Places 'Yule' Love: The Switch House | Arts & Culture

Just hear those sleigh bells ring-a-ling... In case you couldn't tell, I am in the holiday spirit.  I have my tree up, my house decorated, and my stockings hung with care.  But some things still have to be done.

To complete my holiday decorations, I have to find "the ornament" and make my house smell like Christmas.

Each year, my husband and I pick out an ornament to celebrate something special we did that year; this year it is going to be our trip we took to Walt Disney World.  We also find a candle to heat up to make the house smell great.

I am planning on heading across the tracks this year to The Switch House in Huntsville.  They have 300 square feet of art/crafts from more than 60 local artists.  And by local, I mean within 80 miles of the store.

Monique Givens is the store owner and opened the shop two years ago.  She loved the area and when deciding on a name, she went back to the roots of what the building was used for -- an old train switch house.

Since she opened two years ago, there has been tremendous growth in the area with the addition of the toy store, Sandwich Farm, and the Lone Goose Saloon.  It doesn't hurt that the skate park and dog park are near by either.

Monique has all of her artists bring in and price their items. She even hosts a meet the artists night once a month.  She is a former UA Huntsville art teacher with a studio at Lowe Mill.  She decided to open her own shop and has loved having a place for nearby artists to showcase their talent.

Several of the items in her store are re-purposed, natural, and organic.  I have a dog and, naturally, I spoil him rotten.  The Switch House carries what Monique calls up-cycled dog beds from old sweaters. She makes organic dog shampoo, and carries brew treats.  The brew treats are a hit with my poodle.  He loves the fresh natural grains that are used to make beer (there are no hops or alcohol in the treats) and gobbles them up!

Monique has her work in galleries throughout the United States but loves to make Eco-soy candles that she puts into beautiful tea-cups.  She just released two new smells, candy cane and sugar cookie. 

What's great about her business is that if you have the glass/jar/receptacle to put the wax in, she will fill it for you (with a discount).  So if you have some mismatched china that isn't going anywhere but is sentimental, fill it up, Buttercup!

If you are a hostess or soon to be bride, this would be such a cute idea.  You would totally amaze all of your Pinterest followers with your creative candle!  The Switch House was recently featured in the December issue of Southern Living and Spark magazine.

Another thing I love about The Switch House is the fact they get fresh Fred Bread every day. They also have a new coffee that is roasted in Huntsville.  If you watch on Facebook, they even offer up classes.

Stop by on December 9th when Monique is hosting an open house. It's from noon - 4pm.  You will get a chance to meet various artists, have some snacks, and do some shopping for that special something that will make your holiday home complete.