Wednesday, December 30, 2009

"FORM ART CENTER" sharing our creativity!







It was a long haul but a great exsperience running these Art Shows and our downtown "Shop Local Event" I'm a little tired at this point but none the less excited about starting the"FORM ART CENTER" We are looking for artists to rent spaces to teach classes and have there art studios. We are trying to create an artists community with classes, shows, lectures and support for local artists. We want to bring culture and a place for people to hang out and enjoy!
Thank You So Much for your support at our Artisan & Craft Shows! They were a great success due to our friends and supporters.
We would like to wish you a Creative and Peaceful New Year! We will continue to have more of these art shows monthly.(to be announced)
We are starting our Art Classes January 11th so far they include:
Painting, Jewelry Making, Felting, Knitting, Crocheting and Kids Classes many more to be announced!
For more info. contact me at lisa@thechicpeek.com , (978) 352 8614 or we have flyer's at the front door of the shop.(28 West Main St. Georgetown)
I will have a calender at www.lisascala.com
Thanks Again! Lisa Scala

Monday, December 14, 2009

Running the Show/ Whats Next?




My friends and I have been running Art Shows for the last several weekends and wow props to the people that run the big craft fairs. The Art Community is so generous with there time, ideas and support. I want to thank everybody who has helped me on this journey, friends, family and the clients that believe in us! Most of you who are now friends as well. We are planning to start teaching and sharing our passion for art in classes starting in January. We already have a great group of talented artists that are so excited to teach! I will be teaching jewelry, Susan and Andrea will be teaching a variety of lessons and the amazing artists are starting to come out of the woodwork. I believe we have a painter and maybe a mosaic artist. We put the positive energy out there and it seems to come back. Thanks Lisa Scala

Sunday, October 25, 2009

The Two Design Faces of Lisa Scala Handmade Jewelry, Art& Fashion






The Two Design Faces of Lisa Scala Handmade Jewelry, Art & Fashion is the two different styles that I am inspired to create. The newest style is the more contemporary style where I am working more simply in sterling silver. This design process is more about form and a bit of color. I tend to wear this style more myself, but I do love the vintage jewelry from the 1920's, 50's, 60's and 70's. I am inspired by an Asian and African feel in both of these design areas. The design process that I had been working in is "Retro Redesign" making fashion forward jewelry out of quality antiques and vintage items. I am starting to create what I call my bridge pieces, with these I combined an amazing vintage part and incorporate into a unique contemporary form. This seems to be the direction that I am headed and I am very excited! There is still something about these vintage finds and the sense of history that intrigues me. I also love that it is recycling and honoring the past. I am very lucky to be able to evolve, create and still love the process!

Monday, September 28, 2009

What Books Inspire You?


I have been trying to read books that will help me in business as well as in life lately. I have listed a few that I have enjoyed and that had a really great perspective on life. The One Minute Entrepreneur surprised me with it's advice and moral view on doing business. I highly recommend this book. I did list a few that were just entertainment, I tend not to read for fun enough. The Last Cato has twists and turns and is just fun! Do you have any books you would like to share with us either helpful or great entertainment? Please let me know and I will share them with everyone else. Thanks Lisa

Thursday, September 10, 2009

New Faze of Creativity!





I have made a commitment to myself to get back into metalsmithing which I have mentioned before. I have been making new work with new exciting designs and materials for shows and Etsy. I'm still trying to use vintage and new materials that inspire me and that are interesting and unique. As you can see in my current work I am having fun!
I just read in a book that a good rule of thumb for a crafter to ask themselves, when making a new design is "would I buy this for myself"? Or in my case would I wear this myself? I have been trying to keep this in mind and also running some of this stuff by my stylish friends and family.
I would like the style of my jewelry to be recognized but also keep it fresh and fun to create.
Do you have any techniques or suggestions on keeping the focus and excitement?

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Making Changes




We are working on my website today trying to improve on what you see and what you don't. I am very lucky to have my husband! He is a graphic designer, but most of all the most supportive person in my life! Thank You God! We are not only giving it a new fresh look but updating some of the print so it's more me. We are also updating the site with my new inventory and mediums. I am still struggling with the whole issue of making what I want vs. what sells. I'm on a constant search to meld the two together, its a fine balance. I want to have the freedom to create whats on my mind and in my soul but those nasty bills keep haunting me. My husband is doing well but I want to help out financially. "Just keep going with a positive mind and it will happen." This is what other amazing artist keep telling me "Thanks!" I would love to hear from you about what you think about the changes in my sight I am always open to suggestions and improvements. Thanks! (the changes should happen over the next couple of weeks)

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Putting Yourself Out There Can Be Scary









I am showing my paintings to the public for the first time and I'm a little nervous and excited. I have been painting for my own pleasure for years among other artsy things and loving it! My inspiration always comes from nature and the human body. It is hard to put into words but it also comes from my emotions and feelings on a subconscious level. Getting a little deep on ya, but it is the most wonderful healing process to paint or just create. I get into to a zone that I lose track of all time and everything around me and as anyone who has kids knows this is close to impossible.This is where I become a little skeptical or weary of selling my art. I don't want to create to sell, I want people to connect with my work and want to have it. I think I will have to keep this in check. Saying that I have been drawing and taking pictures of amazing plants and things that I can't waite to transform into my new work. I would love to hear your input and exsperiences with this topic.
Please wish me luck.
Phly Uc
222 State St.
Portsmouth N.H.
Sat. April 16th 6-9
We would love to see you there!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Collecting Inspirations!






Collecting beautiful & interesting things has always been an important part of my life. I have always been a collector, at first it was rocks and shells and now has gone into many different directions such as mid-century furniture, Madonnas, acrylic items and botanical prints to name a few. I do have to keep this in check by holding back on starting new collections. My mothers tells me this started as early as three years old with pockets full of stones and other small objects. The color, form, and texture of these collections are so inspirational to my work. As you can see I have always been attracted to small objects so it's no surprise that I am a jeweler by trade. I do still collect shells and rocks on a much larger scale now but they are still my favorites. I am amazed that mother nature creates these wonderful colorful, most incredible objects. My collections do seem to have connections to one another either in texture color or in a family memory or tradition. It was funny taking pictures of them because I saw connections that I never realized before. It was kind of interesting to stand back from what I'm attracted to and see how they relate. I'm sure my families antique business and their love of art was where this obssession came from. Obssessed yes, but I love it and want to share it with you. lisa@thechicpeek.com

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Keeping up with Trends




I have always kept up with trends and I guess my mom and grandmother always did as well. I do appreciate the new exciting designs that come out on the runways and in the magazines, but I do think there is something to be said for those who create there own style. These unique individual styles and the designer trends seem to always have a foot in the past. This is why I have always worn a vintage mix with contemporary fashions, together they create my own thang. The trends this season are lavender, rose, colorful flowers, flowered jewelry and plunging necklines(the dudes will be phyched). Pulling a few of these together with a vintage redesigned handbag and jewelry will set your outfit apart from the rest. I have always believed no matter what your style is if you have confidence and own the look, you'll look great! Mix it up for a look that is yours. del.ico.us.

Monday, March 16, 2009

The Elegance of the 1940's and 1950's





The 1940's and 1950's were all about elegance and style. Ladies with their fitted suits and Kelly bags were so amazing! The Kelly bag was named after the movie star Jean Kelly, the picture of elegance and poise. Another star that personified this style spanning all the way through the 60's was my favorite, Audrey Hepburn. Could you get more style and grace? Filigree pins and beautiful classic strands of pearls were all the fashion in the forties. Coming out of the 20's and 30's Deco period with geometrical angles led the forties in with softer lines and shapes. Ladies clothing fit the curvy lines of their bodies and accessories were more feminine with ornate details and flowers. The fifties led them even further into bolder fashions. The alligator bags and very colorful patterns were all the rage. To set the perfect backdrop for these styles the home interiors changed as well. In both the forties and fifties the furniture style took a bold turn from their classic wood styles from the past. New materials such as Bakelite and acrylics were used with formed plywood and chrome. This was a very exciting time for designers, we still take many of our modern design concepts from this period. Mid-Century design was and is
revolutionary to the design world! You have recycled in style by wearing retro redesigned jewelry. lisascala.com

Monday, March 9, 2009

Gem Stone Beads





I have always been amazed that these beautiful, colorful gemstones naturally come from the earth. Since I was a little kid I have collected rocks for there great shapes and colors. The science behind it is fascinating, but there seems to be something spiritual to it! I am so lucking to have access to these wonderful gemstones to use in my work. I love how they accent the vintage finds that I love to use in my work. Some of my favorite stones are moonstone, jasper, agate, quartz, lapis, amethyst, rose quartz, jade, I could go on forever. Thanks mother earth!(I'm such a geek)

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

What is Retro Redesign?


I define Retro Redesign as the process of combining hand picked vintage pieces with the unique forms and colors of semiprecious gemstones into the perfect new creation... something old is made new again - a current fashion sensibility with a vintage edge.
The result is handcrafted artisan jewelry and handmade gemstone jewelry that is nostalgic, yet contemporary.
Handcrafted beaded jewelry and natural gemstone jewelry come alive like never before when thoughtfully combined with a compatible element of days gone by.
Freshwater pearl necklaces and handmade beaded jewelry on their own can be consideredunique handcrafted jewelry, to a degree, but watch what happens when they are melded with a component of yesteryear! Truly unique handmade jewelry is what Retro Redesign is all about.
Our vintage edge gemstone necklaces and other creations are examples of custom fashion jewelry at its very best. lisascala.com

Touch of Asia







I have always been attracted and influence by Asian art and antiques. The quality, incredible craftsmanship and design are just a cut above rest. The design aspect ranges from very intricate carving to a simple elegance. I love to find these vintage Asian treasures to use in my work, there's nothing better than starting with an incredibly crafted piece to work with. The piece guides the design for me, I just bring it back to the honor that it deserves or the original artist deserves. I am very lucky to have access to these parts through my families antiques business it's in my blood! If you ever get a chance to go to a museum that has Asian art or antiques you should take the time to check them out, you will be amazed! lisascala.com

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Art Deco



The Art Deco period was from the 1920's to the early 1930's. This is one of my favorite design periods, I love it's clean geometric lines and beautiful color combinations! The styles of this time where innovative and a little risque. The women wore short sheath dresses showing a bit of leg. The jewelry of this was spectacular with emerald cut stones and black enamel details. Long opera length beaded necklaces and large dangle earring showed off their short bob hair cuts. There are so many design elements from that time, architectural and art, that are still used by current designers. This was one of the greatest times fashion and design. You should check it out. It's truly inspiring!lisascala.com