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

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

 

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

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

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

Our abode on Apartment Therapy

I'm proud of this Apartment Therapy bit on our home.  We've put a lot of care into it, and (dare I say) I think it shows.  @smithschwartz did a fantasic job.  

 

Beehive makin' with Vanessa!

My friend Vanessa who is an avid urban agriculturalist, came over to the shop recently to make some components for her beehive. I've been learning alot from her about keeping bees (a secret [or not-so-secret] obsession of mine which I hope to do someday, but will take my sweet time learning about first) through working on her hive. 

Here we're making an outer cover for a Langstroth style hive. Can't wait for the honey! 

Felting at Araidia's Studio

Recently, my friend Araidia invited me over for a delicious brunch and a lesson in felting!  It's both simpler and more complicated than I thought.  

For 'wet felting', which is what what we did, first you take small patches of wool, either combed or raw, and arrange them in criss-cross pattern around a form--an upside down bowl, for example.  Once you've reached the desired number of layers (mine has about 4-5) you wet the wool, and using a silky cloth over it (so it doesn't bind to the wool), encourage the fibers to lock together by 'massaging' them.  By continuing to wet the wool (with soapy water to remove the lanolin which is a natural water repellent) the fibers get tighter and tighter, and eventually with no more space left between, create a solid form.  

I was surprised by how seemingly free form it is--that these loose fibers can eventually become so tightly connected to create fabric, or even structural panels, simply by rubbing it with soapy water.  The possibilities seem endless, ranging from this necklace by an Atlanta artist to this Kasakh yurt from Central Asia.

Smith is ruling AT!

Keep your eyes peeled for all the greatness to come from Smith through her new position at Apartment Therapy.  Here's her latest post of J.R. and Todd's lovely loft:

Shop Visit - Jeremiah + Brandon

I visited my friend Jeremiah--who I largely credit with teaching me the fine woodworking skills I know--at the shop he shares with fellow woodworker, Brandon.  They both had some cool projects going, and it was fun hanging out.  Thanks guys!