Friday, October 27, 2006

Ceramic Vases by Steve Czerniel



New today, we have beautiful ceramic vases from Steve Czerniel. This is what Steve has to say about his work:
Clay is natural to me. I’ve had my hands in it for over 30 years and expect I will do so for 30 years more. As I continue this fascination with clay, my work continues to evolve. I have recently become curious about what could happen if vessels were made from clay and fired in many pieces, only to be reunited later as one form. Over time, I continue to refine and expand the idea from both a technical and a creative standpoint. When complete, each of my pieces becomes a true individual, no two ever fit back together the same way.
Now, I’ve created a new palette to work with. One that allows me to not only experiment with shape, size and texture, but also an endless combination of vibrant color.
Each piece starts with an idea. I draw it, and then cast it into a plaster mold. I roll out large slabs of clay, and then wrap them around the mold to form a frame and center. Later, I pull the mold from the piece, leaving the clay frame behind. Each tile is individually cut to fill the center and fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. Then it all comes apart. Each frame and tile is dried, sanded and glazed separately. When all the parts have been fired, I piece everything back together again. Each vase comes with a plastic liner cup that will slip into the vase and hold water for fresh flowers.

Friday, October 13, 2006

Scarves from Sonya MacKintosh




It's getting chilly and time to start thinking about keeping warm in winter. Try a scarf from Sonya MacKintosh. Each scarf is hand crafted with nature-inspired tactile fibers that have subtle variances. All of her scarves are fluid and highly-sculpted.
Drawn to the textures, colors, and patterns found in nature, Sonya's resulting scarves are nubby and uniquely three-dimensional with a mixture of fabrics and tones. Those who wear them can express their own individuality and satisfy a need for style and comfort.

She achieves the quality she strives for in her work by manipulating traditional knitting looms and finding innovative ways to use them. Sonya also enjoys experimenting with combinations of yarns that are effected differently by heat and water.

Sonya Mackintosh is the founder and designer of smARTWORKS, Inc. where she has been designing scarves and managing their production and business since 1994. Her Bachelor of Arts degree from the Rhode Island School of Design and diverse textile-based professional experiences lead her to success and joy in owning her own scarf production company in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains. She can most often be found on the production floor, in her business office, or interacting with customers at fine trade shows. She feels at home as an entrepreneur in the Berkshires as it is reminiscent of her early years as a child in a family of business owners in London, England. Creative, bold, and driven are all qualities that have allowed Sonya Mackintosh to reach the success she has in a relatively short period of time. Fulfilling a lifelong dream to be in business for herself, Mackintosh has created a design company that now competes on an international level.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Just In! Holly Yashi Jewelry


A partnership of art and industry, Holly Yashi was founded in 1981 by jewelry designer Holly Hosterman and industrial artist Paul Lubitz (a.k.a. Yashi). Holly Yashi's stylish jewelry, with its amazing, luminous colors and innovative materials, met with immediate success in the marketplace, and the company soon became known throughout the U.S.

Twenty years - and tens of thousands of earrings ago - Holly Yashi was born in a rented garage in the small college town of Arcata, deep behind the "Redwood Curtain" along the rugged coast of Northern California. Paul Lubitz, with a master's degree in Industrial Arts, and Holly Hosterman, with a bachelor's degree in Fine Art, decided to start a jewelry manufacturing business. Holly, with early awards in school and a recent successful showing of her handcrafted jewelry thought, "Can we really do this for a living?"

It was a singular event, however, that really fired Holly Yashi's artistic and financial success. Along with the gold, silver, and copper they had been using, Holly and Paul discovered the extraordinary beauty that lurks in a dull grey metal called niobium. Dipped in an electrically-charged bath, the refractory metal flashes into magnificent colors (oxide layers that permanently change its color), depending on what voltage of electricity is applied.

Though niobium is twice the price of silver and nine times the price of titanium, Holly's designs demand its superior coloring properties. Equally important, niobium is environmentally clean from start to finish. And besides being clean, it is lightweight and so hypoallergenic that it's highly sought after for use in surgical implants - perfect for earrings.

We are now carrying Reversibles from Holly Yashi. Each piece is two sided making each item of jewelry versatile enough to be worn either way – giving you two for the price of one!

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Heart Ornaments by Paul Strauch



We've had Paul Strauch's door bells but we are now carrying his heart ornaments. His ornaments use words and symbols...poetry and art. Together they create a synthesis of joy, humor, kindness and hope in your lives. Paul's heart symbols and poems are paired to share warm feelings and bring a smile to the people around you. Each heart is cast in Hydrostone™ and paired with a quote. The quote is printed on a 4" X 4" card as well as on the back of the heart. Each heart comes individually boxed.