Big Day Downtown New Bern July 4

Carolina Creations will be open our regular hours 10-7 as will many other Downtown Merchants. Stop in for a cool glass of lemonade!

At the Palace - There will be a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence at 11:00 a.m. Hear the Declaration read from the Palace steps by costumed characters portraying famous North Carolinians from the Revolutionary era; listen to the Tryon Palace Fife & Drum Corps; and participate in thematic and patriotic craft activities.

FREE Garden Admission, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Interior tours require the purchase of a ticket.

In the late afternoon find your way to Union Point

Parks & Recreation invites you to Union Point Park on July 4th for an afternoon packed with fun and excitement.

3pm - 5pm will feature entertainment and misting tents to keep everyone cool.

From 7pm - 9 p.m., the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing Band will feature big band music, classical marches and patriotic music.

As the concert draws to a close, the excitement continues, with the patriotic fireworks show blasting off to AStars and Stripes Forever@ . The aerial display features meteors, crackling comets, stars, butterflies, peonies, and lots of razzle-dazzle to light up the sky.

Pack a picnic and plan to spend this great American holiday in historic downtown New Bern! You can take coolers and service animals, but prohibit alcohol, glass containers, fireworks, and all other pets at Union Point.

We've got a great little town here!

See you - Jan Francoeur

I know it's a little early to be talking about Christmas!

A group of Downtown merchants have put together a plan to make our Christmas season in our Downtown really special this year.

The season will be called "A Dickens of a Christmas" in Downtown New Bern, Where Everything Old is New Again".

Some of the highlights will be

Downtown Illumination - each Friday between Thanksgiving and Christmas we will have luminaries on the sidewalks in the Business District between 5 and 8 pm. The Trolley will have illumination tours leaving from the front of the Chelsea at 5:30 and 7:00 pm, $10, reservations suggested. The trolley will tour the Downtown and the Historic Residential District to see the lights. It's always so beautiful!

Each Friday Illumination will have a theme relating to Dickens, Fizziwigs Party - an evening of celebration to kick off the season, The Ghost of Christmas Present(s) - a family evening of shopping, Tiny Tim's Christmas - promotions for children to shop, and Ebenzeer Goes Shopping - focus on an evening for men to shop.

Carol Tokarski and I will be doing the artwork for "A Christmas Carol" which will be told on large cards 80 x 60" which will be in 20 windows throughout the Downtown. A map will show you where the cards are and list the events for the season as well as our sponsors.

So far we have the following sponsors at $250 Carolina Creations, Mitchell Hardware, MJs Raw Bar and Grill, Four C's, Port City Java, The Aerie Bed & Breakfast, The Pepsi Store, Branch's, The Chelsea Restaurant, Tryon Palace, Craven County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and at $100 Swiss Bear Downtown Redevelopment Assn and the Accidental Artist. Sponsorships are available from $50 to $2500, email janet@carolinacreations.com for the details!

The new Santa days will be Fri, Sat & Sun and during those days we will have a Toys for Tots drop off at the Santa House and a food drive for RCS.

In addition to these plans we can't forget all the other things going on in our historic district
- Centuries of Celebrations at Tryon Palace
- the Candlelight Tours at Tryon Palace
- the Sculpture Show at the Bank of the Arts
- the hand made ornament show and the Original Tree hung with original artwork that costs $60 or less at Carolina Creations
- Open House at Downtown Shops
- the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree at the Sheraton
- a new exciting event sponsored by Christ Church Community Christmas Caroling where we'll block off the 300 block of Pollock Street and sing carols - just like New York City!
- The Holly and Ivy Tour
- B&B Tour and Open House
- the Living Nativity at Centenery
- The Messiah
- the Drive Through Nativity at St Mary's
- the Cookie Walk
- the Festival of Trees
- Christmas Parade
- the Christmas Flotilla
- The Symphony
- Scrooge at the Civic Theatre
- Paws on Parade Pet Parade

Wow!!

Book mark our calendar page on the Carolina Creations website to see the entire calendar, we'll update it as we get new info. Calendar Page click here.

New Paintings at Carolina Creations by Mary Page Whitley

We are getting ready for our next show, "Summer in the City" we'll have new work by Brenda Behr, Mary Page Whitley, Jan Francoeur (me), Mike Rooney, Ruth Heppler, Janet Dixon and others.

Mary Page brought her paintings in the other day and they're beautiful! Most are from a painting trip she took to France and Italy.

Stop in and get a pre show preview.

Call to purchase one!

252-633-4369.

Don't forget ArtWalk Friday July 11 5-8 pm.

Plein Air Painting Demo by Brenda Behr and booksigning with Karen Dodd and her new book "Begin Again Quinn".

New New Bern paintings finally!

It seems like months ago I started these paintings!

It's not like I haven't been painting and making things, there are just not enough hours in the day to do everything I want to do.

A while back I showed the start of these here , to see that blog entry click here.

The colors are the same in each of these two pieces, the photographs just look a little different.

These paintings are about 24 x 40 each. I'll probably do some prints of them.

They will be in our new show that we'll hang on the last day of June.

In addition to my work we'll have new paintings by Mary Page Whitley, Brenda Behr, Janet Dixon, T Rader and others. The official show opening will be during the ArtWalk Downtown New Bern, on Friday, July 11 from 5-8 pm.

I'll be telling you more about some of the other artists in the show in the next week or so.

Tomorrow I'm off to a show at River Dunes. I haven't done an outdoor show in about 15 years!

Brenda Behr will do a demonstration of her watercolor plein air paintings and Karen Dodd will be at Carolina Creations signing her new book "Begin Again Quinn", read about it by clicking here.

To order the book just give us a call at 252-633-4369 and we'll ship it right out.

We always have refreshments and it's a great time to see your neighbors. Another thing it's great for - it's one of the few times we have both husbands and wives in the gallery at the same time, we hear a lot of "honey if you want to buy me a present......" and we'll often see the spouse back later in the week.

We see friends enjoying the evening together and have witnessed more than once "I haven't seen you in 25 years! What are you doing in New Bern?" And the conversation goes on that both couples were from Pittsburgh, New York, Philly, you pick, and both couples moved here unbeknown to the other only to meet again at Carolina Creations. We love it!!

New Bern note cube & tea towel!

As you know we're always trying to come up with new "New Bern" items for gifts and souviners. Lots of people want things depicting our beautiful little town when they travel and for their own homes here.

Here are our two newest additions!

On the left is a tea towel made from nice heavy cotton. The images depict City Hall, Tryon Palace, Bear Plaza, 1st Pres, the Courthouse, flag on light pole, gazebo Attmore Oliver House, Federal Building, Firemans Museum, Academy, Centenary, Trolley and Christ Church - they measure 18 x 30" and are $16.

The note cube has my "Slice of New Bern" image on it and it measures 3"x3"x3" and has a hole for the pen which is included. They are a steal at $7.95!!

If you would happen to want to order click here or give us a call at 252-633-4369.

Upcoming events in Downtown New Bern

There are a lot of things coming up in the next couple weeks. When I hear people say there is nothing to do in a small town I wonder what small town they're living in because it's not New Bern!

I do have a page on our Carolina Creations Website where I try to list all that's going on. I'm sure I miss some things (I do just concentrate on things happening Downtown). Click here to go to it (why don't you bookmark it!!)

Some highlights are:

Groundbreaking for Tryon Palace History and Education Center Friday June 20 5:30 at the site, South Front Street.

Music in the Park FREE Friday, June 20; 6 to 8 p.m.
The New Bern Parks and Recreation Department is presenting its annual Music in the Park Series. June 20: Retro Rockets: a variety of music including surf.

June 21st, 2008 (Sat) Tryon Palace Theater 11:00 a.m. Visitor Center Auditorium
Come join us and experience the Dramatic side of history. You may see an 18th century puppet show, a 19th century play, or another engaging historical vignette. Programs vary, so check often to learn about new ways we're bringing history to life! Tickets required. Call 252-514-4900 for more information on specific performance schedule.
At Tryon Palace -
http://www.tryonpalace.org/index for more info

June 30th, 2008 (Mon)
South Lawn Concert Series
440th North Carolina National Guard Concert Band
Gates open at 5:00 p.m., concert begins at 6:30 p.m. FREE. South Lawn

Union Point Park July 4th for an afternoon packed with fun and excitement. 3pm - 5pm will feature entertainment and misting tents to keep everyone cool. From 7pm - 9 p.m., the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing Band will feature big band music, classical marches and patriotic music. As the concert draws to a close, the excitement continues, with the patriotic fireworks show blasting off to Stars and Stripes Foreve

July 4 North Carolina’s First Fourth – Hear the Declaration of Independence read from the Palace steps by costumed characters portraying famous North Carolinians from the Revolutionary era at 11am. Listen to the Tryon Palace Fife & Drum corps and participate in thematic and patriotic craft activities. Free garden admission from 9am to 5pm. Interior tours require the purchase of a ticket. For more information please contact Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens at (800) 767-1560 or log onto http://www.tryonpalace.org/.

Friday, July 11, 5-8 pm ARTWALK in Downtown New BernSee changing exhibits, meet the artists, booksigning & more stroll the streets, enjoy refreshments, see your neighbors. At Carolina Creations we'll have a booksigning with New Bern author Karen Dodd and her book "Begin Again Quinn" fyi Carolina Creations just happens to be mentioned. Also a painting demo by North Carolina Artist Brenda Behr. Photo of one of her plein air paintings.

Other shops and galleries in our Downtown also have special events that night, Craven Arts Council and Gallery, Ballentyne Framing & Art, New Bern ArtWorks, and others.

Christmas in June - Sticks Furniture and Object Art

I'm sure most of you have seen our wonderful hand built, hand carved, hand painted furniture by the studio Sticks.

Did you know we can help you design a piece just for you?

The reason I named this blog entry Christmas in June is if we are going to get a piece planned and into their schedule for delivery by Christmas we need to get started NOW!!

For some ideas of what we could help you design you can go to our website and click on the different types of structures. Furniture and Object Art by Sticks.

We can help you pick the colors, pick the words, pick the images!! There are SO MANY choices that I find it's easiest to choose the type of a piece you want, lazy susan, mirror, chest, dining room table, bench, whatever, and let me email you photos of some pieces they have done in the past. I can email you a list of words to get your ideas rolling.

Think about it

A chest with your family name on the lid.

A mirror surrounded with pictures of thing significant in your life - a walk on the beach, sailing, golfing, a dog, a cat, a college, a special saying, the possibilities are endless!

Don't fret about figuring it all out, come in or email me your idea and I'll help you figure it out. Want to talk in person? The days I'm in the gallery right now are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Hope you all have a great day with Dad!!

Happy Fathers Day

Jan Francoeur

The Traveling Carolina Creations Bag!

As you know our bags "Travel the World!" We met some nice folks in May when they were in New Bern for a visit. We LOVE it when we hear from visitors after they get home. I received this email and photo this morning.

Hi Folks

We toured North Carolina during the first half of May and were delighted to visit your store during our stay in New Bern. We bought a couple of pictures and were presented with a bag and informed of our duty!

Thus please find attached a photo of my wife, Jacky with Mont Orgeuil (Gorey) Castle in the background. This is on the island of Jersey, Channel Islands where we have had our home for the past 27 years.

The Islands are a Crown Dependency and part of Great Britain, but they are not part of the United Kingdom and Jersey has its own government. Jersey is about 80 miles south of England and 14 miles west of France.

Best wishes

Barry E Hobson

Begin Again Quinn by Karen Dodd - Booksigning

Once again our local author Karen Dodd has delighted us with a book that takes place in our neighborhood!

Karen's new book, Begin Again Quinn, is a story of a woman who is finding that retiring to coastal Carolina is everything she dreamed of with a few complications like old boyfriend, new boyfriend, ex-husband, and lots of new friends and volunteer activities. But when some of her friends are involved in fatal accidents, she wonders if a serial killer is targeting single older women along the Crystal Coast.

The book captures local areas such as New Bern, Morehead City, Beaufort and Atlantic Beach and is a good weekend read. Carolina Creations even gets a mention!

Having won honors at three Romance Writers of America chapter competitions, Begin Again, Quinn is a great book if you enjoy "Family, faith, and feel-good stories with a hint of salt air."

We have the book at Carolina Creations and we'll be having a book signing for Karen at our July ArtWalk which is the second Friday of July - July 11th from 5-8 pm.

That night we'll also have a demonstration by Brenda Behr and her watercolor plein air painting. I'll write about that in some up coming posts.

Over the weekend we had a reception for 85 Landscape Architects at our house from 6-9 pm. It was fun to see that that many people could fit comfortably. The Chelsea catered it and by 10:15 we were relaxing on the porch, and it was as if no one was ever there. They did a great job of cleaning up!

Stop in and see us this week! We've got lots of great things for wedding gifts, graduation and Fathers Day.

Jan Francoeur

Celebration! Pottery

Yesterday I went to Snow Hill for the kickoff for "Homegrown, Handmade, Art Trails of North Carolina", which I talked about a couple posts ago. We were invited to set up a display so I took some of the pottery Michael and I make which we call "Celebration! Pottery". It dawned on me when I got home that maybe you don't know all the different clay pieces we do so that's what todays blog is about.

We do all kinds of custom pieces which people like for weddings, anniversaries, births, etc. I also do backsplashes.

Here is one I just finished for a home.

I do wall hangings, some scenes are better suited to this format than others, this one is about 8" x 22".







This one is about 3 x 8" and is great to add a date & names for a wedding.

One of our most popular items is bowls which I can use whatever colors you wish and I can add names & dates too. We also do plates, utensil holders, and vases.

I do tiles of churches and can do your home too.

It's a lot of fun and from the feed back we get (and how many we sell) people really like it!

If you have a project you'd like us to do just email info@carolinacreations.com or give us a call 252-633-4369.

Have a great day!

Ground Breaking June 20, 5:30 pm for North Carolina History and Education Center and we're all invited

We are SO EXCITED that Tryon Palace will break ground June 20, at 5:30 for the North Carolina History and Education Center and we're all invited!

The center is planned to be the state's first certified "green" building.

Construction should start in mid-July and be done by September 2009. It will open in April 2010. It's hard to beleive that 2010 is just around the corner.

The center will be at the corner of South Front and Metcalf.

Read all about it in a Sun Journal Story by Sue Book, and visit the Palace website.

-- See you there! Janet Francoeur