DO IT NOW

Create a simple but stunning Thanksgiving tabletop display by using three things you have at home: a vase, a tray and a candlestick. Check out our how-to video at www.startribune.com/homegarden.

HOT TICKET

• Hundreds of handmade ornaments are on display at I Like You's annual ornament show and sale Saturday in the store's new location, 501 1st Av. NE., Mpls. Does it seem early for the event, featuring the work of local crafters, designers and artists? It is, the owners say, but they timed their event to the annual Northeast Boutique Crawl, going on at the same time.

• Sunday starts the run, through Jan. 3, of the Northern Clay Center's annual Holiday Exhibition and Sale, featuring the work of more than 60 artists. Also that day: You can create and decorate tiles and ornaments at the center for $5; they'll be fired and ready for pickup Dec. 1. Noon to 4 p.m., 2424 E. Franklin Av., Minneapolis; 612-339-8007.

MUSEUM CRAWL

Check out the opening of "Matryoshka: The Russian Nesting Doll" at the Museum of Russian Art on Saturday in Minneapolis. The exhibition of about 70 sets of brightly painted wooden folk art dolls (named for the Latin "mater," or "mother,") was selected from a private, San Francisco-based collection, which the museum described as one of the nation's largest. Admission is $5 for adults, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon., Wed., Fri.; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thu.; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. and 1-5 p.m. Sun. 5500 Stevens Av. S., details at www.tmora.org.

WE SPOTTED IT

Two new shower options for cleanliness: Three buttons on the ActivTouch handheld shower control eight spray combinations, including four with a massage function. Multiple styles, starting at $45, in chrome and satin nickel finishes. Go to www.alsons.com for the nearest Minnesota dealer. Showertek's "Green Choice" gives users the ability to pause the water flow or adjust it to between 1 and 21/2 gallons per minute. The company said the lower setting could save $250 a year, based on 10-minute showers for a family of four. A handheld option, pictured below, costs $29.95, a wall-mount version costs $24.95. Both are new and not yet in stores; you can request to be notified when they are at www.showertek.com. Costco carries a combo wall and handheld unit, $59.

WEB WATCH

www.remodelista.com

Termed "Sourcebook for the Considered Home," this design blog/shopper was founded by four women as an alternative to the diminishing number of printed shelter magazines. New York- and California-based editors Julie, Janet, Sarah and Francesca offer a rotating list of their favorite picks by category down the right-hand side, with links for purchase. Lots of looky pictures of cool interiors make this a pleasant respite as well as a practical resource.

STORE NEWS

• New in southwest Minneapolis: Shoppe Local, a spot featuring items handmade by Twin Cities dwellers and other Minnesotans. The store, at 813 W. 50th St., is operated by Christine Ward and Rick Haase, just a few doors down from their Patina store. Shoppe Local offers home goods including pillows, artwork, paper goods, clothes, jewelry, accessories and food products. The artists range from those who sell through www.etsy.com to established firms such as Caldrea and Minnesota Moccasins. Ward and Haase own the building; Ward said this retail offering fits well with the other tenants, which in addition to Patina include Blackbird and Heidi's restaurants and a jewelry designer.

• Returning to the Galleria in Edina for the holiday season: the Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop, featuring traditional handmade German gifts, such as the candelabra pictured above, open through Dec. 31.

NEXT WEEK

What's the hottest color in home interiors? This season, the new black is ... black. It has returned as part of the '80s fashion flashback, but unlike the shiny, glitzy black of that decade, today's blacks have a subtle matte finish.

KIM YEAGER, Connie Nelson

IN THE MAGS

Now that Metropolitan Home magazine has said it will quit publishing after the December edition, whither your subscription? Owner Hachette Filipacchi Media said those whose subscription isn't expiring when the magazine is will now get Elle Decor, its remaining title in its "upscale shelter segment." Metropolitan Home was renamed from Apartment Life in 1981 (which began as Apartment Ideas in 1969). And if you already get Elle Decor, too? The publisher said your subscription will be extended by the number of MH issues you had remaining.