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A wood term used in conjunction with wood names; the term means figure, which is the pattern produced in a wood surface by annual growth rings, rays, knots, deviations from natural grain such as interlocked and wavy grain, and irregular coloration.
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November 2007
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Archive for November, 2007
Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
As the days grow colder, my thoughts turn to the upcoming holiday season. It’s as if someone flipped a switch in my brain, as I move from the gardens of summer and long hikes of fall to the dazzle and excitement of December.
The focus of this emotional transition is my home, where I summon all of the decorating fantasies of years past. I’ll confess, I’m one of those people who puts up the holiday tree early (right after Thanksgiving) and takes it down in January. I pull out all of my holiday decorations, which include everything from tablecloths in exotic fabrics and luscious metal candleholders, to folksy hand-carved reindeers. It all goes into the mix, as I re-imagine my stage set for entertaining family and friends.
This flurry of decorating is so fulfilling; it has the anticipation of Cinderella dressing up for the grand ball. Cinderella had, of course, her jewels and her slippers as the crowning touch. I compare this to my jewels of hand-blown glass ornaments, which decorate my tree, fill the bowls on my tables, and hang in my windows. They glisten and sparkle, representing my dreams for a holiday of happiness and delight.
Posted in Art Glass, Decorating, Glass Ornaments | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007
I’m taking a blog break this week. Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted in General | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 13th, 2007
The Substance of Style
by Virginia Postrel
I have just finished reading The Substance of Style by Virginia Postrel. In this penetrating, provocative book, Postrel demonstrates that the “look and feel” of people, places, and things are more important than we think. Aesthetic pleasure taps deep human instincts and is essential for creativity and growth.
This articulate author states, “Aesthetics is not a luxury, but a universal human desire.” For example, poor people create the body of decoration that illustrates National Geographic. Poor people built the cathedrals of Europe and developed the paintings of Tibet. Poor people turned baskets and pottery into decorative art.
We all know that economic status has nothing to do with the love of beauty. Postrel goes one step further by arguing that everyone should participate in setting the aesthetic imperative of a society. After all, she says,
“Aesthetics has become too important to be left to the aesthetes.”
Posted in Books, General | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, November 7th, 2007
The greatest joy of working in this field for over 20 years is the numerous friendships that I’ve developed with artists. Strong bonds with very special people. At the very top of the ‘friend list’ is Ellen Kochansky, an enormously talented fiber artist from South Carolina.
Many years ago, we attended a conference that featured a presentation by Paul Hawken, founder of Smith & Hawken. Ellen and I sat together in the lecture hall and heard words that impacted both of us in a profound way. The essence of Hawken’s message was to urge us all to “own fewer, better things.”
Fast forward to 2007, when The Guild challenges Ellen Kochansky to make those words into reality by designing an artful space at The Artful Home Show in New York. I’m happy to say that she has succeeded beyond our wildest expectations. Within a 20′ x 20′ space at the show, she has created a beautiful and elegant home (yes, an entire home!) furnished entirely with products made by artists. Ellen’s own words tell the story:
“For the same budget it takes to furnish an increasingly huge average house with anonymous clutter, you can fill a deeply satisfying modest home with meaningful, handmade objects that will connect you to their maker and give you pleasure for life.” I think Paul Hawken would be proud.
Posted in General | No Comments »
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