Mickey Guyton - Black Like Me (Live At Capitol Studios)

Anthony Howe Fabricates a Kinetic Wind Sculpture

After a difficult morning, I needed the Peace and Beauty of a Howe creation!

Time Sure FLIES!

It's been 6 years since my last posting.  I have been so absorbed in selling the work of others that I lost myself.  Now I'm back and it has been a roller coaster of Murphy's Law mixed in with great the joy I feel when I create something with my own hands.  While I get caught up here is an image of my latest work the Clearwater Sunset Cuff Bracelet.  I guess I'll refer to this as my red period.

Summer Reading

I have been surfing Amazon trying to determine which books will make the best summer reads. I know that many people like light reading for the beach but I have always looked to find books that are interesting but without tragedy. Really, who wants to be sad on their vacation. Here is a list of books I have read that fit this description. I have selected several genres. 1. Here Be Dragons by Sharon K Penman (historical fiction). 2. Knight In Shining Armor by Jude Devereux (romance). 3. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (part historical fiction part romance). 4. Daughter of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist (fantasy). 5. Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert Massie (non-fiction).

Pictured Beach Glass Bracelet and Earrings by Amy Fausthttp://bit.ly/10x0fnj.

Judith Kinghorn Jewelry Designs

Sometimes I view a work of art that moves me to such a degree that I feel like I need to pull out a thesaurus to get just the right words to describe the work.  Judith Kinghorn's jewelry falls into this elite category.  That said I will let her work speak for itself. Judith Kinghorn Jewelry Designs

Baltimore Jewelry Center

Summer classes are now available online for the Baltimore Jewelry Center - http://go.shr.lc/QXKwMG. The variety of classes is amazing and includes jewelry 101, casting, Illustrator for the jeweler and working with gold. If you are used to the MICA cost for similar classes you are in for a pleasant surprise.  Classes are affordable, comprehensive and employ some of the finest instructors in the area. If you have a desire to make jewelry this is the best place to  learn.  Baltimore Jewelry Center



Don't miss Shana Kroiz's cloisonne enameling class.  The Arrow Pendant is an example of her groundbreaking enamel work.

Chris Glass & Michael Raitzyk Duo - Road Song - YouTube

Jazz Guitar at its best.  Chris Glass & Michael Raitzyk Duo - Road Song - YouTube

Howard County MD Art Awards and Dinner

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS!

Saturday, March 29, 2014
6–10pm
Peter and Elizabeth Horowitz Visual & Performing Arts Center
Howard Community College

Join us at HCC’s Horowitz Center on Saturday, March 29 as Howard Bank presents the 17th annual Celebration of the Arts in Howard County. Enjoy a reception featuring musical entertainment, culinary delights from area restaurants, and a silent auction of works by local artists, then take a seat for the live presentation of the Rising Star Competition and the Howie Awards.

The 2014 Celebration is sure to be a stellar occasion, so get your tickets early! Tickets are $100 (reception and live performance in Smith Theatre) and $50 (reception and simulcast in Studio Theatre). Tickets will be available for purchase January 15 on the Celebration page or by calling 410-313-ARTS (2787).

Sponsorship, internship, and volunteer opportunities are available. Visit the Celebration page for more information or call 410-313-ARTS (2787). Proceeds from the Celebration provide funding for the Arts Council’s grant and education programs.

Image (Lee Waxman): Guests enjoy the reception at the 2013 Celebration of the Arts

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2013 HOWIE AWARDS

Each year the Howie Awards are presented to an Outstanding Artist, Arts Educator, and Business or Community Supporter of the Arts in recognition of their significant contribution to the arts in Howard County. We are pleased to announce our 2013 Howie Award recipients:

Outstanding Artist: Bruce Casteel, guitarist

Outstanding Arts Educator: Raissa Howera, visual art teacher at Oakland Mills Middle School

Outstanding Community Supporter of the Arts: Toba Dobkin Barth, arts advocate and administrator

Join us at the Celebration of the Arts on March 29 as we congratulate this year’s recipients! 

Proper Grammar is Sexy

I read an article in Joanne Goddard's Cup of Jo blog on proper grammar and I thought I would add to some of her examples.

Joanne's Pet Peeves:
Here are a few things I've learned over the years:
* Farther vs. further. Farther = physical distance. Further = abstract lengths. ("We need to drive farther down the road." "Let’s discuss this further tonight.") 
* Everyday vs. every day. "I go to the park every day." "These shoes are great for everyday wear."
* Literally. Most things aren't actually literally true. "I was literally dying with laughter." Probably not.

My Pet Peeves:
Pronouncing the word ask as if it were ax.
The incorrect use of their versus there.
Beginning any sentence with the word Like.

What are your grammar pet peeves? Tell us below! Let's get sexy.

Baker Artist Awards

 

Greetings, Just a friendly reminder that nominations close January 15th which means there are less than two weeks left to nominate yourself for the 2014 Baker Artist Awards! You may setup your nomination by visiting the "Sign-up" page on the Baker site HERE. As always nominations are FREE and come with a professionally designed online portfolio. Additional instructions on nominating yourself may be found on the help page on our Baker Blog HERE. If you have any questions, you may email me at bakerartistawards@gmail.com.   Please feel free to forward this message to anyone you think may want a chance to win a piece of the $90,000 in prize money! We hope to see your work on the Baker Artist Awards site very soon. Best Regards, David London Program and Marketing Manager Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance    www.BaltimoreCulture.org www.BakerArtistAwards.org   ______________________________________________________________________________________     About the Baker Artist Awards: The Baker Artist Awards were created to support artists and promote Greater Baltimore as a strong creative community. Through a sophisticated online portfolio and significant monetary prizes for the winners, the Baker Artist Awards serves artists of all disciplines who live and work in Baltimore City and its five surrounding counties. The website and awards were established by the William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund and are a program of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance. The online self-nomination process exposes area artists' work to regional, national and international audiences.  The site has been viewed by hundreds of thousands of art lovers, critics, gallery owners, academics, and leaders in creative business in nearly every country around the globe. Each year, awards are made in two categories: the Mary Sawyers Baker Prizes and the b-grant Each year, awards are made in two categories: the $25,000 Mary Sawyers Baker Prizes and the b-grants. As in the past, up to three Mary Sawyers Baker Prizes of up to $25,000 each will be awarded to established artists who demonstrate a dedication to their art, a mastery of craft, and a commitment to excellence. This year, we are pleased to announce that b-grant prizes have increased from $1,000 to up to $5,000 . Up to three b-grant prizes will be awarded to recognize both emerging artists and established artists exploring new directions. The prizes are designed to support and advance the careers of all nominees, the metropolitan arts community, and Baltimore's image as a creative community. Nomination Calendar and Eligibility Nominations for the Mary Sawyers Baker Prize and b-grant awards opened October 1, 2013 and closes at 11:59 PM on January 15, 2014.  The Mary Sawyers Baker selection process will be conducted by a private jury of local and national multidisciplinary arts experts.  The Baker Artist Awards are open to artists who are at least 21 years old and have been a legal resident of the Baltimore region since October 1, 2012. The Baltimore region is defined as: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County and Howard County. The Baker Artist Awards are intended for individual artists and groups of artists working as a collective. Artists working in any discipline or multiple disciplines are eligible to win Mary Sawyers Baker and b-grant prizes. Organizations and venues are not eligible.

Baker Artist Awards

 

Greetings, Just a friendly reminder that nominations close January 15th which means there are less than two weeks left to nominate yourself for the 2014 Baker Artist Awards! You may setup your nomination by visiting the "Sign-up" page on the Baker site HERE. As always nominations are FREE and come with a professionally designed online portfolio. Additional instructions on nominating yourself may be found on the help page on our Baker Blog HERE. If you have any questions, you may email me at bakerartistawards@gmail.com.   Please feel free to forward this message to anyone you think may want a chance to win a piece of the $90,000 in prize money! We hope to see your work on the Baker Artist Awards site very soon. Best Regards, David London Program and Marketing Manager Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance    www.BaltimoreCulture.org www.BakerArtistAwards.org   ______________________________________________________________________________________     About the Baker Artist Awards: The Baker Artist Awards were created to support artists and promote Greater Baltimore as a strong creative community. Through a sophisticated online portfolio and significant monetary prizes for the winners, the Baker Artist Awards serves artists of all disciplines who live and work in Baltimore City and its five surrounding counties. The website and awards were established by the William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund and are a program of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance. The online self-nomination process exposes area artists' work to regional, national and international audiences.  The site has been viewed by hundreds of thousands of art lovers, critics, gallery owners, academics, and leaders in creative business in nearly every country around the globe. Each year, awards are made in two categories: the Mary Sawyers Baker Prizes and the b-grant Each year, awards are made in two categories: the $25,000 Mary Sawyers Baker Prizes and the b-grants. As in the past, up to three Mary Sawyers Baker Prizes of up to $25,000 each will be awarded to established artists who demonstrate a dedication to their art, a mastery of craft, and a commitment to excellence. This year, we are pleased to announce that b-grant prizes have increased from $1,000 to up to $5,000 . Up to three b-grant prizes will be awarded to recognize both emerging artists and established artists exploring new directions. The prizes are designed to support and advance the careers of all nominees, the metropolitan arts community, and Baltimore's image as a creative community. Nomination Calendar and Eligibility Nominations for the Mary Sawyers Baker Prize and b-grant awards opened October 1, 2013 and closes at 11:59 PM on January 15, 2014.  The Mary Sawyers Baker selection process will be conducted by a private jury of local and national multidisciplinary arts experts.  The Baker Artist Awards are open to artists who are at least 21 years old and have been a legal resident of the Baltimore region since October 1, 2012. The Baltimore region is defined as: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County and Howard County. The Baker Artist Awards are intended for individual artists and groups of artists working as a collective. Artists working in any discipline or multiple disciplines are eligible to win Mary Sawyers Baker and b-grant prizes. Organizations and venues are not eligible.

Baker Artist Awards - Maryland

Greetings, Just a friendly reminder that nominations close January 15th which means there are less than two  weeks left to nominate yourself for the 2014 Baker Artist Awards! You may setup your nomination by visiting the "Sign-up" page on the Baker site HERE.  As always nominations are FREE and come with a professionally designed online   portfolio. Additional instructions on nominating yourself may be found on the help  page on our Baker Blog HERE. If you have any questions, you may email me at bakerartistawards@gmail.com. Please feel free to forward this message to anyone you think may want a chance to win a  piece of the $90,000 in prize money! We hope to see your work on the Baker Artist Awards site very soon. Best Regards, David London Program and Marketing Manager Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance  www.BaltimoreCulture.org www.BakerArtistAwards.org ______________________________________________________________________________________ About the Baker Artist Awards: The Baker Artist Awards were created to support artists and promote Greater  Baltimore as a strong creative community. Through a sophisticated online portfolio  and significant monetary prizes for the winners, the Baker Artist Awards serves artists  of all disciplines who live and work in Baltimore City and its five surrounding counties.  The website and awards were established by the William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund  and are a program of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance. The online self-nomination process exposes area artists' work to regional, national and  international audiences.  The site has been viewed by hundreds of thousands of art  lovers, critics, gallery owners, academics, and leaders in creative business in nearly  every country around the globe. Each year, awards are made in two categories: the  Mary Sawyers Baker Prizes and the b-grant Each year, awards are made in two   categories: the $25,000 Mary Sawyers Baker Prizes and the b-grants. As in the past, up to three Mary Sawyers Baker Prizes of up to $25,000 each will  be awarded to established artists who demonstrate a dedication to their art, a  mastery of craft, and a commitment to excellence. This year, we are pleased to  announce that b-grant prizes have increased from $1,000 to up to $5,000 . Up to  three b-grant prizes will be awarded to recognize both emerging artists and established  artists exploring new directions. The prizes are designed to support and advance the   careers of all nominees, the metropolitan arts community, and Baltimore's image  as a creative community. Nomination Calendar and Eligibility Nominations for the Mary Sawyers Baker Prize and b-grant awards opened October 1, 2013  and closes at 11:59 PM on January 15, 2014.  The Mary Sawyers Baker selection process   will be conducted by a private jury of local and national multidisciplinary arts experts. The Baker Artist Awards are open to artists who are at least 21 years old and have been  a legal resident of the Baltimore region since October 1, 2012. The Baltimore region is  defined as: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County,  Harford County and Howard County. The Baker Artist Awards are intended for  individual artists and groups of artists working as a collective. Artists working  in any discipline or multiple disciplines are eligible to win Mary Sawyers Baker  and b-grant prizes. Organizations and venues are not eligible.

Spring 2014 Fashion Trends

Great article on spring 2014 fashion trends.  It seems that the 90's are the it retro period. From metallics to tea length skirts to splashes of bright color. http://dld.bz/deTPa.  Image of 18 Piece Traffic Light Bracelet. http://dld.bz/deTQk

Win Gifts

Happy Holidays from all of us at www.ArtJewelryOnline.com!  Be the first to use promo code 100dlrs and receive $100 on any purchase of $101 or more.  Be the first to use promo code 50bucks and receive $50 on any purchase of $50 or more. Shown... Athena Ring by Amy Faust $200 http://www.artjewelryonline.com/rings1.html.   

 

Gifts That Deliver by December 24

So you waited until the last minute and now you're looking for a gift that will arrive by December 24.  If you're not sure what to buy earrings are an easy bet.  I can't think of a single woman that does not wear earrings and best of all one size fits all.  Art Jewelry Online has some great options that will ship within 24-48 hours plus free shipping on Priority Mail without the need for a promo code http://www.artjewelryonline.com/fastdelivery.html.  

 

The Best Way to Show Off Bling

The Harper's Bazaar article on how to wear bling gives some insight as to how to get the chunky stacked look based on the individual.  Worth a look.  http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-articles/jewelry-guide-0210#slide-1

 

 

How to Stack Jewelry

This is an interesting blog about how to stack jewelry.  http://www.thedocndiva.com/2013/06/stacking-jewelry-fashion-trends-2013.html. They use traditional Indian jewelry stacking as a starting point.  As I looked at the photo I thought WOW this is a great example.

 

4 Hot Jewelry Trends Inspired by the Runway

Classic Chains, Big Bright Stacked Rings, Realistic Animal Designs and Statement Pieces are the 4 Hot Trends in 2013 according to collegefashion.net.  Since my mantra is Be Frugal and Look Fabulous I have found affordable alternatives to the more expensive examples found on this web site.

1. Stamp Chain Necklace by Jodi Rae Designs http://bit.ly/IWEsj9, 2. Cabachon Rings by Amy Faust http://bit.ly/IWEyXP 3. Sea Urchin Rings and Pendant by Hratch Babikian http://bit.ly/IWEN5o.

 

 

 

Jewelry Trends

Chunky sweaters and high neck tops make statement necklaces a must in the colder months, and take note from the fall/winter runways and sport a set of knuckle rings on your fingers. Here, shop our favorite ways to help you incorporate plenty of sparkle this season.

Here's some of my favorite statement necklaces found at http://bit.ly/IWDL9h and they can all ship within 24-48 hours.

 

Read more: Jewelry Trends Fall 2013 - Jewelry And Accessories For Fall 2013 - Marie Claire 

 

Gifts That Won't Freak Out the Guy You Just Started Dating

Elle Magazine did a list of 9 gifts that won't freak out that new boyfriend.  I wish I had this when I was dating!  My favorite answer that Elle provided was the Snoopy Snow Cone maker.  He can't read much into this selection except for your creative mind. http://bit.ly/1eephAs.  I also like the idea of Cufflinks and below you'll see my favorite pair by Halley Barney made from Labradorite (an awesome smoky stone) and Blue Topaz http://bit.ly/IWDqU6.