Calico Cat

Calico Cat The Calico cat is currently closed. After all these years of following their dream we can say that the idea was successful.

Forty-six years ago Bruni and Bill Obriecht opened their doors to a shop with the idea of presenting American crafts to people who would appreciate and support such an endeavor. Over time we supplemented with crafts from other countries. We travel to numerous craftshows in the U.S. and Europe to gather the many different items you will find in our store. As one customer put it: "Candy for the eye!

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We enjoy meeting the people who are so talented and produce beauty to enhance our lives. Today, 46 years later we have a marvelous collection, some from craftspeople we have known for decades and others we just added when we last visited the Buyers Market of American Crafts and the American Craft Council shows.

09/16/2017

Bill Obriecht passed away on September 13, 2017 from complications of cancer. He was admitted to St. Agnes Hospital on September 12, and died the evening of September 13. During his brief stay at St. Agnes, he was always in the company of one or more members of his family. His wife, Bruni, his children, and his three grandchildren living in Maryland all had an opportunity to be with him before he passed

Currently, we are mourning our loss privately. A gathering to remember Bill will take place at 11 am on Saturday, September 30 at Emory Church in Upperco, MD. All are invited to come and share their remembrances. A light lunch will follow the gathering at the church.

Everyone asks, so I share with you, that Bruni is holding up well. She is sad, as we all are, but she is carrying on and making wise decisions. I will make updates to this page as events unfold.

The following obituary will be posted in the Baltimore Sun, the Howard County Times, and the Carroll County times in the coming week:

William (Bill) Obriecht of Woodlawn, MD died at the age of 85 on September 13, 2017. He was loved by his family: Bruni Obriecht, his wife of 62 years, his children Richard, Alex and Christine, his grandchildren Nikolas, Christa, Ben and Ariel, his great grandchildren Eli, Shepard, Oliver and Finnegan, and his brother Jim Obriecht.
Bill’s life was well spent in devotion to his family and public service. He will be remembered for his unceasing concern for the well-being of others in the community.
A Remembrance of Bill Obriecht will be held on at 11 am Sept 30 at Emory United Methodist Church, 1600 Emory Church Road, Upperco MD 21155. All are welcome to share their remembrances with us. Lunch will follow.
If one wishes to make a donation please consider Assateague Island National Seashore. We spent wonderful days as a family at Assateague and it is a special place for us and many others. Donations may be sent to: Deborah Darden, Superintendent - Assateague Island National Seashore, 7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, MD 21811

07/19/2017

Bruni will be at the Calico Cat this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, July 20, 21, 1nd 22 to sell the last of the merchandise at substantial discounts. She also received an order of our lovely Italian soaps and artisian olive oil and vinegars which she is selling at regular price. For those who just couldn't get enough...

From 10 am to 5 pm, those three days only.

06/30/2017

A message from Bruni:

"To all of you who came to The Calico Cat, supported our endeavor, and let it happen, thank you.

And even though we'll be apart
You and the Cat have a place in my heart.

B & B"

06/30/2017

A Gathering

Tomorrow marks the last day that The Calico Cat will be open for business. For those of you who wish to see Bruni and Bill one more time, they will be having a gathering for all those who wish to attend at the Calico Cat store on the weekend of July 15 and 16. Both Bill and Bruni will be there from 1-5 pm on both Saturday and Sunday to thank all their dear customers, many of whom became their good friends.

The store will be empty of displays, but full of memories and nostalgia. Please come by and say hello and give Bruni and Bill a opportunity to thank you once again.

06/03/2017

I just learned this: Bruni says we still have TOO MANY cards. All cards will be on sale for $1.00 each until they are gone. Birthday, Father's Day, anniversary, wedding, blank cards, whatever occasion you imagine, we have a card for you. They are going fast at this price, so if you still send messages the old fashioned way, come soon to stock up on our beautiful cards.

We keep finding merchandise that hasn't seen the light of day for decades. All are on sale, for 50% off the original prices. If you like bold graphic retro, we have four silk screened panels from the 1970's for about $20 each. Three gorgeous Italian porcelain figurines that will be selling for $100 to $500 each. We still have exquisite art glass, beautiful wooden jewelry boxes, a variety of pottery and much more.

Bruni will be working tomorrow, June 3, until she runs out of steam, so if you want to see her, stop on by. Chris and John will also be available to help you.

05/29/2017

As we approach our 49th anniversary and the expected closing date for our store, we will have the biggest (and last) sale ever. During the month of June, 2017, everything in the store will be half price. All sales are final. If you have bags and packing material for your available, we'd appreciate it if you brought some with you to pack your purchases.

Recipients of our mailers know that we celebrate our anniversary in June by selling one item at percent discount equivalent to the number of years we have been open. Last year, the discount was 48% off regular price. This year, it would have been 49% off. We expect that we will be busy, and calculating 49% off everything is just too much math. So we are rounding up to 50% off. Besides, Bruni wanted to make it to the 50th anniversary, so at least we can have the 50th anniversary sale.

There are many beautiful items left in the store and this will be your last chance to pick up the special item you have been eyeing. If it hasn't already sold, it will certainly be gone by the end of the month. Also, for the first time, we will be discounting all the jewelry in the store. We hope to see you in the store this June.

05/29/2017

We will be closed Monday, Memorial Day, 2017.

04/30/2017

German Imports on Sale

Bruni has decided to let all the German imports go on sale. That includes all those little carved and painted figurines by Hubrig, Dregeno, and Wendt and Kuhn. It also includes the paper mache decorations by Marolin as well as other imports. In stock items only. While supplies last.

Penrose Design jewelry
04/24/2017

Penrose Design jewelry

May Specials at the Calico CatIt’s hard to be glum when during springtime in Maryland brings its succession of blooms on...
04/24/2017

May Specials at the Calico Cat

It’s hard to be glum when during springtime in Maryland brings its succession of blooms on red bud, cherry, dogwood, crabapples, azalea, and lilac, all clothing the land in pastels to complement the fresh foliage. So let’s get out and enjoy the soft breezes, gentle sunshine, and even the rains that bring on the flush of growth.

During the month of May, take a little drive, stop by the Calico Cat and do a bit of shopping. Pick up all pottery and wooden items at 40% off retail price. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day will be coming up soon, so go ahead and plan ahead. This will be your opportunity to finally buy a gorgeous jewelry box or turned wooden bowl that you’ve been dreaming about for years. Buy pottery to use in your kitchen or give as a wedding present this summer. We still have beautiful wooden pens, cutting boards, carvings, and many other wooden items. Of course, you know of our extensive and beautiful pottery, with everything from salt cellars to mugs to casseroles and serving platters. But don’t wait too long if you want the best selection. We have been selling out of our popular items in the first few weeks of each month.

Many of our regular customers have figured out that we change our special pricing every month and will continue to do so...
03/15/2017

Many of our regular customers have figured out that we change our special pricing every month and will continue to do so until we close or pass the business on. In April all textiles, purses and baskets will be discounted 40% off the retail price. As Bruni put it, everything soft. This will include plush toys and dolls as well as the table runners, scarves, hats, placemats, aprons, potholders and whatever else you can fold.

Baskets will go on sale just in time for Easter, so if you want an heirloom basket to display Wendy and Margherite’s eggs in, April is the time to shop. Have you been longing for a long needle and walnut shell baskets but just couldn’t afford them? Pick one up in April and at a substantial discount. Been eying one of our hand dyed silk scarves? Pick one up for Mother, her day is just around the corner. Do you know a young woman who will be graduating soon? Check out our purses, in all sizes and shapes. Plan to shop in April for your spring gifts.

We will not be restocking our merchandise once it is sold, so if you know you want something, shop early.

Well, old man winter had to have his last hurrah before retreating from the spring breezes and I hope everyone has made ...
03/15/2017

Well, old man winter had to have his last hurrah before retreating from the spring breezes and I hope everyone has made it through the storm unscathed. What’s new? We finally got our last shipment in from Hubrig. Are you a collector of those small hand carved and painted figurines from Germany? We have only about a dozen pieces in stock, so if you want them, don’t delay. If you placed a special order of Hubrig items from us, we have set your pieces aside and we will call you soon.

Now, for those of you who like to plan ahead, Wendy Ng and Margherite Montague will be giving their usual egg decorating event on April 1st from 10 am until 4 or 5 pm. Wendy will be using the Ukrainian wax resist dye technique to color her eggs, while Margherite hand paints and customizes real and faux eggs. This past December, Margherite had so many orders for eggs with custom messages, she barely got them finished by the end of the day. As this may be our last demonstration event at the Calico Cat, we expect many people to be visiting, so try to get your request in early. We hope to see you all then!

Address

2137 Gwynn Oak Avenue
Baltimore, MD
21207

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 10am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 10am - 5:30pm
Thursday 10am - 5:30pm
Friday 10am - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+14109442450

Website

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