emiko-o reware

SNAG Seattle 2011 EXHIBITION CRAWL MAP

Seventeen shows were up and running for the SNAG Seattle conference (check out this map), can you believe it! We hardly made a dent in seeing them all, but made new friends along the way, and experienced some inspiring (and interactive) works, highlights from which are posted here.

Firstly, the geography show curated by Susan Cummins and Mike Holmes under the Art Jewelry Forum, in the conference hotel. A lovely show catalog is available for purchase online or at Velvet da Vinci.

Tina Wrath's Wanderlux Souvenir brooch, geography show

Bettina Dittleman, geography show

Mobile Canada:Bringing Contemporary Canadian Jewellery to You was a clever show across the street in the parking lot, all within the confines of a mobile home. Suzanne greeted guests and word on the street is that there may be a whole gaggle of RVs with “traveling” exhibitions for 2013 Toronto!

 

Kelly Nedderman admiring Annie Tung's flatware

Mobile Canada 2011

Suzanne Carlsen's pendant

Counterflux exhibition curated by Suzanne Ramiljak at G. Gibson Gallery- wonderfully large and unusual wearable objects; well displayed and styled. Great use of color on walls. I love that Christine Dhein’s circuit board breastplate was grouped with Kiff Slemonsdark pencil breastplate!

Christine Dhein at Counterflux show

Kiff Slemmons' Mourning Sun breastplate

Lori Talcot's Night Corsage

ComLink: New Work: Jana Brevick solo exhibition at SOIL gallery was the most fun opening by far, as Jana encouraged people to put on her found object pieces for a personal photo shoot, she behind the camera. Ham bone time! See more images posted on her facebook. LOVE the display tools, literally wrenches attached to the wall and small clamps and styrofoam inserts for center displays.

Jana Brevick's recycled neckpiece & display

me in Jana Brevick's neckpieces

Jana Brevick in action behind the camera

Pride of Paper:Kiff Slemmons and Arte Papel Oaxaca at 3 x 10 was BREATHTAKINGLY GORGEOUS – and even more amazing was having Kiff there to talk about the process and the work. Her styling of the show was impeccable and yet so simple. So much work over 10 years of collaborating with the artists from Oaxaca. The “Bones” table of all-white pieces was beautiful, very Louise Nevelsonesque. Read more about it in the current issue of Metalsmith Magazine.

Kiff Slemmons with Keith Lewis

Pride of Paper show "Bones" table

Pride of Paper show

Pride of Paper show

Pride of Paper

Pride of Paper

It’s a non-stop fall season for me and my jewelry and workshop! This Saturday, Oct 2, from 10am-4pm I’ll be one of 12 artists selling work at The K11 Craft Sale over in Berkeley. K11 stands for Knit One One Studio which is normally a knitting studio/classroom and store run by Sile Convery. The Craft Sales are a monthly event, featuring different artists (this will be my first time showing here).  Sounds like it’s going to be a fun day, with refreshments provided for vendors and clients! Plus I’ve heard yummy things about Sweet Adeline Bakeshop which is a few doors down…

The other artists on board are: Koide Studio(ceramics), Jen Hewett Studio (printmaking/textiles), Hairphernalia (floral hairpieces), Fresh on Mondays (felted items), Clarine’s Florentines (florentines), HoneyComb Jewelry, Heathered, King Bag Company (recycled bags), Tinted Mint (eco friendly products), Peanoonies (vintage goods), Tiny Sparks Design (screen prints on wood).

I’ll have on hand some new merch such as Halloween earrings and minifig pendants for adults and kids, plus a ton more minifig earrings and slim pendants.

Here’s Jen, my awesome model from last week who I had a blast with photographing my work. She’s the new LEGO Girl Next Door, wouldn’t you say! She’s sporting quite a bit of new goods, including the minifig pendants, rainbow ss slim bracelet and the dreamy Aegean Limited Edition bracelet (inspired by my recent visits to Greece). Come to Berkeley and see for yourself!

COMING UP in OCT:
Oct 1, 6-8pm Opening Reception for The Plastic Show, Velvet da Vinci SF
Oct 7, 6-8pm: Accessorize with Toys Workshop at CA Academy of Sciences
Oct 24, 10am-5pm: Accessorize with Toys Workshop at East Bay Mini Maker Faire, Temescal

Came across these unbelievably cute plushies on etsy, though no longer available, too bad….
Chris of ChrisCreatures in Rockville, MD made this awesome Tofu for Obama

the text says: “Tofu plushie knows who he is voting for this year!
This Tofu plushie is soft, cuddly, and interested in politics. He’s perfect for any Obama supporter. Includes tofu, t-shirt, and an Obama sign for rallies. Tofu’s t-shirt is removable and has a velcro closure in the back. Because each one is hand sewn and unique, it may vary very slightly from the picture. ” And even better, proceeds of tofu sales went to the Obama campaign! ROck ON, TOFU!

Cassie from talkproof in Fremont, CA had made this Eugene the Polar Bear as a response to the whole Palin issue:

About Eugene: “Eugene just heard about Sarah Palin and her opposition to putting him and his family (and extended families) onto the endangered species list. He is infuriated and sick and tired of her shenanigans, and has decided to take a stand >:(”

While we’re on the Cute-Tip, I must give props to a fellow craftsperson whose work i truly enjoy, Hilary Pfeifer, a Portland, OR wood artist who does exhibition installations of wood multiples, and makes uber cute small figures through her bunnywithatoolbelt site. Monsters, holidays, and i really like the sets she puts together as vignettes. You almost can’t just buy one by itself, they are so appealing. I mean, how can you resist a green love monster?

just in time for halloween.

and the irresistable tall orange monster, who i refer to as CarrotMonster

Hilary brings her latest installation “Natural Selection” to San Francisco’s Velvet da Vinci this coming January.

Read more about this work on her blog, Bunny with an Artblog.

In the midst of setting up the SF Museum of Craft+Design show, I managed to whip out a necklace for Ethical Metalsmith’s Radical Jewelry Makeover. Revere Academy students were at it for 3 days and by the last night I couldn’t resist the piles of random costume jewelry and other jewelry bits. So, why not pull another all-nighter, this time channeling the ever-fabulous Vivianne Westwood! Way too much fun, wish I could have kept it, but here is the result, a collage necklace. Titled “Dia de los Muertos de Westwood“, named mainly for the skeleton charm that started the whole deal, along with having been inspired by the Westwood show that was at the De Young museum awhile back. (model photo by Christine Dhein).

The piece is now on exhibit at Velvet da Vinci, SF through Nov 9. It is for sale, one of the more pricey items at $300. Proceeds benefit Ethical Metalsmiths. If you’re in town, please check it out!

Some other works by Revere folks: Jenny Reeve’s ring

Christine Uemura’s ring/pendant/brooch

Elizabeth Oppenheim’s plastic pendants