Merging Ecommerce Site with Content Site

Two Domains, should they be one?

[Step_Fist]

I have a website which is mostly original content about handcrafted art and gifts. Many items are custom made so this site acts like a brochure for them. I also have a separate domain with a shopping cart for the non-custom made products for sale. The sites have the same branding and top level navigation but different urls.
Would I have optimization benefits from combining the 2 in one domain?
How do I get there from here?
Thank you-

Stephen

[physics]

Hi Step_Fist, welcome to WebmasterWorld.com!

I don't think you should merge the two. The benefits of having two domains are that you can target each towards slightly different phrases and also if the rankings drop for one you still have the other. Furthermore since you have two domains you can get two Yahoo! lisings, two DMOZ listings (maybe), etc.
For example, you want to target the handcrafted domain toward handcrafted key phrases. Then you want to target the other domains toward the main products for that domain...