Couple opens SLO County shop featuring works of over 20 artisans. Here's a look

When the husband-and-wife creators of hand-poured candles and one-of-a-kind jewelry discovered the seaside Central Coast village of Cayucos, they knew they’d found the home for their new shop.

Opening Artistry by the Sea was the proverbial match made in heaven, Meagan and Micah Gittins said.

Showcasing the work of other artists, artisans and craftspeople “felt like a natural fit,” Meagan said. “As an artist myself, I know how many talented makers create beautiful work that people would love - if only they could find it.”

Since their opening on starting Jan. 30, the two Idaho natives have curated and assembled the works of more than 20 other artisans and craftspeople and are showcasing them all in their shop at 146 N. Ocean Ave., Suite B.

That puts Artistry by the Sea right between the Cayucos Surf Company and the Old Cayucos Tavern & Card Room, also known as the Cayucos Saloon.

“The space itself is beautiful. It has original wood floors and a large south-facing window that fills the shop with natural light,” said Megan, who usually acts as the gallery’s spokesperson. “It’s right in the heart of town and just steps from the beach, which feels perfectly aligned with the spirit of the shop.”

“When we heard that Emma from Maven Leather was leaving the space, we immediately knew it was the perfect spot for us,” she said.

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What will shoppers find at Artistry by the Sea?

Other media currently in the shop’s carefully selected display include more jewelry by Meagan and two other artists, Micah’s candles, plus ceramics, textiles, leather goods and “other ‘fine goods’ that celebrate life’s little luxuries,” she told The Tribune.

“We carry botanically dyed silk, handmade cashmere scarves, pottery from two ceramic artists, leather bags, hand-poured candles made by Micah using 100% clean ingredients, hand-painted seashell art, photographic prints of my sea glass and shell photography, Turkish cotton robes and beach towels, wool blankets, glass art and books,” Meagan said.

So far, most popular among those items have been the beach towels, Micah’s hand-poured candles and Meagan’s earrings, which make great gifts, she said.

“I work a lot with copper as well as silver and occasionally gold. I also love gemstones and probably have a bit of an addiction to collecting fascinating stones,” the self-taught metalsmith said.

“Most of my work is unique and one-of-a-kind,” Meagan said, with inspiration she draws from the sea.

“I’m drawn to techniques that feel organic and connected to nature. I especially enjoy fused silver and electroformed copper - I often electroform organic objects like shells, coating them in copper or silver so they can be preserved forever as wearable art,” she said.

How the couple went from Idaho to Cayucos

The couple “were friends for several years before realizing we were actually a perfect match,” Meagan said. They’ve been married for 23 years.

“I’ve always been creative and explored many different paths over the years, including working as a retail buyer and merchandiser, interior designer and wedding photographer before eventually finding my way to jewelry design,” she said.

She ran several businesses, including a wedding photography enterprise and a home-staging/interior design firm.

Then, “I really tapped into my artistic side while recovering from some health issues several years ago,” she said. That experience forced her to slow down, and she began making jewelry.

“I quickly realized that creating art was something I needed as much as eating well or exercising,” Meagan said.

Her husband is equally creative, she said, but in a different way, which helps keep the partnership well-rounded.

“Micah is an entrepreneur and a true connoisseur of life … a longtime business owner in the service industry in a resort town,” Meagan said. “He developed a deep appreciation for hospitality, craftsmanship and the little details that make everyday life feel special.”

Before moving to San Luis Obispo County three months ago, Megan said, “We spent seven years living in Europe,” returning to the United States about three years ago.

Their overseas experiences taught them they wanted their new home to capture what they loved about the continent, “a walkable, welcoming, laid-back village near the ocean with beautiful scenery and a slower pace of life,” she said.

Their search paid off.

“When we found Cayucos, it felt like the timeless coastal town we had dreamed of finding,” Megan said.

How to contact the shop

Artistry by the Sea is currently open Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The couple plans to extend those hours during the summer season and will share updates on their social media, such as their two Instagram accounts, one for Artistry by the Sea and the other for Megan’s Silver Coast Designs.

For other details, call 805-391-8557 or vist the shop’s website www.artistrybythesea.com.

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