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By art afficionado, Judith Voglesonger of JWV Artists

Purchasing original art is an intimidating prospect for many. Where do you go to buy it? What’s a fair price? Will it look good in my home? Where is the best place to hang it? How do I hang it? I have a great little anecdote that answers all of those questions in the context of JWV Artists. May I share with you… ‘THE STORY OF ERIN’…a JWV Artists success story.

I invited Erin to the JWV Artists Fall Show. She told me that she probably wouldn’t be able to make it, so I was surprised when she showed up bright an early the first morning. She brought her camera filled with pictures of her lovely home and existing art collection, as well as potential art spaces. After walking through my home gallery for an hour, she pulled me aside and told me that she liked three pieces in particular, but she didn’t know where they might work in her home. We looked through her catalogue of pictures and I was able to help her envision repositioning her existing art and capitalizing on the WOW factor of the fabulous pieces she had selected. We loaded the art into her car and she took the pieces home on loan with the understanding that I would meet her at her house after the show that day to help her with this process.

Today is the perfect day to unveil our next giveaway that will infuse your home with oh so familiar scents. Ella B. Pure Soy Candles are hand-poured in small batches right here in Charlotte. Each candle bears a distinctively “Charlotte” name and boasts a delightful, unique fragrance and exceptionally long burn time.

Founder of Ella B., Smarty Mama Julie Tassy, started the Ella B. Candle line to show her children how to create a product line. She has always enjoyed business, and wanted to pass that on to her girls. From the finances to the merchandising to the marketing, this is a 100% family business, right here in Charlotte!

Soy candles provide a longer, cleaner burn than paraffin candles. And soy is an American-grown agricultural product, not an imported petroleum product. The fragrance “throw” is wonderful. In fact, you don’t even have to light it to enjoy the fragrance.

Julie decided to name each fragrance after a different neighborhood or area of Charlotte because she wanted something special for our city, and Lord knows, we Charlotteans are so proud of our hoods! I have SouthPark, my hood, and Dilworth, my favorite Ella B. candle – they are so yum!!

Smarties, mark your calendars, the JWV Artists Art Show is back and will take place next week! We introduced you to Smarty Mom Judith Voglesonger back in the spring. We absolutely adore her and how she is bringing original art and photography into our homes at affordable prices!

Judith is the mastermind behind JWV Artists, a fabulous concept for Smarty Mamas all over Charlotte. Her mission is simple, to share her love of art and inspire other moms to take down the Pottery Barn prints and move onto the big girl art. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to buy a piece of art. You just have to trust your instincts and go with what you love and what moves you. It will truly reinvent your home.

Perfectly easy, simple steps to create a lovely and comfortable bed.

Moms need sleep like babies need bottles. We thrive on 40 winks. Why not create a welcoming place to rest your mind and body? I recently read Southern Living’s secrets on how to create a beautiful bed each and everyday. It inspired me and I’ve so enjoyed the new classic look of my bedroom these simple steps helped me create!

1. Invest in Classic Linens Always buy the best linens you can afford. Choose a matching set of sheets, standard shams, and a duvet cover in white or ivory. Then add a solid-colored, lightweight quilt or coverlet with coordinating European shams. Pick bedding that is light in color and made of linen or cotton—it’s easy to maintain and always in style.