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/).

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 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!

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.

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!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Whimsical Women Fall 2011 Show

All current whimsical artists should have received their timelines for the fall sale sent via email from Liz Kaplan- make sure you check your email, ladies! The fall show is coming up fast- November 19th (and cooler weather, hopefully) will be here before we know it!

At this point, any new artist interviews are closed and will be resumed in January 2012. If you are interested in becoming a Whimsical Women for future shows please plan to attend the fall show in Pfafftown and get in touch with either Luli or Linda in January to schedule an interview.