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.

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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.

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Jewelry Extravaganza at Think Long Island First

Jewelry Extravaganza
Saturday, December 3rd
12 pm - 3 pm

A great chance not only to admire work of the very accomplished local jewelers but also to meet them in person. It's always interesting to learn about the creative process and technique chosen for a piece.

The jewelry represents many different styles, from sterling silver chain mail and vintage to fused glass and lampwork, with various esthetic approaches from the very classic to modern if not cheeky.

What is there not to like about jewelry? Particularly if it is both beautifully designed and executed with skill and care.





Please join us at Think Long Island First at 36 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, NY, on December 3rd, 12 pm - 3 pm. It's a free event, open to public.

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Mary Burke, knitter from Bethpage

Mary Burke
Photo by Ewa Rumprecht

Bethpage knitter Mary Burke was born and raised on a family farm in Kenmare county Kerry in Ireland, one of the westernmost places in Ireland, 'next stop Boston'. Her father was a deep sea fisherman in the scallop and lobster seasons and carpenter when not at sea. In the true spirit of self-reliance, the family made most of the things right on the farm. One of seven siblings, Mary remembers fondly some of her tasks - making butter and cheese, collecting and washing eggs for the market, even making fishing nets.

Baby sweater by Mary Burke
Photo by Ewa Rumprecht

Mary was six years old when her grandmother plucked two quills from a turkey, stripped them of feather, and gave the quill needles to Mary to start knitting; there was only one pair of metal knitting needles in the house and grandma was not willing to part with it. Also, grandma was dubious that Mary, who was left-handed, could master the craft. Just to prove her wrong Mary learned to knit, right-handed, and continues knitting to this day.

Shawl by Mary Burke
Photo by Ewa Rumprecht

Since commercial patterns were beyond her means, Mary relied on the word of mouth and on her observation and common sense to pick up stitches and patterns. It worked quite well for her. She learned from her family, friends, and colleagues. She returned her accumulated knowledge in equal measure to countless novice and experienced knitters.

At Think Long Island First we carry her baby sweaters, baby hats and headbands, and scarves for adults - a very small sample of the vast number of items she had made since the first sweaters she knitted to supplement her modest school wardrobe. She knitted out of necessity, out of curiosity, and out of the generosity of spirit.

Baby knits by Mary Burke Photo by Ewa Rumprecht

Far removed from her first turkey quill needles, Mary now prefers bamboo needles - they are noiseless and more calming. She likes working with wool as it has a natural stretch to it. She finds cotton too rigid and does not use it at all.

Mary favors knitting over crocheting and other fiber arts, because, as she jokingly puts it: 'I can look at other things and gossip'. She exercises this merry employment every Monday when she joins a group of senior knitters at her clubhouse; 14 ladies get together to make clothes for premature babies from underprivileged families, clothes are distributed to local hospitals - a wonderful way to give back.

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Knitting circle - potluck lunch

We are gearing toward another event - Knitting Circle - Potluck Lunch which takes place at the store on Saturday, November 5th, between 11 am - 2 pm.

A group of novice and expert knitters, weavers, fiber artists, and spinners meets at the store for a few hours of swapping patterns, exchanging ideas, and just pure fun.

We held a similar event last year to a great success. In addition to knitting and crocheting we got a chance to try our hands at spinning and weaving - Donna Lee Trunk brought her portable loom, Carrie Wood set up her spinning wheel.

It's a potluck event so please bring a small dish (really small) to share with other guests. We will have limited storage and heating abilities so make is something uncomplicated.


Updated 11/10/2011

Enjoy photos from the event.

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One Year Anniversary with many thanks

We have celebrated our One Year Anniversary last Saturday with a gathering of artists and guests at the store. As always, it was a pleasure to meet the many talented Long Island artists, craftspeople, authors, and chefs and to welcome guests who appreciated their skill and creativity.

It was a beautiful day complemented by the generosity of our visitors - a local pantry benefits from the food items brought to the event. It is much appreciated.

Let us take this opportunity to express our gratitude to All who worked with us and supported us in the last year - from the artist community and the public to the members of our families. Many thanks!

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Anthony Farah, woodworker craftsman

Maple Top Console Table
by Anthony Farah

Anthony Farah, Wantagh woodworker craftsman, got his first taste of hands-on work at 15 when he picked up a summer job at a frame shop. He enjoyed both the precision and the tactile aspect of fitting frames, cutting mat boards, glass and adding finishing components. He stayed there for 3 years.

Bubinga Console Table
by Anthony Farah

Having imagined himself a cattle rancher in Montanta, he studied animal husbandry at The State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill. His first venture into wood art happened in a woodshed at the college grounds - Tony made a jewelry box for a prospective girlfriend. Neither the cattle ranch nor the girlfriend came true.

Tony joined his cousin Charles at his carpentry business in Philadelphia. He had used his time there well - learned flooring, window making, trims, visited various museums and galleries in search of clever use of wood.

Little Round Table
by Anthony Farah

Throughout the years he had a number of other experiences from barn building to employment at a mirror shop at the time when mirror walls and ceilings were all the rage. A memorable and eye-opening experience was an on and off involvement with Filmways Studios in the Bronx where he built movie sets.

He started his own shop with just a handful of machines in his backyard, then moved through a succession of workshops of ever increasing footage and capacities. He is now comfortably set up in Uniondale, where he runs a woodworking shop Big Twig Woodworks. He makes custom cabinets in a variety of styles, creates sumptuous bars and paneled libraries, is well known for his railing work.

Glass Top Table
by Anthony Farah

In addition, Tony creates one of a kind furniture where he utilizes reclaimed and recovered wood. If he hears of or sees a fallen/felled tree of potential he will make sure it ends up stashed in his shop getting ready for a table/bookshelf/etc yet to be conceived.

Recently, Tony's interest and perseverance got an official recognition; he was a recipient of the Think Green Award given by Think Long Island First at The Long Island Fair, an annual event held on the grounds of the Old Bethpage Village Restoration. A console table of local maple and red oak was the winning piece.



Though Tony is a self-taught woodworker, he has gained his esthetic training and inspiration from the study of works by George Nakashima, Wendell Castle, Frank Pollaro, or Wharton Esherick whose staircase in Esherick's house/museum he considers one of the finest achievements of woodworking. Tony is a member of the Long Island Woodworkers Guild.

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