Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Resolutions & Looking Back: SKIRT with League of Women Designers

I'm skeptical about New Year's resolutions--they are so ripe for falling through--but if I were to decide on one, it would be to communicate better. I want to be an even better listener; and to chose my words wisely to share my story and ideas with confidence and clarity. These are things I'm always trying to improve on, but in the form of a resolution, it is nicely packaged and allows a chance to reflect. 

This brings me to cover some things from this year that I never quite wrapped up. I've been a part of League of Women Designers (LWD Chicago) for almost three years now and I still find--and have always found--it to be a very grounding element of my career and practice. The atmosphere Kari Merkl has created (she started a chapter here in 2011 after moving from Portland) is open, supportive, engaging and dynamic. I gain something personal and professional each time we meet.

Early in 2013 LWD Chicago agreed we should plan an inaugural exhibition introducing the group's work to the city through a centrally themed show, which was also in response to the Portland group's Ruffle show. I spearheaded the organization, and while conceiving of it was greatly influenced by the documentary Makers, and by being a new mother who was balancing family and career. I was interested in understanding the sentiments of these women, to see how they were affected--adversely or not, privately or overtly--by being a women in their profession. I chose the word SKIRT, as the title of the show, a catalyst for creative thought, and to which each artist or designer would react to while creating their piece. Skirt, with its multiple meanings, allowed the artists/ designers to address women's issues or not. Are we 'skirting' around the fact that many professions are still male-dominated? Do we want to talk about it? Are we 'skirting' the topic of feminism? How does this manifest physically? How does one material 'skirt' around another? These were the some of the questions I wanted to address. 


The exhibition ran from June 15 - July 27th, 2013 and was held at Manifold gallery and workshop. It featured 13 members of the group, from various disciplines: graphic design, fashion design, furniture design and fine art. What resulted was a wide ranging approach in various mediums, expressing both sides of a coin: masculine and feminine, delicate and strong, understated and bold. An essay by Chicago based lifestyle writer Lauren Viera accompanied the exhibition. Participating artists included:

Heather Anderson  
Araidia Blackburn               
Bridgette Buckley
Stephanie Cobb                  
Jennifer Farrell
Elizabeth Fiersten
Eve Fineman                                   
Jamie Hayes
Kari Merkl                 
Donna Piacenza                 
Linda Pulik   
Catherine McCulloch

Heather Mullins


Jamie Hayes, Skant

Exhibition view

(L to R) Eve Fineman, A-line Stool; Stephanie Cobb, Double Slit; Kari Merkl, Holder
(L to R) Araidia Blackburn, Organza Half Slip; Catherine McCulloch, Table Skirt; Heather Mullins, Voids of our Blue Bin System
Elizabeth Fiersten, Fringe Pendant Lights

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Wood Works at Columbia College's A+D Gallery

I am part of a great group show at Columbia College's A+D Gallery, which opens tonight. I'm showing my latest Tablestool, alongside fresh new photo documentation which includes a family portrait. Sneak peak below. 
 
619 S. Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

November 14- December 14, 2013
Opening Reception: November 14, 2013, 5-8 PM

Friday, June 7, 2013

SKIRT at MANIFOLD - Opening, June 15th, 6-9pm

 

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Sweet Molasses...

...has officially launched!  A dear friend has started up a beautiful online store and I'm honored to be included among some very talented artists!  If you are in need of some kitchen wares or gifts, please peruse their new site. Well, have a look even if you're not.  

Sweet Molasses

Good luck ladies! 

Wine bag, photo (c) Sweet Molasses
4 Square Coaster, photo (c) Sweet Molasses

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Library Ladder Totem in the Round

A sneak peak at the project I'm working on for an upcoming exhibition at MANIFOLD. It's a group show of members of the newly formed Chicago chapter of League of Women Designers founded by Kari Merkl of Merkled Studio in 2009 in Portland. 

Details to follow...


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Walls

"The openness of everything can be paralyzing, and it is human nature to look for walls and barriers to push against. Walls help us to know where we are, and what we have; once recognized, we can then begin our work of flourishing and creating within them."- Scott Campbell

Friday, May 3, 2013

Thanks for the love!

Chicago Home + Garden's blog Domestica did a nice post about the Tablestool last week.  

Check it out here!


Friday, April 26, 2013

Sweet Molasses

I am excited to begin offering my wine bags and coasters through a new Los Angeles based online retailer, Sweet Molasses. They are specializing in artist-made home accessories, centered around the kitchen and cooking. Currently they are building their inventory and website--stay tuned!

Getting the shipment ready

Its arrival in LA! © Sweet Molasses
 

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Home, home on the studio range

The last 20 months have been a wild ride for me, in all positive ways.  I frequently feel awash in gratitude for everything that's come my way--marriage, baby, a growing list of fantastic partners and clients.  

The most recent addition to this whirlwind is the house my husband and I bought!  We waited 7 months for our deal to go through--a short sale, that wasn't--but now we're in and I've moved the studio once again to come live with us. It was a tough decision to leave my current and relatively new studio, but it became clear that it would be redundant to stay.  Close ties still remain to Manifold and Merkled nevertheless!

The new challenge is creating BB | Studio's new home in our attic. Here's how it looks today (while my 'office' remains at the kitchen table :). The only thing we've touched so far is tearing out the carpet.
I'm so excited to see it evolve and grow. 



Friday, December 7, 2012

Accessibles at Manifold - Opening December 8, 3pm-8pm

In honor of the holiday season, Manifold is hosting a show and sale of locally designed and produced accessories. The title of the show, ACCESSIBLES, refers to a simple premise: to design, create, and present items for sale at $150 and under. 

This is a special opportunity to purchase work from gallery artists and designers who, in many cases, do not focus their professional practice on designing inexpensive items. Featuring work by local furniture makers, product designers, sculptors, and artists, this sale’s unique collection includes vessels, audible wall art, candleholders, letterpress prints, hand-turned ornaments, bags, dining table décor, steel bookends, and more.

December 8 - December 21, 2012
Opening Reception: Saturday, December 8, 3 – 8pm


Manifold
4426 N. Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640 
www.manifoldchicago.com


 

New Products!

I've been busy working on some new items that will debut at a holiday sale starting tomorrow (more info on that to follow).  Using scrap fabric and leather, I've developed a coaster set, and a leather 'tray'.  Both products offer a bit of protection for your fine furniture.  

The coasters are leather on one side and wool on the other which you can flip depending on what surface you use them on: fabric goes down for wood; leather goes down for metal, glass or stone. 

The leather tray isn't for carrying, but for resting.  It's a place to throw your keys, put your sunglasses, wallet or coffee, without worrying about damaging the table surface.  It's reversible and available in one or two-tone.








Wednesday, October 10, 2012

More wine bags

'Tis the season for gatherings and gift giving, so naturally I'm making more wine bags.  They are all limited run, made of remnant fabric and leather, and really make the perfect host/ hostess gift--with a bottle of wine in it of course!  

Below are some process shots, an image of some new colors I'm offering, and how a bottle looks all dressed up in one of these.  

They are available here:
Haymaker and SMALL

 

Monday, September 24, 2012

Building a canopy

Over this past Labor Day weekend some very dear friends of mine got married, and I had the honor and privilege of creating the chuppah to be used during the wedding ceremony.  This special element covers the couple as they exchange their nuptial vows, and is a symbol of the home they will share together.  

Using a tone-on-tone linen combination, I created a pattern inspired by the Linden tree, which I repeated and sewed on as an applique.  I consider the Linden tree to symbolize strength, resilience and plenitude--all things I wish for the newlyweds in their future together!  I also wanted the piece to come alive when the light came through and since their wedding was on the beach, it provided a great opportunity.  The piece not only created a fabric canopy (the home), but a tree-like canopy (nature) as well, connecting the indoors with outdoors.

We will be working together to transform it into an item they can use everyday in their home.  

Mazel Tov to the newlyweds!  Wishing them many years of health and happiness.






Test piece using cutouts.




Linen gets really wrinkly when you work with it.

  
Wedding photos by Shauneen Weininger


Thursday, August 30, 2012

Thornberry, R&D at MANIFOLD

This past March I was in a group show, R&D at MANIFOLD curated by Britton Bertran (full disclosure: he's also this guy).  It was the first exhibition of the work of Thornberry, a collective founded in 2009 which includes Philip von Zweck, Kevin Jennings and myself, dedicated to producing the world’s finest doorstops.  We showed our inaugural doorstop, Model A, in carrara marble, porcelain and wenge.   
R&D, 2012, installation view
photo (c) MANIFOLD 2012

Thornberry, Model A, carrara marble, 2012
photo (c) MANIFOLD 2012

Thornberry, Model A, porcelain, 2012
photo (c) MANIFOLD 2012
Thornberry, Model A, wenge, 2012
photo (c) MANIFOLD 2012

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Bridgette Buckley Studio at MANIFOLD

In the Fall of 2011 I moved my office and workshop into MANIFOLD (formerly metal+works) run by Elizabeth and Ross Fiersten.  Kari Merkl of Merkled also has her studio in the space.  It's been a fantastic experience sharing space, resources and ideas. 

Come by to check out the storefront gallery or just to say hi! 
4426 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640




Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Pillow Talk at Peregrine Program

Last November I was a part of a fantastic group show at a really wonderful gallery in Garfield Park in Chicago, Peregrine Program.  I created two new pieces for the show, which illustrate a direction I'd like to explore further in my work.  It was great to work with Edmund Chia who runs the space, and Stevie and Natalie, the organizers.  Details below.

Pillow Talk
curated by Stevie Greco and Natalie Schuh 

Essay and catalog here.

PEREGRINEPROGRAM
Nov 12, 2011 - Dec 10, 2011
Bridgette Buckley, Joe Cassan, Todd Mattei, Danielle Paz

Pillow Talk, 2011, installation view
photo (c) Edmund Chia/ Peregrine Program, 2011


Pillow Talk, 2011, installation view
photo (c) Edmund Chia/ Peregrine Program, 2011

Bridgette Buckley, Negotiating Blanket, 2011
remnant luxury upholstery fabric, birch plywood, twill tape, 48" x 48"
photo (c) Edmund Chia/ Peregrine Program, 2011

Bridgette Buckley, Strings Attached, 2011
remnant luxury upholstery fabric, pine wood, parachute cord,
aluminum, electrical components, 36" x 17" x 17"
photo (c) Edmund Chia/ Peregrine Program, 2011