tate

And the winner is....

2010-04-22T18:50:00.003-04:00

A huge thank you to all of my loyal customers, friends, and fans who entered the Earth Day Giveaway contest. The lucky winner receives a custom tangle necklace made to their own specifications. Everyone who made a purchase from t8designs in 2010 was given three chances to win. Commenting on the original blog post or becoming a fan on facebook was a way for both customers and non-customers to earn another chance to win.
Everyone's name was then printed out (1,2,3,4 or 5 times) and placed in the proverbial hat. Arthur Lyman's "Kon Tiki" played softly in the background....and the winner is:

Amy!! who runs the wonderful company & blog EveryLittleCounts. Be sure to check out her fantastic designs and musings on love, life, and style!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered and be sure to keep an eye on the blog because I had such fun doing this giveaway that I'm already planning some future giveaways!

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!

GIVEAWAY! - Custom Tangle Necklace

2010-04-14T11:53:00.006-04:00

To celebrate our lovely customers and fans...t8designs is holding a CUSTOM TANGLE NECKLACE GIVEAWAY!!!

The winner will receive a tangle necklace (value $75-$90) made to their specifications (colors/metals/beads/length, etc.).

The tangle necklaces are made with vintage beads, chains, and findings so they are a wonderfully eco-friendly way to celebrate Earth Day!

If you have already made a purchase from t8designs this year (2010) you are automatically entered with 3 chances to win in the contest. If you have not made a purchase this year, you may enter by leaving a comment on this blog post or by adding t8designs to your fanpages on Facebook. Each blog comment and fanpage request will garner you 1 chance to win (total of 2 chances for those who have not purchased anything this year).

Please feel free to browse the tangled section of the shop as well as the sold listings to see additional examples of the tangle designs you could request.

Thank you so much for your support and I look forward to collaborating with the winner on a wild statement piece!

The winner will be announced on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22nd.

lifecycle of a t8designs necklace

2010-04-12T22:00:00.001-04:00

just found out about this google search story generator...too fun to pass up!

queuing for the toilet at the bar

2010-04-01T22:22:00.006-04:00

at 3am at the packed bar i guess we all feel and look a bit like dead flies...

really loving Magnus Muhr's dead flies series...here's a video compilation of the macabre and hilarious photos

It Rains

2010-04-01T22:01:00.002-04:00

Guillaume Apollinaire presents a concrete poem

Il Pleut (It Rains)

it is raining women’s voices as if they were dead even in memory
you also are raining down marvelous encounters of my life o little drops
and these rearing clouds are beginning to whinny a whole world of auricular towns
listen to it rain while regret and disdain weep an old fashioned music
listen to the fall of all the perpendiculars of your existence

expression. placement. movement. perfection

in praise of Lampyridae

2010-04-01T21:00:00.003-04:00

With the warmer weather upon us, I cannot wait until the fireflies return! Like most children, I delighted in chasing after their intermittent beacons of light in my younger years and despite the desire to keep them close, never captured them for keeps. My appreciation of insects and spiders has always been high- they were captured with dixie cups and released back into "nature" when I found them in the house and not squished. But it wasn't until I was 22 years old and wandering around the Garden for the Blind one night around 3am with a certain fella that my fascination with fireflies hit a fevered pitch. We discovered a glowworm (firefly larvae) nesting area. The little glowing nuggets were scattered all over the ground like fairy dust or stars that had fallen to earth. I scooped up a handful of dirt & glowworms and I felt like a prospector at Sutter's Mill. Who needs gold when you can have the glory of nature in your hand?

Cyclone Season is Coming!!

2010-03-19T20:08:00.002-04:00

It's official! Mark your calendars kids because the 2010 Coney Island Cyclone Season begins next Sunday, March 28th promptly at noon.

One of the greatest (well at least one of the most innocent) thrills to be had in the borough of Brooklyn, the Cyclone is not to be missed. Sure it's old. Yes, it creaks. THAT'S why it's so fun. Of course, some of the bloom has faded with the departure of Astroland a few years ago. And I'd much prefer a ride on the Cyclone AND a stroll through Luna Park...alas I'd need a time machine for that thrill...

Dulce Et Decorum Est

2010-03-18T08:46:00.004-04:00

I recently acquired this bizarre postcard that dates to World War I featuring a training corps of soldiers wearing gas masks. The image caught my attention due to my interest in World War I - specifically my minor obsession with the war poets. Some of these young men eagerly joined the armed services romantically thinking they would be doing their duty and embarking on a worthy campaign that may not have a favorable outcome ala The Charge of the Light Brigade made famous by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The horrors of the trenches on the Western Front ended the "romantic" notion of war once and for all. Nearly 100 years have passed since these soldiers took up arms against the Kaiser and for all that was learned during that conflict, warfare has become even more terrifying with each passing year. It seems that the smarter the world becomes in terms of science and strategy, the more we lose our humanity. I created this necklace as a talisman against war in our time:

Inspired specifically by
Wilfred Owen, and his 1917/18 poem:

Dulce Et Decorum Est

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.

Gas! Gas! Quick, boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling,
And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime . . .
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.
In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est
Pro patria mori.

support your local library!

2010-03-15T09:51:00.019-04:00

I love libraries!! I do admit though to being thoroughly overwhelmed when I enter them. SO many books, SO little time! If only I could learn through osmosis...

My local library, like so many around the country and world, operates a small shop to raise funds for its upkeep and expansion. This small shack is a treasure trove of discarded books - both donated and those removed from circulation. I try to stop by each and every week to peruse the new arrivals and recently was thrilled to find this stunning two edition set of Scripture Natural History from the mid 19th Century. Not only are the books bound in green (my favorite color) leather, they contain a treasure trove of colored plates depicting all of the animals mentioned in the Bible. The plates are gorgeous and the informational blurbs are quite astute given the time in which they were written. I have yet to read through them but am going to go for "an animal a day" goal.

I picked these up at the library store for a fraction of their estimated value and am thrilled every time I spy them on my bookshelf. More importantly, the library raised some much needed funds.

So be sure to inquire at your local branch as to whether they hold books sales, if you can donate unwanted books to their fund-raising cause, or offer to do some investigative work for them regarding items that have been donated. My two editions were marked down quite a bit from when they were first donated. But a volunteer had kindly included some bibliographic reference material inside the cover for the future owner's (ME!) reference.

Here are some of the plates.

The Saint Bernard (I adore this picture because it reminds me of the fantastic French animated show Belle et Sebastien from the early 1980s)

The Red and Black Squirrel (note: the Victorian-era book was printed in England when the Gray American variety had not yet invaded creating an environmental nightmare.

I used to have two black squirrels that lived in my yard and I have no idea why but they are about 1,000 times more adorable in both looks and movement than the grays..

The huge and frightful Cassowary (native to the islands of New Guinea and Australia). This mammoth bird (3rd in size behind the Emu and Ostrich) it was referenced in the 2007 Guinness Book of World Records as the "World's Most Dangerous Bird"

And lastly...the arachnids...I've blogged about my "Arachnophilic" tendencies before...but I love spiders, and spider webs...haven't seen a Scorpion outside of a contained environment and I hope never to have that experience but they are incredibly fascinating...

springing forward & lightening up...

2010-03-14T12:10:00.005-04:00

it's hard to believe that only a month ago there were approximately 50 inches of snow on the ground. thankfully it's melted and spring is peeking through.
time to lighten up and look forward to warmer and sunnier days. i've been working on new photos for the shop and am surprised at how much my mood has improved after jettisoning the darker images.

all i want for easter

2010-02-20T08:29:00.003-05:00

I have NO idea why I never knew about these massive bunnies before. They are known as British or Continental Giant Rabbits and with good cause...because they are massive! Look at this fella! Now some of you may know my dog Murphy the Irish Setter who tops the scales at nearly 70lbs...but i think this giant bun could give him a run for his money...
of course, Murphy decided to take a nap whilst curled up in a ball in the shower last night so we know he's a few sandwiches short of a picnic.
I'd like to see these two go on a picnic. And that's really All I Want for Easter.

(pssst...wake up Murphy...I've got a surprise for you!)

j'adore Loie!!!!!!!!!

2010-01-01T23:08:00.004-05:00

some suggest that her dancing was simply an illusion... that her skills as a dancer were not really up to snuff...that her enchantment of fin de siècle Paris was more of a parlor trick than true talent...but I beg to differ. Loie Fuller twirled off the precipice of modern dance while the others simply teetered on the edge. She infused dance with mystery and sensuality and became a muse to Toulouse-Lautrec and Pierre Roche amongst many others. Her light and fabric show was a multi-media extravaganza when there were only a few "media" to unite. This "Electric Salome" has been a favorite of mine for years...but this chilly winter she is the inspiration behind a new line to debut shortly at t8designs...stay tuned!

happy new year!

the arachnophile

2009-09-29T16:42:00.006-04:00

I admit to being somewhat of an Arachnophile. Spiders have always intrigued me and while I don't much appreciate it when they bite me from time to time... I can't help but forgive them and continue to marvel in their artistry.

Each autumn I usually "make friends" with the spider who sees fit to build its nightly web outside my house. We share pleasant salutations with one another. I compliment its current web, say I'll leave the light on to attract some food, tip my proverbial hat to its web building acumen in the face of brusk, windy nights. I imagine the spider is appreciative yet wary of my interest. As others of my species tend to shoo her kind away or (shock horror!!!) smush them upon sight. But I hold fast to my belief that the spiders eat the "bad bugs" and any arachnid that is going to eradicate mosquitoes is a friend of mine.

So I was intrigued when I heard the NPR story about the "million spider tapestry" currently on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. I was relieved to see the "No spiders were hurt during the making of this tapestry" disclaimer attached to the article. And was shocked to learn the undertaking took 4 years at a cost of a half-million dollars. I definitely want to check out this tapestry in person. But I think the most wonderful thing of all is that in spite of the incredibly creative and intricate workmanship, cost, and time required to create this tapestry, it's beauty pales in comparison with the webs I see outside my window at night. The spider continues to inspire us all. But we will never improve upon its innate skill and showmanship.

Anna & Zooey

2009-08-06T13:09:00.003-04:00

I was so excited to see this Zooey Deschanel/Joseph Gordon-Levitt video today - inspired by, but unrelated to their new film (500) Days of Summer. It's set to the She & Him (Zooey & M.Ward) song "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" and if you don't own the She & Him album (one of the best from last year...go get it now!)

There are so many parts of the video to love and admire. Additionally it reminded me of one of my favorite moments in the history of film...the Anna Karina/Sami Frey/Claude Brasseur cafe dance from Bande A Part

Brunhild

2009-08-01T21:58:00.002-04:00

Some days it is best to take on the persona of a warrior - in spirit, body, mind, and ensemble.

Referencing classic literature, film, and music is helpful in this pursuit. And thus I offer Fritz Lang's Siegfried's Tod for inspirational consideration.

introducing the cluster corsage

2009-04-09T12:20:00.010-04:00

It's official. Spring has sprung. There are buds on the trees. Crocuses popping up in strange places (thanks to those silly squirrels) and it's time to celebrate color, texture, and the bountiful beauty of the season. This spring t8designs debuts the cluster corsage collection with exquisite statement necklaces (above) and some slightly more demure bracelet styles (below)

HOPE

2009-01-20T18:05:00.002-05:00

Today I want to take a moment to express the immense hope I have for my country as we welcome our 44th President, Barack Hussein Obama, into office.
I've been wearing the locket to the left all day and truly embrace its sentiment.
I just heard a report on the news that despite the enormous crowd assembled in Washington DC to celebrate this momentous occasion, there was not a single arrest made. Over 2 million of my fellow citizens congregated in a confined space for an event eagerly anticipated by many and everyone remained respectful of everyone else. That is what this country is all about. Respect for ALL!
I wish you all the best President Obama, and you have my full support as you embark on this difficult journey.

Godspeed, Andrew Wyeth

2009-01-16T11:01:00.003-05:00

Andrew Wyeth passed away (in his sleep) yesterday at the age of 91.
As quite a fan of this American giant, I am saddened to see him leave the world and yet thankful that his artistic genius blessed us with an abundance of masterpieces that will be treasured always. I've decided to post an image of one of his self-portraits, Trodden Weed described elsewhere:
Among Wyeth’s many works that belong to his Pennsylvania experience, but not specifically the Kuerners, is Trodden Weed (1951), a picture reportedly admired by Nikita S. Khrushchev, depicting the booted legs of a man walking on a brown hill. He conceived the idea for the painting while recuperating from a severe illness, when he slowly roamed the fields wearing a pair of boots that had once been part of Howard Pyle’s costume collection and watching his feet and the ground beneath. The painting may symbolize death itself or man’s rejection of illness and death.
Thank you Mr. Wyeth. Godspeed.

brandywine delights

2009-01-03T18:57:00.010-05:00

Oh dear oh dear oh dear. I just realized I did not update the blog in all of December. Woe is me. Thankfully today's adventures have inspired a new post - linked to the previous November post regarding the stunning Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, PA. I finally got over there to see their holiday display today and it was absolutely worth the wait. To the left is the entrance to the museum featuring a beautiful sculpture entitled "Boy with Hawk" by Charles Parks. Set in front of the massive natural evergreen wreath amidst some colorful winter landscaping, it's quite a breathtaking site. The museum was bustling, filled with families with young children delighting in the train and doll house displays. Apart from the Wyeth family's art work, I most enjoyed a painting by Horace Pippin entitled "Saying Prayers" as well as pieces by John Frederick Peto (this image isn't the one on display at Brandywine- photos weren't allowed in the galleries but gives a sense of his style which I love as it reminds me of some of Joseph Cornell's mixed media pieces...)
The most darling of the displays though were the handcrafted ornaments (made by the staff and volunteers) - all made from items found in the surrounding woods! (eco-friendly, sustainable adorableness!!) - that were hung from various trees and wreaths throughout the museum. Additionally a number of whimsical scenes such as the "There was an Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe..." story were turned into glass-encased dioramas that were tucked into various vestibules. Thankfully photography (non-flash, if you please!) was allowed in the non-gallery areas of the museum so I can share these sweet images with you. There was another diorama that had an amazing tea party scene with acorns as tea cups that I desperately wanted to photograph, unfortunately the glare from the sun against the glass made capturing that image impossible...(another reason for you to visit yourself!)
Here are the final pictures of the diorama. I hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2009!

on the brandywine...

2008-11-19T13:15:00.007-05:00

I saw my first snowflake yesterday and to celebrate, I thought I'd post this whimsical Andrew Wyeth painting entitled "Snow Hill".
It perfectly illustrates my adoration of the wintry season. Others can dance around Maypoles with daisies in their hair...I'd prefer a Novemberpole with an evergreen at its top and holly as a crown.
The Wyeth family (N.C., Henriette, Carolyn, Andrew, and Jamie) are the Camelot of the American art society with many interesting tales to tell through their art and their lives. I grew up not far from their home in Chadds Ford, PA and am looking forward to a holiday visit to the Brandywine River Museum to once again marvel at their talent.
If anyone is planning a holiday trip to the Philadelphia or Wilmington, DE region, I cannot implore you enough to go check out this museum. It's contained in a 19th century grist mill and during Christmastime it is truly breathtaking. The little kiddies won't be bored either as they showcase a stunning Victorian doll house as well as a massiv e toy train display and handmade critter ornaments on all the trees! Click here for a tutorial on how to make the adorable (eco-friendly!) critter pictured to the left. Happy Snowy Days Ahead!!

initially...

2008-10-07T13:33:00.006-04:00

in my constant search of vintage and antique jewelry i am always thrilled to happen upon monogrammed, initialed, or name-plated designs. they bring such a delightful sense of history and wonder to every creation. below are some of the most recent finds. i have to say the HEM piece is a personal favorite as I think of it as a sewing talisman...

Introducing....Earl "Snake Hips" Tucker

2008-10-07T08:16:00.002-04:00

Wowie Zowie as they say...

REGISTER TO VOTE! TODAY!

2008-10-06T00:03:00.006-04:00

In many states, today is the absolute deadline for registering to vote in the upcoming presidential election on November 4th.

If you aren't registered yet, please make the effort TODAY to get registered. It's so easy. I promise you can do it in less than 10 minutes! If you aren't sure of where to go or what you'll need to register, please see this site or check with your local board of elections.

I've included a few posters from the United States women's suffrage movement during the first half of the 20th Century to inspire you. We fought for the right to vote, we earned the right to vote, and now is the time to vote and the time to make your voice heard.

Be sure to confirm the time your polling place will be open on November 4th and what type of identification you will need to bring with you. If for any reason, after you have registered, you are told you are ineligible to vote on election day - DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER and cast a provisional ballot.

The decision made on November 4th will impact the next four and possibly eight years of your life, your family's life, your friends' lives, and this country's livelihood. Make sure you have a role in deciding on the future of this great land. Please register NOW!

lost vignettes

2008-10-03T19:23:00.002-04:00

traveling from flea market to antique shop to estate sale in search of the long lost treasures that i transform into my jewelry creations is perhaps the most exciting part of my creative process. "the thrill of the chase" as they say. recently i came across this locket - nothing overtly precious, simply a well-worn brass locket that contained a portrait of a young boy in a slightly askew suit. but he intrigued me to no end. i started to imagine how the photograph came into existence and what the original owner saw in this photo. my musings are included in the listing and i encourage everyone to bring a sense of wonder to their vintage adventures. i promise an imaginative trip of a lifetime.

whimsical bazaar

2008-09-03T13:26:00.001-04:00

In the constant quest for antiques to work into my jewelry designs, I've frequently come across darling collectibles that are yearning for homes. As someone who can never leave an animal or an unusual find behind, I have amassed quite a collection of unusual pieces and am now determined to share them with the greater world. Therefore I have opened another etsy boutique, Whimsical Bazaar. While pretty housewares work their way into the mix from time to time, the focus of this shop will be those unusual finds that are destined to delight and intrigue. The photo to the left features a collection of antique celluloid place settings - some of which are currently available in the shop. Please stop by the new site and take a peek. There are treasures awaiting you.

lazy thoughts

2008-08-17T11:21:00.002-04:00

Quite a pertinent post as i've been such a lazy blogger as of late...but truth be told, the wheels of creativity have been in full gear even though my blogging has been lax. I've been experimenting with new necklace forms and am quite excited by my new metamorphosis collection of convertible necklace/bracelets all crafted from antique lockets, fobs and watch chains. I've also desperately been attempting a re-organization of the studio as my collection of chains, charms and other goodies has nearly overwhelmed me. If they take up arms, I am without a doubt, a dead duck. Luckily I have managed a slight break-through in that department and am now in full swing yet again. Here's to productive times! Oh - on a side note - the image here is from the cover of a book I found recently on one of my flea market outings. It's written by Jenny Wren (which was, truth be told, a pseudonym) but upon my investigation of Jenny Wren, I happened upon the shop of an adorable doll maker from Tasmania! I'm always thrilled to find doll makers who make sweet, and baby-safe (sewn eyes) cuties so please take a moment to look at her blog and shop!

wild and tangled

2008-07-31T21:44:00.003-04:00

for shame. for shame. i've been a very lapsed blogger. suppose i shall put it down to summertime distractions. but thank goodness autumn is just around the corner. i've been having a grand time experimenting with new necklace forms and am quite intrigued by the textures and shapes brought forth from my time in the "chain lab". this is one of the newer designs. many more are in the shop and will be added frequently.

Artists and Fleas

2008-05-20T08:59:00.005-04:00

This past weekend I participated in the Artists and Fleas market in my old stomping grounds of Williamsburg Brooklyn and I had an amazing time. Not only did I get to meet some of my most favorite customers in person, I was also situated right next to Lux Sugar - THE ladies of cupcake making extraordinaire. I had the "Samantha Jones" cupcake - a lemon confection with vodka icing! I thought I'd post some images of my display since I nearly always forget to take them after I set up. If you've ever thought about vending at Artists and Fleas, I can't recommend it more highly. Georgia who runs it is a doll, everything ran smoothly and I had quite a successful day. It was sad to find out that many of the etsy sellers who were supposed to vend canceled at the last minute and disappointing that no one from etsy admin brought any swag...but they were the ones who missed out.

six for now

2008-05-14T00:00:00.015-04:00

i thought i'd just do a random post about things i love or find inspiration in (oh...and it's an illustrated anthology...just to pique additional attention!)

1. paper moon (1973 dir. Peter Bogdanovich)
I absolutely adore this film. (The book it's based on is also pretty darn wonderful - it's called "Addie Pray" by Joe David Brown -out of print, but available from time to time of ebay...)
Addie is an orphan (...or is she?) and her moxie is gonna carry her through the depression with the "sunny side up".

2. horse noses i live across the street, down the street, up the street, and around the corner from horse farms. there is nothing softer and sweeter than a horse's nudging nose against your wrist when you give it an apple or carrot...or a sugar cube. any time i pet a horse's nose, i realize how incredibly happy i am to be alive.

3. apple butter by far the most excellent spread ever created. i recently learned how easy this is to make in a slow cooker and even though apple season has come and gone, i have amazing plans for jars and jars and jars of this stuff once next year's winesaps are ripe!

4. remy charlip - a most amazing children's book author - the book i've featured here is my absolute favorite from when i was a wee girl. i am quite certain we had this out of the library for months at a time. i think it was already out of print then. thankfully some publishers have come to their senses and reissues of most of charlip's books are now available. need a present for a young (at heart) friend?...this is it!

5. the lilac time (& stephen duffy) i can hardly believe that i've been listening to this amazing band for nearly 20 years! stephen duffy, his brother nick, and an alternating yet always astounding group of musicians craft gentle, jangly folk rock with a quintessentially literate appeal. each song is a poem and each melody a masterpiece
6. first world war poetry
i've always considered the first world war to be the unfortunate, brash kick start of the modern era - and nothing captures that pivotal time better than the poetry written by the soldiers who were caught in the trenches during the war and shell-shocked afterwards. the tragic wilfred owen, siegfried sassoon, and rupert brooke are perhaps the most well-known of these writers. the loss of innocence and dismayed horror of war they convey through their writing is breathtaking and sadly incredibly pertinent today.

masquerading revelry

2008-04-29T00:59:00.002-04:00

Here's yet another one of those priceless treasures that I'm parting with for the sake of art and commerce...I cannot get enough of this mysterious antique badge. I received a message about it from an admirer and I told her that I will be sad when it goes...she suggested I keep it. But the truth is, I just can't be that greedy. I'm hoarding amazing treasures by the drawer full and haven't been able to part with many of them yet. Sometimes I just haven't dreamed up the perfect showcase for them...sometimes I just can't bear the thought of not being able to see something every day and be inspired by its loveliness. So when moments arrive when I am able to let go. I embrace them. I will miss you masquerader. But we'll always have this blog post. xoxo samantha

riding high

2008-04-16T07:21:00.002-04:00

i've been searching and searching for a bicycle ever since i moved out to a more rural, farm area - you know - the type of bicycle that begs for a basket, the kind that lures you to give it a spin over acres of grass, and of course one that has a style that is unshakable.
and yesterday...i found it. it was a moment of happenstance too perfect for words. one of my favorite vendors at my local flea market had four glorious vintage bikes for sale - and this schwinn cruiser - in sleek racing green - beckoned. and now he's mine. i got him just in time as apparently 20 other people desperately wanted to escape with him as well. i cannot wait to spruce him up - a basket, steamers and a bell all seem to be in his immediate future. i want to dress him up in his party tux. and the local farmers market opens today too. oh the places we'll go...
i think he needs a name too...any suggestions?

sublime physics

2008-04-14T08:51:00.002-04:00

here's a shameful academic secret of mine: i've never taken a course on physics! sad but true. i forsook physics for the exciting world of organic chemistry and spent a lot of time drawing molecular models instead of discussing fulcrums and speed ratios. but that doesn't mean that i don't appreciate physics - quite the contrary!! my desire to rectify my academic shortcomings has resulted in this necklace. not only is it anchored by a pulley - but it also features gears and cogs inside the watch mechanism as well as a magnetic compass! viva physics! i am sorry i abandoned you! vive la physics!

wunderkammer

2008-04-09T07:59:00.003-04:00

wunderkammer indeed! german for "room of wonders", french artist hubert duprat has been creating these elaborate and opulent cases for decades by "collaborating" with caddis fly larvae. yes...larvae! duprat removes the caddis fly larvae from their natural environment and supplies them with gems, pearls and precious metals. the larvae are bound by nature to create protective cases for themselves while they mature and when they finally emerge from their "cocoons" they leave behind little tubes encrusted with things you'd expect to find in a master jeweler's workroom. the larvae weave the gems and gold together with silk from the inside of the tube and with a little manipulation, duprat and the caddis flies have managed to create absolutely stunning wunderkammer. For more info - I highly suggest this article.

away from it all

2008-04-07T09:13:00.003-04:00

just spent an hour dreaming about a cozy cottage getaway after i happened upon this site. this lovely home is nestled in the western scottish countryside and i could definitely do with a few weeks to be inspired...too bad they're booked through september!!
but honestly - check out the site the selection of cottages is not to be believed!

all the marbles

2008-04-05T00:08:00.003-04:00

swirly delights! i've had a vast collection of marbles for a good portion of my life. they've been in vases and underfoot...rolling down wooden chutes and sitting on the windowsill...but anywhere they are is a place i'd like to be. i love this marble collection (editorial note: not mine! these are antique german beauties)! the dancing tangles of glass look like synapses or even capillaries. the colors are dreamy yet bright. a bouquet of glass just in time for spring.

parting with keepsakes

2008-03-27T15:39:00.003-04:00

as a fervent collector it is sometimes difficult to part with some of the amazing keepsakes i unearth in my travels. this new design is one such heartbreak. it's an art nouveau era french locket/photo album. beautiful repousse designs cover both the front and the back of the locket while the inside holds lovely black and white photographs from the french seaside. while surrendering such lovely pieces to my jewelry collection is always a trial, it does make me happy to know they will be appreciated by another.

sping has sprung

2008-03-21T22:08:00.004-04:00

eeek. i've been a very, very negligent blogger recently. and i hate to point fingers, but i'm going to have to blame most of it on the adorable creature in my previous post. mr. murphy has entered my life and in all honesty, he is such a bundle of love, silliness and energy that i've been finding it incredibly difficult to focus on making jewelry or blogging or anything apart from reveling in his sweetness. thankfully he's found the joy in long afternoon naps (in between trying to eat socks) so i've been able (finally) to devote some time the past few days to jewelry making and finally a new blog post! so here's a new style - just listed in the shop. it actually surprised me when it came to fruition because i'm not a huge fan of yellow. most likely because i can't wear it without (in my opinion, at least) looking a bit jaundiced. the sad state of affairs for a blonde i guess. but the ruby red glass paired with these warm vintage lucite beads was too delicious to pass up. so here it is. i'm really loving this piece and can actually foresee a way in which i can finally integrate yellow into my (accessories) wardrobe. so happy spring everyone. let the flowers bloom!

murphy

2008-03-08T17:59:00.004-05:00

murphy is now here in his new forever home! got up at 1am drove three hours and picked him up in the parking lot of a cracker barrel restaurant! kinda seedy way to meet my new best friend, but sooo worth it! murphy came from an irish setter rescue organization, save our setters, and they've taken such good care of him. check out those sideburns!! a fluffy, love hound (who is quite comfy on my bed already)

Happy ETSYVERSARY SALE!!!

2008-03-05T19:00:00.004-05:00

starting a wee bit early...March 6th is my official ETSYVERSARY!
to celebrate, I'm holding a sale (ON NOW) in the shop. Everything in the shop is 20% OFF the list price until Midnight March 6th!!! To take advantage of the sale price, simply go through the regular etsy check out process but don't submit payment via PayPal until you receive and updated discount invoice from me.

and i want to take a moment to thank all of my wonderful customers for a dazzling two years!!!

a new regime

2008-03-04T22:44:00.005-05:00

oh if only there were little men offering me a congratulatory glass of champagne when i finish my 100 laps...but despite the lack of such delicacies, i am newly obsessed and thrilled about my decision to start swimming. the elliptical trainer was getting so darn tedious. those green and red lights blinking and nagging - showing me exactly how much longer i'm "supposed" to be going up an incline or trudging along a plateau... boring loring zoring doring!! i honestly think exercise should have some relaxing merits and thankfully swimming does indeed possess (at least for me) very calming attributes. the addition last week of earplugs has added to the solitary bliss. i can actually THINK while i'm swimming. i can dream up new designs and work out jumbled thoughts. show me the water and i'll be a happy, happy fishy.

in like a lion

2008-03-01T08:57:00.003-05:00

with spring on the horizon, i thought it was time to start creating bigger, bolder necklaces that you don't want to hide under a thick wooly coat. sassy necklaces that sashay with you down the rain-slicked, blossom strewn street. so here's to spring. go wild!

avian architects

2008-02-23T21:24:00.004-05:00

years ago i caught a fascinating episode of Nature on PBS called "bower bird blues" and it has been an inspiration to me ever since. the episode showcased the mating rituals of male bower birds who create intricate structures (bowers) from twigs and found objects to impress the local females. one example to the left features a bower bird who has designed his bachelor pad with red flowers and seashells. other kinds of bower birds decorate with berries, plastics, glass and other found objects. the birds are quite particular about their designs. they will constantly tidy their bowers and if a particular design element is displaced, will put it back "where it belongs" as soon as it spies the disorder. the male bowers also thieve amongst one another - stealing design concepts and even bits of each others bowers to maintain their own bowers as the most alluring to their female counterparts. as a designer who works with found objects, i consider these birds (with their odd ways) my avian kin and i just thought i'd take a moment to share their extraordinary story.

cast iron taxidermy

2008-02-18T18:48:00.002-05:00

while i've always been drawn to the creepy allure of true taxidermy pieces, there's a whole lot of me that couldn't bear to think of a once-cute critter sitting on my wall for all eternity. so i was really thrilled to find this antique cast iron wolf bottle opener this past weekend while i was out hunting for jewelry supplies. the photo doesn't convey the slight reds and browns that subtly bring this fella to life, but this bold three-dimensional oddity is going to be a permanent fixture on my wall soon. a cast iron (animal friendly) nod to taxidermy just for me. YAY!

on the nightstand

2008-02-13T07:59:00.003-05:00

I have to take a brief moment to mention this fascinating book that I've just finished reading. Using the unimaginable tragedy of the Nickel Mines, PA school shooting as its jumping off point, Amish Grace explores and explains how the Amish culture has embraced the practice of forgiveness. (The families of the young girls killed and injured in that shooting almost immediately forgave the shooter for his transgressions and welcomed his family into their hearts). When the news of this forgiveness reached the media, it nearly eclipsed the story of the tragedy itself as modern society could not understand how this culture could forgive such a purely evil act.
When I first heard of the Amish response to this tragedy, I was hoping for a book or editorial that may shed more light on the practice of forgiveness in the modern era (an era that seems hell-bent on vengeance as a response to any personal (or national) affront) - and this is that book. While the Amish find their call to forgive primarily in the study of their anabaptist faith, as a person who does not actively participate in organized religion, I think anyone who yearns to understand more about the human spirit will find comfort and inspiration in these pages.

beguiling birdie

2008-02-09T13:31:00.000-05:00

this wee golden birdie is posing quite a mystery to me. i came across him this week at the flea market and for $2 he simply had to come and live with me. yet for the life of me i cannot figure out his past. he's flittered from booth to booth at the flea market and no one knows exactly what to make of him. he doesn't have a clasp so we know he's not a pillbox. he smells like metal, not perfume so we don't think he held any lotions or potions. so far the only logical occupation i think he could have held is as a table salt holder...if anyone has any ideas about what secrets this wee birdie could hold from his past life. please feel free to comment below!

On the newsstands...

2008-02-06T21:20:00.001-05:00

Country Living Magazine has graciously included four of my designs in the "Out & About" section of their March 2008 issue. This is actually my very first exposure in a print magazine and I couldn't be more excited. Even more thrilling than being included amongst such amazingly talented jewelry designers is to see my designs styled with such grace and elegance (thank you to Marina Malchin the extremely talented stylist who put this story together)!! The issue is currently in the homes of those fortunate enough to have a subscription to this magazine and will be available on newsstands just before Valentine's Day!
The issue also features incredibly inspiring profiles of female entrepreneurs who have made fantastic strides in both business and artistry!
Thank you Country Living!

a song in the heart

2008-02-04T21:45:00.001-05:00

i've come across a really eclectic collection of vintage petite music box keychains that i've transformed into whimsical pendants - all of which will be debuting in the shop over the next week or so. this dainty and delicate piece features a teensy music box with a mother of pearl checkerboard pattern on the front (the lid comes off to show the music box itself!!) and plays what i think may be a bit of beethoven's "fur elise" (gah...my seven years of german is nagging me that i cannot put an umlaut above that "u" in elise!!) i've made a bunch of these over the past year and i cannot seem to stop obsessing over them. coming soon will be a few floral designs, a really mod bright red starburst, and a golden style. yay!

flea market finds

2008-02-02T14:50:00.001-05:00

since i spent the last post discussing the lovely folks who supply me with goodies at the local flea market, i thought i'd spend this post sharing a recent, favorite find from that same place. i truly couldn't believe my luck when i spied this beauty on a table. could it be real? a wee bird cage/music box/jewelry chest? and in my favorite avocado shade of green!! and it works! heavens to betsy. but indeed it was - the stars were on my side. although a bit dusty at the time, for $5 who could resist. i brought it home, used an old toothbrush to give a thorough cleaning to the bottom of the cage and voila, a sweet swinging bird (check out the photo progression to see how the bird swings when the drawer opens) meant for the top of my dresser. and there he sits - and holds precious treasures. thank you flea market!!!!

flea market friends

2008-01-31T17:58:00.001-05:00

tuesdays and fridays are easily my favorite days of the week - why? you ask...well because tuesdays and fridays are the days when my local flea market gets into full swing. beginning at 7am (i'm usually there bright and early) various vendors start setting up and the old-timer's gather in the food hall to get warmed up with scrumptious amish-made sandwiches and pastries. i usually run into the food hall to get a large coffee and then start hunting for treasure. my first stop is almost always at clarence's booth (that's him above). i absolutely adore clarence!! he's always one of the first one's set up and clarence ALWAYS has a smile on his face and a hearty belly laugh to accompany any story. he regularly supplies me with wonderful old watches and odd knick-knacks. but even when clarence doesn't have any new stock, a smile from clarence is the best start to the flea market anyone could hope for.
the next few hours involve A LOT of walking and searching and moments of eureka and i treasure every last minute of it. but without fail - my last (and longest) stop of the day is when I visit my favoritest lady in all of Delaware - Miss Jessie (that's her on the left). Jessie is 84 years young and wise beyond her years. Jessie is simply put, a girlfriend of mine. We talk about anything and everything from politics to recipes to flea market gossip and every conversation I have with her is one to be remembered for years to come. When I first started visiting the flea market, I would go to Jessie's booth to browse her amazing collection of vintage jewelry - but now I visit the booth to see Jessie. the jewelry is just an added bonus.
flea market visits have been interrupted the past few months with super frigid weather and time spent moving house...tomorrow it's supposed to rain. BOOOO! so fingers crossed tuesday will be warm and sunny!

sokolsky

2008-01-30T19:52:00.000-05:00

nothing thrills me more than when fashion photography crosses the threshold of the editorial and enters the realm of fine art. melvin sokolsky shattered that boundary completely with his amazing bubble series of photos for harper's bazaar in 1963. to the left are two of my absolute favorites from that series.

oh anthracite, oh anthracite

2008-01-28T13:57:00.002-05:00

one of the best things about moving is unearthing long-forgotten treasures and the inevitable ephemera oddity. the image at left came from a 1954 souvenir pamphlet for the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company that i found inside a long-forgotten book. the illustration is that of a large cone in which anthracite (coal) was cleaned before it was sent to homes and businesses for heating purposes. the colors in this pamphlet are incredibly rich and bright and the title page of the pamphlet even has some wonderful mid-century advertising copy extolling the virtues of coal:
"how nature baked the cake to keep you warm and comfortable with the heat and sunlight of millions of bygone years. "
as a native Pennsylvanian, it's somewhat heartbreaking to come across the pamphlet - the optimism in its pages nothing but a sad reminder of a burgeoning industry that is all but abandoned now.

love is in the air

2008-01-26T09:30:00.001-05:00

with Valentine's Day just around the corner, I'm trying to "break out the hearts" so to speak and put some heartfelt and romantic pieces into the shop. I've also started taking photographs with props to add a bit of whimsy to each listing. It's hard not to get carried away though - so with my excitement about the new photos, I truly need to make sure I'm not devoting an inordinate amount of time to photography - and make sure every last minute available goes towards creating more jewelry. I can tell it's going to be a challenge!

convex relations

2008-01-22T23:20:00.000-05:00

this portrait is of my great cousin Pauline from when she was a little girl (around 1905 or so). Pauline never married (if memory serves, I believe her fiance was killed during World War I). She lived alone with her Siamese cat and taught Sunday school. She passed away when I was a young teenager. I remember with fondness how she always seemed slightly childlike to me - she was very tiny and gentle and quick to smile. What intrigues me most about this portrait is how the serenity of her countenance conveys a distinct maturity and slight sadness - an unexpected emotion for such a young girl. The dichotomy between the serious little girl and the lighthearted elderly cousin I came to love is puzzling and yet lovely - it's almost as though she had the good fortune to grow from adult to child over the course of her life. if only we could all be so lucky.

it wouldn't be make-believe

2008-01-20T17:58:00.000-05:00

i've sadly never had my picture taken at one of those "olde tyme photo booths". i've never dressed up like annie oakley or bonnie parker and had my sepia toned visage immortalized on a matted photograph. but i do delight in true "olde tyme" photos... and since one of my favorite films is Peter Bogdanovich's 1973 "Paper Moon", I thought I'd compile a few vintage "paper moon" commemorative photos - most likely taken at various state fairs, holiday bazaars, and boardwalk excursions in the 1930s - to share with you. oh...and for more paper moon greatness - check out this amazing flickr set

eco love

2008-01-20T01:20:00.000-05:00

a super, deluxe thank you is in order for the lovely folks over at sprig.com (the green-minded, sister site to Newsweek magazine) who kindly requested some of my items for a story they were writing about eco-friendly jewelry.
the image at left is the end-result and I'm literally thrilled to have three pieces featured in this incredibly styled shot (photo by Youngna Park).
all three are available over at the shop - and please be sure to check out the websites of the other incredibly talented designers featured in the article: jill alberts, toby pomeroy, pyrrha, origami bijou, and reverie.

flight of fancy

2008-01-19T09:18:00.002-05:00

as a designer, it seems not a week goes by without someone asking me, "what inspires your work?" the most surprising thing - for me at least, is that the answer to that question is kinetic. it changes with the wind. almost daily. inspiration can come from the arrangement of silverware at a restaurant, an elderly lady's grace at the supermarket, or a surprising turn of phrase in a novel that up to now has been sort of ho-hum. that's the beauty of inspiration - it's a constant, evolving and sometimes gasp-worthy eureka moment hiding in your sock drawer. one constant inspiration though, is the work of joseph cornell. a bit of a magpie, just like me, his intriguing assemblages range in style from delicate and romantic to scientific and troubling - each one, a reflection of his own psyche and inspired somehow by the world around him. so i shall let him be my answer to that question "what inspires your work?" for this week at least.

organization exasperation

2008-01-17T21:14:00.001-05:00

today was the big M O V E...a flurry of attempted organization over the past few days resulted in the incredible discombobulation to the left! just looking at that photo from last night at 11pm makes my heart race. but thankfully i managed to get all of those vintage bits and bobs into a semblance of order and everything is now in its place. and in my new place - (in central nowhere next door to an amish farm)! the view from the window is one of a serene countryside that has thankfully given my inspiration a bit of a kick-start (pics to come in the following days)...
the new environs have also supplied me with a new obsession: purple martin birdhouses!! they are incredibly common on amish homesteads and i've always admired them, but living in such close proximity has given rise to a bit of exuberant bird love. my neighbors are the amish and the purple martins!!
the photo here is one i found online, but i'll get some actual pics of my neighbor's house in the next few days (if it ever stops raining). don't you just love it? it's like handcrafted Ritz hotels for our flying friends. now it's time for some whiskey and sleeeeeep!

fortune for a wallflower

2008-01-16T11:54:00.001-05:00

i'm always excited to open a fortune cookie...not that they necessarily offer spot-on fortunes. most of the time they are quite tame and uninteresting...but last night thanks to the big move tomorrow we got some Chinese takeout and this was my fortune.
i imagine this is the fortune for a wallflower...(thus the wallpaper-esque background)

ephemeral lodging

2008-01-16T10:38:00.000-05:00

the crystal palace from the great London exhibition of 1851 was a marvel of its time - going from planning to standing in only 9 months...i really wish this architectural oddity/place of wonder was still standing...but alas, it was destroyed by fire in the 1930s. not that it would have survived the nightmarish blitz of 1940/41, but nevertheless i feel cheated out of an awe-inspiring travel experience by its absence.
luckily, similarly ephemeral lodging exists today in both Europe and North America in the form of ice hotels. I'm sure I'll never be able to convince any of my sun-loving friends or family to take a long weekend break in one of these glorious structures (temperatures inside the hotels range from about 23 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit at all times) but at some point I am going to have to give it a whirl.

the beauty to the left is the ice hotel of Quebec, but there are similarly gorgeous examples in both Sweden and in the Finnish Lapland.

I'm ready to sleep on and under some reindeer pelts...who's coming with?...

in the year of the tiger

2008-01-15T10:39:00.000-05:00

Hmmm...I was born in the year of the tiger and I've always felt quite an affinity with these regal beasts. But when I did a little research I found this bizarre dichotomy of ideal jobs for tigers...seems like basically anyone could find their niche here...although this tiger would be a most unsuccessful stockbroker to be sure!

Ideal jobs for tigers include entrepreneur, military officer, politician, musician, writer, poet, artist, theater director, biological and environmental engineer, stockbroker, athlete, film star, trade union leader, company director, stunt person, explorer, and lawyer.

oddities and inspirations

2008-01-14T23:42:00.001-05:00

the concept of phrenology intrigues me to no end. as an artist, i continually wonder how and why my inspiration ebbs and flows from one day (sometimes one hour) to the next. the notion that there are dozens of wee compartments in my mind - each with a window to neighboring compartments is both comforting and exhilarating. i imagine that that the doors of these rooms are left ajar allowing ideas creep in and overlap one another. cogs and gears are rotating. conveyor belts of invention are running on high speed...
and constant creation is inevitable

resolutions

2008-01-14T23:33:00.000-05:00

granted there are perhaps other aspects of my life that would be improved upon with a dash of hearty resolve...but for 2008 i've decided to place my resolve here.
dear blog,
i shall not ignore you as i did throughout most of 2007. i promise to visit you daily, post frequently, and keep you happily engaged.

much love (and endearing devotion),

samantha