Vangi Cathcart "Cherry Blossom in Snow" at the Joyful Jewel 1-31-15

Cherry Blossom in Snow
Vangi Cathcart
Watercolor on Paper

Sumi-e style watercolor with it's Asian influence, is Vangi Cathcart's specialty.  She grinds her own inks and the colors are from natural pigments.  "Cherry Blossom in Snow" - lovely!

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Vangi-Cathcart.html

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Ron Thomas "Migration" at the Joyful Jewel 1-30-15

"Migration"
Ron Thomas
Oil on Canvas, Framed Original

"Migration" by Ron Thomas is oil paints on canvas and beautifully framed.  The idyllic farm is the backdrop to migrating birds.  We can look forward to a scene like this one in the next month or so in NC, though much later for the northern states.  March and October are the biggest months for migration in our state, greatly anticipated.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Ron-Thomas.html

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Donna Cassidy "Lotus Stained Glass" at the Joyful Jewel 1-29-15

Stained Glass "Lotus"
Donna Cassidy

Anything with a lotus attracts my attention.  This stained glass piece by Donna Cassidy features the flower's petal layers vibrantly with the radiance from petals reaching out into space, like a spiraling meditation!

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

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Jody Jameson "Purple Earrings" at the Joyful Jewel 1-28-15

Purple Earrings
Jody Jameson

Kicky purple feathers, white pearls and little tiny lockets embellish these earrings by Jody Jameson. She has mounted them with a locking style ear wire too, adding the the secure feeling begun by the lockets.

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

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Bob Searles "Handblown Glass Ornament" at the Joyful Jewel 1-24-15

Handblown Glass Ornament
Bob Searles

Bob Searles just brought in his newest hand blown glass ornaments.  They have texture, movement and are light enough to sway in the slightest of breezes.  One of those "good things come in small packages" ever so sweet things that bring joy to all who take time to look.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Bob-Searles.html

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Riva Econopouly "Multi-Colored Head Band" at the Joyful Jewel 1-23-15

Multi-Colored Head Band
Riva Econopouly

A multi-colored head band is just what a day like today calls for.  Plush and flattering, not too warm, not too cool.  Covers both ears and messy hair.  Trendy knitting, just what Riva Econopouly is known for!

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

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Sharon Blessum "Stone Concho" at the Joyful Jewel 1-22-15

Stone Concho
Sharon Blessum

Sharon Blessum brought a good number of the expertly cut and polished stones that were formed by her father when she returned from a visit to her home state of  North Dakota.  She has been so lovingly working with her father's stones to make stunning jewelry. This agate concho necklace surely brings a North Dakota cowboy to mind. What a gift for the wild cowboy in your life -- maybe for Valentine's Day.

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

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Rita Baldwin "Azalea Garden" at the Joyful Jewel 1-21-15

"Azalea Garden"
Rita Baldwin
Original Oil Painting, on Canvas

If the weather keeps up like this we will soon be seeing azalea's bloom as in Rita Baldwin's dynamic flower-full painting.  First will be crocus and daffodils to color our green. She has probably painted some of those too.  Rita captured so many of the shades and styles of azaleas in this painting which one would enjoy over again each time it is seen.

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

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Rachel Bass "Spiral Pearl Necklace" at the Joyful Jewel 1-20-15

Spiral Pearl Necklace
Rachel Bass

Rachel Bass's meticulous work always has a sweet clean look about it.  This swirly sterling silver and pearl necklace ads a playful elegance.  This is the kind of necklace that lays against your skin demanding the attention that might otherwise go to a coquettish dress or richly tailored suit.

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

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On a Monday

 Sweet moments at Friday evening's reception in memory of Joan Summers. Her husband, Bill, arranged for the exhibit, and was supported by family, Eric and Gretchen, as well as neighbors, artists,and poets.

Terri Lange "Ready to Knit" at the Joyful Jewel 1-17-15

Ready to Knit
Terri Lange
acrylic on canvas

The peaceful meditative quality of knitting may not be the focus on this jaunty spritzy beckoning ball of yarn and needles that Terri Lange painted.  Can hardly help but smile at this luring!

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Terri-Lange.html

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Stacy Lewis "Siamese Friend" at the Joyful Jewel 1-16-15

"Siamese Friend"
Stacy Lewis
Water Media on Canvas, 8" x 8"
$40

"Siamese Friend" looks ready to jump on your lap, and with that thunderous Siamese purr, require you to just relax into the blue and mauve of life.  Stacy Lewis's lovely art has a bit of dimension to give even more life to the painting.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Stacy-Lewis.html

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Shannon Bueker "Ibis" at the Joyful Jewel 1-15-15

"Ibis"
Shannon Bueker
Acrylic on Board, 6" x 18"
$100, Original

This is my kind of crowd!  Vibrant in their red and white, each Ibis taking care of him/herself, yet watching out for the other.  As in all of Shannon Bueker's work there is action and dynamic life shown through the activity of everyday life, through background movement and layers of color.

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

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Martha Johnson "Live in the Sun" at the Joyful Jewel 1-14-15

"Live in the Sunshine"

Martha Johnson
Framed Collage

Wish I was somewhere warm today like this -- with seashells, mermaids, music and palm trees.  Thank you Martha Johnson for reminding me what I am missing on this day not yet above freezing!

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

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Orlan Johnson "Salt & Pepper Set" at the Joyful Jewel 1-13-15

Salt Shaker & Pepper Mill Set
Orlan Johnson

Ready to be "iced in" tomorrow morning?  You'll need this expertly crafted salt and pepper mill set by Orlan Johnson for your scrambled eggs with sliced tomato.  Beautiful and functional.

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

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On a Monday

Mary Darley "The One That Got Away: Catfish" at the Joyful Jewel 1-11-15

"The One That Got Away: Catfish"
Mary Darley
Acrylic paint, Colored Pencil, Ebony Pencil, Print on Canvas

Seems the perfect painting to feature on a sunny Sunday.  Would love to catch this "One That Got Away" by Mary Darley!  NC enjoy the break from freezing on this balmy 45 degree day.  Put that sign on your door, "Gone Fishin'" -- whatever you are trying to catch!

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

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The Pelzels "Set of Op Art Vases" at the Joyful Jewel 1-10-15

Op Art Vase Set
HP Pelzel & Sandra Boyd Pelzel
Set of 5, $65

HP & Sandra Pelzel have created a jaunty set of 5 vases with a kind of op art look.  Each is a different height and design with white and primary colors that pop.  Vases would make a great centerpiece on a table, shelf or mantle, setting the tone for an artful day!

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

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Mary Brookins "Framed Posies" at the Joyful Jewel 1-9-15

Dried Native Flowers in Frame
Mary Brookins
$15

Sweetness in a frame! - Mary Brookins' dried flowers pressed and preserved under glass.  Common buttercups, a favorite flower of mine really, shine against the blue background.

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

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Donna Cassidy "Stained Glass Tree" at the Joyful Jewel 1-8-14

Large Stained Glass Tree
Donna Cassidy
17 1/2" x 19 1/2", hung with sturdy chain
$160

In Donna Cassidy's "Tree" series of stained glass each includes a uniquely crafted fused glass tree in the center.  This one has a thick sinewy trunk which extends down as roots firmly anchoring the tree. There is lots of red in the canopy which could be flowers, berries or red leaves.  Today I think they are berries.  Perhaps there are still some left for the birds as they forage on this cold cold Winter day.

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

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Jennifer Strickland "Fused Glass Top Pill Box" at the Joyful Jewel 1-7-15

"Fused Glass Top Pill Box"

Jennifer Strickland
$20

Want to feel better now due to a crazy bit of marketing?  Looking in your purse to find the advil your mood will instantly lift.  When you see this beautiful pill box by Jennifer Strickland the pain pills turn into happy pills!  Don't you feel better already?

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Jennifer-Strickland.html

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On a Monday

Helen and Shuga

   ODE TO THE JOYFUL JEWEL

we walk into the JJ
after a couple weeks away
nothing looks the same
nothing seemed to stay

our hats, shawls and scarves
are now worn about town
many large paintings
from the wall have come down

bracelets and earrings
have found new homes
they were chosen by many
on their holiday roams

pottery and sculpture
are gone from the shelves
perhaps they were moved
by small Christmas elves

all kinds of art
went out through the door
making people happy
as they left the store

our artists aren't lazy
quickly replenish each display
and Shuga's  back on the job
ready with customers to play

as the flurry of December
becomes part of the past
we like that the Joyful Jewel
offered beauty to last

lots of folks still coming in
winter chill gives way to cheer
as they ooh and ah
choose treasures for the New Year
                                          ~sharon blessum
                                            with Shuga in her lap dictating