Nestled away in an upright glass case toward the back of the bountiful Appetizers exhibit in the main gallery at the Coconino Center for the Arts is "Gatsby," a delicate necklace with subtle colors, which might be missed among all its brilliantly colored artwork neighbors.Three beaded strands are fashioned with colors reminiscent of a bygone, post-World War I era -- "silk," an off-white, "olivine," a kind of khaki, and "padrascha," a watermelon-like Indian red."I had wanted to bring some more color into the necklace," explained bead artist Sharri Penland, one of the more than 100 participating artists in the 2007 Open Studios tour, celebrating its 10th anniversary next weekend.Penland said she received the vision for the necklace while falling asleep one night. The creation was also inspired by the opaque, creamy-white, vintage Swarovski crystal beads she and her partner and fellow bead artist Jerry O'Connor purchased this year at a gem show in Tucson.The annual Open Studios is the signature event of the Artists' Coalition of Flagstaff.

WENLAN

Somewhere in the definition of Twinkle by Wenlan, there must be a hidden meaning of "whimsical." Wenlan Chia sent out yet another cute and adorable collection of dresses (in super mini and maxi lengths), capri pants, tunic tops, billowy shorts, high-waisted trousers, cropped jackets, and her signature knit sweaters and cardigans.

As the Taiwanese-born Chia continues to nurture her growing mini empire (it includes Twinkle Living, Twinkle Accessories and Twinkle Handknit Yarns), she stays close to the roots of her design appeal, displaying vivid color patterns, organic shapes, intarsia and chandelier prints, and piling on the accessories.

Since launching her ready-to-wear label, fans are familiar with pairings like a silk georgette mauve wallpaper-print dress, with a corn-blue cashmere cropped sweater, and nipped in at the waist with a half-moon charm belt.