Sunday, November 12, 2017

Wayne's Suggested Gift List


His leaf ornaments range between 3"by 3" to 5" by 5" and echo the colors of nature.The "Grumpy Man" leaf display a rare frown in the collection of Siegel Keith Artisty. 
Keith Siegel Artistry

Frank Keith and Nickie Siegel Keith are two Kansas artists who have been creating and selling their visual art together since 1996. Both artist are full time sculptors, painter,s and photographers working form their private art studio within their home in Wichita, Kansas.

We have displayed our work in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, new mexico, Colorado, Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas.

All of their ceramic sculpture is hand sculpted. The clay is water based, air dried, and eventually fired in an electric industrial kiln to over 2192 degrees Fahrenheit.

No human life casts or molds are used to produce their art, for their work is 100% original. Color enhancement is added by hand painting oil pigments onto the surface of the fired stoneware. Afterwards the sculpture is sealed for protection against the elements, ready to enliven any wall.



The "Acorn Heads" are a brightly colored course of shapes that bring smiles and good fortune to those in need.




Our showcase feature this season from keith Seigel Artisty is the assorted Snowflakes . Each one different showing a wide range of human emotions.

So fun!








Wayne's Suggested Gift List

Aunt Hellen's Holistic


Patrict Burns-Herrington, owner and proprietor of Aunt Hellen's Holistics, started experimenting with natural remedies to sooth the first of his own dry skin.

Shea Butter & Shea Butter & Oatmeal Soaps
      After using a bar of Shea butter soap with essential oils, he decide to delve into the process himself.  After extensive research, Patrick developed  a combination of products and essential oils that he knew would produce the desired results with sensitive skin.
 He has developed a 3oz bar along with some fun sharps such as Trains, Race cars, Snow Flakes and Dinosaurs.

Soy Candles, Tarts & Essential Oil Diffusor Blends

His candles are handmade soy base that have been diffused with therapeutic grade essential oils. He uses the soy wax becomes it burns cleaner which also  produces less soot, making clean up easier in case of spilled wax.

The decorative candles come in several sizes and types of jars such as the mason jar with a cotton wick.

Although there are too many scents to list, some of the favorites are:

Sandalwood
Rosemary Thyme
Orange Chili Pepper
Mahogany Teakwood
Citrus sage
  and many more......


Aunt Hellen's Holistic also has a line of health and beauty products such as:

  1. Vapor Rub                                           Helps relieve congestion
  2. Varicose Vein Body Butter                  Healing properties expand the blood vessels and help relieve the pain and  discomfort
  3.  Insect repellent lotion bar                  Special oil blend helps repel mosquito and gnats. His product is made with coconut old, mango butter, beeswax, vitamin E oil, a blend of rosemary, clove, thyme, cinnamon, catnip, lavender and lemon.


  •                       Aunt Hellen also make a sake of kids insect repellent lotion bar that has apricot kernel oil plus babassu oil.

                                And More......................





The Flower Nook is excited about having Aunt Hellen's Holistic Product in the store and the expert knowledge of oils that Patrick  has come to incorporate in his lifestyle


For those wondering, there is no long lost or favorite old Aunt Hellen. he himself is Aunt Hellen after earning this nickname years ago as a bartender in New Orleans after being told he was "as hateful as an old women."

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Listen to Pilar interview

Pilar Art is At The Nook


Wayne's  Suggested Gift List

Unique and intriguing hybrid dolls and birds and more from the artist
Mri-Pilar of Lindsborg



The Garden of Isis is 5 rooms of art made from doll bodies, toys, kitchen utensils and other recycled materials.
 
Mri-Pilar is an eclectic mix of international traveler, mystic, vegetarian, independent, poet, and alien. She lives part-time in Lucas and part of the time at Lindsborg, Kansas. She has created over 1800 recycled sculptures are created from computer motherboards, kitchen utensils, game boards, clock gears, farm machine parts, toys, metal, plastic remnants and other items
 
 
Pilar once said that she felt like a 4 year old in a grown up body because of her  vest, curiosity and wonderment of always involves assimilating bits and pieces into an inimitable art form such as her dolls or bird. 

"I had no ideas (when I started on a piece). The faucet would go on and for about half a day I would pick up objects and put things together," she said. "Then the faucet would go off, and then I had to work to finish them. It was never a conscious effort to create a piece."

http://mri-pilar.blogspot.com/

Pilar calls those works "unclocks" because they were made in the moment and with no preconceived notion about what art is.

The Flower Nook is honored to have our MasterCraft Back Wall a gallery show of some of her wonderful dolls and birds.


Fun cards


Plus, Pilar has created a fun line of cards-each with a peak hole that brings the pattern through to the inside.
 To see more : http://rebarb.blogspot.com/







Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Life is a Journey

 
Wayne's  Gift Guide Suggest: Christmas Stocking for your holiday décor.
 





Do not forget to fill a Christmas Stocking for your pet!



The hanging of stocking by the fireplace mantel, is a familiar Christmas custom. Those with homes lacking fireplaces may hang Christmas stocking from bedpost, doorknobs, windowsills, staircases and other areas.

When Santa Claus arrives on Christmas Eve, He fills the stockings with small treats and gifts. While there is no definitive account that completely explains this tradition, several legends may help to illustrate how the custom of hanging Christmas stockings arose. 

In the first legend, St. Nicholas of Myra, believed to be the inspiration for Santa Claus, is traveling through a small village when he learns of the plight of a merchant and his daughters. In one popular version of the story, the once wealthy merchant has fallen on difficult times and is worried for the future of his three beautiful daughters.
     Unable to afford dowries for the girls, the 3 young women have no prospects for wedlock and may be subject to lives of shame.

Upon hearing of this predicament, St. Nicholas set forth to secretly help the proud merchant, knowing he would not accept an outright gift of charity. Riding his majestic white horse by the merchant's house one night, St. Nicholas tossed three bags of gold coins down the home's chimney. The bags were fortuitously captured in the girls' stockings, which had been hung by the fireplace mantle to dry.

When the gold coins were discovered the next morning, the merchant and his daughters rejoiced. Upon hearing of this predicament, St. Nicholas set forth to secretly help the proud merchant, knowing he would not accept an outright gift of charity. Riding his majestic white horse by the merchant's house one night, St. Nicholas tossed three bags of gold coins down the home's chimney. The bags were fortuitously captured in the girls' stockings, which had been hung by the fireplace mantle to dry.

Ephanie DeBey is not new to The Flower Nook. In the past, she has showcased her jewelry line. We are happy to have her back this holiday's season. Her company, Life is a Journey ,brings a bit of fun to the holiday stocking traditions with whimsical patterns.

Each sock has been fluffed with a cotton batting and lined and is guaranteed to hold treats and treasures that will delight all ages on Christmas morn.


P.S. Ephanie is Wayne and Peggy's oldest daughter. Her creativity at the store can be seen in the construction of the shop, the marketing of the products, the window displays and so much more.






Sunday, October 29, 2017

Wayne's Gift Suggestion Guide-North 40 Alpaca


Wayne’s Gift Giving Guide

   May we suggest……………..
                                                             North 40 Alpaca


What is Alpaca

Like cashmere, alpaca is a natural fiber that looks and feels luxurious, and it can be equally, if not more durable. And although it’s cheaper than cashmere, the Incas placed a higher value on the fiber than silver or gold, which really isn’t surprising to anyone who has cozied up in a coast or sweater made from the stuff.
Alpacas come in a range of more than twenty naturally gorgeous colors, from inky black to warm chestnut and snowy white , and their wool is lofty, soft and warm.

                                                   The Beginning

When the Vanderment's began to research business they could operate into retirement, they discovered alpaca ranching. This led to purchasing land and 3 males in 2004. Now, their herd has grown to more then 50 head.


They shear the animals once a year in mid to late May as part of their grooming ritual of trimming toenails, annual vaccinations and teeth cleaning.







Their slogan, “Come feel it, wear it”.

The Flower Nook has partnered with North 40 Alpaca to introduce the community to a vast line of wonderful products.
To see more: https://youtu.be/oZNIeu2CqYs

Wayne's Gift Guide



Wayne’s Gift Giving Guide

The Flower Nook has been in business since 1945. Wayne and Peggy DeBey, have been the current owners for 34 years. The philosophy of the shop has always been to share their love of the industry by offering an interactive experience that combines floral products, industry trends, and education opportunities.

For the past several years, the shop has combined an artisan showcase with their floral world to create a sensory playground for their customers. We proudly support the creativity that blooms from the process of using one’s hand to produce all types of art.

The Flower Nook currently has 22 local artisan artwork in the store.

You won’t believe all the fun products we have for you!

Want to know more?

Access the Flower Nook Facebook daily to read more about the product and the artist.


We believe:

1. Arts promote true prosperity. The arts are fundamental to our humanity. They ennoble and inspire us—fostering creativity, goodness, and beauty. The arts help us express our values, build bridges between cultures, and bring us together regardless of ethnicity, religion, or age. When times are tough, art is salve for the ache.

2. Arts improve academic performance. Students with an education rich in the arts have higher GPA and standardized test score, and lower dropout rates reaped by students regardless of socio-economic status. Students with 4 years of arts or music in high school average 100 points better on their SAT scores than students with just one-half year of arts or music.

3. Arts strengthen the economy. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that the arts and culture sector represents 3.25 percent of the nation’s GDP—a larger share of the economy than tourism and agriculture. The nonprofit arts industry alone generates $135 billion in economic activity annually (spending by organizations and their audiences) that supports 4.1 million jobs and generates $22.3 billion in government revenue.

4. Arts are good for local merchants. Attendees at nonprofit arts events spend $24.60 per person, per event, beyond the cost of admission on items such as meals, parking, and babysitters. Attendees who live outside the county in which the arts event takes place spend twice as much as their local counterparts ($39.96 vs. $17.42)—valuable revenue for local businesses and the community.

5. Arts drive tourism. Arts travelers are ideal tourists, staying longer and spending more to seek out authentic cultural experiences. The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that the percentage of international travelers including museum visits on their trip has grown steadily since 2003 (18 to 24 percent). The share attending concerts and theater performances has grown from 14 to 17 percent since 2003.

6. Arts are an export industry. U.S. exports of arts goods (e.g., movies, paintings, jewelry) grew to $72 billion in 2011, while imports were just $25 billion—a $47 billion arts trade surplus.

7. Arts spark creativity and innovation. The Conference Board reports that creativity is among the top 5 applied skills sought by business leaders—with 72 percent saying creativity is of high importance when hiring. The biggest creativity indicator? A college arts degree. Their Ready to Innovate report concludes, “The arts—music, creative writing, drawing, dance—provide skills sought by employers of the 3rd millennium.” Nobel laureates in the sciences are 17 times more likely to be actively engaged in the arts than average scientists.

8. Arts have social impact. University of Pennsylvania researchers have demonstrated that a high concentration of the arts in a city leads to higher civic engagement, more social cohesion, higher child welfare, and lower poverty rates. A vibrant arts community ensures that young people are not left to be raised solely in a pop culture and tabloid marketplace.

9. Arts improve healthcare. Nearly one-half of the nation’s healthcare institutions provide arts programming for patients, families, and even staff. 78 percent deliver these programs because of their healing benefits to patients—shorter hospital stays, better pain management, and less medication.

10. Arts mean business. The Creative Industries are arts businesses that range from nonprofit museums, symphonies, and theaters to for-profit film, architecture, and design companies. A 2014 analysis of Dun & Bradstreet data counts 750,453 businesses in the U.S. involved in the creation or distribution of the arts that employ 3.1 million people—representing 4.2 percent of all businesses and 2.2 percent of all employees, respectively.

Info posted from: Randy I. Cohen, Mar 20, 2014

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Rolling Hill Zoo at The Nook




Rolling Hills Zoo’s animal artists create art as only they can. As a form of animal enrichment, which enhances the quality of their care and improves their physical and psychological health, many of the Zoo’s animals paint on canvas boards, ostrich eggs and cloth. The Zoo’s animal artists include:

· Frank the mandrill - who creates by finger painting;

· the African painted dogs: Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee and Sissy - who are motivated by scent when painting;

· the Coati - who paint using their whole body;

· Zuri, the giraffe, - who, along with the help of her baby JoJo, paints with a brush by wrapping her 18” tongue around it;

· the Zoo’s “diva artist”, Millie, the chimpanzee - selects her own paint colors, brushes and canvas when painting;

· the reptiles – including the snakes and tortoises – create with body imprints;

· and Joya the rhino who creates butt prints.

Other animal artists include the snow leopard, the ostriches, and the Amur leopard.



I

Immersing their guests in the artistic experience is all part of this year’s Art Gone Wild Plein Air Event at Rolling Hills Zoo on September 16th. Plein Air artists take their inspiration from the beauty of nature in the great outdoors. From an artist’s perspective, nature’s beauty is reflected in art, from the literal - through breathtaking landscapes, brilliant sunrises, cascading waterfalls, flowering foliage and amazing wildlife; to the abstract - inspiration provided by the textures, colors and sounds of the natural world. Regional artists, along with the animal artists, will be in the park showcasing their artistic talent. There will also be Children’s Art Stations and Chalk Art Stations for guests to engage in the artistic experience.

The Art Gone Wild Gallery Show will open on September 30th and run thru January 7, 2018. This year’s gallery show will include the plein air created during RHZ’s Art Gone Wild Plein Air Event along with the juried show by regional artists and the Zoo’s animal art.

Linda Henderson (Rolling Hills Zoo) . We are proud to partner with The Flower Nook to showcase the animals and our mission at the zoo.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

AIFD






The American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), established in 1965, is the oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing and promoting the art of floral design as a professional career.


To receive accreditation as a full member, and use the designation 'AIFD', candidates must demonstrate their design artistry by creating five (5) arrangements in specific categories which are announced during the Accreditation Evaluation testing. Designs are evaluated by members of the AIFD National Membership Committee for the following attributes:

Category Interpretation
Scale (Proportion)
Balance (Physical and Visual)
Line (Movement and Rhythm)
Color (Balance, Harmony and Rhythm)
Creativity
Unity (Harmony & Texture)
Focal Emphasis
Depth
Mechanics (Professional Application)

Applicants also need to successfully complete a written test which covers the elements and principles of floral design and fresh flower care and handling.




To maintain membership, accredited designers are required to document continuing education in the field.

AIFD aims to advance the art of professional floral design through education, service and leadership, and to recognize the achievement of excellence in this art form. They offer two designations to candidates that have effectively demonstrated advanced professional ability of floral artistry:

Wayne DeBey, co-owner of The Flower Nook was inducted into AIFD in 2010. In Kansas, there are currently only 11 AIFD members.

To see Wayne's interpretation of the 2017 Xtreme AIFD Theme, watch his latest U-Tube on Access TV web page.