Saturday, June 11, 2011

Celebrating Five Years of Artful Living!


The birthday celebration continues at Sonata! I felt we needed a cake to celebrate so I created one out of paperback books! No lighting of the candles allowed!







New merchandise!







Retro game board glass trays!





Chess anyone?



We now carry ICU reader glasses. Sorry the photo is so blurry....or do you need some reader glasses! =)



White watches back in stock



Sports ring bling (sorry, only soccer balls and footballs left)



Boho messenger bag



Don't forget....pop a balloon when you make your purchase of regularly priced merchandise. Receive 20-50% off your entire purchase! (Sid Dickens, Letters from Home, Living Social not included.) The celebration continues through the end of the month!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Happy Birthday, Sonata!


It is hard for me to believe that 5 years ago, I first opened the doors to Sonata! It seems like yesterday that I was frantically pricing merchandise, experimenting with my first display, and trying to figure out a maneagable file system. With 15 years experience as a teacher in the public school, I was a true newbie to the world of retail.



With 5 years under my belt, I realize there have been ups and down, curveballs and homeruns, new friends and exciting experiences! I invite you over the next few weeks to be a part of the celebrating and reminiscing. After all, you are why Sonata has survived and succeeded in the past five years! Join me as I walk down memory lane!

Our original location on No. 48th St. was a bare canvas waiting for the Sonata imprint.



After some paint and merchandise, Sonata was off and running!






The baby grand piano has been our signature display piece from the beginning. It has held every type of merchandise as well as stood beautifully on its own.

At the North 48th location



At the current Village Gardens location





Artful accessories have definitely been a popular and growing part of Sonata!





I have always loved to create displays based on a color theme.



Sonata gets frequent shipments of unusual items. This just in!



It has been an thrill and an honor to have received a few pats on the back.

Sonata was an Extreme Home Makeover Donating Partner in 2006. (My autoraphed photo of the cast)



2007 Community Gem award from the Nebraska Retailer Federation. Sonata was also nominated for the Nebraska Retailer of the Year award in 2007 and 2010.



Chosen to be one of Home Accents Today 50 Retail Stars 2010 edition.



Summer project 2010: decoupaged back hallway with music textbook pages. (It actually only took a week!)



Prepped bookcase just prior to my workshop "Decorating with Books."



I am the luckiest shopowner in the world to have the greatest staff in the world! From left to right: Samantha Noonan (my daughter!), Elizabeth Erikson (my niece!), Me (Missy Noonan), Sharon Cochrane (my friend!), and Lisa Petersen (my friend!)



Thank you for supporting Sonata through the past 5 years! Now, let's celebrate!






It's our birthday, but we're giving you the presents! From now until the end of June, there are 5 fabulous choices on how to celebrate and save! (One choice per visit...offers cannot be combined.)




1)Sign up at www.sonatahome.com or in the store to be placed on our email list. You will be sent a "Celebration" email. Print and use as your very own Sonata Shopping Pass and save 20% on each and every purchase between now and June 30.* (If you are already on our email list, check your in-box!)

2) Pop a birthday balloon in the store for savings of 20-50% off your entire purchase.*

3) Enter your name in the store for a chance to win a Sid Dickens Memory Block.

4) Like us on Facebook and receive a special discount to be used in the month of July*

5) Save on special discounts storewide.

*Cannot be used on Sid Dickens, Letters from Home, clearance merchandise, or special orders.

If your timing is good, you might even get a cupcake!



Thank you for 5 great years!