Alex Heller

This short film is by a seventeen year old named Alex Heller. It's one of the most hauntingly beautiful, creepy, heart wrenching things I've seen in a long time (or perhaps I'm just feeling a bit sensitive these days?) Either way, you should watch. I'd love to hear what you guys think. I haven't been able to shake it for days. Thanks to Tod Pardon for the link.

Creep (Radiohead) - Scala & Kolacny Brothers from Alex Heller on Vimeo.

The film is comprised of over 1500 still images shot on a Nikon D60. The song used is a cover of Radiohead's Creep performed by Belgium’s Scala & Kolacny Brothers.

Freya Jobbins

Doll Face © Freya Jobbins

Freya Jobbins is an Australian artist who contacted me recently because she thought I might be interested in checking out her work… and of course I was, VERY interested!

Morphie © Freya Jobbins

Dear Old Darth © Freya Jobbins

These busts, or "Morphies" as she calls them, are comprised of discarded dolls/plastic toys and re-assembled into 3D heads. Too fun! To learn more out Freya and meet her wonderful "Morphie" characters, check out her website: freyajobbins.com

Morphie © Freya Jobbins

Of her work Freya says, "They have been 'labeled' as PROVOCATIVE HUMOUROUS & DISTURBING - I love this description."

What do you guys think? Pretty cool right?

Inspired by: Pierce Healy

Memory Map 11 by Pierce Healy

Memory Map 11 (detail) by Pierce Healy

I was recently introduced to the work of Dublin jeweler Pierce Healy via Velvet Da Vinci Gallery's current exhibition of his work entitled: Memory Maps on view November 3 - November 30, 2010. The show features Healy's illustrative jewelry works which simply blew my mind.

Memory Map 4 by Pierce Healy

Healy creates intricate, narrative dream-scapes with a sophisticated graffiti quality. I love how they feel like hand-drawn, like free-form doodles, yet painstakingly rendered using time-intensive engraving techniques. I never really had a burning desire to learn how to engrave, but these works definitely make me want to try!

Memory Map 6 (detail) by Pierce Healy
Memory Map 6 by Pierce Healy

Along with each one-of-a-kind in the show, Healy also includes an intaglio printed image from the corresponding engraving. Oh my, how I would love to own one of these. What do you guys think? Are you drawn into these works as much as I am?

If you're interested in knowing more… below is a video about Pierce and his process (ps. who doesn't love an Irish accent?) Be sure to check out the full exhibition online at the Velvet Da Vinci website.

KameraKazi Shoots Pierce Healy (SNEAK PREVIEW!) from KameraKazi TV on Vimeo.

Inspired by: Jennifer Davis

Pair © Jennifer Davis 2010

Just when I think I couldn't possibly adore the work of Jennifer Davis any more than I already do, she comes out with something new.

I recently purchased this print of hers from tiny showcase, which of course I love, however, someday I WILL own an original painting.

I heart podcasts

One of my favorite tweets came from Rachel of Red Prairie Press: "In my studio, time is measured by @ThisAmericanLife 's not hours."

So true. I've spent many-a-workday magically swept away into podcast-land, hunched over my jeweler's bench, only to look up and suddenly realize: it's gotten dark outside and whoa… I've just listened to 5 consecutive This American Life episodes in a row.

Today I thought it might be fun to share a listing of all the podcasts I like to measure my studio time with. (quick disclosure here: I'm an unabashed liberal and a bit of a public radio addict so a lot of these come from NPR and it's affiliates…)

1. This American Life: seriously, who doesn't listen to this one, right? Ira Glass makes my heart swoon.

2. Radiolab: a "life science" podcast for the every-man/woman. An exploration into life's big questions, ideas and science, always presented in an engaging manner. Really worth checking out if you haven't!

3. Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen: a closer look at pop culture and the Arts. An all-time fave of mine.

4. Wait Wait Don't Tell Me: Weekly NPR news quiz show. Always entertaining, hilarious and informative, another all-time fave.

5. 51 Percent: A podcast about women. Not didactic feminist propaganda, just solid information ranging from political issues, women's health, to women and money, etc.

6. Real Time with Bill Maher: Bill has always been my guilty pleasure.

7. The Moth: Features people telling stories live on stage without notes on a huge range of topics. Very entertaining!

8. The Media Project : A weekly discussion of news/media related content. Alan Chartock may be a bit pompous in his delivery, but I do often tend to side with his ideals.

9. The Health Show : A weekly discussion of all things health related.

10. Fresh Air : Host Terry Gross, favorite interviewer of all time. I love to catch this show via podcast so I can download just the interviews I'm really interested in listening to.

11. Planet Money: Making sense of our global economy, the information is presented in a way even I can understand (for the most part.)

12. TED Talks: Just as they say, "Ideas Worth Spreading." Recorded from annual TED conferences. Engaging and forward thinking individuals presenting a range of ideas on stage live.

13. Selected Shorts: short fiction read by actors. This one is hit or miss for me but I still give it a go every now and then.

14. WhaleyStudios: Jay Whaley interviews interesting metal artists/jewelers, "famous" amongst our little world of art jewelry.

You can subscribe to all of these podcasts via itunes. OK, now it's your turn! What podcasts are you listening to?

daydreaming about a backyard studio…

recent aquisitions

Sparkle Glitter Pink Have-a-Heart Bust Pendant anyone? I think I might just have to.

And does anyone recognize this handsome fella?! Whoa, throw back to my childhood.

Fantastic Plastic

Brooch 259 by Karin Seufert

A blurb about The Plastic Show was featured on the Lark Books website on October 6th. Man, I wish I could go see this show in person at Velvet Da Vinci! It just looks SO incredible. I guess I'll have to settle for an online viewing instead. Seriously… you need to check it out online.

Here are a few of my favorites from the exhibit…

Palm 01 Brooch by Sun Kyoung Kim
Leaf Wings Brooch by Yuka Saito


Alpine Rose and Star Brooch by Jante Fleischhut


Brooch by Leslie Shershow

Autumn is my favorite time of year

snuggled up kitty-kin in his buttercup:

homemade apple crisp… mmmmm

we saw this AMAZING sunset from our backyard last weekend:

Happy October everyone!

Eleanor White

Jack of Spades II © Eleanor White

Last weekend the hubby and I attended the Beacon Open Studios event going on across town as a way to get out and connect with some local artists. It was a lot of fun and we met some great folks that I'm very much looking forward to connecting with again.

Jack of Spades II (detail) © Eleanor White

One artist that I was particularly curious about was Eleanor White. I had seen her work online before, so I was excited to get a chance to see it in person. Unfortunately, she was not in the studio at the time we were there, but we did get a chance to speak to her husband a bit.

Eleanor creates what she calls, "playing card drawings" which are assemblages/arrangements/alterations of playing cards. She draws on the cards, scratches away, or uses gold and silver leaf to affect the surface of the cards.

Card Variations © Eleanor White

King of Hearts (detail) © Eleanor White

King of Hearts © Eleanor White

It was cool to learn that Eleanor received her MFA in sculpture from the Maryland Institute College of Art - my alma mater! She was also the recipient of a 2007 NYFA fellowship for drawing which is a huge honor.

Jack of Clubs © Eleanor White

Queen of Hearts, Jack of Spades, Queen of Diamonds © Eleanor White

I really responded to these works, particularly the circular pieces. Perhaps it's the patterning effect or their almost floral-like symmetry, but I immediately see the "wear-ability" of these works. Definitely inspirational for me! What do you guys think? …you like?

For more images and information about Eleanor White check out: http://eleanorwhite.blogspot.com/

King of Hearts II, Queen of Hearts II © Eleanor White

circular works (framed) © Eleanor White

As a curious side note… also on display in her studio was this gigantic hairball, collected and made out of her own hair…

Shed (hairball) © Eleanor White

I found this hilarious, because I too used to collect and make (smaller) hairballs out of my hair once upon a time…

Caged Hair Necklace © Margaux Lange 2000

(PS. I still have this piece I made back in college. I know! - shocking it never sold! hahaha)

staples, push pins and packaging tape

© Baptiste Debombourg

© Baptiste Debombourg

© Baptiste Debombourg

Have you guys seen these yet? My friend sent me these links and I just had to share. They absolutely amaze me (made entirely out of staples!)

© Baptiste Debombourg

© Baptiste Debombourg

The artist, Baptiste Debombourg, has a breadth of great work on his website, so go check it out.

Push pins more your style? The artist Eric Daigh has you covered. One part George Seurat, one part Chuck Close, one part office supply store awesomeness…

© Eric Daigh

© Eric Daigh

© Eric Daigh

And lastly, packaging tape on backlit panels by artist Mark Khaisman. SO beautiful! I really enjoyed reading the FAQ's on his website, you should too.

© Mark Khaisman

© Mark Khaisman

© Mark Khaisman

© Mark Khaisman

© Mark Khaisman

© Mark Khaisman