New Anne Choi Beads...

Look what other little goodies came in the mail today as well! These are amazing Anne Choi beads. I love them with all my heart. The poem ones include lines from an Francis Thompson poem - one of my favorites. The other two are her new key beads. Aren't they SUPER!?!?

Steam Stones...

These goodies arrived in the post earlier today from Melanie of Earthenwood Studio. They are from her new line of steampunk inspired porcelain components called, "Steam Stones." Aren't they great? She also sent along more little watch guts. I've got lots of plans for these little treats.

Illustration Friday: Pet Peeves...

"She had a list of pet peeves. Despite her best intentions, whenever someone transgressed upon her sacred rules and codes of conduct, she became a real monster - one that foamed and frothed at the mouth as she detailed acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. No one dared make the same mistakes around her twice!"


Honestly, I wasn't quite moved by this week's Illustration Friday theme, Pet Peeves. Buried neck-deep in other projects, I kept waiting for inspiration to strike on this prompt but it never really did. Instead I'm using an older piece from a series of monster collages that I did. I know it's a bit of a stretch, but sometimes you feel it and sometimes you don't.

Happy Easter...

Firstly, I must point out that I don't really celebrate Easter. (But for those of you who do, Happy Easter! Or Merry Ostara!) I do enjoy some of the activities associated with the holiday, such as egg decorating and gorging ones' self on overly-saccharine candy. One of the things that I really particularly like is the onslaught of bunny imagery. This fascination all started with Jen Tong's Bunny Boy silkscreen print. After that, I got a fever for bunny artwork. My favorites are where the bunnies are deformed or anthropomorphic in some weird or unusual way. CLICK HERE to go to my Flickr set of prints and artwork from my collection.

If you're an artist and would like to trade, feel free to hit me up. I always like a good trade! Or if you know of any good artists making affordable prints or art that include interesting rabbit-friends, don't be afraid to leave a comment. I am more than happy to investigate.

Pulse Room...

I just read about the interactive installation by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer called, "Pulse Room." It really is quite amazing. I love pieces that directly involve the viewer and are still gorgeous. CLICK HERE to see a video about the room.

New Goodies...

Just got my package from Ornamentea. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, it's one of my favorite bead shops. They've got a diverse selection of findings. I picked up some Elaine Ray beads, clock parts, and gunmetal chain.

New Necklace...

This is one of the new pieces that I've been working on. It was done for one of my co-workers at my day-job. We sat down and did a design consultation. One of the first things I like to do is a Jungian series of questions that sheds light on a person's inner feelings about themselves, society, their sex life and the after-life. Yep... who knew a word game could be so revealing? Then I talk with them about their style, paying special attention to what they have already in their existing collection (making notes on color, shape, size, and lengths). To finish off the consultation, a quick sketch is done. Above is the end result.

Complete...

I've heard stories about love letters delivered 20 years after the fact, but never did I think it'd happen to me. Well, in this case it wasn't a love letter, but instead a Specimen print from the wonderful Amy Walsh. Oh, and instead of 20 years it was a few weeks, but it was still a victim of being lost in the mail. Luckily it found it's way to me and its friends and I can happily add it to my collection - making it complete.

Vanitas Vanitatum Omni Vanitas...

I just discovered the works of Amy Sarkisian and they are deeply appealing to my secret Rococo sensibilities. Something about their excess and seemingly rock star glamor remind me heavily of the European vanitas paintings. Her skull pieces (which are my favorite) have an edgy ornateness that is highly seductive and completely iconic. It reminds me of a line from the Bible which means, "Vanities of vanity; all is vanity."

Tap Project...

Today the 'Wichcraft locations in New York are participating in UNICEF's Tap Project. Our restaurant invites customers to donate a dollar or more for a glass of tap water that would normally be free. Each dollar raised goes towards providing one child clean drinking water for 40 days. I think it's easy to take for granted that if you want a glass of water, you just go over to the sink or the refrigerator and pour one. My family in the Philippines has a regimen of taking a boat out to get freshwater miles away. One boat goes out as the other comes in. It's a daily activity that is crucial to their survival. A missed trip means no water for that day. Please donate if you can!

Radio Silence...

It's been awhile since I've last updated. I apologize for my absence. However, I've been very busy making lots of things and working on tons of projects. I will be updating shortly with all the new developments.

Illustration Friday: Heavy...

The theme for this week's Illustration Friday challenge is, "Heavy." I thought about a lot of different approaches that I might take, but ended up fixing an older piece to match the theme. Here is how it fits:

He tried not to think on his history. It was one of those things that were better left unsaid. Years had passed since he thought about any of it, but still - his history wore on him heavily. His features dripped with the weight of it all; they were ravaged.

Mistress of Spices...

I saw a trailer for The Mistress of Spices and had to check it out. I read the book by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni awhile ago and had enjoyed it much. I have a thing for magical realism and descriptions that read like poetry.

I have mixed feelings about the film. On one hand, some of the visuals were absolutely stunning. These scenes were infused with color and were just radiant. Others were a little less than stellar. Namely the flashbacks. Often times they seemed flat and had that low-budget-made-for-t.v. feel.

Whenever a movie is translated from a book into a film, I am usually surprised at what they decided to keep and what they decided to discard. It really shows what is important to the filmmakers and what's not... which doesn't always mean everyone meets eye to eye. For instance, in the book, the character named Tilo is in the form of an old woman that had been burnt. Having this, I think, makes the relationship between the love interests more interesting and dynamic. It's not just, boy sees pretty girl and falls in love.

Ultimately, I loved the book and only kind of liked the film. It's not perfect in my mind and could use a little umph, but it'll be a great movie to work to. It has worked wonders on inspiring my appetite for Indian cuisine. Check it out, if you've got the time.

Gluttony...

It's been a long week! My day-job has been super busy. All is made better now by this find: Häagen-Dazs' caramelized pear and toasted pecan ice cream. When I did find this Manna from Heaven... I bought all they had. It's not right... but it's okay.

New Goodies...

I'm working on some new projects. I'm not going to elaborate too much on the nature of them. However, I will show a picture and say that everything is 100% recycled.

Thank You...

I just wanted to post a little note thanking EVERYONE who has supported Stringing for a Cure! Firstly, I'd like to thank the winners of the auctions! Your generosity will help Rachel and her mother reach their goal and support the fight against breast cancer. Secondly, I'd like to extend my great appreciation to all those who valiantly bid, but did not win. Thank you for showing your encouragement and for trying. Last, but not least, I would like to warmly acknowledge all of you out there who helped spread the word and made this fund-raiser a success! Each of you who posted to your blogs, forwarded the email, and let others know are truly a blessing. Thank you all a thousand times over... my words do not properly express how extremely grateful I am.

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Approaching Zero Hour...

The online auctions benefiting Rachel Stokoe's goal of participating in the 3 Day Journey (a fund-raising event for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust) are ending soon! There's still time if you're looking to make any last minute bids. Don't delay! Along with helping Rachel, you'll also receive one of four necklaces I've made that have appeared in Stringing Magazine. Support the Cause! Be responsible for the Cure! Together we can make a difference!

CLICK HERE to bid on Child of Morning.

CLICK HERE to bid on Smile Rising.

CLICK HERE to bid on Treasure Net.

CLICK HERE to bid on Golden Secret.

Good luck to everyone who is bidding!

And remember, even if you don't win... there's still an opportunity to help. CLICK HERE to donate directly to this very worthwhile Cause.

Day-Light Savings...

I am not good with dates or times. I think it's a cop out to blame being an artist. Many great artists have been perfectly capable of telling time and even designing time pieces and doings calendars and creating charts that relate to Time. I, however, am not one of them. I like the idea of owning your own Time and not being a slave to it and letting things flow about you. It's probably not a good thing to admit, but I'd be lying if I said any different.

Speaking of days...

Only 1 day remains to...
Bid to SAVE LIVES!
Bid to SUPPORT RESEARCH!
HELP FIGHT BREAST CANCER and
MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY!

A Walk in the Park...

While at the museum, a friend and I ran into one of our college cronies, Max Lust. It was good to see him and catch up a bit. You can see some of his cartoon adventures by CLICKING HERE. The weather had cleared up a bit. Although still drizzly, the park was right there and perfect for an afternoon stroll.

Above is a picture of one of my most favorite places: the Bethesda Pavilion. In summer I come here to lay out on the grass and watch the fireflies in the early evening, or watch the swans swimming by, or the dragonflies hovering over head. It truly is a magical place.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude finally got The Gates in the Ramble! Well... actually they didn't. This is just construction netting up for the restoration of the Lake. During the showing of the Gates, they were not allowed to put them up in the Ramble as it's a bird sanctuary.

This is one of the statues that was built into the Bethesda Pavilion of an owl. With statues, I always imagine what they've seen and try to vicariously experience the secret and silent existences that they have. Did this owl see the frail woman in her 70's doing a ballet piece on skates dressed in a purple leopard-print leotard as well?


No one believes that I can speak bird (even though I can speak one or two dialects). Usually, they just hack it up to me being eccentric. However, if you were to have been there, you would have seen me chirping to all the little chickadees. From all the surrounding bushes, they flew and gathered around me. I wasn't just talking to myself... they were listening back. Here's a shot of a few of them doing just that.

Don't delay! Only two days left to...
Bid to SAVE LIVES!
Bid to SUPPORT RESEARCH!
HELP FIGHT BREAST CANCER and
MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY!

The National Design Museum...

I ended up having the day off! It was a rather rainy day off, but nonetheless quite enjoyable. After brunch at Moto, Chris, a friend, William and I headed to the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. We originally wanted to go to the Whitney, but thought that going to the opening weekend of the biennial would be sort of silly and crowded. Instead we delved into the world of Rococo and design.

One of my favorite things at the museum was apart of the exhibition of works from the permanent collection called, A Floral Fantasy in an Old English Garden. It was masterfully illustrated and very whimsical. I also really dug the English mourning jewelry made of human hair.

Hurry! Only two days left to...
Bid to SAVE LIVES!
Bid to SUPPORT RESEARCH!
HELP FIGHT BREAST CANCER and
MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY!

Stringing for a Cure: Two Days Left...

A little over two days remain to help Rachel reach her goal of participating in the 3 Day Journey benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust. I've donated four necklaces featured in Stringing Magazine to be auctioned off and the ends of the auctions are FAST APPROACHING! Bid generously to help support the cause!

Bid to SAVE LIVES! Bid to SUPPORT RESEARCH! Help FIGHT BREAST CANCER!
MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY!

"Treasure Net" originally appeared in the Spring 2007 issue of Stringing Magazine.

"Inspired by the treasures found in the depths of the wine-dark sea, this funky and fun necklace showcases an eclectic mix of finds. Cast your own net and create a truly unique addition to any jewelry box."

CLICK HERE to BID for
TREASURE NET!

"Golden Secret" originally appeared in the Fall 2007 issue of Stringing Magazine.

"What clandestine secret does this antique key unlock? Only the wearer of this gilt necklace - long and luscious - will know the answer."

CLICK HERE to BID for
GOLDEN SECRET!

"Smile Rising" originally appeared online as a companion to the Spring 2007 issue of Stringing Magazine.

"This sparkling carnelian and polished coral necklace evokes the warmth of a day of basking in the sun with the promise of spring as a backdrop, as an almost-smile spreads across the wearer's face."

CLICK HERE to BID for
SMILE RISING!

"Child of Morning" originally appeared in the Fall 2007 issue of Stringing Magazine AND was featured ON THE COVER!

"With luminous borosilicate glass, glittering faceted pearls and flashy rose gold leaves, rosy-fingered Dawn hangs with graceful movement and elegant sophistication. Wrap this lariat around your neck for a truly vogue and versatile piece!"

CLICK HERE to BID for
CHILD OF MORNING!

Illustration Friday: Garden...

This is my submission for this week's Illustration Friday's theme: Garden. It's a fairly quick one, but I wanted to get back in the swing of making new pieces for each week's challenge. I've titled it, "In Brooklyn's Garden of Earthly Delights." It's a play on the title of Bosch's painting. With this piece, I've tried to incorporate a lot of different techniques - bridging different modes that I've been working in. I also wanted to provoke questions of various layers of reality (what's real, what's not) and to explore the metaphor of "the garden."

Don't delay...
Bid to SAVE LIVES!
Bid to SUPPORT RESEARCH!
HELP FIGHT BREAST CANCER and
MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY!

Amy Wilson Multiples...

My friend, the wonderful Amy Wilson, sent these to me! I love them. They are two of the multiples that she has done in correspondence to the Miami Art Fairs. CLICK HERE to read about their histories and how they came about. I like how she's given them away in the past to the people she's meet at the fairs. In the face of something as commercial and consumerist-driven as the art fairs, there is something subversive and genuine about them. They're GREAT!

Don't forget to... Bid to SAVE LIVES! Bid to SUPPORT RESEARCH!
HELP FIGHT BREAST CANCER and
MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY!

Project Runway Finale...

This year I was in Tucson during Fashion Week and was unable to go to the Project Runway finale at Bryant Park in person. However, we headed over to Jenny and Sisha's to watch the finale with some beers and pizza. Overall, I was really impressed with what the designers came up with. I was particularly fond of Christan's designs. So, I'm glad he won.
Left: Christian's winning model sporting a look that helped him cinch victory.

Keep in mind to... Bid to SAVE LIVES! Bid to SUPPORT RESEARCH! HELP FIGHT BREAST CANCER and
MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY!

Owl Bottle Cap Bead...

I've been saving up bottle caps since Bead & Button. While in Tucson I turned them in to the delightful Cathy Collison of Glass Garden Beadworks. To the left is my PRIZE! My very own owl bottle cap bead made from Hitachino Nest caps. I love it! CLICK HERE to see the article from Stringing Magazine.

And remember... Bid to SAVE LIVES! Bid to SUPPORT RESEARCH! HELP FIGHT BREAST CANCER and
MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY!

Stringing for a Cure...

To help Rachel reach her goal of participating in the 3 Day Journey benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust, I've donated four necklaces featured in Stringing Magazine to be auctioned off.

Bid to SAVE LIVES! Bid to SUPPORT RESEARCH! Help FIGHT BREAST CANCER!
MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY!

"Treasure Net" originally appeared in the Spring 2007 issue of Stringing Magazine.

"Inspired by the treasures found in the depths of the wine-dark sea, this funky and fun necklace showcases an eclectic mix of finds. Cast your own net and create a truly unique addition to any jewelry box."

CLICK HERE to BID for
TREASURE NET!

"Golden Secret" originally appeared in the Fall 2007 issue of Stringing Magazine.

"What clandestine secret does this antique key unlock? Only the wearer of this gilt necklace - long and luscious - will know the answer."

CLICK HERE to BID for
GOLDEN SECRET!

"Smile Rising" originally appeared online as a companion to the Spring 2007 issue of Stringing Magazine.

"This sparkling carnelian and polished coral necklace evokes the warmth of a day of basking in the sun with the promise of spring as a backdrop, as an almost-smile spreads across the wearer's face."

CLICK HERE to BID for
SMILE RISING!

"Child of Morning" originally appeared in the Fall 2007 issue of Stringing Magazine AND was featured ON THE COVER!

"With luminous borosilicate glass, glittering faceted pearls and flashy rose gold leaves, rosy-fingered Dawn hangs with graceful movement and elegant sophistication. Wrap this lariat around your neck for a truly vogue and versatile piece!"

CLICK HERE to BID for
CHILD OF MORNING!

Stringing: Spring 2008...

I just got the latest issue of Stringing Magazine and saw my design, Ocean Bloom. The necklace features a beautiful lampwork piece I got from Paula Best's son-in-law, Nick Keresey. I've also got a couple of bracelet and earrings in this issue as well. You should definitely pick up a copy! It's full of inspirational designs from designers from around the globe. I particularly enjoy the Beads to Buy section spotlighting bee beads. Could it be my bee fetish?

3 Day Journey...

My friend, Rachel Stokoe is participating in the 3 Day Journey benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust. Her mom, Usha Stokoe was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after I met Rachel.

Right now, she is trying to raise the minimum so that she and her mom can bond while on the trip and help fight this disease one step at a time. CLICK HERE to donate to her very worthwhile cause. I DID!
Left: Here's a photo I took of Rachel for one of the series that I did a couple of years ago. She was so patient. She wore my funky dress that I made and went through the ordeal of me trying to learn Sarkilahti's fancy camera on the spot.

Above: "Untitled," 36" X 54", oil on canvas (sold to a private collection). This is one of my favorite paintings that she was working on when we first met.

Rachel is an amazingly talented artist whom I both respect an admire. She's GREAT! Her work is sensual and seems to drip with life. Within the next week, I'll be posting some jewelry pieces on EBay to help raise money for this wonderfully worthy cause. CLICK HERE to help donate to the cause!

Strangers Go By...

Today I worked at the Rockefeller Center location of my day job. Having lived here for some time now, I pretty much avoid the whole area at all costs. The crowds and the incredible volume of individuals who have no sense of their surroundings whatsoever gives me supreme headaches. I think that were people to think of walking in a big city like driving, there would be less collisions and people bumping into one another.

In any event, due to my distaste for the bustle of the more tourist-laden areas such as Midtown, it is easy to forget the simple pleasures found here. After I closed up for the evening, I found a quiet little corner and watched the people skating and moving out over the ice. It was relaxing just watching these strangers - twirling, twisting, falling, laughing, crying.

Braving the daunting crowds is definitely something that I wouldn't want to do on a daily basis, but for today it was nice. Today it was a treat to watch the masses of strangers go by.

Ordinary Evening...

After a stop at the Dessert Truck, Jen Tong, William, and I decided to brave the cold and go to the 31 Under 31 show. However the line to get in stretched around the block and no one wanted to wait in the cold. We'll go another day.

Escaping the frigid weather at Sweet Ups, we fired up the Bat Signal (or rather, the Cat Signal) and were shortly joined by a few friends. After they arrived, Liz dropped in. The crew headed to Wombat for french fries and then to ArtLand for pinball and pool. Jen Tong, Liz and I slipped out to run across the street for some photo booth lovin' at the Bushwick Country Club. The evening ended fairly early considering most of us have to be up for our jobs in the morning.