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Feature article
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Eureka Inn plans holiday art sale
By Allison Alfonso
It’s never too early to get started on the holiday shopping or to splurge on yourself. So, spend the day at the Historic Eureka Inn Christmas Show Nov. 21 from noon-6 p.m. Each room in the hotel, located at 127 W. Main St., in Jonesborough, will feature two artists with works for sale.
Most of the artists who are participating are members of the online art, craft and vintage retailer ETSY, etsy.com. Pottery, needlework, woven winter items, jewelry by Jeri Jones and felt food by Barbara Nelson are among the items that will be for sale.
Other participating artists are Heather “Huggie” Mather, Erin Rice, Deloris Linam, Becky Ray, Kathleen Baldwin, Tami Moore, Lisa LaPella, Cathi Birchfield, Jean Ann Poore, Heater Youngblood, Pam Etheredge, Elyse McCroskey and Alice Pitchie.
“I just decided it would be great to do that for local artists. In general, I like to support women artists,” said Eureka Inn’s Maria Bledsoe.
Bledsoe’s drawn to the works of female artists and thinks of herself as helping them in their mission to further their careers.
The Eureka Inn will not be accepting guests the night of the show. All the energy will go toward giving more exposure to the many female artists who are abundant in the region.
“Most people who appreciate art appreciate Jonesborough,” she said. “They tend to go hand in hand.”
If you can’t make up your mind about what to buy, take a stroll through town. The restored hotel is near antique and specialty stores, craft shops and restaurants. The International Storytelling Center is located across the street and draws tourists worldwide each fall for its festival.
ETSY is a wonderful online place to sell your crafts and to become friends with other members of ETSY, Jones said.
As easy as online purchases and retailing are, though, customers still like to go to events and galleries and to meet the artists.
Artists also like the personal connection that often creates long-term buyers.
“We wanted to get together to have a craft show with ETSY members and contacted Tami Moore at the Blair Moore Bed and Breakfast in Jonesborough,” Jones said. “And she connected us up with Maria Bledsoe at the Eureka, and Maria offered us her facilities as she likes promoting local crafters.”
“Also, I lived in the house behind the Parson’s table when I was born and then lived on Tavern Hill Road for 14 years, so Jonesborough is home.”
Jones makes her earrings and bracelets from an ancient process called wire wrapping and seeks out interesting glass and ceramic beads, semi-precious stones and precious stones. Wire wrapping is one of the oldest techniques for making jewelry by hand. Wire components are connected using mechanical techniques with no soldering or heating.
She comes up with new designs by drawing and adapting the jewelry she sees others wearing.
Jones doesn’t have any formal training. She took lessons from the jeweler next door. It’s an enjoyable business that enables her to bring home some extra money and is a good stress reliever.
“I always take my new things to work and let them get the first viewing of everything since they are my best customers,” she said. “I take my jewelry to several doctors’ offices and do really well, but the craft shows are my favorite venues.”
For more information, visit eurekainncraftshow.blogspot.com.
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