What in the wold is it?!?!?!?!

I have only one question for you today, "What in the world is it?!?!?" The little treasure shown in the photos is among my all time favorite "stuff", and I have no idea what it is or where or how I can get more like it.

I received this piece and several others like it in a care package from Jeanne Rhea, a fabulous artist from Raleigh, North Carolina. The package also included lots of parts, pieces, and electrical components that I adore. I used the first of them in an amazing pair of earrings that I made last May. And that is how my quest for this elusive part began.

Since that time, I've asked Jeanne, her electrically talented husband, other artists, and their manly gadget-loving spouses. I've checked with my favorite local local hardware store, Edwards Hardware... made a trip to a new favorite hardware store, Burney Hardware... and I even resorted to plodding my way up and down miles of aisles at Lowes. These adventures left me with lots of interesting finds; but no luck in identifying my mystery piece.

It's with a hopeful heart that I now turn the mission over to you, Dear Readers. Do you know what it is?!?! Do you know what it's called?!? Do you know where I can get more of them?!?!?!? Please respond to this post with your vast knowledge of the mystery part, or even your best guesses. The first person to respond with the correct answer will win fabulous prizes! (And my eternal gratitude too.)

With Gratitude

Ahhh...the holiday rush seems to have run straight through Christmas this year....and what a wonderful Christmas it was! We were blissfully busy here at Artist Alley, and it provided the perfect end to our first year in this location.

Through it all, I've found myself to be extremely sentimental and grateful. I'm grateful for my husband and son; we seem to grow closer with each passing day. I'm grateful for my family ,who I hold near to my heart but don't see nearly enough. I'm thankfully for my friends; the old and the new. My life wouldn't be nearly as interesting without them in it. I'm also grateful for the sense of community that I've found in this business and in the town of Southern Pines; it exceeds my wildest expectations and it continues to surprise me.

I'm thankful for the artists who have touched my life. Some show their work here at Artist Alley. Others I've met through participation in the Carolina Mixed Media Art Guild. Others I've encountered at various shows. And still others I met at Art and Soul in Hampton, Virginia. (A very special group of these women refer to themselves as "The Lounge Lizards". Need I say more?) All share their work and creative spirits with the world, and for this I will be forever in their debt.

And finally, I'm thankful for our customers who support The Arts in North Carolina. We are blessed with the nicest customers in the world. Their support provided us with the distinction of being voted as one of Moore County's Top Three Art Galleries, and their appreciation of what we create makes it all worthwhile.

Thank you to each of you who mean so much to me. I hope that the New Year provides you with immeasurable happiness and peace in your heart.

Elvis Sighting on East New Hampshire Avenue

No....not that Elvis...this one!

Imagine our surprise early on Saturday morning when Elvis made his appearance in our store window! First we saw a man in a Santa hat with a leash in his hand. Then, the next thing we knew, and we were expecting a dog, there was Elvis in all of his glory.

Alan and I couldn't get out the door fast enough to see if we had really seen what we thought we saw. By that time, Elvis was a few doors down; but his owner kindly turned around to say, "Hello". While he paused to do this, Elvis caught a glimpse of himself in the windows, and he thought that he'd made a friend. So, of course, he greeted him quite enthusiastically.

We caught up with Elvis again several hours later. He was in town for the Reindeer Run, and from what we hear he thoroughly enjoyed the festivities. Our visit with Elvis and his owner made our day, and we're still laughing about it.

By the way, he's been named Elvis because of his melodic singing voice. We couldn't help but notice a slight sway to his hips too. And, as he rode out of sight, we caught the scent of peanut butter and bananas, and we swore that we heard someone singing, "Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me".

Oh how we love Southern Pines!