by Mo on April 15, 2011
Hello from San Miguel de Allende (SMA) darlings! I arrived here last Saturday evening; my lovely arrival hosts orientated me to this beautiful place with vino, tacos, Sunday brunch and a tour. (Thank you P&M…) After a siesta on Sunday they shipped me off around the corner to Fabrica La Aurora. Delirious from travel and the afternoon sun I didn’t think about investigating where I was headed, I simply nodded yes and strolled out the door. I took the shortcut down a dirt path, found the building, walked in and read this sign:
I enjoyed my first afternoon in SMA strolling the hallways, galleries, and courtyards of this beautiful art and design center housed in a historic textile factory. It was a quiet Sunday there and not everything was open, the space felt hauntingly beautiful. I had never seen any of the enormous, beautiful machines anywhere before, and indeed they are very much like ghosts now.
Wooden presses used to stamp unbleached muslin
As a working factory, La Aurora was equipped with cylinders, spindles, and looms to process the bales of raw cotton that arrived to the plant from the cotton-producing areas of La Laguna in the center part of Mexico and from the states of Sinaloa and Sonora. The process of cleaning, ginning, carding, and spinning the raw fiber into a yarn or thread was all done on the premises. (read more history…)
I wished that I could go back in time and see those machines in action, or that this factory never had to halt it’s work which was so integral to the community here. These wishes were tempered by the studios, galleries, and boutiques breathing new life into the space…
I am feeling right at home here in San Miguel. At home my mantle is covered with heart-shaped rocks I have been collecting for years, some found, some gifts. Since SMA is considered the heart of Mexico (as it is where Mexico first gained it’s independence from Spain) there are hearts everywhere, in every shop … some have entire walls covered with hearts by many different artists (no photos allowed). It’s so darling to be here surrounded by all of these independent hearts, just like all of you.
by trish on November 26, 2008
Simply put the French word atelier means studio or workroom.
Some photos from some of the most famous fashion studio/workrooms.
Christain Dior
Chanel
Christian Lacroix
Christian LaCroix
There is a whole slide show of photos the New York Times ran with the article titled, ‘The Best Hands in the World‘ by Cathy Horyn
by trish on October 7, 2008
Today’s interview is with jewelry designer Judy Babin. She is currently a librarian and artist residing in Portland Maine. Most of her free time is spent teaching printmaking and metalsmithing at Artascope Studios in South Portland Maine.
Trish: How and when did you start designing jewelry?
Judy: I started designing and making jewelry about 8 years ago after taking a class in metalsmithing at the Maine College of Art in Portland Maine.
Trish: When did you start your own line of jewelry?
Judy: The line I have now really started just over the last few years. I was working part time last year and that allowed me to spend a lot more time researching techniques and more of the history of jewelry design. Also just walking my dog at the beach got me really thinking about my design esthetic a lot more and a real cohesive line of work started to grow.
Trish: Where do you turn for inspiration for your designs?
Judy: Nature inspires me a lot, and knitting and weaving. I like to try and reconfigure techniques I see in knitting, crocheting and weaving with metals.
Trish: What fashion trends, if any, are influencing your jewelry?
Judy: Fashion doesn’t really influence my work although I constantly devour fashion magazines! SD: What does your average day entail?
Right now my average day entails answering emails and checking for orders,
walking my dog and new baby and then getting to work on any orders and new pieces.
Most of the day I work on pieces and then check the computer. I’ll surf around on Flickr and Facebook, troll Craigslist and then try and post new images. Mostly I just try and create. I get too bored on the computer.
Trish: What does the future of your company look like?
Judy: I’d like to keep it small and manageable. I love just having sales from the internet because I can be pretty shy and that way I don’t have to face anyone! But really I’d like to get into a few local shops and just increase my internet sales. In the far future I’d like to have a my own tiny store front with a work bench in it.
Trish: Do you have a company mantra that helps you run your business?
Judy: Keep it simple.
Trish: What is the hardest part about being in business for yourself?
Judy: Doing taxes and keeping from slacking off. You do get lonely and find yourself talking to your pets more than you think is normal.
Trish: Who are your fashion icons (past or present)? Do you think they influenced your personal style?
Judy: Jackie Kennedy, she dressed so cleanly and simply. Always elegant. I guess I could say she remotely influenced my own personal style in that my clothing taste is simple to show off my jewelry designs. Then again I always loved Debbie Harry when she was in Blondie, so I’m a mix of tough and classy. But lately more tough.
Trish: If you had the choice of any jewelry designer in the world to work with/for, who would that be?
Judy: Arline Fisch, amazing metalsmith.
Trish: When you aren’t designing, what are you up to, any other things you are involved with you want to shout out?
Judy: I volunteer at a local art co-op called Artascope Studios in South Portland Maine. Everyone there teaches, sells their work, does the marketing and cleaning and just about everything else. It’s a great place to learn and share.
