the artists to sell directly to the public - and also to meet our neighbors," says Ida.

Stop by and say hello, hang out on the '60s-era yellow couch and find something to brighten your life. Right now you'll find hand-blown Christmas tree ornaments ($10-$20 or three for $45), votive holders in an array of colors ($15-$25), vases in several sizes ($30-$150), glistening ruby-red glass apples and golden pears ($25 each), glass bracelets ($10) and pendant lighting fixtures ($275-$500).

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