On tree-shaded Jarves Street, right off Route 6A in Sandwich, My Sister's Gallery is one of those places you can go to again and again--and still find something wonderful to see. Located in a quaint Cape with three rooms filled to the rafters with distinctive gift items like hand-painted silk ties, hand-blown glass by well-known Cape artisans, and hand-crafted jewelry created by a variety of artists, this is the kind of place where you can find a Christmas present for every person on your list--and those presents will be one-of-a-kind gifts people will cherish.

However, it is as an art gallery that this shop really shines. Owners Donna Bridges and her son, Justin Aldrich, have gathered a wonderful collection of original oils, watercolors, pastels, and acrylics by more than 20 artists that will surprise any collector looking for top quality--but not budget-breaking--art. My Sister's Gallery is full of award-winning work like that of up-and-coming Cape artist Pam Earlywine, who recently won "Best in Show" at the Cape Cod Art Association's "Through the Eyes of an Artist" show and Herb Holden, whose watercolors, oil paintings, and acrylic renderings of quintessential Cape Cod scenes have been winning awards for decades.

"We've tried to exhibit a diverse collection of artists, in a wide range of prices, for every art collector," says Donna, who points out that many of the gallery's items, including fine pottery, exquisite sailor's valentines by talented Cape native Audrey O'Donnell, and home decor items, in addition to the works of more than 20 artists, are reasonably priced. "We want our customers to be able to afford beautiful things," says Bridges.

My Sister's Gallery is open year-round and Justin, who helps his mother with buying and marketing duties as well as manning the shop, is constantly coming up with new ways to increase the gallery's foot traffic­--especially after Labor Day. "We're always trying to work with the Sandwich community to generate more visibility for the shop," says Justin, noting that even during the colder months, My Sister's Gallery stages special events, especially during the holiday season.

"So many people come to Sandwich for attractions like the Heritage Museums and Gardens, or just to see this beautiful Cape town," says Donna. "We want those visitors to come to My Sister's Gallery for something special to take home."-- Susan Dewey

My Sister's Gallery is located at 20 Jarves Street, Sandwich, MA, 508-888-0756, www.mysistersgallery.net.

Susan Dewey is the editor of ART of the Cape & Islands.