TraillWorks' Artists Donating to Support Ovarian Cancer Awareness

Every September I have supported efforts to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Prompted in 2007, a while after my mom's very good college friend, Barbara Salamy, passed away after battling ovarian cancer, I hosted an open studio at my home with a percentage of proceeds benefiting Kaleidoscope for Hope. 

Eventually I got more involved by helping to "Teal" Newton about three years ago. Last year and this year I have organized the "Tealing" of Newton and held special exhibits and made donations to Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. the 501(c)(3) that ties teal ribbons in towns throughout the country every September to raise awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms. The reason for the campaign is due to the lack of early detection screening tests, so too frequently, ovarian cancer is discovered at late stages when the chance of recovery decreases significantly.

This September, I've asked all of the artists at TraillWorks to donate a portion of retail sales to Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. I was overwhelmed by the participation I received. Below is a list of artists who have agreed to share a 10% donation with me on all gallery sales during the month of September. If you've had your eye on something, now is a great time to purchase knowing that a portion of your sale is going to help more women learn when to seek medical care and thereby save more lives.

Artists Donating 10% of Retail Sales to Turn the Towns Teal, Inc:

• Phylis Barfoot
• Emily Bittner
• Bernadette Blaney
• Liesl Carlson
• Brenda Decker
• Joann Wells Greenbaum
• Martha C. Hall
• Heidi Lanino
• Amanda Miller
• Kathy Morawski
• Marie Christine Murphy
• David Ohlerking
• Andrea Rosenfeld
• Jennie Traill Schaeffer
• Martha Traill Schaeffer

Learn more by reading the full press release here. Our 1st Annual Women's Invitational Exhibit is now up with new works by thirteen artists who have interpreted the script of "Hope Throws her Heart Away" by Susan Goodell, being acted live by Tri-State Actors Theatre at TraillWorks on Saturday, September 24th. I hope you'll join us but also help us in saving the lives of our moms, sisters, grandmothers, nieces, cousins, and granddaughters.

Opening and Benefit a HUGE Success!

From left, Brenda Decker (featured artist), Jane MacNeil (Turn the Towns Teal, Inc.), Jennie Traill Schaeffer (me), Martha Traill Schaeffer (jewelry artist and mom)

I'm still on cloud nine after this Saturday's opening for Brenda Decker and benefit for Ovarian Cancer Awareness! TraillWorks saw a fantastic turnout with Jane MacNeil, president of Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. on hand to greet visitors and share information about ovarian cancer. Featured artist, Brenda Decker was on hand, as well as an appearance by jewelry artist, Martha Traill Schaeffer. I'm pleased to announce that though donations and sales during the day, TraillWorks will be donating about $279 to Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. to help in their awareness campaign across the country. 

Brenda Decker and Jennie Traill Schaeffer

Special thank yous go out to Krave Cafe and Caterers for their tasty and elegant spread, as well as to Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd. for the delicious Folonari and Trapiche wines. Both donated their respective offerings for the evening. 

Red Line, Acrylic on Panel, 24" x 36", ©2010 Brenda Decker, SOLD

And, congratulations on the success of Brenda Decker's artwork. Thus far we've had one sale, and though it was my favorite piece of the show, there are many other sublime pieces available through September 25th. Brenda was also an award-winner at the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council's Skylands Juried Show. She's worked hard to achieve the recognition; it's well-deserved. 

Circle of Hope Pendant, $95, ©2010 Martha Traill Schaeffer

Martha Traill Schaeffer and TraillWorks will continue to donate 10% of the retail price of any of her jewelry purchased during the rest of the month to Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. Her set, Circles of Hope, is still available, though congratulations is in order on her sale of a Circle of Hope pendant on Saturday.  

Homage to Julia, Oil and Collage on Panel, 24" x 24", ©2010 Jennie Traill Schaeffer, SOLD

And, to toot my own horn, because, as my associate Corrie says, my work should come first, I finally sold a painting via ArtQuiver on Saturday to a longtime student. Homage to Julia will be my first official ArtQuiver sale and helped me to donate money to Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. I'll be posting a blog soon about my upcoming commissions and their progress, so keep an eye out for that! 

Thank you again to Jane MacNeil of Turn the Towns Teal, Inc., Kate and Rich Hashway of Krave Cafe and Caterers, Frederick Wildman & Sons, Ltd., Martha Traill Schaeffer/Mom, Brenda Decker, and all of the friends, family and visitors who joined us and donated on Saturday to help save women's lives. 

Circles of Hope by Martha Schaeffer

Circle of Hope Pendant, $95, ©2010 Martha Traill Schaeffer

My mom drove out to Newton on Saturday with a bag in hand, jewelry inside of course. It was a drop-off of new jewelry, as well as an excuse to see her grandson. Either way, it was a great evening . . . with dinner at our favorite local Italian Restaurant. She brought quite a few new pieces to display for this Saturday's Ovarian Cancer benefit; what stood out among the copper bracelets and silver pendants was a set she designed for ovarian cancer awareness.

Not one to name her work, these she felt needed the title of "Circle of Hope". She told me she came up with this idea awhile back and finally got to making it. I can't imagine how difficult and emotional this may have been to make since she lost her best friend to ovarian cancer. Barbara would have been tremendously touched by mom mom's design, and her cause.

Circle of Hope Earrings, $60, ©2010 Martha Traill Schaeffer

Sold as a set for $150 or individually, the pieces are all hand-made from .999 fine silver. The rings are hand twisted and fused. The indicolite-colored crystals are hung on hand-wrapped silver. Even the ear-wires are hand-formed. 

Persian Chain Maille Bracelet, $125, by Martha Traill Schaeffer

Mom also brought me a new handwoven, Persian Chain Maille bracelet, accented with an aquamarine stone box clasp. These have been very popular, so far selling out of each one she's made for TraillWorks. I've heard from owners of the bracelets how light-weight and comfortable they are to wear; great for everyday or a night out. Each of these links are hand-closed, sterling silver chain.

10% of the sale of Martha's jewelry featuring the color teal will benefit Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. if purchased during the month of September. Reserve your's now before Saturday's event.

ArtWorks Benefit Ovarian Cancer Awareness

TraillWorks, Tealed.

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Three out of the past four years, I have held some type of event to benefit an Ovarian Cancer organization. The previous two benefited Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation, and this year I have decided to work with Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. which used to be under Kaleidoscope of Hope's umbrella. Gail MacNeil (1943-2008) coined the phrase, Turn the Towns Teal and also helped to start Kaleidoscope of Hope.

Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit committed to the mission of raising awareness of symptoms of ovarian cancer. It's a strange disease, in that if treated early, over 90% of women will survive. However, due to symptoms that seem more related to general aging and the lack of early detection screening tests, most cases are not diagnosed until the cancer has progressed into later stages. Only about 19% of all ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at this early stage and if found in later stages, three and higher, the survival rate is only about 30%. 

Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. is working in NJ and several other states to "teal" town centers with ribbons, lawn signs, and distribute symptom cards to raise awareness of the disease. This organization is special to me because it directly affected my family when my mom's college friend, Barbara Salamy, passed away from ovarian cancer several years ago. It was found too late and she fought for a little over a year. It was my first knowledge of the disease and since then several of my mom's close friends have been diagnosed. Fortunately, they were more aware of the disease's symptoms, following up early enough to be diagnosed sooner.  

Jenny Shotwell of Doggone Gorgeous and me tying teal ribbons.

Spring Street, Newton donned in teal ribbons.

Saturday, September 11th, coinciding with the opening reception of "Brenda Decker-New Acrylic Paintings and Recent Gelatin Monotypes" I'm hosting a benefit at TraillWorks for Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. From 5 - 8pm Brenda will be on hand to talk about her work and meet with visitors. Krave Cafe and Caterers has agreed to donate a spread of hors d' oeuvres and Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd. will donate Trapiche and Folonari wines for the cause. We will have symptom cards on hand so you can learn about ovarian cancer. Some of the jewelry artists have made teal jewelry and my work will be available in the lesson room. And, throughout the day, TraillWorks and its artists will donate 5% of all sales to Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. All customers will have the option to receive an additional 5% off or donate it to Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. 

Reclamation, 18" x 24", Acrylic on Panel, ©2010 Brenda Decker, $750

Brenda Decker of Stockholm, NJ, is a multi talented artist whose work for the show features both acrylics and gelatin monotypes. The pieces are rich in texture, spontaneity and strong in composition. Her work is loosely influenced by nature, but she tends to stay away from giving her work too much context, preferring the viewer to find their own meaning in the work. Strong at using both subtle tones and strong colors, several of the pieces feature the color teal.

I've known Brenda since exhibiting together at Art at the Mill in Lafayette, NJ and has always admired her work. It's an honor to be exhibiting it at my own gallery and to help support a very dear cause. I hope you'll join us for a special night. Learn more about the event here, or view a preview video of the exhibit.

A Great Opportunity to Help Raise Awareness for Ovarian Cancer and Purchase Art

Just a friendly reminder of my benefit tomorrow night for the Kaleidoscope of Hope. Though billed as a gold buying party, you don't have to sell your gold to attend. During the evening I will have donation envelopes for you to directly contribute to a great organization doing wonderful things to raise awareness of Ovarian Cancer. If you donate to KOH during the evening and want to purchase any of my artwork, I will reduce the price of the work by the amount you donate or by 40%, whichever is less. Visit www.traillworks.com for more information about the event.

Ovarian Cancer is difficult to detect as there are currently no early detection screenings for it. If you notice any of the following symptoms, please address them with your doctor. For more detailed information, visit Kaleidoscope of Hope.

• Discomfort in the abdominal/pelvic region
• Swelling of the stomach (abdomen)
• Continuous fatigue
• Unusual weight gain or loss, notably in the abdominal area
• Ongoing gastrointestinal complaints including nausea, indigestion and/or gas
• Frequent urination (in absence of an infection)
• Pain during intercourse
• Bleeding between periods or after menopause

Details, Details . . .

TraillWorks & Buccieri's GEMS & JEWELRY

invite you to join us for a

GOLD HARD CASH PARTY
Friday, September 25th | 7 - 9pm
to benefit Kaleidoscope of Hope
a non-profit organization raising funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research.

hosted by TraillWorks
135 Spring Street | Newton, NJ | 973-383-1307

bring your unwanted, broken, mismatched gold

Matt Buccieri, Graduate Gemologist, owner of Buccieri's GEMS & JEWELRY, Oak Ridge, NJ, will sort, weigh, and purchase your gold on the spot. Buccieri's will donate 5% of all they pay out during the party to KOH and TraillWorks will reduce the retail price of any artwork purchased by the amount donated to KOH or by 40%, whichever is less when a guest donates to KOH during the party.

www.traillworks.com
www.buccierisgemsandjewlery.com
www.kohnj.org

GOLD HARD CASH PARTY to Support Kaleidoscope of Hope

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. There are walkathons, parties, and teal ribbons all over this month; the town of Newton has been "Tealed."

Since my mom's college friend passed away a couple of years ago I have made this my cause. This year to support Kaleidoscope of Hope, a non-profit organization raising funds and awareness for ovarian cancer reasearch, I am partnering with Oak Ridge jeweler, Buccieri's GEMS & JEWELRY and hosting a GOLD HARD CASH PARTY.

Mark your calendars for Friday, September 25th. More information will come in a later post, but in the meantime if you see teal ribbons around your town, remember its for ovarian cancer awareness. You can learn more about the "silent disease" at www.kohnj.org.