Artist Alley in downtown Southern Pines will celebrate "art that you wear" during its First Friday opening on Feb. 6, from 5 to 9 p.m. Artists will be present to meet with visitors and discuss their work. Refreshments will be served.

Art to wear is not limited to jewelry at the Alley.

Diane Ness, from Cary, has recently joined the gallery with her "Angel Designs" line of clothing. Her pieces are stunning in color and form, and fit a wide range of sizes. Hand-painted silk scarves from Adriana display vibrant graphic botanical and animal designs.

Patti O'Day, from Pinehurst, creates lovely handbags in a variety of styles. Jaeja Jackson offers a line of beaded lanyards for eye glasses and ID badges in colors to match every outfit. Cary resident Roberta Morgan paints leather shoes, belts, handbags and train cases in bold color and funky patterns.

Of course, there is jewelry as well.

"The variety of jewelry that we carry ensures that we have something to appeal to any taste," says gallery owner Jean Skipper.

Skipper herself creates sentimental and whimsical jewelry from a variety of metals and found objects. Many of her pieces feature hand-stamped quotes and sentiments. She can create a custom piece for anyone who has a special saying to incorporate into a piece for a loved one.

Christy Clark, of Silverwear, is a local favorite with her sterling silver bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Debbie Keen, of Pinehurst, makes her own glass beads and incorporates them into beaded creations in every imaginable color combination.

Polymer clay jewelry is available from Raleigh artist Jeanne Rhea and local artist Jan Graindorge. Zoe Nelson, from the North Carolina mountains, creates jewelry from precious metal clay. The resulting pieces are fine silver.

Jari Custom Leather offers jewelry constructed with a variety of beads including stones and shells. She incorporates her leather work into her jewelry in the form of talisman-like pendants. New to the Alley is Carl Head. Head crafts unique rings from silver coins. He can make custom rings by date, size and type for many occasions including anniversaries, birth dates, Christmas, wedding rings, etc.

Another recent addition is the fused glass creations of Lynn Burchner of "The Gilded Lily." From right here in Southern Pines, Nanette Zeller brings her textural felted and embellished brooches. Zeller has created a limited edition heart brooch for Valentine 's Day, which is available on a card for easy gifting. Also from Southern Pines, Amy Smith creates one-of-a-kind pendants and earrings collaged with her hand-painted papers. Hearts are prominent in her designs as well.

"With Valentine's Day fast approaching, Artist Alley is pleased to offer this opportunity for visitors to select handmade creations for their sweethearts," says Skipper. "Better yet, bring them with you for a relaxing evening of browsing beautiful art and let them choose something for themselves."

All of the artists represented in the gallery are from North Carolina, and many are from the local area.

"So, for those who have resolved to buy local this year to support the local economy, shopping the Alley is an excellent choice," says Skipper.

The gallery's regular hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Artist Alley is located in downtown Southern Pines, one block east of the train station, at 167 E. New Hampshire Avenue.

For more information about the First Friday opening or the gallery, call Jean Skipper at 692-6077.