Friday, August 31, 2012

AUTUMN RESOLUTION

YOGA

I am starting September 10th; and not just any yoga...

Anti-Gravity Aerial Yoga! at Cool Hot Yoga in Cresskill, NJ.

This unique fusion technique created by Christopher Harris is revolutionary in relieving compressed joints and aligning the body from head to toe using the AntiGravity® Hammock. This soft trapeze supports you while you master simple inversions and progress to more advanced poses.

AntiGravity® Yoga is a fitness regimen designed to increase overall health and physical agility while having fun and creating healthful beauty.

For me, what jumps out in this sentence is "while having fun". As a physical therapist I tell my patients who are bored with their exercise to think of what they enjoyed doing as a child. Chances are, this is something they will still love to do today. I loved riding my bicycle and still do today. Who didn't love the freedom and weightless feeling of a swing? I can't wait to feel weightless in the AntiGravity® Hammock!

A little history...AntiGravity® is an acrobatic aerial performance troupe whose daily workout utilizes the AntiGravity® Hammock. So, this technique was originally created for professional athletes and gymnasts and has been modified and perfected for the everyday athlete.

It is a workout with components borrowed from dance, Pilates and calisthenics, with a focus on realigning you through decompression in the absence of gravity's pull on your joints. AntiGravity® Yoga works to manipulate physics while you relax, breathe, and enjoy.

I wish you could all come with me to Cool Hot Yoga! If you live in Bergen or Rockland County, you should try. They are on Facebook too.

The physical therapist in me cannot resist these benefits (with the added level of fun!)

Aerial Yoga Benefits

Decompress tight joints
Relieving pressure while aligning the vertebrae
Perform advanced yoga inversions without neck or back compression
Hold challenging yoga postures longer and in correct alignment
Stretch further with less strain
Add an entirely new dimension to your Yoga practice
Create better body awareness while increasing overall agility

Find out more about Anti-gravity yoga, and teacher training near you. They are on Facebook and have fantastic content on Youtube.

Recycled Silver, Fair Trade Ruby - Hamsa Modern Heirloom Pendant

I have been busy in the studio this Summer. While on topic, I will show you a few of my Yoga-inspired classic pieces and my new silk wrap bracelets for Fall! I am so excited about them!

They are made with 100% recycled silver, like all of my artisan pieces, and 70" of luxurious hand-dyed silk ribbon to wrap 'round and 'round your wrist.

The Star toggle has a hand inscribed message on the back reminding you to "shine" everyday. For me this means that everyday is another chance to reach my fullest potential. It is a simple word that can be loaded with meaning for its wearer.

And some of my classic Faded Lotus favorites:

This is the back of the reversible pendant below.

I love a captive audience!

To me, Autumn feels like a more natural time to make (and keep) resolutions than New Years. It seems more organic to change as the season changes. Are you making any resolutions? I will let you know how my Anti Gravity adventure is going! I hope you all have a wonderful labor-less Labor Day weekend.

Thank you for reading,
Norah
p.s. leave a comment if you have time, let me know you were here, thanks so much!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Laura Stamper Wearable Art

Laura's Girls


Mother Nature

Welcome to a world of wearable sculpture, where imagination meets art. Each unique piece is crafted from porcelain and gemstones, and set in mixed metals
(sterling silver,fine silver, mokume gane, 18k, 22k and 24k gold).

Girls Just Want to Have Fun Bracelet

For more than 20 years Laura Stamper has created sculpture to wear. If you were lucky enough, you may have stumbled upon her artwork in one of many select galleries and art shows across the country. It is only recently that her pieces are available for viewing and purchase online on Etsy.com and on her website.

In jest, I titled this piece, "Laura's Girls", however, she sculpts and created much more than only women. Her jewelry pieces depicting women in their most feminine form are just some of my favorites.


Marilyn Ring

Laura's evolution

Laura is a studied portrait painter; her first love being painting and illustrating. When approaching a new piece, she thinks in terms of color, composition and negative space. In 1986, the creative process grew to work in clay sculpture and pottery. She dabbled with small pieces of porcelain jewelry, drawing pictures and glazing the miniatures. In 1993, she took the process one step further and sculpted the porcelain to make the jewelry. As the work evolved, so did her desire to work with metal in order to incorporate the porcelain miniatures with other materials.

Aphrodite Art Necklace

The entire process for each piece consists of multiple steps. She sculpts the miniatures in fine porcelain. They are then fired several times in small kilns layering the glazes. When they are finished, they are married with gemstones and other natural materials using fabrication techniques. The metals that used in this process are fine and sterling silver, 18k and 22k gold and 24k gold leaf.

The final result, a breathtaking, miniature piece of wearable art that you will cherish forever.

Long Mermaid Earrings

Here is where Laura will be over the next few months, and a listing of some of her permanent installations:

Port Clinton Art Fair - August 25-26 , Chicago IL  

Lakeview East Art Fair - September 8-9  Chicago IL  http://www.lakevieweastfestivalofthearts.com/ 

 Craftworks at Martha's Vineyard  

Dennison-Moran Gallery in  Naples, FL  

Gusterman's  in Santa Fe, AZ 

RELATED LINKS
www.etsy.com/shop/laurastamperdesigns  The on line store for hand made items   

American Craft

   One at a Time Fine craft catalog of hand made items from around the world.

  http://craftworksgallery.com/

   Dennison Moran Gallery Gallery of fine art and craft. Located on Naples main street: 696 5th avenue South, Naples,FL.   

Designer Jewelry Showcase Annual publication of jewelers for wholesale accounts.

Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-Stamper-Designs

Monday, July 23, 2012

TraceDesigns, Minimalist Sterling Jewelry in the Colors of the Ocean

Robert Pilkington

Since I am writing from the beach today, I thought it would be appropriate to feature some items in the natural hues of the beauty surrounding me.

This and all of Mae Chevrette's mixed media; and original watercolors and prints are featured in the August 2012 issue of O, the Oprah Magazine. The deep ocean colors of this particular print really spoke to me, as well as the quote by Isak Dinesen (pen name of Baroness Karen Blixen.) So much so, that is is now hanging in my home! Find more like this on Etsy.com