Artist Bio, Lisa Parker of On The Rocks Designs

Artist Bio: Lisa Parker, dba, On The Rocks Designs

I am a native of New Castle, PA where I was lucky enough to have had a great high school art program (as well as teachers!) and had the opportunity to learn jewelry making for four years.  I attended the University of Pittsburgh and received a bachelor’s degree in Studio Arts & Fine Arts and continue jewelry casting at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.

Founded in January 2007, "On The Rocks Designs" focuses on creating one-of-a-kind, art jewelry. The name was inspired when I lamented changing my name after I got married. So when I heard the commercial for the liqueur "Disaronno" on the rocks, it sounded so similar to my maiden name, Lisa Wrona, I was inspired.  At that point my business, "On The Rocks," was born and pays tribute to the artistic heritage of my family's talents and namesake. Each unique piece is named after a classic cocktail.  I experiment with enameling, metal fabrication, and beading, but especially enjoy the fluidity and variety of techniques allowed by Lost Wax Casting to create unique designs which are not typical of metal, and making each piece as individual and one-of-a-kind as the person wearing it.

Artist Process

My primary method of creating one-of-a-kind art jewelry designs is through Lost Wax Casting.  During the design phase, the interplay of melting wax and the refinement of the model is a “stream of consciousness” process in which I let the wax lead me to a design.  While in this stream of consciousness, an organic flow of “mental” shapes and forms are extracted and then controlled through carving and melting the wax.  The shapes that appear are a result of an emotional state or mood —the wax serving as the outlet which sets them free.

Artist Green Mission Statement

On The Rocks Designs brings a decadent and unconventional style to accessories, with one-of-a-kind jewelry in cast sterling, enamel, fabrication and innovative beading.

As an artist, it was difficult to choose just one medium and stick with it, but I seem to have an addiction to silver, shiny & unique items!  Fortunately, making jewelry allows me to enjoy three of my favorite mediums:  Lost Wax Casting, photography, & graphic design.  I also love designing new displays as much as making jewelry.  As an eco-conscious designer, cast sterling items include 40% recycled sterling silver and all enamels used are lead-free.  I also enjoy the challenge of re-purposing scraps and using recycled materials, so the displays are often made of sustainable materials, leftover products from other projects, or discontinued store samples. 

On The Rocks Designs jewelry is available online at shop.ontherocksdesigns.com and the following Pittsburgh locations:  Boutique 208 (Downtown), WildCard (Lawrenceville), and KoolKat Designs (Mt. Lebanon).

Artist Bio Lynn Forman of Textile Gifts

Ok.... get in your closet and dig out your Grandma's old hankies, or if you're like me and your kids do every activity under the sun, then pull all of their sports and activity t-shirts out and put them to good use. Next, make sure they're clean and get them to Lynn.  She will turn them into something useful and lasting. She also offers workshops, so you can learn how to make your own personally designed bowl or basket. Read up on what she does and then stop in the store to pick up a pre-made basket, custom designed bowl, or to take a workshop. Have fun learning a little more about Lynn.

Enjoy!
Amy Levier

I have always loved beautiful fabric and interesting shapes.  By selecting fabric that is fun as well as functional, I try to create the perfect gift for you or someone special in your life.  Since I only create one or two of an item using the same fabric, each purchase is unique.   I welcome custom work, especially when it involves preserving memories by repurposing vintage crochet pieces, antique handkerchiefs, or favorite jeans and t-shirts into individually designed bowls or baskets.  I also refashion treasured fabric into one-of-a-kind scarves and purses. I am excited to add that I just finalized a deal with Simplicity Pattern Company.  They will be publishing a jeans/t-shirts bowl and mirror pattern in Spring 2013.  

Check out some of my designs online at www.textilegifts.etsy.com. 

I will also be offering workshops at Boutique 208 in the fall of 2012, so please check

www.facebook.com/boutique208 for the schedule.

Artist Bio, Jennifer Baldauf of Charmed by Jenn

Artist Bio, Jennifer Baldauf of Charmed by Jenn

I met Jenn the first day I worked at Boutique 208. She has a great personality and makes an array of different styles of jewelry. She makes all of her pieces one of a kind. With a huge selection she definitely has something for everyone! She has designed for celebrities and charities. She has also won numerous awards. She is typically in the shop every Thursday evening with her sister Anna. Stop in and find a beautiful peice of one of a kind jewelry.
Enjoy!
Amy Levier

Jennifer Baldauf of “Charmed by Jenn” is an 8 time award-winning jewelry designer and DIY artist originally from Pittsburgh that began designing in 1997 while living in the beautiful South West in Tempe, Arizona.  She drew great inspiration from the desert backdrop, especially in Sedona and found a different inspiration from the mountains and landscape in Flagstaff, AZ.  She received an award in Arizona for helping to better women's lives. She also won two awards for best in shows as voted by the public. In 2002 she returned to Pittsburgh to focus on her designing and establishing her name in her hometown.  Since returning she has designed jewelry and focused on her artwork, pulling inspiration from the seasons, the city, music, her family and friends. 

Her artwork has taken her on a journey, opening her to opportunities to collaborate with musical artists.  This has lead her to accomplish a dream goal of designing an album cover.  She has designed three thus far, and has collaborated on lyrics for another, and is in the process of working on her 4^th cover now.

Jennifer believes that everyone is unique and their jewelry should be, too, which is why all of her designs are one of a kind and never duplicated!

You can find her easily under her own name on Facebook, Charmed by Jenn on Facebook, or reach her at jenniferbaldauf@yahoo.com.

Artist Bio from Courtney Duzyk

Welcome to another Artisan Bio from Boutique 208. When I received Courtney's Bio on her art of paper cutting I knew that it had a deep and long history. I researched the art and what follows is a short description on the history of Paper Cutting. Paper cutting is a craft dating back hundreds of years, yet it is still very popular today. Paper was invented only around A.D. 100 in China .The art of Paper Cutting began almost at the same time. Soon it became very popular in China, especially at the time of the Sung Dynasty (10th - 13th century). Paper Cutting in China was wide spread as folk art and people used it for many reasons, such as: window decorations, pasted cutout pictures for lanterns, house door decorations, etc. Large Paper Cuttings were used as decoration for sedan chairs, boxes, chests, and saucers that were burned at funerals. The patterns for Chinese Paper Cutting were mostly taken from Chinese mythology. Silk paper (a very thin paper) and parchment are generally used for this art.
Enjoy!
Amy Levier

I began paper cutting as an animation and design student at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. I was drawn to the organic nature and layered techniques of cutout animation, and even took the medium a step further in creating storyboards as cutout designs as well. Since then, I have incorporated multimedia collage techniques, and researched the history of paper cutting techniques to develop my own style.

Most of my work incorporates silhouette with original photography and textured papers. Many of my ideas stem from the free-flowing lines found in nature, which begin the contours for the layered pieces. I also prefer to balance traditional paper cut forms with abstract shapes. I enjoy that each layer of a piece could stand alone in form and style, but together the layers say something completely different. The layers draw the viewer in closer, to experience the paper cut in a whole new way.

My work focuses on using both modern and traditional paper cutting techniques. I enjoy the idea of combining two very different styles. My most recent work is a series of Victorian heart patterns layered with handmade paper, digital prints, and vellum. I am also working with incorporating other media such as watercolor, pen and ink, pencil, and found objects into my paper cuts. I am exploring recycling my own paper “scraps” into handmade paper, which will be used in future work. This is an effort to make the art form more sustainable, and give a sense of history with previous pieces. My goal is to do less planning with the cut designs and rather be more intuitive with the pieces to give the designs a more free-flowing approach.

I'm currently living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, soaking up all the creative energy that the city has to offer. I get endless inspiration from the rebirth of our historic city, as well as the incredible wealth of talented artists that are in the area.

Boutique 208 is full of some of those talented artists, so when you get the chance stop in and buy local, handmade!

Artist Bio from bel monili by l.marlane

Today our featured artist uses vintage and repurposed materials to make wearable art. This is near and dear to my heart as my mother sells vintage and estate jewelry. I was very impressed with the peices that Lucy makes. I also found myself coveting her show schedule. Take a peek into what she does and check her out at Boutique 208 or at one of her shows which you can find on her Facebook page.
Enjoy!
Amy Levier

 My name is Lucy McClure, and I am the owner/artist of bel monili by l.marlane. I hand-craft jewelry and accessories using vintage and re-purposed materials, including vintage earrings, chain, books, buttons, flowers, and much more. Each item I make is uniquely one of a kind, making it an affordable piece of wearable art.

For my "day job", I am a speech-language pathologist at a suburban elementary school. I love every minute of my job, and one of the best features is that it allows me the time and availability to indulge my artistic side.

My artistic journey began two years ago in the summer of 2010. My boyfriend was traveling extensively for work, and I was looking to learn some new things. I have always been creative and crafty, so when I noticed a special on classes at my local JoAnn Fabrics, I signed up for a few jewelry making sessions. After the first class, I knew that I really had something. I seemed to have a natural knack for the mechanics of jewelry making and (according to the class teacher and several onlookers) a good eye for color and scale. I was hooked instantly, and spent the rest of the summer happily making jewelry for myself and my friends.

I quickly began to receive requests from people to buy my items, which was a welcome bonus to my new found hobby. I got to the point where I had so many interested buyers, I decided to take a friend's recommendation and apply to be a vendor at a craft show. I had shopped at the I Made It! Markets since their inception, so it seemed like a good place to begin. I applied for the I Made It! Market at the WYEP Rock the Block, and (much to my surprise) I was accepted! From that point on, my jewelry making went from a small side hobby to the full-fledged business it is today.
bel monili by l.marlane has been very fortunate to have many wonderful opportunities and accolades. In March 2011, bel monili's signature flower pins and hand crafted jewelry was featured in Pittsburgh Fashion Magazine. In April 2011, I was asked to create a custom design to be auctioned at the first annual TEALtini event for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Pittsburgh Chapter. In June 2011, bel monili's flower pins were featured in the giveaway bags at the 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. Throughout the fall and winter of 2011, bel monili participated in some amazing artist/craft shows including the I Made It! Markets, the Bedford Fall Foliage Festival, and Bazaar Bizarre in Cleveland. 2012 has been a busy year for bel monili as well, beginning with a feature in Pittsburgh Magazine for a special edition red dress flower pin supporting the Go Red for Women campaign.
I am honored to have so many loyal customers and online "fans" who have whole heartedly supported me and my business. It seems like every day my business grows to new heights, be it through retail opportunities, personal acknowledgements, or national shows/events. I am especially excited to announce that bel monili by l.marlane has been invited to be a vendor at the prestigious Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio and Atlanta, Georgia.

I invite you to follow bel monili on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, and subscribe to my blog to keep up on new items, where I'll be, and what we have going on in the city.

Artist Bio Marcy Bates from Recycled Reeds

Today's blog post is the second in our series on the artisans from Boutique 208. As I sit seaside today and watch the vacationer's on the beach it's interesting for me to see people's choice of reading material. There are those who choose their Kindles or Nooks and still those who choose to read "old-fashioned books". Marcy has found a unique way to preserve the history of books around us. Stop in and order a custom book for someone special in your life. I ordered one for my 16 year old son for his birthday per his request. Have fun reading about what she does.
Enjoy!
Amy Levier

Marcy Bates makes art and functional items from old books.  As the owner of a used book store, she has a strong commitment to reuse and creates all of her gift and decorative items from outdated or damaged books, some with the addition of reclaimed paper, cardboard, and fabric.

Her unique items include book art folded into 3D words and pictures; paper pottery bowls and coasters made from rolled magazine pages; journal/sketchbooks made from library discard hardbacks; and bookmarks made from hardcover book spines.

The book art sculptures are made by carefully folding each page of a book in a specific sequence to form the letters of a word or name, or a graphic image.  Marcy began creating these books in 2011; she spent much trial and error, and many books, designing and perfecting the process. 

The books can be custom made in any name to celebrate graduation, wedding, anniversary, new baby, new job, new home, birthday, and every other occasion to be honored.

Boutique 208 Artists Amy Levier

Boutique 208 Artists

Featuring Amy Levier, owner of The Photo Alphabet and Precious Pedestals



 Boutique 208 is part of the Pittsburgh Pop Up Project, helping to revitalize downtown Pittsburgh! All of our items are handmade by local artists and designers. Over the next few weeks we will visit with some of our member artists. You can check back every other day for an updated post introducing a new artisan, read their bio and see a few pictures of what their specialty is. Hopefully you will come to appreciate handmade items, the way some of the artisans have revamped their lives, and a desire to come visit the boutique and purchase a few items from your favorite artisan.

I've decided to start the artisan posts with my very own story. I am new to the boutique and have enjoyed the experience so far. I am the owner of The Photo Alphabet and Precious Pedestals so, let me tell you a little about myself.

My name is Amy Levier; I live in Gibsonia with my husband Jason and my three children. I create prints from my Alphabet Photography and I make what I call Precious Pedestals from recycled, new and vintage items.

I love the city of Pittsburgh, being born and raised in it I have watched it evolve over the years. My parents and grandparents owned an art and craft store in the city while I was growing up. I was always a part of it and it a part of me. As I got older and was raising my children I let that creative side of me slide. When my oldest went off to college I realized I had lost a part of myself by letting my creative side go. I was introduced to the idea of Alphabet Photography and immediately loved the idea and set to work photographing the city of Pittsburgh and the surrounding area finding letters in nature and the architectural elements. I set to work putting those letters together to form prints of words and quotes, along with custom name prints for weddings, anniversaries, and graduation gifts. 

It was then that I realized the need for high-quality, unique gifts and home décor. I also have a love of vintage and recycled items and that is where the idea for my Precious Pedestals came from. I love using recycled and beautiful new  items to make my pedestals. There is something very satisfying about the hunt for discarded, beautiful items that can be brought back to life. They can and have been used as dessert, jewelry, soap, and business card pedestals. They have also been used as centerpieces in customer’s homes and weddings.

My goal is to offer unique, high-quality, handmade items for my customers to enjoy!

You can find more of my items, including information on custom orders at

www.thephotoalphabet.etsy.com

www.preciouspedestals.etsy.com    

www.facebook.com/thephotoalphabet

www.twitter.com/photoalphabet

You can find my upcoming show schedule at

http://thephotoalphabet.blogspot.com/p/shows.html