Thursday, October 10, 2013

More information on Warrior Service Dogs



We've already had folks who won't be able to attend our fall show ask how they can donate to the warrior service dog program, so we wanted to provide more information on that program: 
 
visit WarriorServiceDogs.org to find out how you can help.
 
Also, if you're planning to donate to the program during the same or before, checks should be made out to Warrior Service Dogs and can either be given to a Whimsical Woman artist or mailed directly to

Warrior Service Dogs
20 Jones Cove Rd
3-B
Clyde, NC 28721
 
Thanks in advance to the Whimsical fans for their amazing generosity!

Friday, October 4, 2013

Fall Sale Info:

*Parking is limited--please carpool if you can!

*Please bring your own shopping bags!

*Last but not least, this year we are supporting Warrior Service Dogs to help veterans with PTSD. Please considering bringing cash donations or other items to help this wonderful organization. Read more about Warrior Service Dogs and the items they need in the post below!

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Support Warrior Service Dogs at this year's Fall Sale


Dear Whimsical Women Community,
For the past two years, the annual fall Whimsical Women Art Show has supported Bras-N-Boots with thousands of donated items that were shipped to service women deployed around the globe.   Your impressive show of support proves that the women servicing overseas in harm’s way are not forgotten.  While Bras-N-Boots is still an active organization, this year it was brought to my attention that there is another large void in supporting our war veterans. 
This time, the support need is closer to home.  Each year thousands of service women and men return home from war without visible wounds, and struggle each and every day with Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  After my deployment to Afghanistan in 2010, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, I personally struggled with the perils of combat long after I left the war-zone.  While the support of my family and friends was unparalleled, the love and support of my service dog, Bella, is what really rescued me in the end.  This year at Whimsical Woman, we are going to support a local North Carolina organization dedicated training rescue dogs to support, love, and care for veterans struggling with PTSD. 
Warrior Service Dogs is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Asheville, North Carolina that is dedicated to linking trained rescue dogs to veterans suffering with the challenges of PTSD.  The organization is the only of its kind that actually links the dog with the veteran and that supports dog and veteran through the service dog training process from start to finish.  Once the dog and veteran are linked together, the veteran will work with the trainers of Warrior Service Dogs to train the dog to be able to support the veteran’s needs. One might ask how a dog can provide support for someone with PTSD?  While the specific struggles with PTSD varies from individual to individual, dogs can be trained to specifically help a person with disabilities manage their recovery process as well as provide therapeutic support along the way.  Besides the unwavering love Bella provides in my life each day, Bella also wakes me up from PTSD-induced nightmares at night. 
As more and more veterans are receiving treatment for PTSD, the need for trained service dogs to support the veterans through their treatment process is also on the rise. This year at Whimsical Women, let’s support our local veterans, rescue animals, and raise awareness of the challenges with PTSD by helping Warrior Service Dogs.  They have a full time schedule working to train dogs, helping veterans through their PTSD treatment, and raising awareness of the importance of service dogs- any bit of support they can get is much appreciated. 
Right now, Warrior Service Dogs need your support with donations of:
-Moist dog treats for training
-Leashes
-Collars
-Small orange cones for training
-Gift cards to Wal-Mart and Lowe’s Home Improvement
-Collapsible dog bowls
-Dog crates of different sizes
-Cash donations to help with veterinary bills, service vest gear, and dog registration
Warrior Service Dogs will be at located at the entrance of Whimsical Women.  Please be sure to stop by and thank them for their support to veterans, and while you are at it thank their handlers for their support to our country!
Wag more, bark less!
Molly Mae Potter, Capt, United States Air Force

Blue Frog Designs


Polymer clay creations by Ginnie Parrish



We hope you've enjoyed this week's sneak peeks! Stay tuned for more information about the sale--and more previews--in weeks to come!


Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Bead Work by Carolyn Fay



Carolyn began doing hobby bead work with stringing and beginning bead weaving in the 90s.  After retiring this summer from 34 years as a dance costume designer and builder at UNCSA, she can now revel in bead weaving and bead embroidered jewelry-making full time!