I just finished the second set of thirty-six (three dozen) robes! They are 12″ x 12″ hardboard mounted on cradled hardboard. I am so delighted with them. I feel like making more but I will, instead, clean up the art studio, put away all the unused ribbon and store the paintings in acetate sleeves until I find the perfect place to exhibit them all together.
On a recent visit to Cazenovia Artisans, 39 Albany Street, Cazenovia, New York, 13135, I met co-op member Betsy Menson Sio, a former art teacher in the Jordan-Elbridge School District, now working as a full-time artist and jewelry designer. She is selling earrings made of vintage tins that speak of recycling paired with sterling silver.
The pieces are whimsical, meant to be worn for fun with everyday casual gear. She calls her business East Street Tins.
This is a materials driven art form. She must first find the vintage tins – soda cans, candy or coffee canisters, perhaps even motor oil containers – then decide on the shape and cut forming two symmetrical bespoke pieces.
She also creates necklaces and bracelets when not taking her weekly turn as salesperson at the gallery.
As mentioned, Cazenovia Artisans is a co-op. Artist members must be voted in with the understanding that they will commit to retail sales as well as providing cohesive artwork for sale and paying a monthly fee. There are other avenues as well – offering work on consignment or being considered as a guest artist. All information is listed on their website.
Current hours of operation:
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Mon |
10:00 am – 06:00 pm |
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Tue |
10:00 am – 06:00 pm |
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Wed |
10:00 am – 06:00 pm |
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Thu |
10:00 am – 06:00 pm |
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Fri |
10:00 am – 06:00 pm |
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Sat |
10:00 am – 05:00 pm |
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Sun |
10:00 am – 04:00 pm |
If you are searching for a way to be in alignment with your source energy, then go to Skaneateles, New York.
The Skaneateles Curbstone Festival is currently underway. This is a sidewalk sale involving over forty merchants on W. Genesee, Jordan and Fennell Streets. The festival continues tomorrow, (July 21, 2023) from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and again on Saturday, (July 22, 2023) from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Today was a wonderful day of browsing shops and chatting with vendors.
I finally got the opportunity to visit Skaneateles 300. I follow them on Instagram and absolutely love the way owner Geraldean Lantier merchandises. Each season she comes up with a theme that unifies items to create a cohesive look for the store. This coincides with current trends in fashion.
For summer, she has filled the store with silky florals and colorful embroideries as well as beaded purses with positive text messages or Greek evil eye motif alluding to an island hopping vacation vibe.
Brands include local companies as well as international designers, some of which cannot be found anywhere else in this area (Brazilian and British designers share space with Free People and Farm Rio). The boutique caters to women but she said, many mothers shop with their teenaged daughters and find things that suit their respective personal styles.
Ms. Lantier has a keen eye for fashion. I really enjoyed meeting her!
In addition to women’s apparel, the store carries home goods: soaps, candles and gifty stuff. So many beautiful things!
Skaneateles 300 is located at 2 West Genesee Street, Skaneateles, New York 13152. You can find them at www.skaneateles300.com. Currently, there is no on-line shopping experience but check back in a few months and that will change. Call (315)685-1133 for more information including hours of operation.
Here I am back in black – it is a comfort zone. And I have so many separates to mix and match! I love the way it feels to know who I am and what I love. I love ruffles and puff sleeves, embroidery, leather, silk and velvet! <3
The V-neck cashmere sweater paired with a leather skirt is a marriage made in fashion heaven! Worn with a bootie and one of my handmade bracelets, this look was my uniform last week. It was a theme I will revisit again and again. <3
Students are working on papier-mache sculptures (donuts, owls) and colored pencil drawings. The Studio in Art students just finished glazing their clay projects and now they are about to do still life paintings with acrylics. We are having a lot of fun making art!
I wore turtlenecks this week. I have four and there were four days of school, but I didn’t feel like wearing one on Friday. Sticking to a theme is the plan but plans don’t always seem to go as planned.
I’m in the process of planning an event and I spent half the day crying because it doesn’t feel like things will work out. Things are always working out, lol, but not necessarily the way you want them to work out. I’m waiting for the universe to surprise and delight me. I mean, I am allowing the universe to do that because I know how it works – no buts about it. I’ll stop crying now. Thanks, Bobbi. <3 🙂
I wore jeans all week – my Joe’s Jeans leather pants and several pairs of 7 for All Mankind jeans. I have to say it was my most comfortable week. The challenge was to do Halloween looks with the clothing in my closet. And hats. It started with the striped top and beret because Monday was Pablo Picasso’s birthday. What followed was a Michael Nesmith (Monkees) look, a Justin Bieber thing (you HAVE to watch his latest documentary on Amazon Prime!) and a Parisian, culminating in the angel outfit with my new wings purchased on Amazon (second Amazon plug – you’re welcome, neighbor).
In my attempt to do a theme week, I selected short dresses with pockets. I love deep pockets! Clearly, I need a fifth dress with pockets to finish off the week. I had to insert a skirt on Thursday – but in its defense, OMG, the pockets are enormous. <3
In other news, my school picture was in my mailbox yesterday. I stood in a long line that day on the cafetorium stage, waiting my turn after a group of fifth graders had theirs. Is it all airbrushed? Because it is one of the best school pictures I have ever taken in twenty-five years of teaching. I think it was a new company or something, I’m not sure but, regardless, I am delighted with the results.
Last week was all about the silk and leather combo. I’ve been trying to stick to themes and this one is my favorite. The previous week it was cotton T-shirt and leather, which is the more casual version of what is becoming my school uniform.
We are currently glazing clay projects, painting and finishing up the Lions Club peace poster contest. Posters are due on October 22nd. First marking period ends on November 5th.
I attended two weddings last weekend – one on Saturday night and the other on Monday afternoon. I would like to live my life in gowns from now on, if that can be arranged – thank you….
