Monday, June 27, 2011

Feed Our Furry Friends! The Event!

Thanks to everyone who came out to the inaugural Feed Our Furry Friends!! event to support the Pet Food Assistance Program, and big thanks to everyone from the Animal Compassion Network and all our wonderful volunteers who helped make it happen!

We'll have more posts highlighting some of our sponsors and artists who participated, but first a few images from the beautiful day:

Passers by may have noticed our own Scooby Neuter waving them over
to the terrace at the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park

The Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park was a beautiful setting, and many thanks again to our
wonderful hosts not only for use of their terrace, but for keeping us well
supplied in water, tea, yummy nibbles and mimosas!

We were thrilled to have special guest Hilton (poster dog of the Stay Hilton, Stay!
program at the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park) spend some time with us on the terrace!

Many folks who attended also brought much appreciated donations of pet food,
that were gratefully received in barrels decorated by members of
Claxton Elementary Girl Scout Troops.

Attendees scooped up baggies filled with coupons from area businesses,
as well as the chance to win our Grand Prize and a hand made pet food bowl.

After picking out a beautiful, hand made pet food bowl, many
attendees made bids on some of our silent auction items.

Loved these fun pet beds by Asheville Area Professional Pet Sitter's Lauren Sage!!

It was great to see so many people bring their furry friends, and many of them enjoyed a free 'pawdicure' and cool doggie ice cream treat from The Hop while they visited!







a furry friend is being properly fawned over in mid-pawdicure on the right,
while others peruse the goodies available from Pet Harmony.

We had some hearty, artistic souls stop to decorate bowls for their own furry friends:

You may know her as the manager of Pet Harmony, or perhaps as BRRG member
She Wrex, but did you also know she paints?


Krista made a beautiful water bowl for her furry friend

Haley painted two bowls, one for sweet Buster who was at the event with her...

and one for another family furry friend!

Thanks again to everyone who helped make this event a success!!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Silent Auction Highlight: Moxie Jewelry Design



Another great addition to our Silent Auction table is this beautiful necklace (that also has matching earrings!) from Moxie Jewelry Design. This is an 18" necklace featuring a green agate druzy pendant, adorned by rich jade, green agate, hand carved rose jasper, and finished with sterling silver chain.

Amy Litteral is the artist behind Moxie, and here's a little more about her:

My love for gemstones began when my best friend introduced me to the world of sterling silver and amethysts. My healing arts background lent to my desire to learn about the healing properties of stones. Then, while recovering from surgery I happened upon a bead store and the rest is Moxie history. I have been beading and designing jewelry for eight years now. I only use the highest quality materials in my designs and use beads that originate from all over world.

Amy is based here in Asheville, and you can see and order her work from her Etsy Shop. We are so grateful for Amy's generous donation and support of our furry friends!

Oh, How We Love the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park!!

We've said and will continue to say how much we appreciate all of our sponsors and donors, and we love to highlight as many reasons why!


The Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park has been a strong partner in past events for Animal Compassion Network, and this weekend, the hotel is more than just the gracious host for our inaugural Feed Our Furry Friends!! event, although they are most certainly the most gracious host and we give special thanks to General Manager Stan Turner. In addition to letting us take over their courtyard on Saturday, they are also providing the complimentary mimosas that we'll be pouring!


And the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park cares for its guests and the environment just like it cares for its furry friends! In addition to being a beautiful, luxurious hotel perfectly situated among the restaurants and shops of Biltmore Park and within a short drive of Biltmore Estate and downtown Asheville, the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park was also awarded LEED Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The hotel is one of the first in the nation to utilize a large-scale solar water heating system, and it is 100% non-smoking. It is also home to another of our beloved sponsors, Sensibilities Day Spa, where hotel guests and devoted locals enjoy exquisite spa services, using organic products and given by caring professionals who treat each client as the most favorite client.


We may be biased, but we think one of the best features of the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park is that they are pet-friendly! Not only pet-friendly, but through the end of September, through their "Stay Hilton, Stay!" program, they will donate $5 for every pet reservation made at the hotel. So if you're thinking of coming to town for this event, not only can you stay at the event hotel, but you'll be helping us AGAIN by doing so!


And when you come to the event, you'll also be able to meet the mascot of the Stay Hilton, Stay! program himself, the beautiful Hilton.


Thank you Stan Turner and everyone at the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park!!

Feed Our Furry Friends!: the Event!


Our inaugural Feed Our Furry Friends is really coming together, and not only are we thrilled at the outpouring of support by local artists and businesses, we just can't wait to share it all with you and your furry friends!

With every $20 ticket entry (or $10 plus 10 cans of food or a bag of dry), you'll receive a set of coupons from area businesses, including Pet Harmony, Sensibilities Day Spa, Moda, Shades of Green, Dog Oasis and more, worth well over the ticket price. You'll also receive a sweet doggie treat, courtesy of Woof Gang Bakery, wrapped with a message. The message will either be one of appreciation for your help in supporting the Pet Food Assistance Program, or it will be a congratulations, because you've just won a handmade ceramic pet food bowl!

The pet food bowls will be on full display, and each winner may choose from cat or dog food and/or water bowls. There will also be a handful of bowls available for personalization - it's first come first serve, so come early for your best chance and biggest selection!


Each attendee will also have the opportunity to enter the drawing for our Grand Prize, a luxurious package of goodies worth over $350!

We've also received some incredible donations from area artists and businesses that will be on display on the Silent Auction table. Beautiful jewlery, clever artwork, gift certificates from area businesses and even detailing for your car!

And for your furry friend, if you'd like to bring him/her, we'll have complimentary 'paw-dicures', while you enjoy a complimentary mimosa courtesy of the Hilton Biltmore Park. Speaking of Hilton, the one and only Hilton of the famed 'Stay, Hilton, Stay' program will be on hand to say hello!

We hope you'll join us for this fun-filled event that will directly benefit Animal Compassion Network's Pet Food Assistance Program. And thanks for helping us feed our furry friends!!

More Silent Auction Highlights!

More special thanks to these sponsors for their generous donations to our Silent Auction table. All proceeds benefit the Pet Food Assistance program, so come early and bid often to support our Furry Friends!!


(2) $100 Gift Certificates

Gift Certificate for Cause for Celebration Spa Package

Gift Certificate for Car Detailing

Gift Certificate for Grooming Services

$100 Gift Certificate toward an Argentium Sterling Silver Cylinder Pet Cremation Pendant in memory of your precious pet.

Gift Certificate to make your own pet food bowl


Feed Our Furry Friends: you can win this fabulous Grand Prize!


We are so grateful to all of our sponsors and donors who are helping us make this inaugural Feed Our Furry Friends!! a success and who are supporting our efforts to raise awareness and funds for our Pet Food Assistance Program.

At the event this Saturday at the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park, every attendee will have a chance to enter a drawing for our Grand Prize:


This luxurious prize will pamper both furry friend and human companion! The large basket is a 'Thymes Basket' from Sensibilities Day Spa, and includes a dreamy, comfy robe and Thymes skin and bath products, all valued at over $240.



The other half of the Grand Prize includes a handmade ceramic dog food or water bowl from Crazy Green Studios, a lovely cat food & water set from Dawn Dalto Ceramics, and a bevy of goodies and treats for both canine and feline from Pet Harmony, total value over $150.

We are honored that so many talented artists and businesses are coming forward to support our efforts, and we look forward to celebrating their works at the event this Saturday!

Silent Auction Highlight: Denise Baker

Denise Baker is an Asheville potter who makes functional pottery. She has been a huge supporter of Asheville Empty Bowls, donating dozens and dozens of her beautiful hand made creations to the annual event. She's channeling that same passion and support to our Furry Friends and has donated a variety of bowls that are perfect for food and/or water for your furry friend!


These are just a few among the many, many bowls that Denise has donated that will be going home with lucky attendees at this Saturday's event. Come early so you'll get first pick!

Thank you Denise!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Silent Auction Highlight: Crazy Green Studios

Lori Theriault of Crazy Green Studios brought the idea of Feed Our Furry Friends!! to us last year after hearing about the Pet Food Assistance Program and how it connected with various agencies in the area to help keep families together by helping those in need make sure their animal companions continued to get the food they need. Her experiences with the Asheville Empty Bowls project and MANNA FoodBank (one of our partner agencies) have been valuable as we work our way through this inaugural event.

In addition to the pet food bowls that Lori has made and is donating for the event (more on how you can get one in a future post), she's donated more of her hand made pottery for our Silent Auction table:

these beautiful wheel-thrown tumblers are
made with non-toxic clay and glazes
and are dishwasher safe


About the artist, Lori Theriault:

When not tending to the furry friends at home or fostering for ACN, Lori makes functional and decorative pottery and tiles in her studio at Riverview Station in Asheville's River Arts District, and teaches private workshops at Bitterweet Studios at Bittersweet Cottage. Her work is available in Asheville at Grovewood Gallery at the Grove Park Inn, and downtown at Atelier 24 Lexington Gallery, Sensibilities Day Spa and at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. You can see more of her work at her blog or on facebook. A technical glitch is currently preventing her from updating her website, but check it out as well as it will hopefully be back in play very soon.

Feed Our Furry Friends: Grand Prize sneak peek, pt 1

We are all so excited about the inaugural Feed Our Furry Friends!!, and so happy at the outpouring of support from artists and businesses who are supporting the Pet Food Assistance Program through their generous donations for the event this Saturday (click here for event details)!

Today, a peek at part of the Grand Prize that will go to one lucky attendee! The Grand Prize is valued at over $300, and includes a luxurious Thymes Package from Sensibilities Day Spa and beautiful, locally hand crafted pet food bowls filled with treats for your kitty or puppy companion(s). Here's a peek at some of what's included:


this sweet set for your special feline friend
includes a dish for wet food, a dish for dry,
and a bowl for water.
Handmade by Dawn Dalto

About the artist, Dawn Dalto:

The need to work and create with my hands has been a life long driving force. As a child I learned needlework from my grandmothers. This skill later led to working with needlewoven beadwork. When introduced to clay in 2006 I merged the problem solving and attention to detail of these mediums into my work with clay.

My ceramic work is both decorative and functional. . Forms are mathematically configured with attention to their structure and use, both as individual objects and part of a larger grouping. I consider how the theme of each object will interact to form a family grouping with another.

Creating both decorative and functional work allows me the opportunity to explore in different ways. I have the luxury of creating designs that will be purely for decorative enjoyment as well as the challenge of how to incorporate some of those same themes into objects that will be used in daily life.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Silent Auction Highlight: Lefler Design Studio

Show your love for your furry friend by sporting one of these lovely, hand crafted 'paw' pendants by Asheville artist Terri Lefler of Lefler Design Studio.  These pendants, as well as a $100 gift certificate toward a custom urn pendant, will be among the items available at our Silent Auction table this Saturday at the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park:


Terri has been a designer for 20 years. In 1991, she received her Masters degree from the College of Design at North Carolina State University and built a successful career as a Landscape Architect, thriving on the art and craft of detailed garden design. Intrigued by applying her skills to other forms of design, she re-focused her talents in 2002 to pursue other facets of creative expression. Beginning with a 2-year apprenticeship in a traditional stained glass studio, she moved from the architectural nature of stained glass to detailed glass and metal work pieces. Her fascination with fine metal work led her to study under a master metal smith which further refined her craft. She continues perfecting her techniques, and exploring new ones in her studio in Asheville, NC.

Terri Lefler

Feed Our Furry Friends! Saturday, June 25, 2011

When you attend Feed Our Furry Friends! this Saturday at the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park, you'll receive a special treat for your own furry friend, donated by our friends at Woof Gang Bakery.


Each treat is also a chance to win! One Grand Prize winner will receive a luxurious gift basket from Sensibilities Day Spa, plus a hand made dog or cat food bowl filled with treats!  Additional winners will be able to choose among other hand made pet food bowls, or they may choose to decorate and personalize a bowl for their own special furry friend.

Stay tuned for more info this week, as well as a sneak peek at some of the wonderful items available at our Silent Auction table!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Call to Artists - help us Feed Our Furry Friends!

Artists, crafters and pet lovers!  Animal Compassion Network (ACN) understands unexpected things happen in life, and sometimes our friends and neighbors need a little help feeding beloved family pets until things get better.  ACN provides free pet food to our community partners*, who distribute it for us to families in need — at no charge. 

2011 marks the 10-year anniversary of Animal Compassion Network's Pet Food Assistance Program.  Since the program's inception in 2001, ACN has provided approximately 250,000 meals to hungry cats and dogs throughout Western North Carolina.

On Saturday, June 25 from 10am to 2pm, our friends at the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park will host ACN's inaugural Feed Our Furry Friends!! an Empty Bowls Project benefit to raise awareness and funds for our Pet Food Assistance Program.  We need your help to make this event memorable not only for raising awareness and much needed funds, but for showing our Asheville Pet Love in the form of your talent and creations!

We are asking local artists and crafters who make wares suitable for pt food bowls to donate as many finished pieces as they wish for sale at this event (all pet food containers must be non-toxic and food safe).  Any potters who wish to donate bisque-fired bowls that may be decorated for later firing are also welcome to inquire.  Other hand crafted items for pets will also be much appreciated, including pet accessories and gift certificates for services such as pet sitting, grooming, photography, etc.

If you have a hand-made product or service you wish to donate, please contact Lori Theriault at lori '@' crazygreenstudios.com.

And please plan to attend the event with your own furry friend!  This will be a pet-friendly event on the Terrace at the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park, and each artist who donates pieces for the event will reeive a complimentary ticket!

Donations may be dropped off at Pet Harmony, 803 Fairview Street, Asheville, NC Monday - Saturday between 10am and 6pm.  We're also happy to pick up your donation(s), just contact Lori to arrange the date and time.


Saturday, April 30, 2011

Save the Date!!

Feed Our Furry Friends - an Empty Bowls Project to benefit the Pet Food Assistance Program of the Animal Compassion Network.


When: Saturday, June 25, 2010, from 10:00am - 2:00pm
Where: The Hilton at Biltmore Park Town Square, in the Courtyard


Stay tuned for more information!!