Christmas Market

It was a perfect weather day for the Christmas market at Graceway Gourmet yesterday.  Our table was dressed in the holiday spirit with pine wreaths and capeze shell ornaments in addition to the usual goodies.

A good showing of vendors brought nice variety for shoppers.

Lucie Winton Stubbs and Emma Halliday at their tables.

Melissa Willcocks of Orion Creations shared a table with Paradise Arts Ceramics.

 Sara Kauffman was all smiles in her elf outfit for the Middle Caicos Co-Op table.

Chrystel Loyer Kendrew had made beautiful handmade cards with her photographs especially for the holiday season.

Atelys Handcrafted jewelry was a very popular table, anything in her collections would have made for a special stocking surprise.  The whole day was great fun, so good to see so many creative people under the same tent with everyone was in the holiday spirit! Shoppers should feel great about choosing local products made by local people and the vendors should feel good about a portion of proceeds benefiting local charities (this market went to the Kidney Foundation).

ECGYC Third Anniversary Party and TCI Red Cross Market Today

This evening please support our TCI youth at the Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre for their 3rd Anniversary Party.  I have had the great pleasure of witnessing many of their performances such as this over the last three years and they never disappoint.   Please see the press release below for more information.

Black History Performance

Captivated members of the audience during the Cultural Explosion Performance

"The Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre will be hosting an Open Evening and 3rd year anniversary party from 5-7pm on Saturday 12th November 2011. There will be complimentary tours of the Centre showcasing the wide range of activities the Centre has to offer; performances by youth centre members; a fashion show choreographed by our program director, Charrish Ferguson, along with an appearance by the amazing TCI Youth Chorale. Light refreshments will be provided and all members of the public are welcome. Please come out and lend your support to the Centre and let us show you all that has been accomplished since its opening on November 8th 2008. The Centre is located behind Butterfield Suppermarket between Shining Star School and the Community College, Downtown, Providenciales. For more information contact Director, Roxann Wake-Forbes on 331-9602 or via email Roxann@tciyouthcentre.tc.     We look forward to seeing you there!"



Also, be sure to stop by the TCI Red Cross Farmers Market for fresh local produce and a variety of goodies.  Last week I picked up sweet potatoes, cornmeal mix, and a pumpkin, all of which were delicious. 

Locally grown and handmade, think global and buy local!

October Market Day at the Graceway Gourmet

Beautiful painting by artist Donna Trent, image via donnatrentart.com

Hope to see you at the Graceway Gourmet today, Saturday Oct 8th, from 9am to 1pm!  Browse the vendors tables full of handcrafted items; everything from jewelry, to artworks, to delicious treats.  Support local Turks and Caicos talent!

June Market

    Today is Market Day at the graceway-gourmet.  I will have a few new shadowboxes and necklace/scarves to browse as well as this reusable shopping bag (inspired by this DIY country living market tote).  We hope to see you there!  Come by to shop from 9am to 1pm, a portion of all proceeds goes to a different local charity every month.  Buy local!

Holiday Art and Craft Market Saturday at Graceway Gourmet

 

Happy Holidays!  Please come by the Graceway Gourmet today, Saturday Dec 11th, from 9am to 1pm for all your holiday shopping needs.  Our table will have plenty of goodies from rag wreaths and fresh pine wreaths, to decor items such as pillows and art, to clothing and accessories including the very popular scarf/necklaces and shadowboxes! 

All images by pepperkeystacie

FYI-I will not be bringing any large works to the market, you can find my paintings at framing-grace-gallery.  This recently finished jellyfish and the top shelf palm leaves pieces are still available.

Handcrafted Sneak Peak

  In preparation for this Saturday's Turks and Caicos Friends of the Arts Foundation Art and Craft expo, here is a sneak peak of what will be available at our booth.   This not to be missed event will be held this Saturday, Nov 20th, in Turtle Cove Marina from 10am to 4pm.  Please click here for more information.

This new collection is very much about Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  Firstly, a project that Joelle from Framing Grace gallery suggested from this magazine pull over the summer. 

Image from goaskkatie.com

image from here

Since fall has finally arrived here in the islands, it was high time to make these t-shirt necklaces.  The t-shirts were bought from the local Red Cross and Salvation Army stores, washed, dried in the sun, then cut, tied, and voila!  Several colors, styles, and lengths to choose from, at prices ranging from $10-$14, buy one for yourself and one for a friend!

Next up we have a family of shadowboxes in the Caribbean blues and greens.  Prices range from $30-36 each, discounts will be given for buying 3 or more.  Pair of island patterned handmade pillows $30, handmade matching wrap around tie shrug $20, hand embellished blue strapless top $30.

Below, the family of natural/nuetral shadowboxes featuring beach treasures, Turks and Caicos photographs, dried flora, and quotations.  Prices $30-$36 each. 

 Handmade white cotton pillows, rectangular $35, round $45.  Handmade blouse shrug, front featured above, back below, $28.

This family of shadowboxes center around Caribbean bright colors and architectural details.  Great for a more modern space that still wants to showcase some island charm.  $30-$36 each.  Hand embellished blue strapless top $30.  Handmade funky fabric pillow $30, matching fabric coasters $15 set of 5.

The final collection of shadowboxes feature more muted pastels, great for a nursery or powder room $30-$36 each.  Oriental lavender and mustard purse $25. Mustard crochet shrug $28.  Punchy orange and fuscia print pillow $30.

Have your own DIY shadowbox idea?  Plain white 8" x 10" shadowboxes available for $24 each.  If your in the Turks and Caicos Islands this weekend, come support your local artists!!!

African Dance Performance and a Fond Farewell at the Market

  Above Images by Pepper Key Stacie

The second Saturday of every month you can find a Turks and Caicos farmer's/artists market at the Graceway Gourmet.  Local arts and craft vendor regulars include Ginger from Sea Glass Shack, artist and handbag designer Jennifer Maude, jewelry designer Atelys Adrian, woven handcrafts from the Middle Caicos Co-Op, TCSPCA gifts and goodies,  Cheryl, the sewing machine queen, fashionable jewelry collections from Trem Jocale, yours truly and many more.  Every month we choose an island charity in need to support and this Saturday we had a very special guest performance in thanks by the Edward C. Gartland Youth Center.  This amazing group of students were led by the incredibly talented Shara Bowen (pictured in the middle of the group photo with glasses)  Shara and her husband David, the country's Director of Culture, are a tireless, constant driving force in keeping the history of these islands, especially of the arts, alive and well in the Turks and Caicos Islands.  I applaud them both immensely.  The fruits of their labors are especially moving to watch in the young peoples performances, where the traditions of old are breathed back to life. 

Image courtesy of Meghans Africa blog

  The inspiring drumming, dancing, and singing will stay in the audiences minds, perhaps for years to come for one special viewer, Meghan O'Reilly.  Meghan took on the position of director for the Youth Center upon it's birth in the spring of 2008 after volunteering in Southern Africa for Grassroot Soccer Org,  and she is a huge part of it's success today.   This performance marked Meghans last as director as she leaves for a new adventure in Mauritius Island.  I think I speak for a very large part of the community when I say thank you Meghan for all your outpourings of hard work, energy, hope, and care into the center.  You will be greatly missed!  Bon voyage and best wishes!