URJ Show

Well I'm packing up for my biggest and most exciting show of the year.  It's the Union for Reform Judaism Biennial Conference in Maryland.  December 14th-18th at the Gaylord Hotel Complex in National Harbor.  This important Jewish convention is a great opportunity for me to expose my artwork to 5000 plus people from all over the United States.  President Obama will be speaking at the conference as well as other Political, and Spiritual leaders.  I am especially excited to meet my fellow artist from the American Guild of Judaic Art.
If you, or anyone you know, is attending the URJ Biennial this year, please drop by booth #323 in the exhibition hall and say hello. 

questions answered

I've been doing some local St. Louis craft show and I get a lot of comments and questions from people.

What are you doing here?  This is a craft fair.
Well That's true, my things are more artwork then craft and the prices are a reflection of that, but most of the local fairs I participate in are in Temples and Synagogue.  That a good place to meet Jewish people who are more likely to purchase my mezuzahs, yads and Jewish star necklaces.  Even though they may not be interested in buying anything today, they will take my card and remember me when they want to get a special gift or piece for themselves.

Is everything you make Jewish?
No it is not.  I make a lot of jewelry.  My fine silver jewelry is a reflection of my personal style and aesthetic.  I like jewelry that is causal.  I am a former sportswear designer so I keep current with the trends and try to incorporate styles that are up to date but still stand the test of time.
There are a lot of wonderful Jewelry Artists out there who work in PMC.  One reason that I started to concentrate on making Judaica is to keep myself unique and find a niche in the market.  Of course, through that process, I found I was able to express myself even more creatively and making the Judaica became my focus.

Your stuff is so beautiful, why are you not showing at Laumeier or the St. Louis Art Fair in Clayton?

Well, first of all thank you.  I really appreciate that you like my work.  I would love to be a part of those shows, but there is a short answer on why I am not.  I do not have a booth.  A proper tent (booth) with lights and display costs $2000-$4000.  In order to be considered for these shows you must have a picture of your booth in your application.  These shows are juried and the competition is fierce, especially in the Jewelry category.  So you must have a professional display and booth to be considered, and no you can't just rent one.  Buy my work and I will invest in the booth, I promise.

new mezuzah

My latest mezuzah case takes the form of a house.  The original texture of the walls of the home I created myself.  It is a wallpaper like pattern of flowers reminiscent of the arts an craft movement in the late 1800's.  I also included a raised scroll design.  There are three arched windows, one of which is open so one can see the scroll that would be put inside the mezuzah.  A dormer juts from the left wall of the structure and a chimney is on the roof.  But the most spectacular part of the mezuzah case is the door, which I made tiny silver hinges when opened reveals in Hebrew, the word,"Shema". 

As usual, piece is one of a kind, fine silver.