Making Rings

I am making rings and loving every minute of it! Rings are a challenge but so satisfying when they work out. My studio is a temporary mess–designing always creates a huge mess! Going through my stone stash and visiting my stone dealer is so much fun. My favorites right now are diamonds, moonstones, green chrysoprase and sapphires. I also will always make a good simple band-you can never have too many and they go with everything! The ring pictured has a beaded band with a thick disc-perfect for engraving or leaving as is….

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Victorian Artist Walter Potter

Walter Potter’s  Victorian era Art-Taxidermy

Even though this happened some years ago, I still find it fascinating what people will pay for art. Word is, Damian Hirst offered 1 million for the entire collection of the eccentric Walter Potter’s Art-Taxidermy Collection, but it was turned down. The entire collection was sold off piece by piece at auction, some pieces fetching more than $30,000, but I think it should have stayed together within a museum. There is nothing like it, and the sheer scope of the collection is amazing. I’ve heard some say it’s morbid, even cruel, etc…but I think it’s utterly fascinating that Walter Potter spent endless hours stuffing these creatures and setting up humorous, charming “after-lifes” for them….

Art on the Wall

various pieces by HUNT SLONEM- I could live with one of these

Magical Jewelry

 

There are some things in this world worth having, and I think these are among them. Sevan Bicakci is a Turkish jeweler and if you don’t know about him,do yourself a favor and look him up. I love that they are over the top fabulous and are collaborative, employing painting, calligraphy, engraving,enameling, sculpting and master gem-setting. If you are lucky enough to own a piece or pieces of his, let me know. I’d like to know if they are as magical on as they look.

Peace, Love and Rosendale

A couple of years ago, the film “Peace, Love and Misunderstanding” shot for over a week in our little town of Rosendale. Jane Fonda went mostly unnoticed by the twenty-somethings, but it was fun to see them all in their hippie finery. The whole town was an extra, basically, and our building where all the jewelry is made was in  a prominent shot! So, when and if you watch it, just look out for our little town by the river! {Oh and as fate would have it, Catherine Keener , who is a lead in this film was here, and years ago she wore our designs exclusively in “40 Year-Old Virgin”}

A room I can’t get out of my head

I was in Charleston, SC last year, and I toured some amazing houses! This house in particular has sunk into my psyche-the rooms have not be touched so there is an air of mystery and an authentic patina which I love. I’d take the room almost as is, and just add a table or two,maybe a painting on the wall, but otherwise it’s perfect.

Spring is Here, Dear

My dear friend Giselle let me use her lovely spring deer for my website! I love having her work on my site! All her books are amazing and I have to say, my girls have always loved reading and looking at them. So, thanks G- you are amazing!

another Hella Jongerius piece I like – I think this is stitched thread and fabric cut-outs applied to wool

Vintage Word pin-“Ronnie”

Everyone needs a little bit of “Luxe”

This just sold at “Gaspard” in Toronto –   here’s the link to their fab store on Queen Street: gaspardshop.com