Gallery for craft in Walnut Creek

Walnut Creek’s downtown has a new addition, Calypso Twist — a store celebrating the energy that art brings to life and the home. Miriam Michael wanted to elevate craft and opened the retail gallery after leaving an executive career with Estee Lauder in 2005.

Calypso Twist offers hand-painted glassware, beautiful serving pieces, ceramic dishes in bright dots and stripes, and the coolest flatware by more than 200 nationally acclaimed artists.

The store is perfect for lighthearted gifts for friends and family — adorable picture frames; greeting cards; beautiful wall hangings in glass, ceramic, fabric, metal and wood — all with heartwarming messages. There’s a special niche of Judaica featuring art and functional craft from newly discovered artists here and in Israel.

The exuberant collections of handcrafted (and mostly hand-painted) furniture would take any room out of the ordinary. Pieces come from Oakland artist David Coddaire (his Wavy Cabinets shown, $1,320 for unit on left, $1,100 for right), Sticks (leather bench below, $2,645), Shoestring Creations, Mitch Levine, Studio 78 and others.

Freddy Moran’s colorful quilts and wall hangings, Frannie’s hand-painted gourds and the selection of decorative pillows (Message pillow from Susan Hargrove shown at top, $99), lanterns, lamps, floor rugs, decorative and functional drawer pulls, seasonal and holiday accessories, and jewelry complete the “something for everyone” array of merchandise.

Prices range from $10 on small novelties and up to more than $3,500 on original art.

Calypso Twist also hosts a monthly art series called Celebrating Art, which features local artists, wine and hors d’oeuvres. The March 3 evening event will celebrate Berkeley artist Kay Harper and her original greeting-card line of Kid’s Quotes. April 21 puts the spotlight on Sticks hand-painted furniture.

Calypso Twist, 1357 N. Main St., Walnut Creek. (925) 944-4860; www.calypsotwist.com. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.