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Despite a the wacky year of the Pandemic, all-in-all, I enjoyed a new “high” for my sea glass business in 2021.  Inadvertently, my studio became a retreat for those who needed to solve “Covid” hair challenges.  Hair accessories received a new lease on life! The bigger picture is that the LOVE of sea glass is alive and well and as supplies of the “real thing” dwindle, my collection becomes more of an attraction.  This past year my challenge was to find new ways to work with the really large pieces and it was fabulous to introduce the leather and sea glass combos that took the form of “Line in the Sand.”  Now the challenge is to find more sea glass lovers with whom to share the work.  Right now, I am grateful for a series of new locations that are hosting the collection.   Anispotera Mercantile in Lexington has a lovely display.  The owner, Rosemary Austin is pioneering a new concept of all around well-being featuring non-THC CBD products alongside organic coffees and teas and artwork.  You have to agree, these are the things that make our lives more pleasant! The Fuller Craft Museum has added works to their shop and it’s well worth a visit there to see the incredible glass display called “Glass Life Forms”.  Down in St. Augustine, FLA. I am very pleased to be part of W.B. Tatter Gallery on Anastasia Island – just cross this bridge and you are there!  Wendy is a talented silk painting/batik artist who I was lucky enough to meet during my recent travels!

My Passion for Hair Accessories and YOUR chance to become a Trendsetter!

There’s much to be said for “necessity is the mother of invention.”  That is exactly how I came to be a “maker” of my favorite piece of wearable art – hair accessories.  It was a BIG DEAL to grow my hair long.  Pixie cuts were the rage when I was a young girl and my parents loved the no muss, no fuss  (a/ka/a) chop-it-all off look.   I was horrified and wanted long hair.  So today I still have it!

Over the years, however, I found it extremely difficult to find high quality hair accessories.   I found them more readily overseas – the UK, Italy, Spain, & France.  In the U.S., I started to look for them in antique stores and flea markets since the older ones were made to a higher quality standard.  Pictured here are some of what became quite a collection! (special thanks to friends Jim & Judi for the latest additions!)

As long hair has come and gone, so have people making high quality hair accessories.  The best “clips” are the patented French Barrettes – all the rest are cheap imitations that pull at your hair and break.  The French clips come in 4+ sizes and usually just one size can be found if at all in department stores.

When I first started to collect sea glass, I had a vision for making sea glass barrettes.  That vision quickly expanded to creating a full line of hair accessories – using barrettes and other findings such as combs, forks, sticks, bobby pins, and alligator clips.  I have even used a local metal shop that does laser cutting to make some of my own findings.

With a few quick searches, I happened on some history that might be of interest to collectors.

For thousands of years, hair bands, ribbons, bows, hairpins, combs, barrettes, beads, threads, sticks, and other various materials have been used in the hair for both aesthetic and cultural value to express identity. The first reference to human hair accessories happens to also be what many historians have dubbed the first relic of human art. Found in modern Austria, the Venus of Willendorf  dates to between 24,000-22,000 B.C.E. The limestone statuette is called “Venus” to discern it as a depiction of the original female form.

As I have now been a “maker” for 19 years, I may have benefited from some of the “return to long hair” trends, but in some cases, I was fighting the wave of short hair.  It never really mattered to me, as I was focused on changing perception of hair accessories to hair jewelry.  I frequently say to my clients – “when you spend hundreds of dollars to color and style your hair, why would you throw a poorly made, uninteresting bobble in your hair and ruin it “– rather than accentuate its beauty and your investment.   Hair accessories are both beautiful and functional and as history tells us, they are one of the  the earliest ways to “express one’s identity.”   This particular video by Glamour Magazine is a great snapshot of the last 10 decades.

Further to the article above,

Over these last few years, there has been a growing adoration for hair accessories in day-to-day fashion as a way to celebrate identity. From bejeweled barrettes to the classic snap clip, this trend is currently dominating in the hottest streetstyle and runway fashion. While its rotation back into what’s “a la mode” feels fresh, hair accessories are one of humanity’s oldest forms of fashion.

I leave you with this fun image of a girl after my own heart from the Glamour video! And of course, a fabulous group of clients who have discovered my studio and to whom I am ever so grateful!   I look forward to sharing the latest work and adorning you and helping you find the best expression of your identity with the perfect hair piece!  You too can be a hair adorning Trendsetter!   Click on the photos below to see my clients adorned in sea glass hair accessories.

The Cape Ann Artisan’s tour continues to be a delightful and thoroughly enjoyable experience. Thanks to all the artisans for their gracious reception.     [2020 Visitor]

The Cape Ann Artisans are pleased to announce the 38^th Annual Spring and Fall Open Studios, plus a special summer Mini-Tour in 2021 based on the response of the community in the summer of 2020.    The Spring Tour is June 5-6, the Fall Tour is October 9-10, and the Mini-Tour, with a smaller group of the artisans, is planned for one day only, Saturday, August 14^th.

For locals and visitors alike, the diversity of the artisans’ work combined with the unique setting of the studios creates a memorable day or weekend outing around Cape Ann.  The group changes slightly from year to year due to artists who choose to take a leave or new members who are juried in. In 2021, the Artisans welcome new artisan Sallie Strand, an abstract painter located on historic Rocky Neck.   In 2020, Chloe Leigh, a fine jeweler, located in downtown Gloucester also joined the group, but this will be her first year participating.

The tour is “self-guided” with 14 individual stops to visit with 15 artisans.   The full group is listed below along with their medium:

1. David Archibald – Ceramic Arts – Porcelain & Stoneware
2. Cynthia Curtis – Ceramic Arts – Stoneware
3. Rob Diebboll – Painting – Oil & Watercolors
4. Jacqueline Ganim DeFalco – Sea Glass Jeweler
5. Deb Gonet – Painting – Mixed Media
6. Linda Hogan – Quilter
7. Chloe Leigh – Fine Jeweler
8. Sinikka Nogelo – Painting & Sculpture– Experimental Arts
9. Scott Place and Erin O’Sullivan – Ceramic Arts
10. Marcie Rae – Fine Jeweler
11. Deb Schradieck – Painting–Oil & Watercolor
12. Sallie Strand – Painting- Abstract
13. Pam Stratton – Mosaics
14. Sara Wright – Fiber Arts- Handwoven & Knit Accessories

As the tourist season unfolds, the 2021 Brochure will become available at all the major tourism outlets including the Cape Ann Chamber and North of Boston CVB locations.  The Artisans will also continue their partnership with Discover Gloucester.   One significant change is that the tour locations will be noted on the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Visitor printed map and will be downloadable from Cape Ann Artisans website, but will not be printed inside the Artisan brochure as in years past.

The 2020 Feedback survey gave the Cape Ann Artisans high marks in terms of Covid safety and we will continue to ask visitors to comply with State of Massachusetts regulations:  wearing of  facial coverings, practice of social distancing, and use of  hand sanitizer which will be available at each studio.

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What:  The 38^th Annual Cape Ann Artisans Open Studios

Where: Gloucester and Rockport, MA.

When:   Spring Tour: Sat & Sun, June 5-6 and October 9-10^th  10AM-5PM Daily

Special Event: Mini-Tour* – Sat August 14^th  Mini-Tour Artists to be announced in the Spring.

Contact: info@capeannartisans.com or leave a message with Cynthia Curtis 978-546-6186