Columnist Muriel Stevens: Love is the answer at Nambe

Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005 | 8:20 a.m.

Nambe at the Forum Shops at Caesars is featuring a collection of gifts inspired by Cupid. Situated in Phase III of the Forum Shops, Nambe pieces are made from what the company's vice president and creative director Bob Borden says is "a remarkable metal alloy, unique to Nambe, that requires a 15-step casting process that has been the cornerstone of the business for more than 50 years."

Nambe has the beauty and luster of silver and will not crack, chip or tarnish. In 1999 the Santa Fe, N.M.-based company began working with full lead crystal blown by master European artisans. Some of those pieces are included in the Valentine gift collection.

Amore, a Nambe heart-shaped bowl, ranges in price from $55 to $135. Fill it with chocolates or other candies.

The Amore crystal bowl "subtly evokes a heart form, open arms and possibly a kiss," Borden says. The Amore crystal bowl is offered in various sizes and is priced from $125 to $220. Store hours are 10 to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

Call 862-8845 for more information.

Great American Cookies: Great American Cookies stores at the Galleria at Sunset mall, Las Vegas Outlet Center and Meadows mall, will offer Valentine treats ranging in price from $6 to $25.

Featured this year is a Great American oversized pop-up greeting card with a cookie inside, buckets of love filled with cookies, Valentine's Day cookies in a heart-shaped tin and a heart-shaped cookie cake in a red foil gift box.

Great American Cookies offers free delivery in Southern Nevada for all orders more than $15. Gifts can be shipped. For more information call 266-5432.

Be Mine says Sweethearts Gum: The New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) has launched Sweethearts Gum in time for Valentine's Day. This fun new gum joins the longtime company's favorite Valentine's Day candy, Sweethearts Conversation Hearts.

Sweetened with Splenda (a sugar substitute derived from real sugar), these small hearts of gum contain four calories each and are intensely flavored. Flavors include Bloomin' Berry, Fruit Blast, Green Apple, Luscious Lemonade and Juicy Orange.

I'm not a gum person, but I did enjoy the Juicy Orange that I taste tested for 10 minutes. Kids will love these heart-shaped treats with a candy coating and imprinted romantic sayings.

Suggested price for a 12-piece blister pack is 99 cents. For more information visit www.necco.com.

Pyrex Double Decker Portable: This new double threat portable insulated carrier with two stacked and zippered compartments and oven-proof baking dishes with snap-on lids is ideal for tailgaters, Super Bowl parties and potluck suppers.

This new Pyrex Portable carrier set keeps dishes hot or cold in transit. The form-fitted insulated carriers include straps for hassle-free carrying and comes in a choice of colors and matching plastic baking dish lids.

Pyrex portables range in price from $19 to $24. The suggested price of the Double Decker Portable is $39.99.

AAA says gas prices are dropping: A AAA gas price report shows Nevada gas prices dropping 14 cents per gallon in January. Maybe for Valentine's Day, Cupid will drop prices amore.