Monnda Welch "Blue Enamel Flower Necklace" at the Joyful Jewel 6-30-13

Blue Enamel Flower Necklace

Monnda Welch

Sterling Silver - hand fabricated and enameled,
hung from a chain of Blue Lace Agate gemstones

$86

  Jaunty, I think this is the word to describe this Monnda Welch necklace.  The iridescent enamel colors on silver show the layers, probably a few different colors of blue, some coppery brown and maybe silvery white.  I can imagine Monnda putting on a layer, firing, adding another layer, firing, etc. until she got the perfect blue.  She sets this piece of with ethereal Blue Lace Agate beads and a hand fabricated sterling silver clasp.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Monnda-Welch.html

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Kathryn Bertok "Tree of Life" necklace at the Joyful Jewel 6-29-13

"Tree of Life" Necklace

Kathryn Bertok

Sterling Silver and Pearl

$40

          Kathryn Bertok has intricately wrapped these pearls in a circle of sterling silver.  Although the color and leaf shape would be different, this piece reminds me of the magesty of 100s of years old live oak trees I have seen with a wild gnarled spreading trunk and broad canopy of leaves.  A tree of life indeed, having lived through the centuries, home to a cacophony of wildlife, and changing it's very environment by its imposing structure. 

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Kathryn-Bertok.html

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Rachel Bass Sterling Silver & Crystal Earrings at the Joyful Jewel 6-28-13

Sterling Silver and Crystal Earrings

Rachel Bass

Hand Fabricated Sterling Silver with Swarovski Cut Glass Crystals

$38

          Rachel Bass is one of my favorite jewelry artists and of course I love these simple but elegant earrings.  Rachel has curved the sterling silver wire expertly, and as is her way, used the very best of crystals.  These are clear, faceted and sparkle their color from deep within.  What she says in her artist statement is evident in these earrings: Like a poem distilled to its essence, Rachel’s jewelry is a refined expression of beauty and love.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Rachel-Bass.html

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Carolyn Levy "Sun Container" at the Joyful Jewel 6-27-13

"Sun Container"

Carolyn Levy

Pottery, Container with Lid, ~ 5" Diameter

$50

          Carolyn Levy made this face that's sure to bring laughs and humor to our lives.  It looks like the Sun is about to burst with some secret that he longs for you to discover.  What is he hiding inside the container?

~ Mariah

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Carolyn-Levy.html

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Rita Baldwin "Mountain Mist" at the Joyful Jewel 6-26-13

"Mountain Mist"

Rita Baldwin

Oil on Canvas, 24 1/2" x 16 1/2", Framed, Original

$300

          Rita Baldwin's "Mountain Mist" has an ethereal, dreamy vision to it.  The path, right down the center of the piece, leads to a bright yet unsettled sky and an indistinct yet welcoming landscape.  I love these apparent contradictions in this misty scene.  But most of all I want to go down the path and see what is yet to be revealed.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Rita-Baldwin.html

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Emma Skurnick "Bull Frog" at the Joyful Jewel 6-25-13

"Bull Frog"

Emma Skurnic

Watercolor, 8" x 10", Print

$12

          Wouldn't it be great to have this guy greet you when ever you come home after a long day at work!!! You could tell him all about it.  Emma Skurnick puts so much personality into her art pieces that you feel these beings have a story to tell and they want you to know them.  I think this is especially true of Bull Frog in his Buddha-like pose looking you right in the eye.                   ~ Mariah

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Emma-Skurnick.html

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On a Monday

'tis the week before the Fourth
and all through the store
walls are a-vibrating
with beauty galore

a gift for the holiday
for patriots like you
is Kate Ladd's night poppies
in red white and blue

the paintings are bright
next to Rita Baldwin's pastel hues
she makes summer less hot
in her lovely cool blues

down in Gerald Duke's booth
I know for sure
photos have flags flying
Independence Unfurled.

On a Monday,
Sharon

Marty Broda "Chakra Healing Circle" at the Joyful Jewel 6-23-13

"Chakra Healing Circle for Loving Body, Mind, Heart & Spirit"

Marty Broda

Wood, Leather, Rose Quartz, Yarn and Mixed Media

Circle is ~ 11" Diameter, Tassels ~14", $65

          Marty Broda made this, as she has her other, Gaia Spirit Sticks, with a unique meaning and has identified each component.  The piece can act as a dream catcher but is even more -- a way to connect with nature; a tool for prayer, meditation, ceremony or ritual; a symbol of life: challenge, growth, hope, personality, character, goal, passage or transformation; a good luck piece; is a peace maker in groups; is an art object to decorate personal & sacred space.  This Chakra Healing Circle contains all of the rainbow colors, a powerful and beautiful Rose Quartz gemstone crystal "wrapped" in wire so that it is "snuggled & cuddled within metal mesh for support & ease."  The inner web, similar to a spider's delicate structure, allows in positive energy while catching the negative and recyling it to light. 

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Marty-Broda.html

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Heidi Wolin "Lady Bug Hat" at the Joyful Jewel 6-22-13

"Lady Bug Hat"

Heidi Wolin

acrylic yarn and button, hand knit, size infant

$18

         I wish I had a picture of a baby in this hat by Heidi Wolin.  Even without the child though the hat itself makes you smile and imagine the fun it can cause!  These hats come in toddler size as well, and are displayed with the Eggplant hat, Tomato hat, and pumpkin hat.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Heidi-Wolin.html

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Bonnie Franklin "Herbal Insect Repellant" at the Joyful Jewel 6-21-13

"Herbal Insect Repellant"

Bonnie Franklin

Spray Bottle, 4.8 Fl. Ounces

$5.99

          Seems like just the time when we are needing this herbal insect by Bonnie Franklin.  She has done her research and come up with an effective, tested, combination of ingredients -- especially effective on mosquitoes!  Included are witch hazel, rosemary, lemongrass,eucalyptus, citronella, java and mint oil.  Bonnie has even grown some of these ingredients herself.  All are of the highest quality and fresh.  Now we're ready!!!

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Bonnie-Franklin.html

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Jody Jameson "Landscape" Necklace, Earrings & Bracelet Set at the Joyful Jewel 6-20-13

"Landscape" a Necklace, Earrings & Bracelet Set

Jody Jameson

Dyed Agate gemstones, brass and Czech glass

$90 Set

          This is such a handsome set of jewelry to enhance and adorn a simple Summer outfit.  Jody Jameson has created them to so that they work well for many styles of dress --  for business, casual, or for going out on the town.  These stones are gorgeous and in Jody's eclectic, creative style, they present as a substantial well-made whole.  What a fantastic mix -- an old-world charm with an innovate modern look.                       ~ Mariah

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Jody-Jameson.html

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Brooks "Summer Pink Hat with Flower" at the Joyful Jewel 6-19-13

"Summer Pink Hat With Flower"

Brooks

Mixed Media, $25

       Brooks made what I think is the perfect Summer Hat.  It breathes through the straw and drapes in a soft pink gauze that adds to the cool feel.  And of course we all want that sexy side mounted flower!  (Though, if you are wearing it to church, it's a sweet flower of devotion.)                                         ~ Mariah

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Brooks.html

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David Snyder "Kyanite & Sterling Silver Earrings" at the Joyful Jewel 6-18-13

"Kyanite and Sterling Silver Earrings"

David Snyder

$22

       David Snyder wrapped these beautiful and shapely Kyanite gemstones in sterling silver wire for a softly glowing pair of earrings.  They match the color of North Carolina lake water in a dry summer, and shimmer with as much depth.  

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/David-Snyder.html

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On a Monday

The street is closed. Trucks busy. Sidewalks quiet. Just updated website. Finishing artist book. A productive day. Did I say how quiet?

I hear a faint oink, then some chicken clucking coming from Jerry Fowler's shelf. Must be that cosmic pig again! Little chirps come from the wall next to his, where Rita Baldwin's birds seem very happy. Whoo, Whoo joins in. Didn't know Bob Gunn's animals make noise. Tigers growl, horses neigh, cows moo, from Beth Bale's noisy wall. Only the giraffe are quiet there!  Forrest Greenslade's big ole rooster can't help but crow about being the highest creature in the store! A chorus of meows arises from Vangi Cathcart's wall.

Pretty soon, CD's of Diane Winger, Joe Woodson, Trilogy, Jewelsong, and others seem to sing out.

Then, Shuga starts to bark.


In silence, magic happens.
On a Monday,
Sharon

DG Chandler "Turquoise & Sterling Silver Necklace" at the Joyful Jewel 6-16-13

Turquoise & Sterling Silver Necklace

DG Chandler

$80

          DG Chandler fashioned this necklace, as he does with all of his work, with much care, skill and avid attention to the stone itself.  It's easy to see that he created the piece to enhance beautiful piece of turquoise.  DG makes his own stamping tools so each texture on the silver is unique to his work and fully guarantees an individual nature.  This one has a lovely combination of symmetry and asymmetry and a nice dimensional quality in the way it is layered.          ~ Mariah
 

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/DG-Chandler.html

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Donna Cassidy "Sparkley Shawl" at the Joyful Jewel 6-15-13

"Sparkley Shawl"

Donna Cassidy

Wool, Acrylic & Sequins, Crochet

$120

          This light and lacy summer shawl will make you sparkle without making you hot . I designed this using a lovely sequined yarn and trimmed it in yarn that is blended from kid mohair and silk, There are little flowers attached along the front and the hem. This shawl is a nice short and flirty length and drapes beautifully.    ~ Donna Cassidy

 

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Donna-Cassidy.html

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Julia Kennedy "Sargasso" at the Joyful Jewel 6-14-13

"Sargasso"

Julia Kennedy

Oil Painting on Canvas, 20" x 20"

$500

          This new painting by Julia Kennedy has haunted me since yesterday afternoon, coming to my internal vision many times and activating my imagination in wild ways.  First, to me and probably for real, Julia is a Mensa and I always think there are things in her paintings that are beyond me.  And who is "Sargasso", some well-known painter, who I don't know?  As Julia often doesn't give a clue to her paintings with a title, it must be important.  Here's the haunting part.  This painting instead of revealing itself from the light of the room - or any light that I want to bring to it, seems to emanate light from within, oozing it's depth and bursting out with the very littlest hint of red among the green and blue. It calls into question the mission I have in life to go into the depths and shine a light, bring out what is hidden.  Instead, what I experience here is that there is something deep that is seeking the light on it's own.  What do you see? What did Julia see?  (Oh, I looked it up in Wikepedia, and Sargasso is a Sea in the Atlantic Ocean near Bermuda, known for it's masses of seaweed).

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Julia-Kennedy.html

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Marilyn Penrod "Stillness in Eventide" at the Joyful Jewel 6-13-13

"Stillness in Eventide"

Marilyn Penrod

Acrylic on Canvas, 16" x 20", Framed, Original

$265

     Mysterious in it's vibrant yet-haunting colors and reflection, this scene by Marilyn Penrod invites introspection.  I see a vast dream world, each small section calls me to deepness.   I recognize this place even though I know I have never been there in person, and am drawn straight up to the heavens just like the red vine.   

~ Mariah   

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Marilyn-Penrod.html

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Florence Johnson "Floral 1" at the Joyful Jewel 6-12-13

 "Floral 1"

Florence Johnson

Watercolor and India Ink, 12" x 14 1/2", Framed Original

$45

          Exquisitely arranged, the flowers in this painting by Florence Johnson, seem to veritably sparkle off the paper.  I wonder if she grew the flowers and arranged them herself.  And, what kind of interesting vase are they in, looking like they could roll around the room, finding you to bring a joy and a smile to even the darkest corner.                    ~ Mariah

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Florence-Johnson.html

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Shannon Bueker "Alpacas in the Mountains" at the Joyful Jewel 6-11-13

"Alpacas in the Mountains"

Shannon Bueker

8" x 8" Acrylic on Board, Original 

$75

          Who doesn't love alpacas!  And, these are so full of fun and frolic, each one an individualist in a different color, all ready for a summer adventure.  I'd like to join them in the mountains of NC, to visit a waterfall, and follow a woodland trail.  I won't mind if they want to stop frequently to munch on wildflowers or play in the river. They will have to share the blackberries though.                ~ Mariah

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Shannon-Bueker.html

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Nancy L. Smith, "Smells Like Pink" at the Joyful Jewel 6-10-13

"Smells Like Pink"

Nancy L. Smith

Acrylic & Mixed Media , 14" x 11", print 10of 25

$25

          Oh, yes!  A dog that is happy to see you and ready to lick and play up a storm when you're feeling lively yourself, yet takes very little care when you would rather stay in bed a bit longer.  And who doesn't love a guy who is not afraid to wear pink.  In fact he has found so much pink in his world that he has gotten it all over himself, probably rolled in it when you weren't looking.  You can almost feel the wetness of his nose, his pink tongue panting, and imagine his wildly wagging tail as he awaits your return.                      ~ Mariah

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Nancy-Smith.html

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Kate Ladd "Summer City" at the Joyful Jewel 6-9-13

"Summer City"

Kate Ladd

Acrylic on Canvas, 12" x 12", Original

$120

          Kate Ladd has painted a city teeming with life and local color.  What adventures await in these buildings and on these streets?  Summer City invites your imagination.             ~ Mariah

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Kate-Ladd.html

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Rita Baldwin "Spring on Chicken Bridge" at the Joyful Jewel 6-8-13

"Spring on Chicken Bridge"

Rita Baldwin,

Oil on Canvas, 20" x 20", Original

$350

          I am partial to this new painting by Rita Baldwin, not only because of the stunning beauty of the painting, but because I recognize the Spring scene on Chicken Bridge that I pass on my way in to work at the Joyful Jewel every day.  Rita has made this scene in it's bright blue, green and purple, even more magical and inviting that I had taken time to view.  Each scene, the real one, and the painted one, make me want to stop and put my feet in the water, dream and contemplate on the perfect Spring day.     ~ Mariah

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Rita-Baldwin.html

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Beth Bale - Art Reception Tonight 6-7-13, 6 - 8pm

"Glo Cat"

Beth Bale

Watercolor, 12" x 16" Matted Original

$60

As one who is caregiver to many animals, large and small, I am privileged to have a constant source of subjects for my art.  My guineas, chickens and horses give  me inspiration and show their faces on my paper and aquaboard.  And I have found aquabaord to be a very pleasing substrate on which to paint as of late.  While I often paint my own animals I also enjoy using photos I take at the NC Zoo and of animals elsewhere.  With animals taking a primary role in my art, I also have a series of flowers (I am an avid gardener), landscapes and oceanscapes.  Much in nature finds its place in my studio.  With so many interesting sources, I intend to have fun painting as much of it as I can and hopefully others will enjoy it as I continue to travel this path of artistic discovery.

 

The paintings I have created lately demonstrate my desire to paint nature in ways that are accurate and personal, yet also with creative and fresh approaches.  The animals are alive and well at the NC Zoological Park or on my farm and hopefully come alive again in my paintings.  My florals are from my own garden.  These subjects are close to my heart and I hope my paintings do justice to the beautiful colors, shapes and textures nature offers to those who are willing to really see what is around them everyday.  Look and feel the rough texture, the soft fur, the fluffy down and velvety softness that are in my works and let them bring you closer to an appreciation of the nature that surrounds us.

Check out more of Beth Bale's work on this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaQvrFsK8YI&feature=em-upload_owner


Beth Bale's page on the Joyful Jewel website:
http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Beth-Bale.html

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