Marjorie Hudson "Searching for Virginia Dare" book at the Joyful Jewel 6-29-15

"Searching for Virginia Dare"
by Marjorie Hudson

Award-winning writer Marjorie Hudson is author of Searching for Virginia Dare, a classic journey into early American history and the fate of America’s first English child, born on a wilderness island off the coast of North Carolina. Part road trip, part historical research, part memoir, this North Carolina Arts Council Notable Book pulls in readers and weaves a compelling mystery both personal and historical.

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Donna Cassidy "Leaf Shawl" at the Joyful Jewel 6-27-15

"Leaf Shawl"
Donna Cassidy
Crochet

Floating through the day, this is how I would feel wearing this leafy, airy, colorful shawl by Donna Cassidy.

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Marcia E. Herman "Sipping My Garden" book at the Joyful Jewel 6-26-15

  

                    

"Sipping My Garden"
by Marcia E. Herman

Sweet scene that Marcia E. Herman set up at the Joyful Jewel to show her book, "Sipping My Garden" being used.  The jar is lemon balm and the tea pot represents the tea Marcia made from herbs and plants in her garden!  There are many such recipes and tidbits of lore and helpful information in this book.  DIY at it's best!

Marcia puts it this way, "Writing the book was a love affair with everyday plants that can be used to make teas and a celebration of the joys and goodness of the simple, yet magical process of putting leaves and hot water together.  Encouraging participation in the local food movement was another reward."

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Kimberly Godon "Christ on the Cross" at the Joyful Jewel 6-24-15

"Christ on the Cross"
Kimberly Godon
Iron Railroad Spikes, Forged & Welded with Copper Wire Crown

Kimberly Godon created this "Christ" from welding and forging old railroad spikes she has gathered on abandoned tracks and copper wire. Here is what she says about her art: 

  Spike art is made from railroad spikes, bolts, clamps and plates from the 'old gulf, NC spur' used in WWII for transporting iron and ore from local mines. The material is collected along the tracks on long walks. Years of force and pressure shape these pieces. I just put a form to them. Each piece is individually welded from the unique shapes.

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Margaret Harrelll "Keep This Quiet! a Memoir" at the Joyful Jewel 6-23-15

"Keep This Quiet! A Memoir
by Margaret A. Harrell
book

Did you ever wonder what it would have been like to know Hunter S. Thompson?  Well author Margaret Harrell knew it well and tells all!

Volume I - Keep This Quiet: My Relationship with Hunter S. Thompson, Milton Klonsky, and Jan Mensaert:

 “Margaret Harrell’s Keep This Quiet! offers an illuminating look at Hunter S. Thompson in full throttle trying to make it as a Top Notch prose-stylist. Harrell fills in many important biographical gaps. A welcome addition to what is becoming the HST cottage industry. Read it”—Douglas Brinkley, editor of The Proud Highway and Fear and Loathing in America

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Kim Hawks "Yucca" at the Joyful Jewel 6-20-15

"Yucca"
Kim Hawks
Photography

I will never look at a yucca the same again after seeing this stunning photograph by Kim Hawks.  The image is as if I could just reach out my hand and feel the cool drops, rub my fingers along the serrated fronds, linger my gaze on the hint of purple.  What a fount!

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Anora McGaha/When Women Waken "Grief" journal at the Joyful Jewel 6-19-15

"Grief: When Women Waken"
Anora McGaha, Editor
A Journal of Poetry, Prose & Images
$10, black & white version

I have been perusing the "hard copy" versions of the Journals of "When Women Waken" and have been especially struck by this journal devoted to Grief.  This book contains 171 entries submitted by writers and visual artists from all over the world on this very sensitive topic.  The cover art is by Susan Fulton, a photographer and graphic artist: chosen for the cover "because it symbolized many aspects of grief: the darkness surrounding us; the rough and unsteady ground below us, dizzying; off in the far distance a clearing, a light, some color; but still some layers of purple clouds to walk under." (Anora McGaha, the editor's words).  If you are grieving, come in to peruse through this journal and be understood, be heart-opened, be comforted.  I don't know if any of the submitters to this issue are coming to read tomorrow, but I hope so.  Timely, and we really need each other. 

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Anora-McGaha.html

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Forrest Greenslade - 2 Dog sketches at the Joyful Jewel 6-18-15

2 Dog Sketches
Forrest Greenslade
Ink with touches of watercolor

Forrest Greenslade calls this series of ink & water color sketches "Doggie Doodles."  The top one is a Basset Hound showing every bit of soulful pleading eyes and floppy ears that make this breed so adorable.  The second one is a Siberian Husky that belongs to his daughter.  She is waiting for you to say ok, ready to lick the freckles right off of you!

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Nora Gaskin "Until Proven" a mystery at the Joyful Jewel 6-17-15

"Until Proven: A Mystery in 2 Parts"
by Nora Gaskin
book

Nora Gaskin is a Pittsboro writer who conceived a mystery novel that took place in a town very similar to our own.  There is even a picture of a court house on the front that looks suspiciously familiar!  It is an intriguing read that recalls history of race relations, and old murder and also a contemporary murder in the same town.  And as Nora says "an exploration of what changes over time--and what does not."

Here is a description of the book:
     Two young women murdered in their homes, one of them in 1963 and the other in 2003.  
     The same families are connected to each crime. The Vances are the old money white family in Piedmont, North Carolina. Could one of their own be a killer? 
     The Mintons are an African American family, respected and hardworking. What does the young cousin who represents their greatest hopes know about the crime? 
     Some people may believe that forty years was long enough for families and a town to heal from one "it can't happen here" crime, but the second murder rips open the old wounds. 
     Until Proven is a mystery, a family saga, and an exploration of what changes over time--and what does not.

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Patrick Hitesman "Fruitini" at the Joyful Jewel 6-13-15

"Fruitini"
Patrick Hitesman
Oil on Canvas, Original

Looks good enough to drink -- and eat -"Fruitini" indeed! Patrick Hitesman has painted a pure delight. This durable painting, with an an oil-painted surface that could be washed off if need be, would be nice reminder to relax in the kitchen or on the patio. I hope the painter has time to imbibe this Summer while off from his teaching job.  And, lots of time to paint.

http://www.joyfuljewel.com/Patrick-Hitesman.html

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Gerald Dukes "Chickadee" at the Joyful Jewel 6-12-15

"Chickadee"
Gerald O. Dukes
Photograph

Yummm, a grub!  Gerald Dukes has photographed this chickadee in action. I love the softly pink faded out background and the razor sharp bird image.  Shows each of the many shades of black, gray and white and even the blackest eye against black feathers.  Nice shot!

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Tommy Edwards cd "NC History, Mystery, Lore & More" at the Joyful Jewel 6-11-15

"NC History, Mystery, Lore & More" CD
Tommy Edwards
$15

Tommy Edwards uses songs from bluegrass masters to set the tone. But his original "hidden gems" are the heart of the record, and they artfully expose the underbelly of lost love, broken lives and corporate greed in our society. The harmonies are soft as silk and the picking superb. Be sure and give Tommy and our other musical artists a listen the next time you visit - and don't forget that music makes a great gift!

Review by Brenda Linton

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Wendy Wilkins "Lucky Slugs" at the Joyful Jewel 6-10-15

"Lucky Slugs"
Wendy Wilkins
Polymer Clay and Ink
$7.95 each

"You've been slugged" says Wendy Wilkins!  These are lucky slugs though each one destined to bring something to their companion -- heart, jazzy, wishes.  Everyone needs a slug on their desk to bring out the smile in the day.

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Bonnie Franklin "Goatsmilk Cream" at the Joyful Jewel 6-9-15

Goatsmilk Cream
Face & Body Cream
Bonnie Franklin
4 oz. jar $12.00

If you've never tried Bonnie Franklin's creams and soaps you are missing out on a sensual luxury. Bonnie uses natural healthy ingredients and leaves out the things we don't want on our skin or in our waterways.  This cream includes purified water, goat milk, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, steric acid, and emulsiphying wax as a preservative.  From the minute you put it on your finger, the sensation is soft absorbancy and you just know you are doing something that is good!

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Beth Bale "On the Fence" at the Joyful Jewel 6-6-14

"On the Fence"
Beth Bale
Watercolor on Board, framed original
$80

A horsewoman and true lover of horses herself though not a racer, painter Beth Bale, is especially qualified to paint racing horses.  She is originally from Kentucky and has known of racing all her life.  Today the Belmont is run and I thought to show this intensity and striving for excellence through Beth's watercolor painting.

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Tim Smith "Playin' Possum" at the Joyful Jewel 6-6-15

  

"Playin' Possum"
Tim Smith
Clay

Since we had so much fun with the tick-eating possums yesterday (thank you Laurie Lindgren​), I'm posting more.  These are clay Playin' Possums by Tim Smith of Maddog Mudworks​.  Each one has a different instrument and personality!

Tim Smith is A whimsical, talented, musical guy of the mountains who creates little joys of clay  for all your dysfunctional pottery needs. 

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Diane Ness "Linen Top Orchid" at the Joyful Jewel 6-4-15

"Linen Top in Orchid and Pink"
Diane Ness
100% Pre-washed Linen, Size L
$145

Clothing Designer and Seamstress, Diane Ness, brought in some pretty new tops in Summer colors this week.  This 100% linen top is of softest orchid and pink, seems to float and flow as only linen can do.  Diane uses the finest of materials and her designs are always comfortable and easy to wear with "an out of the box" look you won't find anywhere else!

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Goathouse Cat Refuge T-Shirt at the Joyful Jewel 6-4-15

Support Your Local Cat House
T-Shirt from Goathouse Cat Refuge

We have a few of these cute t-shirts left from the Goathouse Refuge.  Proceeds help their efforts to save cats.  Having gotten a great cat, Vincent VanGogh, from there and being such a cat lover, I want to support them.  Remember it's kitten season.  Here is some of what they say about that:

Please don't forget about our Kitten-season matching grant opportunity! We have until the end of the month to raise $10,000 in order to receive the same amount from a generous donor, and we desperately need it to get caught up on our bills. Kitten-season is always very expensive, and we go through tons of food, litter, meds and vaccinations, and have lots of moms to spay. Every contribution helps. 

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Wendy Wilkins "Summer Aspens' at the Joyful Jewel 6-3-15

"Summer Aspens"
Wendy Wilkins
Alcohol Ink Painting

Quaking Aspens, a favorite of many, get a jaunty Summer presentation in Wendy Wilkin's "Summer Aspens."  Surely the perfect place to frolic in the flowers while enjoying shade of such a vibrantly living, quaking, forest.

I thought of Wendy's paintings this morning reading "The David Suzuki Reader":
   The aspen is kind of superorganism that can exploit a diverse landscape--parts of the organism     
    may grow in moist soil and share the water with other portions perhaps growing in a mineral-rich 
    soil higher up.  In Utah, a single aspen plant made up of 47,000 tree trunks was discovered.  it 
    covered an area of 106 acres and was estimated to weigh almost 13 million pounds.

What an exceptional frolic that would be if it was like Wendy's!

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Jerry Fowler "Ephemeral Rising" at the Joyful Jewel 6-2-15

"Ephemeral Rising"
Jerry Fowler
Pottery

Branching out from his well-loved cosmic piggies and sonic chickens, Jerry Fowler has made a few abstract sculptural pieces.  "Ephemeral Rising" is the 3rd in a series and shows a different kind of branching out!  Jerry says this sculptural vase represents his own imagining of "primordial life coming up from the aqueous phase to the atmospheric stage of life, forming the substance of life."  It is so easy to see that in his former professional life, Jerry was a scientist!

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