Obsessed: Chie Mihara Shoes

I don't allow myself to shop as much as I want to (disposable income needs to go towards raw materials, not shoes!  wa waaaa)  However, one cold winter day, in a moment of weakness, I stumbled upon these beautiful shoes by Chie Mihara and it was love at first sight.  Love, meaning would I marry them?  Why yes, I would marry them!  They're more dependable than any man I've dated, so why not?

Living in New York, makes me very picky, rather, intolerable of most shoes - I mean when you're on your feet walking for 4 hours through Manhattan, there's not much outside of New Balance shoes that will keep you pain-free.  These puppies, though, can carry me through an entire night of running around - no problem.

In her new Spring collection, Ms. Mihara says "A toast to life -- This new collection is all about positive energy: it's about renewing your thoughts and enjoying a fresh breeze in these times." -- Don't you worry, I will do my civic duty of supporting positive energy and world peace.  I will buy shoes!  (but which ones?)

Random Thought: Dog Calls

Waiting for the subway, especially late at night, is painful.  I stand around, staring aimlessly into the subway track (aka New York's massive garbage can - by the way, stop littering).  About every 5 minutes you can see the little rats running around.  They must have so much fun, like living in a jungle gym.  Then I wondered, do rats respond to whistling the way dogs do?  I know this sounds gross, because they're rats so work with me here...


I crouched down, waited for a rat to cross the track, then started whistling the same whistle I use to call Wrigley.  toot toot TOOOOOT... ... toot toot TOOOOOOOOOT... toot... toot? (I'm not very good at this).


It's been confirmed:  Rats do NOT respond to whistling the way dogs do.  
AND people give you weird looks when you're whistling to rats at 1 am.  Anyone else tried it? I'd like to know. 

Watermark and Gary the Marker Man

One of my favorite places to sketch is Doma Café in the West Village, NYC.  I sit in the corner facing the huge windows where I can people watch and drift in and out of thought.  There's always a man, maybe in his late 40's/early 50's drawing people with his fancy markers - any time of day, any day of the week.  Most days he sits outside, and during rain or snow, he'll sit inside (we battle for my favorite seat sometimes).  It reminds me of my sister when she was in high school and college, purposely going to crowded places so she can draw people.  What do you think this man's story is?  He's definitely not homeless - he's got nicely soled shoes and the fancy markers cost a meals worth.

Well I've been creating his story in my head - His name is Bob.  No.. Gary... yeah, it's Gary.  Gary the Marker Man, a famous illustrator.  He's patient, gentle and sweet - much like  Andy Goldworthy, except Gary has splashes of metropolitan.  Gary's got one boy named Alexander, around 7 years old, and a wife, Jillian - a hard working publisher.  It's all connecting now - Gary sketches people so he can come up with children book illustrations (how does that sound?).  He draws people during the day, then takes his drawings home with him and turns them into colorful cartoons at night.  On weekends, he'll go to fancy gala's with his wife, and instead of mingling with people, he'll sneak off to a tucked away corner between the chocolate dipped strawberries and ridiculous ice sculpture so he can continue observing and sketching.  Because this is Gary the Marker Man's way of finding peace amongst his high energy life in New York...    

X    X    X

Shoot, it's 8pm, time to go so I can make it home in time for Lost.  As I'm packing up, a super cool watermark from under my glass caught my eye...

(please don't laugh at my drawings!)

With a hand saw, I create my own die out of acrylic, which was used to create the hallow form shape.

Marriage of metals technique - I saw out the different strips, solder them together, then clean them up (10 hours of bliss and cursing).

28 hours invested, but seeing it done makes it all worth it to me (click here to see the final piece)... These pair of earrings represent my watermark on the world - what is yours?

Collecting Inspirations

Over the years I've been taking photos of things that inspire me.  I'm excited that with this blog, I can start archiving them here.  For now, here are some fun ones I have in my bank.  I'd love to see what inspires you - please share!

Black and White Gallery in Williamsburg, BK - made out of grass

On the street during Fashion's Night Out (aka Fashion Road Kill)

At Spike Lee's Michael Jackson tribute in Prospect Park.

Sunset just before the storm in Firenze, Italy

Found this on the floor of a subway station

Last sunset of 2008 in La Jolla, CA

© Tony Candelaria

Cartoon clouds, June 2009

Poor kid.

Note: Our apartment complex doesn't have washing machines

I don't think explanation is necessary here.  NFWR

Storm King

No Swimming!

Growing up, I loved swimming.  I was the fastest doggy paddler in the neighborhood.  No joke!  Then I started taking lessons at the YMCA and not even the neighbor's son, who was twice my size, could catch me.  I look back now and think about how I COULD have been an Olympian (ignore the fact that I'm 5'3", rounded - minor details).  I don't remember why or when, but I remember my parents saying I couldn't take any more lessons and I wasn't allowed to join a swim team, even though my best friend was on one, and I was WAY faster than her!  I didn't see a point in swimming in circles with no goal, so I drowned (pun intended) my sorrows in otter pops and my new Nintendo.

This small memory and feeling of disappointment inspired me to make a piece about adulthood.  Our coming of age.  Saturn returns.  To let go of what we know and embrace our freedom to be ourselves.

I bought this beautiful agate stone - the shape and colors reminds me of our pool.  I then started carving away at the carving wax to create the pendant.

After I finished the pendant, I carved the cage to go around it. 

Back of the pendant.

After all of the waxes were cast into metal, I cleaned them up, soldered on the findings (hinges, fastener, the hand made bayonet pin system) set the agate and diamonds and vuala!  Over 70 hours later, my No Swimming! pendant/brooch is finished - Check it out! .  Now I need a drink!