What's So Funny?

Brigitte Martin of crafthaus asks...What's so funny?

Humor in Craft

People of all ages and cultures respondto humor enthusiastically and craft artwork definitely can be very funny !

Often, the work exudes a sense of the absurd due to exaggerated size or by being executed in unusual materials. Craft artwork can be highly ironic, political, sarcastic, or just plain amusing, and it comes in a variety of media, such as metals, wood, fibers, ceramics, glass, mixed media etc.

Brigitte Martin has joined up with Schiffer Publishing to develop a book about the role humor plays in contemporary craft, and we welcome your submissions in image, text, audio, and video !

We are lookingfor the following contributions:
- images of humorous artwork,
- texts/essays by the contributing artists, commenting about humorous aspects in their artwork,
- audio art
- video art (the book will contain a CD of audio/video art depending on qualifying submissions)
- essays by writers about the role of humor and fun in craft.

Can you show us humor in all its shades expressed through craft artwork and text ? Who decides what's funny and what isn't ? What topics are off-limits ? Is irony funny ? Sarcasm ? Are politics funny ? Religion ? This book aims to provide the viewer with entertainment, commentary, and of course, many fine craft pieces by makers from all over the world. Humor has no borders. Or does it ? It might be interesting to learn how a piece will be hilarious in China, but only garner mild astonishment in Sweden and vice versa.

This call is open to craft artists working in all craft media. crafthaus membership is not required. International entries are particularly welcome and encouraged ! The book is scheduled to be on the market in 2012.

This is a rolling call: THE SOONER YOU SEND IN YOUR ENTRY the greater your chance to be considered ! Final deadline: March 1, 2011.

Artists:

To submit your work for initial consideration, please email:
humorincraft@yahoo.com

- low res image(s),

- information regarding media, measurements,

- brief blurb about your work and your views on the topic of "humor in craft"

- Audio/Video artists: Please email an excerpt of your piece or direct me to a website where your work can be heard/seen.

Once selected, you will receive detailed information about the image requirements for printing, as well as other pertinent information and a deadline for final submission.

Image requirements for eventual inclusion in book:

Be prepared to submit your photos at 300 dpi and sized 15 x 10 inches !
Format: tiff or jpg

AdobeRGB1998 preferred but not necessary
Pixel count for a 9 x 7 image is: 3500 x 2800 pixels

Writers:

Please submit a brief outline on your proposed essay topic, as well
as some information about you to:
email: humorincraft@yahoo.com

Photos from crafthaus

Jewelry Historians Tour of All That Glitters Exhibit in San Diego!

American Society of Jewelry Historians Offers Exclusive Tour of All That Glitters: The Splendor & Science of Gems & Minerals at San Diego Natural History Museum

Exhibit Curator Elise B. Misiorowski leads tour on Sat., August 7 at 9:45 a.m.

SAN DIEGO – The Southern California Chapter of The American Society of Jewelry Historians (ASJH) announced an exclusive tour of the new exhibition, All That Glitters: The Splendor & Science of Gems & Minerals, at the San Diego Natural History Museum on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 9:45 a.m. This unique show highlights a wide range of spectacular natural mineral crystals, exquisite jewelry, and works of art. Exhibit curator and GIA Graduate Gemologist Elise B. Misiorowski will lead the tour for ASJH members and their guests.

The exhibition focuses on gemstones and minerals native to California including the rare state gemstone Benitoite - only found in San Benito County, California. Tour participants will also view dazzling pieces on loan from private collectors and major U.S. Institutions including the American Museum of Natural History; Gemological Institute of America; Harvard University Mineralogical Museum; and National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institute. The exhibition will be at the Museum until May 15, 2012.

Tickets are $14 per person with RSVPs and payment required by August 1. Payment should be sent to:
American Society of Jewelry Historians
1333A North Avenue #103
New Rochelle, NY 10804
Phone/Fax (914) 235-0983
info@jewelryhistorians.org
http://www.jewelryhistorians.org

If payment is not received by August 1, tickets are $17 at the door.

The San Diego Natural History Museum is located at 1788 El Prado, San Diego, California 92101-1624; (619) 232-3821; http://www.sdnhm.org.

The group will meet at the Museum’s north entrance by the fig tree at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, August 7. For more information, contact Lauren Shore, Lauren@berbay.com or (310) 405-7335.


The American Society of Jewelry Historians (ASJH) is a non-profit educational organization committed to providing an up-to-date resource for those interested in jewelry-related subjects, including jewelry history, antique jewelry, and contemporary jewelry trends and designs.

American Society of Jewelry Historians
1333 A North Avenue #103
New Rochelle, NY 10804
Phone (914) 235-0983
http://www.jewelryhistorians.org

JA New York Summer Show! Look & Learn!

Discover how social networking can
pave the way to profits for jewelry retailers

DON'T MISS THE FREE 2010 KEYNOTE SESSION
Sunday, July 25 | 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. | America's Best Jewelers Workshop

Twest-ival (n. a gathering of users brought together via Twitter)

Optimizing Social Media for Jewelers !

A revolution in how our culture communicates, the social networking phenomenon is substantially influencing consumer behavior and shopping patterns. Jewelers who have adopted this technology early have positioned their companies to profit. Join in as the entire JA show floor connects to learn how to successfully engage customers on Twitter,Facebook and associated social networks in an interactive, expert-led session. Post to shared sites on live screens while discussing key considerations such as how to define and build your individual network, manage and allocate your time, and set goals and expectations for social networking.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Keynote speakers and see the entire lineup of FREE educational sessions being offered at JA New York Summer Show.

Choices include:

JEWELERS OF AMERICA'S BENCH SUNDAY

CAD/CAM and Your Business – Realistic Expectations and Real World Applications
Presented by Tom Weishaar, JA Certified Master Bench Jeweler, Underwood Jewelers

Hidden Hazards and Unseen Perils – A Jeweler’s Guide to Avoiding Bench Nightmares
Presented by Arthur Skuratowicz, GJG (GIA), President, Jewelry Training Center, Inc.

...and a great selection of Peer Panels:

Peer Panel 1: Social Networking I - Best Practices

Peer Panel 2: Preparing and Positioning for the Rebound

Peer Panel 4: Human Resources Best Practices – Hiring in the Current Market

...and position yourself for the rebounding economy with:

GROW Your Business by Growing Successful Employees
Presented by Cindy Ramsey Chandler, GG, independent educator and consultant

Vintage Buccellatti on Twilight Saga - Eclipse "Black Carpet"

While I was not really wowed by the fashion and jewelry choices from the young stars of the latest of the Twilight series movies - Eclipse, it was interesting to note the presence of some classics.

My favorite were these stunning gold and pearl Buccelatti earrings worn by Ashley Greene with her Alexis Mabille Gown from the 2009 Fall Couture collection. Photo from the Red Carpet Fashion blog coverage of the Eclipse Premiere.

The gown looks a bit like she is modestly holding a sheet up around her...but the earrings are the perfect size for her half up/half down hairstyle and the movement offers a young look!

These earrings were also featured on the blog Timeless Cool and the accompanying photo is from that blog.

I was really hoping to see a younger, edgy-er look from this crowd but I did love Robert Pattinson's Fuschia Gucci suit...now you are going to have to go peek at the full coverage on Red Carpet Fashion.

The London premiere is July 1st - lets hope to see more from this next generation of Hollywood stars...

Once in a Lifetime Jewels at MIKIMOTO New York

Visit MIKIMOTO Fifth Avenue to view a selection of stunning, one-of-a-kind jewels never before seen in the United States.

Showcasing the pinnacle of superior craftsmanship, technical expertise and innovative sensibility of MIKIMOTO's design team, these pieces feature the world’s most beautiful cultured pearls and radiant diamonds positioned in a complex tapestry of organic shapes.

These wearable works of art, Rose Garden and Flowing Tide, are only in the United States for a very limited period of time.

Please call 212.457.4600 to schedule an appointment.

Info reprinted from the Mikimoto newsletter....

Swarovski Says - Shine Like Your Favorite "Sex and the City" Star

Shine like a star with jewellery and accessories inspired by 'Sex and the City 2

With the release of the second film, the world is going crazy with 'Sex and the City' fever. Fans can’t wait to find out what the girls are doing, which men they’re seeing and – most importantly – what they are wearing!

Swarovski crystals were an important part of the actresses’ outfits. Patrica Field, costume designer for the film, says, “Swarovski is great for me from many levels. I love anything that reflects the light and makes everything sparkle. And so I use Swarovski a lot!”

The four main characters might be very different, but they have one thing in common: a fantastic sense of style! Get the look with Swarovski’s jewellery and accessories inspired by the film….

Fashionista...Blonde Bombshell...Uptown Girl...Professional Chic...which one are you? go to the Swarovski website to discover your inner fashion diva...

The Red Carpet...

"The Red Carpet" - the words alone bring to mind visions of privileged people in glamorous gowns draped in diamonds and jewels...we are mesmerized.

For jewelers these are important events - a celebrity in your jewelry on the right "Red Carpet" can be a catalyst in a jewelers career.

...and for some of us it is just mesmerizing to watch all the beauty going down the carpet...and several trends have come off the red carpet. But who has time to look for coverage of each and every Red Carpet Event?! Certainly not me! So I am going to share my favorite coverage of all things "Red Carpet"... Red Carpet Fashion Awards!

Red Carpet Fashion Awards is on every red carpet - everywhere - right now the coverage is Cannes and when I say coverage, this site COVERS it! With shots of the gown from the haute couture runways next to a shot of a star wearing the same gown.

While the site does a fairly good job of covering jewelry (I only wish they posted the Designer names) with closer views and when possible the name of the Designer.

So - lets take a Red Carpet Fashion Awards look at Cannes 2010:

Fan Bingbing in a gold one-sleeved print gown looks to be an update of traditional embroidered oriental gowns with dragons and waves crashing along the hem. She is showing off large glittering earrings with a wide bracelet combo - this is a standard runway look for the last few seasons.

This is a great example of runway to real person - Elie Saab from the runway and on the lovely Helen Mirren - BTW those are Chopard Diamond Cuffs that Helen added to the look.

...Helen Mirren again - she knows how to show the jewels...again in Elie Saab and Chopard, but I thought that you would be excited to see that there have been several necklaces and neckpieces worn at Cannes 2010!

All photos are from the Red Carpet Fashion Awards site and are used here to entice you to click through and check out the daily posts from the Red Carpet events around the world!