Apr 102012
 

Cody is my neighbor in The Hungerford building, Suite 214. During April’s First Friday, my friend Joyce purchased this excellent tray. He currently has work on display and available for sale at Crocus Clayworks. Visit Crocus Clayworks website for the exhibit info.

Cody’s website, codykroll.com

Like Crocus Clayworks on Facebook

View The Hungerford directory here for artisan info. We have four floors of artists!

 

Apr 032012
 

I purchased this special cup at a small craft show from a new friend of mine, Tori Dipietro. We first met as neighboring vendors at the Mayday Underground show last Autumn. Since then I’ve had had the pleasure to chat with Tori at a few shows. I felt so connected with Tori. We shared our excitement and our fears. Discussing what it feels like to be an an artist striving to make a lively hood.

Tori’s beautiful cup is ideal for taking small sips of my favorite Tension Tamer tea. This bright, yet earthy cup inspires me to slow down. Oddly paradoxical to my post from yesterday. I must have drank two gallons of fluid, although it was wise to keep hydrated in the heat.

This cup makes a beautiful sound when you trace your fingers around it. A gentle ring resonates as I become aware of how the curvature fits in my hands, as if it were made just for me. I especially love the delicate finger spots. Intentional or not, the traces of Tori’s fingertips remind me that someone made this cup passionately.

You can contact Tori Dipietro at tori.dipietro@yahoo.com. Her work can be viewed at her Etsy shop, etsy.com/shop/toridipietropottery.

Jan 242012
 

You may recall a unique giveaway for a handmade resin spoon pendant back in September. Erin is presenting yet another giveaway and her concept is creative as the last. You can win a $25 gift certificate toward any of Erin Gursslin items at sunshynesilverwear.com. Just visit her blog post to learn how you can win, click this link to play.

For those of you who are into Pinterest you would be insane to pass this up. I have yet to explore Pinterest, as I am quite afraid it may swallow me alive. May the best win!

 

Jan 192012
 

Eve Elzenga

Please click here to view full details at Rochester Artisans.

With Love, From Friends – Valentines for Elders Without Families
Begun in 2008 by Eve Elzenga, interior designer and community volunteer, the With Love, From Friends project – making homemade Valentines for Rochester, NY area elders without families – is held in mid-to-late January each year. With Love, From Friends refers to the message written inside each card.

Here’s how to get involved:

  • Volunteer to Make Cards: call or email for information. 585 733-2579
    Email Eve Elzenga
  • Organize your card/scrapbooking/artist group to make cards.
  • Make a Cash Gift for supplies/materials.
  • Donate Craft Store Gift Cards or New/Vintage Craft Materials.

I’m planning to attend this Sunday, January 22 at 1:00 to make cards and finally meet Stefani Tadio of Pine Tree Designs. I hope you will join us too. Don’t forget to click here for full details.

Jan 042012
 

Have I ever told you how cool RNEST is? Team challenges, giveaways, links to useful information and talented people… I learned of the SWPC (South Wedge Planning Committee) through the RNEST forum. The SWPC is seeking artisan donations to help support their silent art auction during their annual open house on January 20. Donations will need to be collected by January 14th. Not only is this a wonderful thing to do for the community, but it is also beneficial to you as an artist. All artists will be listed and thanked for their donations in the Wedge Newspaper.

Nov 302011
 

This will be a gift for Lucas on his Birthday, I think he’ll also like a cool bath toy.

For a custom embroidered onesie you may contact Carly Szabo via Facebook.

P.S.
Jason surprised me with a brand new camera lens to replace the one that Bad Cat broke. What a great Man, he knew I’d be bummed without it on our sons special day.

Nov 142011
 

How could anyone with a new baby boy resist this acorn puppet; especially after spending the better part of a day neighboring his creator Amy of Sweet Pea Felts. She’ll be at Java’s Hearts and Crafts and has also been accepted to showcase her work at Strong’s Museum of Play for the Whimsical Art Trail. I’ve got to admit I am envious as I was not accepted to participate in either show. This years rejection isn’t going to stop me from applying next year! You better believe I’m good enough. I plan to make an impression in the future.
When Lucas is older I can tell him about my journey to the top, and where this darling acorn boy came from. As the holidays approach many family’s will be spending their hard earned money on gifts. Why not invest in a gift that was made with pride? Check out Sweet Pea Felts and my fellow RNEST crew. You wont find anything but the best!

Oct 102011
 

I bought this snail From Joe DeVito when I was Vending at Gentles Farm Market. It was really cool to bump heads with him. Joe was a fellow glass worker that I met back in 2005, when I first learned to torch! His domain is TwinFireArt.com, but they are currently under construction. The best way to get to know Joe and his work is right here on his facebook wall. I’m sure he would be happy to make you a snail of your own.

Sep 302011
 

I know it’s been a couple weeks since the Clothesline festival, but I wanted to feature each artist in a separate post. Also my cupcake bead posts stretched this out a bit. Today I bring to you the final artist that I photographed at the festival. Meet Paul Taylor, a talent glassblower who uses borosilicate glass to create pendants, vessels, paperweights, and several other beautiful objects. If you missed him at the Clothesline Festival he can be found October 8 & 9, at the Ellicottville Fall Festival. Paul also has a studio in the Hungerford building on on the second floor, his studio is open to the public for Rochester’s First Friday event.

Like Paul Taylor glass on Facebook here.

Sep 292011
 

Are you kidding me! There is no way I could pass up this booth at the Clothesline festival. Too cute. Nancy’s stuffed animals are like the coziest pillows you could ever fall asleep snuggling with. Check out her cute little acorns in the third photo. You can get to know Nancy Topolski here at her blog.

Sep 282011
 

David Diebler of In Awe Glassworks had a variety of things going on in his booth at the Clothesline Festival. From paperweights to terrariums his work has a masculine touch. View one of his small lampwork vessels up close here. Be sure to visit his Facebook profile to stay in touch with updates from In Awe Glasswork.

Sep 262011
 

Linda Schornstein of Ties Together makes totes and purses from upcycled neckties. I stopped to chat with her about her work during Rochester’s Clothesline Festival. Linda is absolutely outgoing and friendly, you can get to know the artist and like her Facebook page here.

Do you have old ties that are just sitting around taking up space? Donate them to Linda so that she can use her talent to transform them into unique handcrafted purses.

Sep 242011
 

I met the talented Linda Lawrence at Rochester’s famous Clothesline Festival. I had discovered Linda’s beads previous to meeting her through the RNEST website. Drooling over her neatly executed bead work, I felt privileged to have had the time to speak with her.

Linda Lawrence is a glass beadmaker and jewelry designer who has been working with hot glass since 1998. She has studied lampworking with nationally known glass artists and continues to broaden her working knowledge taking workshops and seminars across the country. From an early age, Linda has been involved in the arts; first as a dancer and then in the visual arts. Her background in dance and her love of color & movement permeates her work today.

Sep 132011
 

If you missed Crocus Clayworks at the Clothesline festival you can find them in the Hungerford building Wednesday nights, 6pm – 8pm and Saturdays, 10am – 3pm. They are also open most First Friday‘s.

Learn more about Sabra Wood, Marie Verlinde, and Jennifer Buckley of Crocus Clayworks at their website, crocusclayworks.com.

Sep 112011
 

Delish Handmade Glass has a unique selection of blown pumpkins to choose from. You can get yours today at the Clothesline Festival. I’m already equipped with an orange and black pumpkin that I purchased from them at the Park Ave Festival. Maybe I’ll get another pumpkin during First Friday in the Hungeford building, if I can ever choose, they are all so inviting. Delish is in the process of expanding their studio, with plans to start teaching classes in both lampworking and glassblowing.