By Clyde Noel

Last Tuesday, Jane and David Coldoff opened Treasure in downtown Los Altos, a store unlike any other in the immediate area.

“It’s a collection of the items we brought back from our trips to the Far East, Romania and South America,” Jane said. “We like to visit the Far East, especially to see their beautiful and interesting textiles.”

Treasure’s clothing racks reveal distinctive and finely woven designs in a variety of fabrics. Jane is a weaver and understands handcrafted items. She appreciates being able to meet the artists who create the distinctive pieces.

“I work with my hands and enjoy sharing that passion with others,” Jane said. “As a weaver, I understand the process. At one time, I was co-owner of Hand Weavers of Los Altos.”

David handles the business end of the store and is involved with the day-to-day physical improvements. He supervised the 40-day renovation that prepared the store for the opening.

“I like the business because it gives us a focus when we travel,” David said. “It provides a closer connection to people from other countries where we do business.”

The name, Treasure, came from a day spent in Hakone, a national park in Japan. David worked with a Japanese scholar to find Kanji characters that represent the meaning of the eight-character English word.

Treasure features versatile clothing that can be worn as a jacket or a coat over a basic outfit. Jane modeled a sleeveless silk jacket from Thailand made of silk ikat, a type of weave where the warp, weft or both are tie-dyed before weaving to create unique designs on the finished fabric.

Jane knows the designer who employs several villages of women who weave, dye and sew for her.

“Where possible, I buy from cooperatives of craftspeople so I know the money goes to the workers,” she said.

Jewelry inventory varies from old silver pieces from Turkey and India to contemporary Chinese and Japanese articles.

Karen Jensen, a part-time employee, said it’s exciting to be around things from all parts of the world. “It’s fascinating to see what is coming in next.”

The 2,200-square-foot store offers blank books for journal writers and a substantial selection of papers for artists. Jane said she uses the papers in her own collage work and for special wrappings.

Dresser scarves from a Romanian farmhouse manufacturer are piled against the wall, and table runners from Japan are scattered in the pile.

High ceilings provide wall space to display dragon kites, windsocks and Japanese boy’s day banners.

“I love this store because it provides the opportunity to speak with other people with the same interests and appreciation for textiles from around the world,” Jane said. “My clothing is unique and different, and I believe women have the right to wear fashionable, distinctive clothing regardless of their size.”

Treasure is located at 151 Main St. For more information, call 948-9900 or e-mail: