01.02.17 In with the new...

No "real" post today - just enjoying having our daughter at home for a couple more weeks of college break, and remembering my mom, from whom I inherited my love of jewelry.

Happy New Year.

Until next time.

12.26.16 Auld Lang Syne

As I sat down to write my last post for this year, 

I looked back at my final entry for 2015 - I was surprised at how much it still resonates:

The last few weeks have been difficult – just watching what is going on here at home and around the world – and more than I expected it to be, the blog and jewelry making have been a source of beauty and comfort for me.  There is something so affirming about being able to work with my hands and make art – and it has given me a way to escape reality for a few hours at a time.


Now, perhaps more than ever, art matters...both as a way to bring beauty into the world, and as a means of seeing things through a critical lens.

Go out and find the artists in your community - get to know them, support them, and perhaps even join them.

Until next time.

PS - I'm going to take the first couple of weeks of January off, while my daughter is home from college, but I'll be back.

 

12.19.16 SCORE! (Ippolita trunk show follow up)

Last week I suggested that if you were in Austin and had time, you should swing by Russell Korman for the Ippolita trunk show...and here's one of the reasons why...when jewelry reps travel for these shows, they often bring "hidden gems" (ha, ha, ha) with them that you won't find in regular store stock or online.

I told my husband I was going - and he said "oh, good - make sure I buy you something really nice for Hanukkah and our anniversary".  Only too happy to oblige, when I spotted these silver and diamond linear drops I knew right away that they were going to be mine.  They have clean lines, classic styling and great movement (all the things I love in a piece of jewelry).

I got home and went to the Ippolita website, in search of a picture (better than one I could take) to post - and couldn't find them.  I typed in the style number written on my receipt, and got an error message that read "SORRY THERE ARE NO RESULTS FOR THAT ITEM NUMBER".

Well, I knew that wasn't true - because I bought them.  So I searched a little more with keywords...

I found these...

Photo credit: IPPOLITA

and these...

Photo credit: IPPOLITA

but not the ones I purchased.

So I called Ippolita, and asked...turns out that they take samples and one of kind pieces to trunk shows - and that's the only place you can find them.

I am thrilled!  Not only do a I have great new pair of earrings - that look fabulous with my lost wax pendant - but they are unique, which makes them extra special.


I encourage you, any time you can, to attend trunk shows - you can talk to the jewelry artist or their representative, learn more about the brand, and often find something really special for yourself or a gift.

There's still a week until Hanukkah and Christmas - I hope, if you are still shopping, you will seek out local holiday fairs and trunk shows at your favorite independent jeweler.




Whatever your celebration over the next few days - I hope it is full of sparkle.

Until next time. 

12.12.16 Ip, ip, ip...IPPOLITA!

Photo credit: IPPOLITA

(and you thought I was going to say 'ooray!)

I'm having a really busy holiday season - so this post will be short.  But I didn't want to miss a week so close to the end of the year - and I am absolutely going to find time to go to Russell Korman for their Ippolita trunk show on Wednesday (December 14).

As fine jewelry companies go, Ippolita - founded in 1999 by Italian artist and designer Ippolita Rostagno - is a relative newcomer.  Her contemporary pieces featuring precious metals and gemstones are some of my favorites - and they transition beautifully from casual to dressy wear.

Photo credit: IPPOLITA

I have several pairs of her earrings - and I love mixing her high end dangles with some of my most "low end" necklaces. 

I wrote one of my first posts about wearing these blue "Rock Candy" doublet earrings with a $20 necklace of glass beads strung on waxed cotton.






There are a lot of things I really like about Ippolita in addition to the clean, simple shapes - it is one of the most colorful lines of fine jewelry I've ever seen. Additionally, because she works in silver as well gold, many of her pieces are very affordable (making it easier for me to justify buying a pair of earrings almost annually!).

Recently, I've been wearing my oval diamond "Stella" drops with a pendant I made from a piece of reclaimed surfboard resin. I love the bright colors, and decided that it needed something whimsical on the reverse - so I gave it a fat tabby cat. I had so much fun making this one I decided to keep it.

That's it for this week - like I said, short and sweet (but it still counts, right?).




Don't miss your chance to shop locally for this great jewelry line in Austin - the staff and IPPOLITA reps will be there from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday (the jewelry is always there) - so swing on by, perhaps I'll see you.  If not, tell them Deb sent you!

In case you've forgotten, you can find Russell Korman at 5011 Burnet Road.

Until next time.

12.05.16 Visions of Sugarplums...reprise

Ballet Austin Nutcracker Cast 2013 - my daughter's last show

Last week I visited the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired - as I have done for many years - to share music and stories about the Nutcracker with the students there, before they attend a Ballet Austin school show performance.

I'm reprising this post from last year, because it really captures how I feel about the Nutcracker, and the gift that the TSBVI students give to me, by letting me visit with them each year as the holiday season approaches.

When my daughter was 3 years old, we were invited to a mother-daughter event to see Ballet Austin's production of Cinderella.  For more than 2 hours, she sat on the edge of her seat, and when the curtain went down and the lights went up, she said to me "Mommy, I'm going to be a ballerina".

My response was "of course you are" - because all 3 year old girls want to be ballerinas.

However, my girl really DID go on to be a ballerina; for 14 years she danced at the Ballet Austin Academy, and for 10 of those years she was part of the annual cast of the Nutcracker (she STILL dances for fun and exercise).

Charms - all the roles

My daughter was so excited to be cast as an angel her first year, and I bought her a James Avery angel charm, and had the date engraved on the back, as a keepsake.  The next two years, she danced as a mouse in the battle scene, so I bought mouse charms, and by her fourth year, it occurred to me that maybe instead of putting these charms on her regular charm bracelet, they needed to be own their own...so it was...that over the course of those 10 years we created a shiny record of all of her performances.

I confess, I tired of the schlep to rehearsals and the theater, and saw the production more times than I can count...but I got involved in my own way.  I became a docent - going into schools in the Austin area to talk to elementary school students about ballet and what they will see when they attend the performance.

Backs - all the dates

Being a docent is hands down my favorite part of the Nutcracker.  There is something so special and fulfilling about the opportunity to bring an art form I love to students, who often, have never seen a live performance.  For most of my presentations I rely on the wonderful materials provided Ballet Austin Community Education staff.  In addition to the presentation itself, each docent receives a bag chock full of props including, of course, a Nutcracker. For the past several years I’ve also been the docent for a particularly special group of children – the students at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired - and I was excited to see them again last week.

When I was first asked to do the presentation for TSBVI, I was already an experienced docent.  I said “yes” without a full appreciation of what I was taking on.  I knew the students would have little or no sight, but what I did not know what the range of other special needs the residential school serves.  Some students are sight impaired, but very high functioning in other areas, and some have much more severe disabilities and special needs. Fortunately, the school has a wonderful music teacher who gave me great advice on what would spark their interest and be appropriate for her students.

A TSBVI student holds a Nutcracker

Being the docent for TSBVI made me think about ballet in a way that goes beyond the visual.  To bring the Nutcracker alive for these students I focus on their other senses.  Students hear the story through descriptive audio services when they attend the performance at the Long Center, and Tchaikovsky’s fabulous score provides signature phrases for many scenes.

In the first act, there is the ominous music that precedes or indicates the arrival of the Rat King.  At the end of the act, there is snow - which does not fall silently – but as the rhythmic tapping of 32 perfectly timed pointe shoes moving across the stage.  In the second act, each "sweet" has their own musical theme, and as we listen I ask students to imagine the taste and smell of coffee, tea, cinnamon, chocolate, almond and peppermint. 

A TSBVI student tries on a costume

The students also love the costumes. Over the years I’ve made a point of taking well embellished tutus so that students can feel the beading, embroidery and tulle – allowing them to “visualize” the garment in their minds - truly creating visions of sugarplums.

My daughter is in college now, and we attend a performance every year when she is home.  But it is my time with these special children that really helps me to "see" the beauty of this "holiday gem".

Until next time.

11.28.16 Thankful

My mother in law's beautiful Thanksgiving table

Thanksgiving was wonderful.  We spent it at my mother in law's with all three of our children, and both our sons brought their girlfriends for the weekend.  It reminded me of all I have to be grateful for...







Let's start with my husband, who has supported and encouraged me for nearly 25 years.  Without him there would be no blog, no jewelry, no opportunity for me to make art and support the work of others.

My children, my daughter who will turn 21 in just a few days and my (step) sons, I've written about them before - I call them my "gift with purchase" for marrying their dad.  They are the source of limitless joy and pride, and have grown into some of the finest adults I know.

My mother in law, boy did I hit the jackpot.  Not only is she the best Mimi any kid could ask for, but she has been there for me - especially in the years since my own mother died.  She also puts out an amazing holiday meal year after year.

My friends, old and new, real life and virtual.  You have cheered me on, read my blog (almost 10,000 times), and bought my jewelry.

Creative Side - the staff, teachers and my fellow students and benchmates.  I learn something new every time I walk through the doors - and look forward to being at the bench for a long, long time.

I try to get up and count my blessings - which are so many - every day.  It seemed appropriate to take a moment and share my gratitude with all of you.

Until next time.

11.21.16 Shop Local upDATE - Holiday Art Fairs 2016

If this post looks a little familiar, it's because I wrote about my three favorite local holiday art fairs around this time last year - and I thought you all might like updated information on dates and locations (especially if you didn't see last year's post).

Blue Genie Art Bazaar – November 25 – December 24
Cherrywood Art Fair, December 10 and 11
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar – December 14 – 24

Photo credit: CHULA

While it’s the smallest of the three, the Cherrywood Art Fair is nearest and dearest to my heart.  Started in 2002 as a way to support neighborhood artists and elementary school art programs, it has grown into a very big deal.  In 2003 it moved to Maplewood Elementary school (our neighborhood school), where it is now one of the most anticipated events of the holiday season.  With over one hundred artists, musical performances and food vendors, it is great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

Not only can you support these great artists through your purchases, a portion of the proceeds from the event goes to support the Little Artist BIG ARTIST program.

Since 2007, Little Artist BIG ARTIST has provided an opportunity for fifth-graders from East Austin elementary schools to work with BIG ARTISTS to create their own art.  BIG ARTISTS provide their time and professional experience as working artists to guide their Little Artists to envision, plan, and create at least two pieces of artwork during their 10 week one-on-one collaboration.  The artwork is part of a silent auction each year at the Cherrywood Art Fair.

Photo credit: Blue Genie Art Bazaar

Just up the road a piece - in their new location at 6100 Airport Boulevard - and open for nearly a month starting the day after Thanksgiving, is the Blue Genie Art Bazaar.

What started as some creative people deciding to have a little holiday fun has become one of my favorite must shop Austin holiday traditions.

According to the history on their website - "The first Blue Genie Art Bazaar was held in 2001 at the Blue Genie Art Industries (BGA) shop, where we mostly sold items made by Blue Genie employees. Without putting much thought into it, we built a few walls, hung up some clip lights, and swept the floor — and then we opened the doors. It was quickly apparent that we had something exciting on our hands. Now, the bazaar features the handmade, unique work of over 130 artists, whom we select from a talented pool of more than 300 applicants. We have spent over a decade refining the bazaar, and we’re quite proud of what it has grown into."

I ALWAYS find something at Blue Genie, sometimes it's even something for me!

Photo credit: Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
Art by Aly Winningham

The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is the oldest and longest running of the fairs.  If you REALLY want to make a day of it - get tickets to Ballet Austin's Nutcracker (which runs through December 23, right next door at the Long Center for the Performing Arts), then stroll over to the Palmer Events Center for a different kind of Texas culture.

With artists from all over the country, it's not just a great place to shop for gifts - but a wonderful way to entertaining out of town friends and family wandering from booth to booth while hearing great Texas music.









In case you can't one or more of these events - or aren't fortunate enough to get to Austin at all - here are links to a few of the Austin-based jewelry artists I've shopped with over the years:

adaptive reUse - Christine Terrell uses vintage tins to make one of a kind earrings, necklaces, belt buckles and cufflinks.
Dish it Out Jewelry - Holli Brown brakes vintage plates - and turns them into wonderful earrings, pendants and bracelets.
Fail Jewelry - Christine Fail works in gold, silver, brass and gemstones to create beautiful contemporary wearable art
Lisa Crowder Jewelry - Lisa Crowder creates distinctive floral and geometric jewelry in silver, gold and enamel.
Metalsgirl - Lisa Gibson combines stones and silver in wonderful, colorful, wearable works of art.
Poppy & Fern - Rachel Pruitt creates tiny embroidered works of art to wear on a chain or hang on the wall.
Steve Kriechbaum Goldsmith - Steve Kriechbaum is a master bench jeweler working in precious metals and gemstones.  Fun fact - he and his associate Nora McMullen are also instructors at Creative Side Jewelry Academy.
Stones Throw Studio -  Kyle Goss works primarily with silver and stones to make jewelry with an organic look and feel.

Happy shopping - and stay tuned for at least one more "shop local" post.

Until next time.