At The Bench

We're Back...

2011-06-08T21:57:00.000-07:00

...but where did 'we' go?
Some call if Spring Fever, I call it me. It's been a long few weeks including sorting, prioritizing and trying to further what a colleague of mine calls 'Living a Creative Life'.
With summer just around the corner we're vamping up at the store by bringing new talent in to fill our new cases. With so many creative people to meet, I'm feeling right on target with the store, and with my own work. I've been striving towards balancing the 'we' of the store and the 'me' of my work. I'm excited to be at work, find new work and be in my studio creating new work. It's not all work, in fact, it has never been more apparent that if you do what you love, you never work a day in your life.
So what's new?
I've just started wholesaling my Mountain Line to retailers and I'm expanding into Galleries in BC and Alberta.
We've recreated my website, www.suzannespisani.com, where you can find personal sketches from my books and more about what inspires me and how I work. We are also currently working on creating a new store website, www.spisanidesigns.com where we can showcase our designers and give more info on what the store is about.

I often find myself referring to the store as 'we'. This all started with attempting to self identify with my creative self. More so, an attempt at separating my retail store form my art. I often find that I get lost in day to day activities such as repairs, refilling out packaging display and cleaning cases. The reinvention of who I am as an artist, more specifically, a creative jeweller, is key to maintaining my creative fire, and in turn, a happy and healthy store.

Jux-ta-pose

2011-05-21T09:38:00.001-07:00

I don't even know it's definition. In fact, I assumed, like with most words, that I spelled it wrong. My way of getting through the spelling world is purely by fa-net-ics...who knew I had this one right! Won't I be surprised if I find out I spelled fanetics right...doubtful.

So what does it really mean? Place or deal with close together for contrasting effect: "black-and-white photos were juxtaposed with color images" To place close together or side by side, comparison or contrast.
Now that I'm all the more wiser, I love "Juxtaposes". I love it in colour, in people, in places, in feelings, in art. I love contrast...so opposite, but so alike. Most of all I love learning, expanding my verbal horizons.

(I'm laughing at the correct spelling of phonetics).

The Left Side of the Street

2011-05-04T01:16:00.000-07:00

Whenever things seem to get scattered and the feeling of being overwhelmed begins to overwhelm, there is something that always reminds me that I was off track. That something is different each time, but it is usually the feeling of success during or after I've finished a piece that comes from a place of truth. If I'm lucky, I don't waste too much time being in between and
I remedy being overwhelmed by vowing to make more time. Time to create, time to get back to my purpose and time to focus on what brings me happiness. It's easy to lose focus when you're a people pleaser.
Today I experienced what I like to call "the perfect reminder of how and when things got away". I do my best work when I allow myself time to move through the process. There is nothing better than the moment when something helps me to realize that I've gotten off track (this too, is always the moment in which I start to get back on track, or at least realize it if I'm already there). Like most people I know who create for a living, we want to create for ourselves using what inspires us and have others see it's worth.

I'll read this again tomorrow when I get off track.

Reorganization

2011-04-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

Expect to see more from the heart and less business in the near future. I'm reorganzing my
studio, myself and my priorities so let this be a place of solitude and creativity! Onward.

Special

2011-01-09T12:01:00.000-08:00

Check out our in store specials on select Spisani Designs. Save 20% until the end of January while we make room for new 2011 lines. Contact us for details and see how you can benefit from wherever you live!

Up and at 'em

2011-01-07T22:50:00.000-08:00

Today is our two month anniversary! Oh how time flies when you're having fun.
It's a bit of magic mixed with long days but there's nothing else I'd rather be doing.
Spisani Designs is open and in full swing in the Grizzly Plaza in downtown Revelstoke.
We feature Canadian Designers, Custom Jewellery and Repairs. Here you can purchase one of a kind jewellery, design your own piece or reuse your gold and gems to turn your ideas into something truly unique. Everything in our store is handmade, one of a kind and Canadian. Thanks to all of our supporters and friends. Check out some of our designers below and feel free contact us for with any questions!

http://www.kariwoo.com/
http://www.gihi.ca/
http://www.nicolebigg.com/
http://frankjewellery.ca/
http://www.jessieturner.ca/
http://www.pkkdesign.com/

Online News

2010-10-07T14:25:00.001-07:00

Suzanne Spisani’s show, The End of the Beginning, highlights her skills as a silversmith who regards jewellery, personal decoration and even housewares as objects that should be works of art in and of themselves. This is certainly obvious in Ditch the Kitchen Spoon and Balance Bowl. These two works are not merely functional, they are simultaneously whimsical and elegant. Personally, I lusted after these two works but — Alas! — they were not for sale.

Suzanne’s other pieces showed that same sense of whimsy, especially the weirdly wonderful bracelet called Slow As Molasses. Cast in the flesh of a

This is an artist's conception of what an extinct Hallucigenia looked like when it walked across the floor of a shallow Middle Cambrian-aged sea. The animal is one of many unique and distinctly weird-looking animals that left their fossils in the Burgess Shale near Golden.

fish to give its surface a highly organic-looking texture, it closely — but unintentionally — resembles a prehistoric Hallucigenia from the Middle Cambrian-aged Burgess Shale near Golden.

Of particular note is Ron Nixon’s exhibition, called Feathers. Ron spent the last 16 months working on this largely marvelous exhibition of bird images.

Ron’s best works are all in coloured pencil. Each image is highly realistic and and finely detailed, consisting of thousands of tiny strokes from his coloured pencils.

If you love birds you will definitely not want to miss seeing his work.

These three shows are on exhibition at the Visual Arts Centre at 320 Wilson Street until Nov. 5. For more information about the shows or for information about hours please call 250-814-0261 or send an e-mail to info@revelstokevisualarts.com.

Here is a sampling of the works you can see when you visit The Centre:

Suzanne Spisani's mastery of silversmithing is quite clear in her small exhibition, The End of the Beginning, which opened at the Visual Arts Centre on Friday. Unfortunately for local art collectors, these two works, Ditch the Kitchen Spoon and Balance Bowl, were not for sale. David F. Rooney photo

This is another view of the these two beautiful — and functional — works of art. David F. Rooney photo

This is another example of Spisani's work: a beautiful diamond and silver brooch. David F. Rooney photo

Slow As Molasses is the work of this organic-looking bracelet. It bears an uncanny resemblance to a prehistoric Hallucigenia from the Burgess Shales. David F. Rooney photo

Silversmith Suzanne Spisani chats about her work with Andrew Hamilton. David F. Rooney photo

The End of The Beginning

2010-10-01T09:40:00.001-07:00

Opening Night for my solo show "The End of The Beginning" starts at 6pm. Come on by and check out a collection of my work from my graduating year. You'd never guess boats float.

Reved

2010-06-04T13:40:00.000-07:00

Artist in Profile
by Heather Lea

When you first meet jewellery designer Suzanne Spisani you might notice she
wears hardly any jewellery. Yet despite this, she is unmistakably one of Revel-
stoke’s up and coming stars in the jewellery scene....

Click here to continue reading on page 4...

We are now OPEN!

2010-04-06T18:27:00.000-07:00

City’s first artists’ co-op opens

Posted by editor on April 4, 2010 · 1 Comment

By David F. Rooney

Being an artist can be tough. Not the creative part — that’s pretty easy. But it’s tough selling art, particularly when there isn’t a commercial art gallery in town.

That situation changed dramatically on Saturday for 16 local artists when they opened their own gallery — Art First! — at #1 -113 First Street West. Art First! is owned and operated by the new North Columbia Artists’ Co-operative and is now open to the public.

The Co-op members held a celebration on Saturday night for 160 friends and family members and actually sold five works before the evening was over.

“This has been a lot of hard work,” Co-op Chairwoman Jacquie Pendergast said at the opening. “But the result, as you can see, is well worth it.”

The co-op was born as a result of a conversation a few months ago between Pendergast and native sculptress Audrey Nanimahoo, who had then just announced that she was closing her gallery because she wanted to return to sculpting full-time. Neither of them wanted to see that prime location snapped up by yet another heli-skiing operation or snowboard shop. They both knew the city’s visual artists needed a commercial gallery in which they could sell their work. The Visual Arts Centre is a huge advantage for all of Revelstoke’s artists but it is a non-profit society and its location means most tourists and even some local residents never visit it.

Pendergast decided that forming an artists’ co-operative would be the way to go and picked 16 artists as the core group. Everyone bought a share in the co-operative and pays a portion of the monthly rent. Members receive all but two per cent on the sale of their works. The two per cent is retained by the co-operative as a group and goes towards operation of the gallery.

Art First! opened to the general public on Sunday morning and will be open seven days a week until 6:30 pm — later int he summer.

The city's newest art gallery, Art First!, opened its doors on Saturday with a by-invitation-only party. By the end of the evening at least 160 people had dropped by for wine, appetizers and an opportunity to see and buy works by some of Revelstoke's finest artists. David F. Rooney photo

North Columbia Artists' Co-operative Chairwoman Jacquie Pendergast (right) welcomes people to Art First! at the start of the evening's celebration. David F. Rooney photo

Guest Andrew Clark (left) and artists Christina Romeo and Keisha Treber listen to Jacquie Pendergast's opening comments. David F. Rooney photo

Much of the work to prepare the gallery for full-time operation (it is open seven days a week) was performed by sculptor Andrew Stacey and volunteers from within the co-op. David F. Rooney photo

The Art First! gallery was pretty jammed for much of the evening. David F. Rooney photo

Sculptress Audrey Nanimahoo (right) and a friend examine a work by Chloe Kim. David F. Rooney photo

Art First! is owned and operated by the new North Columbia Artists' Cooperative. Its 16 members include two jewellers, a photographer, a potter, two sculptors, a fabric artist and 9 painters. David F. Rooney photo and

Marg Stovel (center) and Clarice Caywood check out the works on offer at Art First! David F. Rooney photo

Guest Alan Chell (left) talks with artist Chloe Kim who has a number of lovely and intriguing works on display at Art First! David F. Rooney photo

Is that Jacquie Pendergast committing artistic suicide? Naw! Just an odd perspective as fellow artists Nicola McGarry and Gwen Lips mug for the camera. David F. Rooney photo

Show me the money!

2010-02-26T21:22:00.000-08:00

Sterling Silver, 14K Gold, Copper and 4mm diamond Money Clip.

Our New Artists' Co-Op in Revelstoke!

2010-02-11T18:49:00.000-08:00

Check out what we've been up to here!

Solo Exhibition

2010-01-20T19:34:00.000-08:00

My solo Jewellery and Small Object exhibition titled " The End of the Beginning" will be showing from October 1st-November 5th 2010 at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre.
This is a collection of work from my graduating year, and shortly after, exposing the many process' of what being a jewellery designer entails.
From ideas to sketches to the final product, I will visually walk you through my process of what creating both function and conceptual one of a kind jewellery small objects entails.

"Suzanne’s jewellery is, in a word, exquisite"

View the article in the Revlstoke Current here.
http://www.revelstokecurrent.com/2010/01/18/visual-arts-centre-has-an-exciting-2010-exhibition-schedule/

Give the gift of a home!

2009-12-01T21:45:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine is raising $1000 US to build a house for needy families in villages around Phnom Penh. Visit www.tabitha.ca for more info.
Help Chris help others by purchasing a pair of leaf earrings this holidays season.
I will donate 100% of the proceeds ($70) from the sale of one pair of copper earrings to this cause.
E-mail me for details!

Handmade Parade!

2009-11-21T16:17:00.000-08:00

We're counting down the days until the Handmade Parade!

Visit our booth Saturday November 28th from 10-6 and Sunday from 10-4 at the REVELSTOKE Community Center!

Come by and check out the new Jewellery for all price ranges!

Shiny Happy People...

2009-11-19T17:13:00.000-08:00

Check out the photo of my ring dispaly from the RVAC on opening night in Revelstoke.

Mountains!!!

2009-11-12T19:45:00.001-08:00

"Mountains" exhibit at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Center opens tomorrow night, (Friday 13th) Come by from 6-9pm and check out everything mountainy. I bet you can guess what I have on display?!?!? That's right, Mr. and Mrs. Begbie Rings!

Snake Sculpture

2009-11-08T16:48:00.000-08:00

Using new forming techinques I combined two forms to make a sculpture ...just so happens it's right on par with my fear of snakes....made from brass with a paitna it stans 8" tall.

You're Invited!

2009-11-04T17:26:00.001-08:00

Join us this Friday evening at 6pm at Gallery 378! This is the opening of new work geared for November and December. Come out and be wined and cheesed with local artists! Located belown the Craft Connection at 378 Baker Street in Nelson, BC. My new work is on display and for sale. Hope to see you there!

Fold Formed and Forged Cuff

2009-10-26T17:03:00.000-07:00

I've been expanding my horizons with fold forming and forging the past few months and this cuff is a result. I had the chance to take a week long workshop where I was guided by the brilliance of Charles Lewton Brain. Made out of copper and gold leaf using fold forming and forging techniques, this cuff sits 1.5" wide on your wrist.

Purchases!

2009-10-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

You can now purchase my new leaf line or request custom jewellery at www.suzannespisani.etsy.com

Pink Tourmaline, Diamond, 14K Yellow Gold and Sterling Silver

2009-10-18T21:02:00.000-07:00

He looked at me sideways....

2009-10-15T08:25:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to break my own mould, trying to get out of my own box....in the process of drawing, exploring colour, line, shape, form and everything else that makes a good design, I've found myself back at square one. I have pages in my sketch book, okay, I have multiple sketch books...but this month, everything has a snake form, a snake texture, a snake spine...I think I'll run with this...up next, live snake jewellery!

Snake Vertebra

2009-10-09T13:16:00.000-07:00

They say if you have a fear of snakes, it is not the snake that you fear, but rather the side-to side movement that strikes the adrenalin rush. If you're petrified of snakes like I am, a similar type movement, let alone snakes, sends your blood straight to your toes and your heart pounding a mile a minute. This reversible bracelet was inspired by just that...my terrifying fear of snakes.

The Happy Bride....

2009-10-04T09:13:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to Rach and Danny who were wed this fall! Here is the beautiful bride wearing my Jewellery.

Cutting to the Chase...

2009-09-27T21:20:00.000-07:00

Phew...just in time...today I finished a pair of sterling silver and 14k gold earrings...this is the latest piece of jewellery to date....keep on eye open for what's new and upcoming for this Holiday Season...I'm verrrryyyyy excited!

Welcome!

2009-08-13T16:23:00.000-07:00

It dawned on me today that I'm starting a new chapter in my life. I wanted to document the next little while and my progress....inside and out...here we go.