hand henna

just a few nights ago i had the pleasure of offering henna at the ‘art kharma’ silent auction event held by art180.

the event took place at plant zero in richmond, and brought in local artists, volunteers, and supportive community to help raise funds for an amazing organization.

i found the folks there to be thrilled over having henna done – and many of them let me improvise! it’s always a treat when a person is so excited about having me do their henna that they let me make something up. unfortunately, my camera batteries died just before i set up, and so i don’t have any pictures from the evening. if any of you reading had henna done, please send pictures! i’d be happy to credit you when i post them on the site.

despite the lack of pictures, the henna was prolific, and by the end of the evening i was able to donate over $100 to the organization.

i do have a picture of the henna that i did on my hand for the evening, and i’ll post that later today. i guess this just means i’ll have to do more henna so i can give you new pictures to look at =)

Lilith, by Clayrew

One of a kind fiber arts are not something I set out to find, but somehow (and I’m not sure exactly how), I came upon this amazing artisan, Robin E. Whiteman of Clayrew (etsy), who makes unique, one of a kind fiber art pieces, such as this lovely rendition of Lilith with her animal familiar, the owl. Lilith, the inspiration for my business, has a magical aura about her, just as Robin’s artworks do. I wanted to share her work with my readers, as this time of year I tend to blog a bit more about amazing material finds and one of a kind wonders. Robin’s pieces include fiber and ceramic sculptures seemingly drawn from Jungian psychology, the archaeology of Marija Gambutas, who pioneered the concept of goddess religions pre-dating patriarchal religions and culture in human history, bits of human artifact (such as leather from crete) and her own intuitively creative inspiration and sculptural musings.

Fetish 1

For instance, the Fetish 1 piece, pictured here, is at first glace a representation of fetishes favored by paleolithic and early neolithic cultures, but a closer examination reveals a face emerging from the belly of the female form, a surprising revelation that lends further mystery to the piece.

Dark Goddess

I also love her ceramic Dark Goddess, a piece that I would love to have in my fantasy home, one with hallways with quiet niches where such pieces could be properly and reverantly placed. The Dark Goddess is coated in bronze encaustic wax, a material favored by Jasper Johns that has always fascinated me as a material I would love to work with. Encaustic provides a textural effect that adds another dimension to two-dimensional art, such as many of Johns’ paintings. In this piece, the bronze encaustic on ceramic provides a sense of ‘the ancient’ (that ellusive, undefinable ‘ancient’ that we can’t even really pinpoint except in the minds of Jung and in the texts of myth) that gives it the not-quite-tangible aura of an artifact of an ancient goddess religion. Just the kind of chills I love to get from a material object. Maybe this is why I married an archaeologist. Hmmmm

“My strength is my confidence,” said Zubaida Nizam, an artisan with Ankur Kala in Kolkata, India. Nizam has worked with Ankur Kala for the past nine years, primarily creating the tie-dye scarves that are Ankur Kala’s specialty.

Nizam grew up in a conservative Muslim family in Kolkata. Her father was paralyzed and unable to work. Her mother struggled to raise Zubaida and her siblings almost singlehandedly, working in a plastics factory. When the children were small, she often brought work home.

Nizam received training from Ankur Kala in the art of scarf making. She learned the basic skills through a two-year junior level training, followed by a senior level training in which she learned about budgeting, costing, quality control and leadership. Nizam has also benefited from other holistic programs of Ankur Kala such as meditation and yoga, and through attending seminars and exhibitions.

Nizam stressed the importance of quality control. “It’s extremely important to concentrate, and make sure that the final product is perfect,” she said. As tie-dye is a laborious process requiring much skill, she has also learned the art of patience as she struggles to get the right colors and shades. In the midst of the monsoon season, she needs to wait long hours for the scarves to dry, so that the next color can be added. “This has taught me to be patient and persevering,” she said.

Coming from a poor family, and being the eldest, Nizam is extremely concerned about her young brother and sisters, wanting to ensure that they receive a good education. She is able to do this through her earnings from making scarves. Ultimately she hopes to teach batik and tie-dye to other poor women, so that they too can earn a good living.

Ankur Kala’s name means “a seedling of art.” The center provides self-employment to destitute women who are victims of exploitation, by helping them produce and sell tailored articles, batik and tie-dye handicrafts and food products. Both the tailoring and catering units are geared to the local market, while the textile unit sells products locally as well as abroad. Basic education like reading, writing, simple accounting and business skills are taught, so that after training the women can successfully run their own small-scale businesses. Ankur Kala also makes the women aware of the social problems women face, in the form of a theater where the women perform, and in discussions. Ankur Kala has also been reaching out to women in villages for the prevention of trafficking of vulnerable young girls. An Ankur Kala team has been networking with these women through existing organizations, to teach them skills such as tailoring and kitchen gardening. It is founder Annie Joseph’s dream that each of the women will live the values of Ankur Kala and sow fresh seeds of hope, integrity and inspiration among others.

Ankur Kala was started in 1982 by Annie Joseph, a social worker inspired by her work with Mother Theresa and with the Taizé community in France. She established Ankur Kala to help poor and destitute women become economically self-reliant and stand up for their rights with dignity.

Ten Thousand Villages purchases tie-dye textiles from Ankur Kala, and has purchased products from the group since 1990.

Tie-dyed cotton scarf, India, $34.00

The Crew must say that we are really feeling these simple, but very creative shades.  SUPER’s now classic Flat Top is completely covered in Black Leather, hand crafted by a skilled Italian artisan. Tightly wrapped in top notch Italian leather, this exclusive piece will be online for a restricted time; from the 3rd of December until the 10th.

via Highsnobiety.

$50 for jewelry?

Kick off the season with a chance to win FREE jewelry!

From November 30-December 6th, enter to win a $50 Gift Card from Brilliance Found. Get started on your holiday shopping or celebrate yourself with all the latest styles from Brilliance Found.

And best of all? Every person can enter up to three times. Here’s how:

1) Fill out this form to enter

2) Post a picture of you wearing your Brilliance Found jewelry on our facebook fan page

3) Purchase any item from Brilliance Found and receive an automatic extra vote! (*Lethbridge Christmas Craft Fair Attendees: If you purchased from our booth at the show, simply mention this on your form & receive your free vote!)

IMPORTANT! Your additional votes for notes 2 & 3 will be added automatically by me; you do not need to fill out the entry form more than once. Repeated entries via this form constitutes abuse & may result in your enteries being disqualified. Thanks.

In my fifty-something years of gift-giving, I recall many a holiday season or special occasion, traipsing about malls or specialty shops looking for that special gift that was just right. Often, my mind’s eye even had a vision of what I was looking for. Eventually, I typically tired of the quest and settled for something that was “available”. In this article, I offer an alternative to “settle for what they have” and encourage you to seek out a craft professional to create your vision.

My most recent experience was my wife’s last birthday. She loves doves. You know; the birds. I had in mind to buy her a crystal dove she could admire on her desk at home. I visited all the department stores and special shops I could find throughout most of the day. I found several crystal figures; none of which were bird-like, and finally gave in to a crystal butterfly.

The next time I know what I want; I’ll follow my own advice and look for an artisan to craft my vision. Since everyone’s “gift vision” is different, it might not always be easy to find a professional to craft your gift locally. Well, that’s why Al Gore invented the internet. Oops, lost half of you? Seriously, there are likely to be at least dozens of craft professionals for any gift type you are considering, on the internet.

Let me give you one example where you can find a large variety of artisans; that is, custom crafted pens. Sure, you can go to your local Hallmark store and probably find a nice variety. But, if you really want to make an impression, explore some of the many internet sites by typing in something like “wood pens”, “custom pens”, or “exotic pens” into your favorite search engine.

Sites vary in terms of models and material options offered. The best of them will offer various models within the major categories of ball point pens, roller ball pens, fountain pens, and even pencils. Look at the detail page of offerings that appeal to you and be sure the model is offered with a variety of body material options. Some may offer various wood species or synthetic materials. By combining the category, model, and material selection, you should be able to find a selection that matches your “gift vision”.

The custom crafted pen is but one example of gift ideas that can be crafted to order. If you need some inspiration, type in “gift” or “gifts” into your search engine to find sites that will provide categories of gift ideas. You will find a variety of categories such as gender, occasion, age, etc. Once you settle on an item type, imagine what you would like your gift to be like. Would you change the color, or maybe the material it is made from? What would make it just perfect for the recipient you have in mind?

Now that you have developed your “gift vision”, type in the key words that will lead you to your custom crafter. If your vision is a crystal dove, like my introductory example, the words “custom crafted crystal dove” should do the trick.

As you explore the various sites, you can tell a lot by the presentation of the site itself. Is the site visually appealing? Is it easy to navigate? Does it offer security endorsements and a secure server for payments? Positive answers to these questions are likely to reflect well on the character and attention to detail the artisan provides in their product. Just remember. There’s more to consider than just whether a nice photo is displayed and the options you want are available.

Make you next gift-giving experience truly personal and rewarding by having your vision crafted. In review, the simple steps are:

(1) Imagine your gift in your mind’s eye

(2) Refine the details

(3) Search the internet for potential artisans

(4) and critically review the web sites and the product you are searching for. Once you have tried this approach to finding a gift, I think you might adopt it as a favorite.

Tom Herzer is the owner of HerzerCraft in Beaverton, Oregon. HerzerCraft specializes in custom crafted, exotic wood pens, pencils, and unique gift items. Crafted gifts can be selected from the gallery of completed offerings or selected as crafted-to-order from a large variety of exotic woods and component plating. You are invited to visit HerzerCraft at: http://herzercraft.com/

Plusieurs livres ne suffiraient pas à décrire la variété, la complexité et le raffinement des ningyô, ces poupées qui sont au Japon bien plus que de simples jouets ou souvenirs. Petite évocation succincte de ce vaste champ artistique ancestral.

Une origine spirituelle

Le conte de GENJI mentionne déjà la fonction religieuse et talismanique de la poupée aux environs de l’an 1000 : agamatsu (une simple croix en bambou avec une tête en tissu) ou hoko (une poupée de chiffon) placées près du nouveau né, sont sensées écarter de lui les mauvais esprits. Il semble également que certaines poupées (kokeshi ⁽¹⁾ en particulier) aient été réalisées pour honorer la mémoire d’enfants disparus (fausse couche, avortement, famine, maladie …).

La « mission » religieuse de l’objet s’illustre particulièrement dans la coutume des nagashi-bina (de simples figurines en papier ou en paille) qui consiste, le troisième jour du troisième mois, à frotter la poupée sur soi (ou à souffler sur elle) afin qu’elle s’imprègne des actes néfastes de l’année écoulée, puis à la jeter à la rivière (ou à la placer sur un petit bateau qui dérivera au loin) afin qu’elle emmène les péchés commis.

Dans le même esprit, les daruma ⁽²⁾ sont achetés en début d’année pour donner courage : un œil est alors peint pour symboliser l’objectif à atteindre, l’autre le sera quand la réalisation sera accomplie. A la fin de l’année, le daruma est brûlé pour évoquer la destruction des péchés et actes moralement répréhensibles de la période écoulée.

Deux journées particulières …

Si rien n’interdit d’acquérir ou d’offrir des ningyô tout au long de l’année, deux événements impliquent particulièrement les poupées :

Le jour des filles, également appelé festival de la pêche car célébrant l’éclosion des fleurs de pêcher (momo no sekku), reprend depuis le XVII^ème siècle le rite de purification précédemment évoqué.  Célébré le 3^ème jour du 3^ème mois, Il est l’occasion d’offrir et d’exposer les poupées, en particulier les hina ⁽³⁾.

Le jour des garçons, également appelé festival de l’iris (tango no sekku), est célébré le 5^ème jour du 5^ème mois, l’iris étant utilisé pour purifier les foyers et sa feuille en forme de lame évoquant les armes … d’où les figurines et instruments de combat (casques, sabres …) comme cadeaux. On offre particulièrement des poupées musha représentent des guerriers à cette occasion.

…Et de nombreuses autres occasions.

Au-delà de ces deux évènements, les ningyô participent de l’importance du cadeau dans la culture nipponne et tous types de poupées sont offerts selon les occasions : naissance (présentoir escalier pour accueillir une collection de hina ⁽³⁾), mariage ou anniversaire de mariage (on offrira typiquement le couple de vieillards «Jotomba», kokeshi ⁽¹⁾ symbolisant la longévité), etc. …

Le cadeau d’entreprise est également friand de poupées et il est fréquent qu’une compagnie offre à l’occasion d’une journée commémorative, d’un séminaire ou d’une visite de délégation, une ou plusieurs ningyô à ses invités (il est à remarquer que des entreprises japonaises implantées en France développent actuellement les mêmes pratiques auprès de leurs agents ou partenaires).

Issue de la tradition religieuse ou folklorique populaire, la poupée japonaise a également une vocation de souvenir régional c’est particulièrement le cas pour la kokeshi ⁽¹⁾ dont les variétés sont si nombreuses que leur collection est infinie.

Les ningyô dans le foyer japonais

Comme beaucoup d’autres expressions artistiques japonaises, les poupées ne sont pas nécessairement appelées à durer et certaines se conserveront mieux que d’autres. Ceci n’empêche nullement la transmission de génération en génération et dans une maison japonaise, le tokonoma ou espace rotatif destiné à l’exposition de deux ou trois « trésors » familiaux sera souvent orné de très belles hakata ⁽⁴⁾ ou kimekomi ⁽⁵⁾ , voire parfois d’une rare et très onéreuse karakuri ⁽⁶⁾.

D’autres poupées détenues par la famille seront soigneusement entreposées dans des coffrets appropriés, pour en être sorties et exposées à l’occasion des deux évènements annuels évoqués plus haut, de la même façon que les santons prennent le chemin des crèches occidentales à Noël …

Les poupées kokeshi : un artisanat ancien …

S’il existe des ateliers de production de ningyô dans tout le Japon, la région d’origine est historiquement celle du Tohoku (Nord-est du Japon) où les kokeshi ⁽¹⁾ étaient fabriquées par des artisans vers le milieu de la période Edo (1603-1867). Ceux-ci (Kiji-Shi) vivaient à proximité des stations thermales et étaient initialement des fabricants de vaisselle et ustensiles de cuisine en bois.

De nos jours, on distingue deux sortes de kokeshi ⁽¹⁾ : Les « traditionnelles » (Dento) ont comme caractéristiques un corps cylindrique sans membre et une tête sphérique qui leur donnent une apparence de quille. La plus grande partie de ces poupées sont produites dans la

région de Tohoku. Les kokeshi « modernes » ou « créatives » (Shingata) ont quant à elles vu le jour après la seconde guerre mondiale et leurs créateurs ont une totale liberté dans les formes, dessins et couleurs. Elles sont principalement produites dans la région de Gumma.

La production des kokeshi ⁽¹⁾ est essentiellement réalisée par des petites manufactures dont certaines sont familiales et réunissent trois générations dans les ateliers. Il est assez courant que des artisans « associés » à l’atelier travaillent à leur domicile pendant les soirées d’hiver et fournissent leur production à la manufacture qui commercialisera leurs réalisations.

… Et des artistes primés

Si chaque kokeshi ⁽¹⁾ a son charme et si certaines sont plus valorisées que d’autres (choix des bois utilisés, gravure et peinture plus élaborées …), la notoriété de l’artiste créateur est également un élément d’appréciation. Chaque automne, un concours annuel met ainsi en compétition des « maîtres kokeshi » dont les meilleurs sont récompensés par des institutions régionales ou nationales (dont un prix attribué par le premier ministre). Les artisans primés acquièrent ainsi une notoriété qui les autorise à signer leurs réalisations.

Comme précédemment indiqué, cette évocation des ningyô est loin d’être exhaustive et n’a pas vocation à traiter le sujet dans son ensemble, tant celui-ci est vaste. Ceci étant, le nombre des collectionneurs croissant (particulièrement, en France, pour ce qui est des kokeshi ⁽¹⁾), il paraissait utile de résumer en quelques mots un aspect de la culture Japonaise associant harmonieusement la sagesse de l’inspiration spirituelle, la force de la tradition et la beauté de l’achèvement esthétique.

Sheffield-themed festive gifts

Stuck for a Christmas gift ideas? This list collects together some of the most popular Sheffield-themed merchandise from the last few months.

• Pub maps
  

Explore the drinking dens of the city with this pub stops of Sheffield map by John Coates. It is designed in the style of the famous Henry Beck London underground tube map, which like a circuit diagram, focuses on the order of the locations instead of their exact geographic proximity. Available in mouse mat and poster versions, the designated coloured routes make for all sorts of interesting pub crawl variations. Or if you fancy an alternative pub crawl compass, then you could also try the heritage pub crawl map that you may have seen displayed in various local pubs.

Buy: Sheffield scene shop on Surrey street | zazzle.co.uk (for just the tube map)

Pub stops of Sheffield mouse mat and poster

Sheffield heritage pub crawl

• Something Hendo’s-inspired

Is there a better way to impress people when they come over for tea this Christmas than with some Hendo’s-themed memorabilia? There are plenty of options available to help celebrate the city’s favourite condiment: one litre bottles of relish, aprons, illustration prints from Jim Connolly and Kid Acne and if you really want to splash out, a limited-edition set of silver accessories. The final option is a very long-lasting Hendo’s-themed gift that a bride bought her groom as a wedding present…

Buy: Various locations | madeinsheffield.com | archipelago-art.co.uk | kateyfelton.com

Katey Felton's limited edition Henderson's relish silver accessories

• Sheffield illustrations

As well as the Hendo’s prints mentioned above, there are plenty of other local-themed illustrations available. Obviously Pete McKee is one of the most well known (don’t forget his Children’s hospital 2009 Christmas card) and Jim Connolly’s Sheffield superheros screen prints are also popular. The treasured Rare & racy shop on Devonshire street has various other prints, including Jonathan Wilkinson’s excellent We live here series of defining but less-celebrated Sheffield landmarks including the wedding cake, Park hill, the Roxy and the egg box.

Buy: Rare & racy | therealmckee.co.uk | archipelago-art.co.uk | welivehere.co.uk

• Charity voucher book

I’ve already written a post about this charity voucher book, but the premise is simple: spend £50 on a book of local vouchers that includes £1,000-worth of savings. And £15 from every one sold goes to charity. You won’t get round to using them all but after using three within the first month I had made my money back and of course have got a whole load more bargains to look forward to. Be quick though, as most of the vouchers expire in August 2010 so the longer you leave it the harder it will be to cram them in.

Buy: Shop on corner of Pinstone street and Cambridge street | charityunleashed.co.uk

Charity unleashed Sheffield voucher book shop

• Victorian map of Sheffield

People from Sheffield love old Sheffield stuff and this map shows the city in 1849 as ‘a pleasant and organised town…relatively spared the ravages of the early unplanned industrialisation’. One for the toilet door?

Buy: Cheapest from Sheffield scene shop on Surrey street | victoriantownmaps.co.uk

• Cooling towers memorabilia

The Cooling towers shop may have been and gone but the Tinsley towers still hold a dear place in the heart for many people and befittingly there are still plenty of souvenirs available by which to remember them. Why not start with this matt photo print from RPG Photo and also these mugs from artist/designer Alice Skelton?

Buy: rpgphoto.co.uk | Mugs available from aliceskelton.com and the Bessimer gallery in the Winter garden

Cooling towers print from RPG Photography

• Pop books and shop books

There are a couple of Sheffield-related books with a nostalgic tinge that have been published in time for Christmas. Neil Anderson’s Take it to the Limit explores the late 70s and early 80s music scene through the eyes of the Limit nightclub, or Sheffield’s Hacienda as it was know by some. More pop music nostalgia can be found in artist Martin Bedford’s Up against the wall, a book collecting together some of his famous Leadmill posters that he produced to promote visiting bands in the 1980s and 1990s. And starkly contrasting with the city centre that we know today, the Shopaholics guide to 1970s Sheffield looks back to a time when town was the major shopping destination of the north.

Buy: Local bookshops | amazon.co.uk

Sheffield pop and shopping books

• I love Sheffield eco bag

Julia Gash bought this local variation of the I love New York design to Sheffield a couple of years ago. She was previously involved with the (now closed) Gash shop on Devonshire street but has since set up a business selling eco bags and the I love Sheffield one has been a huge hit, as you can guess from the frequency that you see them around town. They continue to be particularly popular with students and it looks like some variations on the original design are now available, too.

Buy: Various locations including the Sheffield university students’ union studio shop

• A piece of history
  

The crucible is due to reopen imminently and the theatre’s new carpet is apparently inspired by the distinctive 1970s design of the original. The theatre has been selling off pieces of the old carpet to raise money and at the last count a few of them were still available.

Buy: Sheffield theatres

The Crucible carpet: old (left) and new (right)

• Food discount card
  

The city may still be up-and-coming in the culinary stakes but progress is slowly being made and there are now some good places to eat out. Chef Richard Smith is the man behind many of the area’s more impressive restaurants and his relax, eat and drink privilage card could be just the gift for a foodie friend or loved one. You get £50-worth of restaurant vouchers, a £25 bottle of champagne, a free meal on your birthday, money off every other meal, free tea and coffees and more. At £100 it isn’t cheap, but when you remember that his restaurants include Artisan, the Cricket inn, the excellent-value Canteen and the imminent Spice market cafe on Ecclesall road, it won’t even take a meal out at each before you earn your money back.

Buy: relaxeatanddrink.com

Has anyone got any more present recommendations?

In my very humble opinion, there are few places in this world more delightful than Serenbe. Located just south of Atlanta, the community was build as an organic farm with green-space galore and the most whimsical little town you could ever imagine.

I am so delighted to share that IceMilk Aprons has partnered with our newest Gourmet Retailer, Harris & Clark – a “thoughtful grocery & food school” located in the heart of the Serenbe community. Founded by Anissa & James Harris, the duo aims to provide a nostalgic & local Southern fare of artisan products within their quaint market space.

From pear butter and pickled peaches, to Farmer D’s organic compost, fabulous loaves of crusty bread, the most beautiful local honey you’ve seen, farm fresh eggs & local cheeses, and of course – IceMilk Aprons. They have so many wonderful cooking school events that are hosted there at Harris & Clark, partnering with local folks to help bring some gourmet learnings & good times.

Spending the late afternoon with Anissa & James was such a wonderful experience and I’m thrilled to be a part of what they have created with their shop. Stay tuned for a special “Heirloom Travel” post on Serenbe, but in the meantime be sure to go out for a visit and explore all there is to love about this little place lost in time.

Sol Cubano Artisan

Ring Gauge: 7.1 x 58 (Salomon)

Tobacco: Connecticut, Habano and Broad-leaf Maduro Wrapper with Honduras and Nicaragua aged long-fillers.

Bought: November 11th 2009

Smoked November 19th 2009

Price: about $22.00 per stick, though can be found on sale at various places.

Beverage: Guinness

Smoke Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (+ or -)

Initial Thoughts:

When I selected this cigar from my humidor I noticed that it has a nice firm feel. The cigar was smooth (without prominent veins) and consistent color. What? Oh – the elephant in the room… This cigar boasts three different wrappers which are swirled together to produce a work of art.  This cigar is produced by the Oliva Family at their Esteli Nicaraguan factory.  The cigar’s shape is called a Salomons and therefore the ring gauge changes from a thick foot to a narrow head. The quality of construction is apparent and no flaws detected.  My only concern is that at $22.00 a stick this better be one hell of a smoke, but based on what I know about Oliva I am not too worried.

The first few draws and burning even.

The Smoke…

With the cap cut off I took in a nice cold draw. Smoothness and a hint of raisins were detected. The cold draw was not as stiff as you would expect from a capped foot. The nub foot took a light very well and the first hot draw was very rich and smooth. Even though this cigar has a lot of different tobacco going on, the flavors seem to blend very well.  As the main part of the foot began to light heavy smoke was produced from the draws. However, the aroma was rich and well balanced.  The cigar began to burn nice and even.

Flavors of caramel and cocoa were detected in about the first 25% of the smoke.  This cigar is heavy and full-body but not overpowering. It is not an 800 pound ape that is wild but has a smooth elegant character.  As we transition from Maduro to Habano the flavor and body for the most part remains unchanged. Smooth caramel continues to be present.

Burn at 30 minutes

At 30 minutes the cigar is still burning even and the flavors continue to complement each other very well.  No construction flaws or wrapper malfunctions have occurred which based on the complexity of this cigar is amazing and a testament to its construction quality.  During retro-hale some pepper started popping in the nose. Though no real spice or pepper has developed on the tongue yet.

Burn at 60 minutes

Between 45 and 60 minutes the first ash fell off. Up until that point the ash was a nice firm gray. The burn continues to even.  The taste is about the same and still no malfunctions in the wrapper.  No harshness or bitterness has been detected.  The burn continues to be even and no relights or corrections have been needed.   One thing that strikes me over and over again is how they were able to get all the wrapper leaves so smooth. A true work of art and craftsmanship.

As the smoke continued past 60 minutes I noticed a sliver of the Maduro wrapper started to separate.  Not much of it, just a sliver. This was somewhat of a blessing in disguise as it allowed me to see how this thing was constructed.  It appears that the Maduro wrapper is cut thinly and wrapped around the Habano wrapper. So the Maduro wrapper is the top wrapper and is wrapped around the Habano wrapper. Though the transition and blend is so flawless it appears during the pre-smoke that the two are somehow layed into each other.  The flavor continues to please, though the draw has tightened up a little, my guess as the ring gauge is decreasing the tobacco is becoming more compact.

Burn at 90 minutes

At 90 minutes a spicy flavor has set in. The draw continues to be very tight and the burn has started to become slightly uneven.

Overall, the cigar only ashed three times. The draw changes significantly during the course of the smoke. The flavors continue to be smooth and spice sets in as the smokes gets closer to the head. I have read some reviews that have found bitterness on the finish. I found no such bitterness though a couple of draws produced enough spice to really hit the lips. I wouldn’t say it was unpleasant, but at times the spice was a little overpowering.

At $22.00 a stick this cigar is expensive. If you can find it on sale then buy some! Luckily, I have a few extras and will place them in long-term storage to see how the cigar ages.

The Results are in!

A very well made and unique cigar! Try one!

Rating: Excellent!

• Artisan Craft Distilling Workshops begin December 4th.
• Visit our website www.artisancraftdistilling.spruz.com
• There are only a few spot left.  Reserve yours today! 509.793.2374 or cbisinfo@bigbend.edu
• Moses Lake, WA
• Also available online!
• Brandy, Whiskey, Vodka, Gin… learn all about the business right here!

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Walking the beach daily allows me to see the dramatic way the sunlight effects the tall grasses along the shore.

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Mid day sun in a partially cloudy sky give these grasses a neutral beige and pale gold color

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A late day setting sun turns these grasses into bright yellows which stand out beautifully against the dark waters of the Bay. Look at the long shadows.

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The early rising sun sets these grasses a glow, the reflection of the sun off the snow adds to the brightness of the yellows. Also, check out those purple shadows!

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In the summer the grasses are a rich green. The lack of sunlight, because the sun has just set, give these grasses a deep uniform color.

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A touch of green is starting to show as the new grasses begin to grow in early spring. This is before the sunrise therefore there is not much lighting on the grasses.

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With the sun’s rays reflecting on the water, the grasses are dark sillouittes  standing tall along the water’s edge.

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There is much to see and the viewing changes daily here on the water. I find so may sights I want to paint, so many colors I want to recreate with my paints.  Living here on Long Islands south shore has changed the way I see the world, so has being as artist.

Find and see the beauty around you.

Paint with Me

Der mehrfach preisgekrönte Hamburger Koch Thorsten Gillert werkelt sonst in seinem Restaurant Artisan, serviert den besten Mittagstisch der Stadt mit hausgemachten Bratwürsten in seiner Bude I und unterhält neuerdings auch die Oberhafenkantine. Mit den Hamburger Literaten Gunter Gerlach und Alexander Posch teil er seine Liebe zum warmem, selbstgemachtem Brot. Am kommenden Sonntag erklärt und zeigt Thorsten Gillert wie es entstehen kann und während das Brot im Ofen seiner Vollendung entgegen backt, seinen Duft verströmt und im Mund die Spuke vor Vorfreude sich sammelt, erfreuen Gunter Gerlach und Alexander Posch die Wartenden mit literarischen Leckerbissen zum Brot. Der Genuss gipfelt am Ende des Nachmittags mit dem Verzehr des warmen Brotes.

BROT BROT
Sonntag 22. November 09, 16.00 Uhr
Zinnschmelze
Maurienstr. 19
22305 Hamburg
Eintritt 10,- VVK 8,-

• Artisan Craft Distilling Workshops begin December 4th.
• There are only a few spot left.  Reserve yours today! 509.793.2374 or cbisinfo@bigbend.edu
• Moses Lake, WA
• Also available online!
• Brandy, Whiskey, Vodka, Gin… learn all about the business right here!
• Visit our website www.artisancraftdistilling.spruz.com

Chose to live within the earths means, we only have one planet

A celebration of small production, locally handcrafted wine, food and art and the people who produce it.

Sonoma County is known for its amazing pinot noirs and zinfandels (Dry Creek Valley wineries such as Papapietro Perry & Bella Vineyards come to mind), as well as our craft beers and cheeses (the Bear Republic & Bellwether Farms come to mind), but we (well, the general we, not myself per se) are also county of farmers, leading the way in the change in the way consumers look at local and handcrafted food/beverages.

Today’s event is the first Northern Sonoma County event to truly promote this new way of thinking.  It will feature wines rarely available to the general public, including some favorites such as MacPhail Winery and VERGE Wine Cellars and small plates featuring local ingredients and meats from amazing caters and restaurants such as Bovolo and The Epicurean Connection. Also  Steve Pile, a local Healdsburg musical legend will also be playing and I always look forward to hearing him sing.  On top of everything showcasing Sonoma County producers, there will also be auctions to raise some money for the Slow Food Sonoma County, North’s School Garden Project, hosted by no-other than Ziggy the Wine Gal.

Okay, I am done writing…. Now it is time to EAT!  I look forward to learning more about this movement and what “slow food” really means from the people who live it!

My life consists of  wearing multiple hats for my multiple roles – I’m a full-time PhD student, part-time intern psychologist at a hospital, and continuous artisan and business owner of MaJenta Designs!

So when it comes to my artist “workspace” – it ends up being a space that serves multiple purposes as well!  Here is a photo of my dining table that also serves as my study table and my crafting table too!

One of a Kind Christmas Show and Sale is on from November 26-December 6 at The Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place. It is a tradition for many and a great event to find locally crafted gifts, be inspired and get creative.

Tickets for adults are $12 at the door or $10 online. In the spirit of giving and to celebrate their 35th Anniversary, $0.35 from every ticket purchased on December 2nd will be donated to the Red Door Family Shelter.