clarabellanyc.com

Happy 4th everyone;). Or at least to everyone who hasn’t yet left the city on some exciting weekend trip - those that are still left at their jobs, reading my little website! Most of my friends have fled the city for the weekend. A few are out in LA for a wedding, a few have gone out to the Hamptons, one is off to Rhode Island, and maybe a few are headed down to PA. It’s left my friend Sanno and I with the big question… what to do for our big day off?? I’m turning to a recent issue of New York Magazine - check this out. I’m leaning toward Sandy Hook, but some sort of kayaking could be fun as well. Whatever we end up with, all you need to know, dear readers, is that Clarabella will be closed tomorrow, July 4, for the holiday. She’ll be open again on Saturday and Sunday, so if you’re still in town and having a lazy weekend to recover from your wild holiday plans, come on in to see me;).

Enjoy and Happy 4th of July!!

Nicole is back from Italy and we’re now full steam ahead with new summer classes. Take a look below and let me know which ones you just can’t pass up;). Email Me to reserve your spot now. Make sure to specify which class has caught your fancy!!
Wrapped Around My Finger

Lost wax casting is an ancient technique of creating a wax model to be cast in precious metal and is a common way of reproducing a design in the modern age. This 3 part class will focus on the making of a ring and the many ways of manipulating wax. There will be 2 back to back nights of demonstrations on carving and filing hard wax as well as working with soft wire wax. The final outcome will be a decorative band; no gem stones will be set. Casting will be done by an outside source and the following week each student will bring their piece to a final finish! All tools, wax and machinery will be provided in class as apart of the total fee. The cost of the casting in sterling silver will be extra: no more than $20.

If the ring is for someone special, besides yourself: please come with their ring size.

Next Class:
Wednesday, July 9 from 7pm to 9pm
Thursday, July 10 from 7pm to 9pm
Thursday, July 17 from 7pm to 9pm
$240.00 for 3 ~ 2hr classes

Charmed, I’m Sure!
Intermediate wax carving class

For all of those who took our ‘Wrapped around your finger’ beginning wax class and demanded to learn further, we are happy to announce your wish has been granted! Those of you who have taken basic wax carving classes elsewhere are also included. In this more advanced class you will learn new techniques with soft pliable wax, molten wax and further your skill with hard wax. Our objective will be to make a pendant to be attached to a chain or another decorative banded ring. There will be two back-to-back nights to complete your design, then the following week you’ll clean and finish assembling your cast metal piece into a wearable work of art. Please come to the first class with plenty of ideas and drawings. After the second class, we will discuss any materials you will need to get to complete your piece. Also, as before, there will be the cost of the casting to be paid at the final class(size and weight of piece will decide the cost). All wax, tools and machinery will be provided.
$300 for 3 ~ 2.5 hour classes

Next Class:
Tuesday, July 29 from 7 to 9:30pm
Wednesday, July 30 from 7 to 9:30pm
Wednesday, August 6 from 7 to 9:30pm

What’s Old is New Again

How many of us have a jewelry box of half pairs of earrings, Broken necklaces and pieces we liked, but just don’t wear any more? Here’s your chance to transform those lost treasures into something you will covet again! In this one afternoon workshop, you will learn basic jewelry assemblage techniques with pliers to create a truly unique and one of kind pair of earrings, necklace or bracelet. No experience is necessary, tools will be provided for class use and extra findings are included. Bring as much as you like and together we will piece together something you’ll be absolutely proud to wear for years to come.

$100 for on 3 hour Class

Next Class:
Sunday, July 13 from 11am to 2pm

How much do we all love the ice cream truck in the summer time? Come on… admit it. On a really hot day, you sometimes sit at your desk and day dream about ice cream. It’s okay - I do it too. The only problem is that I can’t stand the ice cream truck song! It’s a very common sound here in NY. Not only that, but I’m not craving the soft serve cones, the artificially colored and flavored ice pops. Oh no… I’m craving the good stuff. The kind of ice cream that tastes like a little slice of heaven. Lucky for me, the Van Leeuwens are here. Who, you ask, are the Van Leeuwens? Well, Pete and Ben, naturally;). I met the brothers earlier this year through a mutual friend. I heard a little about the ice cream truck plan, along with stories of the tasting parties at their Brooklyn home base. It sounded like a fantastic idea, but then I didn’t hear any news for a while. Next thing I know, Daily Candy is delivered to my inbox on Monday morning and lo and behold, it’s all about the new ice cream truck in town… now parked in Soho! Check out the story here. Then, while perusing a favorite blog of mine, Simply Photo, I happened across another link. Apparently the author saw the truck today in Soho and it caught her eye. Seems like everyone shares in my awesome ice cream craving. To learn more about the fellas and their creations, check out the website: Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream. You can read all about the renewable resources they use or what goes into their ginger ice cream (at the top of my list!). Or… you could just go to the corner of Greene and Prince Streets between 12 and 7pm and ask them in person. Don’t forget to grab an ice cream while you’re there - and maybe bring me one too?;) Congrats Ben and Pete - so exciting!!

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!!!:)

use the code CLARABELLA for  special discount when reserving!!

Another heads up - this one comes by way of an old college friend of mine who I had the pleasure of seeing over the weekend. Yes, it’s true… Reid Farrington is another Colby-ite turned New Yorker and he just happens to be debuting a new piece in a few weeks. All the info is below - I do hope you’ll be able to check it out! SPECIAL for all Clarabella dedicates? Just use the code ‘Clarabella’ during the first two weeks of opening and get $5 off the ticket price! If you want company, let me know - we’ll coordinate;).

For Immediate Release
Developed with the assistance of 3LD, Digital Performance Institute, Ideal Glass Gallery, and Minetta Street Productions

Wooster Group Video Artist Reid Farrington Presents

THE PASSION PROJECT

June 19 - July 19 at 3LD Art & Technology Center

Tickets are $20, available at 212-352-3101 or www.3LDNYC.org

“In the dazzling video work of Reid Farrington, telling details are picked out and explored with unsettling results.” - Variety

THE PASSION PROJECT is spun from the reels of the last great silent film, Carl Th. Dreyer’s 1928 masterpiece, “The Passion of Joan of Arc”. With support from the Danish film Institute and The University of Copenhagen, this performance installation includes every frame Dreyer shot in relationship to the film, including the reels that — like Joan herself — were lost to fire.

THE PASSION PROJECT explodes the film into the three dimensions; placing the audience inside the film, sitting next Joan, subjecting them to her interrogators and the relentless rhythm of 30 mm film projection. Using a single live actor and multiple projection surfaces, THE PASSION PROJECT explores the intersection of performance and and film. It uses Dreyer’s classic film as the main narrative along with the history behind the making of the film, a discussion with a Danish archivist, the story of making this project, and Joan’s story; her trial, torture, and execution.

Directed by Reid Farrington and performed by Shelley Kay, the workshop production includes costumes by Sara Jeanne Asselin, set by Janet D. Clancy and dramaturgy / technical assistance by Stephen O’Connell and Austin Guest.

The piece had its initial workshop production at the PS/K2 Festival, last November in Copenhagen, Denmark. It will have its official premiere at PS 122 in the fall.

REID FARRINGTON for the past seven years has been employed as a video artist for the Wooster Group. He has designed video and created
hardware and software systems for the playback of video and sound for To You the Birdie!, Brace Up!, Poor Theater, House/Lights, WHO’S YOUR DADA, and Hamlet. He has toured productions to Moscow, Paris, Berlin, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Melbourne, Brussels, and Athens. He has edited
has authored interactive DVDs of The Wooster Group’s performances, Brace Up! and House/Lights. In addition to being a video artist, he
is a director, set, light, and costume designer for various theater and dance companies in NYC. For more information, visit www.reidfarrington.com

THE PASSION PROJECT runs June 19 - July 19, with performances Thurs.-Sat. at 8pm.

3LD Art & Technology Center is located at 80 Greenwich Street (at Rector Street — accessible from the 1/R/W trains at Rector Street). Tickets are $20, available at 212-352-3101 or www.3LDNYC.org.

I am the type oif person that truly wants to think the best of people. To expect the best and to trust before distrusting. Yes, I know I live in New York. Yes, I know I should be more cautious and maybe even distrustful, but that’s not who I am and that’s really not who I want to be. Now, you might be able to understand how that is challenged on a day like today. I stepped over to my neighbor’s for a moment to drop off his mail and say a quick hello and when I stepped back out, the tree outside the shop had been stolen. It’s not that it was even that expensive or that I put it in a nice, sturdy tin pot… it’s the principle behind the whole thing. I tried putting the tree and the bench outside to make the shop a little nicer. A little more enticing. To make my block, which isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing block in the LES, a little prettier. Well, tree and bench no more. The bench is back inside and the tree, as I mentioned, has been stolen. I’m really bummed out and though I’d like to think the best… maybe someone took it because they thought it had been cast aside as things often are on the New York sidewalks. But really, it was next to a bench, in front of a boutique, so I’m not sure how that could be confused. I’m pretty sure that whoever took the tree won’t be reading this blog, so I can’t really get a message out, but I will say that this is the type of person who just enjoys raining on other’s parades for their own enjoyment. Boo on you tree-robber.

Sadly, you won’t be seeing this outside the shop anymore:(

Clarabella’s Ficus tree was a little over 2 weeks old.

I don’t often do this, but keep reading and you’ll understand why I’m doing it now. Please direct your attention to my friend Heather’s website. A very dear friend of hers recently had a seizure while in a meeting at work and after medical attention, it was discovered that she has a brain tumor. I’ve no doubt that it’s a terrifying time for her right now and though I’m not much of a prayer myself, I do believe in the power of positive thought and support. So, take a trip over to Heather’s blog, read about Jackie and send your support her way. To Jackie, we’re thinking about you!!

No Good For Me is a fabulous website run by stylish and sassy gals: Kat, Liz and Laura. It’s been around since 2003 and from what I can tell, has quite a dedicated readership! I’ve been in touch with Kat for a while now and she’s always been incredibly supportive of the shop. The ultimate form of support came in today with her amazing post about the shop. I did an interview with her last week and knew that would be up sometime this week, but what she wrote about the shop has left me with a grin from ear to ear. It makes me so happy to hear things like this… like my shop really speaks to some of you!! Check it out and make sure to put No Good For Me on your daily reading list;).

The nogoodforme.com Interview: Erin Whelan of Clarabella, NYC

[logo courtesy of nogoodforme.com]

Happy weekend everyone - this sign drew in a few happy shoppers yesterday, has made at least 5 passersby smile today and one lady stopped to take a photo. Who knew that asking people to smile would actually elicit a smile;). Just sharing the smiles:

Good afternoon my lovelies;)

I’m writing now to let you know that I’m leaving a bit early today - 6pm to be exact. It’s purely decadent… I have tickets to a show tonight at Radio City that I just can’t miss!! My Morning Jacket - check them out here. The new album is really great and I hear they put on a fantastic show!! I’m sorry to let you down 2 hours early my shoppers, but I’ll be back tomorrow. I have some new sales and fun events coming your way to make it up to you!!

My Morning Jacket: