Spotlight on Blue Horse Market!

My jewelry, artfully displayed at Blue Horse.

Last weekend, I was lucky to spend a bit of time wandering one of my favorite local stores, Blue Horse Market.  Blue Horse, owned by the talented Sharon and Jeff Augustyniak, is located near my hometown.  Sharon and I met when I owned Artist Alley, when I represented her work.  Now the tables have turned, and I'm grateful for the opportunities that they've created for me.

Blue Horse is so much more than 'just another store'.  With craft beers, a large wine selection, antiques, comfy couches, hot coffee, handmade goods aplenty, farm fresh food offerings, and more; this modern country store has become an integral part of our community.

The following photos don't begin to do it justice!  If you're in the neighborhood, do yourself a favor, and stop.  If you're not in the neighborhood, make it a destination.  I promise you'll be glad that you did.

A glimpse at some of the kids' creations at Blue Horse.

This repurposed bed frame promotes local businesses and our community.

North Carolina Pottery and other treasures.

Sharon's handmade Mat and Frame,
my Ode to The Sandhills,
Amy Smith's Canvas Earrings, and other treasures.

From floor to ceiling you'll find treasures at Blue Horse Market!

Blue Horse Market is located at 3196 Vass Carthage Road, at the 

intersection of Niagra Carthage Road, in Whispering Pines, North Carolina.

Their phone number is 910-949-2996, and you'll also find them on Facebook.

A New Year - A New Beginning

I'm enamored with the idea of a clean slate and  fresh beginning as we enter a New Year, and this is proving to be especially true in 2016.  As I walked through the bitter and the sweet of 2015, I also felt untethered in a way that was new to me.  It touched me at my core, and forced me to pause.  It's the only way that I could have survived.

As a  part of this, I took a self imposed unannounced break from social media from my 50th birthday until today.  I rested; I regrouped; I relaxed; and I enjoyed a quiet holiday with Ken.  We honored those who are no longer with us; and now I find myself standing with a new sense of purpose and direction.  It's a good feeling.


Thank you to each and every one of you who have been so patient with me during the holidays, and more importantly for the past few years.  It means more to me than you will ever know.  I'm looking forward to reestablishing our connections in new and wonderful ways this year. 

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The Best Blind Dates EVER!

Best of all, these Blind Dates are all
Husband Approved!

If the dating experiences of my warm wonderful single friends are any indication, Blind Dates are not for the faint of heart.  When we were on Ocracoke Island for our most recent ReMe Retreat in October, we discovered one solid exception to this rule, and you're going to love it.

Are these Ocracoke Blind Dates...

... in abundant supply? Yes!

... easily accessible? Yes!

... emotionally available?  Yes!

... satisfying?!?!  Yes.  Yes!  YES!!!


These mysterious Blind Dates might just be the best kept secret on Ocracoke Island!  And regardless of your gender, marital status, personal preferences, or geographic location, you can have one or more of your very own!

Thanks to the lovely ladies at Books To Be Red, the sky is the limit when it comes to these Blind Dates!

Here's Jodi with her Blind Date...

...and me with mine!

Blind Dates are ready and waiting for you!

Just a few of the many Blind Dates that are available.

Surprise yourself during the Holidays, with a Blind Date...
or two or three...of your very own!  

Provide your wish list to the Lovely Ladies of Books to Be Red, and they'll provide you with a match made in Heaven.  You may reach Leslie and Heather via their Facebook Page or by calling 252-928-3936.

Love from Ocracoke.  

It doesn't get any easier or better than that.  

Earrings and Smiles All Around!

Best.  Studio.  Assistant.  EVER.
(His Mother rocks too!)

Sometimes, it feels as if I'm still finding my way through the fog of the past few years.  As I was living life, I never consciously realized how far behind I'd fallen or how much of my time was being dedicated to loving Mom.

In the studio yesterday, I had one of those sweet days that reminds me of all that I've been missing.  The smile's still on my face, and I'm feeling exceedingly grateful that I'm able to make a living in a way that fills my heart.

Here's a glimpse of my day...

We were making Earrings...Earrings...Earrings at Creative Studios NC last night!

The lovely and talented Robyn models her latest creation.

Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves!
Such a treat to spend time with Deb and Robin.

I finally met one of my neighbors, and enjoyed spending time with Vanessa.
Her earrings were gorgeous too!

When In Greensboro - Just Be

Just Be, is a lovely boutique in Greensboro that represents handmade and fair trade work.  I love this store for so many reasons!  Here are just a few of them...

• The Ladies of Just Be are friendly and welcoming.
• Shopping there feels like a visit with a dear friend.  (One who has REALLY cool stuff!)
• I can always find the perfect unique gifts for the ones I love.
• Their displays are absolutely gorgeous!
• And in the name of full disclosure, they represent my work.  :-)

I recently delivered a huge selection of my work, and below you'll find a few of the photos that I took while I was there.

You'll find Just Be at 352 Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401, or at their second location at 935 Boston Drive, Burlington, NC, 27215.  You'll also find them online here.

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This public art across the street from Just Be makes me smile.

Wine & Creating In The Studio

Nothing goes together like Peanut Butter & Jelly, Cookies & Milk, and Wine & Creating.  At Creative Studios NC, we embrace all three of these concepts with varying degrees of enthusiasm, and folks have been asking us to clarify our position on alcoholic beverages in The Studio.

While you won't see class titles like "Wine and Design" or "Drink and Draw" among our offerings, you will find a wide array of classes in all media.  Card Creating, Scrapbooking, Painting, Art Journaling, Metalsmithing, Jewelry Making, Collage, Assemblage, and more will be offered, and we'll also host a variety of Open Studio Events, Private Parties, Crops, and Artist Demonstrations.  Guests of legal drinking age are welcome to bring and enjoy their very own snacks and libations at any and all of these events!

No wine was harmed in the making of
this photo, just a really
long hot day
of moving.  

In most cases, we'll invite you to pop your corks at the beginning of our time together.  Occasionally, we'll ask you to delay gratification until the use of caustic chemicals, high heat, razor sharp implements, and imminent danger has passed.  (We love our wine; but we love you more!)

First and foremost, we hope that you'll eat, drink and be merry with us each time that you're in The Studio, and we're hoping to see a lot of you!

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For more information about Creative Studios NC, and upcoming events, please visit us on the web at www.creativestudiosnc.com or on Facebook at www.

Creative Studios NC - Classes With Connie Goodrum & Kristin Spurlock

We're off and running at Creative Studios NC, and I'm so excited about all that this means for each of us, and for our community at large.  During the process of opening the studio, I've had the privilege of meeting two new artist-friends, and each of them will be offering classes here on Saturday, October 24th.  You won't find these classes anywhere else, as each will be taught exclusively taught in our studio.  If you're in the area and available, please join us!

The first class is from 10:00 until 12:00 with Connie Goodrum.  In it she'll lead students in creating two - two page scrapbook layouts.  (That's right; four pages total!)  Each student will receive the Legacy Collection paper pack from Simple Stories along with 6 sheets of coordinating card stock. Connie will walk artists with all levels of experience through tips, techniques, cutting, layering, and design.  She asks that guests bring adhesive, a trimmer and scissors; and everything else will be provided.

The second class, Apron Art Doodling, will be offered from 2:00 until 4:00 on the same day by Kristin Spurlock.  In this class, each student will be provided with an apron of their very own, and they'll have full use of a wide range of Sharpie Markers throughout the class.  Students are also welcome to bring paint pens and other permanent markers for use in the class, and some will be available for sale in the studio.

As an added bonus, any student who registers for both the morning and afternoon class sessions will also be treated to two hours of free open studio time from 12:00 until 2:00.  During this time guests will have full use of our working studio space and tools too.  

For more detailed information about both classes, and to register, please call Jan McClay at 910-245-4129 or email her at jan@creativestudiosnc.com , or visit Creative Studios NC Online.