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.
Monday, September 19, 2011
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 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!
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
the Whimsical Women Spring Show is almost here!
Spring Whimsical Women Show is this Saturday! May 7th from10am-2pm we will all be out at the village green at Southern Village in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, having a wonderful time. I hope you will join us!
this is some new work by Whimsical Artist Beth Haas, just to whet your appetite :)
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
The Whimsical Women Spring Show is coming up soon!
May 7th is right around the corner! Remember, it's on the village green at Southern Villages in Chapel Hill, North Carolina :)
Friday, February 25, 2011
The Spring Sale is Moving!
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Spring Whimsical Women sale will NOT be held at Rock Quarry Farm. It WILL be held in the village green of Southern Village in Chapel Hill.
The date remains the same...May 7th, rain date May 8th.Look for more information, including directions to the show, to be posted soon!
We hope to see you and all your friends on May 7th for a fun, artsy day with the Whimsical Women!
The date remains the same...May 7th, rain date May 8th.Look for more information, including directions to the show, to be posted soon!
We hope to see you and all your friends on May 7th for a fun, artsy day with the Whimsical Women!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Whimsical Women Spring 2011 Art Festival...
will be on May 7th!
Several years ago, whimsical women decided that the spring sale in chapel hill would ALWAYS be the first saturday in may and that the fall show in pfafftown would ALWAYS be the saturday before thanksgiving. This decision has worked well for our artists and customers. This year, the first saturday in may also happens to be the saturday before mother's day and unc graduation. We had hoped that selecting the FIRST Saturday in May would help us keep from overcrowding that busy weekend, but we didn't take into account that sometimes may 1st falls on a sunday which puts our sale back on the busier weekend. So-o-o, for this year anyway, our whimsical women customers will have the exciting opportunity to do a little last minute mother's day and graduation gift shopping! We look forward to seeing everyone at Rock Quarry Farm on May 7th!
And attention to all you wonderful, whimsical artists: look for an email soon with timeline and registration dates for the spring show.
Several years ago, whimsical women decided that the spring sale in chapel hill would ALWAYS be the first saturday in may and that the fall show in pfafftown would ALWAYS be the saturday before thanksgiving. This decision has worked well for our artists and customers. This year, the first saturday in may also happens to be the saturday before mother's day and unc graduation. We had hoped that selecting the FIRST Saturday in May would help us keep from overcrowding that busy weekend, but we didn't take into account that sometimes may 1st falls on a sunday which puts our sale back on the busier weekend. So-o-o, for this year anyway, our whimsical women customers will have the exciting opportunity to do a little last minute mother's day and graduation gift shopping! We look forward to seeing everyone at Rock Quarry Farm on May 7th!
And attention to all you wonderful, whimsical artists: look for an email soon with timeline and registration dates for the spring show.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
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