Summer Color - Part One

I hope that everyone passing by enjoyed a lovely Fourth of July weekend. To me this marks the middle of summer, not by date, but by temperature. I am not a fan of hot weather, especially in New York City, where it starts to get warm in May. I measure summer from when I first start to wear sandals, when socks and shoes are simply too hot to wear, and continues after Labor Day to some point in mid to late September, and possibly even October in rare years. This year hasn't been too bad and after the winter we had, it's a pleasure not to layer up when going out. It's also a joy to see people in bright colors! Love the neons that refuse to go out of style, especially the Nike sneakers in hot pinks, greens and reds on MEN - Yay that. Every now and then I'll see a Pucci-style dress and go quietly wild inside. I live in a city that has adopted black as its color, so it's a real lift to see a bright pair of shoes, hat, bag, scarf, sweater, coat or jewelry to spice things up.

In summer I bring out the things I think of as "fun" jewelry, especially the fishing lure necklaces that I started making a few years ago. I still have some in stock and for myself that I wear whenever possible. They are labor-intensive to make, and I use a mix of vintage and new beads and slip a few gemstones in as well, like sky blue amazonite, red and orange coral and green and yellow jade.

They're truly one of a kind and perfect for the beach, though I wouldn't wear them in the ocean
(I wouldn't wear anything valuable in the ocean).

Some of these have been sold, and some are mine, but there are others available at the link above.

Above, the first one I made, that was detachable and could be a bracelet and a shorter necklace.

Love the huge moonglow bead!

I wear multiples at a time, (not this many, though) and they look great together.

Love this sweet little pastel fishie. Mine.

My favorite thing is to combine colors. :)

Next time, Part Two of Summer Color, featuring other new bright things in the shop!

Five Years On

Five years ago today, Dad passed away after a long life and at the end of a slow physical decline. I wrote a lengthy post about him last year and have been thinking about the phases of grieving that we experience. It's different for everyone, but in my case the heavy weight of it has lifted significantly in this last year. I was told in the beginning that things would lighten eventually, but when the loss is fresh it's hard to believe that this could ever be true. It's so personal, one's journey through grief and healing, and it's not linear, so patience is the key.

I live with many happy reminders of him and a lot of material treasures from his/our home, and can listen to his speaking and singing voice whenever I choose. In this I am luckier than some, as he was a performer and accustomed to documenting himself and family occasions. All this in the age before easy ways to record existed! He went to a good deal of trouble to set up tape recorders in order to capture Father's Day, birthday parties and other family events, admonishing the children not to touch the microphone and acting as announcer. It's a joy to hear my grandparents and even relatives that I never knew speak, joke and laugh, 70 years ago.

Thinking of you, remembering, and thankful for everything, always.

Holiday Windows, NYC Style, 2014

Over the years I have tried to get out there and brave the hordes and freezing temps to photograph holiday windows around NYC. It was easier when I lived on the Upper East Side, when I could walk down Madison Avenue and click away at the elegant boutiques and their Christmas decor, stopping at Barney's, then make a right on 57th to Bergdorf's and a left on Fifth Avenue down past Saks and if I had any energy left fighting the crowds, to my final destination, Lord & Taylor. Adding Macy;s to this list involved energy I never possessed, and even L & T was a stretch. Bloomingdale's holiday output is uneven from year to year so I don't always bother with them, but Barney's, Saks and Bergdorf's are always worth the effort.

Here are some pictured from this year's trip. The crowds are pretty crazy but at least it's not as cold as it was last year (not yet, anyway).

I took these at Barney's a few weeks ago on my way to an appointment with my iPhone, in a rush, so I couldn't stop for as long as I usually do. These windows were designed by Dennis Freedman, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin and are called "Baz Dazzled."

Some text has been copied from the Barney's website here. (this explains the different type used)

Front of Barney's with candycanes and gold.

I shot a short video but don't know how to transfer it to this blog, so if you go to the link above, you will see Barney's videos of their windows in glorious motion.

The Spirits of the Snow star in this window, realized by Washington-based artist Anthony Howe and voiced by Pentatonix. These handmade kinetic sculptures, previously only seen as outdoor wind machines, come to life within the window—the first time Howe’s work has been shown in an interior space. The movement of these spirited characters is entirely generated by wind machines, which sets them into mesmerizing motion.

Artist and sculptor Chris Cole has created an 8-foot-tall, 6-foot-wide steampunk talking owl which gravely speaks his words of wisdom, scored to Pentatonix’s version of Madonna’s “Holiday.”

LOVE

A magical corner of Central Park is the mythical setting for the first window, which depicts a forest of 9-foot chromed mushrooms in a rainbow of colors. Elphresh the elf contorts and dances in and around his 14-foot-wide gold and bejeweled boom box, in pursuit of his impossible love, Elfemeral.

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I was fascinated by the live skater in two windows who performs at certain times during the day. Yes, there is a woman skating in a very small space for hours on end.

"Celestina the ice princess, imprisoned for eternity in her ice cave in our mythical tale, skates forlornly in the last window while dreaming of freedom."

The lighting changes color as she skates.

Next, Lord & Taylor's windows....tomorrow.

Happy October!

October is my favorite month! The heat of summer has mostly gone, but there is still some warmth and more than a touch of cool crisp autumn. While this September has felt more like summer than fall, it has been pleasant and the leaves are on their way to changing.

Last month I took my summer vacation to the Jersey Shore again, but this time went to Ocean Grove, a new destination for me. Ocean Grove is a summer community founded by the Methodists, and it's still a Christian-feeling town, and it's dry, although the town surrounding, like Bradley Beach and Asbury Park, within walking distance, are not. A tent village springs up around the Grand Auditorium in summer - house frames that pull out and are covered by canvas, with plumbing and electricity, like a grand camping adventure. The houses are gorgeous, it's quiet and charming, and I was staying at a B & B half a block from the beach. The day I arrived, it was 92 degrees and humid, but the sea breezes were amazing, and the ocean was delicious. It's also a lot faster to get to than Cape May, where I have gone for the last two years, which is a trek, without a car.

Here are some pictures of Ocean Grove and Asbury Park. I hope that you enjoyed your summer, and will have a beautiful fall, wherever you are.

Almost Over - Etsy Treasury

End of summer Etsy treasury that I am featured in: Almost Over by Debbie from Color Garden Jewelry:

Hand dyed fabric, by Ruby Mountain Dye Works

Druzy agate, carnelian and sterling silver earrings by OvertheTop

Yellow Labrador Retriever print by Abee's Art Studio

Hot Color Sea Form Glass paperweight by JA Glassworks