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.