Travelogue Prestwood and Kerr Lake Campground

A month or so ago we met friends at Kerr Lake and stayed at the State Park Hibernia Campground in the RV section. It was the nicest campground we've ever been in. And we've been in them all over the country.

The spaces were huge, they all had fire rings, they all faced the water, the bathrooms were tiled and cleaned 3 times a day, and I think they were $25 a night!

The best part of the trip was spending time with old friends and 2nd was visiting Prestwould. I'd never  heard of it before so it was really a surprise. I generally am not interested in interiors of historic homes, don't really care that George sat in this nondescript chair, but this home is different. Ninety percent of the furnishings are original, the wall coverings are amazing and the tour guide a hoot whether he meant to be or not.

A little history - Sir Peyton Skipwith, originally of England and then Virginia, built this home in 1794. Prestwould is the most complete gentry home in Virginia. Many of the original outbuildings and Lady Jean's Garden remain. The original two-family slave house still stands on the manor house property. The site has one of the largest collections of slave writings in the country. Detailing life from the plantation from the slave perspective, it has attracted scholarly attention.

This home is in the middle of nowhere even today, so can't imagine it being built and furnished as it is in this location in 1794.

These are not my photos - they would not allow photos inside - but here is a peek.



If you are ever in the area it is worth a visit.

Copper Mobiles made in North Carolina

 

Jay says "My handmade mobile art with leaves was inspired by the beautiful Ginkgo trees that line the sidewalks eastern North Carolina. I've made this art with leaves for years now. This handmade copper mobile will bounce light around a room and it only takes the slightest hint of a breeze it will gently spin adding a calming effect to any room. It’s suitable for indoors or outdoors."

"I am constantly striving for balance in my work both literally and figuratively. When it happens, it is beautiful! The effect of something floating effortlessly can be mesmerizing. It can cause you to stop. Take a moment. Slow down."

It was Thanksgiving weekend 2007. Jay Jones and his family spent the day in Washington DC and visited the National Gallery. In the rotunda was a mobile created by Alexander Calder. Jones spent most of the day just looking at that mobile. It was large, imposing, constructed from steel but had the effect of being weightless. Every day Jay Jones works to create mobiles with that effect. 

Jones' work is inspired by nature. After drawing and designing the individual leaves, he cuts the shapes out of solid copper and hammers, polishes and applies the finish. He creates the pieces with either a fired edge or with a patina to bring out the colors. Using silver solder, he solders the leaves to copper coated steel rods and, at that point, is ready to begin building the mobile.

Jay Jones learned by observing. Having an equal mixture of mechanical aptitude and artistic sense, he observed, educated himself, and created pieces again and again. The artist considers himself lucky to have had the opportunity to work with some amazing artists and artisans in New York (Robert Rauschenberg) as well as around the world.

The mobiles are available in a variety of sizes, 7 leaf, 14 leave, 21 leaf or larger by commission.

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Home >> Jay Jones’ Autumnal Copper Mobiles

Jay Jones’ Autumnal Copper Mobiles

by Danielle Maestretti

|February 22, 2013

|Categories: Heck Yes Craft, ACC Shows

Jay Jones, Maple Leaf Mobile

Photo gallery (7 images)

Jay Jones’ delicate copper mobiles capture the spirit of autumn — that most fleeting of seasons — in its most beautiful stages. Inspired by ginkgo, maple, oak, and dogwood trees in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he lives and works, Jones designs and cuts light, leafy mobiles using a variety of copper techniques. Super-polished ginkgo-leaf mobiles glint with every spin; hammered maple leaves, with fired, slightly curled edges, evoke that just-turning, crisp stage of the season. A gorgeous green patina brings the leaves full circle (mobile pun intended). I love that Jones crafts each mobile with such an eye toward symmetry; even in a rare moment of stillness, they exude motion, balance, and fluidity.

- See more at: http://craftcouncil.org/post/jay-jones-autumnal-copper-mobiles#sthash.QkaWqzJO.dpuf

You are here

Home >> Jay Jones’ Autumnal Copper Mobiles

Jay Jones’ Autumnal Copper Mobiles

by Danielle Maestretti

|February 22, 2013

|Categories: Heck Yes Craft, ACC Shows

Jay Jones, Maple Leaf Mobile

Photo gallery (7 images)

Jay Jones’ delicate copper mobiles capture the spirit of autumn — that most fleeting of seasons — in its most beautiful stages. Inspired by ginkgo, maple, oak, and dogwood trees in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he lives and works, Jones designs and cuts light, leafy mobiles using a variety of copper techniques. Super-polished ginkgo-leaf mobiles glint with every spin; hammered maple leaves, with fired, slightly curled edges, evoke that just-turning, crisp stage of the season. A gorgeous green patina brings the leaves full circle (mobile pun intended). I love that Jones crafts each mobile with such an eye toward symmetry; even in a rare moment of stillness, they exude motion, balance, and fluidity.

- See more at: http://craftcouncil.org/post/jay-jones-autumnal-copper-mobiles#sthash.QkaWqzJO.dpuf

You are here

Home >> Jay Jones’ Autumnal Copper Mobiles

Jay Jones’ Autumnal Copper Mobiles

by Danielle Maestretti

|February 22, 2013

|Categories: Heck Yes Craft, ACC Shows

Jay Jones, Maple Leaf Mobile

Photo gallery (7 images)

Jay Jones’ delicate copper mobiles capture the spirit of autumn — that most fleeting of seasons — in its most beautiful stages. Inspired by ginkgo, maple, oak, and dogwood trees in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he lives and works, Jones designs and cuts light, leafy mobiles using a variety of copper techniques. Super-polished ginkgo-leaf mobiles glint with every spin; hammered maple leaves, with fired, slightly curled edges, evoke that just-turning, crisp stage of the season. A gorgeous green patina brings the leaves full circle (mobile pun intended). I love that Jones crafts each mobile with such an eye toward symmetry; even in a rare moment of stillness, they exude motion, balance, and fluidity.

- See more at: http://craftcouncil.org/post/jay-jones-autumnal-copper-mobiles#sthash.QkaWqzJO.dpuf

You are here

Home >> Jay Jones’ Autumnal Copper Mobiles

Jay Jones’ Autumnal Copper Mobiles

by Danielle Maestretti

|February 22, 2013

|Categories: Heck Yes Craft, ACC Shows

Jay Jones, Maple Leaf Mobile

Photo gallery (7 images)

Jay Jones’ delicate copper mobiles capture the spirit of autumn — that most fleeting of seasons — in its most beautiful stages. Inspired by ginkgo, maple, oak, and dogwood trees in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he lives and works, Jones designs and cuts light, leafy mobiles using a variety of copper techniques. Super-polished ginkgo-leaf mobiles glint with every spin; hammered maple leaves, with fired, slightly curled edges, evoke that just-turning, crisp stage of the season. A gorgeous green patina brings the leaves full circle (mobile pun intended). I love that Jones crafts each mobile with such an eye toward symmetry; even in a rare moment of stillness, they exude motion, balance, and fluidity.

- See more at: http://craftcouncil.org/post/jay-jones-autumnal-copper-mobiles#sthash.QkaWqzJO.dpuf

You are here

Home >> Jay Jones’ Autumnal Copper Mobiles

Jay Jones’ Autumnal Copper Mobiles

by Danielle Maestretti

|February 22, 2013

|Categories: Heck Yes Craft, ACC Shows

Jay Jones, Maple Leaf Mobile

Photo gallery (7 images)

Jay Jones’ delicate copper mobiles capture the spirit of autumn — that most fleeting of seasons — in its most beautiful stages. Inspired by ginkgo, maple, oak, and dogwood trees in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he lives and works, Jones designs and cuts light, leafy mobiles using a variety of copper techniques. Super-polished ginkgo-leaf mobiles glint with every spin; hammered maple leaves, with fired, slightly curled edges, evoke that just-turning, crisp stage of the season. A gorgeous green patina brings the leaves full circle (mobile pun intended). I love that Jones crafts each mobile with such an eye toward symmetry; even in a rare moment of stillness, they exude motion, balance, and fluidity.

- See more at: http://craftcouncil.org/post/jay-jones-autumnal-copper-mobiles#sthash.QkaWqzJO.dpuf

You are here

Home >> Jay Jones’ Autumnal Copper Mobiles

Jay Jones’ Autumnal Copper Mobiles

by Danielle Maestretti

|February 22, 2013

|Categories: Heck Yes Craft, ACC Shows

Jay Jones, Maple Leaf Mobile

Photo gallery (7 images)

Jay Jones’ delicate copper mobiles capture the spirit of autumn — that most fleeting of seasons — in its most beautiful stages. Inspired by ginkgo, maple, oak, and dogwood trees in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he lives and works, Jones designs and cuts light, leafy mobiles using a variety of copper techniques. Super-polished ginkgo-leaf mobiles glint with every spin; hammered maple leaves, with fired, slightly curled edges, evoke that just-turning, crisp stage of the season. A gorgeous green patina brings the leaves full circle (mobile pun intended). I love that Jones crafts each mobile with such an eye toward symmetry; even in a rare moment of stillness, they exude motion, balance, and fluidity.

- See more at: http://craftcouncil.org/post/jay-jones-autumnal-copper-mobiles#sthash.QkaWqzJO.dpuf

You are here

Home >> Jay Jones’ Autumnal Copper Mobiles

Jay Jones’ Autumnal Copper Mobiles

by Danielle Maestretti

|February 22, 2013

|Categories: Heck Yes Craft, ACC Shows

Jay Jones, Maple Leaf Mobile

Photo gallery (7 images)

Jay Jones’ delicate copper mobiles capture the spirit of autumn — that most fleeting of seasons — in its most beautiful stages. Inspired by ginkgo, maple, oak, and dogwood trees in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he lives and works, Jones designs and cuts light, leafy mobiles using a variety of copper techniques. Super-polished ginkgo-leaf mobiles glint with every spin; hammered maple leaves, with fired, slightly curled edges, evoke that just-turning, crisp stage of the season. A gorgeous green patina brings the leaves full circle (mobile pun intended). I love that Jones crafts each mobile with such an eye toward symmetry; even in a rare moment of stillness, they exude motion, balance, and fluidity.

- See more at: http://craftcouncil.org/post/jay-jones-autumnal-copper-mobiles#sthash.QkaWqzJO.dpuf

You are here

Home >> Jay Jones’ Autumnal Copper Mobiles

Jay Jones’ Autumnal Copper Mobiles

by Danielle Maestretti

|February 22, 2013

|Categories: Heck Yes Craft, ACC Shows

Jay Jones, Maple Leaf Mobile

Photo gallery (7 images)

Jay Jones’ delicate copper mobiles capture the spirit of autumn — that most fleeting of seasons — in its most beautiful stages. Inspired by ginkgo, maple, oak, and dogwood trees in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he lives and works, Jones designs and cuts light, leafy mobiles using a variety of copper techniques. Super-polished ginkgo-leaf mobiles glint with every spin; hammered maple leaves, with fired, slightly curled edges, evoke that just-turning, crisp stage of the season. A gorgeous green patina brings the leaves full circle (mobile pun intended). I love that Jones crafts each mobile with such an eye toward symmetry; even in a rare moment of stillness, they exude motion, balance, and fluidity.

- See more at: http://craftcouncil.org/post/jay-jones-autumnal-copper-mobiles#sthash.QkaWqzJO.dpuf

Kymm Hughes fused glass

There is a lot of fused glass out there so we are thrilled when we find something new!!

 

Kim was born in Southern California and blessed with a passion to create things. She can never think of a time in her life where she said she was bored; crazy, inventive, and sometimes silly ideas have always dominated her thought process.

While in school, she was blessed to have a second and fifth grade teacher that saw her potential and encouraged and challenged her in the artistic area. Once she reached junior and senior high, she enrolled in a variety of art classes. 

She went on to college at K.U. with no clear direction. She stayed one year, moved back home and then attended a junior college in Fullerton, California. She was there for two years and took mainly art classes and was encouraged once again by professors to pursue an art degree. With her portfolio in hand, she applied at Pasadena Art Center in Pasadena California. 

 

She worked at Nordstrom’s in Southern California, eventually becoming a manager, through that experience she gained much knowledge in merchandising, and enjoyed the interaction with the customers.

Shen then enrolled at W. U. where she graduated in 2000 with a BFA. Washburn is also where she discovered the world of fused glass. She finally found a medium that she was passionate about.

She started her teaching summer art camps in her basement and eventually taught fused glass at Washburn University.

See more of her pieces on our website.

Busy Busy Busy lots of pottery in the works

It has been a hectic spring and I've been doing tons of pottery! So many pieces I do never make it into Carolina Creations, they are commissioned pieces.

Baby sets - I'm always trying to dream up new ideas for these. My most popular is the sailboat for boys...

and new design and already a very popular design - sea life...

Tiles... Of wedding venues

Plates... for weddings

Platters... gifts for other occasions

Bowls... for lots of different occasions!

I love doing this type of work, I get so many nice notes and comments from people, I like to think my art is all about feeling good.

Raising Funds to Refurbish the outside of the Athens

New Bern Civic Theatre has kicked off a fund raising campaign to renovate the facade of the theatre. This is a painting I did for their brochure.  We love the fact that we have several theatre groups in town! We've become quite the artsy place.

Healing Ceilings

The other day an artist friend who has been fighting cancer, and beating it, came in and told me about a project he has been helping with, it's called "Healing Ceilings".

Most of you know Michael has been going through some treatments both here and in Chapel Hill. Both facilities obviously know the value of surrounding the patients with beautiful things to look at

A friend of ours talked about getting chemotherapy in the hallway of a facility!! I can't imagine. Patients often spend as much as 6 hours hooked up.

Artists from all over North Carolina have been painting ceiling tiles which replace the white acoustic tile with seascapes, landscapes, floral and animal designs.

Amy Jo Edwards launched the project this summer after her husband, Bill McConley, an artist, went through a second round of chemotherapy treatments  complained of the boredom of staring at the white expanse above.

“I knew there was a need, and I knew there is an incredible artist community here that my husband and I are a part of, and I just didn’t want to have to sit – or for anybody else to have to sit – under that bare ceiling anymore,” Edwards said.

So my friend brought me a couple tiles which I'll be painting soon!

For more information about this project visit the website, by clicking here.