Pictures from An Artful Affair 2010

Thank you to all the artists, guest artists, and associates who made our first annual trunk
show, An Artful Affair, such a success. We had about 100 visitors throughout the day and it was lovely to be able to chat with everyone and share our work/products with them. In fact, we enjoyed it so much, we'll be doing it again next year! :)

Here's some photos taken throughout the day:

Holiday Time!

If you come to GWCC's An Artful Affair with a little bit of holiday decorating on your mind, you won't be disappointed, especially if you are into miniatures. These cute little hutches will brighten up any Halloween or Christmas display, or will fit in any 1:12 scale dollhouse. They are handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces, so shop early!

Artistry with Glass

GWCC is very pleased to have Heather Joy Puskarich as one of it's featured artists for An Artful Affair 2010.

Heather Joy Puskarich is a Pittsburgh based glass artist specializing in Photographic Imagery in Glass. She teaches at the Pittsburgh Glass Center and out of her home studio.

Heather Joy collaborates with several artists throughout the region and exhibits work frequently. Her work consists of several imagery in glass techniques ranging from photo resist sandblasting, decal work, and metal blasting while incorporating traditional experimental darkroom processes such as photo emulsions. Constantly pushing the envelope and closing the space between traditional photographic techniques and contemporary glass art is a major focus in her work.

Heather will be featuring her glass bracelets and pendants, as well as wall hangings and shelf pieces, at our show. Please come by on the 25th to see her fabulous work!

Meet Our Associates

As our mission statement says, GWCC is all about artists, craftsmen, designers, jewelers, and organic growers working together to promote excellence in handmade/handcrafted and homegrown products.

So, along with the artists who are being featured in our trunk show, An Artful Affair, later this month, we'll also have some wonderful associates joining us with their wares. It's all part of the enchanting experience we hope to provide you with on our special day.

Marlene Melego of Marlene's Baked Goods: join us for tea and some delightful delectables from Marlene's kitchen. How can you turn down homemade biscotti?

Sue McLaughlin of Glencross Farm Soaps and Sundries: Sue will be offering her elegant handmade bar soaps, formulated to pamper you in the most delicious and fragrant way possible.

Mike Iwinski of White Eagle Salon: in his in-home salon, Mike and his wife Kathi put 15 years of hair-care experience into an organic, all natural custom-made haircare line that brings out the best in your hair.

Bob Loncharich: Bob brings us kindling cut from old pallets, nicely bundled for storing next to your fireplace or for taking along for your s'mores treats by the campfire. Perfect for Fall!

Please join us on the 25th and treat yourself to an afternoon full of art, tasty treats, and fun. Remember, this is not your usual fare!

*Full information on An Artful Affair can be found in the sidebar to the right.

Beautiful Repurposing

We've mentioned before that GWCC has a strong commitment to the three R's (Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle). Well, the work of guest artist Katie Resch is a shining example of that commitment.

Katie will be bringing her lovely art on reclaimed barn wood to An Artful Affair. Be sure to stop by on the 25th to see this piece and so much more by the talented members and associates of the Greater Westmoreland Creative Collective!

Cool fall breezes and warm 14kt gold...

The windows were wide open in my studio today and it was feeling brisk until the sun started streaming in...The resulting work?  A 14kt gold lotus charm flanked by faceted peridot, sapphire and rhodolite... 

Paper Arts and Miniatures...Together!

One of the items I'll be bringing to our show, An Artful Affair, on September 25th, actually bridges the gap between my two primary artistic interests: paper arts and miniatures.

I create one-of-a-kind greeting cards using vintage, licensed and original art.

And sometimes, I make miniature versions of those same cards.

Both regular and miniature size greeting cards will be available at our show. The miniature cards will be available as a set of eleven cards, an assortment that includes three Christmas/holiday cards and two Halloween cards.

These miniature cards are perfect for decorating the mantels, desks, and even walls of your holiday-themed dollhouse! Please come visit us at the show and say hello. There will be so many wonderful items for you to see!

Grape, Purple, Burgundy

   Flower pins for autumn are featuring the purple family, because I wanted some things to coordinate with the soft magenta acorn I stitched a while back.  The acorn is absolutely one of a kind--early bird shoppers at Artful Affair get first dibs!  Maybe you'd rather get the aqua acorn sitting among the black/red/teal plaid flowers on the grapevine wreath!  Definitely upscale!

An Artful Affair 2010

The Greater Westmoreland Creative Collective is pleased to announce its first annual trunk show, "An Artful Affair 2010", on Saturday, September 25th, from 10 to 4 p.m., in Greensburg, PA.

"An Artful Affair" is intended to celebrate local artistry and to honor Pennsylvania's long heritage of fine handcrafted goods. In a world filled with "fast, cheap and disposable", the GWCC and "An Artful Affair" are dedicated to providing only quality, high value, and unique creativity to those who can truly appreciate them.

Our artists also have a strong commitment to the three R's (Reuse, Repurpose, or Recycle) and you will find that many of their works reflect this important environmental sensibility.

Join us for a day of tantalizing tea, delightful delectables, and amazing art as we showcase local artists, craftsmen, designers, jewelers, and organic products.

We promise, this is NOT your usual fare!

Artists who will be spotlighted:

Merriann Grant - fine jewelry
Nan Loncharich - fabric arts
Cia Williford - miniatures and paper arts
Heather Joy Puskarich - glass art
Katie Resch - painted woodwork

Additional guests will be announced prior to the event.

Location:
1104 Middletown Road
Greensburg, PA 15601

Summer Sorbet

It is a glorious summer day: outside is a water skier splashing down the lake, while four people are wading at water's edge, practicing their fishing techniques.  Inside I'm doing my favorite recreation: creating wool flowers!  These simple hand-dyed orange fabric shapes have large buttons serving as their centers--the red one is vintage 1940s from BJ's collection. They are mounted on twisted kraft paper stems and getting ready for display in a simple hand crafted glass vase.

Orange is a perfect autumn color, and these flowers will look wonderful mixed in with lively reds, purples -- and yes, pumpkins!  So, while you are enjoying a beautiful day, people like me are already thinking about pumpkin pie and Halloween ghouls.

Book News

Two of our members have exciting book information to share. The first, Cia Williford, will be one of the writers featured in a new anthology of children's bedtime poetry published by Blooming Tree Press. The book, entitled Sweet Dreams, will be hardcover and feature four-color illustrations by artist Nancy Miller. The book is scheduled for release on November 23, 2010. Cia also has a poem in the current (June/July) issue of Hopscotch for Girls magazine.


Second, Nan Loncharich, whose article on hat bands was just published in Rug Hooking Magazine, will have her full-length "how-to" on making wool flowers published in book form next year. Details will follow as the publication date drawers nearer.

Nan's Hat Bands

Our own Nan Loncharich is featured in the current (June/July/August 2010) issue of Rug Hooking Magazine with an article on her hat bands, shown in the accompanying picture. You can see a bit of the article online here if you don't have access to the magazine.

Save This Date!

Saturday, September 25, 2010
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

For an affair you won't want to miss! Details coming soon!