Persephone..."Spring is Busting Out All Over"!

Shhhh!  Can you hear that?

It is the quiet push of Springtime...a gentle stretch...the infinite soft sound of sound without static or strain.  A bird warbles, a gentle yet cool breeze floats about on zephyr wings, a gossamer dragonfly flutters nearby, and the sun shines down with the amazing warmth that we all look forward to this time of year.  Pale green and bright yellow buds and leaves push their delicate arms through a thin veil of remaining snow, instinctively migrating toward the sky and powdery clouds that drift by overhead.  I lift my face, upturned, to the welcome gift of Spring, and am drawn to its renewal and promise of rebirth, as was Persephone in Greek mythology.

Persephone steps from the underworld, and places her lovely foot upon the newly replenished ground, and as she walks, surely, "Spring is, suddenly, Busting out all over"!   I loved this Greek tale of rebirth in the spring when I first read it in high school, and it recurs in my memory each spring.  After its winter hibernation, nature awakens and bursts forth once more with color, sound and texture for our delight.  Warming and enticing us with the promise of summer.

This is the inspiration for my new line of felted boas and accessories from Pia Zza!  Yarns, handpainted fabrics, ribbons and various wool fibers are mixed together in a glorious medley to simulate springtime and the influence of Persephone upon the season's change and nature's abundance.  Inspired by this theme, I had originally named my new line of felted boas, "Confetti" because the wool, ribbons and fibers combined in such a way as to give the viewer the impression of confetti raining down in celebration and "joie".  My friends and  patrons were delighted with the concept.  As my designs for the scarves and ornaments are constantly growing and evolving, I have decided to rename them "Renew", in honor of Persephone and the renewal that comes with springtime.  They will still be reminiscent of confetti, but so much more.  That is what "joie" does to you...it just grows and grows.  Isn't that right, Persephone?

Oh, this reminds me of an assignment that we had in college in art calligraphy class.  Our beloved instructor, Malcolm Nichols (perfectionist to the hilt), gave us the challenging mid-semester project of composing a completely nonsensical poem of so many lines, and then, scribing it in excruciatingly perfect penmanship. Thanks, Malcolm!

I dug deep down in my creative bag, and came up with this questionable tribute to nature:

While casually crunching my angel cake,
I contemplated a noodle fly
Who sang a whistle
To the ear bursting silence
Of a green squash plant,
And, the ferocious feline fell afloat.

Cassandra Shepard, circa, 1972

Sorry, Persephone, maybe not as brilliant as your paintbrush in Spring, but it was fun writing it.

So, remember everyone, come to the studio and take home one of my new felted boas, wraps or accessories, and each time you wear it you will "Renew, renew...renew". 

Wishing you love and joie for Springtime,

Cassandra Pia


Feeling free form felt forged by feminine hands.  "Felting with feeling"...Fabulous!


All images, text and content copyrighted 2011, all rights reserved

Seamus "On My Shoulders Makes Me Happy"

  Sold to Private Collector

                             Le Mariage Shibori Bolero Jacket in Off the Grid


Hello All,

And, yes.  You did hear me correctly when I said, "Seamus on my shoulders...Makes me Happy"!   Seamus on anyone's shoulders, I assure you, can make you happy.   Seamus (pronounced Shay-mus) is the baby son of my most favorite angora goat, Arlen.  Although, Kathi, his owner, is very close with his fleece, I was able to procure a mini sample of  his locks, and used them, sparingly, along with Arlen's  in my scarves.  Seamus and Arlen are two of many sheep and goats owned by my friend, Kathi Ruiz and her artistic family who live on their ranch in Campo, California.  Kathi and Rose, her oldest daughter, have been members of Spanish Village Art Center for a little over 3 years.  My discovery of Irish Rose yarns and Kathi Ruiz has been a godsend.

Upon seeing it, I immediately fell in love with the rare hand spun yarns that Kathi produces from the wool of her sheep.  I recognized in an instant the myriad possibilities of creating masterpieces with her yarns and fiber.  And let me tell you, I was onto those soft and alluring boucles "like white on rice", if you know what I mean.  In the past 3 or more years, I have collected enough of Kathi's fiber to fill a sack that can rival Santa's bag at its fullest.  I mean, literally, I can climb inside of it and take a nap!  For those of you who would like to know more about Kathi Ruiz's "Irish Rose" yarns and hand knits, please read my blog feature, "Ewe... Just Gotta Spin!" which I posted at:  spanishvillageartcenter.blogspot.com , circa September 10, 2010.  (Click on my "Friends and Favorite Links" list to read the article)

Kathi and Fern at her annual shearing

I have been promising you all that I would get photos of my new line,
Pia Zza!, onto the blog for awhile.  While the creation of my new pieces has been ongoing, and my knowledge of felting is expanding, I have been selling the new creations in my studio almost before I can get them done.  I'll be working overtime to get a few pix on the blog ASAP.  Pia Zza! is an original line of scarves, wraps, hats, garments and accessories that are a combination of hand painted textiles and luxuriously exotic wool and fiber.  In my creative exploration, I search for unusual and uncommon fibers and textiles which give a signature look to my line, and a standout image to the collector...the ultimate woman who can and does, "Express the Elemental" in herself.

This is why Kathi's fiber fell so easily in sync with my ideas.  The natural textures and colors of her products jumpstart my imagination, and I can hardly contain the channels that my mind runs in each time I purchase another bundle of her yarn.  This last week, when I thought I may have seen it all, suddenly there appeared a glorious riot of "black and white" boucle yarn from "Dutch".  I knew I would create something marvelous from this yarn, and I have already decided to call it (You guessed it...), "Double Dutch"!  Yea!

Hold that thought.  I'll be back after a short break.  Got to get to the studio.  I will pick this up in a bit.


Saturday, 2/26/2011  1:30 p.m.

Okay.  I am back and ready to go with Dutch, Tasha, Arlen, Seamus, Fairy, Comet, Delilah, Fern, Gemma, Maggie, Opal, Gandolph, Warlock, Wulfgar, Mystic, Isis, Shaman, Violet, Lola, Daisy, Erie, Ellie, Bear, Callie, Spice, Skye, Bianca, Tristan and Toffee...(I told you... I've been collecting awhile) just to name a few of those lovely "purveyers of flotsam and fleece"!!  Okay, I'm waxing poetic again, but I just can't help it.  These darlings and their lovely fleeces are as individual as my garments, and their fleeces can only be gotten once a season.  I love the novelty of this because it makes each piece that I create as individual and one of a kind as their annual shearing.  So, keep an eye "peeled" for the upcoming array of felted silk and wool wearables.  I promise, you will be "Happy with Seamus on your Shoulders"!   (In my mind's eye, I have seen it.)  Isn't that right, Seamus?

Baaaaaaaaa...aaaaaaaaaaaa!!  (That means, "You betcha!)

 

Kathi gets a "little love" from Seamus

Self expression is the texture of Life.  Pia Zza!  Express the Elemental in You.


Feeling free form felt forged by feminine hands.  "Felting with feeling"...Fabulous!

All images, text and content copyrighted, 2011, all rights reserved

Aw...Do It! Just...Do It! Express Yourself!

Aw, Yeah!

Sold
Le Mariage Shibori Silk Kimono in Indigo Indie

Are we up this morning, Ladies?  I am, and Dancing through the Day!  Aw, do it...Just do it.  "Express Yourself in Pia Zza! and Le Mariage".  You know it...(da, da da).  You got it...(da, da da).
"Express Yourself"!

What's a day without Dance?  Dance!  Dance!

You got it ... Dull.  So, come on ladies..."Shake your Shimmy" and sing out loud, "Express Yourself"!

Sold
Le Mariage Shibori Kimono in Bromeliad

Sold
Le Mariage Shibori Kimono in Off the Grid

Sold
Le Mariage Shibori Long Vest and Scarf in Autumn Borealis

Artist's Private Collection
Le Mariage Shibori Ruched Collar Ruana in Blue Blazes

Artist's Private Collection
Le Mariage Shibori Silk Kimono in Azul Backsplash

Aw... Do It.  Just...Do It!  Express Yourself!  You know it ... Hop to It!  Express Yourself!

You Go, Girls!   You are Fierce...in Pia Zza! and Le Mariage, that is!


You know it (da, da da)... so, show it (da, da da).

(fade to) ... "Express Yourself"!


Visit  me at my Studio 32 in Spanish Village Art Center
located at 1770 Village Place, San Diego, California.
Studio phone:  (619) 230-0039

Studio is open 7 days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Come on in and, "Express the Elemental in You" in
Pia Zza! and Le Mariage, or take a walk on the "rouge" side
in La Vie Rouge by Pia.

"Beautiful Things are Happening, Everyday"

All images, text and content copyrighted, 2011, all rights reserved

December Nights was Ah - May - Zing!

                                                       Sold to Private Collector
                                     Le Mariage Shibori Silk Kimono in Sol y Cielo
                                    Cassandra Classics Swarovski crystal bracelet
                                                    with Sterling Silver bangles



Oh What a Night!

A super big "Shout Out" and "Merci, merci" to all of you who turned out for the big celebration, and for visiting Studio 32 at this year's "December Nights" !  Yea!  The Village was lit up like a "beacon" from the North Pole with much merrymaking, kettle corn, Swieners (Swiss wieners in a baguette), St. Louis style barbecue, tamale, homemade ice cream eating, hot cider and cocoa drinking, and a veritable Stampede (...I told You!) of Christmas yuletiders and art lovers!!!  I saw many old friends and met newcomers to Spanish Village Art Center.  They were just astonished at the detail that our members had put into the creation of a Winter Wonderland in Balboa Park, San Diego, California.  Not the  usual vision of sunshine and beaches. 

Perfection, my fellow Villagers.  Perfection!

But, hey, wait a minute!  Hold the bus!  It isn't over, yet..."It's only the beginning" !  Having kicked the season off right, we have 19 days to go before Christmas day, so grab your best gal or friend...come to see me at Studio 32... and, "Get your Shop (ping) On" !  You haven't lived until you have gotten "Pia Zza(ed)!"

Oh, and many thanks to those of you who came and gave me great encouragement on my new line of hand felted scarves and wraps.   Your appreciation and kind support of my work is cherished and welcome.  Remember, there is always more to come from Pia Zza!, Le Mariage, Cassandra Classics and Always a Bride!

See you at the Studio.  Come shop.  Mix and match.  "Bling with Fiber and Fiber with Bling".  Now, would that be Bliber or Fling?  (Things that make you go, hmmmm).   So, Bliber or Fling, "Get Your Layers On (scarves, wraps and jewelry, that is)" !  And, don't forget that "jaunty" hat or clutch.

Remember...Self Expression is the Texture of Life.  Adorn yourself in the textures of  "Pia Zza!, Le Mariage and Cassandra Classics.  Dream of a "White Wedding" in Always a Bride.  'Tis the season to "Express the Elemental in You" !


Happy Holidays from Cassandra.


All images, text and content copyrighted, 2010, all rights reserved

Tai Chi, Anyone? Or, Strut Your Stuff !

                                                         Sold to Private Collector
                                        Le Mariage Shibori Silk Kimono in El Tigre
                                     Cassandra Classics Swarovski crystal bracelet
                                                     with Sterling Silver bangles



Hello, hello.  And, Christmas Greetings All!

Gonna get this one in fast, before I run out the door to the studio... everyone's rushing about getting ready for "December Nights" at Spanish Village Art Center in beautiful (be-you-tee-ful) Balboa Park.  This wonderful tradition has been taking place every year for over 35 years (more, actually), and is the "Don't Miss", "Must See" event of the year!!!  Our celebration runs 12/3 - 12/4, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00  p.m. at the Village.

Each year, we (the members of Spanish Village Art Center) go all out to decorate and recreate the North Pole and Santa's Wonderland brought to life in the Village.  This year the Village is bedecked in White Light with presents on every tree we could find!  It reminds me of that old Christmas carol ... "and, presents on the tree".  Actually, when I think about it,  this year's theme is "reminiscent" of my decorations last year, when I placed gift bags and wrapped boxes along the path to my studio, softly lit with votive candles to guide the way.  I guess this is what they mean when they say, "Art imitates Life".  If you missed it last year, the pathway to Studio 32 will be there welcoming you to visit.  Ah, well, it's a Jolly - Happy - Caroling - Hot Chocolate drinking time in Spanish Village Art Center!!!

So, come ring in the Yuletide, and "Strut your Stuff" in Pia Zza!, Le Mariage and Cassandra Classics.  Of course, you will find all of those in Studio, #32, in Spanish Village Art Center, located at 1770 Village Place, San Diego, California.

As for the "Tai Chi" plug, people always ask me, "Are you doing Tai Chi in the photos"?  I smile and say, "No. Actually, I am recalling a finale dance performance in my third year of college, where we performed inspired choreography to Michael Olfield's, Tubular Bells".  (Bless you, Hanea, for your choreographic vision).  The hand and arm movements of that performance seemed perfect for showing off the fluidity of my shibori silk kimono, wraps and boas.  So, I took a walk down memory lane.  For those aficionados of Tai Chi, my sincere apologies. 

I guess that leaves us with "Strut Your Stuff"!   Yay!  You go Girls ... You are Fierce!  Especially so, in Pia Zza!, Le Mariage and Cassandra Classics!  So, make Spanish Village Art Center your "home for the holidays", artfully done.  And, as we Villagers say every Christmas, "DON'T GET MALL(ED)"!  See you there, along the path to Studio 32, and your holiday shopping delight!


All images, text and content copyrighted, 2010, all rights reserrved