Shannon Bueker "Black Grackle on Birdhouse" at the Joyful Jewel 9-30-14

"Black Grackle on Bird House"

Shannon Bueker

Acrylic on Canvas, 24" x 48", Original

$850 

In this large painting I see  kind of a new style for Shannon Bueker, perhaps it is because this is acrylic rather than watercolor.  I find the layers interesting & pleasing, and as with her watercolors, that sense of aliveness and movement.   The colors are astounding and although I might not think this every time I look at it, this time I love how the grackle is taking charge, shouting to the universe, "I am here and I rule!"

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

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Sharon Blessum "Luminous Journeys" book at the Joyful Jewel 9-27-14

"Luminous Journeys: Natural Portals to the Spirit World"
Sharon Blessum
Hardback Book, 151 Pages
$20

Looking for Fall reading?  You are in for a treat with this luminous book by our wise Sharon Blessum.  Sure to inspire, deepen and bring you real beauty.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Sharon-Blessum.html

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Kimberly Godon "Wine Holder" at the Joyful Jewel 9-25-14

Railroad Spike Wine Holder
Kimberly Godon
~ 10" x 11" Forged and Welded Sculpture
$95 

Getting ready for the weekend of staying-inside rain with cuddles and a movie, wouldn't this fun wine holder by Kimberly Godon help to set the mood?  Surely Kimberly made this out of old railroad spikes, forged the curves, and welded the expressive guy with hither-come-yon hat just for this kind of occasion.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Kimberly-Godon.html

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Terry Perkinson "Nanook The Polar Bear" at the Joyful Jewel 9-24-14

"Nanook the Polar Bear"
Terry Perkinson
~ 12" x 9", Wool, Cotton, Original Design
$39

Might need this polar bear to snuggle up with this evening as we experience the undeniable beginnings of Fall.  "Nanook" by Terry Perkinson is made from the warmest, softest wool cashmere imaginable and fits right in the crook of your neck!

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Terry-Perkinson.html

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Chocolate & Champagne Party at the Joyful Jewel 9-10-14

Here are a few pictures from the party.

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Beth Bale "Elephant" at the Joyful Jewel 9-19-14

Elephant
Beth Bale
7 3/4" x 9 1/2" framed to 9 1/2" x 11 1/2", Original Watercolor on Board
$79

This is one of my favorite paintings, and along with everything else, it is available this weekend during the Joyful Jewel's 7-Year Anniversary Sale for 10% off it's already reasonable price.  Powerful, wise and surprisingly friendly, this elephant is by Beth Bale, a master animal painter.  Elephant is a watercolor on aqua board and is framed ready for either hanging or displaying on a small easel.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Beth-Bale.html

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Andrea Saccone Snyder "Imagine Creating" at the Joyful Jewel 9-18-14

"Imagine Creating"
Andrea Saccone Snyder
Encaustic and Mixed Media Collage/Painting
 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" Original in 6" x 6" Frame
$40

"Imagine creating something beautiful & wonderful today" is the invitation from Andrea Saccone Snyder.  I think she has a great idea!  What if each of us does this today.  What a wonderful difference we could make in this world.  Andrea is probably doing it.  I am too.  Are you?

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Andrea-Synder.html

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Kate Ladd "Conifers" at the Joyful Jewel 9-17-14

"Conifers"
Kate Ladd
16" x 8" Acrylic on Canvas, Original
$100

Soon conifers will be the most prominent trees in North Carolina.  Kate Ladd has painted three completely different kinds of conifers.  Reminds me of a very good reason not to compare one to another, ourselves included.  Each is so beautiful in it's very own unique way.  Each has a style that is perfect for him/her.  Kate has shown the inner glow of individual presence so strikingly.

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

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Marty Broda "Ascending Chaos" at the Joyful Jewel 9-16-14

"Ascending Chaos"
Marty Broda,
Mixed Media Natural Materials Sculpture
$35

I wonder what kind of day Marty Broda was having when "Ascending Chaos" emerged from her studio.  Surely all of those diverse feathers will help us in our personal challenge of living in this world of seeming chaos.  Fly, soar and see the possibilities beyond the tv news -- to the place of peace and respect, where everything and everyone is more obviously necessary in connection to each other. Where beauty reminds one to be grateful and know that love can prevail.  I'll meet you there, tonight, in the starlight.

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

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On a Monday

          This day was about putting one foot in front of the other on the Beauty Path. Much as I love the long country roads of North Dakota, I also love the path that wends through a day at the Joyful Jewel.

Beauty moments here at the JJ included an order from Albuquerque for a beautiful Jacquelyn Lowry scultpor. It will look so at home in New Mexico! By the way, a recent phone order also came in from upstate New York for as many Laurie Chapman hats as she can make! An exquisite DG Chandler turquoise pendant with copper and bronze went home with a happy woman. Kate Ladd's cards flew off the shelves. And I was just plain envying the owl print of Emma Skurnick's that went home with someone else!!! I also have my eye on a Jennifer Strickland piece and am not telling you which one lest it catch your fancy while I'm deciding! Many more things left the shopped today too.

 I mention all this because Mondays are never quiet like you might imagine they'd be. We get a lot of out of town people, as noted in the above phone orders. These are folks that came in while visiting NC, bought something and now want more of that artist. (Yay for the website!) And today was especially gratifying because it's BEFORE our big annual customer appreciation sale this weekend so I see it as foretelling huge sales at our anniversary celebrations. See you at the Chocolate and Champagne Party Saturday Night.

Sharon & Shuga

Maryphyllis Horn "Whispering With Animals" book at the Joyful Jewel 9-14-14

"Whispering With Animals"
Maryphyllis Horn
Book in Color, 108 pages
$25

  

At the Joyful Jewel we now have two books about communicating with animals.  Mary Ann Bumbera, who read from hers, "Because of You I Am" last Sunday, and now this brand new one from shamanic practitioner Maryphyllis Horn.  Both books are full of fascinating stories and tell of deeply moving experiences with our fellow animals.  Maryphyllis's book focuses more on encounters with wild animals while Mary Ann's on domestic pets.  This communication skill is one we can all develop with focus, attention, patience and great love.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Maryphyllis-Horn.html

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Riva Econopouly "Blue Sock Doll" at the Joyful Jewel 9-13-14

Blue Sock Doll
Riva Econopouly
~ 7" x 3" acrylic sock with sewn features
$12

Can it get any cuter than this!  A blue sock doll by Riva Econopouly.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Riva-Econopouly.html

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Shannon Bueker "Horses Angle Down" at the Joyful Jewel 9-12-14

"Horses Angle Down"
Shannon Bueker
15" x 30", Acrylic on Canvas
$450, Original

Shannon Bueker is great at bringing dreams to light and motion.  This painting, titled "Horses Angle Down" certainly has a dreamy quality and is also an interesting composition. Try this: Look at it quickly before you recognize the horses and see how the lines and colors are extraordinary -- seem to have their own story to tell!  Then let the piece come into clear focus and enjoy your own breakfast along with the horses.

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

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Florence Johnson "Blarney Castle" at the Joyful Jewel 9-10-14

"Blarney Castle"
Florence Johnson
India Ink & Watercolor, 8" x 10" framed to 12" x 15"
$75, Original

A beautiful rendering in ink and watercolor, this castle could be the one we dreamed about as a child after reading fairy tales.  Perhaps Repunzel's hair cascaded down from the top window.  This particular castle, though, has the best name.  It's "Blarney Castle," and is one that Florence Johnson photographed and then painted from her recent trip to Ireland.  What tales, true or fanciful, these stones and ancient trees could tell!

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

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Mary Brookins - Pressed Flower Mirror at the Joyful Jewel 9-9-14

Pressed Flower Mirror
Mary Brookins
12" x 22 1/2", Real Flowers, Wood, Glass, Mirror
$45

Pressed flower artist, Mary Brookins, has come up with something completely new.  It is a nice size mirror saucily adorned with flowers from her garden and yard.  Let it be a learning experience about local sustainability.  See if you can make "friends" with these native beauties discovering their names and optimal growing conditions as you primp your own native beauty for the day!

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Mary-Brookins.html

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Jude Lobe "Provence Morning" at the Joyful Jewel 9-8-14

"Provence Morning"
Jude Lobe
Oil on Linen, framed in copper, 12" x 12"
$295 Original

Oh my goodness, Jude Lobe, this French scene makes me want to go NOW!  I especially love the way the light shades on the "Provence Morning."  Dreamlike and engaging. Shades are still drawn so I think the upstairs residents are not yet up.   I imagine that the woman in shorts has come in just at dawn and is humming as she waters the plants and gets ready for a busy day in this Paris version of the Joyful Jewel!  Jude has painted this in oil on linen and the piece is framed in lightly hammered copper adding even more charm to the warmth of the overall scene.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Jude-Lobe.html

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Tamera Lynn Cooke "Spirit Warrior" at the Joyful Jewel 9-6-14

"Spirit Warrior"
Tamera Lynn Cooke
Mixed Media Sculpture, 56" x 15"
$450

This very powerful "Spirit Warrior" endows you with bold power-within type of power and fiercely protects you from anyone who tries to over-power you.  He is large, 56" x 15" and inhabits an old antique Japanese ceramic face with real hair, fabrics, feathers, shells, rosary beads, tree branch, shield of wood and decal, and is adorned with Tamera Cooke's original steel coils and spirals.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Tamera-Cooke.html

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Rita Baldwin "Marsh at Yankeetown" at the Joyful Jewel 9-4-14

"Marsh at Yankeetown"
Rita Baldwin
Oil painting 16" x 20" framed to 25" x 20 1/2"
$425, Original

I'm not sure where Yankeetown is though I know a bit about it by looking so often at this painting by Rita Baldwin.  There is a serenity, a brightness that foretells of Fall to come, and I think there are also palm trees.  What a place!  I'd like to canoe there and find out who lives on this lush and mysterious shoreline, partaking of the solitude that Rita must have felt there. Want to join me, in silence?

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

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Laurie Chapman "Expandable Hat" at the Joyful Jewel 9-3-14

Expandable Hat
Laurie Chapman
Fits Most, Acrylic, Hand Knit
$20

September and hot in NC but we know cooler weather will come soon asking us to wear a hat like this one by Laurie Chapman.  This hat is very clever in that you can perch it on top of your head like a hair decoration in just cool weather and then expand it to fully cover your ears and the sides of your face when it is 20 degrees.  I like how the fluffy part either provides a crown in the first instance or frames the face with whimsy in the second.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Laurie-Chapman.html

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