Travelogue: New York

  I always love visiting New York. There's an energy there that makes it hard for me to even sleep, there's so much going on! This is by no means a comprehensive list of places to go in New York but if you've never been there it may give you some ideas you hadn't thought of. Links are included below. Just click on anything underlined.

Above is my "flatlay" of our NY trip. I'll use it as a quick guide to some great things to do when in NYC.

• Museums: We saw three: the Tenement Museum, the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum of Art You can't go wrong with any of these but the Tenement Museum was so unique and memorable.  They offer so many different tours of what life was like for new immigrants around the turn of the century that I feel like I could go back several times and see something new every time. Led by well-informed guides, you'll be led into an actual tenement that was frozen in time in 1935. You'll find out about the actual families that lived in that building, their struggles, and successes in finding a new life in America. 

• Apple crumb pie: Who doesn't love pie? I had apple pie in two places-the Bar Next Door in the West Village and take out from Cafe European. For sheer ambience, go to the Bar Next Door. Tucked under a brownstone, you almost miss it but once you walk in and tuck into a cozy booth, you'll never want to leave. It feels like you're in a pub in England. This club only seats around 25 people, but somehow they fit a small jazz band in the corner. Candles light the place. Did I say it was cozy?

• Jazz clubs: We went to four. In order, the Blue Note, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Lambs Club, and the Bar Next Door. There's no way to compare the four of these as they all offer something different and completely wonderful. At the Blue Note, we walked in 10 minutes before showtime at 10:20 on a Sunday night and were led to a table right in front to see the amazing John Scofield. Crowded but awesome experience.  For Jazz at Lincoln Center, there are 3 clubs to choose from but we were in the jaw dropping Appel Room. (I have to say here that we were there to watch our son and his college jazz band perform so it was extra special to us but no matter, that room would be incredible just sitting empty.) Imagine standing in front of a 3 story high glass wall overlooking Columbus Circle and Central Park as the sun goes down. If you're in the mood for a high priced drink and some cool jazz in a beautiful setting, try the Lambs Club. The Art Deco interior is worth the price of admission. See previous bullet point for description of Bar Next Door.

•Restaurants: We went to at least thirteen. And don't worry, I'm not going to list them all. But here are a couple of my faves that I always try to visit. El Quijote-located in the ground floor of the Chelsea Hotel, I LOVE this place for it's dimly lit kitschy decor, waiters with old world manners, and wonderful Spanish food. If you're near the High Line, go to Pepegaillo on 10th Ave. Cozy, funky, eclectic decor with a friendly waitstaff and great Italian food at excellent prices. They even have an entire gluten-free menu too. 

• Miles Walked: Twelve (at least). Wear comfortable shoes. Enough said.

• Steps Climbed: 600. This is a conservative estimate. Again, consider footwear carefully.

• Iced Coffees: Nine or so. Best one was at Underline Coffee under the High Line.

• Subways taken: 16. Don't be afraid of the subway in New York. We had several people ask us if we needed help (which we did). This happens every time I'm there-locals go out of their way to help tourists use the transit system. Just ask someone if it doesn't make sense. Soon people will be asking for YOUR help (and we were able to help after just 3 days there)

• Photos Taken: 465 or so. And I'm going to show you all of them here! Just kidding...relax. In future posts I'll share some that I hope will inspire you like they did me.

•Bus Trips Taken: 23.When you compare the cost of Ubering or cabbing everywhere in NYC, there's just no comparison to taking their always available transit system. I was always skittish about transferring to the bus from the subway or vice versa and like Hilary, I had to swipe my Metro Card about 6 times the first time I used it but soon it was no big deal. In my opinion, you meet more people and get the feel of the city when you use their transit system too.

• Cannoli eaten: Last but not least--I only ate 2 cannoli this time around in NY, but I could've eaten 3 a day. You can find them everywhere it seems, but the best one I had was at Carlo's Bakery near Times Square. The crispy shell was just that-crispy, even though is was covered in thick dark chocolate. The filling was simply yummy. Carlo's got even more popular after appearing on the show Cake Boss, but their popularity is well deserved. They have at least 11 locations now.

John Scofield at the Blue Note

El Quijote restaurant (photo credit: www.grubstreet.com)

KU Jazz Band with Deborah Brown at the Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center

Bar Next Door (photo credit:http://bit.ly/1SgMggo)

Dining Room at the Lambs Club

NYC blue sky view from 43rd and 8th Ave

Art Everywhere

Okay, so the dust has settled after my trip to New York and Surtex!  I have finally had a chance to review my photos of NYC and forgot about this wonderful picture. 

 While walking the city before the show, I came across this amazing art in the heart of the city, but in a “quiet” neighborhood.  What a pleasant surprise to come across this art at PS#11!  What I love about this is the color, the pattern, and the overall feel that comes from finding this unique visual in the middle of a busy city.  This was my route to the Surtex show every morning and what a great way to start the day – I wonder if the students of PS#11 feel the same way? 

This picture makes you stop.  It is inspiring.  It makes you smile. . .

PS#11  was hosting a bake sale while I was there which helps support the school . . . Who does want to help a school with yummy baked goods?  I had to buy some for a treat later in the day!

Surtex and NYC 2012--Pre and Post Show Finds!

Well I'm finally back into the groove in my little home studio after spending a week in NY for the Surtex show!

I know that many artists have done recaps of the show itself and what they say is true: You don't really know how the show went until you see what deals come out of it. And that could take months to see results or finalize contracts. 

I loved doing the show and being in the company of so many other artists who are doing what I'm doing. They were all so generous and kind and I can't thank them enough for their helpful advice and friendship!  The setup and tear down of the booth could not have been achieved so quickly without my good friends, Andrea and Bryan Ring (setup) and Bren Talavera and Taylor Koster (tear down). I tried to make my booth unique and show a bit of the 3D wire work that I also do, so booth construction took more time than most!

After the show had ended, I stayed for a couple of days in NY to do some visual research and what a place to do research in!! I highly recommend giving yourself some extra time to see the city after you do the show--you deserve it after all that hard work! 

The morning after the show ended, we found this fantastic place called "Artists and Fleas" in the back of the Chelsea market. It's a pop up and will be closing soon so you have to hurry to see this one! Packed full of cool jewelry and unique clothing, it's a combo of the new, renew, and old.

And right down the street from that is a wonderful place for lunch called The Park. You feel as if you are actually IN a park, as it's built within an old parking garage structure and cute little birds (real ones!) fly overhead while you eat.

After that I headed to Fishs Eddy-the place for unique dinnerware, both new and vintage, then it was on to ABC Carpet and Home. ABC is always a must stop for me when I'm in NY. Even though the store has 7 floors plus a rug store across the street, I rarely make it past the first floor as they have so many beautiful goodies there! In Soho, one other store that caught my eye was Desigual. Beautiful patterning and eye popping bright colors drew me into the shop--and then I noticed the cool way their dresses and clothes are cut--so fun! Take a look for yourself--you'll see what I mean! These are just some of the places I went but there are many, many more.

And now--back to reality and it's time for the "real" work--the follow-ups after the show. This is where as they say the rubber meets the road. You can have lots of business cards and inquiries but the follow-up is where you actually start the conversations that may lead to a contract now or in the future. I personally try to contact everyone I spoke with within one week after returning from the show. 

I like to do that first thing, then I feel like I can relax a bit. Also one thing I do is to contact the companies on my list that I may not have met at the show but have always wanted to work for. They are my bachelor number ones and it's always good to court from the top down, as my friend and licensing expert Cheryl Phelps says! 

I have additional pictures from my trip that I will share in future posts that are beautifully inspiring!  Until then . . .

Surtex Pics from Day 3

Day 3 of the Surtex Show and it is going great!!  I have been getting great response to my work, which is even more exciting!!  I am posting some additional pictures of my booth and of the detail we put into the design.  More pictures to follow of the great inspiration in and around New York City!

 

 

Sweet Suite

Well Hello!  Welcome... I'm looking forward to unfolding into this new space, this new direction. Thanks for following & joining me on this path. Life is full of them, isn't it? So to celebrate that...I say eat dessert first.

One of my new collections is Just Desserts. Here is a sweet teaser for you... This is one of the elements of the many collections that I will debut at the Surtex show in New York at the end of May. Over the next few weeks I will show you what I've been up to, & what is inspiring me to get there!

Laduree  has been making gorgeous French Macarons since 1862. Macaroons French & otherwise have been gaining popularity… 

It seems I see pictures of them everywhere. So…it was only fitting that I include them in the suite of sweets…..