Friday Favorites 2/3/2012

Paula M. Bodah, Senior Editor
At the end of my favorite movie of all time, The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy Gale tells Auntie Em that if she ever goes searching for her heart’s desire again, she won’t go beyond her own backyard, because “if it’s not there, I never really lost it to begin with.†I think of Dorothy and her epiphany whenever I discover yet another talented artist in my own town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island. In the case of Anchor Bend Glassworks, we’re talking about three talents–Michael Richardson, Justin Tarducci and Timothy Underwood–who’ve been friends since they were kids sharing their enthusiasm for art, and specifically for glass. Their hand-blown glass pieces can be found in galleries from Maine to California. I especially love these two bowls. They’re very different, but equally beautiful.

The Seascape Bowl is a mosaic glass sculpture that combines multiple production techniques. Each mosaic section is handmade and then fused together.  The way the light plays in the glass is captivating.

Photos courtesy of Anchor Bend Glassworks

The  asymmetrical Horizon Floppy Bowl is a contemporary twist on a classic Italian technique that joins two colors into one fluid form.

Kyle Hoepner, Editor-in-Chief
Pendant to my colleague Paula’s selections above, I’ll point out another New England artisan who uses silicon creatively, albeit in grittier form. Western Massachusetts woodworker Douglas Thayer is known for elegant but distinctly solid creations in cast concrete and wood, such as these.

“Baseball†bench, in concrete, reclaimed ipe (from the Coney Island boardwalk) and stainless steel; photos courtesy of Douglas Thayer

“Leblond†bench in concrete, jatoba and stainless steel

“Olivia†bench, in concrete, teak and copper inlay

Stacy Kunstel, Homes Editor
Few things are as luxurious and supple as leather, but the woven leather designs of Lance Wovens takes the medium to an entirely different level. Buttery soft and in the most mouthwatering colors, the Connecticut-based company blasted onto the luxury market scene with incredible pillows and tote bags last August after years of supplying the fashion industry with the highest quality leather from Italy. I saw this particular pillow at the New York International Gift Fair this week. I think it is the perfect photo for spring with its hyacinth hues.