Here Be Vegan Dragons...Grrrr!

In honor of all things vegan and cruelty-free, and the glorious fun that is Vegan MoFo (Vegan Month of Food), I'll be featuring some fun and fabulous vegan artists throughout October!

Who: Justin Gilbertson of Foggy Mountain Forge
What: Handcrafted Forge-Work
Where: Sooke, BC, Canada
Web: http://www.foggymountainforge.com/index.html
http://www.etsy.com/shop/FoggyMountainForge
Why: Garden trowels, chandeliers and vegan dragons...Grrrr!  ;)

Reminders of the Simple Things

In honor of all things vegan and cruelty-free, and the glorious fun that is Vegan MoFo (Vegan Month of Food), I'll be featuring some fun and fabulous vegan artists throughout October!

Who: Allison Cecil of Monkeys Always Look
What: Handcrafted Jewelry and Original Silverware Garden Markers
Where: San Diego, CA
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/monkeysalwayslook
http://www.facebook.com/monkeysalwayslook
Why: Hand-stamped jewelry is everywhere and I really like Allison's twist on it. Substantial and solid rings, bands and necklaces stand up to everyday wear and speak secret messages inside and out. Reclaimed silverware marks your plantings or reminds you of simple things. Everything from the latitude and longitude of a special place for you, or the birth data of your children, or the names of you and your father or sister or beloved sweetheart...whatever spins your spurs!

Kid Stuff

Who: Scott Nelles
What: Cast Bronze and Aluminum Sculptures, Banks and Toys
Where: Elk Rapids, MI
Web: http://www.nellesstudios.com/index.html
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Nelles
Why: Scott's wonderfully fun and clever banks first caught my eye...Bob the Robot and King Kong will guard your fortunes with their very lives, while the Titanic will carry your treasures secretly down to the depths of the sea! His retro racers and ray guns, and especially his robots, bring out the feisty kid in anyone. Gotta love an artist who refuses to grow up!

Shuffling Moose on the Loose!

Who: Anneke van Bommel of Touch the Dutch
What: Handcrafted Jewelry and Printed Cards
Where: Toronto, Art and Design District, Canada
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/touchthedutch
Why: Anneke is a well-accomplished and much acclaimed artist with a fierce Canadian wit...Yes, that is a Shuffling Moose ring. And the official crossed axe brooch of the Secret Order Lumberjack Society. And I'm not exactly sure what poutine is, but that is a completely handcrafted cutlery set featuring a poutine fork, knife and ice cream paddle. I'm diggin' the Pinwheel earrings the most, but I do believe I may be hearing the call of that wayward moose!  ;)

Castles and Cages

Who: Youngjoo Yoo of jyjewelry
What: Floral and Architectural Image Jewelry
Where: Iowa City, IA
Web: http://youngjooyoo.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jyjewelry
Why: I can't decide which I adore more...Youngyoo's light, lacy hollow-formed jewels or her witty and whimsical sculptures and tableware. Her cage-like combos in sterling or bi-metal are wonderfully gothically elegant. Tiny trees sprout on handles, castles float in the clouds, ships sail across your dinner table...all so creative and imaginative! Hollow constructions can be head-bangingly difficult, so my hat's off to her. It's no surprise she's won so many awards...this girl's a shining talent!

Two on Tuesdays...Sterling, Steel and Stone

Who: Elaine Unzicker
What: Handcrafted Chainmail Wearable Art
Where: Ojai, CA
Web: http://www.unzickerdesign.com/
Why: Slippery, sleek and super sexy, cascades of chainmail drape the body, from slim swingy earrings to full-body armor tunics and dresses. Elaine is a complete metalhead, fashioning her work from thousands of tiny metal rings woven and soldered together and studded with gems. I love the feel of chainmail on the body, and it always makes you the center of attention!

Who: Kara Aubin and Daniel Juzwiak
What: Hand-forged Jewelry
Where: Kalamazoo, MI
Web: http://www.karadanieljewelry.com/index.php
http://www.etsy.com/shop/karadanieljewelry
Why: Kara and Daniel hand-hammer and fabricate their designs in steel, silver and gold, highlighting gritty Diamond crystals and beads, and glowing stones such as electric blue Apatite and luminescent Prehnite. Their spot-on combos of color matched to strong-lined designs bring them much acclaim and plenty of fans!

Two on Tuesdays...Happy Campers

Who: Kristiana Spaulding of Studio Kristiana
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: Lotus, CA
Web: http://www.silvertrailer.com/
Why: Kristiana is marvelously talented! Her sweet sterling designs reflect her connection to the harmony of life, and give a hint to her most potent passion...Airstreams! Can you tell? If you visit her site, you'll understand why. ;)


Who: Jumahl Bubba of Strictly for the Birds
What: Handcrafted Birdhouses
Where: Upper Marlboro, MD
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/jumahl
Why: Jumahl has built everything from houses and furnishings to boats and banjos. Now he's turned his superskilled talents to fancy campers for our avian amigos...because sometimes even birds wanna hitch a ride!

Composed Construction

Who: Isabelle Posillico
What: Hand-crafted Jewelry, Holloware and Tableware
Where: Santa Rosa, CA
Web: http://www.isabelleposillico.com/index.asp
Why: After a successful career in Architectural Interior Design, Copenhagen-born Isabelle has built a steady following as an accomplished metalsmith. Her jewelry is an elegant exercise in structure, color and form, featuring vivid gems set in 18K and 22K gold. Her holloware and tableware pieces are hand-wrought using organic patterns and textures blended beautifully in graceful lines. Primarily a self-taught artist, Isabelle does it all, from design board to final polish. She has a gift for 3D visualization and construction, and I for one am happy to see her put her talent to the metal!

The Art of Integrity

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski, Metalsmith
New Bedford, MA
"O" Brooch, Sterling Silver-2006
"Striking Tools", Wood, Plastic, Steel, Copper, Brass, Bronze, Sterling and Gold
I had the great honor of knowing Sue Aygarn-Kowalski while she was sharpening her metalsmith skills here in the Midwest. Now based in New Bedford, MA, Sue continues to bloom as a dedicated artist who brings a depth of honesty to her work that is of immeasurable worth. She is devoted to learning and exploring her art, and to communicating what she has learned through her work as a Preparator and Educator at the Fuller Craft Museum and exhibitor at such prestigious galleries as Mobilia Gallery in Cambridge, MA. Sue's jewelry and sculptures feature sensuous organic forms such as primal fertile pods and gently curling leaves. Her handcrafted tools include striped Tim Burton-esque mallets and stylized striking tools with distinct personalities. All of her work reflects her steely work ethic, her wickedly quick wit and her charmingly child-like wonder. It is tough, tenacious and tender. And it is a signpost, a vivid spark of more brilliant work to come from a very spirited artist. >>continue>>

Metal Miracle Workers

National Ornamental Metal Museum Repair Days Weekend--Memphis, TN
October 13, 14, and 15, 2006

If it ain't busted, don't bring it...

Bring your dull, dented, dysfunctional metal items to Repair Days at the National Ornamental Metal Museum. Metalsmiths from across the country will be there to solder, sharpen, remove dents, re-tin copper cookware, and repair garden furniture and statuary. They will sharpen knives, scissors, garden tools and lawnmower blades. They can even straighten out that spoon that was mangled in the disposal. Estimates are free. All proceeds from repair work benefit the Museum. See your items repaired: At each of the repair stations, metalsmiths will be on hand to explain the repair process and answer questions.
Featured Events:
~Reception and Gallery Talk by Master Metalsmith: Richard Prillaman
~Hands-on activities for the whole family: Casting, jewelry making, blacksmithing
~Visit exhibition--Master Metalsmith: Elliott Pujol (Admission is free with repair receipt)
~Silent auction
~Art Metalwork Auction with auctioneer Holly Fisher: Bid on original, handcrafted work by metalsmiths from across the country.
~"Tech Talk" by Richard Prillaman for participating metalworkers.
Metalworkers: This is your invitation to join metalsmiths from across the country to support the Museum’s annual fundraising event. Mix and mingle, feast on barbeque and the extraordinary sunsets on the mighty Mississippi River, and hone skills repairing and refurbishing metal objects brought by the public. >>continue>>

Mastering the Edge

Knives and swords forged from a deeply spiritual contemplation of life, courage and beauty.

Welcome to Khalsa Kirpans. “Kirpan” /keér pahn/ literally means “hand of mercy.” It is a Punjabi (Indian) word for “knife” or “dagger,” that connotes a philosophy of respect for martial arts and weapons, not as a vehicle of aggression but as a means of defending the defenseless.

My name is Jot Singh Khalsa. Since 1978, I’ve been creating unique edged tools and weapons for enthusiasts and collectors all over the world...It wouldn’t be a lie for me to say, “Knife-making has been a spiritual experience for me....Both my personal yogic and Dharmic practices and my teacher have given me valuable insights into my life, as well as tools for deep relaxation and accessing my potential. I’ve shared the wonderful science of yoga with many people – through Adult Education yoga classes, at knife shows and yoga-related venues – for over 30 years. Martial arts, which I’ve practiced for over 25 years, has been another source of relaxation, exercise, and self-confidence. I also serve as a Sikh minister. As far as I know, I’m the only Sikh member of the Knifemakers’ Guild. I’m easy to find at knife shows as “the guy in white, wearing a turban.” >>continue>>