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Jewelry Trunk Show and Boutique Day Set for Saturday, Aug. 27 at Carlton Gallery

August at Carlton Gallery signals it’s time for the Annual Jewelry Trunk Show and Boutique Day for Women. This event is planned for Saturday, August 27, 10 to 5 and is a part of the Avery Tour de Art, a coalition of area galleries and artists’ studios with special events on the fourth Saturday of June through November. Tour maps can be obtained from the gallery.

Guest jewelry artist, Debbie Higdon, plans to bring her beautiful collection of pendants, earrings and bracelets for this annual trunk show. She creates sterling silver, copper and brass jewelry inspired by her many travels. Her Native American stamp work of the Southwest is a major inspiration resulting in her own hand stamped designs. Higdon’s recent designs show a distinctive Eastern European/Asian flair, as well as inspiration from her native N.C. Mountains.

Higdon’s designs begin with the concept drawn on paper. During the fabrication phase, she hand stamps the metal sheet, cuts the elements and arranges the pieces as originally designed. Higdon explores alternative design options, such as adding metal elements, gemstones, or changing a curve. Texture is an important part of her designs, along with the interplay of positive and negative space. Copper, brass or 14K gold accents are often in the fabrication of a piece, as well as semi-precious stones. Higdon says” My goal is to reflect my passion in creating distinctive, beautiful and unique jewelry”.

Hand-crafted pendants and earrings by Don Haywood display superior workmanship with attention to details. His pendants and earrings are made using gemstones, quartz and fossils. Most are one-of-a kind designs with each piece bearing his signature and date fabricated.

Beautiful designs by Lisa Cushing Kent are crafted in sterling silver, copper and bronze. Kent’s designs are influenced by places she has lived – from petroglyphs carved in the rocks in Oregon to patterns carved in seashells on the coast of Georgia. She prefers direct traditional methods of working with metal, and primarily uses the techniques of piercing, chasing, repousse, forging and fabrication. Her necklaces and earrings display turquoise, rhyolite, jasper, amethyst and garnet in a contemporary flair.

Cuffs and rings by Tana Acton are created using a wrap wire application. Her kinetic designs contain pearls, gemstones, coral, lapis, topaz and turquoise. Acton’s designs are contemporary with the attribute of being both delicate and solid. Each hand crafted piece is visually appealing and can be worn as a casual or formal accessory.

Other regional jewelry artists whose work is on exhibit are Laura Fly, Terry Thompson, Rebecca Hellman and Channing Ayers.

Reversible jackets by Trimdin are wearable fiber art which are in a myriad of colors and superbly created. Knitted ponchos and ruanas by Princy Designs; wool felted scarves and hats by Vasanto; wool hats by Myra Tannehill; scarves in beautiful colors and patterns by Banaris; mobius shawls by Nancy Robeson, along with leather and fabric handbags by Erda ensure a fun filled boutique day at the gallery.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, August 27, 10 to 5 to enjoy the Annual Jewelry Trunk Show and Boutique Day at Carlton Gallery. Andrew Braitman’s “Pushing the Limits with Innovative Elegance” Exhibition, along with the 34th Mid-Summer Group Exhibition of the gallery’s standing artists whose work in Paintings, Glass, Wood, Clay, Sculpture, Fiber and Jewelry runs through September 25.

The gallery is located at 10360 Hwy 105 South in the Grandfather Mountain Community between Boone and Banner Elk/Linville with hours 10 to 5 Tuesday through Saturday and 11 to 5 on Sunday. For information on artists, workshops or exhibitions, call (828) 963-4288 or visit wwwcarltongallery.com.

Debbie Higdon - Circle Pendant with Lapis

Debbie Higdon - Mushroom Jasper Pendant

Tana Acton jewelry

Lisa Kent - Bracelets with silver and gemstones