Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and Artist Alley will hold an "Art to Wear" first Friday opening Friday, Feb. 4, from 5 to 9 p.m.

The event will feature handcrafted jewelry and other handmade wearable items. Many of the artists will be present to visit with guests, and refreshments will be served.

Jean Skipper is the owner of Artist Alley and also a jewelry artist. Skipper creates mixed metal and hand-stamped copper jewelry.

"Romance is what my work is all about," she says. "It appeals to the sentimental side. I like to think that a gift of my jewelry will be saved and treasured for years by the recipient."

Skipper offers a number of designs incorporating heart charms and lockets. She also hand-stamps metal pieces with romantic and humorous sayings, and welcomes custom orders.

Metal jewelry artist Deb Guess is a newcomer to Artist Alley and will be on hand for the opening. In anticipation of Valentine's Day, she has created a few new jewelry pieces that incorporate some subtle hearts, touches of red, and a little intentional romance.

"It was fun for me to create with a little romantic inspiration in my soul," she says. "I think gift-giving should always contain an element of surprise and mystery. As I design jewelry, it is with the same notion in mind. >I like creating eclectic, one-of-a-kind pieces that I hope will find their way to unique individuals who enjoy wearing an original piece of art."

Mixed media artist Amy Smith works in paint, canvas, paper and stitch to create her whimsical one-of-a kind jewelry designs.

"Hearts are a recurring theme in my work," say Smith. "They can convey so many different messages depending on the context. I love the romance and energy of Valentine's Day. Of course the most romantic one for me was the one on which my husband proposed to me 16 years ago."

Smith will debut a line of embossed metal brooches this month. She also offers 6 by 6- inch mixed media hearts on canvas with an "interactive surprise," in addition to wearable hearts.

Carl Head will be joining the fun on First Friday. He creates rings from old coins. Nanette Zeller will be bringing in a new line of felted hats and has a collection of felted heart brooches.

Artist Alley also carries lampwork bead jewelry by Debbie Keen, silver jewelry by Christie Clark, woven bead jewelry by Rita Dixon Kent, Gilded Lily Glass jewelry, beaded jewelry designs by Fox 'n' Hound Accessories, copper pins by Don Zimmerman and much more.

Artist Alley is located in downtown Southern Pines, one block east of the train station, at 167 E. New Hampshire Ave. The gallery features the work of more than 60 North Carolina artists and craftspeople, many of them local residents. Regular business hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about the First Friday opening or Artist Alley, call Jean Skipper at (910) 692-6077. >