Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Dragonfly Totem Medicine Wheel
Fiber Art Cuff


From the Medicine Woman Fiber Art Collection.

This piece was inspired by the Animal Medicine Cards Deck. Each card represents an animal totem once revered by the Native Americans. The dragonfly represents many things around the world. To the Chinese, it is a symbol of happiness, good fortune, harmony and prosperity. Other cultures, such as Native Americans, associate the dragonfly with purity, swiftness, and happiness. The dragonfly is a creature of both the wind and of the water.


This crocheted handcuff was made with black merino wool. An indigo blue yarn medicine wheel with a multi-colored border of Italian yarn in hues of purple, orange, fuchsia is layered on top. In the center of the medicine wheel is a dragonfly which appears to be made from bone, thankfully it is not. Instead it is made from some sort of resin plastic. This dragonfly is surrounded by glass clear beads with one very small silver toned full moon charm.

On another medicine wheel made of the multicolored Italian yard is a sterling silver half moon with stars. Seashells, white feathers, a clear semiprecious crystal bead, a green agate bead, hematite star and a Rudraksha prayer bead adorn the cuff.



Multi-colored fringes made from Italian yarn add a touch of boho glamour. The cuff is about 3 inches wide and the fringes range in size with the longest reaching about 6 inches from the top of the cuff.

One size fits all. Lightweight. Gently slide the cuff over your wrist. You may need to "fluff" it after taking out of its gift wrap. Shipped USPS priority mail with insurance. To see more of this cuff on the Planet Calamari Etsy Shop click here

Add a touch of dragonfly magic to your holiday outfits. A lovely stocking stuffer for your favorite medicine woman.

Made with love and magic in my Planet Calamari studio located in Salem MA studio. Visit our website for more art and jewelry at www.planetcalamari.com

Monday, November 29, 2010

Blue Star of Avalon Fiber Art
Medicine Wheel Cuff with Fluorite.


From the Medicine Woman Fiber Art Collection. Inspired by nature, magic and the ancient mysteries of Avalon.

The novel "The Mists of Avalon" by Marion Zimmer Bradley is one of my favorite books to read over and over. It is the story of the legend of King Arthur told by a woman. (For the record, the mini series for TV was horrible!) This piece was inspired by the reverence of nature by the priestesses of Avalon.



This freeform crocheted wrist cuff is made from recycled wool in shades of earth-toned browns. A blue enamel star sits in the center of a crocheted medicine wheel of indigo blue with a sea-green border.

Five fluorite beads representing the five elements, fire, earth, air, water and wood are also in the medicine wheel. The colors of the fluorite range from purple to green. According to folklore, Fluorite was once thought to be the "home of the rainbow" due to the crystal's wide range of colors which many times grow intermingled or side by side. Sea shells, glass beads, and fluorite beads are scattered around the entire cuff.

Italian yarn of with hues of blue, white and a touch of yellow was used to embellish this bracelet with hanging fringe, giving this piece a bohomeian look.



Wear this unique art to wear to brighten up an ordinary pair of jeans or with your favorite Winter Solstice holiday outfit. Be the Lady of Avalon. Believe in the magic of this winter holiday season.

This is a slip on piece and will fit most wrists. It is about 7 1/4 inches around and can be made smaller.Two dark blue crocheted strands surround the top and bottom of the cuff so that it can be made tighter when pulled and tied. Or you can let them hang for a more dramatic look.

Gently slide over hand. Lightweight. The cuff width is about 3 inches wide. Shipped USPS priority mail with insurance. Click here to see this piece the Planet Calamari Etsy Shop


Made with love and magic in my Planet Calamari studio located in Salem MA studio. Visit our website for more art and jewelry at www.planetcalamari.com

Sunday, November 28, 2010

10% OFF at the Planet Calamari Etsy Shop!

It's my birthday week...
To celebrate we are having a 10% off sale
at the Planet Calamari Etsy Shop.


One of a kind art to wear for that boho cruchy chic look made with love and magic in my Salem MA studio.

Free shipping on most items too.
Sale ends on December 4th

Enter the code TH8NKYOU when checking out to receive your discount.
thank you!
jeanie

Happy Bithday Jon Stewart!


It takes a Sag with humor to bring us the real news!
Thank you Jon.


wiki jon stewart

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Happy Birthday Jimi Hendrix


November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970)
Scuse me while I kiss the sky


What would music be like today if Jimi Hendrix would have lived a longer life? Maybe i am stuck in the past when it comes to music, but i miss the classic rock stars. The pioneers that left the planet too early. Those who broke the fashion rules of normalcy. Bring back the late 70's. Let's make Peace a real cause this time around. Be nice to your fellow man. Blow up your TV! Get out your guitar. Grow your hair. (I always have the urge to dye my hair purple after hearing a Hendrix tune.) Dance like nobody is watching. Have the ultimate Hendrix experience and wear purple in honor of Jimi today!

For more on Jimi jimihendrix wiki

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Iris Apfel


“(My look is) either very baroque or very Zen –
everything in between makes me itch.”

Iris Apfel

When i am an old lady i hope that i have the savvy and the bone strength to dress like Iris Apfel, sans the big bug glasses. It amazes me that this little old lady can wear all those bracelets without toppling over. How can she hold a glass of wine with 40 pounds of silver on each arm? Maybe she drinks using a bendy straw. Obviously these things do not seem to phase her.

I had never heard of Iris Apfel until last year when her exhibit came to the Peabody Essex Museum. The streets of Salem were buzzing with her name. Parties and fashion shows featuring Salem's fashionistas and wanna-bees became the latest rage. (Being neither and now known as Salem's anti-social dog lady, i was not invited!)



It was Iris who planted the seed in my imagination for the Planet Calamari Happy Qi wrist cuffs. I love the look of big bright fun bracelets but did not the weight of them. We should not suffer just for the sake of decorating ourselves. Accessories, like shoes are much more fun when they are comfortable.

Watch Iris talk about her unique sense of design on this youtube -Rare Bird of Fashion: The Irreverent Iris Apfel, Peabody Essex Museum of Salem MA


“I think dressing up or down should be a creative experience. Exciting. Fun. For me the key to personal style lies in accessories. I love objects from different worlds, different eras, combined my way. Never uptight, achieving – hopefully – a kind of throwaway chic.” Iris Apfel




Visit the planet calamari art galleria
to see art to wear for those who dance to the beat of a different drummer.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Vampire Heartbreaker Talisman Wrist Cuff

Of all the wrist cuffs i have made so far, this is my favorite. It took several hours to create.

This one of a kind wrist cuff is crocheted with black merino wool yarn into a slip on bangle. Crocheted snowflakes from ecru colored cotton are sewn on with aurora borealis black glass beads with hues of purple, greens and dark blues. Clear glass beads are interspersed to catch the light. Each snowflake has a vintage floral button in the center. three small ecru strands hang from the bracelet as a fringe.

A vintage rosary crucifix tarnished silver with wood inlay hangs from this piece. The prayers are still attached magically inside. A Mexican silver toned eye milagro along with a heart with dagger milagro hang from the opposite side. Translated, Milagro is the Spanish word for miracle.



This piece one of a kind and cannot be duplicated. One size fits most. Slip over wrist gently. The width of the cuff is 2.5 inches. Lightweight. Boho chic with a touch of goth magic. Wear to ward off vampires and heartbreakers. Perfect accessory for New Years Eve. click to learn more


Made with love and magic in my Salem MA studio. Please visit the Planet Calamari website for more art and jewelry. www.planetcalamari.com

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Happy Birthday Harpo Marx


Arthur Adolph "Harpo" Marx
November 23, 1888 – September 28, 1964

Watch Harpo play the harp in the movie At the Circus click here

For more info on Harpo visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpo_Marx

Monday, November 22, 2010

The Sun Enters Sagittarius 2:16 AM




Sagittarius

November 22 - December 21
Ruled by Jupiter
9th sign of the Zodiac
Fire sign
Mutable

To read more about the traits of those born under this fun sign visit earthsky tonight

Visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/PlanetCalamari for art influenced by the jovial side of Jupiter.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse!

November 18, 1928

"I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing
- that it was all started by a mouse."

Walt Disney


Of all the famous artists in this world, Walt Disney has been the most influencial one in my life. Mickey Mouse is not only the most graphically correct toon ever to be drawn, he represents all things good, magical and innocent. Thank you Walt for giving birth to Mickey Mouse 82 years ago.

M-I -C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Put your mouse ears on and sing along youtube MickeyMouseSong


For more mickey info visit the wiki article at mickeymouse wiki

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Organic T-shirt Sale Planet Calamari



Organic Clothing and Holiday Gifts inspired by Yoga, Meditation, Acupuncture and Eastern Philosphy
http://www.printfection.com/planetcalamari

Coupon Codes:
FALL2010 $5 off subtotal of $25+
HARVEST2010 $10 off subtotal of $50+
AUTUMN2010 $20 off subtotal of $100+

Disclaimer:
Please enter coupon code FALL2010, HARVEST2010, or AUTUMN2010 before completing checkout. Discount is applied to the subtotal and does not include shipping, taxes, or additional charges. This offer may not be combined with other offers. Coupons valid from 11/14/2010 12:00 am to 11/20/2010 11:59 pm Mountain time.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Holiday Festival of Color Wide Cuff

Some days i just want to wear fruit on my head and dance to calypso music. It makes me wonder what would Carmen Miranda wear with everyday jeans? Would she be friends with Iris Apfel?

This bangle bracelet was crocheted with recycled earth-green yarn. Italian yarn of wild oranges, fuchsia, teal and olive tufts give the fringe a festive look. Another Italian fringe yarn with hues of purple, magenta and burnt orange was intertwined into this cuff.

The cuff is about 3 inches wide. One size fits all. Lightweight. Perfect accessory for holiday dancing. click here to see more

Made with love and magic in my Planet Calamari studio located in Salem MA. Visit our website at www.planetcalamari.com

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Happy Birthday Claude Monet


"There was a stream, the Epte, which came down from Gisors on the boundary of my property. I opened up a ditch so that I could fill the little pond that I had dug in my garden. I love water but I also love flowers. That's why, when the pond was filled, I wished to decorate it with plants. I took a catalogue and made a choice any old how. That's all."

Claude Monet






For more info on Monet http://giverny.org/monet/welcome.htm

Sold!
El Desayuno del Diablo Day of the Dead

I was tempted the other day to pull this off the Etsy site and keep it myself.. then viola .. it sold! It was a blast making this and now it is time to let it go.

The Devil's Breakfast from the Art Returns from the Dead collection. What would El Diablo have for breakfast....deviled eggs? Whimsical mixed media art to hang in your breakfast nook.

Paper Mache red diablo with clay deviled eggs as eyes, embellished with Mexican milagros, Lotteria cards, plaster skulls, worry dolls, coffee beans,glass crickets, butterflies and an old rosary for those who pray they are not part of his breakfast!

www.planetcalamari.com

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Starlight Starbright Vintage Button Bracelet




Walk into the room and light it up with this one of a kind fringed button bracelet. Be the star of the party! Boho chic with a touch of stardust.

A fusion of blues, pinks and mother of pearl vintage buttons, and glass beads adorn this crocheted bangle bracelet. I used blue yarn for the base and then added Italian fringed yarn with hues of blues, rose pink and white. The buttons were handpicked for this piece. Most are vintage buttons found in a Nonna's button tin.



Unique accessory to wear this holiday season. Magical stocking stuffer. Lightweight. One size fits all. click here to see more

Made with love and magic in the Planet Calamari Studio located in Salem MA. Visit our website for more art at www.planetcalamari.com

Thursday, November 11, 2010

The Tao of Planet Calamari




Planet Calamari has been the name of my art business for over 11
years. Many people ask me how i came up with something so unusual.
Originally, in the 1980's, i was a glass artist with a line of jewelry
and clothing on the side. Those products were known as Wonderwear by
jeanie marie. The name worked but, after awhile i realized it just
sounded too much like Underwear by jeanie marie. Not a good business
image. This was before i even knew about websites, the internet and
cyber marketing.

Later, somewhere around 1991-92-ish, my cousin Suzanne and i co wrote
a children's book while sitting on Coronado beach in San Diego. The
story was about two little girls, Donnie and Cali, who made a wish to
be mermaids while jumping into the waves. In the story Cali wears a
purple squid on her head as a crown and Donnie wears a starfish on
hers. (It seemed brilliant at the time. And i am sure there was wine
involved.)

The title had many incarnations and the book was never published.
After several rejections by publishers, we realized our illusions of
becoming the next Dr Seuss were futile. However on that magical day at
the beach, i became Princess Calamari and Suzanne became Princess
Pescadonna. Thus the birth of the Calamari family (family members
began to call me Squid as a term of endearment).

Around 1993 i decided to leave my art businesses, and i was inspired
to attend acupuncture college. All those years in the glass studio
damaged my lungs, and the only thing that helped me breath again was
regular acupuncture sessions, a change of diet and lifestyle.

During my first semester my Chinese Herb professor, Toni, gave the
class an assignment: Produce a memoir of the way each of us memorized
all the herb information required. It could be anything - flash cards,
songs, art, charts, whatever the method was that we each individually
used. The one stipulation was it had to be fun for us. Each week we
had at least 15-20 herbs to memorize and identify in their raw form.
The amount of information was overwhelming. The threat of the weekly
test at the beginning of each class brought flash backs of catholic
school. I was terrified.

Being a visual person i found it difficult to memorize pages of
information or flash cards. Charts confused me. So i began making
cartoons with stories for each herb and herb category. At the end of
my third semester i had a book. It became "Dr Calamari's Coloring Book
of the Plants, Minerals and Bugs of China." Ironically many people
thought there really was a Dr Calamari. It was always fun to receive
calls asking for Dr Calamari. I always imagined he was some distant
uncle living in Sardinia gathering squid specimens for research.

The book sold very well to students but eventually became outdated. It
is no longer in print. It was because of this book i decided to have a
website and thus it became Planet Calamari. I hoped more Dr Calamari
books would follow. (I believe the good doctor has retired to the
Amalfi Coast.)

As much as i love having an acupuncture practice, i could never leave
art behind. The name Planet Calamari was out there, became the name of
my art business, and has been with me ever since.

I thank Toni to this day for her assignment, she has become a very
dear friend over the years. In fact her cat, Miss Boo is BFF with my
17 year old cat, Zevo Calamari who has her own blog
The Adventures of Zevo Calamari & Boo As a celebrity cat burglars Zevo
and Boo do their best to keep the Calamari name alive and in the
press.

For the record, i personally do not eat calamari, octopus or anything
with tentacles. Once my Nonna made spaghetti with octopus and served
it to us while babysitting. She would not reveal the ingredients
...until after i had vomited. The smell was odious. I still cringe and
gag when walking by the seafood section at Whole Foods at the sight of
dead squids or cephalopods.

I like to think of my art as having many dimensions and themes. Like
a squid with 8 lobes in its brain and 8 tentacles reaching for
different things all at the same time. My art has gone through many
changes over these years. It has been tempting to change the name to
something more appropo and grown up, however it would be too much like
breaking up with a dear old friend.

Planet Calamari is here to stay.

Visit the Planet Calamari site

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Have a Namaste Filigree Earrings

When i hear the word Namaste it reminds me of rays of pink light infused with shades of purples that sparkle. Namaste translated means "I bow to the light in you. We are one."

Silver filigree discs holding Czech pink glass tubes, AB amethyst glass beads, small glass purple crystals and clear glass beads. These are lightweight and stunning as they catch the light.

Wear with your favorite boho outfit, sari or jeans. Have a Namaste! A unique holiday accessory or stocking stuffer.


Made with love in the Planet Calamari Art studio of Salem, MA.
www.planetcalamari.com

Monday, November 08, 2010

I Am Grateful Crocheted Fringe Bracelet


From the Happy Qi Fiber Art Collection

Boho crunchy chic. What would Stevie Nicks wear to Thanksgiving Day dinner?


Inspired by the colors of gratitude and Thanksgiving. This crocheted wrist cuff is handcrafted with recycled yarn in earth tone browns. Adorned with Italian yarn fringe in vibrant fall colors of rust, bronze, yellow, orange and black.




Lightweight. One size fits all. Free shipping.
click here to see more


Made with love and magic in my Salem Ma studio. Please visit our website for more art to wear. www.planetcalamari.com

Happy Holidays from Planet Calamari.

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Fringed Bracelet


From the Happy Qi Fiber Art Collection.

Imagine an eco-friendly Cyndi Lauper wearing recycled fringed boots dancing to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

This crocheted bracelet is made from earth-toned browns recycled yarn. Adorned with 2 types of Italian yarn fringes in feisty autumn colors. Boho crunchy chic with a touch of fun.
....They just wanna ...they just wanna...Girls just wanna have fun!!!

Lightweight and one size fits all. Free shipping.click here to see more!

Made with love and magic in my Salem Ma studio. Please visit our website for more art to wear. www.planetcalamari.com

Happy Holidays from Planet Calamari.

Thursday, November 04, 2010

happy blog blast for peace day
give peace a chance

Wish Upon A Star Crocheted Fringe Bracelet


From the Happy Qi Fiber Art Collection

Close your eyes and make a wish before wearing this Happy Qi wrist cuff.

Crocheted from Italian yarn with hues of night blue, sky blue and yellow cloud puffs. Adorned with Italian yarn fringes of vibrant star burst yellow and nightfall black. Wear as a reminded that your dreams can come true when you believe in magic.



Lightweight. One size fits all. Free shipping. Planet Calamari Etsy Shop
Sci-Fi Boho chic. Made with love and magic in my Salem Ma studio.

Please visit our website for more art to wear. www.planetcalamari.com

Happy Holidays from Planet Calamari

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Leaf Jumper Crochet Fringe Wrist Cuff


From the Happy Qi Fiber Art Collection by Planet Calamari


Imagine a big pile of brightly colored leaves all raked into a large pile. Close your eyes. Now jump in.... Roll around. .... Hear the crunch and crackle of the leaves. Breath in the aroma of autumn. As you wear this bracelet hold on to that Happy Qi feeling.

Crocheted with recycled yarn of earthy greens. Adorned with Italian fringe yard in vibrant colors of orange, purple, blue, yellow and olive. Crunchy Boho Chic with an I Dare You attitude.

Lightweight. One size fits all. Free shipping. Visit the Planet Calamari Etsy site to learn more.

Made with love and magic in my Salem Ma studio. Please visit our website for more art to wear. www.planetcalamari.com

Happy Holidays from Planet Calamari.