When Ann Kaplan and Dottie Wolf moved to Indianapolis from the East Coast, they were hard pressed to find a place to shop for fine art jewelry, ceramics, art glass, art furniture and other contemporary items.

So in 1977, with Ann providing the art expertise and Dottie the business savvy, they fulfilled that need by opening Artifacts, at 6418 Carrollton, where the Golden Thimble is today (in 2005). The partners chose Broad Ripple as the location for their business because the area was the most interesting section of Indy - the atmosphere seemed like a small Greenwich Village. Today Ann is the sole owner and is very focused on retaining that interesting village aura. "Broad Ripple is a village and should remain that way," says Ann Kaplan.

As a girl, Ann's daughter would often be sent on errands to Handy Hardware. Several years later, the Handy Hardware space at 6327 Guilford became available. According to Ann, "We grabbed it and moved in." A lot of cleaning was required to fashion a former hardware space into a gallery. The result, however, was a showplace for American contemporary crafts in a prime location. People knew a good thing when they saw the merchandise and Artifacts took off as a spot for sophisticated shoppers who want high quality unique items.

Artifacts' customers are not limited to the Indianapolis area - celebrities and collectors frequent the gallery. When the 500 and Grand Prix are in town, drivers, crew members and wives come in to check out the latest showings. When Eight Men Out was filmed in Indiana, the producers came in to order a special gift for the production crew. Ann is especially proud of her customer who was wearing a beautiful Darwall scarf while walking along a street in New York City. Someone asked where she got the scarf and the customer proudly replied, "Artifacts in Indy."

Ann's daughter, Jeanne Kaplan (BRHS 86), manages the gallery and can be found there except when she is away on a buying trip. Mother and daughter, who both hold fine art degrees, make several buying trips a year to search for items that meet their very high standards. Each item has to pass artistic judgment, price and design. They recently went to Philadelphia's Rosen Buyers Market, where they found several new artists. If you stop by in a few weeks, you will find a unique selection of glass goblets, vases, candlesticks and handturned wood salad bowls that are claimed to be used by the finest chefs in New York City. Another trip to a March show in Kentucky is sure to result in exciting finds.

As you enter the gallery, the first thing that stands out is the profusion of color and variety. Counters and display cases are filled with unusual jewelry ranging from as low as four dollars to more expensive one-of-a-kind fine art pieces. Indianapolis Monthly Magazine's readers voted the exquisite choices the "coolest." A garnet necklace by artist Gabriel Pyra will add pizzazz to that favorite black dress. Take home a pair of Dawn Estrin's drop earrings with vintage photos made of oxidized sterling silver, peridot and pearl for $55.00. If garnets and pearls aren't your style, there is a case filled with Lydia Gerbig-Fast's exquisite flowers in spring-colored enamels. Her work has been featured in major galleries in New York, Massachusetts and the Midwest. If you would like to meet her, visit Artifacts on May 13 (2005). The showing is in conjunction with the Broad Ripple Gallery Tour and the Indiana Arts Commission.

While fine art jewelry is one of the categories that Artifacts is known for, the gallery is filled with endless other selections. Hand dyed silk purses and scarves by Judie Huss will add a touch of style to your outfit.

Adding personality to your home is easy at Artifacts. Mobiles of silk leaves dangle from the ceiling. Furniture selections include polished hardwood wood tables and colorful tiled mirrors by Bella Bella Arts of Bloomington. Accordion, by Missouri artist Michael Bauermeister, is crafted of laminated birch that is turned on a lathe and carved. Sitting in the center of the gallery is a large multicolored ottoman by Robert A. Harman. The artist built the frame and painted colorful designs on the legs. The diverse mix of fabric and patterns is guaranteed to please contemporary aficionados.

Beautiful, yet functional glass objects are displayed, such as a bright blue and green bowl by Kokomo Opalescent Glass' Hot Glass Studio. Take home a set of swirled tumblers for cool drinks on a summer evening. If something more subdued matches your décor, a wide range of ceramic vases, bowls and pots are showcased. Crackle glazed or matte, the ceramics are exceptional. Especially eye-catching was a set of Dancing Teapots by Michael Lambert.

Artifacts chooses artists from around the country for their merchandise. Jeanne Kaplan has noticed that people are becoming more aware of buying items made in the U.S.A. Artifacts is the place to buy. The majority of the merchandise is made in the United States by hand; the works of Hoosier artists are offered as well. Nominated by Niche magazine as one of the top 100 retailers in the country for galleries and artists, many Indiana artists seek the gallery to be their retailer.

Besides merchandise, Artifacts offers several services. Framing of that special picture or textile can be done by expert Sally Flint, who also is skilled with conservation techniques. If you are getting married and already have basic household items, consider registering at Artifacts for unique wedding gifts. If your family never seems to know what to buy you for a special occasion, start a Wish List at Artifacts.

Like the garnets in the cases, Artifacts is one of the jewels of Broad Ripple. If you want unique items for yourself or as a gift, experience the gallery tucked under the awning on Guilford. You will not find this level of quality, service or expertise in any cookie cutter chain.

If you want to take a peek at the selections or learn about karats and alloys, visit their website www.artifactsindy.com.

Visit Artifacts any day. Store hours are 10 to 6 Monday through Saturday, Friday 10 to 8 p.m, and Sun 12pm -5pm. At Christmas and when the tables come out in the Village, hours are longer.