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Exceptional Artists Showcase Their Latest Handcrafted Wares
Gorgeous jewelry, boutique-quality fashions, shimmering glass vessels, recycled metal work, whimsical sculptures, hand-carved woodwork, beautiful quilts, dramatic photography, fine art paintings — you’ll find all of this and more at the Millbrae Art & Wine Festival, September 1-2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Broadway. It’s an art lovers delight with 250 of the west coast’s finest artists and craftsmakers setting up shop every Labor Day weekend for a fabulous al fresco show. Enjoy a sun-splashed weekend browsing and strolling among colorful, well-stocked booths and meet extraordinary artists showcasing their latest work in glass, ceramics, metals, fiber, leather, wood, jewelry, and fine art. It’s the perfect opportunity to stock up on gifts.
Wearable Art
Jason Dayne dragonfly jewelry
Stephanie Hamilton bracelet
Virginia Jennings wallhanging |
Steven Albaranes butterfly art
Kathleen and John Anderson slate sculpture |
Much of Jason Dayne’s intricate jewelry has been inspired by the rich Victorian, Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, as well as original and unique designs inspired by the unusual flora of Australia and the lovely cottage gardens of England. The pieces are made of sterling silver, set with semi-precious jewels and pearls. Adorable teddy bears, dogs, cats, horses and other animals adorn the original 14 karat gold and sterling silver jewelry of Morgan Fischer. The artist uses the lost wax method to create her whimsical pendants, earrings, and pins that appeal to anyone young at heart. Spruce up your wardrobe with a beautiful tie-dye T-shirt from Harmony Enterprises. Brian Gleser has taken over the 32 year old business from his parents and continues the tradition of brilliant designs, attention to detail, and customer service that has made Harmony a success since 1979. Stephanie Hamilton's distinctive jewelry designs evoke images of the sea: a drift net catching a pirate's treasure booty, or a filigree band beset with richly colored, gleaming stones. The pieces in these unique collections are knit by hand with wire and semi-precious stones, pearls, shells and other natural elements.
Sculpture and Mixed Media
For a truly original piece, visit San Mateo artist Steven Albaranes, who creates his artwork from exotic butterflies mounted in attractive acrylic boxes. The largest pieces can have more than 150 individual butterflies, creating a spectacular display. Kathleen and John Anderson carve simple words, poetry and prose into slate to inspire readers to pause, take a breath, and be grateful for the life and beauty around them. These elegant sculptures are perfect for the home and garden. Virginia Jennings gives new life to old windows by transforming them into hanging gardens. The artist
carefully restores old, worn windows, gives the frames a clean coat of paint, and then decorates the glass with her own original floral artwork. Her window gardens look beautiful hanging on walls or in existing windows and brighten any room like a fresh bouquet of flowers. Dennis Johnson has developed a special technique to fuse molten 24 karat gold into his glass sculptures. The gold not only adds a metallic shine, but also tints the delicate sculptures anything from blue or purple to pink or red. The glass castles, carousel horses, or other figurines are then mounted on a carefully chosen base of amethyst, coral, burl, stained glass or porcelain for a finished piece.
Jeff & Lori DeVore mini grandfather clock
Mishell Swartwout acrylic painting |
Lisa Barghahn designer dog collar
Doug & Bobbie Gold wooden toys
Locke Heemstra photography |
Danny Hughes painting |
Functional Art
Jeff and Lori DeVore have been making beautiful and functional wood crafts since 1994. Their many designs of clocks, bookshelves, coat racks, crosses and ornaments are all handmade from solid natural oak. Ray Storch creates his designs on dishes, clocks, switch plates, and jewelry using crushed glass enamel powder melted on raw copper. His designs run the gamut, from elegant Asian bamboo to feisty red chili peppers to dancing Day of the Dead skeletons and San Francisco skyline. There is something to please every taste and décor. Pretty up your pooch in a snap with Lisa Barghahn’s Arty Chokers. Her patent-pending dog collar has Velcro and snaps, which allow you to add a decorative collar over the top and change it as often as you like, without removing the collar and tags or fumbling around with dog clothes. Arty Chokers come in an array of designs to fit any occasion, from a walk in the park to a special parade or outing. Doug Gold and his wife Bobbie have been handcrafting baby-safe, earth-friendly wooden toys since 1986. Each toy is created from durable wood that can withstand a toddler’s rough play, sanded smooth, and finished with completely non-toxic water-based stains in a rainbow of colors.
Fine Art
Locke Heemstra’s vivid photography is lush with color. Whether he is photographing fall foliage in New England, a Napa Valley vineyard, or a quaint European café, Heemstra is always searching for that special image which gives the viewer an intimate sense of place. Sierra Slate is a twelve-year old, California based company specializing in creating images of American culture and the American West on slate. Using their unique process, Sierra Slate images appear to be engraved in the rock itself, a piece of the American landscape come alive. Artist Mishell Swartwout captures the magic and innocence of childhood with her bright acrylic paintings of unicorns, fairies, dragons and castles. The beautiful frames and matting are part of the artwork, using hand-painted details and sparkling stars to bring the image right into the room. Danny Hughes’ mystical paintings have the profound ability to touch his viewers in a unique way. Each Hughes painting starts as a blank wood panel and is collaged with a collection of pages and newsprint that have been colored and aged by the elements. Earth tones, patinas and rust lead the viewer to the realization that the permanence of life is an illusion and that each and every moment is a precious gift that must be cherished.
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