Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Thankful Thursday

*A revived, mini-series of Thankful Thursday is back through the month of November, in honor of Thanksgiving :-)

I am thankful for…
My friend Leslie Capizzi

I was living in Boulder at the time of the 2002 SNAG conference in Denver, Colorado and decided it was the perfect opportunity to experience my first conference since I could commute daily to and from Denver fairly easily. Even though it was an unforgettable learning experience for me, I met and talked with very few people at that conference as I was too shy to make much of a concerted effort to introduce myself. However, there was a woman sitting in front of me during one of the lectures who boldly turned around during a break and struck up a conversation by complimenting me on my necklace (the first 'hand necklace' I ever made) …that woman was Leslie Capizzi.

Leslie and I became fast friends after the conference. She lived in nearby Longmont, and we got together for frequent lunches and gallery outings, talking shop about jewelry making, etc. We had much in common, particularly our love of thrift stores. We shared many thrifting adventures, her and I. She was right there with me as I rummaged the toy aisle, accumulating mass amounts of discarded Barbie and Ken dolls. Since my move back to NY in 2004, I often pine for Colorado's amazing thrift stores, but it's those outings with Leslie which I've truly missed.

An incredibly talented jewelry artist herself (coupled with top notch sales experience and people skills) Leslie continues to build her business beautifully. Her recent work has an edgy "cityscape" feel to it that I'm really diggin'…

© Leslie Capizzi

Leslie still thrifts (though insists it's not as fun without me ;-) and has become an expert long distance 'Barbie Scavenger' sending me HUGE boxes full of dolls at least twice a year! She knows exactly what to look for and always sends perfectly salvaged Barbies. Results from her latest care package, received just last week:

(All incoming packages subject to search by kitty homeland security.)

(Passed inspection.)

Thank you Leslie! For the dolls, for always believing in me and my work, for YOU.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

oh I just LOVE that the Cats are in there doing their thing! my dog is just like that but by the time I get the camera she is over it and back to sniffing her own butt!

Unknown said...

I did a show this weekend with Leslie and she showed us one of your pieces and your website...loved LOVED your work...then when I googled Leslie to insert a link in my post, I found YOU!

anyway..small world, love your work, wanted to say...hey...

Unknown said...

I've known Leslie since high school back in Effingham,Il. She was and remains an artsy guru, a shoulder to lean on, some one to get tipsy with (on alcohol or air), and a dear friend. Aren't we lucky to have such a fine friend? Mary Ann Meighan

Anonymous said...

Leslie and I played many hours with our Barbie Dolls,,fun to stumble onto this,,, I moved back to Effingham several years ago,,I am an artist also,,a painter for many years,,now I have been doing custom clothing design,,, www.janvonbokel.com ,,,Leslie is a great lady,,,please tell her hello from her hometown of Effingham, Il.