Children's Hour
Personalized baby gifts, perfect portraits and more.
Capturing Smiles
Cute As Can Be
Pierce Street Portraits has been doing business in downtown Birmingham for
Darcee Matlen is no stranger to the world of design. Before she became a mother
25 years. The location for which they were named may have changed from
of two, Matlen studied fashion and worked in retail. When the West Bloomfield
Pierce Street to Old Woodward, but their high-quality photos remain the same.
resident began designing and selling personalized baby gifts through her Web
Elaine Yaker, Marcia Boxman and Nannette Carnick — known for their fine art
site, Violet Gumdrop, a little over a year ago, she never expected an interna-
photography — go beyond the fabulous faces they capture through the cam-
tional response. "I was just looking to present a unique product from home,"
era lens. "We are so much about family," Yaker says. In fact, the same families
says Matlen, who has expanded her lines to include jewelry for juniors. Now, her
they photographed two decades ago keep coming back for more. Handcrafted
designs are shipped throughout the country and as far away as Australia and the
books and storage boxes also are available. Sitting fee starts at $175. Prints are
U.K. One of her bestsellers is the friendship necklace, which comes in fun styles
additional. piercestreetportraits.com ; (248) 646-6950.
— Jeanine Mallow
like PB & J and Milk & Cookies. violetgumdrop.com ; (248) 770-8116.
Child Style
Sisters Marla Bednarsh and Alisa Berke weren't able to find a selection of unique, high-quality
clothing for their kids under one roof, so they opened their own specialty store. Peek-A-Bootique
at the Boardwalk Shopping Center in West Bloomfield offers familiar names such as Monster
Pe
Republic, Sister Sam and Cotton Caboodle, along with newer names like Pinc, Pamela Jo and
AN114-
tr‘ gth . 4
Jannuzzi. "I like a lot of variety," Bednarsh says. "We carry fun, fresh and hard-to-find styles."
The sisters weren't content to simply carry something unique; they wanted the shopping experience
to stand out as well. Their clever concept for a children's play area makes it a breeze for adults to
browse. Little ones can sit on swivel chairs and watch their favorite shows on TV, read books or
play with puzzles and toys. (248) 855-8000.
B 12
•
OCTOBER 2008 •
DI platinum
Ovs'
i
.at
• lowfila
l
-4,4
Am, 1.?"1 . 1
47,10-44#4. 0.%
ov— 7.7
.4044104.41#44:44"
d r,e1
'111
II°
01.
et
9,11
1
— J.M