The Company of Friends store is not just a showcase of exotic wares from the edge of the world, but also a gathering artists who believe in worldly ideals. Ketchum resident Gay Odmark has been producing a world market of clothes, accessories and jewelry for more than 30 years.
Company of Friends' Artisan Showcase will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 8-9 and July 15-17, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Odmark's new boutique location at 270 Northwood Way, Suite 204, above Bigwood Bread in Ketchum's light-industrial area. Look for posted signs and balloons.
"These are very unusual crafts, all created by women," Odmark said.
Odmark has added a New Delhi, India, designer, Sandhya Raman, to her line-up of artists. Her clothes are influenced by contemporary Western and traditional East Indian three-piece sets called salwar kameez. Other items include jewelry by Jane Jaqua, Vicki Currie's unique silk flower designs, interior designer and artist Susan Hall's pillows with vintage fabrics, Merryl Latini's bead jewelry, Elly Kadie's one-of-a-kind gold, silver and pearl pieces, Marnie Ehler's silver-and-gold-mesh jewelry and Nina Fox's Swarovski crystal-jeweled flip-flops.
In addition, Maria Lench will feature her needlepoint bags, jewelry, accessories and clothes, Betty Hadikusumo will have silk, linen and velvet clothing, Anna Lintner Majernikova will have silk-screened scarves and paintings and Doris King will present her fine-art jewelry. Also featured at the show will be a wide range of silk and cotton scarves and pashminas of assorted sizes and prices from India and Nepal.
As a special guest, Rashmi Misra will be joining the Company of Friends boutique on Thursday, July 8, from 3-5 p.m. for the opening. Misra is the founder and chair of Vidya Integrated Development for Youth and Adults. Vidya is a well-known Indian nonprofit organization working toward the empowerment of women and children from slums in New Delhi, Mumbai and Goa.
For more than 20 years, Viday's grassroots development programs have transformed the lives of India's most underprivileged. The organization is known for its ability to develop educated and empowered women and children who in turn become leaders of social change within their communities.
"She is like the Oprah Winfrey of India," Odmark said. "She is bringing new things and changes. She is looking at the next generation in India gaining education and breaking the caste system. Her focus on education gives slum children an opportunity to learn and become functional members of society."
Misra will talk about India, travel to India and the success of Vidya for anyone interested in philanthropic opportunities. For details, call 726-2635.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Gay Odmark and Alfie will open the Company of Friends boutique in Ketchum’s light-industrial area. Photo by Sabina Dana Plasse
