"Seven"

New Kudzu Pieces added today!

Stack-able Rings

Medium Kudzu Cuff

It has been a busy couple of months but we have finally added 7 out of the 10 pieces finished, polished, sealed and photographed. 

Hoop Earrings

 I have a lot to say about this new line but I have more to do tonight plus an Orchid Show in Ft. Pierce Sat. & Sun. where I'll be introducing the new line in Florida but I hope you like my new Kudzu Collection!

New Blog!

I would like to introduce my blog,

"Kudzu"

...it's everything you ever wanted to know about that darn stuff and more.

As you know we travel to some pretty amazing places and I would just like to share some of my cool findings. 

I hope you enjoy...

Got Kudzu?

Meridian Star

July 16, 2010

Got Kudzu?

Anne McKee
The Meridian Star

Got Kudzu?

MERIDIAN — We live in the Deep South – more specifically, we live in God’s Country. That’s right – East Central Mississippi, and, of course, we have KUDZU!  I must confess – when I began this column, I thought it would be a fun little take-off about the green stuff, the kudzu, you know, but as I researched, I could quickly see there is more depth (no pun intended) to the (Pueraria lobata) -- sometimes called ge’gen (Chinese.) Yes, the green leafy plant that is categorized in the pea family is a climbing, coiling, and trailing vine native to southern Japan and southeast China.

    I know -- how did it make its home so nicely in Mississippi? History reported at the time of the U.S. centennial  that was celebrated in 1876, there was an open invitation extended to foreign countries to build exhibits that featured unusual plants.  It was the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. Uh-huh, and Japan featured kudzu.  Now it must have been a real novelty to see the elaborate Japanese gardens on display.   Oh, how the lovely dark green leaves swooped and swirled – in and out, up and down, around and around.  It was so charming – made the Americans want to plant their own lovely kudzu enhanced gardens, and that’s how it all started.

    By 1905, Americans, as enterprising as ever, sought new uses for the fast growing perennial vine. It was quickly learned the plant could be used to prevent erosion, and  as forage for cows, pigs, and goats. Some one thought of planting the stuff along highways. It was the 1930s when the Soil Conservation Service paid hundreds of men to plant kudzu, and in the 1940s, farmers were paid up to $8 an acre as well to plant the green stuff. It didn’t take too long for the U.S. to stop their promotion of the out of control vine. By 1972, kudzu was declared a weed by the USDA.  However, the plant sometimes known as “the-foot-a-night-vine” and “the vine that ate the south” was out of control. Unfortunately, Mississippi as well as the entire southeast had near-perfect conditions for the prolific growth of the vine   – hot, humid summers, frequent rainfall, temperate winters with few hard freezes and no natural predators.  Today, it is estimated, kudzu covers 7 million acres of land in the southeast. It’s hard to believe,  but some estimate the plant is spreading at a rate of 120,000 acres a year.  In Mississippi, it covers almost 250,000 acres (some estimates are higher), and kudzu causes millions of dollars of damage each year for the Magnolia State – especially in the forestry industry.

     What to do? Years have been spent developing a cost-effective remedy for managing kudzu.  One complication is the fact of the deep root growth – as deep as 4 meters. Herbicides work but must be repeated over and over for upwards to 4 to 10 years in order to be effective.  Aerial spraying has found to be the  most effective, but the most expensive as well.  Also used to eradicate the weed are prescribed burnings and the use of landscape equipment such as skid loaders.

     Could goats be the answer? In recent years,  Mississippians have seen  growth in the goat industry – yields of meat, milk and wool products.  Yes, we know goats will eat anything green – kudzu has proven to be a high-quality, high-protein food similar to alfalfa. So, kudzu-plus-goats have brought a growing market for this non-traditional meat, but we can’t rely on the goats to eradicate kudzu from our land.

    Other ideas – basket making material, kudzu paper can be produced, soaps, lotions, compost, kudzu hay, clothing or wallpaper, food products such as salad, jelly, syrup, tea, fried kudzu, ground kudzu root, kudzu boiled like turnip greens, baked as a quiche, and so many other recipes that sound yummy, sort of.  It has even been suggested that kudzu may become a valuable asset for the production of cellulosic ethanol.  WOW!

    Perhaps the most interesting kudzu fact --  for 2000 years China has used kudzu as medicine. A few areas -- remedy for alcoholism and hangovers, treatment for dysentery, allergies, migraine headaches, diarrhea, fevers, colds, intestinal problems, and other ailments.  The first Chinese medical kudzu documentation is dated 100 AD. Today the main focus for kudzu medical research worldwide is for the treatment of alcoholism. Scientists have successfully concluded through experiments with hamsters and rats that a compound in kudzu shows a repression of alcohol consumption.

   Kudzu has continued its slithery pathway into countries around the world. It has been discovered in Canada near Lake Erie as recently as July 2009. During WWII, kudzu was planted by the U.S. armed forces at Vanuatu and Fiji to camouflage their equipment – it is now out of control there as well.  The creeping plant has found to be a problem in northeastern Australia and Northern Italy.

Every situation or fact of life should have a chuckle – a little humor.  James Dickey says in his poem “Kudzu”

That you must close your windows

At night to keep it out of the house.

    And who has not enjoyed the daily comic strip created by Doug Marlette entitled Kudzu? It was known as a funny take-off about rural Southerners – hey, that’s us!  At its peak, Kudzu was syndicated in three hundred newspapers.  CBS aired a pilot for a  Kudzu sitcom on August 13, 1983. A musical based on the comic strip was staged in Washington D. C. in 1998. Mr. Marlette was killed in an auto accident on July 10, 2007, and America lost a popular comic strip.

    Well, there you have it – a short version of the “Kudzu Story.” There  is so much more to know about the little “miracle vine” that has been given the name “Kudzula” in at least one theatrical production – maybe a later column will reveal some exciting “Kudzu Breaking News!”  Perhaps this is just a “Kudzu Dream,” but if the green stuff develops a proven food, fuel, or medicinal usage, could Mississippi one day be known as the “Kudzu Capital of the World?”

    Anne B. McKee is an author and storyteller. She lives in Meridian.  Anne is listed on the Mississippi Artist Roster, sponsored by Mississippi Arts Commission, as a dramatic and literary artist and as a Teaching Artist.  She is active with the arts and educational communities throughout Mississippi.  Visit her web site: www.annemckee.net

I've just started on this piece but it is turning out to be just too cool!

This was my brain thoughts when my husband told me that we really needed to add a man's line to our collections.
First: sculpted wood-like cuff with a fishing hook stuck in it....had to cut fishing line. Second: Hook and a lure stuck in wood cuff. Third: Kill the wood...hook, anchor cuff design. Fourth: Vintage anchor, no hook. Fifth: Really cool vintage anchor, found the KILLICK!
That's it...high five!!!!

Some of you may know what a Killick is but for those who don't...it's a small anchor, especially one made with a stone in a wooden frame.

There are many versions of a killick but this one was pretty awesome and a no-brainier for a piece of jewelry. It will have a stone, we are working on that one.

Hugh Whisnant, my Dad's painting...

My father's painting...

...looking through some of my old snap shots, I ran across this picture I took of my fathers

painting in his studio. It has the spot lights reflecting off the glass but I think you can

see his talent. He painted in Opaque water-color, generally known as gouache and we still have all of his prints available if anyone is interested. Each one of his painting took approximately 1 years to print.

It's a pretty awesome painting.

Calla Lily Pendant

Calla Lily Pendant

This Calla Lily Pendant features a highly detailed calla lily leaf next to the flowing polished 

Calla Lily Flower with a solid 14K yellow gold spadix. (center stem)

Materials: 14K Solid Yellow Gold and Sterling Silver 92.5
Length: 3.25"
Width: 1.35"Chain sold Separately
Made in US

Bamboo Curved Earrings

Bamboo Collection:  
Curved Bamboo Post Earrings 

Bold yet elegant 14k solid gold bamboo leaves artfully adorn these beautiful sterling silver bamboo stems.

Total Length:  2"
Materials: 14K yellow gold & 92.5 Sterling Silver

Price: $449.00

Made in the USA by "ME"

...to purchase, click here.

This is my daddy, Hugh Whisnant

He has become my new found inspiration even though he is no longer with us.

He died about 8 years ago, and although he never really taught me how to paint or draw, I think you can see that a little bit of him rubbed off on me.
It would be nice to show him what I am doing now, I think he would be proud.

New! An impressive 62ct London Blue Topaz to adorn my Ocean Reef Cuff.

$3,400


For additional information, Click Here

Large Round Bamboo Ring

Can I say that I just LOVE this ring! When sculpting the ring in wax, I would slip it on just to make sure it would be comfortable, not too big, etc...and once we cast the final piece, WOW...it was perfect, I wouldn't change a thing on this ring.

Description: Rows of bamboo with my signature bamboo leaves laying on top.

Description: Rows of bamboo with my signature bamboo leaves laying on top.

Materials: Sterling Silver & 14K Solid Yellow Gold Leaves
Oval Top: 7/8" x 1 3/16"
Available Sizes: 5-9
Cost: $369.00

Ghostly Habitat Bronze Sculpture

Ghostly Habitat

Bronze sculpture

Limited Edition - 12
Available - Number 3 of 12
Cost: $2,000
Total height: 11"
Materials: Tree Base (Bronze, Patina & Sealer)
Ghost Orchids & Roots (Brass & Sealer)

American Orchid Society's writeup...

Always wanted to own the elusive ghost orchid? Are you a collector of beautiful things? This fabulous sculpture, donated by artist Dawn Vertrees, is stunning! The tree is bronze, roots and flowers are brass. The sculpture—along with many more items--will be auctioned off on Saturday, May 1 at the conclusion of the AOS Spring Meeting. The auction is on Saturday, May 1 with preview starting at 5:30 PM and the AOS auction from 6:30 p.m. TO 8:30 p.m. Join us at the Clarion Meridian Hotel & Convention Center. You do not have to register to attend – the public is welcome.

This is just a part of the Orchid Conference hosted by the Oklahoma Orchid Society which includes a Keynote Address by Joyce Stewart. If you haven’t been to an AOS meeting, come join the fun! For schedule details go to the AOS web site www.aos.org and events and members meetings.

Kudzu Jewelry Collection

"Jewelry with Southern Charm"



Introducing my first Bronze & Sterling Silver Collection.

As you can see, more designs are coming soon.

...but lately I feel more like a sculptor than a jeweler, which I'm liking a whole lot more.

Ocean Reef Collection...

...sculpting new designs featuring
the ocean's reefs.

My new line of pendants go from simply
elegant to fabulous and I hope you agree.

Click here for more information.

Dawn VertreesJewelry Designer

Upcoming Exhibitions & Art Shows

2nd Annual Hilton Head Island Art Festival at Shelter Cove Harbor

May 29-30, 2010

Hilton Head, SC

20th Anniversary Art in the Village

June 5-6, 2010

Cleveland, OH

Downtown Louisville Art Festival at Fourth Street Live!
June 12-13, 2010
Louisville, KY

2010 Boardwalk Art Show Festival
June 17-20, 2010

Virginia Beach, VA

49th Annual Downtown Grand Haven Art Festival

June 26-27, 2010
Grand Haven, MI

East Hampton Fine Arts Festival

July 3-5, 2010

Amagansett, NY

American Orchid Society Project

Don and I have been very fortunate over the past few years to have cultivated a wonderful relationship with the American Orchid Society. One outgrowth of this relationship has been a new line of Sterling Silver charms called the "AOS Winner's Circle". These charms were sculpted using AOS award winning flowers as the models. With the purchase of any of these charms comes a small card which has a picture of the award winning flower as well as a brief history of the awards it's won and it's origins. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of these charms will be donated back to the American Orchid Society. The charm bracelet pictured is also part of the "AOS Winners Circle" line. It features 12 gauge jump ring construction, lending itself to easy attachment and rearrangement of charms as well as a very strong framework to hold these beautiful miniature works of art. Also features a large Infinity clasp making it easy to put on and secure to wear anywhere. Click Here for Additional Information

New Product Announcement:

Fan Coral Bracelet with
Australian Boulder Opal

From my first glimpse of this Boulder Opal stone, I knew I wanted to make something spectacular with it! It has such depth and color, it takes me back to the Bahamas, snorkeling over a sandy bottom with outcroppings of rock and coral.

This Fan Coral Bracelet design was formed from overlapping fan coral shapes in Sterling Silver and 14K Gold. If you squint your eyes, you'll see the movement of the fan coral in the ocean current. The resulting effect adds dimension and movement to the piece, and creates a magnificent frame to display the Boulder Opal.

This new piece was first shown at The Gasparilla Arts Festival in St Petersburg, Florida. It was selected for judging, and ultimately received an Award of Merit! What an honor!

Click here for additional information.

New Product Announcement:
Mini Ghost Orchid Earrings

Since the introduction of our full size Ghost Orchid Pendant, many of you have requested a smaller version either for earrings or for a more petite pendant. Well...it took a while, but they're ready now!

As you can see in the attached picture, the new design has a new "personality" with it's "legs" taking a much more natural twist. I hope you like the look, it makes me smile every time I look at it!

These new Mini Ghost Orchids are available in three earring configurations...stud, lever back, and french wire. Also available are pendant and lapel pin.
Click here for details.

New Product Announcement:

Calla Lily Necklace

As promised in our last newsletter, the new Calla Lily Necklace is now complete!

When I created this piece in wax, I knew it was going to be something special. But I had no idea it would look this good! The contrast of the highly polished Calla Lily flower next to the textured finish of the naturally frilly leaves lends to this design a character and personality all it's own.

Cast is Sterling Silver with 14K Gold pistol in the Calla Lily flower, this necklace also features a chain and clasp at the back to make it easy to put on, and comfortable to wear.
Click here for details.

Hinged Bamboo Cuff

Yes, I've talked this one up so much it's about time I made good on all the promises! I think you'll agree though, this new design was well worth the wait! As many of you have found, bangles are generally tough to fit properly. Too tight to fit over the knuckle...too loose once it's on. But that problem is in the past now. Because of our new spring hinge design, putting on this new bangle is easy and pain free!

This new coil design is cast in Sterling Silver with my signature bamboo leaf accents in 14K yellow gold. Truly an elegant design that's also comfortable to wear!

Event Highlights

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival 2010 was another landmark event! As a very well established event in an area of South Florida that really appreciates art, this show seems to continually break records in both attendance and quality of artists!

We were proud to be one of the 360 artists participating!

One of the highlights of the show was the sale of my first men's ring. This ring featured a 16mm Blue Star Sapphire in a Sterling Silver and 14K Gold setting. Our customer was so pleased to find a replacement
for a Star Sapphire ring he owned years ago!

One of our neighboring artists at the show was David Berger. At set-up time, we discovered a nest of Africanized bees in a tree directly behind our booths! Long story short...the bees took particular dislike of David, making his set-up particularly challenging...and painful. As you can see by the attached picture, David is a very talented artist working in oils...and a very nice guy to talk to (don't know what it is about the bees). I hope you'll look for him at future shows. www.bergerartstudio.com

Linda Cathcart was a vendor at the show too. She is the owner of Tropiflora Nurseries of Sarasota. Turns out she's from Lincolnton, NC...only a few miles from where I grew up in Cornelius, NC. It was fun visiting with her and talking about her beautiful tropical plants! www.tropifloral.com






Larry and Sherry Paulsen were also
participants at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival. Larry and Sherry have a unique line of art prints illustrating points of interest in the local area in which they are showing. For instance, at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival they were showing a collection of art prints that included the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Viscaya Mansion, and the Coconut Grove Playhouse. If you have a favorite landmark in your local area, you might check their website at www.cityartmarket.com They just might have it!

Ronnie Hughes, one more notable artist from Coconut Grove works in glass. His botanical designs are amazing, including many exotic orchids. Now you know what attracted me to his display. www.hughesglass.net

With all the visiting going on with all our fellow festival participants you'd think I didn't have time to sell anything. But believe me this was a wonderfully successful show. Thanks so much to all of you who made the Coconut Grove Arts Festival one of our most successful ever!

Events: Mount Dora Festival

It was a stormy night for set-up at our first showing in Mount Dora. That combined with being located on a sloping booth space made for a challenging set-up.
But come Saturday morning it was all behind us, and even though we had a few sprinkles here and there, the show was on and the streets were full of smiling faces!...though some were bundled up just a bit.
As those of you who visited us there will attest, the show was an exciting place to be, and the level of art on display was exemplary!
Mount Dora is a beautiful town, with tree lined streets, old Craftsmen style homes, in view of a picturesque lake to the west of town. The downtown area is brimming with interesting shops, bakeries, and restaurants. A place we'd like to visit some time when we can take it all in...a little at a time.

Calla Lily Collection

The Calla Lily has long been a favorite of mine and I've been working lately on a new group of pieces featuring these amazingly beautiful blooms. This newest Calla Lily design is big and bold, with the flower lip extending out over adjacent fingers. It's available in all Sterling Silver, Sterling Silver with 14K Gold pistol, and in Sterling Silver with 14K Gold pistol and Ruby, Sapphire or Diamond set in the tip. Having shown this new ring now at our last two shows, one customer commented that it's beautiful, but just not large enough for her...! So she paired up two of them on one finger, and we were both amazed at the result! The two flowers fit together like they were made that way. I think you'll agree, the new Calla Lily Ring is a great addition to our line...and if you like the ring, you're going to love the necklace coming soon!

Baroque Pearl Pendant

If you like unique pieces of art, you're going to love this new pearl pendant. Formed around a very large baroque pearl with pronounced nodelles, I have designed a setting of fan coral and plate coral in both Sterling Silver and 14K Yellow Gold. And, to keep this piece looking shiny and new, I've added a Rhodium Plating to the Sterling Silver. It's designed to accept a medium to large width Omega Chain, or a conventional chain up to 4.5 mm in diameter. Because of the unique shape of each baroque pearl, this piece is one of a kind.

14K Oncidium Pendant - AOS Auction

Golden Anniversary for Southland Orchid Show

Twice a year the American Orchid Society has a Members Meeting which is hosted by an affiliated orchid society. This week we’ll have the Fall 2009 AOS Members’ Meeting in California outside of Los Angeles at the fabulous Huntington Library & Gardens from October 16 – 19th.

The meeting is being hosted by both the Huntington and the Southland Orchid Growers Show – this is the 50th Anniversary for the Southland Orchid Show and in celebration of that they have a special poster and AOS has a special pendant.

You can find the show information and the poster at www.aos.org under Events and Members Meetings. The Southland Orchid Show poster shows one flower of Oncidium Jiuhbao Gold ‘Tainan’ AM/AOS which has been reproduced in 14K yellow gold by award winning orchid artist Dawn Vertrees. Jeff Bradley, longtime AOS member, commissioned the gold oncidium pendant which will be auctioned off, along with exciting orchid trips, special orchids as well as other items at the AOS auction on Friday, October 16th at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Arcadia, California. Auction preview at 5:30 PM, bidding beings at 6:30 PM.

Everyone is invited to attend the auction – registration is not necessary. If you want more information and would like to bid on this piece please contact Susan Wayman at 561-404-2031 or swayman@aos.org or Carol Holdren affiliated_societies@aos.org

Kudzu...Could this be my next cuff?

Kudzu? Let's Vote...

HEALTHY FOODS - KUDZU

Why should I be eating kudzu

Kudzu is a plant native to Japan and China. Its root has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine where it is considered to be among the top 50 therapeutic herbs. Practitioners of Chinese medicine use kudzu to treat a range of conditions, including excessive thirst, headaches, high blood pressure and angina. Other uses include diarrhoea, allergies, migraines, headaches and alcoholism.

Kudzu is also a useful cooking ingredient as it can be used as a gluten and corn-free thickener in soups and sauces. You can find it in health food shops and Japanese food shops.

What is it rich in?

Kudzu root contains isoflavones such as Daidzein. Animal studies indicate that Daidzein may reduce the desire for alcohol. Studies with alcoholic people show mixed results but heavy alcohol drinkers given 1000 milligrams of kudzu extract three times a day for a week significantly reduced their beer consumption. Daidzein also has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.

Who should eat kudzu?

Those suffering from high blood pressure or angina pectoris

Those suffering from blood sugar imbalances. The fibre in kudzu slows the release of sugar from carbohydrates thus reducing blood sugar highs and lows

Those with intolerances or allergies to gluten and/or corn starch can use kudzu as a thickener

Serving suggestion and amounts

Therapeutic doses of kudzu vary from 10-100 milligrams of the extract 2-3 times a day. However, as a culinary root 1-2 tablespoons in a sauce is usually sufficient to thicken it.

How interesting... And we thought it was just a pesky plant that's taking over the South!

Any comments?

...a few new rings

Bamboo Bands