Friday, October 25, 2013

Art – October 25, 2013

Part I of the Best of the Northwest, sponsored by Northwest Art Alliance was held this last weekend.  It had so many wonderful pieces of art and we enjoyed seeing all of them.  There were some repeats, but many new vendors were present as well.  The Best of the Northwest has been split into two parts this year to give more artists exposure.  The second show will be held November 8, 9, and 10 in Building 30 at Magnuson Park in Seattle.  It is one, if not the only premier fine art and craft show.  I would highly recommend you take the time to see it.  The admission is $6.00 and it is worth every penny.  Check out their web address for further details. 


STUDIO  Martha Colins

I’ve limited my review this year to one primary business that literally blew me away!  This small woman owned business is “Studio Martha Collins” from Sequim, Washington.  Martha has been a skilled cabinet maker for over 40 years who has turned her highly honed skills to the making of intricate jewelry and decorative objects.  In one of her bracelets there are over 700 pieces of wood.  I’ve never seen anything like it.  Each one is truly a piece of art.  Who wouldn’t want one of these beautiful bracelets on your wrist?  Her small decorative bowls are beautiful and draw you in for a second and third look.  The candle sticks and salt and pepper sets are also intricate and would look great on any table, for everyday use or for decoration.  You can see see her store at :  http://www.artfulhome.com



 


Martha’s background also makes her items unique.  Martha was in graduate school when she saw the guys in the woodworking class having fun with wood.  She decided to enroll in a class and was hooked after that.  In those days women were not allowed to become cabinet makers, that is until “Title 9”    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_IX_of_the_Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964”.  Martha was lucky to have been on the forefront of that movement.  She graduated from the State Technical College of Michigan Trade School as a cabinet maker’s appetence and was an early beneficiate of the Title 9 program working alongside her fellow male apprentices. 



Currently she teaches woodworking at the Port Townsend School of woodworking and holds private classes in her studio.  Her first Chevron Brilliant Bracelet with 700 pieces was made in 1977 and she has been making and selling them every since.  To find out more about Martha and her Studio see her website at http://www.studiomarthacollins.com

 Martha, my hat is off to you for your strength to forge ahead in what was once strictly a man’s world and in awe of your talents as a woodworking craftsperson creating beautiful and unique jewelry and art.

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