Thursday, December 15, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
The F Word
View the work of Whimsical artist Ollie Sigleton, and many other artists, at "The F Word: Feminist Art of the 21st Century."
Ollie is a self-taught visual artist who wants to go beyond creating art to helping people see how art can enhance their lives. She feels especially at home with mixed media and collage. Her collages are grounded in narratives from her life experiences and explore traditional and cutting edge social and political themes using many kinds of papers, photographic imagery, transfer images, paints and printmaking techniques. Her artwear is influenced by her love of mixed media and collage. As an artist, Ollie savors the process, which takes precedence over any planned end.
Click on the flier above or visit http://www.salem.edu/community/cultural-events/events/the-201cf201d-word-feminist-art-of-the-21st-century for more information about the exhibit, which runs through January 27 at the Mary Davis Holt Gallery at the Salem Fine Arts Center.
Ollie is a self-taught visual artist who wants to go beyond creating art to helping people see how art can enhance their lives. She feels especially at home with mixed media and collage. Her collages are grounded in narratives from her life experiences and explore traditional and cutting edge social and political themes using many kinds of papers, photographic imagery, transfer images, paints and printmaking techniques. Her artwear is influenced by her love of mixed media and collage. As an artist, Ollie savors the process, which takes precedence over any planned end.
Click on the flier above or visit http://www.salem.edu/community/cultural-events/events/the-201cf201d-word-feminist-art-of-the-21st-century for more information about the exhibit, which runs through January 27 at the Mary Davis Holt Gallery at the Salem Fine Arts Center.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
The Fall Whimsical Women Sale was wonderful!
I hope all of you artists and all you whimsical art lovers have a joyous and peaceful holiday season. Hugs all around!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Fall Sale a Huge Success!
Saturday, November 19 dawned bright and sunny, and the day got off to a great start as artists arrived to set up their booths. By 9:30, a crowd of customers patiently waited for the sale to open, and a little before 10:00, the shopping began! Turnout for the sale was huge, and the sale was a great success.
Perhaps even a bigger success was the Bras N Boots drive! Customers and artists alike were extremely generous, donating boxes and boxes worth of great "girl stuff" for our American service women. Here are some pictures of the donations.
Perhaps even a bigger success was the Bras N Boots drive! Customers and artists alike were extremely generous, donating boxes and boxes worth of great "girl stuff" for our American service women. Here are some pictures of the donations.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
The Fall 2011 Whimsical Women Art Festival is just a week away!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Bras N' Boots
There is now a Facebook page, Bras N' Boots, dedicated to helping deliver care packages to female service members around the world! Search for Bras N Boots in your Facebook seach bar or visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/bootsnbras/.
Also, Molly Mae, founder of Bras N' Boots, offers this list of items you might consider donating to our American service women at next Saturday's sale.
Molly Mae writes:
People ask me all the time what do women REALLY WANT when they are deployed. Honestly, the things they really WANT are also the things they REALLY NEED. I say this because sometimes finding the simple things (such as tampons) that we take for granted here in the States can become critical need items while you are deployed overseas. Below is a list of things that women need and would love to receive in care packages:
-girly soap
-shampoo and conditioner (travel sizes from hotels are great!)
-deodorant
-toothbrushes
-hair brushes
-hair rubber bands and bobby pins (must match the natural color of hair)
-hair spray
-lotion (both body and face lotion)
-bug spray
-sunscreen
-women's socks (both athletic ankle socks and boot socks)
-women’s sports bras and underwear (they have all the guys underwear in the world, but forget trying to find women’s'!)
-tampons and pads
-books + magazines +chic flicks on DVD
-greetings cards (many women miss their parent's/kid's/husband's birthday or holiday while they are deployed but can't find cards to send home to them on these occasions)
-black sock hats
-black gloves
-healthy snacks (Luna bars, dried fruit, tea)
-small stud earrings (even the cheap Wal-Mart pearl/metal ball stud earrings are appreciated)
-women's black sunglasses
-lip gloss/ Chap Stick
-good hand creams
Thank you, and don't forget to check the blog before the sale for important updates (especially if the weather looks iffy)!
Also, Molly Mae, founder of Bras N' Boots, offers this list of items you might consider donating to our American service women at next Saturday's sale.
Molly Mae writes:
People ask me all the time what do women REALLY WANT when they are deployed. Honestly, the things they really WANT are also the things they REALLY NEED. I say this because sometimes finding the simple things (such as tampons) that we take for granted here in the States can become critical need items while you are deployed overseas. Below is a list of things that women need and would love to receive in care packages:
-girly soap
-shampoo and conditioner (travel sizes from hotels are great!)
-deodorant
-toothbrushes
-hair brushes
-hair rubber bands and bobby pins (must match the natural color of hair)
-hair spray
-lotion (both body and face lotion)
-bug spray
-sunscreen
-women's socks (both athletic ankle socks and boot socks)
-women’s sports bras and underwear (they have all the guys underwear in the world, but forget trying to find women’s'!)
-tampons and pads
-books + magazines +chic flicks on DVD
-greetings cards (many women miss their parent's/kid's/husband's birthday or holiday while they are deployed but can't find cards to send home to them on these occasions)
-black sock hats
-black gloves
-healthy snacks (Luna bars, dried fruit, tea)
-small stud earrings (even the cheap Wal-Mart pearl/metal ball stud earrings are appreciated)
-women's black sunglasses
-lip gloss/ Chap Stick
-good hand creams
Thank you, and don't forget to check the blog before the sale for important updates (especially if the weather looks iffy)!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Top Ten Things to Do Before the Fall Sale
10. Mark your calendars! The fall sale will be held on Saturday, November 19, from 10-3. Our rain date is the next day, Sunday, November 20, again from 10-3. If the weather isn't stellar and you are wondering if there is a possibility of having to use the Sunday rain date, please check this blog to see if a notification has been posted!
9. Collect bath and beauty products for the Whimsical Women drive for items for American women service members. In the few weeks left before the sale, take a few minutes to clean out your cabinets for any individual or regular size shampoos, soaps, lotions, cosmetics and other bath products! These are much needed and will be greatly appreciated!
8. Find your checkbook--or visit your ATM! We accept cash and checks only--no credit or debit cards. For your convenience, you can select as many items from as many artists as you like, take them to the pay tables, and pay with only one check!
7. Work up your appetite! Food (and music) will be served in our "cafe area" beginning at 11. We are having extra pay tables this year, but if the lines to pay get long, consider having a snack and listening--or dancing-- to music until they are shorter! You can also leave your unpaid purchases in our holding area while you snack and browse.
6. Gather magazines, books, or other reading material for the Whimsical Women drive for items for American women service members. Magazines should be fairly current; 3 months out or earlier will be best!
5. Browse past blog entries and our Whimsical links to preview some of the items that will be available at the sale! But remember, only a fraction of our artists have websites, so imagine all the other art, crafts, jewelry and Whimsical items you will see at the sale!
4. Find some friends and plan a car pool! Free parking, including handicap parking, is available, but we do expect a large crowd, so parking might take a few minutes! We have parking attendants on hand to help things go smoothly, so please be on the lookout for these attendants and follow their directions!
3.Gather your reusable shopping bags to carry your Whimsical goodies home!
2. Check this blog in the days before the sale for any announcements or updates!
1. Collect any other items (cosmetics, tampons, hair accessories, etc, etc, etc) that you feel our American service women might enjoy! Thank you, and we can't wait to see you at the sale!
9. Collect bath and beauty products for the Whimsical Women drive for items for American women service members. In the few weeks left before the sale, take a few minutes to clean out your cabinets for any individual or regular size shampoos, soaps, lotions, cosmetics and other bath products! These are much needed and will be greatly appreciated!
8. Find your checkbook--or visit your ATM! We accept cash and checks only--no credit or debit cards. For your convenience, you can select as many items from as many artists as you like, take them to the pay tables, and pay with only one check!
7. Work up your appetite! Food (and music) will be served in our "cafe area" beginning at 11. We are having extra pay tables this year, but if the lines to pay get long, consider having a snack and listening--or dancing-- to music until they are shorter! You can also leave your unpaid purchases in our holding area while you snack and browse.
6. Gather magazines, books, or other reading material for the Whimsical Women drive for items for American women service members. Magazines should be fairly current; 3 months out or earlier will be best!
5. Browse past blog entries and our Whimsical links to preview some of the items that will be available at the sale! But remember, only a fraction of our artists have websites, so imagine all the other art, crafts, jewelry and Whimsical items you will see at the sale!
4. Find some friends and plan a car pool! Free parking, including handicap parking, is available, but we do expect a large crowd, so parking might take a few minutes! We have parking attendants on hand to help things go smoothly, so please be on the lookout for these attendants and follow their directions!
3.Gather your reusable shopping bags to carry your Whimsical goodies home!
2. Check this blog in the days before the sale for any announcements or updates!
1. Collect any other items (cosmetics, tampons, hair accessories, etc, etc, etc) that you feel our American service women might enjoy! Thank you, and we can't wait to see you at the sale!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Whimsical Spotlight: Long Family Farm and Ribbon Refinery
It's October, and preparation for the fall sale is in full swing! Here are two artists to keep an eye out for at the sale.
First, Long Family Farm. Long Family Farm, which celebrated its seventh anniversary on August 31st, 2011, offers handcrafted soaps, lotions and skin care products, all of which are made on the farm near the Sauratown Mountains in Stokes County, North Carolina. The Long Family Farm is truly a family farm. When Whimsical Woman Judith Long started her company seven years ago, her goal was to offer a good product at a reasonable price and to offer great customer service, but she also envisioned both of her daughters helping in some capacity. They now bag all the soaps! Her oldest daughter, Kirstin, is also learning the soapmaking process, and Philip, her husband, will joining "the team" soon.
Long Family Farm offers a variety of natural soaps and skin care products, including seasonal soaps from soap molds. Long Family Farm Lathering Soap is an all-natural cold-processed soap, and Judith and her family use essential oils when possible and fragrance oils when essential oils are too expensive. They have expanded their line from the original Long Family Farm soap to include an all-natural shampoo and an all-natural face soap. They have also added "Judith's" soap, which was designed for very dry skin, to the line up. Anna Brown, from Greensboro, now supplies the farm with fresh goat milk on a regular basis, and the family recently added Nature Flex Cello bags, which are made from wood cellulose fibers sourced with sustainable forestry principles, to their packing options. Long Family Farm products are available in 5 retail locations locally and 3 retail locations outside the Winston-Salem area, as well as on the website www.longfamilyfarmsoaps.com.
Judith and her family have enjoyed the past seven years of creating different soaps to celebrate the different seasons of our lives. "At Long Family Farm, Judith says, "we believe that bath time should be fun for everyone all year long."
Judith underscored that belief with her recent donation of soaps to Whimsical Woman Ann Potter and her daughter Molly Mae for American women service members--please click here to read more about the donation project, and bring your own donations to the fall sale!
Another Whimsical Woman to watch for at the fall sale is Stuart Acrey of Ribbon Refinery. Stuart created "Ribbon Refinery" when her daughter, Ellie, was about 18 months old. She had always been somewhat crafty and was very ready for a new hobby after Ellie was finally out of the baby phase. She was starting to put bows in Ellie's hair and decided that making the bows herself sounded like a fun hobby. Before long, her husband and friends convinced her to start a hairbow business, and the rest is history!
Stuart creates "ribbon sculptures" by manipulating ribbons into three dimensional shapes and attach them to hair clips. She loves to create new designs, and has made animals, food, flowers, and even ballet slippers!
Her holiday designs are very popular, especially the Thanksgiving turkey, which is featured at the top of this post. Also, since her daughter Ellie had at least one of every design Stuart ever created, she needed a way to organize all of the little goodies! She began making hairbow holders, hand-painted wooden plaques with LOTS of dangling ribbon on which to store all kinds of hair accessories. The personalized initial holders are extremely popular, and many other designs are available.
Stuart's website, www.ribbonrefinery.com, features most of my work. She also has a facebook fanpage (www.facebook.com/ribbonrefinerybows) and a store on Etsy (www.etsy.com/ribbonrefinery).
Whimsical Fans, while gathering their donations for American Service Women, are all looking forward to seeing these and many more Whimsical items at the fall sale!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Donate "Girl Stuff" to American Service Women at Fall Sale!
Luli recently received the following letter from her friend Molly Mae. Molly Mae, the daughter of Whimsical Woman Ann Potter, is an officer in the Air Force. Both Luli and Ellen taught Molly Mae in preschool, and they have stayed in contact with her all these years. Molly Mae writes:
Dear Luli,
While I was deployed in Afghanistan last year, I struggled to find care packages and "female items" that I craved (such as things that smelled nice like lotions and soaps). The care packages were filled with everything testosterone...beef jerky...guys shaving cream...sports magazines. I would call home to mom and yell out "how hard is it to get something pink and a Southern Living magazine around here?!!?"
My mom and the women she worked with started putting together care packages just for the deployed female soldiers. I would get box after box of women's magazines, small soaps, picture frames, hair rubber bands, tampons (these were like black market items because they were so hard to find), and lots of love. I would put these items in the women's bathrooms and an hour later, everything would be GONE. Tons of little post-it notes were left on the mirrors in the bathrooms from the girls-- full of gratitude and wanting more! FINALLY someone remembered that women fight wars too!!! and FINALLY someone remembered them when making care packages...
So, here's my proposal. I would like to have a table at Whimsical Women this year. I will have care package boxes ready to be filled with "girl stuff." I would like to ask people to bring girl stuff to donate to the boxes. Finally, an excuse to get rid of all those little shampoo bottles you've been collecting over the years....or that stack of Better Homes and Gardens that you haven't sent to the recycling bin yet. If people can bring these items, I will make sure it gets sent off to deployed women in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other places around the world where women are serving in uniform.
Much love and praying daily for peace,
Molly Mae
The Whimsical Women are honored to help Molly Mae with this project. We would like to invite all Whimsical Women fans--and Whimsical Women themselves--to bring any and all "girl stuff" (lotions, soaps, magazines, hair accessories, tampons, cosmetics, and anything else you think a female soldier might enjoy or need) that you would like to donate to our American service women! Look for the collection table at the fall sale, where you can drop off your items before you shop.
Dear Luli,
While I was deployed in Afghanistan last year, I struggled to find care packages and "female items" that I craved (such as things that smelled nice like lotions and soaps). The care packages were filled with everything testosterone...beef jerky...guys shaving cream...sports magazines. I would call home to mom and yell out "how hard is it to get something pink and a Southern Living magazine around here?!!?"
My mom and the women she worked with started putting together care packages just for the deployed female soldiers. I would get box after box of women's magazines, small soaps, picture frames, hair rubber bands, tampons (these were like black market items because they were so hard to find), and lots of love. I would put these items in the women's bathrooms and an hour later, everything would be GONE. Tons of little post-it notes were left on the mirrors in the bathrooms from the girls-- full of gratitude and wanting more! FINALLY someone remembered that women fight wars too!!! and FINALLY someone remembered them when making care packages...
So, here's my proposal. I would like to have a table at Whimsical Women this year. I will have care package boxes ready to be filled with "girl stuff." I would like to ask people to bring girl stuff to donate to the boxes. Finally, an excuse to get rid of all those little shampoo bottles you've been collecting over the years....or that stack of Better Homes and Gardens that you haven't sent to the recycling bin yet. If people can bring these items, I will make sure it gets sent off to deployed women in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other places around the world where women are serving in uniform.
Much love and praying daily for peace,
Molly Mae
The Whimsical Women are honored to help Molly Mae with this project. We would like to invite all Whimsical Women fans--and Whimsical Women themselves--to bring any and all "girl stuff" (lotions, soaps, magazines, hair accessories, tampons, cosmetics, and anything else you think a female soldier might enjoy or need) that you would like to donate to our American service women! Look for the collection table at the fall sale, where you can drop off your items before you shop.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Ivory Nut Jewelry Helps Both People and the Earth
Adriana Granados is a Whimsical Woman whose art, ivory nut jewelry, does more than look lovely on its wearer.
“Jewelry-making,” Adriana notes, “has been an artistic expression since the dawn of civilization, and it is a way of life for many women going through difficult times.” In Adriana’s case, jewelry is an opportunity to reflect the values that connect her with her children and her constant awe for nature, but her jewelry also allows her to help many people in need. When people buy her pieces, they are helping support a community program for women and children displaced by the violence in South America.
Adriana’s jewelry is environmentally sustainable as well. Her pieces are made from tagua, also called ivory nut, a seed almost indistinguishable from animal ivory. Ivory nut, however, unlike animal ivory, is a renewable and sustainable product. The palms that produce ivory nut are found along the Amazon. Nuts fall to the ground, then dried and dyed. Ivory nuts help prevent deforestation, and they help support the employment of nearly 35,000 people in the rainforests.
Ivory nut in husk
Ivory nut
Dyed ivory nuts
Collecting fallen seeds
Tagua palms
By combining design and fashion, with awareness about the environment and care for others, Adriana is able to use her art to contribute to a better world. She is always looking for other women to join her endeavor, either by organizing jewelry parties, being reps, or adding her pieces as part of their collection. To learn more about the programs Adriana's art helps to support, and to see more pictures of nut ivory and the beautiful jewelry Adriana creates from it, visit her website Nut Ivory (http://www.nutivory.com/).
“Jewelry-making,” Adriana notes, “has been an artistic expression since the dawn of civilization, and it is a way of life for many women going through difficult times.” In Adriana’s case, jewelry is an opportunity to reflect the values that connect her with her children and her constant awe for nature, but her jewelry also allows her to help many people in need. When people buy her pieces, they are helping support a community program for women and children displaced by the violence in South America.
Adriana’s jewelry is environmentally sustainable as well. Her pieces are made from tagua, also called ivory nut, a seed almost indistinguishable from animal ivory. Ivory nut, however, unlike animal ivory, is a renewable and sustainable product. The palms that produce ivory nut are found along the Amazon. Nuts fall to the ground, then dried and dyed. Ivory nuts help prevent deforestation, and they help support the employment of nearly 35,000 people in the rainforests.
Ivory nut in husk
Ivory nut
Dyed ivory nuts
Collecting fallen seeds
Tagua palms
By combining design and fashion, with awareness about the environment and care for others, Adriana is able to use her art to contribute to a better world. She is always looking for other women to join her endeavor, either by organizing jewelry parties, being reps, or adding her pieces as part of their collection. To learn more about the programs Adriana's art helps to support, and to see more pictures of nut ivory and the beautiful jewelry Adriana creates from it, visit her website Nut Ivory (http://www.nutivory.com/).
Monday, August 29, 2011
Introducing Ginnie Conaway!
Roof Top Kitty
Artist and painting instructor Ginnie Conaway will be a new addition to the Fall Whimsical Women event this year. Ginnie teaches watercolor and acrylic painting through Forsyth Tech Community College and other local venues. Her paintings include pet and people portraits, landscapes, and florals. She can usually be found on Tuesdays working in Red Dog Gallery on Trade Street in Winston Salem, where some of her work is displayed. You can learn more about Ginnie on her website, Ginnie Connoway Fine Art (http://ginnieconaway.net/).
Did You Call Me
Ginnie will be taking part in several shows this fall before the Whimsical Women show, including the Historic WestEnd Art Fest on September 24 in Winston Salem; Art in the Arboretum on October 2 at the Greensboro Arboretum; and the Shelton Vineyard's Harvest Festival on October 15 and 16 in Dobson, NC. The Whimsical Women welcome Ginnie and look forward to seeing more of her work!
Garden Guardians
Monday, August 22, 2011
Inside the Studio: Mary Alexander
Be on the lookout for more than jewelry from Whimsical Woman Mary Alexander this fall. She is on a creative roll and is branching out to include glazed ceramic jewelry bits and buttons, plus returning to paper arts with hand printed gift tags using antique letter press blocks!
Being accepted to her first WW show last fall gave Mary the perfect excuse to abandon her "production for the masses" path she'd been struggling on, to get whimsical and have some fun making jewelry again! Her "hormonally inspired" hammered bottle caps were a hit last fall, and she has expanded her craft to include hammered copper and recycled silver wire, vitrious enamel, and ceramic components, including buttons for all the amazing, whimsical fiber artists!
Mary is grateful to be at point in life where she can manifest her creative energies and ideas into the earthy innovative, versatile, timeless jewelry which reflects her authentic, unedited creative self. As she crafts using Earth-friendly materials and techniques, she infuses love into each piece, hoping that the eventual owner will appreciate the clever details and wonderful treasures on each unique design.
You can view more of Mary's work at her website, Magpie's Treasures, and at the upcoming fall show!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Boondogglers Shop on Etsy
Mother and daughter Whimsicals Jeanette Slater and Michele Mankey recently debuted their new shop, Boondogglers, on Etsy last month. Click on the above link or visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/boondogglers to visit the shop!
Once you're there, you can view and purchase beautiful polymer clay jewelry and other whimsical items (like this great baby owl hat!). Experienced jewelry makers, Jeanette and Michele both recently felt the need to create more inspirational pieces. Michele has been incorporating encouraging scriptures and relevant artwork on the bracelets she makes (such as this lovely wildflower bracelet), and Jeanette has been creating bracelets that feature symbols of the Christian faith.
Recently laid off, Michele turned bad luck into the opportunity to create jewelry while spending more time with her seven-month-old son. Both mother and grandmother are hoping to continue to work from home, so please share their site with anyone you think might like to see their art!
Once you're there, you can view and purchase beautiful polymer clay jewelry and other whimsical items (like this great baby owl hat!). Experienced jewelry makers, Jeanette and Michele both recently felt the need to create more inspirational pieces. Michele has been incorporating encouraging scriptures and relevant artwork on the bracelets she makes (such as this lovely wildflower bracelet), and Jeanette has been creating bracelets that feature symbols of the Christian faith.
Recently laid off, Michele turned bad luck into the opportunity to create jewelry while spending more time with her seven-month-old son. Both mother and grandmother are hoping to continue to work from home, so please share their site with anyone you think might like to see their art!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Chris Sutherland--New Art and Upcoming Shows
Whimsical Woman Chris Sutherland has exciting news regarding her artwork and upcoming shows! She recently completed a new painting, titled "In the Coop...Again!!!!" It is a 16 x 16 watercolor of a rooster with her signature, well-known fried egg border.
She has also been creating great new sturdy magnets featuring fun and funky paintings.
We are looking forward to seeing more of these at the fall show!
In addition to Whimsical Women, Chris's art will be featured at the Whalehead Club "Under the Oaks" Art Marketplace in Corolla, NC from August 31-September 1; at Winston Salem's Historic West End ARTSFEST on Saturday, September, 24th; at the Norcross Art Fest in Norcross, GA (just outside Atlanta) on October 1 and 2; and the Bizarre Bazaar Christmas Show in Richmond, VA from December 1-4.
You can preview Chris's work and learn more about her art on her website, www.chrissutherlandart.com.
She has also been creating great new sturdy magnets featuring fun and funky paintings.
We are looking forward to seeing more of these at the fall show!
In addition to Whimsical Women, Chris's art will be featured at the Whalehead Club "Under the Oaks" Art Marketplace in Corolla, NC from August 31-September 1; at Winston Salem's Historic West End ARTSFEST on Saturday, September, 24th; at the Norcross Art Fest in Norcross, GA (just outside Atlanta) on October 1 and 2; and the Bizarre Bazaar Christmas Show in Richmond, VA from December 1-4.
You can preview Chris's work and learn more about her art on her website, www.chrissutherlandart.com.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Sanderford Farm in Winston-Salem Monthly!
Check out the August edition of the Winston-Salem Monthly for an expanded version of this wonderful article on the home of Whimsical Women co-founder Luli Sanderford! The article features photographs of Luli and her husband Jim's beautiful house and gardens, and shares both the story of Luli and Jim's decision to move to their Pfafftown home and the story of the founding of the Whimsical Women.
As the Whimsical Women well know from their many fall shows, this house has been "home" to countless souls, both human and animal, throughout the years. How exciting to share the home with such a large audience!
As the Whimsical Women well know from their many fall shows, this house has been "home" to countless souls, both human and animal, throughout the years. How exciting to share the home with such a large audience!
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