04.24.17 Read My Pins (and GET OFF MY LAWN)

I don't get very many comments on the blog, but when I do - I also get an email notification - and I do a little happy dance...until recently...

After I wrote about the Women's March and my pink pussy cat pendant, someone left a comment that said (essentially) I should stick to jewelry and leave politics out of it (not unlike telling the Dixie Chicks to "shut up and sing").

I deleted the comment (because it was rude, and it IS my blog) and considered sending a private message to the person who posted, but then thought better of it - and I'm putting my response right here - on the blog.

Photo credit: amazon.com

Jewelry doesn't have to be political - but it certainly can be - and there is no better example of the use of jewelry to make a statement than former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

Let me confess right now that I am a huge admirer of Secretary Albright. When her memoir, Madame Secretary, came out I bought and read it immediately.  After reading it, I was so moved that I wrote her a letter. Well, damned if she didn't write me back and send me a bookplate. I treasure that bookplate and her gracious letter.





Years later, after she finished her term as Secretary of State, she wrote another book, Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat's Jewel Box, in which she describes how she used different pieces of jewelry to express herself as America's most senior diplomat.

On the inside flap of the book jacket she writes:

"Before long and without intending it, I found that jewelry had become part of my personal diplomatic arsenal.  Former President George H.W. Bush had been know for saying 'Read my lips'. I began urging colleagues to 'Read my pins.'"

Photo credit: amazon.com

I was fortunate to be able to see the exhibit of pins at the Smithsonian in 2010, just after the book was published - and I spent hours looking at the over 200 pieces of jewelry.

The brooches run the range from molded resin, to plated metal department store costume pieces, to this exquisite diamond encrusted panther from Cartier.

Photo credit: Katel Riou, Cartier

The exhibit of pins continues to travel - it is currently in California at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library through late June.  If it comes to a museum near you, I encourage you to go see it - for both the rich lesson in political history and the beautiful jewelry.

Until next time.


P.S. In support of the March for Science, from now until the end of April - purchase the Cherry Pi or one of 3 Chem Lab pendants currently featured in my Etsy shop and I will donate $20 from each sale to the Nature Conservancy.

02.20.07 Art for Good

Photo credit: Southern Poverty Law Center twitter

I don't know about you - but it's been a month since the inauguration - and I'm still trying to figure out exactly how to cope and what to do...every day seems to bring some new challenge.

I was travelling and unable to attend my local Women's March - but I still wanted to find a way to get involved. I was incredibly moved by the photos from all over the country (world!) with of seas of people wearing pink hats...then I had an idea...a pink pendant that I would sell and donate the proceeds to civil and reproductive rights organization.



I've had a pink mother of pearl heart cabochon in my collection of stones for a while.  It seemed perfect for a piece inspired by the march.

When I got back to the studio on Monday, I pulled out my trusty Green Lion saw and cut a cat out of the backplate for the pendant (a nod to those millions of crocheted pink kitty ear hats...even the Make Way for Ducklings statues in Boston's Public Garden were wearing them).









On Sunday, a couple of weeks after the march, I put the pendant up for auction on Instagram - with an explanation that all the proceeds from the sale would be donated to civil and reprodctive rights organizations.  I was delighted by the support I received - and the pendant sold for over $150 - enabling me to make contributions to Planned Parenthood, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the ACLU.

It felt really good to know that I was putting my art to work helping people...so good, that I've decided that I am going to designate some of my future sales as well.

A few items in my shop will be designated as Art for Good, and portion of the proceeds from these sales will be donated to charitable organizations.  One of the items is this hamsa pendant (available now, just click the link) which I am calling "Salaam-Shalom" (the Arabic and Hebrew words for "peace").  When it sells, I'll make a contribution to an organization helping immigrants and refugees affected by the travel ban imposed recently.

I'm grateful that I can retreat to the bench a few hours a week, and turn down the volume on all that is happening in the world...but feel that it is important to be aware of how lucky that makes me, and use my good fortune to do something to help others.

As I keep saying, now more than ever, art matters.  Go out into your community and find artists whose work speaks to you. Get to know them - and support them - in difficult times they are some of our strongest voices.

Until next time.

01.30.17 Art Grabs Back

Emily Cawood - Art Grabs Back

Is anyone else's head spinning?  January just flew by - and the turmoil of the past 48 hours had kept me from thinking about anything other than the national news.

Even as I go about my routine - and put up a weekly blog post on - it's important to remember this is not normal.

Now more than ever - I believe art matters.

I have an especially talented friend who has launched a new FB page devoted to her political cartoons and other resistance art. It's called Art Grabs Back (I can take partial credit for the name). You should be following her.

Back at the bench - check out my Etsy store for the finished pieces

I'm been back at the bench - which is especially therapeutic.  Being able to create is a form of self care - which we all need for balance as we stand up to injustice.

I attended BlogathonATX over the weekend - it was incredibly informing and inspiring.  The blogging community has an important role to play in making people's voices heard. There will be a full post about that very soon...





I created a special pendant - also called Art Grabs Back - which I auctioned off on Instragram over the weekend.  It sold for more than $150 - and all the proceeds will be donated to civil and reproductive rights organizations.  I'm thinking about creating more pieces where a portion of the sale will support organizations working for social justice.

I also hit a milestone this month - I sold four pieces, and as a result covered all my studio and supply costs for the month! Not paying myself for my time - yet - but definitely getting there.

So, my apologies for this very short offering - but I'll be back with more soon.

Until next time.