Flights of Fancy
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This piece was originally created for a gilding exhibit. The balloon is made primarily of quilling paper, some edged with 23k gold, but then I inserted plastic “cameos” .  The balloon is about 2 1/2″ in radius.  The goose basket is  quilling and gold leaf over paper.  The dragon is 23k gold leaf over textured paper, glazed with gouache paint.  The castle is made of different papers woven and shaped, covered with 23k gold, aluminum, and copper leaves.
The background was painted with gouache and watercolor on torn paper.  The glass used for framing was covered with “bricks” using the technique of verre eglomise, or reverse gilding on glass.  They are made with variegated metal leaf, hand etched and backed with glaze.  The entire piece is framed with a narrow gold shadow box molding. This won the “People’s Choice Award” at the Bristol Art Museum “Air” show in 2010.

It is approximately 14″ x 16″, and 4″ deep.

Right now, this is in the Museum of Gilding Arts in Pontiac, IL (see “News”  above.  )  It is temporarily not for sale.

Tzedakah (Charity) Box
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I made this box from picture frame moulding.  Inset in the lid, under glass, is the word “Tzedakah”, in 23k gilt-edged quilling. The word “tzedakah” is commonly interpreted as “charity”, but it also can mean “balance” and “justice”.  A tzedakah box, where money is put aside for the poor, was once considered so important that it was actually built into a house or a piece of furniture.  Donations were always made before the Sabbath, and at certain holidays and celebrations, as well as at random times.

In this box, the sides of the inner compartment are covered with decorative paper, and the bottom is suede.  It measures 5” x 8” x 4”h
Cost: $125 + $8 s/h

Song of Songs
“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” comes from the “Song of Songs (6:3)”, ascribed to Solomon.  This phrase , also shown here in the original Hebrew, “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li”, is part of the traditional Jewish wedding ceremony.

The original watercolor was digitally reproduced by the giclee process with archival ink and paper. A few updates were made to the giclee to increase legibility and highten colors.  It was then ornamented by hand with 23k gold leaf, with both raised and textured styles.  Each picture has been gilded individually and uniquely, and only a small number will be made.  It is surrounded by double acid-free mats in cream and a pastel shade, and a gold-tone wood frame.  Framing will vary slightly depending on artist’s whim.  Price includes packing and shipping within the US.

Chrysanthemum Shalom[singlepic id=30 w=300 h=224 float=]
“Shalom” means “peace” and “hello”. The Hebrew word is made with quilled chrysanthemums and shaped quilling coils.  The inner mat is covered with Yuzen paper, and the outer mat is lavender. The frame is antique silver (not shown) 7.5 x 9.5

Cost: $145 + $10 s/h

Topiary “Baruch Haba”[singlepic id=25 w=218 h=300 float=]”Baruch Haba” means “welcome” and is usually displayed at the entrance to a home. The phrase comes from Psalm 118:26: “Blessed is the one who comes (in the name of the Lord)”.