When it came time to throw my in laws (who I adore by the way) a 50th Anniversary party, I knew what I had to do! Keep it simple, keep it beautiful and KEEP IT LOCAL! (Even if some of the most important family members were from out of town… giggle, snort!) When having a party of any sort there are several things you have to accomplish, but most important is that your guests feel welcomed and comfortable! What good is a party if everyone leaves thinking, “Boy, I am busy for the next 10 years if I get invited back there again!”?

Sooooo, I don’t feel the need to share my entire check list of things “To Do” (unless you so request an article about that too). I do feel the need to share with you, the Triad, where I got such cuteness, beauty and fun for the party we held at our house (saves a TON on rental fees). You can call me a lot of things, but cheap isn’t one of them! “We” (ie: me and the sis-in-laws) agreed it would be simple elegance to hold such a personal and meaningful engagement at home for family and friends to enjoy.

1. Use a local florist. I live in NW GSO, so I tried Oakridge Florist. (didn’t have to drive to far for pick-up and yes they deliver). Aren’t they beautiful? If you have time and live a bit closer, the local Farmers market would be an excellent choice as well! I did use my own vases to save a bit more and not clutter up my cabinets or recycles with more glass not needed!!!

2. Use local gifts/favors. I found these darling favor baskets at Michael’s (I know, I know… BIG chain, but I didn’t order on-line). I did however fill them with yummy yogurt covered party mix from Fresh Market. I forgot to take photos of the sweets, maybe Fresh Market will read this is do a Give*A*Way for our readers of the yummy goodness I filled the tiny boxes with. You don’t have to give party favors by any means, but I decided to add them as a festive touch to the white/cream color theme for decorations at each persons place setting. Also I found great paper goods at If it’s Paper on Battleground.

3. Use a local baker!!! Don’t get me wrong the grocery stores have delish cakes and cupcakes, but we ALL know what a personal touch you get from having your cakes custom made. I HAVE to share where I purchased this BEAUTIFUL cake, Parker’s Restaurant in Stokesdale!!! I also have to share with you that I saved 50% by having Cindy make my cake. I did go to a couple WELL KNOWN local bakers in town. When I thought I might want to give the “smaller” baker my business, I was SHOCKED by the savings!!! And the taste… it was PERFECTLY devoured and EVERYONE Oooohed & Ahhhhhd. Not a crumble left on a single plate.

4.Use a local home decor store. Yes, I said “home decor” and if you have not been to Total Bliss in Summerfield… it’s a MUST!!! Nancy and her store completely, 100%, live up to their name. All you have to do is tell Nancy your plans and she has something in the store you can use at a party, spruce up your house or just needing a simple gift for the “guests of the hour”. I found these darling place-card holders which I used as picture holder of the couple when they where younger.

5. Use a local caterer (or friend). I was fortunate enough to have a dear friend who happens to be Italian AND happens to have a portable brick oven to cook yummy, fresh to order pizzas!!! (Still trying to convince them to start a catering business for this SUPER FUN idea). We severed an incredible salad bar to go along with the pizza (thanks to my sis-in-law). What made this so nice? EVERYONE, young and old, got to have exactly what they wanted… on their pizza and their plate. Of course you can contact a number of incredible caterers to help with ALL your food and service needs for any size party… I was just fortunate to have such a contact!

6. And of course… a TERRIFIC local couple!!! Thanks Tom & Carole for showing us that 50 years is still obtainable, cherished and valued in this crazy world. You two are such a beautiful couple and I’m honored to be a part of this family!!!

Picture by: Skirt Magazine

To see the way Anni Frohlich sees is to find potential everywhere. In the aftermath of hurricane Andrew, Anni rescued two things in her hometown of Miami. The first was her beloved Pansy, a snaggle-toothed pup who turned into Anni’s constant companion of 17 years. The second was a whole heap of 50 broken computers that she rescued one by one from a dumpster.

“I didn’t know what to do with them at first,” said Anni. “I really just wanted to keep them out of the waste stream.” When Anni started to disassemble the electronic parts, she noticed that they looked just like little cities. She started re-arranging parts and putting one object with another. All of a sudden, voila! The first Little City sculpture was born.

Anni’s cities didn’t see the light of day until she moved to Greensboro. While in Miami, she was afraid to show them, but her confidence grew as an artist and now Anni’s cities will be featured in an exhibition in July. “The real goal is to create them and pass them on,” she said. Titled Trash, the exhibition is slated for July 2-23 at the Center for Visual Artists, 200 N. Davie St. in Greensboro. Fifteen of Anni’s little cities will be on display along with work by other artists that also features reclaimed materials. “This show is going to be amazing!,” said Anni. Mark your calendars!

Like her little cities, Anni’s jewelry is not for the faint of heart—instead it is for the part-time rocker, the bohemian eclectic, the vintage-glamorous and the woman who is not satisfied with the status quo of department store monotony. Anni Frohlich’s jewelry is for women with gumption!

Anni also offers select jewelry to those who bring her a shoebox of their old broken jewelry, mis-matched earrings—or anything else that she can reclaim and turn into something lovely. She’s especially fond of old broken pocket-watches and can use junk drawer finds, sewing box clutter, cufflinks, guitar picks and small electronics.

If you want to learn how to make jewelry or art like Anni, you can do that too! She currently offers private parties for both children and adults in her studio at Lyndon Street Artworks. “Up to 6 children at a time can come in and create assemblage art with me. They can bring their own bits and pieces of found objects, or I can provide a variety for them to choose from. Adults are welcome too! Groups of ladies love to come in and have a party where they make their own jewelry.”

GIVE*A*WAY

What’s your favorite Anni Frohlich creation? Anni can also be reached by e-mail at anni@amazinghomeorganization.com.

Article by Katie Wall Podracky, local artist. Find more of her musings at www.katiewallart.com.

NOW for Today’s GIVE*A*WAY:

One LUCKY winner will receive the unique butterfly ring above!!!

How to Enter:
1. Leave a comment below telling us what you like about Anni.
2. Show that you like Anni Frohlich on Facebook. (Then leave a comment below telling us you did.)

{Maximum of 5 entries per person/e-mail account}

*Deadline to enter is 12 midnight EST, on Sunday, July 11
*Winner to be announced sometime Monday or Tuesday following contest.
*A BIG THANK YOU to Anni Frohlich for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway to to Katie Wall Podracky for writing the article!

More Give*A*Way Details:
1. No purchase necessary.
2. MUST leave valid e-mail address or participation will be disqualified. We also waive the right to remove your comment which we find distasteful, dishonest or is anonymous with invalid e-mail address.
2. Recipients chosen at random using Random.org.
3. Won something in the last thirty days?  You must nicely wait your turn to win again.
4. Winner will be contacted via email and/or Facebook.
5. Winner is responsible to pick up prize after being contacted from Seek the Triad or sponsor of the Give*A*Way.
6. This Give*A*Way is on a voluntary basis. Seek the Triad and/or it’s sponsors of this Give*A*Way in no way, shape, form or manor force that you partake in our fun. If you do not like the rules of our Give*A*Way’s, PLEASE do not participate!!!

Please click here to see our LONG boring list of complete “Give*A*Way Terms & Conditions”

Note: To be eligible you must be a Seek the Triad subscriber receiving our updates via e-mail, or RSS, or Facebook Fan, and/or Twitter follower (tell us your Twitter name in your comment above).

From T-Shirt to Tote Bag: Easy DIY Project

So many great ideas out there in terms of being creative with items and here is one that is easy and fun! As part of her Gold Award Project, Winston-Salem Girl Scout Margaret Patterson combined her love of sewing and passion for the environment by turning old t-shirts in to reusable tote bags.

Here’s a quick recap below or click here for her easy-to-follow instructions on Instructables.com.

Step 1: Collect the following supplies. Heavy weight cotton T-shirt (Youth size XL or Adult S or M work best) – 3- 5 straight pins – Pencil or pen – Dinner plate -Scissors – Sewing machine

Step 2: Choose an old t-shirt and smooth it flat on a table. Use scissors to cut and remove the sleeves—make sure you leave the seam in place to keep the tote strong.

Step 3: Position a plate about halfway over the neck opening of the shirt. Trace the plate with your pencil or pen. This will be your cutting line to create the opening for your tote bag. Cut along the traced line with the scissors.

Step 4: Turn the T-shirt inside out and pin the bottom of the T-shirt– along the hem — closed.

Step 5: Use the sewing machine to sew the bottom of T-shirt hem closed. Reinforce your tote bag by sewing over this seam a second time. The bag is now sewn closed.

Step 6: Turn the shirt right- side- out. Voila – a recycled tote bag! Fill it with groceries, gym clothes, pool supplies, library books, etc! Keep one handy in your car too.

With some glitter glue and foam stickers, I think this could be great for a kid’s party or classroom project too while teaching a valuable lesson. What are your thoughts and ideas?

Article written by~Jeanne Blaisdale, The Green Samaritan

For perfect summertime nails and toes, check out Buff Natural Nail Bar – a real find located in The Village at North Elm in Greensboro. Though I used to wear acrylics for more years than I care to admit, I finally made the switch two summers ago and have been a loyal customer ever since..

Buff prides itself in offering manicures and pedicures only (no gels or acrylics) and tailoring a program to help their clients maintain healthy, natural nails. To get going, I invested in a starter kit which included the products to stimulate growth of my nail bed, cuticle lotion to help repair and regenerate, a polishing stone as opposed to a traditional nail file which seals the nail and prevents splitting and cracking and as an extra just for me, a product called Stop which is a very bitter tasting clear polish to help prevent further biting and picking.

How great is all that? Well it gets better because the salon is tastefully decorated and calming and prices are reasonable. Once you slide up to the nail bar, you are offered tea, coffee or water and a warm neck wrap….every time. Non-toxic, formaldehyde free and vegan polishes, Zoya and SpaRitual are used exclusively with great names like “Gilda” and “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” (my new fav). Plus they also offer hair care and reflexology services too and usually have some great monthly specials or for cause promotions where a portion of proceeds is given back to a local charity.

Melissa Tankersley and Susan Millikan are co-owners and along with their knowledgeable and professional staff, will do everything to make your visits relaxing and enjoyable. Appointments are highly recommended but they will do their best to squeeze you in times of a last minute need or an emergency. Make an appointment today and mention that SEEK sent you. That mention will get you $10 off your second service!! So get your nails and toes in shape with Buff today. You will be glad you did!

Article written by: Jeanne Blaisdell at The Green Samaritain

Do you know about The Saltbox on State Street in Greensboro? We have discovered a great find in the Triad full of Folk Art, Furniture and Custom Lighting. This Greensboro store has been around for over 35 years!  Take a few minutes to drink in the fabulous pictures Trish took during our visit!  She was able to beautifully capture the textures and colors that surround you as you stroll through the Great American feel of the store!

The Saltbox carries the fine furniture of several American artists. These are highly skilled craftsman who meticulously craft these pieces.

These fun little corks can be thrown in a basket all on their own for decoration or better yet, owner Nancy can turn them into keychains! Just in time for Fathers Day!!!

Fun Facts

ALL the lighting sold in The Saltbox is HANDMADE by McLean Lighting Works, located right here in Greensboro! McLean Lighting works manufactures fine interior and exterior eighteenth century reproduction and custom lighting.

They also did the lighting for the scenes of the movie The Patriot!

All McLean Lighting Works lights are handcrafted of heavyweight brass, copper or tin and wrought in a manner to have the feel and look of antique pieces. The complete line includes lanterns, postlights, foyer lights, chandeliers, sconces, table lamps and custom lighting.

Another great Father’s Day gift idea…. recycled bottles that have been turned into fun drinking glasses!

Golden Rabbit Enamelware is like you perfect ALL in one dish-ware… it’s dishwasher safe, ovenproof, easy to clean, durable and best of all, NON-TOXIC!!! Great for all the outdoor cookouts and to take to covered dish suppers. Forget all that plastic stuff!!!

Don’t Miss This!

If you are ready to get over to State Street and check out The Saltbox it is the perfect time to go!  They are hosting a Ladies Night Out On State Street on June 19th from 4 until 7!

THE SALTBOX

2022 Golden Gate Drive
Greensboro NC 27405
336.273.8758

Have you shopped at The Saltbox?  What do you think….we love comment feedback!

Hello Triad! I am thrilled to be joining SEEK to start sharing all the great green finds throughout the Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point! Don’t forget to join my Facebook Page to keep up with my regular updates and green tips! And I Twitter too @GreenSamaritan!

As I look back on my years growing up in Greensboro, I guess there was always a bit of an interest in nature and being kind to our environment. I loved to spend time at a nearby creek catching crayfish and tadpoles, I completed an internship with the Natural Science Center when I was a senior in high school and then chaired the Junior League’s Environmental Issues Committee years later. Last year I started a little blog called The Green Samaritan and most recently attended the Audubon’s Women In Conservation Rachel Carson Awards Luncheon. I also contribute to Greenopolis.com and ModernHippieMag.com. So as the desire to improve my eco-awareness continues, coupled with a passion to share what’s available right here in our own backyard, Seek The Triad is a perfect forum for me to do so.

We are very fortunate to live in an area where we can easily recycle much through the city and county recycling programs. But I often hear from people, “What about this? What do I do with yogurts cups, eyewear, packing materials, etc.?”

So in an effort to lend a hand, here is a quick initial hit list for those other items you’re just not sure what to do with:

Yogurt cups and other #5 plastic: Most local recycling programs don’t seem to take #5 plastic, so what’s a struggling recycler to do? Through Preserve’s Gimme5 program, a partnership with Stoneybrook and Organic Valley, you can drop off those containers at any Whole Foods location. Preserve then recycles and turns into products like razors, toothbrushes and tableware.

Bottle caps: Aveda haircare has launched their Recycle Caps program which encourages individuals and schools to take bottle caps, shampoo caps, ketchup caps or any type of threaded cap to an Aveda location and they will repurpose into new caps and containers.

Makeup containers: Through Origins, you can bring old makeup tubes, jars and bottles (any brand) to an Origins counter (Belk’s for instance) and they will recycle or use for energy recovery. Plus most times you will get a little sample of lotion for doing so.

Eyeglasses: With over 250 million people suffering from poor vision worldwide, you can donate your old eyewear to OneSight. Search for a drop-off location such as Sunglasses Hut, or Sears Optical in your neighborhood and they’ll make sure it gets to someone in need.

Plastic Wraps: These include bread wraps, cereal liners, ziplocks, toiler paper and diaper wrapping, dry cleaning bags and produce bags. Major retailers like Barnes & Noble, Whole Foods and Wal-Mart as well as many local grocery stores have collection bins for these types of plastic bags and wraps.

Packing Peanuts: To help us out, the Plastic Loose Fill Council offer a search box for drop-off sites accepting peanuts for reuse. Also, any Kinko’s Fed Ex, UPS Stores or other pack and ship locations are good places to recycle.

Though this may involve an additional trip, plan your drop off’s when you will be in the area and you’ll feel great about doing this, I promise. Luckily right here in Greensboro, we have an Aveda, Origins, Barnes & Noble and Sears Optical and Sunglasses Hut all in close proximity around Friendly Shopping Center.

What else gives you trouble? Let me hear from you and I’ll keep adding to this list.

Here at Seek the Triad, we are kicking off “Fun Find Friday”, just in time for Father’s Day! Our goal this summer is to bring you simple, “Fun Finds” in the Triad with just a quick picture or three and their locations.

Do you know of a fun find here in the Triad??? E-mail Trish Naylor at trish@seekthetriad.com and maybe we can feature yours too!!! {please send 1-3 pictures, where to purchase and a couple sentence about the find}

“Fun Find Father’s Day”…

These incredible blocks are not just fun, they are custom made with your pictures and personal quotes to boot. And the BEST thing of all… they are VERY affordable, starting at $8 for the small blocks!!! {Yes, you read it right and the BIG blocks are an easy $20}

To get one for the Father in your life or for ANY other needs for a personal unique gift (ie: Graduation, Teachers, BFF), head to Total Bliss in Summerfield to get your order in today!!!

Abstract art can be a little scary. After all, the rules change. One plus two does not necessarily add up to three in this realm. Instead, the art is all about self-expression. The swirl of a blue line against an orange blob can be more than the sum of its parts. Together, the marks can offer a color vibration or suggest a mood —Maybe they recall the way you felt last August as you watched the summer sun melt into the ocean at sunset. You have to be able to let go of reason to fully experience abstract art and to appreciate it. Sometimes that’s downright terrifying for the right-brainers among us.

To learn more about abstract art, I caught up with local artist, Kris Hohn. Kris is a painter, sculptor, jewelry-maker and an art teacher at New Garden Friend’s School in Greensboro. When she teaches her students about abstract art, Kris puts on some music and asks everyone to close their eyes and draw the way that they feel. “It gives them permission to take it where they want to take it,” she said. “It also teaches them that abstract art isn’t just scribble. It’s about how the marks make you feel—and it’s very liberating.”

Kris’s own painting often begins as an emotional release. “It’s how I work through things,” she said. “I wait for something inside of me to tell me where to take the art. The forms shape in my mind and then I paint them. You can’t force it—it gets too tight and frustrating. You have to let it evolve.”

Many artists throughout history have used similar techniques. Michelangelo would look at his block of marble and wait for the stone to tell him what it wanted to be. He once said, “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.” This idea of listening to an inner voice is where you can start when enjoying any piece of art—whether it is abstract or realistic.

Kris earned a double major in art and psychology from Guilford College. She currently has a studio at Lyndon Street Artworks, and she exhibits frequently at art markets and festivals in the area. Kris will be at the Glenwood Multicultural Festival on the corner of Grove St. and Glenwood Ave. Saturday, May 16th from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The next time you have a problem at your desk, try this: Close your eyes. Put on your headphones, and just start doodling with a pen and paper. Focus on clearing your mind—visualize letting go of the issue at hand or visualize a successful solution. Draw the way that you feel. When you’re finished, open your eyes and enjoy your doodle. Do you see any forms in the drawing that intrigue you? Are there patterns or repetitions that surprise you? What happened when you tried this?

Your doodle may or may not look like anything realistic and that’s fine. Abstract art is all about the feeling… so congratulate yourself on a job well done and tell us about your abstract experience!

Article by Katie Wall Podracky, a Greensboro artist known for her vivid landscape paintings. Find more of Katie’s musings at www.katiewallart.com.

When we were first told about Christina and her new venture, Seek knew in a second that we were going to love this girl!!! Christina has started her 12 month wedding plans and has decided that not only is she going to blog her adventures, but it’s ALL LOCAL!!! Can you believe it Triad? She will being guest writing about her finds, her plans, her ideas and her suggestions for other brides in the Triad!!! SO make sure to tell your friends who are in their own wedding plans so they can follow along as well… ALSO, make sure to leave Christina some “comment love” as well and let her know your favorite local places for a “bride to be” to shop, register and find the wedding of her dreams!!!

A Girl Named Christina

HONESTLY, I AM YOUR TYPICAL AMERICAN GIRL. I grew up in a small town where I couldn’t go to the grocery store without running into at least 5 people I knew. I graduated with a semi-high rank from high school. Went to college where I changed my major, count them, three times and where I also met the man of dreams. I am 25, on the verge of 26 and I am planning a wedding for next spring. It is through this experience I plan on changing the face of the wedding industry… one city at a time.

After a few unfulfilling jobs I landed a career that many girls would kill for. I am the manager of a new, local paper boutique in Greensboro, North Carolina (Ashleigh’s Fine Paper). I work with two fabulous ladies, that are more like sisters than coworkers. I have, within the last 8 months designed invitations for an event sponsored by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, worked on invitations for a Maya Angelou event in New York and helped nearly 30 brides find the absolute perfect wedding invitations.

The Wedding Industry

The wedding industry is a $40 Billion per year industry. Okay, I just want to make sure you heard me correctly… $40,000,000,000.00 PER YEAR! That is twelve 0′s folks. Do me a favor and hang on to this figure in your head… and let me give you some reference. The 3/50 Project, When you spend locally, the money stays local. $68 of every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores stays in the community in the form of payroll, taxes, etc. When you shop at a nation chain, the retained value goes down to $43 and when you shop online $0 return to the community. You do the math. It pays to shop local.

Connect the Dots

*Say the average wedding costs $20,000. Say within the great city of Greensboro there are at least 2,000 couples that plan to be married this year.

*If these brides bought their goods at national chains, they would spend $40 Million, of which $17.2 Million would stay in the city of Greensboro.

*If these same brides used locally owned independent stores for their dress, cake, flowers, favors, invitations,etc. $25.2 Million that would stay in the city of Greensboro!

*That is a difference of $8 Million that would stay in your community, fixing your roads, employing your neighbors, bettering your schools and making your community a better place to live and shop.

THE AHA MOMENT

After three months of burning up the keys on my laptop searching for every fabulous wedding vendor in a 5 state radius a light bulb went off. Not one of those new LED or what-cha-ma call it bulbs that are perfectly energy-efficient and glow a tinted blue hue. A huge, pull with a big long chain, hear it crackle when starts lighting up, honker of a light bulb came on in my head.. A COMPLETELY LOCAL WEDDING!! Let the adventure begin…

SO were we right Triad? Trust us on this… there will plenty of tips, advice, photos of eye candy and maybe we can even scrounge up a few Give*A*Ways along the way for ALL you local brides and brides to be!!! Make sure to follow Christina on her own personal blog at www.marymelocal.blogspot.com. She will have more weekly information you’re NOT going to want to miss!!!

Also, make sure to check out our own local business community (modeled after the 3/50 Project) called Buy Triad First.

Shin-diggity Dog!

Aka…The Shindig, Sunday, May 2nd 12-6 p.m.

What, pray tell, is a shindig you ask? In essence it’s a dance, a celebration, a party full of merrymaking and exuberance! The best part of all is that this one is free! On Sunday, May 2nd in Downtown Greensboro at the 300 block of South Elm St., local artists, musicians, dancers and delicious restaurants will converge to offer you the best that Greensboro has to offer.

Over 80 artists, crafters and vintage sellers are joining together to display and sell their latest creations. Many of the artists are part of a new Greensboro movement called Handmade Triad. If you’re tired of mass-produced-made-in-China products cluttering our lives and our landfills come check out what these local artists have to offer. They’re real people using their hearts and minds to create beautiful art that will withstand the test of time. The glass jewelry above is by Melissa Blackburn Glass Design, and the pottery below is by Flying Pig Pottery and MSR Pottery respectively. For another sneak preview of the goods, view the Handmade Triad website (www.handmadetriad.com).

Eight bands will liven up the afternoon featuring music by Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Filthybird, Decoration Ghost and more. Their sounds range from blue-grassy and soulful to straight up rock and roll. Food from Zaytoons, Iron Hen (my new favorite restaurant), Fincastles, and Thai Pan will keep you fat and sassy and handcrafted local beer from Natty Greene’s will quench your thirst in the sweet sunshine.

The Shindig is an event associated with Art Beat Greensboro, the third annual celebration of local art that features over 60 events in 10 days. Theater, music and visual art events pack the calendar from April 30-May 9 thanks to professional arts organizations that call our city home. To see other Art Beat events in town, visit www.artbeatgreensboro.org and for more information on The Shindig, visit the blog of Mischief Makers816 (mischiefmakers816.blogspot.com).

Article by Katie Wall Podracky, a Greensboro artist and art teacher known for her vivid landscape paintings. Find more of Katie’s musings at www.katiewallart.com.

What are YOUR favorite art spots in Greensboro?
Which artists do you hope to see at The Shindig?
PLEASE leave us some comment love below!!!