Inspiration - Gina's BLOG
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A Gift Worth Giving ... a Story Worth Sharing.
 Jane Ward has dedicated her life to helping others. Back in the early 1970's Jane was involved in a church mission to mentor poor women who were on welfare. She was paired with a woman whose case seemed hopeless; she had no education and was taking care of a disabled husband. After much prayer Jane decided to try to see what she could do. Over the next several years Jane worked with her in all aspects of her life: education, career, family and eventually she helped that woman transform her life. She completed her education and became a nurse.
The other women in the church saw what Jane's dedication and love had done in that woman's life and asked her to become the director at The Little Schoolhouse. The Little Schoolhouse is a Christian motivated daycare facility for children in low income homes. It is a non-profit organization, functioning through government grants and subsidies and private gifts. Their mission for the last 43 years has been to preserve families while providing a loving, nurturing environment for the children.
 In 1978 Jane Ward accepted the position as director and since then has dedicated her life to those children and that facility. She has worked very hard at making The Little Schoolhouse excel. Under Jane's directorship, The Little Schoolhouse has become an accredited, professional learning environment. It has been awarded the highest rating of Five Stars by the Broward County Quality Rating System and the Gold Seal Quality of Care. Those awards are the very highest awards that a childcare facility can get.
 Jane's enthusiasm is infectious. She sets a goal and achieves it and she makes others want to be involved. Through the help of volunteers, The Little Schoolhouse also provides science and music lessons. Not only does the facility provide childcare, but quality childcare and when the children leave they are well equipped and ready for grade school. In Jane's 33 years over 2,000 children have graduated from The Little Schoolhouse and have gone on to grade school. It is amazing how many lives one life can touch. After 33 years of service, Jane Ward retired on November 11, 2011.
 The Board of Directors was looking for a special gift to thank her for her tireless effort and dedication to The Little Schoolhouse. Knowing that Jane is an avid collector of angels (which seems fitting because she truly is an angel here on Earth), we began looking for the perfect gift. We searched for several weeks before coming upon a website that featured Gina Freehill's Peace and Harmony Angel. The inscription "May Peace and  Harmony resonate throughout your life with resounding joy" was a perfect way for us to say thank you for everything you have done. We were able to get a metal plate inscribed and affixed to the wooden base that included her name, The Little Schoolhouse and the dates she worked there. Jane absolutely LOVED the angel when we presented it to her at her retirement lunch. She says she has a very special place for it in her new home. Now she will always look upon that angel and remember all of the thousands of lives she has touched and know what a blessing her life is.
Story submitted by -
Gina Wilkerson
A Story to Share! 
We invite your to share your own inspirational stories with us. Your story of inspiration may be the turning point in someone else's life to become an "angel on Earth", a messenger of peace or simply a person with compassion for those in need of care. Time is the most precious thing we have to share.
Share your inspirational story with us: info@GinaFreehill.com
SURTEX Show 2011 Report
 New York, New York, I love New York!!! May 13th, 2011 my partner and I flew out to Manhattan, NY, to showcase my artwork at the Surtex Art Licensing show being held at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center. Attending were over 6,000 professionals from 49 countries (12% of attendance was international) walking the aisles seeking new artwork, scoping the latest trends, establishing new relationships and networking. As an artist I find this event to be very exciting, to be approached by different manufactures and buyers who are looking to art licensing your artwork to put on  their products and sell to consumers world wide is fantastic! This year we showcased one of my new collections "Rhapcity." This collection was inspired by my love for the city  and fashion! I created city vignettes that mix and match with a variety of patterns. Adding silhouetted Rhapcity girls added another layer of fashion fun! This collection was well received and will be seen on wall murals, hand bags, umbrellas, scarfs and posters in 2012!
Surtex brings artists from all over the world and runs alongside the National Stationery Show! In one area of the show was featured a competition for designing dresses of various fashion ages made completely out  of PAPER!!! "WOW!" So unique and exceptionally well executed! "Hmmm ... I wonder how much a paper dress goes for these days? LOL, don't get caught in the rain!
We always like to site see and explore the streets of New York! Shopping on Broadway, eating fabulous food! One of our favorite bakeries is Ferrara's they have the best pastries, gelato and cappuccino ever! "YUM!"
Preparing for SURTEX Art Licensing Show
As had been previously announced on my Events Calendar and Facebook page, I will be attending SURTEX 2011. Briefly, this is the largest and most significant Art Licensing Show in the U.S., attracting an international audience. Many have shown interest, inquiring about me exhibiting there this May. Like any out-of-state venture there is plenty of time and preparation involved, but the SURTEX Show requires a bit more planning and prep work than one might think. That is why I'm giving this quick run down to share some insight about the scope of this task.
First and foremost is the ARTWORK. Organizing hundreds of pieces of artwork into a cohesive statement for several different design collections is a daunting task itself. Most all artists and designer would agree this is where the most time is spent throughout the year already. For SURTEX, it's preparing portfolios by adding and subtracting art, printing, naming, labeling and cataloging.
 Next I'll mention Booth presentation. Here's your opportunity to make a bold, eye-catching statement that will help attract attendees nearby, and from a distance, to come to your booth and learn more. Measuring, planning, printing, proofing, testing and preparing for shipping to NY, all takes time. I'm very excited about my display setup this year, using scaled up artwork from "Rhapcity", one of my new design collections, as a graphic display back drop. I'll post photos to Facebook once it's setup.
With so much more to mention I'll capsulize. There are several Press Kits to develop, video, press release and magazine ads to submit/publish and online submissions. Also, coordinating advanced client meetings, dinner party reservations, shipping of licensed product, setup materials, any tools needed, display and artwork to the hotel/show. Of course there's booking flights and hotel reservations. Also, you can't forget selecting your wardrobe–you're part of the package that you're selling. Plus you know, look good, feel good ... it's all good. And last but certainly not least, secure a schedule of family gaurdianship for your precious children if you have them.
Whew, it's tiring to think about it all. Fortunately, I'd say we're 98% ready. BECAUSE, I still have a few more pieces of art I'm considering for show. That'll never end! ;-)
View a snapshot of some New Design Collections ->
The story about Saint Valentine's Day
In 270 A.D., marriage had been outlawed by the emperor of Rome, Claudius II. Claudius issued this decree because he thought that married men made bad soldiers since they were reluctant to be torn away from their families in the case of war. Claudius had also outlawed Christianity in this time period because he wished to be praised as the one supreme god, the Emperor of Rome. Valentine was the bishop of Interamna during this period of oppression. Valentine thought that the decrees of Rome were wrong. He believed that  people should be free to love God and to marry. Valentine invited the young couples of the area to come to him. When they came, Valentine secretly performed services of matrimony and united the couples. He  married Christian couples and aided any Christians who were being persecuted under the Emperor.
Valentine (Valentinus) was a holy priest in Rome, who, with St. Marius and his family, assisted the martyrs in the persecution under Claudius II. Valentine was eventually caught and was brought before the emperor. The emperor saw that Valentine had conviction and drive that was unsurpassed among his men and took a liking to him. Claudius tried and tried to persuade Valentine to leave Christianity, serve the Roman empire and the Roman gods. In exchange, Claudius would pardon him and make him one of his allies. St. Valentine held to his faith and did not renounce Christ. Because of this, the emperor sentenced him to a three-part execution. First, Valentine would be beaten, then stoned, and then finally, decapitated. Valentine died on February 14th, 270 A.D.
While in prison, waiting for his sentence to be carried out, Valentine fell in love with the jailer's daughter, the blind Asterius. During the course of Valentine's prison stay, a miracle occurred and Asterius regained her sight. Valentine sent her a final farewell note. He signed his last note, "From Your Valentine." Even today, this message remains as the motto for our Valentine's Day celebrations.
We are very excited to announce that Gina has been invited back to QVC this October 12, 2010 to appear for two separate showtimes on QVC's "Christmas Shoppe" and "Deck the Halls" segments. Times and dates are listed below. We hope you can join us!
QVC, Inc., one of the largest multimedia retailers in the world, broadcasting live 24/7, 364 days a year. QVC reaches more than 166 million cable and satellite homes worldwide. QVC presents more than 1,150 products every week — 288 are brand new to the QVC customer.
Gina will be appearing on the Show Titled: THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS presenting 3 of her beloved Peace Angels from the 'Peace by Piece' collection for the first showtime and two of her Christmas Hanging Ornaments from the 'Spirit of Christmas' collection for the second. Product details and times are listed below. (Download PDF Flyer at bottom)
First Showtime
Item Description: Handpainted and embellished PEACE ANGELS by Gina Freehill
Date & Showtime for Peace Angels: #H165445
(EST) Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 1:36am Eastern Time
(CST) Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 12:36am Central Time
(MST) Tuesday, October 11, 2010 - 11:36pm Mountain Time
(WST) Tuesday, October 11, 2010 - 10:36pm Western Time
Gina's popular "PEACE ANGELS" 7.25" tall figures embellished with beads and crystal rhinestones are inspirational angels that each represent a different message of peace. The sentimental messages adorning the angels were written from her heart and are meant to empower each individual who receives them with a message of peace. As Gina says, "We can all use a little peace in our lives."
• Download Angel Story Cards posted on QVC.COM.
• The Stories desribe the peace messages that inspired each angel and their meaning.
• Each angel comes in a beautiful custom-art gift box designed by Gina.
• These Peace Angles are beautiful gifts that can be given all year around!
  
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View Entire Collection
Second Showtime
Item Description: Set of two SANTA & SNOWMAN Bell Ornaments by Gina Freehill
Date & Showtime for Bell Ornaments: #H17600
(EST) Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 5:32am Eastern Time
(CST) Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 4:32am Central Time
(MST) Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 3:32am Mountain Time
(WST) Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 2:32am Western Time
This is an EXCLUSIVE offer by QVC. These pieces will be sold as a set of two and can not be ordered anywhere else!!! These whimsical Bell Hanging Ornaments help celebrate the wonderful and joyous holiday season and truly capture the Spirit of Christmas! This 2 piece set makes a great gift for you or someone else!
• 4" tall resin, fully-sculpted Bell Hanging Ornaments
• Embellished with rhinestones and glitter
• Real functional Bell
• Exclusive offer - only available on QVC!
 
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Download schedule, print or send it to your family & friends. THANK YOU!!!
See Gina's 2009 appearance on QVC. 
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Introducing 2 NEW Wedding Cake Toppers for 'Language of Love'.
 As a result of the international appeal of the original Wedding Cake Topper called "First Dance" (on right) from Gina's 'Language of Love' product line, we've added 2 NEW wedding cake toppers to the line up, "Embrace" (on left) and "Kiss" (center),   both receiving broad interest from brides-to-be.
We have found that many brides are looking for something to make their cake standout and still maintain that classic romantic sophistication that marrying couples find so endearing. We've read through several forums where brides-to-be were giving up on looking for a topper because they couldn't find anything appealing enough to represent their affection or flatter their wedding cake. Then they discover the 'Language of Love' toppers and "have to have" one. One bride commented, "My cake was a show-stopper cake topper. Honestly, everyone asked me ... where did you get your beautiful cake topper?" We've heard similar comments from bride planners who discovered the topper while browsing through the national chain, David's Bridal boutique, who carries the toppers in-store and online.
As we've mentioned, due to the abundance of correspondence we've received from brides around the world, we'll soon be posting a Bride & Groom wedding page for couples who've used the 'Language of Love' wedding cake toppers and you'll be able to see for yourself the wonderful comments of many excited brides from around the world.
View Entire Wedding Collection
See Gina's Wedding Cake Topper inspiration VIDEO
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The 2010 SURTEX SHOW - New York, NY
May of 2010 we headed out to Manhattan,  New York for the one-of-a-kind SURTEX art licensing show held at the Jacob Javitz Center just off the Hudson River. Similar to the energy that you feel in Chicago's downtown loop area, Manhattan is supercharged with Time Square and every Broadway Show on the market.  There is something to see everywhere you look. There are more video boards and signage packed into 1 square mile than anywhere else on the planet and it's quite a spectacle to see.
 I introduced the 'Peace of Mind Angel' at the show as a raffle item. The lucky winner was Donna Giordano of Georgia. This three day event resulted in several new licensing opportunities, some great business contacts and as always whenever you're in a creative  environment, meeting many wonderfully talented and pleasant artists. It never ceases to amaze me how fun and easy going the creative people are. They truly made the time spent at the SURTEX show more interesting and enjoyable.
We spent 5 days in New York and stayed at the Crown Plaza Time Square on the 29th floor overlooking Broadway, great view. While there we had a chance to hit a few of the many key spots. One memorable place was Little Italy one night after the show.  Can you say "YUUMMM"! The streets were lit up with white lights and dinner was served inside and outside bistro style with umbrellas, awnings and quaint table settings. Very romantic. Another evening we took a stroll through Central Park and found 100s of people  running, biking, walking dogs, roller blading and playing baseball. Not to mention the horse and carriage rides that run all day long.
Mixing business with pleasure is a simple remedy for maintaining sanity while trying to stay on top of everything. It was great to get away between show hours and take in the sites. It was also great to make all the new acquaintances that the SURTEX Show had to offer. We'll be back next year.
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Language of Love - The Wedding Cake Topper Frenzy
Last January 2009 - the Language of Love Wedding Collection was launched. The elegant wedding line was shown at the Atlanta Mart, Chicago Merchandise Mart, Dallas Mart and LA.  The Wedding Cake Topper started drawing attention right away for it's sophisticated and classic appeal. Brides love the modern elegance of the piece and retailers liked the price point. Retailers began selling the wedding cake topper in their stores and across the internet. Bridal boutiques and chains such as David's Bridal wanted the opportunity to sell the cake topper as well. As the popularity grew for this topper the manufacturer was unable to keep up with the demand which put the product on a national back order.
June 20th 2009, GinaFreehill.com went live with an online store which exclusively offers artist signature pieces for the cake topper. At this time we were bombarded with endless email and phone calls regarding the cake topper. Inquiry brides just "Had to Have It"! We started taking pre-orders for the topper from couples around the world! New York, Chicago, Canada, Florida, LA, Australia, Spain, UK, New Zealand, Norway, France, Italy, Germany and so on! Order after order and email after email this became quite a frenzy to  communicate to all the Brides-to-Be and push to meet their wedding date schedules and of course have everything delivered safely! Meanwhile, several of the email we'd received claimed that they had searched tiredly online for hours looking for someone who might still have one to purchase. How charming it was to read all of the different inquiries ... each with their own story to tell. I consider it quite a blessing to be included in the excitement of couples-in-love preparing for matrimony. After all, that's the reason for the 'Language of Love' collection.
Once the manufacturer was able to increase production and product started to ship we then received endless email complimenting the beautiful topper, as well as photos of brides and grooms from around the world with the 'Language of Love' Wedding Cake Topper on their cake!
I want to say Thank You to every bride and groom who has sent email and made phone calls about the topper. I am speechless and forever grateful to all of these collectors. In honor of ALL Brides & Grooms who purchased the topper from my site, GinaFreehill.com, we are developing a web page that will highlight couples from around the world featuring photos of them and their cake along with their comments. We will post all photo's that have been sent to us with the couple's name, wedding date and place. As a result of the cake topper's success I have designed two more toppers that will launch in June 2010!
 
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The Atlanta International Mart July '09 Show
The Atlanta International Mart is one of the biggest retail gift shows! Atlanta now has 5  towers filled with venders selling product, food, apparel and so on. The July '09 show was busy!! I signed for two hours straight in Roman's showroom! I introduced two new product lines; Peace Garden (featuring inspirational decor for your garden), Communion "Let Him put Joy in your Heart," as well as Tender Embrace baby line exstentions.
The Cake Topper from my wedding collection  Language of Love is selling like crazy. In fact it sold out a few  times in '09 as international demands surpassed the manufacturers production supply. Also the cake topper is now going be sold at David's Bridal boutiques! I learned this while I was at the mart. "WE'RE VERY EXCITED!!!" I always enjoy meeting new customers and spending time with them, it means a lot to me.
On Saturday Marie Osmond was signing at the Mart the same time I was! Outside the Mart I photographed people with make up art, girls with the pink hair all greeting retailers coming in. It's always a lot of FUN to see who and what is going to be there!
 
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QVC Training
On Wed. June 17, 2009 I flew out to Philadelphia to be trained for my live 2009 appearance on QVC! The weather that week was crazy so my flight was delayed both going and returning,  but the experience at QVC was absolutely amazing! QVC, Inc., one of the largest multimedia retailers in the world, broadcasts live 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Last year, QVC received more than 181 million phone calls in the United States alone, and shipped 166 million units worldwide. Net sales for the 2007 fiscal year resulted in more than $7 billion. Today, QVC reaches more than 166 million cable and satellite homes worldwide!
 Arriving at the TV studio was somewhat like a dream and a little bit overwhelming. Walking down the halls and seeing huge photos of Joan Rivers, Suzanne Summers, Whoopi Goldberg & Susan Lucci was so surreal! I couldn't believe that I was there. I had a 2 hour class with about 12 other people and their products,  such as cook books, toys, beauty products, etc.
Afterwards, I had to rehearse two TV spots, one with a new host and the second one was with Dan Wheeler who has been on QVC for 20 years!! Both hosts were great and made me feel very comfortable. Dan Wheeler spent some time talking with me before hand learning about who I was and my product. He was very interested in what I did, this made me feel more confident, which made the filming go very, very well! So well, that they want me to appear on a hour show in October!!!
I am very grateful to Dan Boaman the QVC rep who saw my product at the Atlanta Mart and Donna Haller the Roman sales rep who helped make this happen. Thank you all for helping spread the news about the showtime on QVC for their Christmas in July - Sunday July 26, 2009 at 7:00AM CST - (8:00AM EST).
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FAITH, FAMILY & FOOD
Growing up in a large Italian family and having my grandmother teach me to make homemade pasta by the time I was three, definitely started my love for cooking! I love  pasta so much I can be considered a pasta freak! No carb diets for me! My sauce is quite special  the recipe comes from my grandmother who was born in Italy. My husband calls me little Giada when I am cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Gathering for Sunday dinners and cooking meals from your heart is what both my grandmothers instilled in me at a very young age. The importance of Faith, Family and Food will always be prominent in my family. I believe that the Peace & Comfort of Family is the smile within your soul.
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The City ... (June 09)
I was born in the amazing city of Chicago and to this day I still love vigor and rush of it all. I have always been inspired by the city, the architecture, history and the aura that it brings  makes my imagination run wild. That is why the city is one of my favorite subject matters to paint and draw. I was fortunate to have attended college in Chicago at the American Academy Art.  It was there that I met my husband who I will be married to for 15 years this July of 2009! Joe and I have always shared our love for the arts. Our friendship grew into an everlasting love. We both have been blessed with a talent. And, our faith in God and each other has gotten us where we are today. We now live in the suburbs with our two beautiful children, but we still love to drive down to the city and take a stroll down memory lane when we can.
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Questions????
People ask me, "Have you always loved to draw?"
I have loved art almost my entire life. At a very young age I showed interest in art and a promise in my drawing ability. My mother told me that drawing was the only thing that I ever wanted to do. She would give me crayons and paper and I would draw for hours. By the time I was in grade school students were giving me change for my drawings. Throughout middle and High school I took every art, photography and sewing class that was available. I would receive passes from my art teaches to leave study hall to come back to the art department. I found myself becoming more and more interested in art than any other subject. I lived and breathed art!
 OH yeah, I also love to sew! My grandmother taught me to sew when I was a little girl. She learned to sew in Italy where she had sewing classes. My grandmother could  make you a suit or a dress that looked like it came from the department store!
I also get asked where does my inspiration comes from?
My inspiration comes from my family and life experiences such as becoming a wife and a mother. I create product lines that convey a story about life's simple treasures on subjects that embrace the heart and soul. I genuinely have a creative desire to produce meaningful art that touches others. It is an honor to have my product reach people in a way that lifts their spirits and encourages their own inner peace. When I became a mother I realized that the simplicities of life mattered the most and the moments shared together are true treasures. For me, Peace and Comfort comes the voices of my children the touch of my spouse a breathtaking sunset or just having a simple family dinner.
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MEETING CANDACE CAMERON BURE
Thursday, March12th, 2009
AM 1160 WYLL hosted 550 people to an amazing event with special guest speaker Candace Cameron Bure. Many people know Candace from ABC's hit television series, Full House, where people affectionately knew her as "D.J. Tanner."  But after acting since age five, Candace put her career on ice when she married NHL star Valeri Bure and stayed home to raise her three children. What people may not know is that Candace is a follower of  Christ and speaks around the country, talking about her personal journey.
WYLL approached me to be a part of this event by doing an artist signing with my Peace by Piece collection. I was also given the honor to present Candace with a Peace Angel at the end of the event.
After Candace gave her amazing testimonial, I Presented Candace with the "PEACEFUL HEART ANGEL" from the collection.  I felt that the Peaceful Heart Angel which reads, "A Peaceful heart overflows with joy, love and gratitude," nicely represented who she is and her willingness to bring a message of peace, hope and joy to others. Candace exclaimed, "Wow, thank you so so so much, she is gorgeous, I will happily display her in my home". It was such an honor to participate in the WYLL event and have the opportunity to meet Candace. To read more about this amazing night go to the sharing section of my website. SHARING
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TRISH LYNN SIMON FOUNDATION - New Apparel launch
4th Annual Team Trish Charity Motorcycle Poker Run was held Sunday May 3rd, 2009. Proceeds were to benefit the Team Trish Foundation and the NEW Trisha Lynn Simon  Foundation. The Vision of the Trisha Lynn Simon Foundation is to offer emotional and well-being support to those whose lives of those they love are distrupted by a health crisis, to provide financial and health educational resources. Registration was at 9:00am at Hoss' Roadhouse. The ride traveled 125 miles through northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin stopping at three establishments along the route.  The Charity fundraising event began at 3:00 at the Bartlett Fire Barn 218 Main Street. To help support the event the New Trisha Lynn Simon Apparel line was launched. The line was designed by Gina Freehill and Jeremy Freehill of Blu Aura Design, Inc. as a contribution to the foundation. Short-sleeve tee's, long sleeve tee's, tanks, hoodies and bags are now being sold. The proceeds go to the foundation to help other families in need. If you are interested in purchasing from the TLS Apparel line please contact Trish Simon: tlsrn01@comcast.net - Click here for more details about the event and to view the apparel designs - Trish Lynn Simon Apparel.
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 One of my biggest influences was my father. He told me to always believe in myself. He instilled confidence and determination which has definitely helped me get to where I am today. His values continue to live on in the lives of those he has touched and we all miss him dearly. May God bless him and keep him in His love.
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My Words of Wisdom -
Always believe in yourself and know yourself. Be what you want, not what someone else wants you to be. If what you do comes from your heart and you are passionate about it then that is the road you should follow.
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The towns of Italy are also so fascinating to me. It so happens that my grandparents and mother were born there. Here are some photos from my mother's recent visit.
     
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