jewelry designs
Despite the cold pouring rain, the University District Fair this year was lively on its second day. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, just stopping for a minute to chat with vendors at any booth that would catch my eye.
Michelle Canuelle’s jewelry caught my eye right away. She is a certified gemologist working with stones and metals like platinum, gold and silver. Michelle says she has always liked wearing unique pieces. Designing jewelry has been her hobby and passion for 12 years now.
Michelle says she learned her trade from a Montana goldsmith Dale Walker, whom she once asked to make a custom piece for her. The jeweler explains that she became fascinated by the process and readily accepted Walker’s offer to work with him. Michelle says she has looked at over 10.000 diamonds since then, but likes working with metal more. “It’s a very labor-intensive and time-consuming process,” she says, “but it’s also very rewarding.”
Michelle says many things are yet to be learned. “If you want to become a master jeweler,” she says, “it takes at least 20 years.” She is now passing her knowledge to her apprentice Jennifer Morrell, who also works with metals.
“You can spend hours and hours working on one piece,” says Jennifer while showing me her favorite piece, a coral necklace in the shape of a spiral. “I’m kind of glad it didn’t sell,” she adds with a smile. “It will be coming home with me!”
Another exciting local jewelry artist I talked to was Wladimir Pino of Vitrofusion Art. He works with fused glass using a technique that originated in Chile and Argentina. “It’s a family business,” Wladimir says. “My grandma had it, then my mom, and now I’ve had it for a long time.” La Tienda, an old arts and crafts gallery, has been carrying Vitrofusion Art for many years.
I bought a beautiful black ring and earrings to match a ceramic pendant I got in Mexico a couple of months ago. The ring visibly consists of two glass layers. Wladimir says he paints the first layer, lets it dry and then applies the second layer. The paint and the glass become one as a result of a mysterious chemical reaction, creating delicate bubbles between the layers.
Uglydolls take over the world
Today I realized I could no longer resist the cuteness of the popular urban toy and got myself an Uglydoll. If you have no idea what they are, I’m sure you are mistaken: You must have seen these weird stuffed creatures!
These guys come in different colors and shapes and can be found at virtually any arts/crafts/gift shop. Some examples are University Bookstore in Seattle, Museum of Contemporary Art in LA, Zakka Corp in NYC and even the Design Museum in London.
Although I’ve though uglys lovely since I saw them for the first time, what attracted my attention was the story behind their creation.
Sun-Min Kim and David Horvath, the parents of Uglydolls, met at the Parson School of Design, New York City, in 1996. They fell in love. When Sun-Min had to go back to Korea after 9/11, David wrote her love letters. He also drew pictures of various creatures, proclaiming their love. The doll Sun-Min made out of one of David’s creatures had huge success, and that’s how Uglydolls were born. I found this on Wootini, a retail/online 3D art provider that carries Uglydolls as well.
Needless to say, I was very touched when I read about this. I went and bought an Uglydoll at once! His name is OX, and he is a charming baby-lettuce green bunny-monster the size of a small pillow.
It’s difficult to say how uglys managed to get unlimited access to people’s hearts (and wallets – mine was $22), but it looks like they are staying there. According to their website, Sun-Min and David keep coming up with even uglier dolls and going international. I was hoping to learn more and went to www.davidhorvath.com and www.sunminkim.com, but all I found was commercial info about the upcoming toys and events. The beautiful story about love and dolls started loosing its charm a little bit.
In the end, this isn’t what matters, right? What matters is that the bunny-monster is now my friend, bringing childhood fun into my busy life.
independent fashion
“If I had to describe Seattle fashion scene with one word, it would have to be indie,” said local designer Anna Banana.
Although Seattleites are often accused of having no sense of style (I’m sure most of us have heard something along these lines at least once), independent local couturiers keep the fashion scene in Seattle alive and happening.
I met Anna Banana when I stopped by Pretty Parlor on my way home a few days ago. Located on the corner of Summit Ave E and E Olive Street, Pretty Parlor is one of Capital Hill’s indigenous boutiques.
“I’ve been around people who sew all my life,” said Anna, playing with the store kitty. Lead by her passion for creativity, she opened the store in 2001. A chandelier that is really a swing, Audrey Hepburn posters and antique chairs make Pretty Parlor a cozy place.
The store, where clothes are made as well as sold, carries vintage, designer wear and jewelery. Anna herself makes colorful vintage dresses. Some of the other things I spotted there were ties by Angel Eyes, elegant shirts by Suzabelle, funky jackets by Ruffeo Hearts Lil Snotty and Sam Trout’s silk screened tees.
My own heart will forever be with Glam Garb by Gunlis: hand-dyed whimsical Camisoles and glamorous slips. I was bewitched by these feminine garments, although I would probably be one of the last people in the world to wear a slip.
An hour later, I finally left the store feeling good about myself. I supported local designers: I bought a hip top and a vintage scarf (which were, by the way, reasonably priced)! Anna, who seemed like a very sweet outgoing person, inspired me to discover my inner creative shopper 
