Nita's Nook

Whimsical artist Anita Bailey's studio is stuffed with treasures she has saved throughout the years. When she has ideas, such as the shoes below, she uses these items to bring her creations to life.

Themed Shoes

Each shoe is covered with artifacts related to the theme.  Teacher, gardener, beach, birthday, games, garage, bling, and storytelling are a few of the one-of-a-kind treasures for that special person. 

Adding a touch of whimsy to stools, chairs, lamps, and other things is fun for Anita.  She loves to design wall hangings and pocketbooks using the traditional rug-hooking method, often using the collection of vintage rugs left by her aunt as inspiration.

Traditional Rug Hooking Pocketbooks

Each pocketbook is a fully lined clutch with two pockets.  They are made with wool strips on a canvas background.  Some of the strips are hand dyed and others are cut from colored wool clothing.  The strips can be cut into different widths to change the look of the pocketbooks. 

The challenge to create a variety of artistic objects is one Anita embraces each day. Check out Anita's creations at the Fall Sale on November 21!

Whimsical Chairs, Stools, Lamps

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a unique set of chairs to use throughout your wedding activities?  To sit in at your showers to open presents?  To sit in as you preside over your rehearsal dinner?  To use at your wedding to hold extra gifts brought in that day?  To use to decorate your home that first year?  There are many uses for this one of a kind treasure during that special time in your life. 

Pull out your supplies and get to work!

We're thrilled to kick off this season's sneak peeks with art from new member Deborah Smith!

Deb, left, at Keener Gallery

About her process, Deb says, "I don't plan anything about my work. I pull out my containers and I go to work. I have no idea of what the end result will be!" As you can see, her method creates beautiful art that is filled with color and movement.

Please mark your calendars for our November 21, 2015 Fall Show, where you can see Deb's work and much, much more! And stay tuned for more sneak peeks, coming soon!

Attention Artists: Important Information for Fall Show

We will be emailing the registration form for the 11/21/2015 fall show on July 21^st.   

Our registrar, Lizzie Kaplan, will send this email, and all subsequent emails concerning registration. It is your responsibility to make sure the email will not go to junk mail or be considered spam by your computer.

The deadline for returning the registration form, along with your $45 registration fee, is July 31^st. Please DO NOT apply for this show unless you know you would be available to participate on our rain date (11/22) should it become necessary to use it.

  

Please contact Lizzie Kaplan at at eqak1206@gmail.com if you do not receive the emailed registration form on 7/21, or if you have any other question. 

Thank you, and we are looking forward to the fall show!

Spring Show is tomorrow--see you soon!

A Pocket for Your Treasures

Check out this final sneak peek from Sandy Parks of Sandy's Art Booth.

 kids' aprons in a variety of sizes and colors

utility aprons for all occasions

We'll see you Saturday, May 2!

Hula hoops and magic wands

 

Monica Casey of MonkeyHooper offers Monkey Hooper Hula Hoops custom made in bright colors and designs for all ages. New this year are handmade ribbon wands topped with crocheted hearts and spring bunnies! All you'll need are the magic words. 

The Perfect Ring for Spring

Wendi Mink of Metals by Mink offers "The Perfect Ring" with a perfect fit! Most chainmaille is flat, creating a ring that doesn't conform to the finger and therefore won't stay on. The Perfect Ring domes when curved, making it cling to the finger. This also makes it very comfortable and effortless to wear. All rings are custom-sized. Be sure to try one out--and check out Wendi's other beautiful work--at the Spring Show!

Button, button, who's got...

We've got the buttons!

Pretty up shirts, jackets, and dresses with handmade buttons from Karen Fisher Pottery. Available in $5, $8, and $10 sets, they offer a colorful way to brighten your spring wardrobe--or use them to embellish bags or for creative crafts or gifts!

View more of Karen's work, including her hand-thrown pottery, at Karen Fisher Pottery.

Gourds and more

Catherine Kramer of Treehouse Gardens in northern Orange County offers beautiful items for the home and hearth. She dries her home-grown gourds, then crafts them into functional and decorative objects. She embellishes baskets, urns, and birdhouses using a variety of techniques and media including leather dyes, pigment ink, acyrlic paint, pine straw, sea grass, handmade paper, and fabric.

8 Ways to Keep Your Whimsy

Check them out here. And the 9th way? Visit the Whimsical Women Spring Show on May 2!

Kudzu and honeysuckle

Pamela Buchanan is an artisan who designs unique one-of-a-kind baskets and other creations using kudzu along with other locally harvested and processed natural materials.  She has been working with natural materials since taking her first class in 1996 at Chimney Rock Park.  Over the years Pamela has honed her craft while taking class at John C. Campbell River Oaks Studio in Asheville, as well as assisting in other workshops.  Pamela gathers her materials, which include kudzu, honeysuckle, grapevine, bittersweet, willow, mimosa bark, tulip poplar bark, and river birch, in and around the Piedmont of North Carolina.  Pamela enjoys working with people and one of her biggest joys is watching others make their own unique baskets and other creations when conducting classes.

One month to go!

No fooling--the spring sale is a month away! Check out some photos of whimsical items we've offered at past shows. What new treasures will you find on May 2? See you soon!

Lovely spring greens

We are excited to welcome Karen Fisher from Karen Fisher Pottery to the 2015 Spring Sale! This will be Karen's first show with the Whimsical Women.

Check out Karen's pottery below and read more about her on her website!

Spring is coming. Hear us roar!

  Come in like a lion with this great jewelry from Kim Koltzau from Steampunk Cellars!

Announcing the 2015 Spring Show!

The 2015 Whimsical Women Spring Show

will be held on Saturday, May 2

(rain date: Sunday, May 3)

at the Village Green at Southern Village

Market Street

Chapel Hill, NC 27516 

 

We hope to see you there!

 

Registration forms for the spring sale will be sent to all artist by email on Sunday, January 25. If you do not receive your registration, please contact Liz Kaplan at eqak1206@gmail.com.