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Letters From Our Readers 34.4
Hats Off to You
Hats off to your last issue of Ornament [Vol. 34, No. 3], a classy and beautiful issue that featured topics I devoured. After visiting the Smithsonian Craft Show, I particularly appreciated the almost sixty new artists featured there, many of whom were younger and have been trying to enter this show for years, so you were correct when you wrote that that aspect “changed the show’s dynamic and feel in that the most apparent difference was the utilization of alternative materials.” From the recycled rubber jewelry of Kathleen Nowak Tucci to the intricately cut felt work of Danielle Gori-Montanelli, whose shopping girl pin I purchased, the quality and excitement of new artists’ offerings was unsurpassed. It is my fervent hope, however, that ordinary customers like me will not be priced out of this craft show as each year, the cost of purchasing such pieces rises with fewer pieces offered in my price range. Over the years, I have learned to collect favorite pieces from first-time artists because once they become established, I can no longer afford collecting their works so I try to budget for small pieces that are symbolic of the artists’ future potential.
Also, because of your magazine’s profiles, I traveled to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to see Roberto Capucci’s Art into Fashion exhibit, truly a must-see for designers and textile experts. And I will soon travel to the Legion of Honor in San Francisco to see the Pulp Fashion exhibit of Isabelle de Borchgrave as pictured on the cover. So you see the power of Ornament in enticing those of us who appreciate high-quality crafts because you open our eyes to new venues and introduce us to artists and designers we might otherwise miss. Thank you for a most wonderful magazine; now, if only my pocketbook can keep up with your offerings.
Kathy Megyeri
Washington, D.C.
Further Confusion? You Bet
I received my first issue [Vol. 34, No. 3] as a new subscriber to Ornament. Good grief! You stooped low for this one. To think that a bunch of people dressed up in fur costumes was worthy of attention anywhere ... never mind in your otherwise fine magazine is a mystery to me. Animal fur harvested for adornment is so passé that only someone with no sense at all would be seen wearing anything cobbled together with glue or stitched by the finest tailor these days. I can imagine alcohol is indeed popular at this convention, for to be drunk would be the only way one could stomach the visual horror of the event.
Kari Copland
Billings, Montana
Patrick Benesh-Liu replies: There is no real animal fur used in any of the furry costumes; usually teddy bear fabrics or fake fur are used instead. As you can see from the top of the article, a swatch is shown from CR’s Crafts, a doll and bear supplier.The furry community is in fact fairly unique in that almost every one of their conventions donates a portion of their proceeds to various animal and wild-life charities. Further Confusion donated to these charities in 2011, as seen on their website: http://www.furtherconfusion.org/fc2011/charities.
I can understand your distaste in the light of viewing this event as a cavorting tribe of animal butchers, but synthetic materials are cheaper and much easier to procure. Not to mention easier to stitch together on a sewing machine. Not only are furries attracted to animals in art, most feel a kinship with them and are more environmentally conscientious than the average person on the street. For myself, I am attracted to the furry community for their creativity as young adults. While they have their flaws, animal-abuse is not one of them.
Sincere Thanks
A sincere thank you to the Ornament Magazine team for featuring my work [Vol. 34, No. 3] and telling my story. Wearing and making contemporary jewelry is not for the faint of heart, given the many challenges in the world today. I wonder what it means and why it matters. Your energy and focus directed toward the exploration of these questions and your expressed vision that “what we make to adorn ourselves is a beautiful and meaningful expression of life” is deeply appreciated.
Sally von Bargen
Seattle, Washington
Spot On
I just received the latest issue of Ornament [Vol. 34, No. 3] and am breathless! Congratulations and thank you, thank you for creating such a fabulous issue! It is a true delight and features so many of my favorite designers (including Zandra Rhodes and Roberto Capucci) and outstanding exhibitions (Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave) ... and so much more! You are absolutely “spot on” as they say. Keep up the excellent work from which we all benefit and which helps to make this world a much better place!
Jo Ann C. Stabb
Davis, California
Let us know what you think.
Ornament welcomes comments from our readers on all topics regarding personal adornment. Published letters may be edited for brevity. On all emails and posted letters please provide your first and last name, city, state or country. Write to P. O. Box 2349, San Marcos, CA 92079-2349; send fax to 760.599.0228; or email message to ornament@ornamentmagazine.com.
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Our upcoming issue 37.4 contains
Nubian Jewelry
Kate Mensah
Philadelphia Craft Show
Some of Our Popular Articles
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