Artist Interview: Susan Fiori of CHA-CHING Coin Jewelry
Coins and jewelry have long been bedfellows, dating back to the early days of coin minting. According to Rayner W. Hesse’s book, Jewelrymaking Through History: An Encyclopedia, Roman men and women first began adorning their necks with coin pendants and amulets as early as the first- to third-century C.E. Through the ages, other cultures, like the Vikings and Rai women of Nepal, incorporated coins into their daily fashion. Coin jewelry became popular in the United States in the 1880s when male soldiers and travelers turned foreign coins into “sweetheart jewelry” for their… Read More
Three Rivers Arts Festival
Artist Market Friday, June 7th – Sunday, June 16th, 2013 12pm to 8pm daily Koolkat is happy to be in the Artist Market representing our talented local artists in our fourth year on Gallery Row. We will have a great selection of hand-crafted jewelry, accessories and art. You can find us at Booth #56 & #57 near the Gateway Center Fountain for the entire duration of the Arts Festival. This fun and exciting event features more than 300 artists in the Artist’s Market, lots of great exhibitions, musical, dance and theater performances, interactive… Read More
Whooo loves owls?
These ceramic owls by Washington, PA master ceramicist Yoko Sekino-Bové are incredibly popular. One of our delightful customers came in to buy more of Yoko’s work for her mother for this past Mother’s Day. She had given her mother one of Yoko’s bird sculptures as a gift before, and her mother was so excited to find the hole in the base of the bird. For practical purposes, the hole provides an escape for the hot air that may otherwise build-up and explode the ceramic work when it’s in the kiln. But this… Read More
Czech Glass
This lovely beaded necklace by Olga Mihaylova of Oli’s Beadwork was made with Czech glass beads. Czech glass is known for its high quality and beauty. A tradition of the region since the 13th century, the beads are cut by hand by a cottage industry of skilled artisans. Visit Koolkat to see how Olga and our other talented artists use Czech glass beads in their jewelry creations.
New Work by Katie Keally
We recently received a new shipment of miniature paintings and art dolls by talented Ellwood City artist, Katie Keally of Bobbidi Boo. We love her use of color, and the distinctive personality each of her works has.