Inspire Your Heart with Art Day - Jan. 31

Simone Wilson's blue heart.

January 31 is a day to celebrate art and the affect it can have on your heart. Art soothes, inspires, stimulates - there are so many reasons for having art in our homes and in our lives.

Jim Littelwolf's silver earrings.

Art can be something you hang on the wall or something you wear. The key word is handmade.

Owl quilted purse by Leslie Bowman.

The Gallery offers and array of choices of art for all ages and tastes.  Have fun and bring home some art today to fill your heart with beauty.

Dragonfly and iris tile by Tzadi Turrou.

Feathered Hats by Janice Keeler

Janice Keeler feathered hats

Local fabric artist Janice Keeler  has stocked the Gallery with her vibrantly colorful feathered hat and crocheted cascade scarves.  Scroll down for a peek at the lovely choices you have.

Ever wonder how feathers came to adorn hats?  Running parallel to the development of hat making or millinery were feather workshops int he Edwardian times.  A feather artist was called plumassier.  Feathers were dyed and made into arrangements from boas to small tufts and sprays for fashion and interiors.  Plumes then were a status symbol and a sign of economic stability.  Fortunes were paid for exotic feathered hats!

Cascade scarves complimenting a Jude Stuecker top.

Peter Lanphear jackets look all the more festive with a cascade scarf by Janice Keeler.

Notice the felted detail embellishments on her hats.

Confetti Ties by Karen Simpson

Simpson Confetti Tie

Regional fabric artist Karen Simpson creates one of a kind Confetti Scarves using vintage men's silk neckties.  With a B.S. in Fashion Design, Karen worked in costume design in Atlanta GA for many years.  For over 20 years she has created high quality apparel and art with leather, fabric and mixed media.

More Simpson ties 

Folk Art by Jay and Stephanie Jones

Robin by Stephanie Jones

At the age of ten Jay Jones began working in his father's workshop, helping his dad do light carpentry, bowls, animals and cabinets. At age 17, he built his own log cabin on a few acres given to him by his parents and knew then that he wanted to work with wood for the rest of his life.

 

Wood turtle by Jay Jones

Stephanie, Jay's wife, already a bird carver, was the driving force behind creating a new career for herself and Jay when their construction company dried up during the economic crunch of  2008.  Combining Jay's passion for all things wood and Stephanie's background in arts and crafts they established a new career for both of them.

Fish by Jay Jones

All the birds are hand carved, painted in latex acrylic and signed.  The wood is cedar, either found on the forest floor, downed by storms or given to them by friends.  The birds are made by Stephanie while Jay carves the fish and turtles.  Those are made from pine, painted and signed by Jay.  The couple likes to keep all the work simple, using restraint in their knife strokes and painting them without much fuss or unnecessary detail.  The Gallery is proud to carry their folk art animal carvings.

Stephanie Jones cardinal

Four Legged Friends

Now that the Grove Park Inn is pet friendly we get to see and meet some fun four legged friends!  Sasquatch came by over the holidays with his people.He is a service dog - perhaps in training - and behaved very well.  He is a beauty, isn't he?  Do you like pets in shops?  We do. We have always been pet friendly at the Gallery!

Helping Horses

Lyn Lyndall horse grazing handbag

So many of our artists are animal lovers and it shows in their work. Horses seem to be a major theme with hand painted leather artist Lyn Lyndall, embossed copper jeweler Robbie Diffey, and silversmith Jim Littlewolf. The Gallery would like to showcase these artists and their American handmade horse craft work in this post to help raise awareness about our local horse rescue group Hope for Horses.

Horse necklace by Littlewolf

With the economy still not in good health, many people are having to give up their horses because of the expense.This fine organization offers a sanctuary for horses of all ages to live out their lives or be available for adoption into their forever home. The shelter is overflowing with abandoned horse right now and could use some help to find homes for their wards so please do help in any way you can - adopt, donate or pass this on!

Cheyenne

Cheyenne is an 11 year old quarter/paint mare. Hope for Horses has had a local trainer working with her and she is soon to be ready to be a wonderful trail horse for a more experienced person that can show her love and consistency. She is completely sound and is a big boned, very capable mare.  For more information on how to adopt Cheyenne please contact: hopeforhorses@aol.com

Diffey copper necklace

Kelly

Kelly is an 11 year old quarter horse that has unfortunately been returned from a local organization. She was used for therapy sessions using groundwork. Due to financial issues they have had to discontinued their equine program. She was started under saddle a few years ago but she will need to be retrained before going under saddle again. She is very healthy and an easy keeper. 

For more information, contact: hopeforhorses@aol.com

Lyndall's black stallion

Littlewolf's silver necklace with horse charm

Littlewolf's Keeper with scrimshaw button

 
Please visit Camera Critters for more animal posts.  Thanks for visiting!

Jim Littlewolf - Handmade Native American Silver Jewelry

Littlewolf's four charm necklace $375.

 

Sun necklace by Littlewolf with turquoise, red glass, bone, ivory and amethyst $498.

Just before the holidays Jim Littlewolf dropped off many wonderful new items - necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings.  Each one is handmade using silver, turquoise, bone, coral, jet and
other natural materials.  Littlwolf creates his jewelry along the lines of the Southwest tribes.

Close up of the sun necklace by Littlewolf

Littlwolf ring $235.

The Southwest is especially known for its silverwork. Southwest jewelry includes designs of channel inlay, cluster, mosaic, and petite point and materials of shell, gemstones and beads. While the Navajo favored the squash blossom necklace, they often also combined turquoise, coral, and other semi-precious gemstones. They were set into silver scrolls, leaf patterns, and strung on cord for necklaces.

Heishe necklaces have been made by several southwest tribes since ancient times. The word "heishe" comes from the Santo Domingo word for "shell." A single heishe is a rolled bead of shell, turquoise, or coral, which is cut very thin. Shells used for heishe included mother-of-pearl, spiny oyster, abalone, coral, conch and clam. Tiny, thin heishe was strung together by the Santo Domingo to create necklaces, which were important trade items.


Silverworking was adopted by Native Southwest artists beginning in the 1850s, when Mexican silversmiths had to trade their silverwork for cattle from the Navajo. The Zuni admired the silver jewelry made by the Navajos, so they began trading livestock for instruction in working silver. By 1890, the Zuni had taught the Hopi how to make silver jewelry.  (Info from Wikipedia)

Teepee and pueblo heishe earrings by Littlwolf $245.

Feather charm necklace by Littlewolf $350.

Hinge bracelet by Littlewolf $825.

Sun earrings by Littlewolf $155.

Pueblo leaf necklace by Littlewolf $525.

Littlewolf Zuni charms necklace $575.

Just In - Hand Sewn Throw Pillows from Dana Smith

Smith pillows 

Black Mountain artist Dana Smith has been a quilt maker for over a decade.  A former park ranger, she combines her love of nature with the Arts and crafts style.  Images of a fallen leaf. a passing cloud and a tranquil mountain valley are all meticulously sewn to create handcrafted treasures from the heart of the Blue Ridge.  These new pillows are adorned with leaves that are of hand painted and dyed silk fibers.

Quilted pillow

Infinity Scarf from Sherit Levin

Levin Infinity Scarf

Just in from Sherit Levin - the Infinity Scarf..  The scarf if a large loop which can be worn many ways - loop it around your neck twice for a  cowl neck look; wear it as is for a long loop or  tuck one end through the other for  thicker  close to the neck look.  You can even make a hod of it looping one piece over your head for a cozy style on cold days.

Sherit Levin Infinity Scarf