Hard to believe not that long ago the lake was still frozen....but if you ask me the water is still pretty cold.
You Capture: Water
Hard to believe not that long ago the lake was still frozen....but if you ask me the water is still pretty cold.
Cercle d' Amis
Bronze pierced cuff with brass, sterling and copper embellishments... the little guy is supposed to have a dirty face :-) hence the messy looking mouth! Photo just doesn't do it justice! Email for Detail!
Marnie Astley
http://silverstrumpet.com
http://tiarts.org
Lansdowne ON
Summer Good Things
I love Sangria but don't always like to make it. I picked up a bottle of Real Sangria by Cruz Garcia mostly because I liked the bottle and it said imported from Spain, but it is one of the best bottle versions I have purchased. This Sangria has just the right amount of sweetness if you sk me. My favorite wine glasses are recycled wine bottles that have been turned into wine glasses they are hand made by Bodhicitta and are available HERE.
Cheers!
Exhibition of Art Jewelry - Marilyn da Silva
Exhibitions of art jewelry are always
memorable events. Taboo Studio recently held
an exhibit of new work created by eight jewelry
artists revolving around the theme of birds.
Titled "Bird by Bird" this exhibit
featured work by Marilyn da Silva,
Christina Goodman, Gabrielle Gould, Judith Hoyt,
Rika Mouw, Rone Prinz, Sarah Wilbanks,
and Kristi Zevenbergen
In this post we'd like to showcase
the work of one of these artists:
Marilyn da Silva.
It was very apropos that
she be a part of this show since
her body of work has been inspired
for more than a decade
by all things ornithological.
Her pieces are rich and lush and tell
specific stories that are augmented
by her personal philosophy.
Here are her words regarding the
brooches that are part
of this particular exhibition.
These brooches focus on the songbird family known as warblers. They are often difficult to see with the naked eye, but they can fill the air with song. These small treasures along with other songbirds are diminishing in number because of insecticides, feral cats and the loss of their environment due to human intervention. Hopefully, their beautiful songs will continue to enchant us throughout time.
We feel this brooch is one of her prettiest.
Called "Serenata III (Bay Breasted Warbler)."
It features materials such as textured sterling silver
and copper handpainted with gesso and colored pencil.
It's an example of her wonderful designs
that could easily be displayed as art but
also happens to be wearable as jewelry.
Here's another lovely example of her work.
This brooch is called "Serenata I
(American Redstart)."
And this brooch is called "Serenata II
(Black and Yellow Spotted Warbler)."
It's just as delicate and lovely
as the others.
This artist is a master at using nontraditional
coloring techniques on textured metals, and it's
her immense skill and talent that allows each piece
to seem alive with subtle, exquisite details.
Who could resist?
New in the shop: I Love You In Sign Language
New in the shop the I Love You in sign language with personalized name disc(s)
This piece has a 5/8th inch sterling silver disc that can be personalized with a name or word with up to 7 lowercase letters. The piece also includes a 1/2 inch sterling silver charm that has been stamped with the I Love You Sign Language Symbol. You can add as many personalized name discs as you would like. You can find these pieces HERE.
Aloha Friday: 3D Movies
We are huge Cars fans in our house and plan on seeing Cars 2 this weekend. It is at our local IMAX in 3D.
Q. Do you like watching movies in 3D? Are you planning on seeing Cars 2?
A. I actually don't really like it and would prefer watching movies in 2D.
Strawberry Parfait in a mason jar...
As you can see I have found yet another use for a mason jar. This weekend I whipped up these strawberry parfaits they are layered with cut up strawberries, angel food cake and whipped cream. The whip cream recipe I got from the latest issue of Martha Stewart, Martha used it in her Pound Cake with peaches and cream.
Whipped Cream Recipe:
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 cup cold heavy cream
all you do is whip it until creamy with a hand mixer. My Grandma use to whip her whip cream by hand, I have no idea how she did I tried and then ended up pulling out the mixer.
Enjoy!
Carol Windsor Jewelry
It's easy to get inspired when an artist
combines a love of vibrant color with a
passion for bold design.
Carol Windsor creates vivacious jewelry
made of sterling silver and paper,
and she has honed her repertoire
over the years showcasing
delicate blossoms and leaves.
Each piece is light, airy and almost
translucent.
It's always interesting to understand
how an artist creates their work.
This jewelry artist clearly explains her process
of painstakingly creating each piece by hand
and transforming raw materials into colorful
foliage that is light and airy:
"I developed a technique of laminating sterling silver between 2 to 5 layers of very thin acid free paper. The metal has been oxidized a dark color and shows through the translucent paper like veins in a petal or leaf. Each petal or leaf is made individually. A wire frame is made defining the shape. It is placed on a small square of paper. Small wire segments are arranged within it. Another paper square or two are placed on top and then the “sandwich” is sealed with an archival glue. Once dry the petals and leaves are trimmed, sprayed with an acrylic and bent into shape. The “twigs” which connect the parts are textured with a diamond burr, oxidized, then dimpled with a burr to suggest a spot where a branch has broken off."
Here are a few delightful examples of her lovely work.
These petals are lovely and such a peace-inducing color.
We like the energetic colors in this piece.
We love the range of spectral colors in this necklace.
These petals are translucent and lighter than air.
And so pretty.
We're excited by the range of color
and intricate, life-like designs.
It's apparent that
creativity blooms everywhere.
Enjoy!
Be The Change
A friend gave Will two caterpillars and we watched these little guys metamorphosis into beautiful butterflies. Every day Will would take a peek to see if there were any changes and once they appeared he was quite thrilled to see them flutter their wings.
I have loved butterflies since I was a kid so wanted to add a piece to my collection with a butterfly. The Be The Change necklace is a simple piece with a powerful reminder. You can find it HERE.
Look who has some new specs!
Will failed his eye exam at school so we had him checked out at the eye doctor and sure enough he needed glasses. We had no idea and are very thankful that we caught this as one eye is very weak and needs to do some catching up.
Q. When was the last time you had your eyes checked and do you wear glasses?
Lauren Pollaro Jewelry
A dear friend of ours recently sent us
a photo of work created by assemblage
artist Lauren Pollaro. She knew we would really
enjoy seeing this particular piece of jewelry
and she was right! We were immediately
intrigued by the choices of color, texture
and design. Everything just seems to
work together effortlessly.
We like the handmade aesthetic that is
apparent in her work - it provides a strong sense
of connection to her creative process.
This artist's forte is creating harmonious
sculptural jewelry using various mixed materials.
Acrylic paints, sterling silver, semi-precious
stones, and found objects are often
included in her work. Her pieces also feature
such disparate elements as
vitreous enamels, collage, and epoxy resin.
It seems like she uses almost anything
in her abstract compositions.
And the effects are all beautiful.
Here is a brooch/pendant made with
copper, sterling silver, and acrylic paints.
We especially like the sgraffito-like effect
she creates on the various surfaces.
We also find this piece interesting - it features
found objects, plastic, a twig,
sterling silver and paint.
There are many pieces in her collection
to admire.
This necklace includes many elements
including wood,
epoxy resin and pearls.
This one incorporates enamel on copper.
We're inspired by how
her eclectic selection of materials
just seems to come together effortlessly.
But we know that work that appears
effortless rarely is as effortless as it seems.
For those who are intrigued
by delightful colors, layered compositions,
and the handmade aesthetic this artist
successfully combines all this and
more to create sculptural works of art
meant to be worn as jewelry.
Enjoy!
Hot tubbing..
It has been 6 years since we have used our hot tub so we decided to get it going again and let's just say Will and my Nephew are really enjoying it. We turned the temp down but it is still like bath water. Will said he is loving his tubbing.
Tea Collection: Children's Clothing
Sometimes Will and I battle about the clothes he wants to wear. I love his independence and like to let me select his clothing so when we both agree on his clothing it is a happy day. Will and I both fell in love with the Tea Collection for children. The Tea Collection has clothing for boys, girls, and baby.
We had the great pleasure of receiving several items from the Tea Collection. What I love is that they not only offer trendy clothing for children but also high quality and great fitting items. Below are just a few items Will selected from their online shop, yes he personally picked them out, this boys likes to shop. I found the Tea Collection to run true to size and their size chart was spot on, the items washed up nicely with no shrinkage. Will tells me they are super soft and comfy, comfort is a must if you ask him. They surely are high quality items that provide a excellent value for your money, we are very impressed with the quality and cute factor!
Pirata Graphic Tee and Patch Pocket shorts
The Tea Collection has their Semi-Annual Sale running right now so be sure to check it out. I know one thing for sure I will be checking out their new lines every season and will also be shopping for myself in their women's collection.
Tea collection is available in department stores, select destination stores and of course online HERE.
Happy Shopping!!!
Tea collection is available in department stores, select destination stores and of course online HERE.
Happy Shopping!!!
Tia Kramer Jewelry
Paper is one of those mediums that has
never-ending possibilities.
The different ways in which it can be used
and assembled into countless shapes
can boggle the mind.
For Tia Kramer handmade paper is an obsession.
Her jewelry mobiles, easily labeled as Calder-esque,
are self described as "performative sculptures for
one’s ears, architecture for the body."
By combining sterling silver structures with handmade
paper, she creates pieces that are sculptural,
ethereal and energetic.
Having honed her repertoire over the years,
starting with large-scale suspended-art installations,
Tia's work has evolved over the years
to become what one might call
'minuscule art installations'
of personal adornment.
Her artistic metamorphosis now results in
jewelry designs that are buoyant,
translucent and durable.
She creates her jewelry using her own
handmade paper and sterling silver.
It's all cold fabrication -
bending the wire and wrapping the paper -
producing a soul-satisfying result.
Multiple layers and intricate designs
combine to form really enchanting pieces.
Here is a complex combination comprised
of a necklace and earrings that interconnect.
They can be worn separately or together.
Either way they are
magnificent statement pieces.
We love the bright, cheery colors
and the bounciness of the design.
This neckpiece contains a necklace,
bracelet and brooch.
The interplay of positive and negative
space is intriguing.
Here's the bracelet on its own.
We love these earrings.
And these earrings, too.
We adore the endless combinations and permutations
created in her work.
We also love the myriad simpler designs that she creates.
Regardless of size and complexity,
each is filled with charm
energy and motion.
The bottom line is we'd love to collect them all.
Enjoy!
Are you a Happy Camper?
Do you like to camp?
I do but roughing it for me is doing so in a camper. We spent a lot of family vacations in a camper like the above.
New in the shop: Forget me not handstamped necklace
New in the shop the forget me not necklace, so simple and sweet. You can fine it HERE.
Special offer for La Dolce Vita friends please enjoy 10% off through 6/14/11 just enter code 10OFF at checkout. Offer not valid with prior purchases or with any other offer.
Joanne Thompson Jewelry
We've recently found jewelry made
by Joanne Thompson. Focusing on small metal rings
linked together forming a mesh pattern
her work resembles chainmail.
While some metal jewelry can seem dense
and heavy, this artist's work gives a feathery light
impression. It's this sense of lightness and
delicacy that we admire.
Made with sterling silver each piece uses hundreds of
rings linked and soldered together.
Some pieces are oxidized,
some are hammered. Each rhythmic, fluid design
is intricately weaved into a signature tube shape.
Here is a wonderful example of a bracelet that
when worn shows her three-dimensional
tube shape. As is apparent in this picture,
when not worn it collapses
into a puddle of loops.
This lariat necklace is very full and voluminous
with hundreds of loops.
We like how the contrast of oxidized and non-oxidized
rings make it look like a scarf.
By sheer repetition she creates rhythmic, fluid
designs that look and feel elegant.
The artist's signature tube shape can
be easily seen in this necklace.
Visually comples and tactilely interesting
each piece is rich in design and
very light in weight.
Enjoy!