Libra

 I love the stories and myths that correspond to the constellations in the sky.  Ben wrote a mini story to go along with each of the zodiac necklaces and I'll be posting them on a monthly basis with the current zodiac sign.

Libra

What better place to hang the scales of justice than in the sky, visible to all, but out of reach to those who would seek to ‘fix’ them? Leave such things to the “minor” goddesses who concern themselves with balance, with goodness and right.

The Libra Constellation Necklace was first drawn with pencil and paper and then carved out of wax and cast into sterling silver and brass.  Both necklaces are available in the shop.  

In astrology Libras are born between September 22 and October 23 and are said to prioritize balance and enjoy partnerships. The Libra constellation forms the image of a scale. 

The Libra zodiac story is written by Ben Perry.  

Check out the previous months here.

Discovering Columbus

We went up 6 stories into a swanky New York City living room overlooking central park with a statue of Columbus standing on the coffee table.

Artist Tatzu Nishi builds temporary installations around statues and monuments around the world.

It was really cool to get so close to a statue which is usually seen from far below.  The way Nishi seamlessly created the surroundings for the statue was really interesting and very well done.  There was elaborate wallpaper, which I loved. There were various couches and chairs, billowing curtains, a flat screen TV, magazines, newspapers, and a perfectly New York selection of books.  Columbus fit in very well with the decor.

The instillation definitely makes you look at the statue in a different way.

I highly recommend checking it out.  There are free timed tickets available from the Public Art Fund.

Also, take a look at Tatzu Nishi's other projects.  I particularly love the incorporation of clock towers into living rooms and the room created in a museum to place a Picasso painting into a person's kitchen.  Really great stuff.

Weekend Moments

brunch, french toast and coffee, giant sunflowers, the opera, dips, bean, hummus and guacamole, lots of vegetables, a living room with Columbus, Central Park, zoo, penguin friends, yoga, mango, General Tso, dark and stormy, terrible movie

Waterlilies

Inspired by the waterlilies at the Botanical Gardens, I made some stacking rings.

Cylinder Seals

After many trips to the MET were spent admiring the collection of seals, Ben and I finally tried to make some of our own.  A cylinder is engraved so that it can be rolled into clay to make a recurring picture in relief.  Whatever you carve in will stand out in the clay.

This is an example of a Syrian seal where you can see the cylinder and the image it produces when rolled in clay.  

We spent an afternoon carving our seals out of small cylinders of wax. 

Ben had a very detailed idea for his seal.  He made a scene in an open book of two people sitting with their backs to a tree.  I just made kitties on mine. 

We drilled holes in the finished waxes so that we could string the seals on cords, then had them cast in brass.

They came out really well, and after some finishing work, we made some test impressions in clay. Awesome!!

Weekend Moments

yogurts and coffees, flatbread, garden, Japan, waterlilies, outdoor beers, movies, poaches eggs in animal shapes, fresh bread and jam, nachos

Last Night

Waxed canvas wallet made last night at Etsy in DUMBO with Tielor McBride from TM1985.

Now I am using it to hold business cards.

New Ring Dish

I bought this little dish from oh my cavalier and Paloma's Nest to hold some of my rings.  I am always taking my rings off all over the house so it is good if I can keep them round up together.  I love the fox constellation jumping in the sky.  Of course you know I love constellations.

Heart and Hands Stacking Rings

I really like the idea of Fede Gimmel rings which are rings with multiple hoops that fit together to form one ring of two hands around a heart.

This is a triple gimmel ring from the 1800s.  I love how the pieces slide together.

I wanted to make my own version as a set of stacking rings.  One ring would be a heart and the other would be clasp hands.

The rings stack together so that the hands fit over the heart.

This one was a first attempt and I like how that hands fit over the hear but, while wearing the ring the hands don't stay put.  I think I will have to make the rings to fit more snugly together.  Also the ring is a bit bulky when stacked, I think I would like to make the hands stacking ring a bit slimmer.

Weekend Moments

so much cleaning, so many things donated, so much garbage, 

I am so excited by how our apartment looks right now,

drinks, breakfast foods, some obsession with monkey bread, lots of wax work, dinner with friends, new honey comb bracelets, Korean food, cookies and bubble tea