My favorite thing about this tour is that the homes are designed by architects. They are not spec homes. The architect and the homeowner work together to come up with a design that fits their style of living and the way they really want to live in their home and our environment. As a result, every home is unique, and reflects the personality of the homeowner and the style of the designer.

A side note – it’s not just aesthetics that interest me. I have my eyes open for solutions to practical problems. I’ll be looking at one particular element that is a challenge for me in my home – dealing with clutter. A well designed home includes places for getting rid of, storing and hiding clutter – for the morass of paperwork, the kids’ schoolwork, the artwork, the stuff for the IRS. I’ll be watching for ways to store shoes at the door, gardening and sports equipment, keys, shopping bags, and rain paraphernalia.

So join me on the tour. It’s self guided – you drive to the homes in the order you choose. Directions and descriptions of the homes are online here. Of course, when you get there, docents will answer any questions you have. Tickets are a steal at just $15, and they can be ordered online – but they don’t have many more. Get yours today.

Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I’m thinking snow and holidays and crafts. I want to be sure you know about the Christmas Holiday Shoppe Craft Show held at the school gym in St. Thomas More School. This Saturday, December 5th from 9:00 – 3:00, more than 60 local artisans will sell a wide variety of unique gifts and specialty items like aprons, garden art, holiday ornaments and decorations, and much, much more.

Check out the raffle, tap your feet to the musical entertainment, and plan on a hot lunch at the ‘Reindeer Cafe.’ Did I mention the bake sale? I really need to eat before I remind you of these shows – I’m starving already.

Artists new to the tour this year include hand-tooled wood furniture creator Elia Bizarri, acrylic painter Cassini and jeweler Billy Mason. Also new are Kim Werfel who specializes in pastel portraits of animals, pets and people and Carol Kroll Tinsky whose works include sculptures and pendants.

Chatham Studio Tour dates & times:
1st weekend – Saturday, December 4 & Sunday, December 5, 10am-5pm
2nd weekend – Saturday, December 11 & Sunday, December 12, 10am-5pm

For more information on the 18th Annual Chatham Studio Tour, click here.

Come join in a holiday tradition!

Start your tour at the Durham Arts Council, located at 120 Morris Street. Look for businesses with the large red dot in the windows – they display everything from the watercolors of Freeman Beard to the stained glass boxes of Jodi Bock. Or you may be intrigued by the jewelry created from the findings of ancient tombs, shipwrecks and heirloom collections crafted by Desiree Delong.

Hear the Rhythm and Blues strains of Tyrand, the Latin beat of Luego and the jazz of Lady Jaisun. As you meander around each corner, a new adventure awaits.

Admission is free. Everything is within walking distance, but a free shuttle service is available. Detailed maps of all Durham Art Walk sites including information on artists, sites, special activities and performances will be available at many Art Walk locations and in the Herald-Sun newspaper on the Saturday before the event.

When: Saturday, November 20 – 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, November 21 – 1-5 pm
Where: 120 Morris Street Directions
Download Art Walk Map Here

Walking is good exercise. Walking and being inspired is even better. Happy inspired walking!

Take time to appreciate the fanciful furniture of Keith Allen or the lovely representational paintings of Ginny Chenet. Cathy Kiffney has an incredible array of colorful clay and concrete sculptures. She may also be commissioned to create a custom tile work for your home.

Don’t miss Riley Foster’s whimsical recycled metal sculptures created from dilapidated farm equipment, worn out auto parts and discarded metal tools. Using materials that would’ve otherwise found their way to landfills, Foster creates certain pieces with springs that move when touched or unique pieces that move with the wind.

For a complete listing of artists involved in the 2010 Orange County Open Studio Tour and maps to guide your adventure, click here.

So get out your walking shoes! The walk concludes this weekend, on November 13 from 10-5 and November 14 from 12-5.

Don’t forget to look for the “best in show” of exhibitors – who are both local and national. See the latest in trendy, exceptional gifts, personalized products, art and sculpture, jewelry, handbags, gourmet food, party supplies and even frou-frou frills for your pets. Plan a “Girls Day Out” and meet your friends at the Frill Seekers Cafe. Truly a “Frill a Minute”, as their tagline says.

Another great feature of Frill Seekers Bazaar is their Pay it Forward Fun’d Raising Campaign that supports the Autism Society of NC during this holiday season. It’s a great cause – and you’re going to find great shopping too.

Nov. 4, 2010, Thursday Opening Night Benefit 5 PM – 9 PM will support the Autism Society of NC
3 Day Holiday Market Durham Bulls Athletic Park
Nov. 5 – 7, 2010
Friday & Saturday 10 AM – 7 PM & Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM

Happy shopping!

This year local artists will display wood works, furniture, blown glass, metal works, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, photography, wearable fibers, printmaking and mixed media.

See a remote Amish village through photographer Bill Coleman’s lens. Using primarily old beat up Nikons and relying on natural light, Coleman captures moments in time that few people will ever observe. A percentage of the profits of these works is earmarked for the medical needs of Amish children.

Take time for the delicate wildflowers of blown glass that Ronnie Hughes has been creating for the past 30 years. As you survey the swaying curvature of certain flowers, you can almost feel the wind on your face.

From a studio in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Jim Fineman crafts bowls, plates, mugs, honey pots and host of items with glazes ranging from earth tones to rich blues and greens. He also has a line of ceramic jewelry featuring shells, starts, hearts, fish and leaves as well as baskets woven from reed and sea grass.

Don’t miss Liz Spear’s handwoven clothing; its beauty is only surpassed by its comfort. Another “must-see” is Michelle LeVett’s one-of-a-kind limited edition jewelry from sterling silver, 18 and 22 ky gold, and semi-precious stones. One of her bold contemporary designs may be just the piece you’ve been searching for.

I’m not sure a weekend is long enough to see everything, but I’m willing to try.

Show Date & Times:

November 26 – 28, 2010
Friday: 6pm – 10pm
Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Sunday: 11am – 5pm

Show Location:

EXPOSITION CENTER
North Carolina State Fairgrounds
1025 Blue Ridge Road
Raleigh, North Carolina
Click here for Map & Directions

The evening of October 8th is the next one scheduled, and the artists featured have incredible, creative, must-see pieces. From 6-9 pm, meet Chrstal Hardt an artist from Roxboro, NC whose new acrylic paintings are being featured at North Carolina Gallery. Don’t miss Durham artist Madelyn Smaeok’s mixed metal jewelry and wall icons inspired by cicadas also at the NC Gallery.

If fashion’s your thing, you’ll want to pass by Uniquities where Ella Moss’s Splendid Trunk Show will take center stage. Footwear aficionado? At Roulette Vintage, Jewelry artisan Kitty Siegel will show her extensive collection of Vintage Cowboy Boots from the 40′s, 50′s, 60′s, 70′s and 80′s for both men and women. Boots will be available for purchase that evening.

Find out how arts in our own community can benefit arts (and education) in another one. Kyla and Renata McConnell initiated The Peru Project which promotes literacy, education and the arts in Peru’s rural Andes mountains. A silent auction featuring many artists from the community will be held at the Fleet Feet Gallery to benefit this project.

I’ve only given you a sampling of what’s available on October 8th! For an extensive list of each artist and participating business, click here. To find your way to the various galleries, click on 2ndFriday Artwalk map.

See you there!

The Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance starts today! Four whole days. Four stages of a “family-friendly festival of music, dance, art, and education”. And they mean it when they say music – there are over fifty bands this year. AND there is Bela Fleck, the absolute best banjo player in the word. He’s won Grammy’s and has been on Sesame Street. (I’m not sure which one is more impressive.)

Arts and Crafts are probably the highlight of the Festival. You know how I feel about local artists. There’s a whole new dimension at the Festival – a whole section of Native American Indigenous art, pottery, painting and sculpture. There’s even body art. You can get glammed up with sparkles and henna with the variety of artists and their creativity.

Take your family. Kids can explore and learn about the farm at Shakori Hills. There are also lessons about making and using biodeisal fuel, natural medicine, composting, and how to bring the flavor of Shakori Hills into your everyday life. There’s something that will interest you!

No festival would be complete without the food. Curry, pizza, gator on a stick, crepes, Pittsboro’s Famous Burritos, the incredible and famous flybread…just delicious samples of the stuff we like to eat here in the South – and in Chapel Hill. And yes, they have ice cream! Get your frozen treat at Lil’ Coffee Barn at the Grove Stage!

See you at the Festival!

Happy April!

Crazy Viv

PS My fabulous electrician – Charlie Adams – does all the Electrical at the Shakori Hills Festival.

Shakori Hills
1439 Henderson Tanyard Road
Pittsboro, NC 27312

…Watching the Catwalk at the Aveda Institute in Chapel Hill

With UNC and Duke being at the forefront of the news, sometimes we forget about the other schools in Chapel Hill. Today’s a great day to showcase one of the other ones – the Aveda Institute in Chapel Hill. Each year, during Earth Month, Aveda holds Earth Jam. As a part of that, tonight they’re sponsoring a Fashion Night Benefit, displaying the styles of horst Rechelbacher, Vidal Sasson, Trevor Sorbie, Annie Humphries, and many more designers.

Proceeds from the show go to the Triangle Land Conservancy, an organization that strives to preserve open spaces – land and water – in Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Lee, Orange, and Wake counties. The particular focus is on safeguarding clean water here in the Triangle.

There’s also a silent auction. Student artwork and paintings and photographs from other local artists will be on sale, as well as items from Chapel Hill restaurants and shops. This year’s raffle basket includes six tickets to Annie in Raleigh, and a Duke basketball signed by Coach K.

The video above is from last year’s show. Just looks like a fun evening for a great cause.

Doors open at 6:30, so you can take a look at all the silent auction items. If you purchase a VIP Wristband, you’ll also have access to the runway area. Drinks and snacks are included. Call the Institute at 919-960-4769 ext. 1310 to get your tickets!

Happy April,

Crazy Viv

The Aveda Institute Chapel Hill
200 W. Franklin Street
General Admission $35 / $50 (day of show)