The Eyes Have It! (Or, Did You Know...?)

Art goggles - front view

Art goggles - side view (the skull is NOT real!)



Art goggles - detail





  Robbie Hacker--employee and master fabricator at Twelfth House Designs--has a rather unusual hobby.  As if he didn't spend enough hours making stuff, when his day at the jewelry bench is done...he turns his tools to making artwear for the eyes!

  Did you know...that the first eyewear manufactured in the U.S.A. was made by jewelers?  Before the early part of the nineteenth century, most optical frames were cheaply made and imported from Europe. But when private customers began asking for something better, they turned to their local jewelers to fabricate sturdier and more asethetically pleasing frames.

  So, while what we're looking at here may be unique, the concept isn't new.  There is a small group of artists out there creating eye wear pieces where form competes compellingly with function for first place. (OK, so what if I love alliteration?) : )

  This particular pair of optic artwear is fabricated from re purposed copper, brass, and a couple of pairs of old magnifiers and didinium glasses.  While they're cool to look at, they're equally fun to actually use--to make jewelry, of course!

  At the risk of wearing you out (I'm known for my seemingly endless supply of little known and unwanted facts) and in case you didn't know, "the eyes have it" is actually co-opted from "the ayes have it"--a phrase used in The House of Commons to vote for approval in matters of debate.   And in the matter of this uber awesome artwear for the eyes, I'd definitely say the Ayes Have It.  (Sorry.) : )

Home Sweet Home

There's just nothing like sleeping in your own bed.  Which is pretty much what I've been doing since returning from the 2011 KY Crafted: The Market, held for FOUR days at the Louisville Expo Center.  It was a good show, and if you came out, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  It's an event that the artists look forward to, because we have a chance to visit with each other during the relatively slow-paced trade days of the show, before it opens to the public on Saturday. My dear friend and fellow artist, Robbie Moriarty, took these shots of me and Robbie Hacker--Twelfth House Designs' jewelry maker extraordinnaire--and a shot of the jewelry she bought from us.  RoMo (as we now refer to Ms. Moriarty, to avoid confusion amongst Robbie's!) is a fantastic jewelry artist in her own right--and what a Dear to buy from us.  But I must admit that as a redhead, she looks great in copper. : )

Since returning home, I've been enjoying the emerging Kentucky spring--the frogs are peeping here in the hollow, birds are singing, blooms are busting up through the ground and bugs of every model are making their way back into my daily life. The air is soft, warm and sweet, and I'm going out there right now to enjoy it while we still can.  It's a typical Kentucky spring--I hear a cold front is hiding just behind this delightful day. ♥

Kentucky's Largest Indoor Art Fair...

...is about to happen!  Come join us, along with hundreds of other wonderful Kentucky artists at Kentucky Crafted: The Market!  March 17 & 18 are trade days, and the show opens to the public Saturday and Sunday, March 19 & 20.  We have worked steadily this winter, and have lots of new designs! 

We are starting to incorporate more and more copper and white brass into our work.  The price of silver has more than doubled in the last seven months, so we're exploring options to keep our jewelry affordable for our wonderful customers.  This led to experimenting with mixed metals with what we think are terrific results!  And thus far our customers who have seen the new work agree!

The Market takes place at the Louisville Expo Center.  For more information, go to http://www.kycraft.org/.

Hope to see you there!

An Attitude of Gratitude

Wow!  What a weekend at Indian Fort Theater in Berea!  OK, it was a great show as far as sales go.  That always helps--A LOT.  But more than that, this festival showcases the strictly juried members of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen--operated soley by artist membership, and the oldest continuing art group in the state of Kentucky. 

Next year the KY Guild celebrates its 50th anniversary. I'll try to keep you "posted" about it throughout the year as events are scheduled and planning progresses. It promises to be a big event, and I hope you can make it to help us celebrate!

Meanwhile, it's time to make more jewelry and plan for the next art show.  I hope to see you in Somerset at the Sheltowee Artisans annual holiday fair--the second weekend of November.  Until then, many, many thanks to all the fine folks who showed up in Berea to support us this past weekend.  Without you, we could not do what we do.  When you purchase even a small piece, you have more impact than you can ever imagine.

Happy Fall--finally, the leaves in beautiful Berea are turning to red and orange and gold!  Don't you just love that? ♥ 

Art In The Highlands!

Just in it's second year, Art in The Highlands is growing quickly! It is the show I chose to replace the Ursuline Campus Art Fair on my exhibition roster.  Ursuline closed its "doors" on the art fair biz two years ago, and more than one show stepped in to try to fill the gap.  Art in the Highlands is the one I chose to revisit this year as an exhibiting artist. If you come, you will find many of the former Ursuline artists there, too.

I met so many nice folks at this fair last year.  Wonderful customers, and a dedicated team of folks at the Collegiate School, including students, who helped us unload, set up, and dolly out (during a thunderstorm!).  That level of participation by the hosting venue always inspires my loyalty.  I am delighted and proud to be a part of this show again this year!

The show takes place at Louisville Collegiate School on Glemary Avenue in the charming Highlands area of Louisville on September 18 & 19, 10-5 each day.  I hope I see you there!

Art In Speed Park!

I can't believe the Earth has spun fully on its axis and landed me right back here, one year later, writing again about Art In Speed Park in Sellersburg, Indiana.  But this show is worth an entry on my blog at least once a year!  I think it is the perfect size in the perfect-sized venue--just right for a leisurely stroll enjoying some of the best art presented in the Louisville area.

And this year is definitely special, seeing as how it's the 20-year anniversary of the show.  Lots of events are planned--to find out more take a look at  http://www.artinspeedpark.com/.

Or read all about it in this article by Dale Moss in the Louisville Courier-Journal.  It even includes a shout-out to You-Know-Who!

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100818/COLUMNISTS06/308180055/Dale-Moss-Art-in-Speed-Park-wasn-t-afraid-to-set-the-bar-high

Show hours are 10-5 on both Saturday and Sunday, August 28 & 29.  I hope I see you there!

Pleasant Hill Craft Fair!

It has sure been a hot summer and hardly conducive to outdoor fun. But this coming weekend boasts a cool down, sunny, dry days and an art show that's completely in the shade! So, if you're looking for something a bit different, The Pleasant Hill Craft Fair at Shaker Village promises something for everyone. It's a great place for family fun, a great place to bring out-of-state guests, and a once-a-year opportunity to stroll down a tree-lined lane to view some outstanding craft art in historic Shaker Village!

A reduced Village entry fee of $10 will get you the tour AND the art show! Dates and times are Saturday, August 7, 9:30-5; Sunday, August 8, 9:30-4:30. If you come, please stop by, meet my new jewelry apprentice, Robbie Hacker, and check out our new and ever-evolving designs. And if you mention this blog, you'll get a 10% discount in my booth! Shaker your art show! : )

http://www.shakervillage.org