As always, I hope you are all well.  I have been dealing with the confinement by working and learning, and I sometimes achieve a result worth sharing.

I have just completed a new piece of artwork, “Emet – the Mobius Strip”.

Read all about it by clicking on the name or heading to Artwork > Current work.  Here is a  small picture.

I have also added a new tab to my website, called “Books”.  It is a list of the books that feature my work, and, as I have duplicates of these books, which are now out of print, I have decided to sell them.  Click on “Books” above.

I hope you are all doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances! I give thanks for several family members who have experienced miraculous recoveries. 

Lately, I have turned to a more festive subject – Chanukah!  We light the first candle on the night of Dec 10, and the eighth on Dec 17.

On the page “Chanukah Gifts“, you will find my new Chanukah masks, a door ornament, and my original designs of cards and wine charms . (2021 note – masks and wine charms are no longer available)

Not to pressure you, but between the time it may take to fill your order, and the vagaries of the post office, the sooner you order, the more likely everything will arrive before Chanukah!

If you are clergy, a teacher, or  in healthcare, you can use the coupon at checkout for 10% off.

I am also happy to note that my piece “Shaddai“, was accepted to the juried show ” 34th Annual Rhode Island Open “, at the Warwick Museum of Art,  which will run from October 21-Nov 28, 2020.

Stay well everyone and Happy Chanukah!

Last year was absolutely filled with new adventures and creations.  This year, so far,  has seen some of the saddest and most frightening situations I have experienced, due to the virus and current events, such as racial intolerance, economic failures, and political machinations. 

I hope you are all well.  I am fortunate to live in an apartment building where I can be isolated when necessary, or see my neighbors under safe conditions when I want to.  The time spent alone has been spent quilling, sewing, and taking care of the Society of Gilders.  My synagogue is doing a great job with on-line services and social and educational events.  I even gave a class on making paper flowers!

This is a time when we are more aware of “tikkun olam” – rebuilding the world, to make it the best it can be. Some believe God began it and left it for us to finish; so far, we have done a pretty poor job overall.  Let’s hope this is the signal we need to turn things around.

In spite of all the bad news, I still feel optimistic enough to create some artwork and have some fun.  Here’s what I’ve been doing.

A “Shaddai” is a traditional amulet, displayed in a home to ward off misfortune.  They were usually made of metal with ornamentation, and some contained a bit of parchment with sacred verses. The name is an acronym of the Hebrew letters on the front – Shin, Dalet, Yud, which stands for “Shomer Dalet Yisrael” – “Guardian of the Gates of Israel”.  In this it is similar to a mezuzah.

On the right is an example of an antique shaddai from the collection of the Israel Museum.

This shaddai is made entirely of paper, edged or covered with 23K gold leaf.  The quilling varies from 1/16-1/8″ in height. The menorah is quilled with layers of crimped paper set on edge.  All of the matting and framing is my work as well.  It is approximately 8″ x 12″.  To order.

An etrog box protects your etrog (citron) during the week of Sukkot.  This design is based on the Hashkieveinu prayer, and the Hebrew says  “Spread over us the shelter (sukkah) of your peace.”  The design is quilled.  The Hebrew letters are formed with quilled, 23K gold leaf -edged paper, and raised gilding on wood.  The cherry box was made by  Merle Krueger and is 5 1/2″ x 8″ x  4/1/2″h, with a magnetic closing.   It comes with a carrying case that I made.  To order.

I also created two additional etrog boxes – “The Four Species”   and “Sukkah” 

Sewing has become more rewarding.  Many of my sewing colleagues have joined the effort to make masks, and I did, too, donating about a hundred to medical institutions, hospice, and family.

Please stay safe, and hope for better news in the future!

So far, this summer of 2019 has been filled with wonderful experiences. 

First of all, my “Hineni” print was used for the cover of the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism’s 2019-2020 calendar diary

It is available through the WLCJ.

Then I attended the Society of Gilders biennial conference, this time at Macalester College, in St. Paul Minnesota.  Everyone thought it was one of the best conferences ever, and I must agree, even if I am the President!  The college could not have been more helpful, and our teachers outdid themselves.  I even took two classes – here, in Gregory Dixon’s class on using a gilding wheel to roll aluminum leaf (pix by Aurora Finishes).  It is not easy!

We also had many social events, including an art show of member’s work.  Here are most of the attendees.

Then, at the end of June, two friends and I took a cruise to Alaska!  It was 10 days of bliss, gourmet food, and beautiful scenery.  One of the highlights was experiencing a sled dog run at Tagish Lake Kennels  (I’m in the front left) and speaking afterwards with Michelle Phillips, who has run the Idtitarod 9 times.

And did I mention the scenery?

Here’s a view of the Mendenhall Glacier, and one of the sunset from the ship:

And later this summer I look forward to celebrating a special birthday, with my friends and family.

The trip to Israel (see previous post) still has spaces left. Please let me know if you are interested.