Garbage Man Astronaut

My bff/former roommate Matt Williams just moved into the Everett Station Lofts (click for wikipedia entry) in Portland, Oregon. He is in the applied craft graduate program at the Oregon College of Art and Craft, a new program offering a cross-disciplinary approach to craft and material studies that seems like the answer to many of my frustrations with graduate school. Anyway, he and jason lee starin moved into this loft, which has a street front gallery below, and living quarters above, and have opened the space to the public with the moniker Garbage Man Astronaut Project Space. (Click for the BLOG.) If you are ever around Portland, go there! Through December, they'll be having a holiday sale of their and their friend's work (mine included!) Help me and these kids make money, get gifts for your friends and family, support the Portland art scene.

Entrance.
Building.
Gallery under construction. (handmade light fixture!)

Sparkle Plenty

About a week ago Sparkle Plenty 5 opened at Quirk in Richmond, Va. This invitational show included some of my work, and I was able to attend the opening right after I moved to North Carolina. I actually used the event as an excuse to unload a storage space I've had in that town for almost 2 years. If you ever feel a need to be reminded how special your possessions are (or extraneous) lock them up in storage and live out of a suitcase for 2 years. Then, when you come back, unpacking those boxes will be like unearthing treasure! (or you will find yourself loaded down with all the garbage from which you freed yourself 2 years ago... [nothing's ever easy, is it.])

This was the majority of my display. My current body of work is inspired by Guatemala, and my sketchbook/diary from my 4 months there was displayed with my jewelry.

My pigeons were also hangin' out.
This is the nice, clean, open space the show occupied. It was interesting to see how the mixture of work spoke to each other, and to see such a broad display of work from each exhibitor. I was also incredibly honored to have shared the space with fellow jewelers such as Amy Tavern, Joanna Gollberg, Biba Schutz, Sharon Massey, Sandra Enterline, Blanka Sperkova, Lori Talcott, and Marlene True.

Alive and well in North Carolina

Trust me, the only thing keeping me from shoving pictures all over this blog is lack of convenient internet connection.

Some things that have happened lately:

Hugh and I bought a used minivan.

We got hitched at the court house.

We quit our jobs.

Packed up the cats, my studio and our clothes, loaded them into said minivan.

Drove 2,045 miles. insert flat tire.

4 days after leaving Montana, arrived in Asheville NC. Promptly got lost.

Amy Tavern gave me directions to my apartment.

Joanna Gollberg brought me an air mattress and cake.

Hugh and I lived in an unfurnished apartment with 2 cats, my jewelry tools, and an air mattress for a week.

After enough days of that we drove to Williamsburg, VA to the inlaws.

Pre-opening at Quirk in Richmond VA

First friday opening for Sparkle Plenty at Quirk. Talked to everyone, drank wine, loved art, exhausted myself.

Next day rented UHaul truck, emptied the storage space I'd had since before I went to Guatemala in April '08.

Visited with parents for first time as husband and wife.

Drove Uhaul to Asheville. unloaded. collapsed.

Got job at local florist's.

can I get a "you go girl!" ?

I done got hitched!

Just a few wedding pictures, because we're so darn happy! We had a little ceremony with Judge Pete Howard at the Teton County Courthouse. It was so much fun, and so perfect! Thanks to Angela Bouma for the pictures, Joanna Gollberg for the rings (pictures to come,) and my family for not freaking out about us eloping!

New Vendor: Fancy!

Fancy, an art jewelry gallery and retailer, is now selling some of my work! Along with some of my production work, I sent two one-of-a-kind pieces, these two guys below.

Arabesque and Vine Necklace, sterling silver and steel.

Vine Earrings, sterling silver

If you love them, want them, have to see them, contact the ladies and gents at fancyjewels.com, or stop by the store at 1914 2nd Ave in Seattle, Washington.

PRESS

Look at me! I have press!

TheCarrotBox.com featured me on her blog, all about the glory of hand adornment. Check out her website, dedicated to non-metal rings. Oh so fabulous (and amazingly affordable!.) I drool.

In other news, the "contact" tab on my website is not forwarding emails! If you'd like to contact me, throw it at caities@hotmail.com

Blooming Rose Foundation

I just checked the website, and it looks like BloomingRoseFoundation.com is up and running! This is a new non-profit that helps the families of those with cystic fibrosis. My friend Kat started the organization after her daughter, Maylie was diagnosed at age 3.

The foundation social worker takes a “Bloom” basket to each family along with a list of positive contacts and resources in their local area. The foundation has been blessed with the support of some well known, established companies collaborating together to advertise on a national level. These companies are launching products using our logo to raise awareness and funds for the Cystic Fibrosis foundation. The foundation also have been given the rights to a beautiful line of rose shaped jewelry made in Montana. The Blooming Rose foundation will send 100% of all donations after yearly operational costs are met to aid in research leading to the inevitable cure.

The jewelry pictured above, as well as similar styles and sets, are available at The Blooming Rose Foundation website.