Christmas Tidings

We just had a big party at a dear friends' the other night.  A poem to mark the occasion seemed in order...


The Yule log burns at Bonbon's
The Yule log burns at Bonbon's
With crackling, cheered delight
Heaping plate and brimming cup
And laughter booming bright!

It's Christmas time at Bonbon's
Where tinsel'd hearts abeat
With peace and joy wished to all
And to all tidings sweet.

The Yule log burns at Bonbon's
Much as we dream our best
We ne'er forget to revel
And spice our lives with zest!

--Jeff
jeff@newclassicstheatre.org

Engagement rings - Let It Be Engaging!

Diamonds are fine.  Beautiful and sparkly.  But everywhere!  I've long been a proponent of choosing an engagement ring that has some personal meaning behind it.  Perhaps one that chooses one or two pieces of your shared history together.  Yes, a diamond is traditional.  But what does it say about the two of you and the new life you plan to create together?

We recently worked with a couple to create an engagement/wedding ring that included two elements of their shared history.  It incorporated two metals - sterling silver and 18-karat gold - as well as two stones - a white and a blue sapphire.  For this couple, the two metals and two stones represented each one's individuality, while having them soldered together represented the bond they shared.  The stones were set right next to each other, representing the two of them walking side by side for the rest of their lives.

And just yesterday I read about the ring Prince William gave to his love, Kate.  It had sentimental value as well, and not a diamond!  Instead, a blue sapphire ring that had belonged to his mother, Princess Diana.  He said "It was my way of making sure my mother didn't miss out on today."

So break out of the box!  Choose a ring, or even create a ring together, that celebrates the reasons that brought the two of you together!  The sentimental value will far exceed anything a diamond could capture.  And there's still no reason not to include a diamond as well!

Naturally, we hope you'll stop by to check out the great collection of rings we have, and our several talented designers who can help you achieve your own dream.

Manya

ManyaVeeSelects.com

10 years of accomplishments

10 years ago, when we opened our doors, there were only two places in Edmonds to buy art.  In March of 2002, we founded - and still direct today - the beloved Edmonds Third Thursday Art Walk.  And now, so many years later, not only has it become one of the largest art walks in the state, but it has also seen the birth of many new galleries in town.  One can now purchase art in 18 places on any given day, and over 40 on Art Walk night itself.  Wow! What a change is that!

Because we had so few art galleries in town, we had to think of another way to configure our art walk.  Two places does not an art "walk" make.  A "hop" perhaps, but not a "walk."  So, we cajoled a few other businesses to simply host an artist for the evening.  Can't remember exactly, but it seems about 8 places hosted artists for that first year.

There seems to be something about making it past a year.  We had several others join in after that, and for quite a few years hovered at the "12" mark.  Then we saw a leap up to around 18 participants on a regular basis.  Then in 2008, we saw a great leap forward to 40!  And as for patrons, well, on any given night - even in the dead of winter - sees at least a couple hundred folks walking around, enjoying the art, watching the demonstrations, sipping the wine,and having such fun.

We had no idea at the beginning that it would turn out like that, but we are so very proud of having made such a difference in our little town.  We always smile when we look at advertisements about Edmonds, and see the Art Walk listed as one of the top-billed reasons to visit or live here.

Manya

ManyaVeeSelects.com

What it means to inspire others

We just received an amazing email from a customer.  Sue C. has been visiting us for years.  Never in much of a position to purchase much, she would come in for inspiration.  Well, this is what she sent us today to let us know how we've changed her life these years:

"I keep coming back to Manya Vee Selects because,  I feel a special connection with you. I love it that you always remember me when I come in. I love it that you once let me wear a piece of your jewelry on art walk night to the other venues, trusting that I would return it, and not get it 'lost'. 

"I love the variety of art that you carry, with my favorite always being Chris Romine, and I can always count on seeing her newer peices when I come in.  

"I love it that Jeff is a playwright, and I can always get the latest on his projects when I drop in. I love the encouragement I get from you. I love the inspiration I get when I walk into Manya Vee Selects. 

"I love your jewelry, and have become somewhat inspired to make my own jewelry, taking a metalsmithing course to learn new techniques. Manya Vee is it's own little world and when I enter through the doors, I am transformed into someone special, a friend of a couple of very talented and famous artists, and I love you two so much!!!"

Thanks, Sue, for letting us know this!  It is a note we'll cherish!

Manya

ManyaVeeSelects.com

Celebrating 10 Years

It's hard to believe we opened our doors 10 whole years ago.  Where has the time gone?  And I know for sure I personally haven't aged that much.  These rites of passage seem to lend themselves to some strolls down memory lane, so here we go.

Before opening our gallery, I was busy making jewelry and selling it at every opportunity possible - at craft fairs, farmer's markets, trade shows, through sales reps, and online.  It is rather exhausting work, but it definitely had its rewards.  But I was getting weary of lugging a tent around every weekend, only to be at the whim of the weather.  And we all know, we NEVER get rain here in Seattle....

But in the meantime, I had made many new artist friends.  Friends who made all kinds of beautiful things like pottery, glass, silk scarves, candles, and other kinds of jewelry.  I realized it was time to open up my own permanent art show!  Besides, I was fully devoted to helping others surround themselves with beauty and creativity.  What better way to do so?

Arizona artist Scott Johnson

And thus began the journey.  We started out representing only artists from Washington State.  But there are so many lovely things made in other states, that eventually I couldn't resist.  We now have works by over 100 artists.  About half are from Washington, and the other half come from other states, as well as two from Canada.

Manya in clothes from Bellingham

We have also expanded our wearable art selections, especially lately.  If you know me at all, you know I loves clothes.  I suppose it was inevitable that I'd find it irresistable to expand in that way.  We've had scarves, jackets, shawls and wraps for quite a few years now.  But this year, I got to add two new lines of my favorite type of clothing to wear - comfortable, attractive, drapey, and washable.  Just doesn't get any better than that!  One line from Bellingham enjoys eco-friendly fabrics.  Her T-shirts are a blend of organic cotton and a soy protein fiber - also known as the cashmere of the vegetable world.  They are the softest T-shirts in my closet.  And so pretty, too!  Her "posh pants" are organic cotton and hemp, and are very good looking and extremely comfortable.  I have to force myself to wear something else from time to time!

So here's to another 10 years!  Who knows how we'll grow and develop in that time frame.  It certainly is remarkable to think that when we opened in 2000, the economy was so rosy.  Then 9/11 happened, and the market for art shriveled up so much.  It sort of leveled out, but has never been as easy as we've heard other gallery-owners describe in the pre-9/11 years.  Now we're struggling through a recession, and doing our best to offer affordable, colorful, unique items in a very wide price range.  In fact, over the past 18 months we've increased the number of things under $40 quite a bit.  You should see our choices under $20!

Well, I'm sure I'll have more musings along these lines over the next few days, so stay tuned...

Manya

November 2010

ManyaVeeSelects.com

Getting the color right

What do you do when you lose faith in your own judgment of yourself due to long-term put-downs?  Well, you do what most anyone would do.  You start shopping for those things that attract the least amount of attention to yourself as possible.  After all, choose something that speaks to your heart, and you are guaranteed a barrage of negative comments enough to make someone want to hole up in a cave for a bit longer than a hibernation season.

That's what had happened to a delightful customer visiting from Illinois.  Debbie M. has endured many years of having her creative juices squelched.  And squelched hard.  As we spoke about it further, more and more examples were brought to Debbie's mind about how so many aspects of her life had squelched what had been a vibrantly creative mind as a child.

She desperately wanted help learning how to choose clothing and jewelry that would be attractive and fun.  She came in dressed in a white top with a black cami, a tan skirt, and tan thongs.  It turns out that her coloring is far more suited to warm tones like coral, mossy greens, turquoise, warm browns and such.  The white washed out her skin completely.  Her silver jewelry dampened the lovely peach-tones of her skin too.

We played around with a variety of things - especially those with gold-tone metals in colors that complimented her skin tone.  The best part of all was that as soon as we put those colors next to her skin, she herself could immediately see how much better the colors worked!  She'd just been told so many times that she made bad choices, that she didn't trust her judgment anymore!  Well today, she learned how to trust herself all over again.  And she went home with some lovely new jewelry to prove it to herself!  Check it out!

What colors look best on you?  Not sure?  Come on in and let's play a bit!

Manya Vee
manyaveeselects.com

From neophyte to expert in 2 hours!

Elaine and Nancy were drawn into the store by the scarves in our window display.  They mournfully walked up to our scarf rack and said "We love scarves, but we never know how to wear them."  As you can imagine, that is like a sparkly thing to a crow for this seller of wearable art!

First, I showed them how to do the twist (something I've taught many of you as well!).  Naturally, they had to follow the rule and be able to do it on their own at least twice before they were allowed to leave the store.  They took to it like a fish to water!  Both were experts at it in no time.

Next, I introduced them to the Scarf Toy Shelf.  You know, there's an entire store devoted to car toys.  Well, we have a shelf devoted to Scarf Toys.  These toys include notKnots, Scarf Rings, and magnetic pins.  All create a very different look with the very same scarf, offering a multitude of fun options.

Their minds were spinning out of control with so much scarf potential at their fingertips!  Other customers came in demanding my time, while Elaine and Nancy stayed in the scarf zone playing and playing.  In between customers, I'd pop on over and show them something new.  Then they'd be off and running trying that out, and having a very good time.

Their laughter and fun drew other customers over to watch, and low and behold, they were teaching them how to wear the very scarves they themselves didn't know how to wear mere moments before.  They even demanded be able to do each style at least twice on their own before leaving the store!  It was such a hoot!

After about an hour or so, they were actually inventing their own variations to the few things I showed them.  Proud as punch with their new inventions, they made sure I got to see each one.

Naturally, each one went home with a new scarf and some scarf toys, ready to take on the world with their new-found love of scarves.

Manya Vee
ManyaVeeSelects.com

A Thousand Cranes

We're throwing a party for old friend Bonnie H, who said of gifts, "Don't want any.  Already got everything I need."

So....The inscription on the card says, "A thousand cranes (almost) to light your journey ahead with wisdom, peace and joy."

Happy Birthday BonBon!

Jeff and Manya

Through the eyes of a child

A few days ago, I was treated to a visit by someone soon to turn the ripe old age of 3.  Her parents were letting their dog drink water at our water dish out front, and she poked her head in the door.  Everything about her body showed she was really dying to come inside and see things.  But, well-behaved child that she is, she knew to wait for permission.

Soon enough it came from mom, who entered with her.  Oh, her eyes were simply not big enough to take everything in!  She was dazzled by all the beautiful things around her.  It was a sight to behold!  She walked forward, completely mesmerized by everything, until something right at her height - a lovely red lantern - caused her to lay down on the floor in front of it to admire it at greater length.

And I repeat, this is a well-behaved child.  She was far enough away from the lamp so as not to even be within arms reach of it.  But my, oh, my was she in love with that lamp!  It captured her attention for nearly a full 2 minutes!

Then she was up and at it again, wandering slowly, taking everything in as if she were drinking the most delicious milk she'd ever tasted in her life.  This time, a group of mosaic candle cups stole her attention, as she stood before them, hands carefully crossed in front of her.  The wonder in her eyes at all the lovely colors, and details, and composition, and sparkle were nearly too much to take in all at once.

I was finally treated to some original artwork by Miss Caroline in our booklet - its the one on the front counter where we invite folks to sign up for our emails.  With mom's help, she signed it! 

It was a marvelous reminder to look at the world with wondering eyes, with curiosity, and with astonishment at the bounty of beauty that surrounds us!  Thank you, Miss Caroline, for that very pleasant reminder.  And know that you are a welcome visitor to my shop any time!

Manya Vee
ManyaVeeSelects.com

Two Hearts This World Have I Known

Two Hearts This World Have I Known

The first so parched I could weep

The second so deep I could drown

Whene'er I dare embark in each.

The first, mailed, stares out from her keep

Ne'er frail, ne'er weak, ne'er stripped is she,

Nay.  Nor is she lush, nor teeming,

Nor verdant, nor dreaming to be.

All who would know her break 'pon her

Stony walls high, thick and pit'less.

Their sole succor tear-smeared folly

Despair and wounds' thirsting distress.

The second's undefended shores

So bare, so rash, so little concealed

So little craft, bubblingly daft

All too often recklessly real.

To know this heart, then, is to plunge

Risking the self midst endless charms

Wandr'ing lost, myst'ry fathoms deep

Bewitched, drowning, snared in her arms.

By each heart the hardy hero

Is changed utterly, forged anew.

This, the ordeal: Chancing love's font

Better the trickle or deluge?

Jeff

newclassicstheatre.org

Glass that looks like fabric

Recently, an artist friend of fused glass artist Heidi VanderWerff challenged her to try to make glass look like fabric.  Well, Heidi is the type whose wheels start turning as soon as someone makes such a suggestion!  She mulled it over, had unusual dreams about it, and tried out many possible scenarios.

First, there's the problem of making something look woven.  In fabric, thousands of tiny threads are woven in and out of each other to create what we know as fabric.  How to do that with glass?  It's not flexible like thread is.  On the other hand, there are skinny, thread-like rods of glass available.  What would it look like to lay a bunch of them next to each other, and then again cross-wise?  Hmmmm....

More testing with solid colors and transparent colors to get the best look, and what do you know, but a flat piece finally emerged from the kiln that looked woven!  Unfortunately, it also looked stiff.  And fabric certainly doesn't look stiff.  How to make it drape, like fabric drapes?  Hmmmm.....

More testing with various shapes and molds, and finally, there emerged from the kiln these two wonderful, shapely, draped results!  One works great as a candle holder, as the light passes through the transparent parts of the glass, it glows in the most wonderful way.  The other is a tray that could be used to hold food, as it is indeed, solid, even if it looks like there are open spaces in between the "threads."  Or place it on an easel in front of a window, and enjoy how the light goes through it!

And now, for the final test.  What do other people say about it?  That question was answered just a few days ago when a lovely 5th grader came in to enjoy the glass.  She said, "Wow, is that glass?  It looks like fabric!" So I got to tell the story of how an artist friend of Heidi's challenged her to make glass look like fabric, and presto!  Here are the results!

Great work, Heidi!  We can't wait to see the results of your next challenge!

Manya
ManyaVeeSelects.com

Long Have I Chased Inner Peace

(Well, since it appears that the Edmonds arts scene has shut down entirely for this spell of sunshine...)

Long Have I Chased Inner Peace
Flitt'ring flutt'ring, all flowers kissed
Brightly hued and fragrance sweet
A meadow's worth, nothing missed

But me.  I called to Peace, chased
Through meadow deep, my palm out
Stretched begging Peace to land
Cajoling, pleading, a-shout

To my hand to come, just once.
My tears stinging, staining my
Calls, my cheeks, my heart, my sleep
Always that sweet Peace denied.

At last, wearied dear and spent
I breathed my pain to a calm
Long and last, to my surprise
Peace alighted on my palm.

--Jeff
newclassicstheatre.org

Perks (finally!)

(sigh)

So, I imagine that it goes without saying that if you're going to spend your life running a gallery, building art walks, mural societies and putting on plays, the last problem that you'll ever have to worry about is worrying,  "What to do with all that money?"

There isn't any.  Ever.

Why do it, then?  Well, just occasionally, perks come our way.  Like the one to the right.

What is it?

My birthday gift from local chocolate artisan Piper Peterson!

Thank you for making my week, Piper!

Jeff

Win - win - win - win!

It's such fun when something new comes to the gallery.  Today, on a dreary and wet Monday, the entire place got livened up by a delivery from Edmonds artist Amy Vakontios and her Sagapo candles.  You already know that we like win-win situations quite a bit.  Well, Amy's candles are sort of a win-win-win-win and keep winning deal.

First off, she uses palm wax, which is a renewable resource.  It's not paraffin, which is derived from fossil fuels.  Paraffin candles are the ones that make black spots on the ceiling above where they've been lit.  But not palm wax, no!  It burns cleanly and wonderfully.

Next "win" on the list are the fragrances Amy uses.  Not one to scrimp here, Amy uses the highest quality fragrances available for use with candles.  She knows a lot about this from first-hand experience, because she used to work for the only perfumery in Washington state, which provided lots of fragrances for the entire candle industry.  Talk about first-hand experience.  Because of this, her fragrances have very little solvent in them, so the scent comes through in a more pure form - not laced with chemicals.  This is much nicer to breathe, I can assure you.

Another "win" is that Amy painstakingly tests each candle to make sure the best possible wick is used.  So I asked her the other day just how many wick options are out there.  She said over 200!  Who knew?!?  So much for my one-day candle-making class taken years ago when I learned that there were maybe 2 kinds of wick.  Amy tests them to make sure the wick she uses with a particular wax in a particular shape will burn all the way to the edge and make the best use of every millimeter of wax available!  Waste not, want not...

But wait!  There's more!  Purchasing a candle made by Amy, an Edmonds artist, from Manya Vee Selects, an Edmonds business, means making the most of your spending money by infusing it right back into the community.  I'm sure you've heard it already, but shopping at the mall sends most of your money far away from here.  Shopping locally keeps 68 cents of each dollar in our area.  Shopping at Manya Vee Selects keeps about 80 cents or more here because you are supporting (1) Manya Vee Selects and (2) a local artist.

So there you have it!  Respect the earth! Make your home smell great! Improve our local economy!  It just doesn't get any better than that.

By the way, Amy's candles are available on our website too: Sagapo Candles

Manya
manyaveeselects.com

Three Masks

Yes, I confess: It's true.  Novel writing - in the form of my new A Jade Coffeehouse; or playwrighting - in the form of my new A Dropped Stitch, going up in October; how are they constructed?  Usually via the process of sitting for months in utter agony, dreaming, always dreaming, waiting for the Muse to give me the power to wield words once more.  How do I spend the hours 'tween times?  Well, crafting ditties such as these...

Three-fold Masks Have I Worn
One, all the lands to see
Another have my lovers' born(e)
The last, serves sole for me.

Ah, but what joy, one to wear!
And one alone for all times
All places, all spaces where
In all variant of climes.

Ne'er more pretend, to fib,
To ride a pompous gust of heat
Or chill. To trim my sail, my jib,
To soothe a pfuffle eased.

Begone smooth face perfected
'Twout chip nor mar to see!
Too, smooth tongue affected
Honey dripped unceasing sweet.

Nay more! Just me, 'tis just me
You mark now, spotted and maul'd
Yet, burden'd light as can be.
For, one mask is no mask at all.

Jeff
newclassicstheatre.org

Mural Mania a Hoot!

Mural Mania, my new comedy, performed at the Edmonds Mural Society's First Annual Unveiling Gala, was a huuuuge success!  The wacky performances of New Classics favorite Lars Enden, alums Robin Strahan and Eileen McCann, and the New Classics debut of Catherine Bailey all hit the audiences' funny bone on target!  The idea of three hapless muralists at each other throats as a Mural Society board member tries to marshal them into collaborating on the raising of a mural went down as a hoot that night!

And most importantly, it put everyone in a festive mood as the real work of the evening began.  The raising of all that cash that shall raise our murals this summer.  I'm still waiting to hear the final numbers, but it appears that we raised all the cash we hoped to!


(Be gentle with me, though, if some unforeseen cost comes up...)

Regardless, we did well!  Very well!  And thank you, all of you for making this happen!  In particular, let us heap laurels on these following hardy souls of the Edmonds Mural Society Board (and, when you run into them next, be sure to bestow their cheeks with wet and gooey kisses!)...

• Tricia Thompson - media extraordinaire and tirelss work horse
• Shawn O'Connor - Tricia's sis and equally indefatigable worker
• Rebecca Anjewierden - board secretary and tracker down of glittering auction packages
• Pat Brier - muralist liaison and creator of one of the five murals being raised this summer

They have - we have - all done very, very well!  Go Edmonds!  Go Edmonds Mural Society!

Jeff

newclassicstheatre.org

A Magic Moment - customer, gallery, and artist connect!

It happened last Saturday.  A semi-regular customer came into the gallery.  M.R. was checking out the latest wearable art offerings rather leisurely when her hand rested upon a chrome and black peluche wrap by Laura Lawrence.  M.R. has the most amazing head of silver, straight, thick, wonderful hair.  The wrap would look amazing on her.

Laura's wraps come to life when worn on the body.  The hanger just doesn't cut it.  So, I took it off the hanger and wrapped it around my own body to show M.R. the variety of ways it can be worn, and to show her how beautifully it moves on the body.  She was intrigued and mesmerized by its beauty.


Off comes her coat.  Her purse gets absent-mindedly placed on the floor.  And she wraps herself in the soft and gentle beauty and takes a look in the mirror.  Yep.  It looked like it had been made especially with her in mind.  She has fun playing with all the ways it can be worn.  Open in the front with lapels.  One side draped across the front.  Both ends captured across the shoulders.  And so on.


As you can now imagine, it went home with her.  She was so very pleased with it that a thank you needed to be delivered to the artist.  Here's a bit of what she said: "Yesterday I purchased one of your beautiful Double Peluche Capes in Edmonds, WA from Manya Vee Selects.  The moment I saw it I "bonded" and knew that I had created an intention at some previous moment in time to have a "made for me" work of wearable art. My cape is chrome and black and compliments and enhances my long silver [chrome?] hair- a big consideration when buying clothing! The other part of this story is that I had JUST picked up a custom ring which I had spent weeks/months designing and refining with the jewelers. Some how this all fits together- maybe a sign about how very important our creative contributions are to the world. Thank you so very much for your generous, lovely art. I LOVE my new cape and will think of the love that helped create it as I wear it with the memories already created!"


Laura was totally blown away by receiving such heart-felt gratitude about something she had created with her own hands.  She responded thusly:  "What a lovely surprise to receive your email--thank you so much for writing! As someone who has gone "natural" with my hair color, I certainly can relate to what you said regarding the silver [chrome]. I must say how pleased I have been with the silver with black accents. I hope you enjoy many hours of feeling hugged in it.  Thank you again for taking the time to write me."


And now, the shared moments of beauty will happen with M.R. as she wears her lovely wearable art!  She will be one of those bringing a smile and a sense of awe about the amazing beauty of creativity and excellent craftsmanship each time she wears it.  How cool is that?!?!?!?


Manya
manyaveeselects.com

Madeleine Albright - Read My Pins

Regardless of your political affiliation, Madeleine Albright was well-regarded as Secretary of State.  As a woman in this position, she had some different decisions to make that her male peers did not - wardrobe, colors, jewelry.  Her now-famous pin collection began when she criticized Saddam Hussein for refusing to disclose complete descriptions of Iraq's weapons program, and the Iraqi press responded with a poem in which they referred to her as an "unparalleled serpent".  When the time came for her to meet with Iraqi officials, she remembered a pin she'd had for years - a gold snake wrapped around a branch with a diamond dangling from its mouth.  She simply wore it to the meeting without drawing any extra attention to it in any way.  When the meeting was over, she noted that it was just her way of sending a message.

Thus began a brilliant engagement of jewelry with a message.  A touring exhibit featuring 200 of her pins is now traveling the country with the next stop in Washington DC.  The exhibit showcases her wonderful pin collection, pointing out both its historical significance and the way it illustrates the power of a well-placed accessory.  Albright says, "I believe the right symbol at the correct time can add warmth or needed edge to a relationship.  A foreign dignitary standing alongside me at a press conference would be happier to see a bright, shining sun attached to my jacket than a menacing wasp."  Many of her pins also had humorous components.

I was delighted to read about Ms. Albright's way of engaging individuals and the world with her jewelry.  She took her pin collection to a whole new level by carefully selecting the right pin for a particular occasion.  When she purchased the pins initially, she may not have known just how it might play a role in world politics.  But for some reason, something about each pin struck her as being able to be meaningful.

One of my personal delights is sharing a moment of beauty with a complete stranger.  A unique and beautifully-crafted accessory can make that happen multiple times a day.  Whether a charming hat, a colorful necklace, a funky purse, or an intricate jacket, that item becomes a way to bring a smile to the face of those you encounter.

Beyond that, however, is the personal delight I derive from choosing to adorn myself with something meaningful to me.  I have some items in my personal collection that I wear for very particular reasons: when I'm feeling down, or overwhelmed, or celebratory.  In this case, those things have become talismans for me, instilled with great power to guide me through the time.  The item didn't have that power to begin with - I put it there myself and gave it that personal meaning for me.

Lately, we've had several women come into the gallery seeking a "divorce ring."  It was their sole purpose to replace the wedding ring they'd faithfully worn for years, only to see its meaning destroyed, with a lovely and meaningful ring of their own choice.  Purchased by her, for her, to be enjoyed by her, and who cares what anyone else thinks about it.  These rings tend to be a little larger, and with colored stones in them.  I've been fascinated to see that several women chose a ring with a garnet in it.  Unbeknownst to them, the energetic quality of energy enhances personal power.

Our Pacific Northwest is notoriously low-key in terms of style.  Muddy colors, styles so simple as to be style-less, and accessories to match (if any at all).  That makes it take all the more courage to wear something special because we've all learned that it's bad to stick out.  I've had customers tell me they could "never" wear that jacket (or necklace, or scarf, or...) because they'd stand out.  Indeed, it is much more comfortable to be invisible.  But I feel we do ourselves such a disservice with this attitude.

And the thing is, it takes just a slight change in thinking to make it happen.  It begins with honoring your self.  Allowing yourself to indulge in the cheerfully colored shirt, for a start.  You'll feel so wonderful wearing it that you may wish to have another day a week to repeat the experience.  And then, a really cool thing happens.  As others see you do that, they feel like they have permission to do it too!  I LOVE when that happens!

So here's your challenge.  Before June ends, find one way to honor yourself with something that makes you feel fabulous, and see how it changes your view of yourself when you wear it!

Manya

www.ManyaVeeSelects.com

Fighting for Eden - Now in Paperback!

Thank you, thank you!  Everyone who has asked me to find more flexible options for getting a hold of my new novel, Fighting for Eden, recently published on Amazon.com's Kindle...  Thank you!  A typical example of the conversation with an old, old friend...

AnnLouise:  So, it's available...where?

Hapless novelist:  Ummm...on...Kindle?

AnnLouise:  Great!  Now, when I get myself a Kindle in a decade or two, I'll be able to read your novel!

(Ahem.)

Well, for book (that is paper-bound book) lovers everywhere, here is Lulu Publishing's edition of Fighting for Eden.  (Be sure to check out the dedication page, as well!)  Oh, by the way, they have some sort of free shipping deal going on today and tomorrow, as well. 

Then, too, I've heard from (Barnes & Noble's) Nook readers, IPad readers, and others.  Never fear!  We have an e-published version of Fighting for Eden for all those readers, too, now!

Times change fast in any industry.  No less so, the arts!  Which means, I guess, that we artists should make ourselves as flexible as possible.

Jeff

Watching artists grow - part 1

One of the greatest joys of my life is watching artists grow and develop.  First of all, it's quite difficult to become an artist.  It's one of the most difficult things a person can do.  (Check out this earlier blog for another example)  So watching it happen is sort of like watching a miracle.

Case in point - Emily Hickman.  I first met Emily when she contacted me for an Art Business Consultation.  She'd been honing her metalsmithing skills for several years, and wanted to learn how to get her work into more shops and galleries.  She had four "lines" at that time.  For the uninitiated, a "line" is a group of pieces that work together based on similarities.  Emily's four lines were 1. sea creatures, 2. items featuring a cats eye shell, 3. simple shapes brightly colored with enamel on copper, and 4. hammered silver pieces.  All were quite different from each other.  Each would have to be marketed separately to a different clientele all together - which makes producing marketing materials rather expensive, and typically drives an artist to distraction trying to keep it all together under one roof in her head.

Narrowing the scope was imperative.  But bodies of work were already created in each category, and it seemed so wasteful to just give up without trying.  So we crafted a temporary plan to market the other liens, while turning all her creative energy to the hammered silver line.  And thus, Hammering Woman was born.

Interesting things happen when an artist focuses on one area.  I hear artists all the time balking about this because they feel it limits their creativity.  But an unexpected thing happens by imposing this limitation: the creativity within that limitation expands exponentially.  Secondly, by focusing on this area, the skill level increases dramatically.  Thus, the confidence to create ever-increasingly challenging work grows.  Thus the line grows because (confidence in technical skill) + (time spent creating new work) = increased creativity.

So Emily has been sending me photos of her newest pieces, and they are simply stunning.  Her earlier pieces in the Hammering Woman line were characterized by classic shapes (rectangles, teardrops, circles) with slightly organic edges.  The simple shapes and lines are very popular, and among our best-sellers at Manya Vee Selects.  The newest pieces still retain the classic shapes, but have a new elegance to them - a refined quality that is quite breathtaking.  She's even experimenting with incorporating bits of 18-karat gold with the sterling, such as a little gold ball on the surface of a silver earring, or an amazing stone bezel set in 18-karat gold.

So keep it up, Emily!  Now we are all watching to see how you grow!

Manya

www.ManyaVeeSelects.com

Manya@manyaveeselects.com

Fighting for Eden and that Whole Kindle Thing

Yep!  Isn't that whole Kindle phenomenon just kind of cool?  I mean, even a little bit?  The idea that you can download title after title after title...

So.  After one conversation too many with yet one more literary agent that goes something like this...

Agent:  But...you wrote a literary novel?

Jeff:  Yes.

Agent:  And...why?  There's so much money to be made in thrillers.

I'm sure there is.  I'm also sure that I don't have a thriller novel in me at this time.  (Maybe someday.  Just not now.)  However, what I do have is this enthralling story about a gifted, almost savant-like, young man who becomes one of the greatest peace activists of our time.  Not because of his ideals, mind you, but because his best friend is killed in Iraq.

Fighting for Eden is now available on Kindle store.  Check it out!  Here's the prologue...

The tarmac is weeping pools of lazily dancing rainbows, or so she thinks.  Snapping alert, she peers more closely at them, marveling how that could be and realizing that it is pretty much like something he would say.  She looks around and, automatically, up.  A dark night.  Still, you can't see as many stars as you can at home.  No matter how hard they try.  She wonders how green the hills are now, breaking off her thoughts as the plane's lumbering shriek grows in volume, beginning to envelop her as it backs its way toward her.  Soon, she thinks, staring at the cargo bay doors. 
The plane's engines subside into a quiet ticking and, as if on cue, the crickets once again pick up their lament.  She waits.  Not long now.
Dark figures appear at the edges of the plane in stark relief against the runway lights.  Airport personnel.  And others.  Just like they said.  Setting about this way and that with a solemn, restrained urgency.  One, holding a uniformed clipboard, turns toward her just as a car approaches.  He made it.  She feels a quiet stab of pained joy, then sparks of anger at the thought of seeing him, then guilt that she should be thinking of them at such a moment.  She tries to steel herself but gives up, not having the energy.  Instead she begins wondering if the shimmering off the runway is coming from her own eyes, swimming at the recollection of his booming laugh, his quickly found beaming smile.  Does it matter?  Doors slam.  He is coming.  Both of them.   She turns.

Of Fighting for Eden, Manya says:
"It's all there: wonderful story with the delightfully contrasting and picturesque locales of an intellectually-stimulating UW with the fierce freedom of the horse-bound Yakima Valley of my childhood.  The characters are all thoughtfully crafted: Andrew's hapless rambling thoughts about how the world must work are a hoot!  Jake's larger than life warrior cut tragically short.  And, then there is Jessie.  Fiery, indomitable, the girl I wished I could have been!  I loved this story!  It's stayed with me ever since I read it!"

Rebecca Anjewierden says:
"I really liked this novel.  It's a great story.  Really thoughtful and entertaining.  I'm still not sure what to make of Jake, but I certainly loved Jessie.  What she does on that Christmas night at the farm with Andrew (I won't say anymore!) was something I had never dreamed could happen.  Thank you, Jeff, for writing it!"

I hope you like it!

Jeff

I'm a fairy godmother?

Yesterday, an artist came into the gallery to say hello.  Cheryl Waale paints lovely impressionist paintings inspired by nature, with lots of texture and intense colors.  Several years ago, she submitted an application to our Third Thursday Art Walk.  It was near the beginning of her career as an artist, as she had recently left behind the hectic and soul-killing life of the corporate world.

She was quite flabbergasted when first one, then two, and then more and more of her paintings were sold to Edmonds Art Patrons.  She found a home at the downtown Edmonds shop Housewares, where you can still see and purchase her paintings. 

Just recently, she decided to submit a proposal to the Edmonds Mural Society to see if perhaps her work might be chosen to be one of the 5 murals they plan to mount this coming summer on the many blank walls of downtown Edmonds.  And much to her amazement, her proposal was indeed selected.

Stunned at this exciting turn of events for her, Cheryl reflected on her growing career as a fine artist and asked me if we ever felt like the fairy godmother of artists, because of all the emerging artists we've nurtured over the years as the founders and directors of the Third Thursday Art Walk, now in its 9th year.  She told me about the April 15 Art Walk, which she was attending as a patron.  A visit to Bluefish Designs, an Art Walk participant, had another emerging artist showing colorful and whimsical paintings of cats.  This artist, Fran Downs, had just sold one of her paintings.  In fact, Fran had told me of this exciting sale.  What Cheryl added to the mix was that this was the very first painting of Fran's to sell!  The sale of an artist's first piece is one that remains in their memory forever.

On that same April 15 Art Walk, we got to hear about the two photographs sold at the Resident Cheesemonger by Finn Gaaras.  And Howard Frank came by to thank us because he sold one of his impressionist landscapes while being hosted by Edward Jones Financial Services.

And not least, Joel Patience has found great satisfaction and joy over the success of a painting career that began as art therapy following two car accidents.  After nearly a year of encouraging him to participate in the Edmonds Third Thursday Art Walk, he finally took a deep breath and dove in.  Since that time, his art career has flourished with many paintings sold, a recent TV exposure and news story, and one of his paintings chosen to be the cover of the Daniel Smith Art Supplies catalog.  He regularly comes into the gallery to thank us for believing in him and his art.

It is both exciting and humbling to hear about how these artists are encouraged to get back into their studios and continue painting - all because they took that scary step of putting their work in front of our Edmonds art patrons, and sold something!  Art requires an energetic exchange between the artist and the patron.  What more wonderful result can be had when those two things come together!  The artist continues to grow and expand.  The art patron continues to evolve in their tastes and exposure to a wide variety of art.  It's truly wonderful!

I feel so happy and honored to be the fairy godmother of all those artists!

Now, where's my wand...

Manya

Meeting the Audience

Let's face it: the arts can be brutal.  Uplifting, meaningful, inspiring even; yes, the arts can be all of those things.  The arts can also be brutal.

Recently I sat through one of the worst performed plays I've ever seen.  By this judgment - and I want to be fair, here - I mean the following, specifically:

• the actors didn't know their lines (most were reading straight out of the script, believe it or not)
• they didn't know their blocking; didn't know their entrances and exits
• as a result, there was precious little characterization of any poignancy and, therefore,
• relationships between the characters (which make up the heart of any entertaining performance) were almost entirely non-existent

In short, it was a lot of well-meant, if quite hapless, flailing around up there.  What was the problem?  In a sentence: the play was badly under-rehearsed.  It should never have gone to curtain in that state.  Now, perhaps we might fault the cast for not trying harder.  However, in fact, it is squarely, and almost solely, the director's fault.  (I know - that sucks, but it's part of the onus of being the director.) 

On the other hand, one might argue that I am, unfairly, taking this way too seriously.  That, after all, it's only community theatre (which it was).  Or, in a similar vein, that the audience got what it paid for (the ticket price was, I admit, absurdly low).  Of course, that argument always overlooks the obvious: community theatre or not, modern audiences pay the ticket price  + performance time + commute time.

There's a rule in theatre: Audiences take their time very seriously; dramatists who fail to, soon quit.  For example, I know from experience that you can get away with such poorly rehearsed theatre for about ten to twenty minutes, tops.  Most audiences will forgive just about anything up to that time limit.  After that, however, is a different story as the audience will, first, grow restless, then bored, then resentful.  Yep, stretch that period to half an hour, an hour, an hour and a half, two hours or (as was the case here), well over two hours and now you have an audience that is fairly growling, "Can we just get this f*king thing over with, already?"  In the case of this show, by the time I ducked out early, 1/3 the house had already left.  Clearly, they had better uses for their time.  Then, too, right before I left, I could hear the mutter on all sides: "Is this show ever going to end?"

So, yes, in the dramatic arts, it's important to meet the audience's expectations.  (Fail to, and they will let you know real fast.  Particularly American audiences.)  Therefore, meet their expectations or quit.  Those are the rules.  I know that sounds brutal.  Maybe it is.  But those are still the rules.  If you don't want to play by them?   It's simple: do something else.

But you know what?  The visual arts are ruled similarly (if less dramatically).   Fail to meet the audience's (or collectors') expectations and your fine art or fine craft will collect dust on that gallery shelf until the gallery owner moves you out, replacing your work with another's that moves enough to help him pay his rent.  Same rules: meet their expectations or quit.

Perhaps this awareness is why I am so amused these days at squabbling by, say, two self-appointed cognescenti over whether, say, a painting is great art.  I could care less.  What I want to know is whether that painting will meet a collector's expectations.

And, after that?  Well, let's just say that after a decade or two of meeting audiences' or collectors' expectations, we'll know who the artists are and who chose some other field.

Jeff

Holy Smoke! (Teacup Tipsy's review)

Jeff Stilwell as Man In The Box.  Courtesy Wendy Enden.

So that's why I've been bonkers the last few days.  Complete creative exhaustion.  Alarmingly incoherent babblings and rantings on Tuesday, the day after we closed.  After several glasses of wine, and Manya's soothing caresses; finally, tortured sleep.  The following day?  Press repeat, if to a less pronounced degree.  And so on.

Why the hell do we do this to ourselves as artists?

Can we do otherwise?  Well, I suppose.  Of course, on that day, a crucial part of us withers and dies.

(Then, too, this subject always brings to mind the painful memories of how many times I've been discarded as manic/depressive.  The odd thing is that the diagnosis typically comes from someone who works a routine 9 - 5 office job; needless to say, someone who has a hard time imagining artistic risk.)

Then, again, from time to time it proves worth it.  I have two things to offer up this morning.  The first is a slideshow of photos from the play in case you missed it.  You'll find the slideshow on the right.  (If you'd like to see larger sizes, simply click on the image.)   The photos ("candids" we call 'em, in the biz) are fairly the prettiest I've seen in some time for a play.  They were taken by a very talented photographer just on the horizon:  Wendy Enden (www.laughingtabbyphotography.com).  Enjoy!

Then, too, Teacup merited a review!  No small thing, given its sole weekend of performances (ordinarily The Enterprise Newspapers will spend its valuable column inches on a show running longer).  It has to be one of the most congratulatory reviews I've ever received; not least because the reviewer, Dale Burrows is not afraid to chastise me when he feels I stopped short of my potential.  Phrases like "that wows,"  "imaginative comedy and thoughtful fable," "blew away those of us," "ground-breaking in ways more than one" characterize the review.  I cheerfully admit that I bawled like a baby when I saw it.

Maybe the pain is worth it, after all?

Jeff

What Price Art? (Bloody Noses)

Goodness, where has the time gone?

Well, I suppose that's what happens when you are mounting a new play.  The final weeks pass by in a flurry of activity.  Barely a moment to catch one's breath.

This one, my heart-warming new fable, Teacup Tipsy, is no exception.  It began quietly enough.  As usual, a couple of designers had to drop out and be replaced.  Barely a ruffle there.  But, then, an actor dropped out when he abruptly lost his car and couldn't make it to rehearsals anymore.  So, he, too, had to be replaced, on the fly.  (That was a bit knuckle-gnawing.)

Nevertheless, after all that, we had managed to settle down into the routine of mounting a show.  Good, solid, work-a-day routine.  Over time, though, we noticed that our actor playing Man In The Box couldn't get his lines down.  Now, I should mention that this is the largest part I've ever written for any actor, anywhere.  It's huge.  It rivals Hamlet in size.  And scope.  Here's a sample...
Sweet-scented olive grove on hillside stood
In gentle climes of sun-strewn hues and balms
Where one may stroll, and sit, and olive chew
And spit the tangy pit to new grove grow
And garland said hillside’s dew with olives new.


I've often awakened in the middle of the night wondering if the part isn't simply too large.  Nevertheless, Greg, the actor I cast, had a great deal of heart and considerable focus.  I believed that he would make it.  The weeks in rehearsal coasted by until we approached that point in the rehearsal process that most actors dread: Off-book day.  That day that you may no longer use the script.  It's all in your head at that point or you're screwed.

Of course, most actors also understand that the real acting begins when you're off-book and not before.  So, while it's a painful transition, it's a necessary one in any production worth mounting.

Anyhoo, as we got closer to that day, Greg and I realized that for a number of reasons, he simply wouldn't be able to get there.  All the heart in the world wasn't going to make a damn bit of difference, either.  What to do?

Well [swallow hard], we'd have to replace him.  Which we did.  (He's currently pursuing Improv acting in Olympia; I'm giving him lots of advice and support as he establishes himself in that demanding field.)

So, now, here we are, the clock is ticking, and we need a new actor who can master an elephant-sized part in just forty-eight hours.  To whom did we turn?  You guessed it.  It took me every minute of those two days, costing three bloody noses from the sheer stress of it all (believe it or not).  I hope never to undergo such an experience again.  Whew!  Of course, after the elephant was, finally, swallowed, I didn't have to do it again.  But, still.

Of course, the story doesn't end there.  I knew that having taken on a role, I could no longer direct; it would hurt the show.  So, Manya stepped in.  She established authority in minutes (no easy thing on the stage) with her characteristically light touch and has led the cast through the polishing phase since.  Tonight is our cue-to-cue tech rehearsal, when the cast and the technical crew are put together for the first time, everyone wondering if this team of oxen will pull in the same direction.

(I can hear it right now. Steve G. is thinking to himself: That puts Manya in the driver's seat with a whip in her hand.  Hmmmm....)

Steve!

Thinking of all of this, I can't help but ponder the price of art and what we are willing to sacrifice in order to create beauty and meaning.

Wish us a broken leg!  Driftwood is fronting the cash on this one, so it plays by their rules.  One weekend only - this weekend, in fact - in a special engagement.  This Saturday (2 pm) and Sunday and Monday (7:30 pm).  Tickets ($10) to be had at 425.774.9600.

Manya Vee Selects, of course, is having its usual wine soiree, this time on Sunday night, at the gallery, immediately following the performance.

See you then!

Jeff

Choreography too?

Many of you know me as a jewelry designer and gallery owner.  Well, in the immortal words of MVS artist Pat Brier, "Sometimes one form of creativity leads to another."  So yes.  You can now add choreographer to the list as well!

In Jeff's latest play, Teacup Tipsy (opening April 17 at Driftwood Players in Edmonds), there is a dance sequence in which our heroine, Lyla, dances her sorrow.  (Yes, this IS a comedy I assure you.)  Never one to shy from something new, I leapt at the chance to try my hand at it.  After all, I had studied dance for many years as a youngster, and for a few years in college as well.  And you all know that was just a few years ago, right?

But how to capture a mood, her emotions, in movement?  That was my challenge.  I spent quite a few hours boning up on my familiarity with dance steps, listening to the music to which Lyla dances, and dreaming about which movements would work best.  I tried series after series, and didn't like any of them.

So I let it sit for a day or two and tried not to think about it (which was sort of hard, given the number of times I had listened to the tune, and it was now refusing to leave my brain).  Finally, after picking it up again, I worked on it for several more hours when it all came together!  Lovely, graceful movements that reflect Lyla's mood and her chosen song.

But now comes the hard part.  I actually have to SHOW it to the director and the actor playing the role of Lyla.  Yikes!  What if they don't like it?  What if they think it's silly?  I've had many years to get used to the idea of putting my jewelry out for others to see.  Doesn't faze me at all anymore.  I know some people are going to like and others not, and I don't really care.  But this?  This is an entirely different animal.  An entirely new art form.  So, breathing through my anxiety, and forgetting the next move only once, I showed them.

You can imagine my great relief when I saw smiles of appreciation on their faces as they watched.  Wow, they actually liked it!  Whew!  I just passed my first test as a choreographer!  And Catherine, our Lyla, captures it beautifully.  How fun to watch someone else work with what I imagined!  An amazing feeling to be sure.

Manya

My Head's Exploding! (counting noses)

I just got asked why we count Art Walk exhibitions instead of artists.  Actually, we count both but, yes, we put greater emphasis on the number of exhibitions achieved each year.

Why?

Well, simply put, each time an exhibition takes place, that means, yes, that an artist has been juried in to display her works.  That also means that a downtown Edmonds merchant has willingly agreed to provide the exhibition space for free and to pay for the advertising.  (Usually they cough up the dough for appetizers and drinks, too.)  All this, at no cost to the artist.

That's why so many art walks ultimately fail.  The merchants just get worn out.  They get tired of providing all that for free, month after month.

Not our Art Walk, though!  Last year 497 exhibitions took place.  That means, 497 times, a merchant put up the cash to make that exhibition possible.  Why would they do that?  Well - and I think that this is the true secret of our Art Walk's success - the merchants put up the cash because they believe that investing in the Art Walk will increase traffic to their store.

To some that might sound mercenary.  Not to me.  Manya and I've always demanded that when it came to our Art Walk, we're only interested in win-win scenarios.  We chuck anything else.  If it's not simultaneously a win for the artist and a win for the merchant, we won't do it.  And, since the Edmonds Art Walk is in its ninth year, I suppose that's been the right decision to make.

Final thought:  This was pointed by a friend yesterday.  We did almost 500 exhibitions last year.  We did almost 250 exhibitions in 2007.  You know what that means, right?

Yep!  The Edmonds Third Thursday Art Walk doubled in size these last two years.

(Yikes!)

--Jeff

My Head's Exploding! (Art Walk exhibitions)

Anybody remember the first Art Walk?  Nine years ago?

Legend has it that we began, after much hand-wringing and nervous sweating (but not by me, of course), that first fateful evening almost a decade ago with five exhibitions.  (Or was it eight?  Nobody can remember.)  And we felt downright lucky to get 'em, too!

Clearly the Art Walk has grown a bit.  I've been going over the stats for the Edmonds Art Walk and, while I suspected the figures impressive, I never thought I'd see something like this!

Last year, 2009, alone, saw 497 art exhibitions and live music performances during the Art Walk!  (Well over 600 artists, musicians and authors were featured!)  What were the favorites?  Well, as you might expect, among the top five media are mixed media paintings and acrylic paintings and color photography.  Then, too, you also find oil paintings and watercolors, as well.

What else shows up at the top?  Mixed media (including group exhibitions).  Also jewelry and, surprisingly, fabric/textiles.  How about that, eh?

How does 2009 compare with previous years?  You guessed it!  The Art Walk is growing bigger every year!
Here's the breakdown, below. 
2010:  112 exhibitions (so far)
2009:  497 exhibitions
2008:  316 exhibitions
2007:  242 exhibitions
2006:  12 exhibitions (the first year we began recording stats)

I know what you're thinking.  (In fact, I can hear Bonnie H right now:  "Jeff, you fathead!  You only began recording stats in 2006!?  What were you thinking?!")  Well, the truth is that we honestly didn't expect the Art Walk to grow so large when we first began it.  In fact, we figured it would sputter on for a couple of years and, then, like most art walks, run out of gas.

Clearly, Edmonds' Art Walk has not!

--Jeff

What's Next?

Yes, let the work begin!  (Or is that: Let the work continue?)

From a wee gallery featuring Manya's jewelry designs, to an Art Walk that grew to be one of the largest in the state, to the newly celebrated Mural Society, to my latest, most artistically ambitious play: Teacup Tipsy (my fourteenth produced!).  That's an awful lot in just ten years.

What's next?  If anyone had told me a decade ago that our lives would be so full, I would have dismissed him as a crank.  For, I know that when you look at Manya today, you see the sober, responsible, arts leader.  Nevertheless, I can safely assure you that the Manya we all know today bears little resemblance to the girl I met in Asia twenty years ago.  Indeed, that winsome lass was equal parts reckless hellion and effervescent party girl.  Hardly the type we would expect to sprightly jump through all those logistical hoops, smilingly endure the seemingly endless committee meetings, patiently harmonize all those clashing tempers, or tirelessly rally the troops to the cause again and again and again; in short, all the ingredients needed to found, say, an Art Walk of acclaim.

Still, we did that.  We do that.  How?  Why?  I know that part of the answer is the public service bone that I inherited from my mother.  Yet, sometimes I have to scratch my head and wonder.  There's no luster in it.  And there certainly isn't any lucre.  And, yes, there are those moments in the hard times, during the darkest hours of the night when I wake thinking, "I can't go on."  

More fundamentally, though, I know why we do it: You.  That's why we do it.  That's why we keep working hard to help build this art scene in Edmonds.  Some things we do for you, that's true.  But I always love it most when we get to do them with you.  Nothing gives me greater pleasure than a delightful conversation at the gallery about some aspect of the growing, fertile arts scene with someone who truly cares.

Let this blog serve as a new clearinghouse for shared ideas.  Let it become a beacon of inspiration on those dark nights.  Let it become a central focusing point as we all move forward mounting those five murals next summer, celebrating the Art Walk's ninth year, and watching the summer exhibitions top fifty artists on that evening each month.

And whatever comes next, we'll do it together.

--Jeff

And So It Begins!

The one, the only, Manya Vee Selects blog!  We invite you to post comments and thoughts on our posts as often as possible!  We'd love to have a conversation with you in this way.  We can talk about art, creativity, beauty, and how those things affect our daily lives.

I'm sure you all know by now that for me, incorporating art into every aspect of your life is a very powerful thing.  Eating your breakfast out of a hand-painted Fiala bowl instead of Corelle gets you ready for the day like nothing else.  Especially if you use a beaded spoon as a vehicle!

Wear it. Dine on it. Burn it. Burn things in it.  Put flowers in it.  Look at it.  Look at yourself in it. Eat it. Smell it.  And that's just the beginning.  For some reason, so many of us struggle with feeling like we somehow don't deserve to use special things.  Maybe that Puritan streak hasn't gone out of our systems yet.  But just let your mind wander a bit to consider how much more alive you'd feel if you actually allowed those things.  Surrounding yourself with joyfully created art that you can use makes that joy come alive in you as well, and may even ignite your own fires of creativity if you're not careful!

Let's hear how you incorporate art into your everyday life!

--Manya