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Painting with Polli LIVE during our Anniversary Celebration

Painting with Polli LIVE during our Anniversary Celebration

by | Nov 21, 2020 | uncategorized

Polli Youngbeck uses her experiences to create original art. This weekend, she’ll share her passion in person at the Blue Giraffe’s 10th Anniversary celebration on Saturday, Nov. 21. Painting with Polli will be a highlight of the day as she brings her creativity to life in the gallery during the anniversary event. If you can’t be there in person, join us LIVE on Facebook at 1 p.m. You can also shop Polli’s original artwork online.

Originally from Alabama, Polli’s first memories as an artist came from her mother’s kitchen as she fervently defended the originality of her drawing to her next-door-neighbor. She was four years old and her neighbor insisted that she had traced the drawing. She heard this story so many times as she grew into her role and found her calling. She is a graduate from Auburn University with a degree in Design and also attended the University Salzburg in Austria and Heidelberg University in Germany for further art training.

Atlanta was Polli’s home for most of her adult life where she taught art lessons in her home, schools and park systems until she settled into a new life in Santa Rosa Beach, FL in 2008. She believes that God has blessed her with rich experiences and has given her the foundation for so much of what she paints. She paints with a passion and fervency of loss and pain as well as love, happiness, kindness and sacrifice. She paints with the wisdom and knowing of age and hardship that she has learned from every stroke of her life.

We hope you can join us for Painting with Polli in the gallery or online. For the health and safety of attendees and artists, participants are required to wear masks and encouraged to social distance during the event.

We hope to see you there. Cheers to 10 years!

Chris Alvarado Introduces New Hand-crafted Trays at Blue Giraffe Anniversary Event, Nov. 21

Chris Alvarado Introduces New Hand-crafted Trays at Blue Giraffe Anniversary Event, Nov. 21

by | Nov 17, 2020 | uncategorized

Award-winning musician and luthier, Chris Alvarado, is best known for his hand-crafted acoustic guitars produced through his company Driftwood Guitars, but this weekend he is introducing a new product, exclusive hand-crafted trays, just in time for the holidays.

Chris is now producing a limited quantity of hand-crafted serving trays built with rare, exotic woods (including teak, figured maple, cherry, and canary wood), and protected with food-safe finish (hand wash only).

They are 20″ by 13″ in size and feature the names of all of the coastal dune lakes and beach towns along the South Walton County coastline. The same detailed craftmanship he employs to produce the finest instruments will now be applied to create functionally beautiful trays. These make beautiful charcuterie trays, dining room centerpieces, or food serving trays, and are guaranteed to last for generations to come. 

Available exclusively at The Blue Giraffe in Inlet Beach. Check out these functional pieces of art at our 10th Anniversary Event on Sat., Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Stop by in person or order online.

SAVE THE DATE: Nov. 21 – Join Us for Our 10th Anniversary Celebration

SAVE THE DATE: Nov. 21 – Join Us for Our 10th Anniversary Celebration

by | Nov 13, 2020 | happenings, hear the buzz

We’re celebrating our 10th Anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Join the celebration at The Crossings at Inlet Beach near Rosemary Beach, where we’ll celebrate with our favorite artists, authors, supporters, and art lovers during our one-day event. 

We want to thank all who have supported us over all the last 10 years. This year has been filled with challenges, but we’ve found silver linings everywhere we look. We’re honored to be a source of positivity and inspiration among our clients and beyond through our bright, happy art, original jewelry, inspirational books and thoughtful gifts. We hope you’ll be able to come out and join us for this special celebration.

Our anniversary celebration will include light bites and libations throughout the day in an expanded space that will allow for social distancing. In addition, we’ll be hosting some of our favorite artists, authors and musicians whose work is represented in the gallery. Here are some highlights:

Artist Polli Youngbeck will be on hand painting an original commemorative artwork that will be available for sale at the end of the day.

Chris Alvarado, award-winning musician and luthier, will be unveiling his newest project—handcrafted wooden trays. Building upon his signature custom guitars, which are renowned for their detailed wooden inlays, Chris is introducing a collection of curated trays that celebrate the communities of 30-A.

We’ll also have our friends from 30A Candles, 30A Olive Oil, and Coastal-inspired Jewelry by Mary Dilley Designs on hand with their latest offerings and great for gifts or for your home. 

Charles Schneidewind, children’s book author, will join us for storytelling and a book signing during the event. 

His children’s book, Legend of the Tooth Ogre, is a fun-loving bedtime tale of the tooth ogre and his partnership with the tooth fairy. 

Health and safety of our artists and guest are at the forefront and we’ll be making use of the expanded space next door at the former Drift store as well as using space outside the gallery. Masks are required for all guests and participating artists. For those who cannot attend in person, we’ll be celebrating virtually with an online Anniversary Event on our website and Facebook page. 

Visit our website and shop “New“ to view the latest offerings by participating artists’ works, and new items for sale. To bring the event to your home, we’ll stream some of our featured artists and their work LIVE on The Blue Giraffe Facebook page at 1 p.m. CST as well as share highlights on our Instagram page.

We hope you’ll join our celebration either in-person or online as we celebrate our love of Art & Gifts with Heart!

As avid animal lovers, we are supporting Alaqua Animal Refuge. Attendees are invited to donate collars, leashes, cat and dog toys, and dog sweaters of all sizes.

The 10th Anniversary Event will be held at The Blue Giraffe at 13123 E Emerald Coast Parkway, Inlet Beach, FL 32461 on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, follow The Blue Giraffe (@bluegiraffe30a) on Facebook, Instagram, or check back with us here at BlueGiraffe30A.com.

10 Ways to Celebrate 10 Years with The Blue Giraffe

10 Ways to Celebrate 10 Years with The Blue Giraffe

by | Nov 13, 2020 | uncategorized

We are excited to celebrate 10 years of providing Art & Gifts with Heart to South Walton locals and visitors. We’ve made great friends over the years and love bringing joy and happiness into your heart and home. As part of our 10th Anniversary Celebration we’re highlighting 10 ways you can celebrate with us!

  1. Attend our anniversary event and bring a friend on November 21 from 10am-4pm. Can’t join us? Shop online and enjoy 10% off all day with the code 10FOR10 at checkout.
  2. Bring donations for Alaqua Animal Refuge, our non-profit partner. Collars, leashes, dog & cat toys, and dog sweaters of all sizes are needed!
  3. Make someone smile today.
  4. Discover why we want to keep our beaches #cleandarkflat, and help spread the word to other locals and visitors. #savetheseaturtles
  5. Sign-up for Art in Your Inbox and get the latest news about happenings in the gallery. 
  6. Share our Anniversary Event on social media with all your friends.
  7. “LIKE” us on Facebook and “FOLLOW” us on Instagram.
  8. Volunteer your time or donate money to a cause near and dear to your heart.
  9. Write a review about The Blue Giraffe on your favorite review website (Google, TripAdvisor, Facebook).
  10. Send a thank you note to an artist or author whose work has had a positive impact on you. 

We hope you’ll join us either in person or virtually for our 10th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020!