Show the Love Valentine Competition 2012

Love is all around us in many shapes and forms, and this Valentine's Day a special competition will give local artists and budding artists-to-be a chance to show what love means to them in the way of the time-honored tradition of the Valentine.

"Show the Love Valentine Competition," sponsored by Think Long Island First, will give entrants the chance to win the heart of an admirer on this special day -- and maybe walk away with the grand prize in the contest as well.

The competition will be judged by an esteemed jury comprised of three Long Island artists: photographer Alan Henriksen, painter Susie Gach Peelle, and wood turner Harry Wicks. Like the game of love itself, each entry will be judged on creativity and execution – as long as it is from the heart, it qualifies.

"Show the Love Valentine Competition" will coincide with the first annual Valentine's Fair in Oyster Bay, Celebrating America's First Valentine, and all things love..., organized by Raynham Hall Museum, Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce, and a group of other local businesses.

Participants can draw inspiration from the America's first Valentine, penned in Oyster Bay by British officer Lt. Col. Simcoe, stationed at the Townsend family's homestead (now Raynham Hall Museum) and given to the Townsends' daughter Sally. Although the original Valentine disappeared in the 19th century, the text captures his feelings for her:
Fairest Maid, where all is fair
Beauty's pride and Nature's care;
To you my heart I must resign
O choose me for your Valentine!

"Show the Love Valentine Competition" is open to students, competent amateurs and professional artists ages - 14-18 (Young Adults) and 18+ (Adults) for entries created on Long Island in varied media. Entry submission period is between January 1st and 31st, 2012.

Awards:
In Young Adult section
1st Place - $25.00 and $25.00 Think Long Island First gift certificate
2nd Place - $15.00
3rd Place - $10.00
Popular Vote - $10.00

In Adult section
1st Place - $50.00 and $25.00 Think Long Island First gift certificate
2nd Place - $35.00
3rd Place - $20.00
Popular Vote - $20.00

Winners will be announced on February 9th (and not January 9th, like it was erroneously stated on our first newsletter announcement). Award ceremony takes place at Think Long Island First at 36 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, NY, on Sunday, February 12th between 2-3 pm.

Please review the rules of the Show the Love Valentine Competition and submit your entries.

Best of luck and let love reign!

---

Season's Greetings

At this joyous time of year we wish you peace and happiness!

Snowman wood carving by Don Dailey, Huntington Station
Wood bowl in background by Harry Wicks, Cutchogue

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Artists for allowing us to carry their creative items. We also want to thank our Visitors for their support of local arts and crafts. This would not have been such a thrilling year without you!

Sadly, three artists left us this year - wood carver Mike Denaro, graphic artist Gerhard Richter, and very recently, photographer Joan Imhof. We will remember them by their wonderful works.

Please note, the store will be closed in January to reopen in February. We are taking a little break.

Have a lovely holiday season filled with joy and meaning!

---

Photographer Joan Imhof of Bayville passed away

Long Island Sound
Photo by Joan Imhof

We are sorry to inform you that Joan Imhof, Bayville photographer and volunteer, passed away this week.

Her warmth, dedication to public service, and her volunteering activities touched many.

Our store carries Joan's note cards with beautiful photos of Oyster Bay, Bayville, Centre Island, and Long Island Sound.

Centre Island
Photo by Joan Imhof

Deep sympathy to the Family.

Thank you, Jewelers!

Big thank you to Long Island jewelers who joined us today at the Jewelry Extravaganza and also to all guests at the event.

It was gratifying to see the breadth of jewelry styles combined with so many different approaches to jewelry display. The variety was just wonderful, so much creativity under one roof!

---

Jewelry Extravaganza today!

It's today - our Jewelry Extravaganza!

10 jewelers will be joining us at Think Long Island First between 12 - 3 pm! They are bringing in new work and are eager to discuss the creative process and technique.

We hope to see you there.



Read more.

---

Eclectic jewelry by Gail Vassiliades

Gail Vassiliades in her studio
Photo by Ewa Rumprecht

The jewelry adventure of Gail Vassiliades, jeweler from Northport, started relatively recently. She bought a beautiful necklace with a key and crystals. It was expensive and Gail was mad with herself for spending money on something, she felt, she could make herself.

She was right. In addition to inheriting her father's toolbox filled with interesting looking items - gears, screws, metal parts of all colors and shapes, she also inherited his manual dexterity, her father was a machinist. From her seamstress aunt she inherited a collection of buttons going back years.

Bracelets by Gail Vassiliades
Photo by Ewa Rumprecht

Gail started looking for everyday objects, buckles, cloak clasps, dress clips, dominos, keys, watch parts, that could be incorporated into a piece of jewelry. She scavenged at yard sales, bought parts on Internet or at antique shows. Her nurse friends gave her some decommissioned surgical screws yet to be creatively re-purposed. Gail has an eye for objects - her parents collected pewter and landscape paintings, she collects furniture, pottery, hats, fabrics, and hand tinted photos by Wallace Nutting and his contemporaries, among many other things.



Gail has formal training in art, art history, and advertising design. She always wanted to do window displays and she got her wish partially answered. For the last 20 odd years she has worked at Macy's in visual merchandising which spans from arranging display color schemes and signs to the flow of items on display.

Her sensitivity to color is great and she uses it well in her work. Lately she tends to pick brighter hues with Bakelite elements fulfilling the need beautifully. Every piece she makes starts like a puzzle. She plays with the elements a lot to see if they work together. After a piece is finished she will wear it and monitor people's reactions to it.

Gail Vassiliades at work
Photo by Ewa Rumprecht

For Gail, jewelry making is a very enjoyable process, she works with interesting and pretty things. The process is also made pleasant by her choice of the studio, she designated a private upstairs alcove with a full window over her desk, it gives her not only the natural light within but also a view of trees outside.

You will get a chance to see more of her jewelry and meet Gail in person at the Jewelry Extravaganza on December 3rd, 12 - 3 pm at Think Long Island First in Oyster Bay.

---

Debra Warlan and her vintage jewelry of style

Debra Warlan at her studio
Photo by Ewa Rumprecht

Debra Warlan, jeweler from Huntington, created her first memorable jewelry for her own wedding. She still has the cherished pieces in her collection.

Jewelry by Debra Warlan
Photo by Ewa Rumprecht

Many years of various artistic endeavors followed - a degree in illustration from Fashion Institute of Technology, degree in art education, teaching engagements, commercial textile, trim and ribbon design, toy design, painting on furniture, a recurring, annual project of painting stage sets for a summer art camp. She is very fond of the art of assemblage, three-dimensional compositions of varied media, and has a number of her own framed works in the studio.

Debra turned to jewelry at another momentous occasion - a beautiful necklace, designed for her daughter's prom and greatly admired by all, inspired Debra to focus more on her jewelry making.

Debra Warlan at work
Photo by Ewa Rumprecht

In the last couple of years she experimented with various esthetic approaches and techniques until she developed her own, highly recognizable style. Debra's jewelry will usually have a brass chain, sparkling rhinestones and/or crystals, sometimes an element with a distinct green patina. She finds/buys older pieces or new items and 'antiques' them to a great effect. She frequently adds some nature related themes - birds, ferns, shells.

She starts with a central piece and then wires or links in additional matching elements. The effect is well balanced, meticulously executed and beautifully presented.



You will get a chance to see more of her jewelry and meet Debra in person at the Jewelry Extravaganza on December 3rd, 12 - 3 pm at Think Long Island First in Oyster Bay.

For more information about Debra visit her recently relaunched website DeeMaake.com.

---