Monday, March 23, 2009

Creative Arts Listings Online

For those nomadic artists who have recently relocated to the area, there is an unbounded amount of artist resources in Asheville (so you may have heard). Although Asheville seems like a small town, and is basically miniscule when comparing it to major cosmopolitan cities like New York, it contains a vast network of arts organizations and creative talent. Though it can be difficult to break into the scene here for a number of reasons. The city is mostly sprawled out, and due to real estate prices most artists are willing to live as far out as Marshall to save a few pennies. It is for this reason that the artist social network is sprawled across the region, and pinning down the specific opportunities or arts organizations you are looking for can turn into an extensive search.

However a sprawing network shouldn’t interfere with one’s inquiries into the artist resources available. With an artist directory like Call For Creativity, the resources are right at your fingertips. Opportunities to exhibit work, community events and even the chance to meet local artists are all available for the artist online. Artists can even be awarded for their ideas and projects through highlighting opportunities such as artist of the week. Each artist is given the chance to create a profile of them selves, and to upload photos of the works to share with others. Artist organizations such as galleries, schools, studios, museums and guilds all have a chance to create a profile and to display contact information as well. What could make more sense? Almost like a collaboration, local creative talent is able to connect with like-minded people to further ideas and learn about current opportunities.

Asheville has a reputation for being a creative oasis amid the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is evident in the amount of creative events all throughout the year. Though they may not be publicized in a single artist guide, some events are well known enough to draw enormous crowds. Those that aren’t as widely established may be communicated through an artist directory like Call For Creativity. Some local art events include Asheville HATCHfest, a mentoring festival for all creative talent and creative industries of Asheville. Another beloved WNC arts event is twice annual LEAF Fesival, or Lake Eden Arts Festival. The event showcases dance, poetry, healing and culinary arts. The arts in Asheville can pretty much be considered a vital industry to the region. The River District Artists Studio Stroll and the Toe River Studio Stroll are a chance to tour studios, meet with artists, and purchase artwork. Within a short walking distance is a diverse glimpse into the local arts communities. From traditional painters to contemporary pluaralists, art buyers and similar are offered the chance to meet and talk about local work.

Whether you are looking for a social network or an artist directory, the artist online is fortunate enough to find all local networking and exhibiting opportunities in one place. There are several networking opportunities, such as online art galleries that charge artists to display their work. However in times like these where the art market is more competitive than ever, paying to display work can be detrimental to an artist’s career. A creative arts center such as Asheville does not allow its residents to succumb to such expensive applications, which is why it is such a unique place. Learn how arts organizations and artists alike are contributing to the artist directory, Call For Creativity by visiting http://www.callforcreativity.com.

Online Shoe Styles Available This Spring

One thing is for certain as fashion week revealed in this spring’s shoe collections: Boring just doesn’t cut it. Consistent throughout sandals and high-heeled styles, designers this spring have taken influence anywhere from exotic places to architectural elements. Studs, buckles, lace ups and straps are just a few of the infinite details considered in these contemporary shoe designs. What’s even better is that compared to some shoe trends, these ones are more on the practical side. Plus the trends are so widespread that they are available as quality and discount shoes.

Reptile leathers are a huge part of leading shoe design collections. Though whether its authentic leather or not, what matters more is the importance of choosing quality footwear. Cheap shoes may even fall into the categories this time. Try to stay away form the more gaudy prints or faux snake skins that fall apart after one wear. Laces and straps add an interesting touch to both heels and ballerina flats. This season’s collection of cheap boots reveal a commonality in length, most popular being completely over the knee boots. Whereas heels were once a structural element of the shoe, it is now a trademark. Despite the world’s economic news, sales of mega-high heels have been soaring. Japanese inspired platform shoes have been dominating all of the 2009 spring shoe collections. You’ll also find some online shoes to be “fringing on footwear”, meaning that fringe is popular in both sandals and boots.

While the ballet slipper seems to have had its day, it has recently been resurrected to be more true to its inspired form. Ballet slippers, the epitome of casual shoes, are revived again with lace-up ties and other small details making these shoes popular year and again. Let us not forgot another classic that is confirmed here to stay: the gladiator sandal. Still dauntless in buckles and buttons, these strappy sandals are the quintessential flat shoes for warm weather. Like most sandals or warm-weather shoes online, these are available to the ankle, mid-calf or knee-high. They can be worn with uncluttered outfits and look especially striking on swarthy skin.

In a nutshell, it’s all about statement shoes. Even if you can’t think of anything to wear with them, some of the discount shoes available this season contain details sure to draw attention to yourself, or mostly your feet. By looking at online shoes, most pundits will agree that this season’s styles are the opposite of minimalism. So whether you are putting your confidence of spring in groundhogs or blooming crocuses, be sure to check out the women’s dress shoes available this season. The bright colored details and strappy designs will surely rouse us out of these past somber winter months.

Houser shoes is the discount shoe, boot, and sandal store for women, men and children. They offer quality and discount shoes at great prices. Satisfy your footwear needs for the whole family with sneakers, dress shoes, running shoe and athletic shoe selections.

Card Symbols Offer Insight

While there are so many different types of cards and card decks, they have been consistently used as a conveyer of symbols in defining personalities, relationships and guidance since ancient times. The main difference is generally in the number of the suits. An American playing card set includes 52 cards, 12 of each suit. Traditional tarot cards have a 78-card deck and include the recognized hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs as well. Though there are additional card symbols in tarot cards, such as swords, clubs, cups and pentacles, all of which bear deep-rooted allegorical significance, much of the meaning is somewhat similar. From the Medieval Times in Europe to the Far East, cards have been a key signifier in understanding relationships and the self.

It is worth noting that the amount number of cards in our traditional playing deck is the same as the number of weeks in a year. The number of royal cards too corresponds to the number of months in the year and the suits the number of seasons or elements. Thus the birth card plays any extremely pivotal part in any form of card reading. There are different ways of discerning the birth card, which are specific to each deck but are generally similar in meaning to a zodiac sign. The study of cards has metaphysical, astronomical and sometimes even religious significance. Numerological cards, or the symbolism in the number of suits, plus the number of royalties, and black and red symbolizing night and day all have meaningful explanations. This seems to highlight that card decks were always intended for more than gambling and magic tricks.

Cards of Illumination systems can offer insight into the self, almost like personality cards, or life cards. Each suit holds a representational significance pertaining to each individual’s numerological or astronomical essence. The Hearts suit is said to relate to people who understand life through their relationships. Hearts hold most significance on people and so family, love and emotions are pivotal elements for the people related to this suit. The Clubs suit is related to those that hold most importance on communication. Therefore knowledge, education, logic and intuition are predominant character traits for those related to the Clubs card. Diamonds are attributed to those that understand things in life through values. It may then be assumed that these personalities hold importance on systems and evaluation. Lastly, the individuals associated with the Spade suit are working people, understanding life when there is a balance between career and spirit. Thus labor, health and rationality may characterize a Spade. Of course a more thorough perspective can be given through a card reading. Though when the suit is matched with the birth card number, which is related to the birth date, then a complex and philosophical meaning can be understood.

For more information on how to study Cards of illumination, the birth card, or any other card symbols, please visit http://www.cardsofillumination.com. Cards of illumination offers tools to understanding cards symbols as well as card readings in Asheville.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Daniel Island

Full of lush scenery and gorgeous river marshes, Daniel Island South Carolina is the chosen destination for second homes to many people from all over the United States. The island itself was in fact originally purchased in 1947 as the private residence for the Guggenheim family. After Harry Frank Guggenheim passed away, the land was passed on to his foundation that chose to develop the island responsibly in maintaining and protecting the precious seaside environment. Thus the foundation has developed the island with minimal environmental damage. The Guggenheims probably chose this location as one of their second homes because of its 23 mile stretch of waterfront, or perhaps because of the accessibility to Charleston metro area. Whatever the allure was for that family 70 years ago, it is still brimming with wildlife and profuse landscapes today and remains a charming location for a private residence. The historic area of Charleston has successfully expanded to Daniel Island without building a detrimental sprawl, or without harming the priceless waterside environment.

Situated just outside of Charleston, Daniel Island South Carolina is partially a protective habitat for waterfront animals including the bald eagle, the red-cocked woodpecker and the American alligator. The state of South Carolina has more than twenty wildlife refuges protecting marshes, hardwoods, croplands and oil fields. Even during a short vacation rental visitors can attest to seeing hawks, songbirds and wild turkeys all throughout the year. It is the perfect private residence location for those that enjoy marine wildlife cruises. On a fishing boat or river cruise its incredibly common to see clusters of dolphins dancing to the wakes of the seafarers.

Timeshare and fractional owners can even attend the wildlife exposition near Daniel Island, which showcase the prided fauna of the region. The exposition supports the conservation of Southeastern wildlife and the environment through education and financial donations to related programs. In addition, it is one of the premier wildlife art venues of the United States. Thus art and nature lovers alike can enjoy the resources and venues native to the area.

The recreational resources on Daniel Island include hundred of acres of parks and 23 miles of rivers. There lies a distinct mix of building styles among vacation rentals and second homes. There are more than 200 restaurants in Charleston’s historic district, so if the landscape and wildlife are enough to lure in visitors, food may be another important factor in visiting the area. The metropolitan area includes world-class shopping and dining, with highly ranked gold within a short drive.

One of the best ways to enjoy all the numerous attractions of the Charleston and the surrounding area of Daniel Island is through a private residence or fractional timeshare. The Charleston Club is a Private Residence or timeshare with fractional ownership featuring all inclusive vacation packages and Club on Daniel Island South Carolina.

Architure is a Highlight on Asheville Maps

While Asheville North Carolina is best known for its eclectic culture and stunning mountain views, it can also be appreciated for the many unique architectural styles throughout the city. Simply by following a tourist map of Asheville, its easy to spot the numerous churches and buildings designed in Victorian vernacular styles. Looking at a vacation map may lead travelers to regularly visited destinations, and it may also lead to less noted architectural masterpieces.

Take the St Lawrence Basilica for example. When looking at a tourist map of Asheville, it is between Battery Park Hotel and the Civic Center, close to the Montford neighborhood. Designer Raphael Guastavino was invited to Asheville to participate in the planning of Richard Sharp Smith designs, such as the beginning of what is now Biltmore Village. The St. Lawrence Basilica is made of self-supporting arches using thin layers of mortar and interlocking tiles. It is said to be the largest freestanding dome in North America, and is the precursor to what is now called “Guastavino Style” or a “Tile Arch System”. It would be certainly worthwhile to learn more about the basilica through Asheville tourist information or on an Asheville map.
Other more notorious attractions that can be found with a vacation map are throughout the Biltmore Village area. The most famed being the Biltmore Estate designed by the architects Richard Morris Hunt and Richard Sharp Smith, and by the landscape designer Fredrick Law Olmstead. Originally built on 125,000 acres, it was designed in multifaceted approaches of late 19th century architecture. The most predominant is the French chateau style of the Biltmore House. Close to the Biltmore Estate on one of the Asheville maps are the highly influential creations of Richard Sharp Smith such as All Souls Church and Parish Hall and the Biltmore Depot. Smith designed these in course stone and heavy timbers, materials that are now used in most of the surrounding buildings.

As most of the prominent buildings and churches visible on illustrated maps were created in the early 20th century, the influences from the historical Arts and Crafts Movement are visible. In fact, many of the primary figures of the movement spent time in Asheville at some point in their careers. The style is apparent in downtown buildings like the Grove Arcade and Battery Park Hotel. Architect Douglas Ellington’s City Hall employs a flashier and more colorful Art Deco style building as evidenced in the angles and tile patterns. The design itself is praiseworthy, but to see the building against the mountain silhouettes at sunset is magnificent.

About 6 blocks away when following any one of Asheville’s illustrated maps is the indoor arcade designed by visionary Dr. Edwin Wiley Grove. His ambitious project to build a tower above the arcade was never completed due to economic problems of the Great Depression. The elaborate Tudor Gothic Revival designs still attract many to visit what is a important commercial center of downtown Asheville. Whether travelers are consulting Asheville maps or speaking with the locals, many will attest that these architectural works of art make the city a truly unique scenic destination.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Unique Gifts from North Carolina

While a global market may be good for some, I am becoming fed up with all of my low-quality mass-produced home furnishings and gifts bearing the label “made in China”. I’ll admit that it is these mass-produced products are often so accessible, and last minute gift ideas are hard to come by. However there is way to gain elegant home accents while shopping locally. This spring, I have taken it upon myself to brighten up my home with fresh colors and fun designs from a casual living store near my home in Western North Carolina. Not only does Dutchmans Designs have a broad assortment of lighting, rugs and artwork, but it also is a great source of unique gifts from stationary to soaps and everything in between.

Organic candles are one of many simple and effective ways to freshen up with home without the overpowering artificial scents of most made-in-china cheapo candles. Scented candles can fill a home with fresh smells of apricot, tiger lily, citrusie tangelo and sweet lime. Together with potpourri these sweet organic scents can be purchased as a gift combination. Whether they be used as an elegent home accent or a last minute gift idea, these fragrances come straight from the rose bush of a regional garden and are sure to evoke the pleasant aromatic smells of spring time.

French milled soap is another one of the environmentally friendly unique gift ideas from Dutchmans Designs. Organic lotion and French soap can be purchased in scents such as organic shea butter or olive, palm and coconut oil. They are all made in the Provence region of France and manufactured with only pure ingredients that soften and protect the skin. Seasonal scents from this home accessories collection in Cashiers, North Carolina are unbeatable in price and quality.

Why not add a splash of color to the living room? I like placing low cost silk flowers next to an attractive art print to transform to suit my personal taste inch by inch. Home interior decorating suddenly becomes so enjoyable when I’m able to shop for artwork that I can actually afford.

Last but not least, Dutchmans Designs offers handmade reproduction antique furniture. In bright designs and vibrant designs, it is so easy to mix and match or start a new collection of kitchen, bedroom or everyday living furniture to suit my personal taste. Hand crafted furniture such as a Provincial Dining Table or Provence Bedside Cabinet are made of kiln dried mahogany wood and are of exquisite quality and construction. Plus each piece of antique reproduction furniture is uniquely finished in a variety of colors to match my fondness of perennial flowers. I’ve found furniture that would cost thousands in an antique shop, yet it’s still hand crafted considering the styles of elegant European furniture artisans.

Much more than a resource for home interior decorating, Dutchmans Designs provides the best selection in unique gift ideas from my home state of North Carolina. This eclectic casual living store is a great place to shop for holiday gifts, and to spruce up my house this season.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

An Affortable Way to Honor the Deceased with Cremation Urns

Contrary to what one might assume, the death industry is not one that is recession proof. Death is a natural and regular occurrence, just as babies are born every day. However, the amount of money people spend is said to be decreasing, as the recession gets deeper. A funeral can be a big financial burden, especially at a time when it is difficult for loved ones of the deceased to handle. Some say that cremation and cremation urns are a very recent trend that is picking up more with the economic recession. Yet it has actually been a popular way to memorialize the deceased for years now. However the options for a funeral, specifically with cremation urns, have become more diverse and accessible since most of the population is becoming financially conscious. There are online galleries for burial urns that provide an array of artistic hand-made funeral urns at a variety of styles and prices, though generally for a much lower price than a traditional funeral may cost. A typical traditional funeral includes a few days of viewing, a casket, flowers, a hearse and cemetery expenses. Decorative cremation urns can be incorporated into the funeral service and are as equally poignant for those closest to the deceased. A burial urn typically costs thousands of dollars less than the traditional funeral. It is common for clients to go online to search for the ideal funeral urn, then consulting with the local funeral home to discuss the options of how cremation urns can be incorporated into the funeral.

Besides the economic recession and the need to be price conscious, there are several other factor which make choosing a cremation urns just as comfortable as planning a traditional funeral. In fact, it is not very often that people deal with funerals, so for some, finances may not be an issue at all. That is why online cremation urn galleries such as Shine On Brightly take into account the lasting impressions by which most people would want to remember their loved ones. Unique funeral urns can be designed by artists to be hand crafted, one of a kind object to memorialize a loved one. They can be commissioned to be personalized and capture the essence of the deceased. Whether the deceased be a relative or a beloved pet, cremation urn distributors can provide numerous options to make the memorial ritual comfortable and honoring for the individual.

After observing and participating in the funeral of a relative recently, I realized that it doesn’t matter if it is what my great uncle would have felt most comfortable as a proper memorial service. It was more a way to honor him, while taking into account the ways to make the closest and most beloved people of his life feel comfortable about his passing. We chose a one of a kind funeral urn that artistically captures his essence. Not only did my family feel it to be an appropriate way to honor his life, but we have a beautiful decorative cremation urn that we can forever look at and be reminded of his generous presence.

A Luxury Eco-Tourism Vacation in Africa

What is eco-tourism? It is a type of tourism, generally to destinations that can be environmentally enhanced in ways that conserve water, promote recycling, etc. An eco-tourist is often a traveling individual with an interest in ecological and social awareness. However, an eco-tourist does not necessarily have to be an avid environmentalist. The dollars generated by tourists alone can lend a huge contribution to ecological improvements of a given destination. There are companies that offer luxury travel in Africa, for example, which guides travelers on an African safari while consciously protecting and conserving the resources of the African landscape. Eco-tourist trip destinations are usually undeveloped natural areas with minimal damage from pollution. Countries such as Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia, Zambia, South Africa, or Victoria Falls could easily fall into this category. These areas benefit greatly from the awareness of ecotourism endeavors in that there is more restrictions on putting a luxury hotel in the middle of a precious or endangered land. It is so clever and responsible of these companies to be able to provide a luxury vacation in Africa that encourages the protection of ecosystems and promotion of socio-ecological communities native to these areas.

A trip to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven World Wonders located in Zambia, offers activities such as canoeing, hiking, and bungee jumping to name a few. The lodging in Tongabezi includes river cottages that include personal valet, essentially providing luxury travel in Africa. This trip can be provided by One With Africa, and is planned by committed environmental conservationists. Therefore all activities and lodging are planned according to a sustainable ecotourism philosophy. Another trip to Laikipia, Kenya presents a journey into several community ranches and grazing lands in the wild Northern Frontier country. A tourist’s dollars can contribute to the area in that the local communities directly share the earnings from their native land. Among the numerous trip destinations and activities accompanying the land, a luxury vacation in Africa can be specialized according to the travelers in considering how much direct socio-ecological involvement one wishes to participate in during their vacation in Africa.


We can pretty much exclude a trip to Dubai as having a positive ecological effect. Though tourism in that type of place may provide jobs and economic improvements for the people of region, it clearly does not take into account any financial incentive to preserve the beautiful landscapes which resorts and fancy hotels are built upon. By contrast, luxury travel vacations in Africa provided by companies such as One With Africa offer ways to participate in safeguarding the environment and native animals. Even by taking a wine tour of Africa or a walking safari, tourism can have an incredibly encouraging effect on the environment with efforts such as lodging in solar-powered abodes, or by recycling and disposing of waste in an environmentally responsible way. Companies with an ecotourist agenda such as One With Africa are constantly thinking of ways for tourists to participate in conservation efforts in the beautiful landscapes of Africa.