Sailing on a 10 Speed

A team of 30 representing the Sloop Clearwater will be joining 30,000 cyclists for the largest recreational cycling event in America: The Five Boro Bike Tour. This is an incredible 42 mile tour on routes that are closed to traffic on Sunday May 3rd. (Interactive map here. The tour is now full and has closed it's registration for this year.)

Support the Clearwater and it's educational programs for adults and children on New York's Hudson River by sponsoring Captain Sam! Email her at: capt@clearwater.org with your pledge.

A little or a lot is appreciated. Sample rates are as follows:

$0.50/mile = $21
$1.00/mile = $42
$2/mile = $84

As part of the Clearwater team she is committed to raising over $500, but her personal goal is $1200 (which pays for two months of the apprenticeship program).

The above photo is from the photo gallery of last year's event. More photos and tour info at the Five Boro Bike Tour's web site.

Special Delivery

Yeah! It's here! And much quicker than I expected.

Dan from S. Rimmon & Co. aka 'Dan, Dan the Fabric Man' came by the studio to show his be-a-utiful fabrics. His visit was coordinated by Layla of Ledthreads and he filled a huge work table with swatches and then patiently waited while 5 of us ohhed and ahhed and made piles of top choices then edited and re-edited until the piles were manageable - or not.

What's especially great about Dan is not only will he come to you by appointment (he's based on the West Coast but travels East), all his fabrics are from end rolls (left overs!) and offered at low minimums - great for small businesses to get wholesale pricing with out having to buy 500 yards. His collection is geared towards dress fabrics and leathers but there's usually something for everyone.

I found the most wonderful soft cotton canvas with a print that reminded me of wistful seaweed - in two color ways! And some eco friendly bamboo denim, too!




Stay tuned for limited edition lined sail bags and cosmetic cases.

Earth Hour

Get ready to cast your vote tomorrow night.



I'm going to have to set multiple alarms otherwise I will tra-la-la go on with my Sat night. It would be a shame to remember this at 9:31 pm.

Update: I remembered! Candle light IS wonderful.

Improv (and Art) Everywhere

Improv Everywhere set the 23rd street subway station as an art gallery. Love the informational descriptions posted next to pieces such as "The Arriving and Departing of Train" ongoing since 1932. The description references Martin Creed's Work No 850 where a runner sprints through the Tate Gallery every 30 seconds. Nice research!

More on Improve Everywhere here.

See Martin Creed's runner here.

MTA subway schedules here.

PS. Happy Spring!

Off to the Brooklyn Museum!

No, not me unfortunately. I'm talking about an order of Reiter8 bags, pillows and mini wallets that went out to Brooklyn Museum Shop.



Reiter8 products will be on sale in the shop in conjunction with their upcoming exhibit of Gustave Caillebotte's impressionist paintings. What do recycled sail bags and impressionist painting have in common? Read on:

The approximately forty paintings included in this focused thematic exhibition reveal Caillebotte’s extraordinary passion for subjects in which water plays a central role—as an enigmatic, magical element reflecting its surroundings, as an essential atmospheric ingredient, and as a scene for sporting activities. As a passionate rower and yachtsman, Caillebotte approached his motifs with the trained eyes and hand of an accomplished engineer and sportsman. The exhibition will also include drawings as well as models and sketches for the construction of Caillebotte’s sailboats.

More about the museum's merchandiser's quest for related items in their blog here

Although I will not be going to the museum today to view art I'll be going soon to teach a class - more on that in my previous post here.

The Gustave Caillebotte exhibit opens on 3/37 - 7/5. Hours and directions here.

Say Cheese!

Had the pleasure of being photographed by Pascal Perich today for a something that I will introduce a little later. Ok so it's a little uncomfortable for me to have my picture taken - I know few who really love it - but was also looking forward to it after I saw his beautiful portfolio. I'm talking jaw droppingly beautiful.

He was so much fun and right off the bat framed the light and the sails just so. Magic.

He's has a sense of humor and is a good sport because he granted my wish to take his photo (with my point and shoot little camera that plays a tune when you turn it on and makes fake shutter sounds when you take pictures) for this post.



Thanks Pascal! Can't wait to see the photos!!

Nautical Treasure!

Recently I visited Stone age Antiques in Miami Fl. What a treasure trove! Chuck full from stem to stern, this place is packed with all things nautical and more.

It's small shop front is completely deceiving as this place rambles on and on and on. Ship models, mermaids, stuffed fish, anchors, buoys. They have everything you'd expect and tons that you wouldn't.

Case in point:



More photos on flickr.

Reiter8 at the Brooklyn Museum - Part 1

No, not hanging on the walls (yet!?) but in the store and adult education department.

I was thrilled to receive a call from the Brooklyn Museum of Art's Education Department asking if I would be interested in teaching a workshop in conjunction with their upcoming exhibit of Gustave Caillebotte's impressionist paintings.


(Above:Gustave Caillebotte (French, 1848–1894). Oarsman in a Top Hat, 1877–78. Oil on canvas, 35 7/16 x 46 1/16 in. (90 x 117 cm). Private collection)

Perhaps best know for his Paris Street: Rainy Day this exhibit draws on paintings held in private collections that focus on his interests of sailing and gardening.

"... approximately forty paintings included in this focused thematic exhibition reveal Caillebotte’s extraordinary passion for subjects in which water plays a central role—as an enigmatic, magical element reflecting its surroundings, as an essential atmospheric ingredient, and as a scene for sporting activities. As a passionate rower and yachtsman, Caillebotte approached his motifs with the trained eyes and hand of an accomplished engineer and sportsman. The exhibition will also include drawings as well as models and sketches for the construction of Caillebotte’s sailboats."

I'll be working with recycled sailboat sails and additional materials to create several travel related projects: key chain, luggage tag and travel journal on Saturday 4/25 from 2-4 pm. The class for adults is free with admission - what a deal! - but space is limited and you must register with an email to creative.art.making@brooklynmuseum.org.

More info on the exhibit and class at The Brooklyn Museums website.

Happy International Women's Day!

(Noticed for the first time today on the corner of Livingston and Red Hook Lane, Brooklyn.)

Happy International Women's Day! Celebrated since the early 1900, March 8th marks a day to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women.
Yahoo's got a list of 35 women you should know. It's very inspirational list. Among them, Jane Goodall whom I've always admired. I remember hearing a story on that spoke about her early interest and experience with animals.

Jane, as a child, had a very good relationship with her mother. Their good relationship continued, even as she fought her way to Africa, when no one else said she could do it. Jane remembers how understanding her mother was. Once, when Jane was 18 months old, Vanne found her with a bunch of earthworms in her bed. Vanne did not make a fuss about the mess; never mind there were slimy earthworms in her baby's bed. Jane's mother simply told her that she had to return the worms to the earth quickly, or they would die (Goodall 1996).

"My mother used to tell me, 'Jane, if you really want something, you work hard enough, you take advantage of opportunities, you never give up, you will find a way.'" (Davies 1997).

-More online here

The power of women in influence each other and .. the world!

On that note, but bringing it a little closer to home: Grace Bonney from design*sponge is continuing her Biz Ladies Series 2009 with posts every Tuesday. Biz Ladies aims to connect local women running their own art and design-based businesses Details here.

Caught My Eye

Been admiring the work of Geninne D. Zlatkis as she has been the featured seller on Etsy this week. Had to share via the blog today when I saw this sweet nautical group.




Happy Friday!

Behind the Times

The last two episodes of Design by the Book, a collaborative series by design*sponge and the NYPL encouraging inspiration through the library resources as experienced by 5 local artists, quietly snuck up on me.
Here they are:



And the final episode:


What's your favorite project? Where do you find your inspiration?

Sugar and Ice

Snow Day!!

We were up at 5:30 listening to the radio hoping to hear the announcement that we dared not speak of last night to to ensure that weekend homework would be completed and to avoid children being bitterly disappointed this morning. Then it came: All NYC schools will be closed today due to the snow storm. Fantastic. After traveling all week last week, I needed this extra day.

Growing up in New England, after a good snow storm and a morning full of fort building and snowball fights we would sometimes be treated to maple syrup drizzled over fresh snow.

This afternoon offers the perfect opportunity to indulge.

1 c. maple syrup - the real stuff!
snow - piled on a dinner plate
pickles (optional - see note below)

Bring maple syrup to boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring to avoid it boiling over.

The mixture is ready 6 to 7 minutes after it boils (255 degrees on a candy thermometer). It should stiffen when dripped onto a plate.

Remove from heat and cool for 2 minutes before pouring over the snow. The syrup will turn onto lovely chewy sweet drizzles of maple.

After sampling the syrup, bite a pickle. I never do this but it's to cut the sweetness. Enjoy!