Folk Art Fun with Audrey Eclectic

Here at Dunhaven Place, we love the artistry of Audrey Eclectic. I first encountered her work on the blog of a friend and I was instantly smitten. When I decided to open my little store, I knew I had to have some of her work so I perused her website and fell in love with these wonderful Belle Marie plates--only they were in black and white. She kindly agreed to give them some color, making us the exclusive retailer of Belle Marie plates and matching mugs in these lovely pastel hues. Recently I asked, Heather, the talent behind Audrey Eclectic if she would consent to be interviewed for this blog and again, she very kindly consented.

How did you get started with your painting?

My little art business, Audrey Eclectic, started in the fall of 2007. Nov.1 was my first day free from my job as an assistant editor at a small town newspaper and I planned to stay home and care for our daughter, Audrey, who was about 8 months old at the time. Of course it didnt take long for me to feel like I needed to 'do' something after being a 9-5er for the past few years, and I was sort of sick to death of dishes and laundry ;) so i took up painting, something that I loved to do in my spare moments, while my daughter napped or slept at night.

At first it was purely for my own entertainment, but later I opened an etsy shop. And when I did, I needed a business name. Taking inspiration from my little Audrey, I called it 'Audrey Eclectic.' A few months later I signed up to do a little local craft show and ended up winning their gallery exhibit there which lead to me getting a solo showing at a local coffee shop. It seemed like every little step led to something else and another opportunity and possibility. Today I do several well-loved shows around the area, have done several group and solo gallery exhibits and have been published in magazines such as Somerset Studio, Prims, Somerset Home and the book Sharing Stitches by Chrissie Grace.

I just love painting and drawing, and it is just so wonderful and amazing that the things that I love and that inspire me also speak to others. I love when my art is treasured and finds its forever home, or becomes the perfect gift for someone's dear friend, mother, daughter, husband, etc. I love having that connection with people through my creations, and its often the start of great friendships.

(Custom painting Heather did of Ginny Delacourt, the heroine of my Jane Austen-era romantic comedies published by Avalon books--I was thrilled!)

Tell us about the darling dishes you paint:

I started my line of handpainted dishes this spring when I began experimenting with ceramic paints and I have been so blown away by the response. Each piece I make is hand crafted and one of a kind, there's always some little something that makes each piece unique. The dishes lend themselves so well to the indulgences and decadence of days gone by, and so some of my favorite subjects to paint are Regency Era England (think Jane Austen) or Imperial France (Hello, Marie Antoinette!)

Incidentally, several of my dishes are set to appear in the upcoming issue of Somerset Home, which hits news stands nationwide on Aug. 1. I am so pleased with the feature and how well they show off the dishes.

(Made to order Regency Gent and Lady mugs Heather did as a giveaway for my most recent blog book tour---aren't they darling?)

Is there anything else you would like to add?

It's my hope that each little something that I make finds a home where it is treasured and loved. No matter if its just a little something pretty to look at, or a more utilitarian piece of art, each piece is made with thought and imagination and most of all, love.

If you'd like to find out more about my art, you're welcome to visit my website www.audreyeclectic.com or my blog, which I update often, audreyeclectic.blogspot.com.

Thank you, Heather for that peek into your world. For those who would like to know more about Audrey Eclectic, be sure to check out the above websites and please come into the store to appreciate her work in person. More of it is sure to make its way into Dunhaven Place as time goes by.

Our Tea Cup Garden Flowers

Come into the store today and get first crack at our tea cup flowers, garden beauties planted in vintage pieces of china. (The little pitcher is new but we're not going to quibble about that.) Drainage holes have been carefully drilled to allow for proper drainage. Put them out in the garden (they shouldn't get too much sun or they will dry out too quickly) or in the windowsill for a spot of vintage color.

We Now Carry Romantic Homes Magazine

We are thrilled to carry Romantic Homes magazine! We are offering it to our customers at 25% off the cover price! Come in and get your discounted copy today! The photo is of the June 2011 issue--we now have the August 2011 issue.

A Row of Roses

Walk into Dunhaven Place and revel in our row of roses. Whether it is a garland strewn across the front of a vase, hand painted in Bavaria, France or Czechoslavakia, or on a Canvas by Christie Repasy, we have it!

Roses, roses, everywhere.

Limoges/Theo Haviland cup and saucer, Royal Doulton Victorian Garden coffee pot, Royal Albert "American Beauty" snack/tennis set, a mini tea set made to resemble the chintz pattern "Welbeck", and a set of dessert plates by Haviland, New York. Come into the store and find more roses on notecards, canvases, fabric and embossed on vintage pottery.

Our Exclusive Hand Made Totes by Nancy Werner

Here at Dunhaven Place we strive to carry anything and everything that will enhance the beauty of your home including new, used, antique and reproduction items. Second hand is twice as nice and we currently have in stock items made by Royal Albert, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Reed and Barton, Leonard, Bauer, Royal Doulton and Hartstrings, as well as brand spanking new items by Rachel Ashwell, Yankee Candle, Bethany Lowe, Christie Repasy and Audrey Eclectic. We also carry gift items and pride ourselves on our array of hand made and one of a kind treasures created by local artisans including the hand quilted tote bags stitched by talented seamstress Nancy Werner.

Nancy hand pieces these totes using fabric she has collected over the years. She didn't pick up quilting until ten years ago but began selling her hand sewn items, including cloth clowns, when she was in the third grade. Over the years she has made clothes for herself and her children, stitched up countless curtains and tablecloths and participated in a boutique for many years. Nancy still owns the original hand crank sewing machine on which she first learned to sew including the box it came in. She also has the first foot treadle she used. When she started quilting, she found that she adored the look of a quilt square over a tablecloth and has made many over the years. One day a friend suggested she try the quilted totes so she bought a pattern (which she modified) and the rest is history. Nancy's beautiful and functional one of a kind totes can be found exclusively at Dunhaven Place. (Most of our items are available for purchase and shipment via the mail--see our sidebar for inquiries.)

Introducing Dunhaven Place the Shabby Chic Boutique

Whether it's shabby chic, cottage chic, Paris chic, traditional country or the English country look, Dunhaven Place has something you can't do without! White pottery, silver plate, monogrammed linens, painted furniture, beautiful dishes, gift items and designer holiday decor as well as antiques and collectibles make up the cache of treasure at this one of a kind store in Concord (California). Old crocks, newly crafted baby blankets and quilts, vintage linens and antique furniture live harmoniously side by side in their serene setting sandwhiched between Century 21 Realty and Curves in the building across the parking lot from TJ Maxx and the 99cent store at the corner of Bailey and Clayton Rds. Mention that you read it on this blog and receive 10% off your entire purchase! Hope to see you soon--Heidi