Vol3 Issue10 RICM 0815

Magazine

R HODE ISLAN D

AUGUST 2015

vol. 3 issue 10

SECOND ANNUAL

A DAY IN THE PARK A Day in Remembrance of Jayce “The Healer”

September 6, 2015 (Rain date 9/13/15) Johnston Memorial Park 12 Noon - 5 PM www.jaycethehealer.org

Creating Awareness of Water SafETy CPR instruction, creating drowning awareness, pool safety and prevention of childhood drowning. Drowning is the leading cause of injury related death among children between ages 1-4.

• Blood Drive

• Face Painting

• Backpack Drive

• Bouncy House

• Raffle

• Photo Booth

• Food

• Vendors

• Entertainment

• Performances

• FREE Alarms/ Life Jackets

• “Tony” the Dancing Cop

ETCH IT ALL

TONY The Dancing Cop

from the founder

“What began as my passion to share the unique attributes of our state’s creative arts industry, has turned into a thriving business and movement. Our multiple digital platforms now include business leaders seeking to expand their advertising dollar and opportunities, and have connected freelancers with their next job, while promoting educational events for industry veterans and students. We have reinvented and advanced the knowledge and influence of the creative arts in our community and everyday lives using a combination of digital and traditional media. In turn, our success has resulted in deepening our market reach and strengthening the appreciation and enjoyment the public receives through the creative arts.”

I can’t believe I am writing my last founder letter for Volume 3!

It has been a very exciting volume, since it was the first to go monthly and was topic based. It has been a busy and exciting year of content, features, and collaboration. As we wrap up Volume 3, Issue 10 of Rhode Island Creative Magazine, I wanted to do something fun with a last hint of summer for the August issue. I am excited to talk about Wearable Art and to showcase some unique designers and their innovative pieces of work.

Creating a final product, whether it is clothing, painting, cooking, or marketing, involves a creative process for it all to come together. From the inspiring artists, D.I.Y. projects, and recipes for fruit smoothies in this issue, there are just enough fun ideas to help you enjoy the rest of your summer and ease you into the fall!

I am also pleased to announce that for this August’s “Inspirational Speaker Series,” RICM has partnered up with one of Rhode Island’s most unique wearable art designers in our community, Martha Jackson of Restored by Design! Join us for an evening to learn more about her amazing work and the story behind it. Enjoy some appetizers while you take a tour of her shop, and view some of the most unique styles of fashion you will ever lay your eyes on! You don’t want to miss this inspiring event! Learn more about our entire speaker series and how it sheds a broader light on the importance of the “maker” industry on our website at www.ricreativemag.com/ inspirational-speaker-series.

I hope you enjoy our tenth and final issue of Volume 3, and take some of these inspiring tips and motivating stories to let your inner creativity run wild! RICM will continue to do our best to help promote and share all the creative talent, events, and information here in RI. Think of this magazine as a great way to stay connected with the large array of social networks in RI’s unique creative community.

Sincerely,

Kimberly Sherman Leon KS Designs President & CEO Founder & President, Rhode Island Creative Magazine

Vol. 3 Issue 10 |

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The official publication of KS Designs

Summer 2015 vol. 3 issue 10 Founder and President Kimberly Sherman Leon Assistant to the President Pnina Pressburger Assistant Editor/Writer Rob Mariani Assistant Secretary/Designer Regina Hogan Design Manager Lisa Malm Designers Lillian Ferranti Kate Hanley Panhia Lee Michael Ricci Amy DeSantis Contributing Writers Kim Celona Jason LeClair John Prothero Richard Austin Patricia Raskin Joseph Shansky Milissa DeFusco Devon Landis, Esq. Chef Ricardo Costa Ronald G. Shapiro Ph. D.

table of contents From the Founder Contributors July 4th Center spread I {Heart} Rhody Artist Interview

articles Out With the New, In With the Old Think Strategically About Your Career Setting Up A Legally Protected Website Fashion Fades, Style is Eternal.

Summertime Marketing Berry Banana Smoothie Time!

Gold Maker Magic Makers Event Recap Turn Your Closet Into A Gallery Recapture Time Larisa Designs Your Home: A Story Teller

Rhode Island Creative Magazine Cranston, Rhode Island T: 401.440.3911 E: kim@ksdesignsri.com www.ricreativemag.com Follow @ricreativemag Facebook.com/ricreativemagazine All contents COPYRIGHT 2015 KS Designs and Rhode Island Creative Magazine. All rights reserved.

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Cover illustration was created by Larisa Martino of Larisa Designs. Larisa produces Original Art, Murals, Decorative Paintings, and hosts Art Parties. You can learn more on page 23 of this issue and at www.larisa-designs.com.

contributors

Joseph Shansky

Jason Robert LeClair Kim Celona

Milissa DeFusco

Ronald G. Shapiro Ph. D.

Founder and Creative Director of Shansky Works An advertising veteran for over 35 years, has produced national and regional award-winning work.

Joe is a creative director and all-around problem solver on a wide array of broadcast and print clients. Now as an independent creative director and founder of a network of multidiscipline practitioners, Joe brings his experience to bear for agencies and direct clients with concept development through production.

Illustration & Theatrical Design An honors graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, MA. His BFA in Media and Performing arts has not deterred his original love for the visual arts.

Mr. LeClair lives life as an illustrator, author, set designer, theatrical director and painter. His love of art, theatre, and education have led to him writing commentary and editorial work on these topics.

Prolific Artist and Writer for over 20 years. Educated in NYC, NY and Venice, Italy; Parsons School of Design (BFA) and New York University (MA), her life and art experiences are varied and extensive.

She has been active in the fields of illustration, fine art, photography, writing and art education. Presently, Kim is working on a photography and mixed media series entitled, “Purveying Beauty.”

Whimsical Wishes and Delightful Dreams With over 18 years experience in the design field, Milissa is a graduate from New England Institute of Technology with a degree in interior design. She enjoys every facet of design and art in her life and is an inspiring mixed media artist that supports many local non-profit organizations. She believes in giving back to the community to see someone smile. Her shop can be found on Esty for unique gifts for any occasion.

Independent Consultant and Speaker in Human Factors/Ergonomics (designing products, solutions, and services so that they will be easy for people to use), User Experience, Career Development, Learning, Leadership and Human Resources. Ron has had global or USA responsibility for managing technical learning, technical leadership, employee university education, career coaching, new employee orientation and coordinating human factors/ergonomics for IBM.

Richard Austin

Devon Landis, Esq.

John Prothero

Patricia Raskin, M. Ed Chef Ricardo Costa

Speaker of Success After a career as a corporate trainer and educator, and a lifetime of studying the “art of communication”, Richard founded his company “Speaking of Success”. He now provides individual coaching, workshops, and classes in public speaking, presentation skills, and other communication techniques.

Arts & Entertainment Attorney Graduate of Roger Williams University School of Law with an undergraduate degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She has her own private law practice based out of Bristol, Rhode Island that focuses primarily on helping creative clients whose lives and businesses deal with art, entertainment and media.

Over 30 years experience in the print industry which started with delivering jobs, bindery, traditional prepress, to account management and digital job production. His skills also run in the area of blog authorship, social media management, and lead generation and qualification of prospective clients.

Award-winning radio producer and small business owner, Coach and author.Producer and host of “Patricia Raskin Positive Living” on Saturdays from 3-6PM on WPRO, AM630/99.7FM, beginning it’s eighth year on WPRO. She is also an author, speaker and coach specializing in change and transition.

Personal Chef/ Cooking Show Host Professional Profile Culinary, nutrition working with families towards a healthier lifestyle.

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Inspirational Speaker Series Rhode Island Creative Magazine Brings You a Series that Leaves You Inspired!

BE INSPIRED. BE MOTIVATED. BE CREATIVE. Rhode Island Creative Magazine is proud to present a series of events designed to inspire, motivate and educate you. Events are held throughout the state at various business locations we feature in our magazine. Our honored speakers, many of whom are the owners, motivate attendees with inspiring stories, conduct site tours and showcase their work.

Join us for an evening to learn more about her amazing work and the story behind it. Enjoy some appetizers while you take a tour of the shop and view some of the most unique styles of fashion you will ever lay your eyes on! You don’t want to miss this inspiring event!

Wednesday, August 26th 6-8PM RESTORED BY DESIGN 128 North Main Street Providence, RI 02903 www.restoredbydesign.com FREE Admission, Appetizers and Drinks

“Fashion Fades, Style is Eternal.”

Learn more about Restored by Design on page 10.

Donation of $5 is kindly appreciated

401.440.3911 • kim@ksdesignsri.com @ricreativemag • www.ricreativemag.com • #ISS2015

The official publication of KS Designs

THE OFFICIAL PRODUCTION COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND CREATIVE MAGAZINE

A FULL SERVICE DESIGN COMPANY DIGITAL WEB DESIGN PRINT MULTIMEDIA PUBLISHING PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT MANAGEMENT

401-440-3911 WWW.KSDESIGNSRI.COM

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OUT WITH THE NEW, IN WITH THE OLD writTen by Jason LeClair layout by michael ricci

“Out with the new, in with the old,” is the chorus from a song by the Steampunk band Abney Park. The video for the song “Steampunk Revolution” has thousands of contributors showing off the best of their works and wares.

Steampunk is a genre that embraces upcycling, recycling, reuse and refined beauty. When it comes to the fashion of those of us that are Steampunk, the wearable art that is a large portion of the subculture becomes something of an addiction. I remember my first pair of goggles some steamers may say, thinking back to when the genre caught them in its firm copper-lined grip. For me, it was a picture

on the Internet in 2008 of a Steampunk laptop created by the amazing (rest his soul) Datamancer. It was a thing of extreme beauty and refined craftsmanship that spoke to me on a higher level.

I was raised the son of an industrial arts teacher, which meant I had hammer in hand at age five. I have been building and crafting things for as long as I can remember, and the work of Steampunk sang of two things I had fallen in love with in my childhood: fine craftsmanship and science fiction.

T

he basic concept of the steampunk genre is that steam-powered, Victorian-era fashion, machines, etc. have mixed with the contemporary technology. This happens in two ways in the literature from where this genre found its impetus. The first is the fictional characters are in worlds of altered history, wherein our level of technology exists in the late 1837 – 1901 (but can be pushed into the Edwardian Era through to after WWI), most take place somewhere in the enlightened age of the 1860s to 1890s. The second iteration is more what we are concerned with in this article: post-apocalypse. The world has ended and the only thing left to power it is steam (and sometimes Tesla-type electricity), requiring people to craft items by hand from things found and remade. It may sound like Mad Max, but that is more Dieselpunk (same basic concept but post WWII concentrating on internal combustion engines, which is far messier).

The refined sensibility of the Victorian/Edwardian ages experiences a rebirth but with some differences in order to cope with the post-apocalyptic anarchy. Airship pirates abound! Check out Rhode Island’s own Pirate Crew of the Dead Rabbit. You can follow them on Facebook, view their Tumblr blog, or hear panels and be entertained with their regalia and storytelling at many a Steampunk event.

The fashions and work of these steampunks are well researched (Dead Rabbit was the name of a British gang in the Victorian era). New and interesting figures have appeared in the sub-genre. Another Rhode Island native, the renowned Emperor Justinian Stanislaus of the Red Fork Empire, hosted the Steampunk invasion of Waterfire centered at the Old Stone Bank Building. This creative man has created an entire society in his Steampunk world ruled by a giant “copper” fist he wields (made entirely from recycled materials). The upcycling of clothing is imperative to the Steampunk community.

We take snippets from items found at second-hand and thrift shops to assemble into new and beautiful wares.

There are several tutorials on YouTube concerning alterations to dress shirts, vests, suit jackets, and slacks to make them better fit the genre. The freedom within the post-apocalypse timeframe is a great entry point for most Steampunks because, let’s face it: if you are getting started

with a craft, it may be easier to pass off a mistake if you can embellish it to the point of looking like battle damage!

For my own part, I am a bit of both. I enjoy the Neo-Victorian (more toward Edwardian) side of the genre and frequently dress in finery when attending an event with a small embellishment of gear-oriented/clockwork jewelry I have fashioned. The persona I adopt when attending larger events, Nicodemus Falco, is a character from a novel I currently have in the works. The beauty of the persona is that I can alter and evolve the character as I please. Others take popular characters and reimagine them as Steampunk.

Among the more famous is the 2014 San Diego ComicCon-winning Iron Man 1889 by Thomas Willeford of Brute Force Studios. Last year, I made a pair of fairy wings out of recycled materials for my daughter so she could play the character Holly Short from the book series Artemis Fowl.

There are professionals who actually do this for a living: the band Abney Park; Steampunk Couture maven Kato; and Kathryn Paterwic of local Redfield Designs, just to name a few. There is even a new reality contest show called Steampunk’d coming to GSN. There is a fabulous amount of fun and adventure to be had in dressing Steampunk. Whether it is a pair of cufflinks or a broach, goggles adorning your top hat at the Ascot Races, copper highlights, or a brass-topped cane, you are welcome in the community. There is an endless amount of steam enthusiasts willing to help you discover and interpret your persona for the genre.

It need not be expensive, but it is as endless as your imagination. Accessorize, interpret, and create. YouTube and Pinterest are great resources to find what you can do because there is no real right or wrong in Steampunk--just levels of craftsmanship. Start small, and we’ll help you the rest of the way!

Think Strategically About Your Career

by Ronald G. Shapiro, PhD

by Richard Austin

When was the last time you thought about what you really want to accomplish most in your lifetime?

Did you also think about whether you are spending your time and making career decisions appropriate to supporting your major goals?

goals

Did you record your thinking in writing? If you cannot remember the answer to the first two questions, and/ or the answer to the third question is “no,” I would ask you to spend some time during the next few weeks really thinking about your major life goals. Will achieving these goals make you happy? Will they help you to be remembered the way you want to be remembered? Document your thoughts.

If you are an artist, draw, paint, or write some music which illustrates your accomplishments to you. Set the document aside for a few days, and then reexamine it. Edit it. Set it aside for a few more days. Reexamine it. Edit it. Repeat this process until you have no changes for several iterations.

Next, I would ask you to think about your current career and career decisions which you have made recently. Are they consistent with the documentation which you prepared above? If they are, do you have great plans which can help you to continue to achieve your objectives? If so, congratulations!

If not, take some time to think about what changes you may need to make to achieve your objectives. Do you need to work more? Work less? Develop new skills?

Change your career entirely? You may wish to speak with some friends or colleagues in other professions to see if what they are doing can help you to achieve your goals.

You may wish to speak with a career counselor, perhaps one at a college or university.

If you are employed in a large company, you may wish to speak with employees in other departments to understand what they do. Perhaps you would like to learn some new skills and prepare to do an internal transfer to their area. Document your plan. Review it. Revise it until you have a strategy which you like and will actually implement.

Once you determine what you would really like to be doing, remember that having a structured support network will make it easier to make changes. Think about setting up your own personal “board of directors” with five or six people on it who you can call on for advice and support. While you may (or may not) want to use the term board of directors in speaking with these individuals, do ask them if you can meet with them periodically to discuss your plans. Speaking with your board members will help you solidify your plan and provide motivation and accountability.

Periodically—but not too frequently, and not after a bad day—ask yourself if your goals have remained consistent, if you are happy, and if you are doing what you most want to be remembered for doing.

Next month we’ll discuss the day-to-day details to design a plan to achieve your goals.

I would like to thank Dr. Margarita Posada Cossuto for helpful comments.

Layout Design by Lillian Ferranti

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http://www.ricreativemag.com

Setting up a Legally Protected Website

by Devon Landis, Esquire // RI & MA Attorney // www.devonlandislaw.com // Layout Design by Panhia Lee

While there are plenty of articles that debate whether brick and mortar stores are really being beaten by e-commerce, there is little doubt that today’s entrepreneurs, artists, and business professionals cannot do without a website.

If you visit my webpage, it does little for the imagination. It is simplistic in its design, providing the bare essentials such as my contact information and services. However, it does have the inclusion of legal protection (come on, I’m a lawyer).

If you have a website, you must do yourself the favor and double-check whether it needs any or all of the following:

Copyright Notice

• Every website should take the small step

to place a copyright notice on the page. This is

by no means a requirement, but it does inform

anyone viewing the page that the work is copy

righted, and that you are the owner.

• For more in depth information about this, head

on over to www.copyright.gov and look at circular 3.

• Examples of acceptable copyright notices:

– Copyright symbol or abbreviation, year

of 1st publication and name of copyright holder.

– © 2015 Devon Landis

– A “P” in a circle is used for sound recordings.

Terms of Use

• Listed as a statement on your site and outlines the general rules which the user agrees to in order to use the service you are providing.

• Example: – This website contains material that is owned

by John Doe Corp. Reproduction is prohibited.

Privacy Policy

• If you gather any type of information from those who visit your page then this is a must-have.

It should be listed as a statement on your website about how the website handles the personal information gathered.

Disclaimer

• A disclaimer aims to limit liability for the website owner. The exact type of disclaimer needed depends on what the website offers.

• Describes exactly what information is collected, how it is collected, how it will let account holders know if the policy changes in the future, and whether it is shared with third parties.

• Warning: disclaimers are legally complex and not all disclaiming of liability would hold up in court or is legal in certain situations.

• Example: This website uses cookies for information gathering about your product preferences and will not be shared or sold to third parties.

• Example: – Content of these web pages are for general information purposes only and there is no warranty of any kind, express or implied, as to the accuracy, suitability, or that the information is up to date.

If you are unsure whether these are notices/policies that should be on your website, or if you need assistance drafting them, please reach out to an attorney in your state that can help craft a notice/policy that will protect your business for what should be an affordable rate.

Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and it is not to be considered legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances, you should contact an attorney for advice on your specific legal problems.

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Yves Saint-Laurent

An eco-friendly interview with Martha Jackson, owner and chief designer of Restored By Design Boutique and Joe Shansky

MARTHA: I have that quote hanging above my work area in my studio to remind me of why I opened my business… why my philosophy is what it is.

RICM: I understand there are 3 R’s to the Restored by Design philosophy.

MARTHA: Actually there are more than three. We create my style of clothing, jewelry and accessories

by RECLAIMING AND REINVENTING. We REVIVE, REFRESH, and RESTYLE by designing new pieces from previously loved materials, vintage fabrics, reclaimed objects, and industry excesses. Our eclectic mix of raw materials uses a fraction of energy resources to manufacture, leaving a low carbon footprint.

RICM: Why add eco-awareness into the mix?

MARTHA: Because we are a GREEN artisan company dedicated to the creation of ecofashion jewelry, clothing, accessories, home decor, rare finds, and unique works of art. We are very passionate about a greener life that helps grow community with style!

I started the business in my studio in 2010, we went full time in 2012. People come into the store because of the combination of clothing and jewelry and the intimate shopping experience.

Tracy Aiguier Photography, Dynasty Models, and stylist Terri Mahn.

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I call my style Bohemian Chic or BOHO for short. It’s an eclectic mix of elements… very individual. There is a kind of a revival of 70’s fashion going on, slightly hippie looking, different patterns tossed together… lace, fringe, big necklaces with beads of wood or metal, colors, and textures. It can be quirky… have a funky edge to it, be very bold or very feminine with pastels.

I am not a classic “tailored” designer.

Being a local store, I offer a sensory shopping experience where customers can touch and feel the merchandise. I ‘ve had a customer say to me, “Oh my goodness, this reminds me of my favorite store in Paris.”

RICM: How does eco-awareness influence your fashion philosophy?

MARTHA: My fundamental philosophy for eco-consciousness guides my choices in raw materials and the manufacturing process. I carefully select each component from found bits and pieces, factory cast-offs, vintage fabrics, lace, charms, organic materials, natural stones, pearls, shells, resins, wood, and more non-traditional “green” materials. The real investment is in the creative talents of all the artists, designers, and artisans who create these special one-of-a-kind pieces. All local, truly eco-aware, and all fashionably up-styled for sustainable treasures worthy of investment! They are new to you to love!

Repurposing from your Wardrobe. I’m repurposing a dress with a customer right now. She wore a beautiful dress when she got married. As you know, wedding dresses (or even bridesmaids dresses) only get worn once and then sit in the closet forever. By restyling the wedding dress to a non-wedding dress… dyed a different color, adding a few different accessories, she now has a new dress that will get much more usage. Make something beautiful. It’s just sitting in a box.

RICM: To find out more about Restored

By Design, browse and shop in their Retail Studio Boutique at 128 North Main Street, Providence, RI or visit their website at http://www.restoredbydesign. com/

RICM: I understand that you do custom work for customers?

MARTHA: Yes. If a customer loves a particular

design of a dress but it isn’t made in her size, I’ll custom make it for her. I will also take old garments that they don’t wear anymore and restyle them into an original design just for them. From their own closet, I’ll reinvent old precious clothes into new ones instead of having to donate or toss them out.

My customers can also participate in our Create With Us Series of classes and workshops, with a Fall schedule soon to be posted on my website in August. One of my popular workshops is called Photography by Sofia Dias. Layout design by Joseph Shansky.

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Summertime Marketing

by John Prothero Prothero Press

Perhaps George Gershwin was right when he penned “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy.” We all tend to take mental “timeoff” from Memorial Day until Labor Day. We also enjoy family vacations, or perhaps just a day at the beach. The longer summer hours allow us to stay out later and grill more. And while many of us may take that mental holiday, for others, summertime is the time to ramp up marketing for the events that you are participating in or even hosting.

GET FESTIVE

Summertime is the time to be involved in the myriad of festivals that abound in the area, be they art festivals, craft festivals, or folk festivals. How you market yourself should be festive as well. Work with the marketing and public relations team at the various events to see if you can include yourself in their marketing plans, or perhaps (if you have the capital for it) use their branding to enhance whatever mailing or promotion you’ll do.

PRINT, PRINT, PRINT Print can be your ally in this area, and if you can (as I mentioned above) get in on the mailing efforts of the festival and event organizers, you can save yourself some money. However, if you can do your own mailing and you own or retain your own list of buyers, interested parties, or even sponsors, you can do a targeted direct mail campaign for each event. If you have a booth at these festivals or exhibitions, make sure you have some printed material of your work that is high quality—not run off your desktop inkjet. Print up some posters (11 x 17” or 12 x 18”) that you can give away, as well as some larger versions (20 x 24”) that you can sell for $5-10. Have a brochure on hand that highlights specific work and provides your contact information and website. Finally, business cards: make them creative, with special paper, or perhaps foiling/embossing, or even a unique die-cut shape. Make sure that all your materials have a consistent brand look and will be taken by those stopping by at your booth.

KEEP IT SMALL

Summertime can be a good time for you as an artist to reach out to a more targeted audience, perhaps hosting studio events. If, for example, your studio is in your home, or maybe a rustic barn similar to the ones that dot the Rhode Island rural landscape, you can use a nice direct mail postcard to invite those on your subscriber or supporter list to a more personal event. They can meet you, see your work (including work in progress), and meet other supporters.

This is a good way for you to network with your patrons and for them to network with each other. Make sure you have your brochures readily available and posters out for sale or free distribution.

THINK AHEAD

Fall in New England is a magical time, so start preparing for it now. Plan for events with a fall theme, like back-to-school or Halloween. Start working on mailers or creative pieces that include unique print techniques and finishing so that you’re ready to go in late September. Make sure you use fall colors, or be bold and keep it graphic and dynamic with blacks and whites.

So, summertime: yeah, the livin’ is easy. But it’s also time for you to take advantage of the more relaxed nature of your patrons, creating a brand message that reflects the season and draws them in.

Berry Banana Smoothie Time

by Ricardo Costa Personal Chef

Nothing screams summer better than a fruit smoothie! They are a great vehicle for nutrition.

All you need is a good blender, a little imagination and some quality ingredients to make a fantastic smoothie. Here is one you are sure to love!

1 frozen sliced banana 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 large orange) 1 cup hulled strawberries 1 cup blackberries 1 3/4 cups fat-free plain Greek yogurt 1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar

In a large blender, place all the ingredients listed above. Blend on low for 10 seconds and increase to high speed for 10 more seconds until a thick, shake-like consistency is reached.

Consume immediately or place in the fridge for later use. This smoothie will keep one day in the fridge.

You may also freeze and thaw if you wish.

Layout Design by Kimberly Sherman Leon

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Gold Maker Magic...

a conversation with goldsmith joni johnson

by Kim Celona

I

had the absolute pleasure of speaking to goldsmith Joni Johnson, a fellow artist and dear

friend about her process, inspiration and art as jewelry.

KC JJ

Tell me about yourself and your art.

I refer to myself as a goldsmith because most of my work is in white and yellow high karat gold. I make one-of-a-kind pieces, so I feel “smith” is appropriate and expresses the old world quality of handmade things. In addition to commissions for clients, I keep my curiosity alive by creating my own unusual art jewelry. My favorite technique is scoring and folding gold sheet into minimal architectural type forms. I did a series of rings this way. Some look like origami. I find I like making rings best so I do those most often.

They are so intimate and symbolic and have many cultural traditions.

Imagine, this tiny object holds so much history and meaning.

I have two industrial Design degrees from Rhode Island School of Design, which gave me a strong foundation, and I started my own design business after college. After years of designing on the computer I started to miss the tactile experience of model making. That desire to hand-make objects eventually led me back to RISD to pursue a masters in metalsmithing. The experience really opened my eyes to art jewelry and alternate materials: the possibility not only to create, but to create wearable ornaments. It fascinated me because, until then, I was designing things for people to hold or work with. Product design requires considerations about ergonomics (body scale), movement and such. With jewelry, I was dealing with the body in an entirely new way. Jewelry typically has inherent value and sentiment which is very different from consumer products. The shift in focus made me rethink my entire process, but at the same time jewelry did have a connection to my product design background as well. After I completed school I rented a studio space in Downtown Providence, where I still work.

importance in a community, as well as being a way to keep the items safe by carrying them on your person. At the turn of the century, the tradition of a diamond engagement ring was often used as a security measure as well as a romantic gesture. If a farmer died, for example, the widow would likely sell the ring to continue to provide for the family.

The engagement ring still represents an aspect of status.

KC

Considering the hard work, skill and fine craftsmanship which goes into every piece of jewelry, why is it difficult for the general public to see and feel the clear difference between art jewelry versus production jewelry?

JJ

Yes, it is difficult that people don’t always understand the difference between production and one-of-a-kind work.

Jewelry is generally mass-produced in Asia and India where labor rates are extremely low and environmental laws lax. By producing there, companies can retail jewelry for much less than I am even able to buy raw materials for. My job is to find a way to make each piece unique and speak to its owner in some way which makes it special.

I’m not trying to compete with production jewelry in what I do; it’s very specialized. There is also confusion about value because of branding.

Companies like David Yurman and Tiffany’s are attempting to blur the line between fine art jewelry and mass-market jewelry by making people believe that branded items have more value than unique pieces.

KC

When one thinks of jewelry, it’s the ultimate in adornment, self- expression, sentimentality. When people die, they pass on their jewelry as heirlooms. It’s a very profound area of work. It’s people wearing all these art objects close to their skin. It’s extremely intimate.

Thoughts?

JJ

It’s generally believed that the act of wearing [jewelry] began about 5,000 years ago in Africa. I think it began even earlier, perhaps as people attempted to protect themselves from the elements. Even this small act required a personal innovation, using natural elements like leaves and mud. Early ornamentation and even scarification also gave clues to status and wealth. People found ways to personalize recognized patterns and designs in their own unique style, even when altering skin or body parts. It’s becoming popular again as we see tattoos and piercings are common now.

Currency was actually made in bracelet form to be worn. Wearing one’s wealth in the form of jewelry provided a way to clearly show

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The “production versus one-of-a-kind” issue gets even more complex with the advent of 3D printing. This allows for amazing shapes and designs that would be technically impossible to create by hand. They are even beginning to print directly in metal. Printed models are able to be used as one-off or molded and mass-produced. I see this technique as another tool in the toolbox and use it for projects where it seems appropriate. For example, I’m working on a piece now that’s very complex, so it makes sense to 3D model it in wax and cast it in gold rather than hand-fabricate. This is a perfect solution for this particular piece; however, I will go back and work the surface with a hammer a little in order to show the “hand” in the piece. I’m concerned it will be too static and perfect, losing the beauty of a handmade piece complete with its tiny imperfections.

For these rings I looked to the tremendous history of mourning jewelry mainly done in Victorian times. It was very intimate and symbolic, even including hair from the deceased. Black or white pearls indicated marriage status, age, et cetera, and colored enamel also indicated divinity and religious beliefs. There were also interesting brooches that I really love that were painted just showing one eye of the deceased — very provocative and unnerving. I used some of these traditions in my memorial ring designs but tried to alter them so they were not so literal. For example, on the ring shanks I added a texture to the gold reminiscent of hair to refer back to that tradition. All three rings had the same shank and overall treatment, but each was different as well since each family member had a unique relationship with the young girl. I was trying to address that unique relationship in making the rings, yet I wanted them to have a correlation to each other as they were for a family.

KC

The thing I like people to be aware of is that if they do have a piece designed and handcrafted, be patient and communicative. It’s helpful to have examples of things you like, even if it’s a photo of a tree that shows a texture or a certain type of aesthetic you are fond of. It doesn’t have to be literal — in fact, I personally prefer that it’s not! Unlike production jewelry, handmade jewelry is extremely time-consuming and laborious, so be aware of that as well. Luckily, for most of us it’s a labor of love! Jewelry usually looks pretty bad until the very end.

It’s a bit of a dirty process. There is nothing like the feeling when you finally finish the surface and it just comes alive. It’s so rewarding. It’s still a bit of a surprise and the icing on the cake for me, even after all these years, that when the piece is completed you can actually wear it!

How does the history of ornamentation inspire, affect and translate specifically in your work? I remember this winter you created three stunning pieces directly relating to a family death of a client. Could you describe that process, the history, and the emotional components attached to this commission?

JJ

I think I’ll answer these questions together since they tie in. Yes, I look everywhere for inspiration including history and nature in order to solve a design problem! There are design solutions all around. Seeing with a critical eye is the soul of designing and creating a design language for yourself. As I mentioned earlier, jewelry has a very deep, rich history to draw from. The rings you mentioned were very challenging because of the emotion.

My close friends lost their daughter in a car accident and asked me to create a series of memorial rings for the family.

In order to really understand what they wanted, I had to ask some pretty difficult questions. It was very emotional but ultimately we became even closer and this helped me to really design in an intimate capacity. I put photos of their daughter at my desk when I worked as well and really tried to consider her life as well the obvious sadness.

KC JJ

What do you feel, as a “maker,” people need to understand the most about jewelry design and construction?

P hotos & Credits

Layout Design by Lisa Malm

1. S ylvester, Hans – 2008. “Natural Fashion, Tribal Decoration from Africa”. Thames and Hudson, New York, NY.

5. P atinated and Painted Hollow Brass Vessel

by Joni Johnson (from the Daphne Farago Collection). Photo by James Beards.

2. N ehama, Sarah – 2012. Mercy Otis Warren Brooch, American 1812. “In Death Lamented”.

Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, MA.

6. B oettcher, Graham/Shushan, Elle/Manning, Jo – 2012. Pearl Brooch from Lucy Warren Antiques, American 1835. “The Look of Love”.

D. Giles Ltd., London, UK.

3. 1 8 karat Gold Ring from “Preposition Series”

by Joni Johnson. Photo by James Beards.

4. 18 karat Gold and Hand Cut Quart Ring from “Preposition Series” by Joni Johnson. Photo

by James Beards.

7. Joni Johnson. Photo by Glenn Tiberius.

Joni Johnson can be contacted by email at Diamondog6@gmail.com

Vol. 3 Issue 10 |

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| Rhode Island Creative Magazine

July 4th Fireworks at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Photo taken by Zack Deus - www.zackdeus.com

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3. Where do you draw your inspiration?

I draw inspiration from my daughters, my customers and RI’s coastal lifestyle. We all love to collect beach treasures, which traditionally collect dust on our windowsills and in jars.

Through my custom work, I make it possible to wear your favorite beach find!

4. What’s your favorite item to create?

Right now I am having fun making sailboats out of shells and beach glass. They come out feeling playful and full of motion. I made them at the holidays to be used as ornaments, but they continue to sell as sun catchers and hostess gifts. Tie one around a bottle of wine and bring to your next dinner party!

5. What’s your best seller?

I {heart} Rhody interviews Robin Johanson from Saunderstown Artist’s name: Robin Johanson Shop name: Sea Star Glassworks

ONLINE robinjohanson.com or etsy.com/shop/seastarglassworks FACEBOOK Robin Johanson-Sea Star Glassworks instagram @seastarglass

1. Tell us about your work.

Using treasures from the sea and stained glass techniques, I handcraft unique accessories for hair, scarves, wraps & jewelry for every beach lover. All glass, shells and stones are found on Rhode Island’s shores. I often incorporate other colored glass, beads and brass charms into my work for texture and interest. Each piece is unique, made with high quality construction and materials.

2. How did you come to be a professional artist/ crafter/designer?

I come from a long line of “crafty” women so have enjoyed working with several mediums. In particular, I like to find clever ways to make art functional. A few years ago while creating stained glass panels, I got inspired to create some unusual barrettes for my three daughters... we have a lot of hair! And from there I just kept exploring how to make different pieces.

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| Rhode Island Creative Magazine

Ah, that would be a toss up between my earrings with handmade wires or my large clips which are great on shawls, scarfs and hair... very versatile and one of a kind!

6. How long have you been in Rhode Island?

I have been in RI for 23 years now, longer than anywhere else I’ve ever lived! I grew up on the coast north of Boston, spent my 20’s on the Chesapeake, and two years in Canberra, Australia.

7. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?

I love the people, the old communities and towns, the scenery and open spaces... Actually, one of my favorite aspects of my work is its ability to take a small piece of Rhode Island’s beauty and spread it to other areas!!

8. Please include anything else you’d like to add: In addition to Etsy, I sell my items at multiple locations. Check my Facebook page for locations and additional holiday markets.

Connect with I {heart} Rhody

twitter @iheartrhody

facebook iheartrhody

online iheartrhody.com

Layout Design by Kimberly Sherman Leon

BEING PART OF A COMMUNITY OF MAKERS RHODE ISLAND CREATIVE MAGAZINE’S ANNUAL

SUPPORTING THE

OF Rhode s Island Craftsmen and Artisan

creativity imagination innovation artistry inspiration originality vision flair style

On Friday, June 26th, the vendors for our Makers Event brought their stuff, both literally and figuratively! It was exciting to see artists from around the Ocean state at the Pawtucket Armory displaying and selling their art. Attendees were treated to food and beverage samples from our culinary artists while enjoying live music provided by Rhode Island musicians.

Admission was free, but many patrons gave a donation to high-school student Grace D’Antuano’s Cupcakes Against Cancer foundation and were treated to a scrumptious cupcake from Grace herself! We were able to donate $175 to her foundation. Thank you all for helping make a difference!

We welcome artists of all specialties to next year’s event! Please spread the word that applications for vendors wishing to participate will be accepted beginning on December 15, 2015. Stay tuned for more details in our December issue, or contact president and founder Kim Sherman Leon to be placed on our Vendors List.

You can view the Makers Event photos online at ricreativemag.com.

Vol. 3 Issue 10 |

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Turn Your Closet...

Into a Gallery

by Joseph Shansky

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| Rhode Island Creative Magazine

According to Wikipedia, “Wearable art,” also known as Artwear or ‘art to wear,’ refers to individually designed pieces of (usually) handmade clothing or jewelry created as fine or expressive art. While the making of any article of clothing or other wearable objects typically involves aesthetic considerations, the term wearable art implies that the work is intended to be accepted as a serious and unique artistic creation or statement...

The modern idea of wearable art has taken a new form in the guise of Cosmic Unicornz, the brainchild and artistic outlet of illustrator Melissa Thyden.

A 2010 graduate of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where she majored in illustration with a minor in art history, Thyden combines her passion for fashion and illustration by creating one-ofa-kind, hand-painted and handmade works of art worthy of hanging in a museum, as well as in your closet.

A Sutton, MA native, Thyden became involved in art festivals when she was younger, including stART on the Street. stART on the Street is central Massachusetts’ largest art, music and performance festival. “I was selling my paintings [there], but then, I started painting on anything I could get my hands on: shirts, bags, shoes, etc.” Thyden said. “The shoes really took off. Before I knew it, everyone wanted to buy a pair of my hand-painted shoes. I ended up making an online store, www. cosmicunicornz.com,” she said.

“My Little Pony and Rainbow Bright are my inspiration”, says Melissa. “Basically, I’m designing original clothing for the over-excited 8 year old in all of us… and it seems to have caught on. In my third year, now people are still interested in my shoes, but the big draw now is custom pieces, especially hand-painted denim jackets… accessories of all kinds. I follow fashion trends… see what is selling and “Cosmic Unicornz” them... fit them into my look and brand. The big difference between when I started out and now is my customers are driving what kind of art I’m creating. I am getting a lot of requests to constantly add new clothing into my line. They are asking for personal, one-of-kind items that help them express their personalities and outlook on life. It’s very satisfying.

“I just had my very first Runway Show, ‘Neon Fringe’ and I loved it. I plan to have many, many more. They give me a chance to receive direct feedback on what my customers want from me. Right now, all my work is created at the Manic Pixie Dream Studio in Boston, MA. “My art can be bought from my website, www.cosmicunicornz.com, from Studio Z in Providence, at Pirate Girl Designs in Plymouth, MA and every Sunday at South End Open Market at SoWa in the South End of Boston.

My future dream is to open up my own store, Cosmic Unicornz, in Rhode Island.”

To find out more about Melissa Thyden or her company Cosmic Unicornz, visit her website, www.cosmicunicornz.com, @cosmic_unicornz on instagram or email Melissa at info@cosmicunicornz.com.

Layout Design by Joseph Shansky

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Recapture Time

by Milissa DeFusco Whimsical Wishes and Delightful Dreams

When Kim, the Founder of Rhode Island Creative Magazine asked me if I was interested in displaying a wearable piece of art in the August issue, I knew right away exactly what the perfect piece would be. Keeping in mind that it was summertime, I channeled my love for vintage flair and decided to use an old antique macrame clutch purse as my blank canvas. A fabric block with a bathing beauty and vintage map scene printed on it became my focus of sunshine. I quickly scanned through my inventory of shells, sea glass and driftwood I had acquired on precious days walking with my children along the Rhode Island seashore.

I knew some day I would incorporate these memories into something that would become both handy and unique. I shifted gears quickly and found just the perfect crocheted

2) Now apply your Heirloom

Materials Fabric Shells Twine

doily, fabrics, twine, antique buttons and embellishments to add to the canvas--my wearable purse. I laid everything out, walked away, came back and shifted things around a bit...but I felt like something was missing. I needed the perfect touch to express my art. I thought about what I had saved from my children that I could add to my design.

Then I found it: a pair of old jean overalls I saved from my son’s toddler years! I began ripping and tearing a small section to incorporate just a tad of sky blue to work with the graphic on the fabric block. I twisted and tied the denim into handmade flowers that fit perfectly on the masterpiece I had created. This purse will be a keepsake for me because it recaptures times that I value and appreciate in my life. A true breath of sunshine.

Ribbon Crocheted Doily Fabric Block

crochet doily and a fabric block with vintage beach beauty printed on it. Place the metal frame to add character and depth. Then start applying your twine, shells, ribbon, pieces of fabric to finish the look you envision.

3) Here is my finish look. Please share your finish look on my Facebook page at Whimsical Wishes & Delightful Dreams

1) Purchase a Vintage purse from a local Antique store. (Shop local!)

Choose whichever style will work best for your design.

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| Rhode Island Creative Magazine

August 2015 Cover Painting by Larisa Martino of Larisa Designs.

Original Art, Murals and Art Parties Learn more at larisa-designs.com.

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your home:

a story teller

by Patricia Raskin Coach, Trainer and Author Host Patricia Raskin Positive Living, WPRO AM630/99.7FM

Cosmic Emyl Jenkins, antiques appraiser and author of Stealing with Style, says “Invite me into your home and within 30 seconds I’ll know all about you.”

If we analyze that statement and go deeper than reacting to, “Oh, what will she find out?‚“ we can evaluate and appreciate our choices.

The point of this is that when you make your choices, you share who you are. If you have things that do not reflect you or are making you unhappy or uneasy, it’s time to make a change. As you grow and change, your choices change. What you loved and used years ago may not be the case today.

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| Rhode Island Creative Magazine

{

“Invite me into your home and within 30 seconds I’ll know all about you.”

If you are surrounded by things that no longer work for you, you can give them to someone for whom they do work. You may have special pieces from family that don’t fit in your home or hold a negative memory, but you do not want to part with them because of the memories they hold. If so, you can give them to another family member and literally, keep them in the family.

I have done that.

{

So how do you choose? What is in your home is what you care about.

Is your home filled with antiques, beach collections, or modern art?

Contemporary furniture or Victorian sofas? Bright, vibrant colors or rich, dark colors? When you add the photos, albums, art on the walls, books, cooking and gardening tools, you have more of the story. Then there are the hobbies and collections which are reflected in your home as well.

You may also want to keep items that do not fit your décor but have special meaning. I suggest an area where you spend a lot of time like your bedroom or office.

If those items bring you comfort and joy and their memories bring a smile to your face, keeping those loving memories will help to bring more love into your life.

Layout Design by Amy DeSantis

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