Lynn Adams - Jewelry
Kim Adelman - Painter
Brian Andreas - Sculpture
Archipelago - Candles
Ken Beddingfield - Mobiles
Jude Bijou - Author
Bud Bottoms - Sculpture
Christine Brennan - Painter
Kerry Brooks - Ceramics
Peggy Buchanan - Painter
Chris Chapman - Painter
Nancy Clark - Handweaver
Bruce Cobb - Blown Glass
Joanna Craft - Jewelry
Creative Works - Pottery
Dalton Quips - Painter
Dandee - Silk Scarves
Danny K. Tapestry - Fabrics
John Davis - Ceramics
Irene Estrin - Ceramics
522 Art Glass - Glasswork
Christy Fisher - Jewelry
Henry L. Fechtman - Photographer
Lynn Fogel - Painter
Linda Fox - Jewelry
Great Alaska Bowl Co. - Woodworking
Denise Greenwood - Sculpture
Stacy Harkins - Jewelry
Judee Hauer - Painter
Amy Hazard - Jewelry
Robert Held - Art Glass
Wyllis Heaton - Painter
Ron Hinkle - Glass
Joel Hotchkiss - Mobiles
Arlene Horvath - Jewelry
Elaine Hyde - Art Glass
John Iwerks - Painter
Erik Jorgensen - Woodworking
David Kalish - Kaleidoscopes
Arthur Korb - Jewelry
Sarena Mann - Sculpture
Valerie McLean - Fiber/Felt
Lesley McKeown - Jewelry
John McKinney - Author
Randy Meaney - Mixed Media
Danae Michele - Fashion Accessories
Virginia Miska - Jewelry
Frank Nelson - Literature
Bobbie Pell - Weaver
Pom Jewelry - Jewelry
Picotte Wind Chimes - Wind Chimes
Jeff Price - Glass
Elisabeth Puetz - Knitted Wear
Refugio Gardens - Lotions
Lynn Richardson - Author
Mike Rider - Painter
Ron Robertson - Assemblage
Dave Robertson - Jewelry
SB Soap Co. - Handmade Soap
Sisters - Jewelry/Ceramics
Kavita Singh - Silk Clothing
Alise Sheehan - Jewelry
Solmate Socks - Fabrics
Edward Merle Spaw - Ceramics/Painter
Stellar Jewels - Jewelry
Genie Thomsen - Ceramics
Kelebeck Travers - Jewelry
Nina de Creeft Ward - Sculpture
Gary Wilson - Ceramics
Joyce Wilson - Photography
A trip to New Zealand in 2000 exposed me to felting…a return trip in 2004 got me hooked.
Felting is an ancient craft dating back thousands of years. It is the actual making of the fabric from wool by using a little soap to change the ph, water and agitation, commonly known as elbow grease. Once the fabric or piece is partially made, it is then worked and molded, called fulling, to strengthen and harden the fabric. Wool is the only fiber that will do this.
Each piece is unique and sometimes it seems to have a mind of its own. I love the feel of the wool in my hands and working with it until its final form is something that brings pleasure, awe, joy, question or just plain laughter to me or someone else. There is never crocheting or knitting involved but the laying out of wool roving in fine layers until the desired thickness is ready to be worked. What happens next is up to the wool and my own ability to be flexible when the creative design ends up going a different direction than planned. There’s the joy, the surprise and pleasure in the final creation. I hope each piece you see and touch brings you that same kind of feeling.
With his exquisite detail and natural inclination for simplicity & refinement, Armin Müller (1932-2000) stands as one of the Twentieth Century’s most gifted ceramic artists. His porcelains masterfully reinterpret the Japanese traditional clothing accessories of netsuke, ojime and inro. Müller’s works are “thinking man’s pots: small in scale, subtle in palette and satisfying to the touch.”
Dr. Peter J. Flagg
Crocker Art Museum
James “Bud” Bottoms is a native Californian who lives in Santa Barbara by the sea, where he has spent his life swimming and diving. His art education began at Jefferson Machamer School of Art in Santa Monica from 1947-48 and continued at the University of California-Santa Barbara from 1948-52.
Although much of his sculpture is of sea mammals, he often combines them with humans to express our essential inter-relationship. He has the unique artistry to capture their playful spirit in everlasting bronze. In particular, his admiration for the intelligence and beauty of dolphins and whales have inspired his work.
He also delights in using his grandchildren as models frolicking with dolphins, sea lions, and turtles; they express the joy he wants to achieve in bronze. His fascination for and love of earth’s creatures lead him to sculpt snails to condors, wherever he finds beauty.
The idea of Chilanthropy came to me about a year ago. My friends were expecting a baby girl…Lilly. I co-hosted their baby shower, and decided to hand make candles scented with Lily of the Valley as parting gifts for 60+ guests.
The candles were a hit! With experience in modern design and home crafting, I decided to go into a business that seemed saturated but missing personal touch, good quality and style.
Inspired by travel and world culture, each of Chilanthropy’s candles are named after places I have been. The scent is then built around the theme of the candle – recreating my journey for you to enjoy.
Residing in Los Angeles, I live my life eco and green. With 9 million+ neighbors every little bit counts! At home, everything possible is recycled, composted and I even keep a worm farm to eat unused food – providing fertilizer for the vegetable garden. With work, I'm doing my best to make sure that my business practices emulate my eco-conscious lifestyle. Minimal, recycled, recyclable, and compostable packaging helps offset this footprint. Eco-shipping is a little tricky - So I use green boxes and Milex packing peanuts that are made from corn and even edible!
Inspired by environmental charities and organizations that help make a difference in keeping a greener planet – I'm dedicated to supporting these charities by donating portions of Chilanthropy's sales.
I was born and raised in Lompoc, California and after many travels, I find myself settled here once again. I began making jewelry while traveling around South America. After much practice, I’ve learned to love making chainmaille, with its ever-repeating patterns. I make each piece by hand, linking one ring at a time. I work primarily in sterling silver, but I also use fine silver and 14k gold-fill in my designs. Recently I’ve begun working with metal clay which is a fun and forgiving medium. I can adjust the length of most pieces and will happily make a custom piece for you.
Thanks and Enjoy!
Click here to read the December 2012 Santa Barbara News Press Article about Shelly.
A Designer and Inventor, Alise Sheehan lives in beautiful Sonoma County, California. She is inspired by the area's many riches.
Coliebug Beads
My first love has always been art, as far back as I can remember, I always had a pad of paper with me wherever I went, sketching or doodling to pass the time. Painting, drawing, and sculpture work in high school progressed to throwing pottery, print making, and metal work in college. I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin Stout, and set out for a career in Interior Design.
From this was born Coliebug Beads, named by and after my daughter, Coliebug coming from her middle name Nicole, which has long been my nickname for her. In the fall of 2001, I purchased a kiln and a torch, and set up shop to start making my own lampwork beads. I now am making beads fulltime and loving every single minute of it. I have finally found my passion, actually I think it somehow found me!
A seasoned painter, I’ve studied art all my life, painting professionally over 30 years. I feel fortunate to have lived and raised my family in Carpinteria for the last 24 years. Always appreciating the surrounding beauty of the area and its wildlife, I try to capture these elements in my paintings.
My art educattion includes Santa Barbara City College and UCSB Extention in the late 70’s, early 80’s with teachers Robert Frame, and Ron Robertson among others. Later painted for other companies and artists. Now I’m painting in my Carpinteria Studio recording the beautiful surroundings we all enjoy here in Santa Barbara County.
Awards include Best in Show to benefit the Santa Barbara Audubon Society, First Place Surf’s Up Show, among others. Public and private collections include B. Eric Rhodes of Plein Air and Art Connoisseur Magazines, CEC at Arroyo Burro Beach, and private collections worldwide.
Ron Hinkle
My love and fascination with glass started when I was 12 years old, bending and stretching the glass tubing from my chemistry set. I started my career at Louis Glass in Weston, WV where I worked for 20 years. In the fall of 1993 I opened Hinkle's Dying Art Glassworks. My company is now known as Ron Hinkle Glass. I have been able to fulfill my dream of blowing beautiful pieces of art glass to share with the world. Each piece of my art represents what I have learned and pursued for the last 30 years. I have developed a passion for glass that has transcended a mere desire to earn a living.
"When I am outside,
enjoying Mother Nature,
There is an overwhelming sense of well being that envelops me.
I breathe more deeply.
I feel greatly connected to the Earth.
I am truly present.
My mind quiets down,
my senses... enjoy.
It feels great to be alive.
This is the experience I wish to evoke through my work."
Visit Kim's website:
The soaps made by the Santa Barbara Soap Company are inspired by nature herself and all of her gifts. Each soap is a manifestation of particular plants’ unique properties and characteristics. Our soaps are inspired by the need for handmade, completely natural, and nontoxic soaps. As more and more research points to the harmful effects of harsh ingredients used in many commercial soaps the use of handmade, vegetable based soaps is becoming a popular alternative. We take pride in offering unique, handcrafted products by blending the highest quality moisturizing oils with therapeutic steam distilled essential oils. Essential oils are blended into a soap mixture of rich and exotic oils such as jojoba, sweet almond, kukui nut, coconut, castor, olive, avocado and more. The cold process method of soap making that we use insures that all the properties of the herbs, oils, and essential oils are retained, as well as the soap’s natural glycerin. Our current Soaps include the following: Aah Body, Acorn Almond , Bay Laurel, Clove Black Sage, Garden 'O Earth, Lavender Hummingbird, Lavender Poppyseed, Peppermint Bay Spiruline, Poison Oak Away, White Sage and Woolly Blue Curls.
Kim Snyder’s Collage Purses and Hand Painted Silk Chiffon Scarves.
I collect fine fabrics such as antique kimono silk, fine cotton, Japanese shibori fabric, as well as hand painting my own raw silk and other fabrics. The purses are basted on silk sandwiched with batting then collaged fabric design with temporary basting glue. I free motion machine stitch the fabric down leaving raw edges. The raw edges fray and soften with time. If you like a crisper look you can trim loose threads and iron with spray starch.
I like to embellish the purses with stones such as turquoise, fresh water pearls and sterling silver wrapped sea glass and hand stitched on.
The approx. 14x72 inch hand painted Silk Chiffon scarves are elegant sheer a loosely woven fiber with a soft beautiful drape and crepe like texture. They float like a feather on the summer breeze!
Picotte Windchimes are handcrafted in the mountains above Santa Barbara, California by the Picotte family of artisans. Every Picotte Windchime is handmade using only quality components entirely made in the USA. We are a family owned and operated business that takes pride in offering a high quality product at competitive prices. All of our chimes are individually made and tuned to the pentatonic scale to ensure a product of unmatched musicality and aesthetic appeal. Each note on every chime is made to produce a bell like resonance with the overtones of a musical instrument of the finest quality.
My goal as a wood artist is to use highly figured and naturally colored woods that have unusual and unique grain patterns. Functionality is very important to me as an artist and the majority of my works have some type of useful function - from flower vase, to business cards holders, to urns.
The exotic woods I use are from all over the world and I continue to source woods that have an unusual look. As my medium changes, my designs and concepts continue to evolve. I try to keep the work exciting and fresh.
The medium I specialize in is called Amboyna Burl and it is considered to be one of the rarest and most highly priced wood burls in the world. For centuries, master craftsman have sought rare Amboyna Burl to give their artistry an exotic and luxurious flavor. The burl formation develops naturally over many years on the sides of the Narra Tree trunk. It is distinguished by its unusual mineral swirls and knots which create unique natural patterns. Each of my Amboyna Burl pieces captures a part of this exquisite formation.
In regards to my finishing technique – Each piece is sealed with several coats of lacquer which creates a smooth base. The second step involves spraying a water base lacquer or polyurethane – the result is a perfect, smooth, clear finish. If needed, the pieces, can be buffed (hand or machine) with a wood wax or tung oil.
Always fascinated by animals, I began to draw them seriously from life when I was at Scripps College (BA ’56) going to the San Diego Zoo and the County Fair, and drawing our goats, horses, cats and dogs at home in Ojai. Lucky in my teachers, I had been carving stone and wood, and making clay animals with Albert Stewart and Betty Davenport Ford. At the Claremont Graduate School (MFA ’64) taking ceramics from Paul Soldner, I began Raku firing. Later I worked in other media: soft sculpture, bronze, and cast paper, as well as clay. I showed work in California, the Philippines, the Midwest, and on the East Coast, wherever I was living or had connections.
Brian Andreas (born 1956 in Iowa City, Iowa) is an American writer, painter, sculptor and publisher. Most notable of his works are the StoryPeople objects he makes using salvaged wood from old homesteads.These mixed-media works include a short story that focuses on a moment or a memory, and the deliberately crude shapes display bright yet soothing colors and shadowy amorphous faces to go along with the simple, declarative language of the prose. This style eventually led to a wide-ranging array of works, from the publication of nine books, to the production of brightly painted furniture hand-stamped with short stories. The diversity of his interests led to the 1994 foundation of his StoryPeople company.
Refugio Gardens, nestled in the mountains along the Gaviota Coast, California, has a unique landscape of clay and sandstone and a Mediterranean climate of warm ocean breezes that contribute to the amazing healing properties of the plants that grow there. The very spirit of these California native plants and the richness of their ancient heritage manifest through the creation of these essential oils and lotions.
Refugio Gardens is a small family owned business committed to producing high quality therapeutic essential oil products. The native California medicinal plants are wild crafted and sustainably grown on our ranch in Santa Barbara. The discovery of these native plant essences is the result of a lifelong passion for native plants and herbs and a love for therapeutic handmade botanical products. We take pride in offering unique, rare, and precious lotions made from essential oils steam distilled slowly in small batches to ensure high quality products
The Christy Fisher collections are constructed by hand in our Jerome, Arizona workshop.
Using recycled elements (such as cast glass, vintage fabrics and aluminum cans) Our clothing and jewelry go beyond the trends and become those irresistible pieces you reach for again and again.
Innovative styling and attention to detail make for one of a kind and limited edition pieces that are timeless works of contemporary art.
Frank Nelson has written for newspapers and magazines in England (his original home), New Zealand (his adopted home), Australia (a temporary home) and the United States (his present home). The author of two lighthearted travel books, All You Need is Luck and A Little More Luck, he is currently based in Santa Barbara, working as a freelance writer and busy with a third book in the series.
Amy is a 6th generation Santa Barbaran. She was born and raised on the Gaviota Coast where she fell in love with the ocean and the mountains.
She uses native abalone shell and often native wood (Ceanothus and Manzanita) from her ranch on Refugio road in her jewelry designs.
The designs are reminiscent of long days spent on the warm sand or watching sunsets from a kayak while paddling north in the Channel.
Amy Hazard began making jewelry at 12 years old. Her earrings, made of recycled magazine pages and wire, were sold at a local Santa Barbara boutique. She learned Native American abalone adornment carving from a fellow volunteer for the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group while raising and caring for baby peregrine falcons on a remote beach north of Jalama. Their job was to fend of predators and feed the falcons until they could survive on their own. Most of the work took place at night, scaring of the Great-horned owls and other predators, so she had all day to sit on the desolate beach and carve abalone pendants using rocks and sand as her only tools. Amy learned from her mentor that abalone was sacred to the Native Americans of California and symbolized eternal life.
Ashleigh Brilliant was born in England in 1933. His father was a British Civil Servant, his mother a Canadian from Toronto. He attended a number of schools and colleges in England, Canada, and the U.S., finishing up with a Ph.D. in History from U.C. Berkeley. He had a short career as a teacher, culminating in two round the world voyages with what is now known as the Semester at Sea program, where he met his wife Dorothy..
During the late 1960's Ashleigh became involved with the Hippie scene in San Francisco's Haight/Ashbury district, where he began producing the illustrated epigrams known as Pot-Shots or Brilliant Thoughts which led into a whole new career. In 1973 he and Dorothy moved to Santa Barbara, where Dorothy's family had been living since her great-grandfather, a clipper-ship captain, retired there in the 1870's.
Ashleigh's work was first published on postcards, then became a syndicated newspaper feature, and was eventually collected in a series of books. It also appears on many licensed products.
Randy Arnold Meaney has been making stuff since she was a little kid.
She used to rip up the sheets to make stuffed animals.
She has dabbled in fiber, ceramic, silver, various metals, and other stuff she finds in the garage.
Currently she spends a lot of time carding, spinning, and knitting. She also sews, embroiders, and solders.
Her big interest is in melding unlikely things, like knitting with wire.
She lives in Santa Barbara with 2 unusually large cats, Taco and Cody, and a large, beloved husband, Dennis.
Lynn Richardson
Born on August 28, 1942 in Los Angeles, California, Lynn Richardson is an artist residing in Santa Barbara, California, who carves Netsuke and Ojime in the Katabori style, using porcelain from Arita, Japan. The pieces are fired to 2400° f., using glazes and underglazes for a variety of effects. Lynn graduated from San Jose State College in 1965 with a B.A. in Art Education. She is well known for her intricate pen and ink, water colored illustrations and graphic artwork used in advertising and for private commissions.
She was drawn to carving porcelain after observing her late husband, Armin Muller, and their friend David Carlin carving netsuke together in Armin's studio. She very much enjoys the quiet, but intense process of turning a tiny ball of raw clay into a small, beautiful, functional object. "I find carving similar to the process of my drawings in execution and design, with the added surprises that working in three dimensions can bring."
Cheri Rae
Cheri embarked on a magazine career that saw her rise from assistant editor at SurferMagazine to assistant managing editor at Runner’s World and Fit, to editor of the Maggie Award-winning Bicycle Sport. In addition, she wrote on health and fitness topics for women’s magazines, including a stint as a contributor to Women’s Sports & Fitness and California Bicyclist.Cheri’s strong interest in nature and environmental protection found expressions during a second period of her magazine work when she contributed to Outdoor Photographer and was named founding editor of California Scenic Magazine.
“Nesting,” as she puts it, in Santa Barbara, California with her husband John McKinney, daughter Sophia and son Daniel, Cheri balanced motherhood with her work, itself a balance of editing and writing. As the editor of Olympus Press, she guided the publication of a line of books with nature and outdoor recreation themes. She is the author of The Santa Barbara Bargain Book, the co-author of Walk Santa Barbara, and has contributed to the Los Angeles Times as well as local Santa Barbara-based newspapers, including the News-Press, and the Independent, as well as Santa Barbara, Casa and Seasons magazines.
Syd McCutcheon is the mixed media artist known as "Sheep Floozy," who finds art and whimsy in everyday life.
She lives in California with her husband and a very cute wiener dog, named Wendy. She shares her studio with neither of them, but will share it with her daughters, both of whom are artists.
Ron Robertson creates a word of possibility with improbable materials. Although his mixed media assemblages are constructed with parts of any everyday discard or found object--the final work transcends the commonality of the objects. Objects and surfaces are painted to become, in effect, a three dimensional canvas. Robertson reshapes and joins the parts into complex constructions to convey philosophical, political, historical and religious statements often with ambiguity and humor.
My love for Landscape Painting is rooted in the knowledge of Geologic Processes that have formed the landscape we live upon. The large forces of shifting tectonic plates, particularly the interactions between the Pacific Plate and North America Plate, forming the San Andreas Fault, are of extreme interest to me as I interpret the gesture of the land I paint.
Nature endures despite the pressures of population and development. As a member of the Oak Group I have been proud to contribute 50% of the sales of my work in our group exhibits towards environmental protection organizations. These include the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County (LTSBC.org), The Environmental Defense Center, The Trust for Public Land, The Nature Conservancy, Marin Agricultural Land Trust, and many others. Many successes have occurred in Santa Barbara County, including the Douglas Family Preserve, Sperling Preserve, and the Arroyo Hondo Preserve.
Chris Chapman’s California landscapes and botanicals are distinctive and direct. A childhood spent exploring foothills and orchards on her horse instilled in Chris a deep calling to beauty and solitude. This freshness pervades her work. Most of her plein air work is centered in her Santa Barbara home grounds, punctuated by many painting trips each year with artist husband, John Iwerks. As a naturalist and botanical gatherer, Chris carefully collects plants for her watercolor plant portraits, a more intimate exploration of the landscape.
Chris is a member of the Oak Group, a Santa Barbara based group of landscape painters and environmental preservationists formed in 1986. She is an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Santa Barbara Art Association, a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America, and member of American Society of Botanical Artists. She is represented by the Easton Gallery in Montecito, and Santa Barbara Arts in downtown Santa Barbara. Her work is nationally known, published and collected.
Majoring in Studio Art at The University of California, Santa Barbara, Ed studied under such notable West Coast artists as Sheldon Kaganov, Gary Brown and Miles Varner. Receiving a Bachelor's Degree and a Secondary Teaching Credential, Ed chose a path in commercial art working as an Illustrator, Designer and Art Director in advertising, beginning in 1978.
Following his love of nature, the ocean and the outdoors, Edward has focused his production of fine art in porcelain, wood and stone, reflecting the subtle beauty of these natural materials.
Each piece is an individual expression, with glazes and surfaces allowed to evolve as the material dictates. The expressive forms of whales, hawks, and trout have held a special fascination, signifying the wild, undaunted, but fragile face of the natural world.
Edward uses the natural beauty of the Santa Barbara coastline and its spectacular "Back Country" as the subjects for his watercolor and oil paintings.
See more of Edward's work
with prices and order info.
Santa Barbara jewelry designer Andrea Chamberlain finds inspiration for her creations from her love of nature. She has been living on a ranch for the last 20 years and spends many hours walking with her dog Aspen and enjoys picking through the rocks along the Santa Ynez river. Also an avid scuba diver she appreciates the beauty of the tropics along with the beautiful colorful fish and corals. She admires the simplicity of nature and her jewelry designs reflect that style along with the color combinations from nature.
Irene Estrin
After being a teaching assistant with the SB High School Special Education Transition Program at SBCC and " discovering clay "I retired this year for .....more clay time!!
I am still working with the Special Education population that has given my life meaning with the Independent Living Institute but now I have more flexible hours. I get more done at home in the early hours of the day and then get on with my property management or students for the day.
Many friends have accepted my obsession as I scour the earth for texture to use in my clay and some even add pieces of driftwood or feathers to my collection. I prefer direct transfer and I am using the theme Nature Inspired Texture by Land and Sea.
I use them and the colors in my WOVEN CLAY with the old pinch pot and Native American method using a puki and coil.
Thank you for sharing and enjoying my passion.
Danny - Bachelor of Science Degree from N.M. Western Univ. with subject area in Art, Masters Degree , San Diego State Univ. WE have been handpainting silk for fifteen years.
Dee - Scarf tying seminars and handpainting silk accessories ten years, Assisting with Art classes in San Diego City Scholl, Masters Degree San Diego State Univ..
Both of us are retired from teaching. We are dyeing silk full time and traveling. We enjoy meeting new silk painters and other interesting people in our travels to share ideas and techniques.
We are self-taught after admiring some scrarve in Nova Scotia, Danny decided to learn to handpaint for enjoyment and therapy from teaching. Through trial and error we have developed our own technique. Silk has a way of taking dye that is always new and exciting.
Kelebek Travers
Wearing jewelry is an act of self-expression. Like an art piece that you choose to adorn the walls of your home, a piece of jewelry might simply be decoration. It can also, and often does, hold personal meaning.
My silver pieces are all hand-crafted, no two exactly alike. The cuff bracelets are created using a Hopi overlay technique that I learned from master Norm Gutshall. The designs, however, are original and are inspired by various artistic and mythic sources.
Mette and Sissel work together in their studio in Santa Barbara, California - half a world away from the farm in Norway on which they were born and raised. They grew up surrounded by handmade objects passed down through generations.
Sissel became a teacher in Norway. Soon after, she and her husband moved to Africa. Together, they spent 20 years there, making homes in Nigeria, Zambia, South Africa and Tanzania. Sissel spent these years working in various art media (batik, painting), continually inspired by the ancient forms and rhythms of the people and nature around her.
Mette came to America at the age of 20 to study at Wellesley College. She went on to complete degrees in Japanese Area Studies and librarianship from UCLA. During the late 60’s, she and her husband spent three years working and studying in Japan, completely in love with the traditions of Japanese ceramics and folk art. Here she first began “playing” with clay.
The two sisters, now together again in America after a life of travels and adventures in many cultures, have settled down to making art together. Their work is bound to reflect multiple influences, but is grounded in their great appreciation for all folk art, in a strong common esthetic sense, and, most of all, in their great joy in the creative process. Sisters art pieces are each original, one-of-a-kind creations made from a variety of materials including porcelain and silver and painted with layers of acrylic and varnish. Because Mette and Sissel sculpt and paint each piece individually, no two are alike.
Linda inherited her fascination of rocks and jewelry from her father. A certified gemologist & G.I.A. graduate. They went on many rock trips as a kid.
At the University of California at Santa Barbara she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Combining studies of primitive art style with contemporary influences she expanded her metal working techniques to achieve a unique style.
Linda creates her art at her home studio in Santa Barbara, California. An active artist she has been selling her jewelry to stores & galleries across the country and the weekly beach show for over 20 years.
She hopes you will enjoy the creations of her work...
Born in Bangkok, Thailand into a family of shoemakers, Danny Kong worked as a shoe designer in the family business while attending college. In 1986, after graduating with a degree in accounting, Kong immigrated to the United States and soon began working with a large interior design firm in Los Angeles, California.
At work one afternoon Kong was given a sample of beautiful Italian tapestry from a nearby showroom. He took the fabric home and, using the skills he had learned as a young man, came up with a simple but beautiful tapestry tote bag. “I felt so happy,” Kong reports, “to be back at work doing something I love.” The following weekend he hung the bag in a friend’s booth at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market. That first bag sold quickly and soon Kong had a booth of his own with a steadily growing following of loyal customers.
Kong has sent bags to customers in every state in the US and his bags have been sold at high end shops coast to coast- from the Luxor Hotel to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
Cathy Crain
Cathy has been a working artist her entire adult life. Her work reflects her life long fascination of color, graphic design elements and texture. She creates unusual functional work as well as sculptural stylized images. Animals are a major theme in her work and her life long association, love and respect of them is represented in a non-traditional form attempting to capture their humor, personalities, movement, spirit and beauty in a new light.
In 2010, her daughter, Carie joined her once again in their ongoing life adventure of art. They work in the studio together, with each one adding their personal touch to the creations making each piece of art a one-of-a-kind original.
Lynn Adams
Lynn Adams was raised in Connecticut and developed an interest in photography at an early age. Lynn moved to Santa Barbara to attend and earn a B.A. from Brooks Institute of Photography in 1973.
She spent 13 years in Hollywood, starting off as a head shot photographer and then as a theatrical talent agent. Lynn moved back to Santa Barbara in 1986 and ran her own wedding photography business for 17 years. When digital took over, Lynn switched gears and opened Santa Barbara Arts in 2003 as an outlet for local artists.
Lynn now has her signature line of jewelry from a huge collection of beads collected over a lifetime. She lives with her husband, 9 dogs and 12 cats and numerous other rescued animals in the mountains. Enjoy!
Wyllis Heaton (b.1976) A native of Pasadena Ca, Wyllis is a landscape painter and designer based in Santa Barbara Ca. While growing up in Pasadena, he lived 2 doors from the famous illustrator William Stout, and was a faithful onlooker to Bill's front porch painting studio. He continued his studies at UCSB and then on to Pasadena's Art Center, earning a degree in illustration in 2002. After Graduation, he spent 6 years teaching art at W. California Art Academy in San Gabriel, averaging 80 students a weekend. Some of his students have gone on to successful art careers and have been honored with some the country's highest awards for grade school and high school art. While at UCSB, he formed a love for the Santa Barbara region and returned for good in 2007.
Currently Wyllis is designing gardens and exhibits in Santa Barbara. He enjoys the challenge of painting out of doors, in an attempt to arrest the fleeting beauties of the area.
I make handmade heart pins.
The technique that I use in making these pins is unique & results in a wonderfully spontaneous mix of colors. Due to this uniqueness, each pin will vary in color. All pins are wrapped with artistic wire and in the same manner as shown for each style. The beads & crystals may vary depending on the color of the individual piece.
Henry L. Fechtman was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1943 and developed an interest in photography at an early age.
Henry moved to Santa Barbara to attend and earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brooks Institute.
For many years, his work has appeared in numerous local and national magazines. Architectural Digest, People, Town & Country, Bon Appetit, Arizona Highways, Spa, Garden Design, to name just a few. In Santa Barbara he’s been published in Santa Barbara Magazine, and Montecito Magazine.
Henry has also worked as an instructor for Brooks Institute of Photography, worked with Julia Child on her PBS series, “Dinner with Julia” as the still photographer, hired by Absolute Vodka to shoot an ad for their art poster series, and lead a photographic safari to Kenya and Tanzania .
For the past twelve years, Mr. Fechtman has been a photographer for Resorts and Great Hotels Magazine traveling the world specializing in location photography
I became fascinated by bronze casting in the early sixties while in Arizona working on a documentary film about the architect Paolo Soleri. At that time the architectual projects he did were funded by the sale of bronze wind bells.
From the first time I saw bronze being poured and the forms you could create with it I was hooked on sculpture and metal smithing. It has taken me down a long and satisfying road.
After moving to Hawaii in 1967 I was fortunate enough to make my living for five years as a professional sculptor. Along with a friend, we operated a foundry where we cast aluminum, bronze and iron. While in Hawaii, I had several one-man shows, participated in many group shows, did commission work and won my share of awards.
In 1982 I moved to the Southwest and became involved in an unrelated business. I started making jewelry because I needed the creative outlet. I just don't feel right if I'm not making something with my hands.
At this point in my life I enjoy the scale of jewelry. I also collect and study Asian metalwork.
My background is in video/film production, sculpture and advertising.
Christopher Clark
Christopher Clark got his start in photojournalism while serving in the U.S. Navy; he was a photographer on the U.S.S. Iwo Jima (LHD 7) from October 2005 to October 2009. He was deployed twice to the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean, and went on numerous underways. His primary mission was to shoot photos telling stories of everyday life onboard ship.
After the Navy, Chris realized the need to become more technically proficient in digital photography and post production work while maintaining the storytelling aspect of photojournalism. Upon his discharge, earning a degree using the G.I. Bill became his top priority. Currently, Chris is living in Santa Barbara, CA, and pursuing his bachelors degree in commercial photography at Brooks Institute of Photography.
Early in the program at Brooks, Chris discovered the post-production technique of high dynamic range (HDR) photography. The impressionist-inspired photographs on this site are the result of his exploration of this technique and were taken across California and Nevada, in Detroit, and in his hometown Dayton, Ohio.
Pom Jewelry
Pom designs and handcrafts elegant jewelry in Marin County, California. He is known for his unique designs created from gemstones, Keshi and fresh water pearls, and unusual 14 Karat gold fill and Sterling silver findings.
Born in Chiangmai, Thailand, Pom has an innate design sense and a natural ability to create pleasing color combinations. He spends a great deal of time selecting gemstones with exceptional clarity and colors.
Stellar Jewels
Alison Wahl, the designer of Stellar Jewels, was born in Delaware. She studied theater in upstate New York, relocated to San Francisco and then Los Angeles where she pursued her career in acting and art. She spent her earlier adult lifetime as an elementary school teacher and a personal fitness trainer. Alison missed creating art and began to design her own jewelry line in the year 2000 and Stellar Jewels was born.
The name Stellar Jewels was chosen for Alison's love of the stars and planets.
Alison has lived in several states throughout the U.S. including Hawaii, California, Oregon, Colorado, New York & Delaware. She has traveled throughout most of the United States and more than 15 countries. Stellar Jewels began 12 years ago in Maui, Hawaii. This Sterling Silver Designer jewelry, Nautical jewelry, Drusy jewelry, Hawaiian jewelry and Semi-Precious Stone jewelry is hand-crafted in Alison's studio workshop.
Dalton Quips
Dalton Quips traces its roots to the East Coast of Massachusetts. Professional artist Barbara Dalton, a native of Boston, began visiting public "Take it or Leave it" recycling yards back in 2006. With her ability to see creative potential in things that most people view as junk, she transformed old broken furniture, costume jewelry, and household dust catchers 'rescued' from the landfill, and transformed into prize-winning works of art. Today, her passion for infusing new life into discarded objects is evident in the eclectic way she crafts each piece. Along with found objects, Bub collects words, phrases, anecdotes, and witticisms. The Quips line is a great success. They are available in a large variety of sizes, colors and words. A piece of recycled wood provides the backing to the 'word wood'. It is painted with at least 3 coats of paint, distressed and sanded so the layers of color show through. It's stenciled with metallic colors and collaged with vintage magazines, graphic art paper and old storybooks. The word part of the assemblage is hand lettered and accented with bursts of color and gold marker. The hangers are an integral part of this charming and unique art. Made with strong curly garden wire and strung with game pieces, poker chips, Barbie shoes, antique costume jewelry, and just about anything small enough to hang, but big enough drill through! Even though her work is somewhat produced in volume, each piece is one of a kind.
Gary Wilson
I'm currently creating a line of pottery that pays homage to our incredible ocean and sea life. Each piece is one of a kind, wheel-thrown with air brushed images.
My mission is to create art, inspired by nature, that will motivate people to take a closer look at our natural world for themselves and in doing so feel moved to help protect the true treasures of our earth.
Sarena Mann
Movement, form and texture have been infused into the images I love to create. This body experience has always intrigued me. Following the movement, using the space, and changing the materials has allowed me to continue to explore the basic issues of my life.
The fun- and spirit-filled flying women of Air Craft have been the mainstay of my work for 35 years. I love the whimsical, colorful, flighty figures that hang anywhere and lighten the load. They move about with intent, freedom and spirit. In the evening they cast shadows and continue their dance. Over the years they have changed; some have retired and some have returned for new adventure. Made from wire, paper, fabric, paste and patience, they each have their own identity and place in the world. These "girls" still make me smile, and challenge me to keep them fresh and reflect the changes we all share.
522 Art Glass
Melissa McCumiskey has been an artist from more than 20 years. She has a degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Photography. In the late 90’s she decided to add a new material to her work in the form of glass and took a glass fusing workshop. The addition of these new skills of working in glass, allows her to develop glass pieces that combine multiple techniques creating unique art pieces.
Penny Smith Ruhter’s artistic journey began with traveling from an early age as an Army brat following her father to assignments all over the world. Kiln formed glass became her passion and soon led to exhibiting in galleries, at art shows and eventually into teaching the art form to others.
In 2005 Melissa and Penny established Studio 522 Art Glass. The studio allows the artists to pursue their true passion for creating glass and to challenge the boundaries of kiln formed, torch-worked and blown glass. They continue to sell their work through art shows and galleries.
David Kalish
In designing kaleidoscopes I’m challenged to create objects that are as alluring on the outside as they are within. Initially I don’t want the observer to know the piece functions as a kaleidoscope. When that’s discovered the viewer delights in the unexpected surprise. ‘OOH' and 'AAH' and "OH, MY GOD" are common reactions. It simply boggles the mind that so much beauty can be contained within so small a space. Therein lies the magic!
Sandy Wolk
Art is a language that speaks to the soul. Through symbols, images and moods a work of art takes the viewer on a sacred journey, and ultimately toward their own Divine nature.
Art speaks to the unlived energy within us, to old buried wounds, and to the emergence of new energies. Art becomes for us a vehicle for healing... and a means by which we come home to ourselves.
Art is a song that sings us home... it has the capacity to touch those precious parts of our being which have been denied into the shadows of our awareness. For as we bring those buried aspects of ourselves into the light of consciousness there in lies the potential for transformation, for healing, and for connecting to our souls truth.
My gifts as a healer and a visionary allow me the ability bring forth art for the soul and spirit; to serve individuals in their journey toward wholeness and to serve the collective through embracing and expressing the reemerging energies of the sacred feminine.
It is my honor and delight to bring forward these artistic visions.
It is my hope that they offer light and healing into the world, and serve as blessing to those whom are drawn to them.
Ken Beddingfield
Kenny B. is a local artist that has enjoyed the outdoor beauty and nature of Santa Barbara for the past 35 years. Seeing the Monarch Butterflies dancing around the tall eucalyptus trees along the coast of Santa Barbara has inspired the creation of the new Dancing Butterflies Mobiles.
Joel Hotchkiss
I graduated from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn , NY with a BFA in 1971. I studied graphic design, photography and film. I worked as an Art Director for 6 years in the Boston area prior to relocating to Oakland, CA to pursue my career in the "Art of Mobile Making". That was in 1978. My creative passion is still intrigued my the mobile artform. My designs from the 80's are often viewed as contemporary today.
Joanna Craft
Joanna Craft is a California jewelry artist who handcrafts modern art jewelry in sterling silver. She uses accents of copper, bronze and brass in many of her pieces, creating a rustic modern feel, with an interesting contrast between the cool silver and the warm copper and bronze. Each piece is handcrafted in her studio by cutting, hand stamping, texturing, hammering, forging and soldering the metal.
The collection includes pendants, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, earrings and pins.
Danae Michele
Danae Michele grew up in Santa Barbara. After studying art in Paris and Florence and traveling in Europe, she attended the University of California at Santa Cruz and graduated with a degree in fine art.
She has designed a line of silk clothing and handmade velvet and straw hats, and owned Enchante, a boutique featuring her wearables. She was honored as an entrepreneur by the South Coast Women’s Business Association. Garden of Gaia is her business name. Her hats have been modeled by actress Helena Bonham Carter and featured in Vogue Magazine.
Danae’s specialty is one-of-a-kind hats. She also designs scarves, skirts, tops, barrettes, pins, and other wearable art, made with hand-dyed silk fabric. Her designs are sensuous and romantic.
Recently she has discovered a new passion for crochet and felting. Her latest work is available at Santa Barbara Arts in La Arcada Court.
Arthur Korb
Arthur is a designer & craftsman of fine handcrafted jewelry in 18k and 24k yellow and rose-gold & silver.
He has been making his unique individually forged pieces for more than 40 years.
Elaine Hyde is an internationally known glass artist. She began her career in 1969 at The Brooks Institute of Fine Arts in California. After graduating with a BFA in 1972 she worked and trained at the Pilchuck Glass Center under the direction of Dale Chihuly. At the time, the now-famous school was in the second year of operation. In 1974 she opened her beach side studio in Santa Barbara. One of the very few women working in the male-dominated field of blown glass, she has attained a reputation for her exquisite perfume bottles and signature silver lustre glassware.
Kavita's designs are an example of what is achieved when a masterful hand is led by an artistic heart. Silk artist Kavita Singh has come a long way since her apprenticeship in Paris as a textile designer. Kavita has
perfected her silk painting techniques by studying and practicing silk
painting for more than 25 years.
Being truly international Kavita has studied, produced and exhibited in
London, Paris, South East Asia and her native India.
She has designed for such greats as Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin of Paris,
and American Companies such as Cannon, Burlington, Wamsutta, Schumacher and Fieldcrest. She has created designs for The White House and Malaysian royalty.
Joyce Wilson
Joyce Wilson's remarkable career spans half a century, and although laurels keep landing in Joyce's corner, it is her work that speaks volumes, telling three stories of a distinguished career. In 1961, she photographed children in a local Santa house, and during film delivery to the studio, realized her earlier art training could be useful. She was soon oil painting photographic portraits for local photographers, but felt the portraits of children were contrived and ordinary. She purchased a Rollicord, and enrolled in an evening photography class. After practice and experimenting with her family as subjects, and honing her darkroom skills, Joyce announced to her friends that she was in business. A workshop with the legendary pictorialist Adolf "Papa" Fassbender in 1965, gave her insight into the aesthetics of photography, and her small portrait studio was growing. When her husband died in 1970, she convinced her banker to give her a year to make her business profitable. Joyce put her passion for art on hold for the next 20 years in order to work commercially and raise her three children.
Her business thrived with portrait and commercial assignments, and intertwined was a full schedule of lectures and teaching throughout the world. Joyce has been featured since 1990 as a member of the Fuji Talent Team, and is in demand to share her knowledge and experience. Her images have appeared in advertising usage by Fuji Film, Prudential
Insurance, Kodak, Mamiya America, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
Peggy Buchanan began her painting career with a blue ribbon in watercolor at the Laguna Beach Art Festival at age 8. After a hiatus of almost fifty years and an international career in health and fitness, she nurtures her soul with a new diet and is painting once again.
Peggy is a member of SCAPE, Santa Barbara Art Association and was accepted into the Goleta Valley Art Association with three juror’s blue ribbons her first year.
Peggy taught physical education and coached high school athletics, but is better known for her 33 years leading the Santa Barbara Jazzercise program and is currently the director of Fitness, Aquatics and Physical Therapy at Vista del Monte retirement community.
Peggy believes the “art” of health and wellbeing is achieved by participating in an active lifestyle while appreciating the beauty that surrounds us and enjoying the happiness from with-in.
Lynn Fogel
My earliest memory of creating art was when I was just a baby, drawing with crayons on the walls or anywhere that I could find a drawing surface.
After graduating from the New England School of Art & Design and the Montserratt College of Art, in Beverly, Massachusetts in the late 80's, I've been painting prolifically that hundreds of my paintings and Giclee reproductions are now hanging on walls throughout the world.
As a member of the Santa Barbara Art Association, my works are occasionally displayed at different venues. Several of my paintings have been reproduced into limited editions and are currently being sold on the Princess Cruise Line ships in their auctions worldwide.
My most recent milestone is to have eleven of my paintings as permanent fixtures in the main lobby and other areas of the new Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara.
I wish for you to get inspiration and a joy in viewing my work as much as I receive in creating them.
Slainte Bags
Slainte Bags was started by Jillian Bornemann back in 2003. It was one of those accidental success stories – did a weekend sewing course, got addicted to fabric, made a few bags for friends, word got out….
What has been just as important to Jill as developing the perfect bag, is ensuring that every aspect of the business is conducted in the most responsible way. Slainte Bags has kept its operations and production in San Francisco in order to take advantage of local talent, local materials and get firsthand feedback from the thousands of local customers.
The most profound impact on the company in recent years has been the shift to recycled materials and eco-cottons. The recycled fabrics you see in this collection are the "gold star" of reusable resources – 100% post consumer recycled polyester. Yes, those bags used to be soda bottles! The Eco-Cottons are reprocessed, pre-consumer textile waste that requires no new dyeing, no land use, no fertilizers, no new pesticides and no pollutants in its production. All fabrics are bought directly from the mills in North Carolina.
Bruce Cobb
I began my training in glassblowing in 1976, as an apprentice at the Pairpoint Glass Company in Sagamore, Massachusetts. The work fascinated me, and I advanced rapidly through the stages of apprenticeship. In 1980, Pairpoint opened a second plant in New Bedford and the photo below shows me reheating a piece in the "glory hole" at the new plant.
In 1983, I took a job at a printing company, while working on building the glassblowing equipment I needed, as time and money permitted. Finally, in 1985 I began operation of my own studio in downtown Pittsfield, NH, becoming a juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen shortly thereafter.
I work without a helper, and do not use molds. Each piece therefore is distinctly my own, and is unique. I use a technique based on the (19th century American) Lily Pad Design for much of my work. My lily Pads have a cleaner, more contemporary look, however, and are often referred to as 'waves'. The Lily Pads, besides being decorative, also perform as grippers, making it less likely for an item to slip out of one's hand. They also provide extra sturdiness to the work.
My work reflects my love of nature, drawing, and carving in miniature.
Since 1989 I have been designing and wholesaling animal-themed jewelry to many types of stores and catalogs. Cats and wildlife are depicted in whimsical and enchanting settings in my line of sterling silver jewelry. Comfort, simplicity and nature's beauty are at the core of these designs with a hand-wrought style. All focal pieces are derived from my original designs. They are hand carved in metal clay and cast in sterling silver. The components used in my designs are of the highest quality, made by companies right here in the western United States.
Archipelago
At Archipelago Botanicals our passion lies in creating products that help you experience ultimate relaxation & rejuvenation - and our benefit-rich Havana bath & body collection is no exception, boasting ingredients straight from the islands such as coffee, jojoba and tobacco flower and botanical extracts of orange, sugar cane & pineapple. The antioxidants and alpha hydroxy acids found in these natural ingredients, known to actively hydrate and reduce the redness associated with dry skin, are infused into our body lotion, body wash, bath salt, bath oil and shave and hand cream formulations. The unique "green" packaging make this luxurious collection perfectly giftable; its sophisticated fragrance - based on our bestselling home fragrance blend of Ylang Ylang, Tobacco Flower and Bergamot - has clean, citrus finish and is enjoyed by men and women alike.
Terri Taber has lived in Southern California her whole life. Leaving Los Angeles in her late teens, she moved to the glorious city of Santa Barbara where she earned a degree in art and painting at the University of California at Santa Barbara. She continued her schooling at Santa Barbara City College where she earned an associate degree in nursing and worked for 25 years as a registered nurse. Terri never completely abandoned her painting while nursing and when she discovered the richness and depth of pastels in the late 1990’s she resumed her art education by taking workshops and adult education classes offered in Santa Barbara.
Terri has always found a friend and solace within the beauty of the countryside and uses this as the inspiration for her paintings. She wants to impart the serenity, love and freedom she finds outdoors through her paintings, so that those feelings can endure for others inside their homes. She enjoys the lighting, contrasts, textures and mystery the landscape has to offer and the opportunity and challenge to bring it to life again on paper.
Judee Hauer
An avid dumpster diver/ collector from the age of eight in Brooklyn, New York, J.L. Hauer pursued a "spotty amount" of art education and eventually graduated as an English major from a California university.
She wants her figures to remain ambiguous and defies putting a label on them. Her "people" are caught between "opulence and starvation".
J.L.'s work has been shown at Carnegie Museum, Ventura County Museum of History and Art, and several galleries in Ventura, Santa Barbara, Ojai, and Cambria. She has won several first place competition awards.
Jeff Price
The year I was born was the year my father built his first glass-blowing studio in our back yard. Both of my parents blew glass for many years. From an early age I would watch them with wonderment. They were having such great fun that I knew I also wanted to blow glass when I "grew up."
All of my glass is hand-blown by me. I use many techniques, some very old, some quite new. They are all very different, but each produces a very striking, memorable effect.
Erik Jorgensen
Erik
lives on the coast of Virginia with his wife and two sons. Woodworking started out as a way to relax after a hard day at the office. It has now turned into a full time career. Most of the wood purchased is from local vendors. Endangered species are not used. Some of the wood is recycled from tree surgeons who remove it for natural or safety reasons. Some of the wood is one of a kind, therefore, will not be found anywhere else in the USA.
Selecting woods that are not only unusual but are spectacular in grain figure is one aspect of creating one of a kind pieces. Many of the batches of wood purchased contain both the heart and sap wood from the tree. The sap wood in most exotic trees has a major color contrast to the center part of the tree. This color is typically white and adds great character to the gift. I hope you enjoy my woodwork.
John McKinney
John McKinney is the author of 20 books about hiking, parklands and nature, including The Hiker's Way: Hike Smart. Live Well. Go Green. For 18 years, McKinney, a.k.a. The Trailmaster, wrote a weekly hiking column for the Los Angeles Times and now writes articles and commentaries about nature and outdoor recreation for both print and online publications. A passionate advocate for the environment and our need to reconnect to nature, McKinney also shares his expertise on radio, TV, and online.
Genie Thomsen
Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Genie Thomsen was introduced to clay early in life by her mom who brought home projects that Genie would embellish.
After earning her MFA degree in 1986, Genie returned home to produce and sell her artwork. She was offered a teaching position at Ventura College and the Adult Education Program in Santa Barbara in 1996, where she continues to teach.
Clay has been Genie's passion for over forty years. She enjoys sharing that passion with all of her students.
Solmate Socks
Marianne Wakerlin, the Socklady is the founder and owner of Solmate Socks. The company is named after her mom, Sunny, who taught Marianne how to knit when she was nine years old. Marianne continued a life long enthusiasm for knitting, but it wasn't until she started knitting socks that her real passion was born.
Over the years Marianne knit over one hundred pairs of socks for family and friends. She then decided to turn her hobby into a business and in the year 2000 Solmate Socks was born. Her colorful and complex patterns are knit in the USA at a family owned knitting mill, hand finished and then "mismatched with care."
The company is run in a small town in central Vermont, where the Socklady is surrounded and inspired by the woods, brook, gardens and hills of the countryside.
Denise Greenwood
My work is mostly dysfunctional, mostly fun fun fun, & almost all about FACES! I do have a few functional pieces which are all best sellers.Art is life. Like the long deep sigh of the soul, it affects me on every level. I can't imagine my life without art, nor would I want to. A soulful, mysterious meditation is manifested in the faces & figures I sculpt. My passion feeds off the art & the art grows up from my passion. It is a brilliant mirror which I hold up to myself & bare all. For me, there is no separation. Life is art.
Lesley McKeown
Born in Kansas City not long after both her parents graduated from KC Art Institute, Lesley was exposed to art and design at an early age. Her father, Byron McKeown created studio art jewelry during the modern jewelry art movement of the 1960's and Lesley uses his jewelry bench today (shown left). Her mother, Deanne McKeown a nationally recognized sculptor also creates jewelry. It was this nurturing environment that enabled her to recognize and eventually express these creative proclivities and develop the skills to be a successful professional artist.
Acquiring basic metal smithing skills as an apprentice with a southwestern silversmith she became smitten with the silver and the sculptural possibilities of metal. Though primarily self- taught, Lesley has attended several classes and acquired various techniques through private and master class instruction. Her techniques include fabrication, hollow form, shell form, anit-clastic and synclastic raising, mokume gane, keumboo, etching, roller printing, sand casting and a variety of texture and coloration techniques. An abiding interest in Geology is at the core of many of Lesley's creations and the unique and unusual cabochons are a signature of her work.
In her spare time Lesley's other interests include oil painting, welding, organic and sustainable gardening, slow food cooking, environmental politics and renewable energy. She maintains a home and studio in the lovely high mountains of northern Arizona which she shares with her partner Steven and Samson (the Wonder Dachshund).
Often dreamlike and enigmatic, Christine Brennan’s work features a host of symbolic and allegorical references. Brennan’s images draw from the unconscious leading the viewer into richly lit narratives that evoke personal stories and associations.
Christine Brennan studied at the Rhode Island School of Design earning a B.F.A. in illustration. She is currently represented by galleries throughout the United States. She has had numerous shows in galleries from Washington State to Vermont, and her work is included in many private and public collections. She paints and makes jewelry out of her home studio in Ojai California where she lives with her furniture maker husband Jim McCarthy.
Elisabeth Puetz has been crafting delightful knits since she was a child. A native of Duesseldorf, Germany, she has lived in Santa Barbara for about 30 years. Her children's hats have a wonderful, soft feel. They are all hand knitted one by one with love and care.
Machine wash on gentle cycle, cold water. Drip to dry.
Jude Bijou
Jude Bijou is a licensed marriage and family therapist (MFT), an educator in Santa Barbara, California and the author of triple finalist, Attitude Reconstruction: A Blueprint for Building a Better Life (Riviera Press, 2011).
As the daughter of a famous pioneer in the field of behavioral child psychology and applied behavior analysis, Jude's upbringing sounds like it would be pretty cool. There was just one problem: she was miserable.
Earning a BA in psychology from Reed College and a master's in psychology from Carleton University, she became a marriage and family therapist. Success was attained, yet something was still missing. Looking eastward, she immersed herself in the world of meditation and Vedic philosophy. The result: an integrated, truly holistic approach to viewing ourselves and our relationships with others. Her award-winning system, Attitude Reconstruction was birthed into the world.
Mike Rider
I grew up at the beach in Southern California. I learned to surf at a young age, back when long boards were the only boards and no one wore wetsuits, even in winter. Living near the beach and the nearby inland valleys has shaped how I see things and what I appreciate. I have always tried to identify why things look the way they do and what makes some things more interesting and beautiful than others.
Capturing the delights of everyday life in watercolor has become my
passion. My technical background gives me a more realistic perspective and I thoroughly enjoy finding the detail in the midst of the big picture. I
like to recognize familiarity of the people, place, and scene in a painting.
That is what makes a work of art more worthwhile for me. Familiar scenes of favorite activities and events add a touch more than just the quality of the art.
Stacy Harkins
Stacy Harkins Handcrafted Jewelry juxtaposes the sparkling clarity of gemstones with the textures of hand-hammered metals, creating jewelry with a romantic yet organic feeling.
Using genuine gemstones and high quality metals, I have created a handcrafted jewelry collection inspired by the colors and textures of my materials and the natural world. My focus is on creating clean yet intricate lines and harmonizing the colors of gemstones, from the soft and subtle to the bold and bright.
Having grown up in my mother's craft gallery, I have a longstanding appreciation of artisan handcrafts, and feel lucky to continue that tradition. Each piece of jewelry is crafted by hand in my studio in Washington, D.C..
Nancy Clark
My first weaving studio was an outdoor patio adjoining our country home on the Greek island of Paros in 1971. There, in view of the turquoise Aegean Sea, nestled among lemon and olive groves, drenched with sunlight from a cloudless, brilliant open sky, I taught myself tapestry techniques on a primitive hand-built loom, tension provided by a large marble boulder attached at the bottom with rope. When my husband and I returned to our native Missouri, I continued weaving tapestries for two more years, but then I took a beginning weaving class using a small four-harness table loom. My tapestry weaving days were over.
I have continued to weave fabrics on a wide variety of floor and table looms, producing highly textured and colorful accessories such as scarves, shawls, and simple, elegant garments I call hugs and cozies. My weaving hobby transitioned into a full-time business in 1993. Currently I participate in national juried art shows, selling to the public and to a number of shops and galleries from coast to coast, and I am involved in a wide variety of fiber-related guilds and organizations.
J. Davis Studio is a small ceramic studio located in Texas, close to Big Bend National Park, an isolated, harsh, and rugged land in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert.
The immense beauty and peacefulness of the area have a way of reinforcing faith, dredging up an unknown inner strength, and of sparking a deep appreciation of even the smallest things in life.
Making a living as an artist is hard anywhere, but in remote far west Texas it takes real determination and resilience. John Davis and his wife Robin, have supported their family of four with handmade American craft for almost 25 years.
Kerry Brooks
Kerry Brooks has been a potter since 1988. She learned to throw in Ann Arbor, MI and has been working as full-time studio potter in Minneapolis, MN since 1997. She works primarily in wheel-thrown, high-fired stoneware. Her pots are fired to about 2400 degrees in a natural gas kiln so pieces without fused glass can be used in the oven, microwave, and dishwasher. Pots with fused glass are primarily decorative but can be used with dry foods and should be hand-washed. All of Kerry's pots are durable and they will not lose their vibrant colors over time. She hopes you will enjoy her pottery for both its function and its art.
Born in Santa Ana, California, Robert Held aspired to be an artist from an early age. His father, a sculptor, only lived six years of his son's life, but passed on the talent and appreciation of art that gave Robert the beginnings of a quest to create beauty in form and color.
Robert uses techniques that date back as long ago as 2000 B.C. however, his collections range from classic to contemporary. Some works are inspired by the paintings of famous artists such as Monet and Klimt, while others take inspiration from photographers and even interior designers. Our studio prides itself on providing its customers with a large selection of affordable hand-blown gift items, as well as Robert Held's individual creations for the serious collector.
Bobbie Pell
For over 25 years, Bobbie Pell has shared her love of story with audiences of all ages through written works, storytelling performances, and workshops. Her speciality area, Celtic folklore and traditions, focuses on faerie lore, ballads, and archetypical myths. She also tells world folk and fairy tales filled with universal truths to show how Story explores the human heart.
In 2009, Bobbie transferred her love of weaving words into wearable fiber art creations. Using high quality wools, silks, and rayons, Bobbie blends hand-dyed colors and variable textures into elegant women's wear! Each piece allows the wearer to reveal her regal inner goddess or playful inner child as the ribbon fringe dances with light! All works are created by hand, either crocheted, woven, or a mix of both techniques resulting in delicate folds and drapes. Bobbie’s inspiration stems from Celtic Traditions.
Great Alaskan Bowl Co.
Back in the 1800's the demand for large wooden bowls for making bread and for mixing and serving food kept many bowl mills in operation. The Great Alaskan Bowl Company is one of only a very few mills operating that use equipment designed from the machinery developed over a hundred years ago.
The Great Alaskan Bowl Company was established in 1991 to serve local and nationwide needs for a quality, one piece wooden bowl product. It has since become a premier visitor stop while in Interior Alaska serving both Fairbanks and Denali National Park.
A family run business, The Great Alaskan Bowl Company is intent on providing quality Made in Alaska and Made in America products in those it produces and by carrying a wide variety of exquisite and gourmet goods from across Alaska.