Enjoy!
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| Tumblers. Joel Sayre |
So.
What have we here?
Rocks? Stones? Boulders?
Actually, they are gorgeous, smooth, individual pieces of
wood, finished and stacked, each a one-of-a-kind sculpture,
shown in the photo amiably inhabiting the foyer of a house.
Here are a few words from the artist to describe his process:
Collectively my pieces are known as Tumblers. When I was a boy
my best friend's family had a little rock polishing machine in their
basement. I don't remember what it was called, but the idea was to
put little rocks in it, turn it on and let them tumble around in the
barrel of this thing for awhile - hours, days, I've forgotten. Then turn
it off and pour out all these shiny smooth rocks of all shapes.
Joel uses primarily walnut,
ash, butternut, and monkey puzzle
tree woods in his creations.
Here are a few words from the artist to describe his process:
Collectively my pieces are known as Tumblers. When I was a boy
my best friend's family had a little rock polishing machine in their
basement. I don't remember what it was called, but the idea was to
put little rocks in it, turn it on and let them tumble around in the
barrel of this thing for awhile - hours, days, I've forgotten. Then turn
it off and pour out all these shiny smooth rocks of all shapes.
Early on after putting a final coat
of finish on a wood piece and admiring
how shiny and smooth it was it occurred
to me that I was looking at
a giant version of what we used to so eagerly
retrieve from that noisy
little machine in my friend's basement. Tumblers.
All of the wood that I use for my
sculptures comes from trees salvaged
here in the Seattle area. I have been all
over the place in an old red
pickup collecting wood to bring back to my shop
where it sits and dries
for a long time, sometimes years, before I am able to
work it.
intensive. It's all done with hand held power tools and can take
days, or even
weeks depending on size and complexity. I get immense
satisfaction watching
a piece take shape, watching it unfold and become what I
had hoped it would be.
good shapes and
interesting patterns. … The way a piece ends up feeling
to the hand is as
important as how it looks to the eye.
tree woods in his creations.
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| Silk Batik Tunic. David Mendoza |
in black, indigo and white on the very softest silk! The styling
of the garment is quite simple but in that way is
fully representative of the elegant, sophisticated designs
David has delighted us with over the years.
We also have a good selection of his crinkle silk crepe
boat-neck tops and scarves featuring his trademark
batik motifs.
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| Freshwater Pearl Necklaces. Bryan & Maria Chapin-Cao |
Simply gorgeous!
Maria recently returned from her annual trip to China,
where she visits freshwater pearl "farms" and picks
out the very best they have to offer. This time around
we're delighted with the single-strand 18" - 21" white
or silver-grey necklaces she has brought in. The
quality is outstanding, the prices are exceptional, and
Maria's perfect pairing of the pearls and her expert
knotting produces classic art to wear and cherish forever.
Here's a little about the artists:
Maria and Bryan Chapin-Cao first met in Beijing during an
intercultural exchange outing. They were later married there
in a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony.
Traveling through central China, Maria and Bryan met and befriended
a wonderful group of pearl "farmers". These farmers facilitate the
growth of pearls in a process called "culturing". Pearl culturing
involves implanting an irritant into the body of the mollusk
and then placing the mollusk into proper growing conditions.
Our Chinese friends culture their pearls inland, therefore create
pearls in a condition called "freshwater". These small freshwater
ponds are nurtured and the water quality monitored for three to five
years before harvest. This process is environmentally friendly because
it requires the ecosystem to be clean and carefully tended. All parts of
the mollusk are used, creating no waste. The body of the mollusk is used
for both human and animal consumption. The pearls are highly sought
after, and the shell is used for both jewelry and as an organic fertilizer
We find pearls to be naturally beautiful, no two being exactly
the same. We make our jewelry in such a way as to bring
out the exotic luster and natural beauty that has been a symbol
of wealth and beauty for women since the dawn of recorded history.
We take great pride in our work and our unique creations
give us great joy, a joy equal in parts to knowing that there
will be someone purchasing our work who can understand and
appreciate the intrinsic beauty, which we have
labored so hard to bring forth.
We can't help but think of these lovely necklaces as great gifts,
either for Mom to add to her own pearl collection, for brides or grads,
or as birthday or anniversary presents. Perfect!
There are several listed in the online shop, which you can visit
by clicking here, here and here, or view all of the artists'
online items from the top of their listings page.
Maria recently returned from her annual trip to China,
where she visits freshwater pearl "farms" and picks
out the very best they have to offer. This time around
we're delighted with the single-strand 18" - 21" white
or silver-grey necklaces she has brought in. The
quality is outstanding, the prices are exceptional, and
Maria's perfect pairing of the pearls and her expert
knotting produces classic art to wear and cherish forever.
Here's a little about the artists:
Maria and Bryan Chapin-Cao first met in Beijing during an
intercultural exchange outing. They were later married there
in a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony.
Traveling through central China, Maria and Bryan met and befriended
a wonderful group of pearl "farmers". These farmers facilitate the
growth of pearls in a process called "culturing". Pearl culturing
involves implanting an irritant into the body of the mollusk
and then placing the mollusk into proper growing conditions.
Our Chinese friends culture their pearls inland, therefore create
pearls in a condition called "freshwater". These small freshwater
ponds are nurtured and the water quality monitored for three to five
years before harvest. This process is environmentally friendly because
it requires the ecosystem to be clean and carefully tended. All parts of
the mollusk are used, creating no waste. The body of the mollusk is used
for both human and animal consumption. The pearls are highly sought
after, and the shell is used for both jewelry and as an organic fertilizer
We find pearls to be naturally beautiful, no two being exactly
the same. We make our jewelry in such a way as to bring
out the exotic luster and natural beauty that has been a symbol
of wealth and beauty for women since the dawn of recorded history.
We take great pride in our work and our unique creations
give us great joy, a joy equal in parts to knowing that there
will be someone purchasing our work who can understand and
appreciate the intrinsic beauty, which we have
labored so hard to bring forth.
We can't help but think of these lovely necklaces as great gifts,
either for Mom to add to her own pearl collection, for brides or grads,
or as birthday or anniversary presents. Perfect!
There are several listed in the online shop, which you can visit
by clicking here, here and here, or view all of the artists'
online items from the top of their listings page.
 |
| Tea Bowl #6, Wood-fired. Steve Sauer |
To inaugurate our new online shop section set aside
especially for tea bowls and cups, we offer
yet another example of perfect imperfection!
Local ceramic artist Steve Sauer is clearly at the top of
his form, as demonstrated by this beautiful tea bowl.
Fired in the Santatsugama Kiln at Seabeck, Washington
during their 50th group firing, it is a study in serenity and
passion, in ice-blue cool and fiery heat, in strength
and delicacy.
Some words from Steve:
I have chosen the concept of “wabi and sabi” for the subtle beauty
of the natural surface. The simplistic beauty produced by fly ash,
and flame, time, and temperature in the anagama is the most
appropriate for my sculptural vessels. It can be achieved no other way . . .
At this time I see myself dedicating the rest of my life to wood fire.
Not only in the making of my own pieces, but in the promotion,
education, and maintenance of the tradition of the anagama kiln,
the oldest style of kiln in the history of Japanese pottery.
It has stood the test of time and for me is the most inspirational,
for its ware is unmatched in its subtle beauty, organic and
true-to-life processes. The community that the kiln gathers is
ever-changing and soulfully engaged with one another
to produce the works of its fire and artistic impulse.
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| Silk Shibori Scarf. Amy Nguyen |
Soft, sculptural, a true work of wearable art,
this silk shibori scarf needs to be touched to be
fully appreciated! Amy's workmanship and vision is
on full display and extraordinary (as always) in
her techniques of piecing, quilting and stitching
her textiles into wonderful patterns.
And as a bonus, we love this piece's cool colors!
this silk shibori scarf needs to be touched to be
fully appreciated! Amy's workmanship and vision is
on full display and extraordinary (as always) in
her techniques of piecing, quilting and stitching
her textiles into wonderful patterns.
And as a bonus, we love this piece's cool colors!
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| Silk Cowl Neck Tunic. Carol Lee Shanks |
It's no secret that we greatly admire this artist's wonderful garments,
and are very excited to add her Cowl Neck Tunic to our
collection. It is created from crushed habutai silk and is
available in a variety of colors, including plum, olive, and black.
Carol is featured in a new show next month; we'll post details
about that very soon, so do check back for that information.
and are very excited to add her Cowl Neck Tunic to our
collection. It is created from crushed habutai silk and is
available in a variety of colors, including plum, olive, and black.
Carol is featured in a new show next month; we'll post details
about that very soon, so do check back for that information.
 |
| Folding Director's Chair. Arrben |
And last but not least, the return of a popular old friend:
We have recently acquired another set of these very cool
mid-century modern foldable chrome director's chairs, created
by the Italian furniture company Arrben.
The seats and backs of these highly sought-after chairs
are tan/light rust leather and available as a set of four.
View them in our online shop here.
And now that it's almost February, stay tuned for our next Gallery Picks Newsletter - due any day! (Yes, we promise, we'll try to post it before the absolute end of the month next time...)
Don't forget, never hesitate to contact us with questions, or to be added to our e-card list.
Happy New Year from us all!
