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2013 Calendar with my art

For the past 5 or 6 years I've been doing a small desk calendar that sits in a cd case. This year I didn't quite have it together and thought no one would notice if I didn't do it - wrong! I'm surprised at how many people came looking for it!

I always have new work for it. This year I didn't get 12 new paintings done but DID have 12 new tiles so that's whats featured on my 2013 calendar.

$15 click here to order!

Thank you for your support!

Jan Francoeur

Beary Merry Wreath Contest Entry

Here is my entry for the wreath contest - made from clay measures approx 20" 

- Jan Francoeur

Thanksgiving Open House at Carolina Creations

This year for our Thanksgiving Open House on Friday, November 23 10-8 pm and Saturday, November 24 10-6 pm, we will be serving our traditional wassail and goodies. In addition,

- we ship

- register for door prizes!

- free gift wrapping (always)

We'll be decorated for Christmas and look forward to seeing you!

Susanne Coatta Santas and Angels

Our friend Susanne Coatta has created some wonderful Santas and Angels for us this year!

Using vintage materials, Susanne creates enchanting soft sculptures, hand painting or hand stitching the faces, adding pins, ribbons, buttons and feathers!

Here is a sampling of her current work.

To see more click here!

Named a Main Street Champion by the NC Dept of Commerce Office of Urban Development

Thrilled to get this letter - will post more about it closer to the event.

Our Corner

This is a photo of our neighborhood, from the early 1950's. You can see a 3 story building where we built our house and many houses across the street that are no long there. Our street is the one in the center of the photo.

The corner across the street from our house is a parking lot now but the Simpson Oaksmith House stood there from 1810 until 1974.

 

The house that was directly across the street was the  Simpson-Oaksmith House. Also known as the Blackbeard House - it is said he lived there when he was in New Bern.

 In 1937 this is what was written about the house during an architectural survey.

Early part of house said to have housed Blackbeard the pirate. Part of house threestory
brick, wing two-story, gable. Heavy cupola with deck. Carved^'heads over door. Built 1810 by Samuel Simpson.

Latest Backsplash

 

Here is my latest backsplash for some folks that live out on the Neuse.

Here is a link to some of the others I've done.

Click here.

Ornaments and Frames from the Art Department

These beautiful photo frames, nativity and ornaments are created by Art Department which is the creation of Felix Kniazev and Olga Julinska, a husband-and-wife team of award-winning ceramic artists known around the country and internationally for their original designs with strong graphic quality, vibrant colors and exceptional attention to detail. Both Felix and Olga are originally from Russia. They met and married in New York and have been working together since 1999.

Every piece by Art Department is a piece by both Felix and Olga, in its conception as well as execution. 

We love their colors and graphic quality of their work!

Working with red clay and opaque glazes, the richness of the color of the clay shows through.

 

 

 Stop in and see the entire collection!

Vollis Simpson Whirlygigs

We've been a fan of Vollis Simpson since we moved to North Carolina in 1989. We have visited his property many times, have enjoyed talking to him and own one of his small whirlygigs.

He is 93 and no longer able to climb up on his creations to repair them. To save these treasures the City of Wilson,  private donors and the Arts Council of North Carolina have come together to create a park in the Downtown of Wilson and restore his work.

Over the weekend we went to Wilson and toured the facility where they are being worked on. We didn't drive out to his farm this time because we were told there were only 8 left there.

The ones they can restore, they are. Some have original paint that they are preserving, others that are too deteriorated, they are recreating and the originals will reside in an indoor museum.

Here are some photos we took a few years ago when they were on Vollis's farm.

What a treasure these are!

Here is a link to the website that talks about their plans!