Monday, September 20, 2010
Making a CLEAN LIVING with Soap
An excerpt from the NC Farm Bureau Magazine
Farm Bureau Members on both ends of North Carolina have found soap making to be a crucial part of their livelihoods. One chose to embark on the endeavor as a way to include a value-added product to a goat and beekeeping operation. The other ended up in the soap business after exhausting just about every other potential occupation.
Research and planning is exactly what Mitchell County Farm Bureau Members Tim Tyndall and Karen Wylie did when they decided to open up the Soap Shed out of their home. Living less than a mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway gave Tyndall and Wylie an initial outlet to market their soap, a venture that was seen as the last gasp toward a sustainable living after the downturn of the furniture and textile industries in Spruce Pine.
“Have you heard people say necessity is the mother of invention? Well you’re looking at it,” Tyndall says.
Tyndall put his advanced degrees in biology and engineering to work to create the five base formulas he now uses to make 130 different varieties of soap. Wylie put her doctorate in strategic planning to use to create the marketing plan that took the couple to festivals up and down the Eastern Seaboard as well as a blooming online business.
Now, the Soap Shed is embarking on 13 years in business.
“We reinvented ourselves as a result of being in a situation we had no control over,” says Tyndall, who now hand-makes more than 24,000 pounds of soap annually. “The quality of our products has stood the test of time. We’re very passionate about helping people understand what good skin care is.”
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Three New Exhibits at Crimson Laurel Gallery in Bakersville Open September 4th (Artist's reception at 6pm)
On September 4th, Crimson Laurel Gallery in Bakersville, North Carolina presents three new exhibitions featuring three of the finest ceramic artists in the country and and one of the most unique painters in western North Carolina. Our featured exhibition is "Collecting, Creating, Connecting...Ceramics by Liz Zlot Summerfield and paintings by Sarah Faulkner" and our showcase exhibition is "Leaning into the Light...New Ceramic Sculpture by Melisa Cadell". Additionally, our online exhibition is "New Work by Hayne Bayless".
For Liz Summerfield recontextualizing utilitarian objects is a common thread woven throughout her work. Her interest lies in what an object once was and what it can become; this curiosity fuels her to create her work. She references functional, everyday objects and intends to formalize them by focusing on their form, surface, and presence in space. Her recent body of work continues to reference functional objects and address theories of collection. Currently, the most important influence in her life is her daughter, Roby. She finds that the objects that surround her, and in turn influence her work, belong to her. They are playful items: toys, games, and balls. They are stacked, grouped, and contained throughout her home. She has acquired a new collection and inspiration, and thus a new body of work has emerged.
Sarah Faulkner seeks to
capture, in her work, the important relationships humans have with trees, flowers, animals and all things in the natural world. These relationships offer a sense of peace, grounding and calm which is so essential to the quality of one’s life. Growth is reflected consistently throughout her work. She experiments with different materials in order to capture the mysterious and atmospheric qualities found in nature. Most recently, she has been working with wax to add depth to her paintings. This translucent and misty material blends and softens the undercoat colors to give the work an element of light. In addition to wax, Sarah also uses a combination of materials to build up the surface of the paintings. This gives the work a three dimensional quality. The work represented in the upcoming exhibit will be the first collage series in the artist’s career. The work will reflect the simplicity and repetition found in the patterns of nature.
Melisa Cadell is interested in the figure and the spiritual being that is represented by it. She wishes to record the triumph of the human existence as she has observed it in the strong people who have entered her life. Clay allows her the opportunity to form figures who sing of their past, and who are witnesses of their history. She trying to communicate the past of individuals who have had to endure hardship, persecution, and poor health. People have always amazed her because of their ability to face life with determination when so little hope seems apparent. Their stories have touched her soul in a way that words fall short in describing. It is her hope that this is communicated in her work. Her works represent people who were changed because of their life experiences and it is reflected in a beauty and strength that has nothing to do with what our society typically deems beautiful. Their beauty is one of dignity, courage and of inner strength. Melisa's exhibit will feature a very broad range of new works.
For Hayne Bayles
s the unintended result, often misread as a mistake and so dismissed, is one of the most fertile sources of new ideas. "The trick is not to fool with clay's inherent desire to be expressive. Pay attention to the clay, not only for the sake of each piece, but because the clay will offer - or impose - its own suggestions of new forms and ways to work."
His pots are not so much about harmony, although that does happen, but more about tension. He loves what spawns in the friction between what he wants the material to do and what it would rather do. Hayne's exhibit will feature a great selection of new works.
These exhibitions will open on September 4th and remain through October 31st with an artist's reception at 6pm on September 4th. Melisa Cadell's exhibit will feature some very unique lighting for reception night only. Each exhibition will be available online on September 4th. For more information call 828-688-3599 or online at www.crimsonlaurelgallery.com.
For Liz Summerfield recontextualizing utilitarian objects is a common thread woven throughout her work. Her interest lies in what an object once was and what it can become; this curiosity fuels her to create her work. She references functional, everyday objects and intends to formalize them by focusing on their form, surface, and presence in space. Her recent body of work continues to reference functional objects and address theories of collection. Currently, the most important influence in her life is her daughter, Roby. She finds that the objects that surround her, and in turn influence her work, belong to her. They are playful items: toys, games, and balls. They are stacked, grouped, and contained throughout her home. She has acquired a new collection and inspiration, and thus a new body of work has emerged.Sarah Faulkner seeks to
capture, in her work, the important relationships humans have with trees, flowers, animals and all things in the natural world. These relationships offer a sense of peace, grounding and calm which is so essential to the quality of one’s life. Growth is reflected consistently throughout her work. She experiments with different materials in order to capture the mysterious and atmospheric qualities found in nature. Most recently, she has been working with wax to add depth to her paintings. This translucent and misty material blends and softens the undercoat colors to give the work an element of light. In addition to wax, Sarah also uses a combination of materials to build up the surface of the paintings. This gives the work a three dimensional quality. The work represented in the upcoming exhibit will be the first collage series in the artist’s career. The work will reflect the simplicity and repetition found in the patterns of nature.
Melisa Cadell is interested in the figure and the spiritual being that is represented by it. She wishes to record the triumph of the human existence as she has observed it in the strong people who have entered her life. Clay allows her the opportunity to form figures who sing of their past, and who are witnesses of their history. She trying to communicate the past of individuals who have had to endure hardship, persecution, and poor health. People have always amazed her because of their ability to face life with determination when so little hope seems apparent. Their stories have touched her soul in a way that words fall short in describing. It is her hope that this is communicated in her work. Her works represent people who were changed because of their life experiences and it is reflected in a beauty and strength that has nothing to do with what our society typically deems beautiful. Their beauty is one of dignity, courage and of inner strength. Melisa's exhibit will feature a very broad range of new works.
For Hayne Bayles
s the unintended result, often misread as a mistake and so dismissed, is one of the most fertile sources of new ideas. "The trick is not to fool with clay's inherent desire to be expressive. Pay attention to the clay, not only for the sake of each piece, but because the clay will offer - or impose - its own suggestions of new forms and ways to work."His pots are not so much about harmony, although that does happen, but more about tension. He loves what spawns in the friction between what he wants the material to do and what it would rather do. Hayne's exhibit will feature a great selection of new works.
These exhibitions will open on September 4th and remain through October 31st with an artist's reception at 6pm on September 4th. Melisa Cadell's exhibit will feature some very unique lighting for reception night only. Each exhibition will be available online on September 4th. For more information call 828-688-3599 or online at www.crimsonlaurelgallery.com.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Crimson Laurel Gallery Presents Three New Shows.
Crimson Laurel Gallery in Bakersville, North Carolina presents three exhibitions featuring five of the finest ceramic artists in the country. Our featured exhibition is "Contiguous...Ceramic Sculptures by Cristina Cordova and Jerilyn Virden" and our showcase exhibition is "What's in a line...Ceramics by David Eichelberger and Tom Spleth". And, our online exhibition is "Ceramic Sweets and Small Works...Ceramics by Jason Bige Burnett".
Cristina Cordova's (pictured side) provocative new sculptures are haunting yet beckon those who come upon them to look closely and try to understand their suffering and longings. Through the primary vehicle of the figure, she is in constant search for a presence. These new works will include materials never before seen in Cristina's sculptures. Jerilyn Virden looks to primitive objects that have a contemporary relevance. She pares down forms and exaggerates isolated elements, thus accentuating their sense of generosity and strength. Jerilyn will also be introducing new surfaces and forms for this exhibition.
David Eichelberger is captivated by the dialogue in his work between simplicity and complexity. He uses clean, graceful lines to capture qualities he finds in the organic world. This will be David's first exhibit of post-graduate work. Tom Spleth's slip cast porcelain cups (pictured below) are made complete with tiny script capturing select and provocative messages. Tom will also be showing his vase forms that are recognized for the simplicity of their truly unique forms. Combined, these two artists demonstrate the importance of the "line" in ceramic design.
New works by Jason Bidge Burnet
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t, aka Cakeboy, involve print processes and visual narratives that are simultaneously personal and universal. Jason's new forms both investigate multiple surface techniques and explore imagery that is influenced by the glitz and glam of carnivals, pop culture, and commercial design.These exhibitions opened on July 1st and remain through August 31st. Thanks to all those who joined us for the artists reception on July 16th. Each exhibition will be available online on July 1st. For more information call 828-688-3599 or online at www.crimsonlaurelgallery.com.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Classic Jaguars on Display in Little Switzerland
Classic Jaguar sports car and sedans will be on display Saturday, July 17, 2010 from 10 am to 4 pm, on the grounds of the Switzerland Inn, Little Switzerland, NC on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The show is the annual judged concours d'elegance of the Carolina Jaguar Club and will include the XJS that belonged to James Brown, "the Godfather of Soul". The public is welcome.
Early registrations also include three XK120/140 sports cars from the 1950s and seven E-Type sports cars, perhaps Jaguar's most famous and endearing model which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. A Concours d'Elegance - essentially a beauty pageant for coach-built cars and high fashions - came into vogue in the late 1920s in Europe. Wealthy clients ordered custom coachwork on their favorite marque's chassis, then proudly debuted their one-of-a-kind cars, often accompanied by a female model in a coordinated outfit from a leading couturier.
Jaguar clubs continue this tradition with local shows where both classic and modern "cats" are judged for cleanliness and authenticity using procedures established by the Jaguar Clubs of North America (JCNA). JCNA, which includes the state-wide Carolina Jaguar Club (CJC), has nearly 60 local clubs including Mexico City and five in Canada, and has over 6,000 member families.
CJC's Concours Chair Mimi Morton invites everybody to join the club for a day in the mountains and a special show. This year marks the 75th anniversary for England's Jaguar car company and the 100th for the Switzerland Inn. Jaguar's brand new 2011 XJ8 sedan will be on display by sponsoring Jaguar dealers, and the Inn offers free parking and a full-service bar and restaurant. From the I-40 take the Marion exit 86 take Rt. 226 north to the Blue Ridge Parkway and go 3 miles south toward Asheville to milepost 334.
The Carolina Jaguar Club is a state-wide organization with 120 member families including a few from Virginia and S. Carolina. Monthly meetings are held wherever we find a social or significant event, an interesting car show, or gatherings organized by nearby Jaguar clubs.
Early registrations also include three XK120/140 sports cars from the 1950s and seven E-Type sports cars, perhaps Jaguar's most famous and endearing model which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. A Concours d'Elegance - essentially a beauty pageant for coach-built cars and high fashions - came into vogue in the late 1920s in Europe. Wealthy clients ordered custom coachwork on their favorite marque's chassis, then proudly debuted their one-of-a-kind cars, often accompanied by a female model in a coordinated outfit from a leading couturier.
Jaguar clubs continue this tradition with local shows where both classic and modern "cats" are judged for cleanliness and authenticity using procedures established by the Jaguar Clubs of North America (JCNA). JCNA, which includes the state-wide Carolina Jaguar Club (CJC), has nearly 60 local clubs including Mexico City and five in Canada, and has over 6,000 member families.
CJC's Concours Chair Mimi Morton invites everybody to join the club for a day in the mountains and a special show. This year marks the 75th anniversary for England's Jaguar car company and the 100th for the Switzerland Inn. Jaguar's brand new 2011 XJ8 sedan will be on display by sponsoring Jaguar dealers, and the Inn offers free parking and a full-service bar and restaurant. From the I-40 take the Marion exit 86 take Rt. 226 north to the Blue Ridge Parkway and go 3 miles south toward Asheville to milepost 334.
The Carolina Jaguar Club is a state-wide organization with 120 member families including a few from Virginia and S. Carolina. Monthly meetings are held wherever we find a social or significant event, an interesting car show, or gatherings organized by nearby Jaguar clubs.
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