Have a Magnetic Valentine's Day

For Valentine's Day, ArtWalk is featuring one of its newest jewelers.

Kim Parke, from Oakboro, has available a display of magnetic necklaces and bracelets. Many people use magnetic jewelry for the health benefits, but Parke also turns them into stylish and sophisticated pieces.

Parke uses hematite, crystal, goldstone, pearls, amethyst, turquoise, jasper, tiger eye and a variety of glass beads interspersed with shiny, gunmetal magnetic beads. She makes both single- and double-strand bracelets and single-strand necklaces, some of which feature a cluster of tapered, bar shaped stones that splay out like a fan when worn.

She also has a variety of specialty bracelets for breast cancer awareness with pink beads and a silver ribbon charm inscribed with the word, "Hope."

Information about the history of the use of magnets for their health benefits and about proper and safe usage can be found in Parke's booth at ArtWalk.

Kim Parke's magnetic jewelry can be found on ArtWalk's main level next to the register area. With three and a half floors and more than 300 local, regional and national artists, ArtWalk is located at 611 W. King St. (across from Mast General Store) Boone, N.C. 28607. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. For more information, call (828) 264-9998, e-mail (artwalkboone@yahoo.com) or visit http://www.artwalkboone.com.

---

Gallery Times

Gallery Times is a weekly feature of The Mountain Times, featuring short news items submitted by local galleries.

For more information or to make a submission, contact editor Frank Ruggiero at (frank@mountaintimes.com) or (828) 264-6397.