Stepping into Spring Show to Offer Ideas and Chance to Shop

A sparrow adorns the “Tree of Life,” one of many designs that will be offered by Cate Creations during Saturday’s Women of Vision fashion show at the Morristown Country Club Saturday.

Those who join in the fun of Stepping into Spring, a fashion show hosted by Carson-Newman’s Women of Vision on Saturday, April 21, will have the opportunity to gather style ideas for wardrobe and home. Organizers say attendees the Morristown Country Club event will also have opportunities to bid in a silent auction and shop an array of vendor booths.

Tickets are $50 each and may be purchased through Robbie Pinkerton (865-387-3917), Barbara Shealy (865-384-9002), or Sheila Wiggins (865-368-6296). Doors will open at 10:00 a.m. for shopping and the silent auction. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m.

While fashion trends will be showcased by Sweetwater’s The Paris Apartment, vendors will offer a variety of items for purchase, including antique linens, handmade jewelry, original art work and painted furniture. Those who will display their wares, handmade items and trinkets were offered a chance to talk about their work. They include:

Carol DeMonbreun’s Sputtmuggins Painted Furniture – “I operate Framing by Carol at Cumberland Glass Company, in Morristown. I have been in the framing business about 31 years. I began “up -cycling” years ago when I was in my early twenties. I used furniture that was not being used by anyone and was in danger of being either discarded or given away. I would save it and then paint or re-cover it to suit my needs.”

Carolyn White Fashions – “Some friends and I purchased our favorite yarn shop in 1993, and knitting became my passion. A move from Kingsport to Knoxville in 2003 ended my stint with the shop, so I turned my focus to knitting for retail in order to support my passion.”

Pam Harmon’s Village 2 World – “Village 2 World is a fair trade business from South Asia which produces 100% eco-friendly items made from a range of natural and recycled materials. Our jewelry is hand strung with local materials by our women artisans. Our goal is to build a sustainable future on the artisans’ own abilities and to improve their quality of lives.”

Sandra Pierce’s FunBangles – “I am from Aiken, South Carolina. I started making jewelry about 10 years ago because I was looking for something fun to do in retirement. FunBangles, came about because my original focus was jewelry. Over the years, however, my crafty side has come out as I have added other products.”

Donna C. Harmon’s Original Oils and Watercolors – “I was raised in East Tennessee surrounded by the beauty of the Smoky Mountains and gorgeous lakes. I graduated from the University of Tennessee and moved all over the world with my growing family. I love expressive color, and I lean toward the Impressionist style. I want the viewer to step into the painting and imagine that he or she is there. My painting is a journey and I have only just begun.”

Other vendors include Patty Lewis, a potter from Knoxville; The Gardener’s Cottage, of Asheville, North Carolina; Tammy McClain, of Arbonne Swiss Beauty Products in Mt. Carmel; Susanne Cate, of Cate Creations handmade jewelry in Dandridge; and Susan Nowell’s My Place to Yours, a Jefferson City antique linen dealer.

Women of Vision was established by Kay O’Brien, wife of C-N president Randall O’Brien, and friends in 2010 as a vehicle for women who love Carson-Newman and want to help advance its mission. Ruth Graham, the third of evangelist Billy Graham’s five children, is the group’s honorary chair; delivered the keynote address at the group’s inaugural luncheon last year. Most of the 200 women present joined the group.

While the organization facilitates donations, there are no dues. Those who join are encouraged to contribute while seeking ways to help that fit their particular abilities and gifts.

More information on C-N’s Women of Vision is available at http://www.cn.edu/wov.