And here is the latest one in the edition... and yes the layers spin!
I would love to also be able to make a bracelet. I will post pictures if it comes into being. In the mean time, enjoy some more pyramids I have made over the years.
Some are old and some are new, but they always resurface at some point during my creative process. You will see their influence throughout my body of work.
Tell us a little bit about Theater@First and your history with them.
I began working with Theatre@First in 2005, when I was cast in a production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Since then, I’ve appeared on-stage several times and worked in various administrative/back-stage capacities more times than I can count.
Theatre@First is the only community theatre based entirely in Davis Square, Somerville. Part of a non-profit theatre collaborative, T@F’s philosophy is “More theatre, less drama,” and we attract a wide range of people from all walks of life and all levels of talent and experience. It’s a great group to work with and everyone has a say in the shows that we choose to put on and contributes to the way that the theatre is run by participating in a Steering Committee, which meets monthly. I have to say that I’ve made some of the best friends of my life working with this group; the people are really something special.
Without giving away too much, what is The Lady's Not For Burning about?
The Lady Is Not For Burning is a “romance about the gallows.” It’s a dark comedy about a disillusioned soldier determined to die and an accused witch determined to live. You can see how that might lead to hilarity, I’m sure! The show is full of witty language, hilarious visual comedy, clever innuendo and brilliant acting. It’s been such a joy to see it unfold throughout the rehearsal process.
Why did you choose to direct this particular play?
It’s by far Christopher Fry’s most popular play, and one of the most popular British plays of the 20th century. Most people have heard the name but have never seen it, especially here in the states.
This play has always held a special place in my heart. Every time I read it, I lose my heart to Thomas and his twisted declarations of love. I cheer when Jennet factually documents her own strangeness. I see the characters move through their one-room world as if they were right in front of me.
Our production brings this traditionally British tale to American soil and sets it in 1919 in a West Virginia coal-mining community. I wanted to remove the pageantry of European history from our production and highlight the pioneer spirit of America. For me, nothing says Americana like Bluegrass, southern country living and simple, hard-working folk. Our production is sepia toned. It's the feel of homespun cotton, the smell of whiskey and the look of old pine floorboards.
Music plays an integral part in this production. Can you tell us a little bit about this music?
I wanted to highlight the rich musical traditions of rural Appalachia. We’re talking Bluegrass, Americana and good old-fashioned country music. A lot of people probably don’t realize that the Boston area has an amazing Bluegrass/Americana music scene that’s been around and quite popular since the 60’s and earlier, in some cases. It’s a genre that I’ve only just begun exploring, myself, and I can tell you that I’m totally hooked.
Amazingly, I got permission from local legend and folk troubadour, Mark Erelli, to use some of his music in the production. I’ve been a big fan of Mark’s music since his 2004 album, “Hillbilly Pilgrim.”
We also recruited two very talented musicians to record some new tracks for us. Scot Castle and Jiro Kokubu are both local to the Boston area and incredible multi-instrumentalists. Both play a combination of mandolin, guitar and banjo. We recently had our recording session with the guys, and I’m very excited to share what we accomplished with our audiences.
Where and when can we see this play?
The show takes place at Unity Somerville, located about 4 blocks from the Davis Square train station. We’ve got 10 performances: February 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 at 8pm, and February 20th at 3pm.
Tickets can be purchased and reserved by visiting this link.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Yee-haw, y’all!
The members of Boston Handmade love sharing the joy of creativity with everyone they meet.
Art has many layers. The colors, the subject, the texture, the way it was created, and so many more. One of my favorites is the idea of a "secret message". It could be something as simple as a symbol that appears in every piece that a particular artist creates. It might be an in-joke that only a select few will understand. Or it could be something obvious that people don't notice right away, like words on a page.
Jessica says:I have a series of altered books, called 'Love Story' that feature pages from romance novels...each piece uses select pages from vintage romance novels as the backdrop for transferred photographs of suburban houses. The narrative of each piece focuses on imagining 1950's housewives losing themselves in the pages of the novels and being swept up into the landscape of the imagined romance. To feel the full impact of each piece the viewer needs to really look closely, and read the words laid out on the canvas.I have also created some work that involves a secret message. It is called the Secret Message necklace, and it is part of my Industrial series of jewelry that I started last year.
My first necklace is titled Love. I use pieces of hardware to represent dots and dashes, and I spell out words using Morse code. To the casual observer, the piece looks like an asymmetric and funky design. To the receiver, it also has a cherished message from a loved one.
Back in August I wrote a blog post about the bonding time spent with my fiance, family, and friends, as we worked together to add some handmade and personal touches to make our wedding day all the more special. Here is a glimpse of the final products in action on the big day!
Here are our program fans! Ready to serve double purposes during our outdoor wedding on a warm summer day!
The antique music sheet cones we made to hold the rose petals to toss after the ceremony.
The gift tins as our wedding favors to add a bit of my MaJenta Designs flair, as well as the handmade butterfly seating cards at each seat. We also assembled our own floral centerpieces.
I hope to put these handknit accessories into my Etsy shop in the next day or so. They are each made from found yarn and will definitely keep your neck warm on a cold winter day.
Some of our son's favorite toys are hand-knit by my knitting group friends represented by "Rasta" and Elephant above. He also loves the wooden toys we've given him made by former Boston Handmade member, Tactile Baby, and naptime and bedtime would not be complete without Eugene the sock monkey made by Monkey Shine Studio, and the hand-knit crib blanket that I made for him. However, even with this high quality selection of playthings, Zachary also seems to have a great appreciation for the very handmade "garbage toys" that are in his toy box.
In my artwork and craftwork I upcycle, recycle, and reuse many found materials so it seemed only natural that I show Zachary how to do the same, and I have to laugh every time he chooses to play with one of these over a fancy plastic toy with lights and buttons. Together we made a rattle toy from a water bottle, a few corks, and a handful of almonds. He loves the varied sounds the bottle makes when he shakes it. Then one day as I put an empty tissue box on the floor I was delighted to see Zachary fill it with blocks and squeal as he shook the box, pulled all the blocks out again, and put other small toys inside. These tissue box toys are endless hours of fun, recycleable, and replaceable.
The first of these toys I made for him was from an empty oatmeal container. Inside the container is a large jingle ball kept from embellished holiday gift wrapping I once received, and the top and bottom of the container is sealed with packing tape. It isn't pretty, but it works really well as a rolling musical toy and as a stand-up drum.
Reinforcing our very handmade toy making are our son's wonderful daycare teachers. At daycare Zachary does many art projects with cardboard saved from cereal boxes like the beautiful happy birthday airplane he brought home as a gift from all his little pals. Being creative comes in many shapes and forms, does not have to cost a lot of money, and is always a good time. I can't wait to see what Zachary creates as he continues to grow.
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| banner flag pendant by mujoyas |
Together as a group Boston Handmade participated in five craft shows in 2010: our 3rd annual Somerville Marketplace in July, JP First Thursdays Artisan Fair in August, in October we had our 4th appearance at the SoWa Open Market as an invited guest, and in December we had our 2nd annual show within a show at the Boston Bazaar Bizarre and we represented as a group at the JP Holiday Show.
The holiday season wouldn't be complete without our Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery which we produced for the 3rd year in a row from Black Friday through Christmas Eve. The annual pop-up gallery has become an old favorite amongst the residents and workers in Boston's Downtown Crossing Neighborhood, and we were delighted to set-up shop once again in our old haunt.
Throughout the year we held 15 social and networking events for our membership including a screening of Handmade Nation, our annual summer BBQ, and an opening celebration for Cristina Hurley's jewelry gallery in Canton, MA.
In 2010 Boston Handmade members led five skill-share workshops: Writing For Artists, Needle Felting, a Business Expansion Discussion and Seminar, Hand Building in Ceramics, and a Photowalk led by Kerry of K. Hawkins Photography. These workshops are opportunities for group members to share their knowledge with one another at little or no cost. The idea is: I'll teach you something, and then you can teach me something. Each year these workshops are highlights of our internal group event calendar.
Liz Stewart of Lush Beads created a new jewelry line in 2010. Of this new work Liz says, "I take unused hardware and re-purpose it into funky unisex jewelry."
One of Boston Handmade's newest members, Eliza Tobin of Art Asana, participated as an exhibitor in her first ever craft show, the Bazaar Bizarre, in December 2010.
Arthur Halvorsen was published in the November/December 2010 issue of Pottery Making Illustrated.
Kerry Hawkins of K. Hawkins Photography had a solo show at the West Roxbury Public Library called "From the Neighborhood" and exhibited her work in a month-long show at Nest in Dedham Square, MA
Karen Mahoney of City by the Sea Ceramics was invited to take part in an exhibition in February 2010 at the Gorse Mill Studios to compliment the book, Mastering Raku. Of her participation Karen says, "The book was published in November 2009 and I had a vase in the book and the exhibit. It was the first major exhibition of raku ceramics in the Eastern United States. Many significant ceramic artists took part."
Sharon Fischer of Stray Notions says, "My biggest achievement in 2010 was being invited to be a guest on the Martha Stewart Show." Sharon's appearance was in January 2010.
Crystal Hanehan of Vintage by Crystal made her second appearance on the Martha Stewart Show in March and was surprised after her craft demo segment by her boyfriend with a very public marriage proposal, "It was the surprise of a lifetime!"
n to reach the wider community of artists and craftspeople in the Greater Boston area. We have plans to make new connections and develop ways to help our fellow creative professionals make a living doing what they love. Stay tuned to this blog for more news on our exciting journey as the story unfolds.
