Jewelry: the latest obsession

So last winter I took a jewelry class for credit; I have been fiddling with metal ever since. June 14 the ArtWalk on Division Avenue commenced. I destroyed a lot of hard work by accidentlly spraying the jewelry with white enamel instead of clear coat. [sheesh!]

I frantically scrubbed the jewelry with hot soapy water so the paint would not cure; then with acetone; panic! Next I soaked all the jewelry in mineral spirits for over two weeks in an effort to salvage some of it. No avail. Now it just stinks of mineral spirits. Even my teacher/mentor David Huang could not think of anything other than burning the paint off. Finally I dumped several of my copper cable pieces into a patination process. I salvaged three pieces. Better than nothing, live and learn.

BTW, I have gotten behind updating but . . .
for you Grand Rapidians out there; don't forget the ArtWalk Season is underway!

Dates: July 12, August 9 & September 13 2008 from 4-9 p.m.
Where: Division Avenue between Weston & Cherry.

My jewelry is on display at: Heartside Gallery
48 S. Division Avenue

See You There!

Purple Heart Veterans receive Unique Memorial

Saturday September 15, 2007 Purple Heart combat wounded veterans and the citizens of Grand Rapids Michigan dedicated a new memorial in Veterans Park. There was a chilly start but the sun shone down on Veteran's Park as the memorial was dedicated.

This is the first new monument in Veteran's Park in 33 years. Don Kramer and his fellow vets ran into some real opposition with regard to the placement of this memorial in Veteran's Park.
You can read the Grand Rapids Press coverage here:
Arts Council Rejects Monument

and Saturday's Coverage here

Here for more on purple heart memorials
purple heart memorials
and
purple heart veterans
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military honors

Purple Heart Memorial - Grand Rapids Michigan Gets a Unique National Monument

On Saturday September 15, 2007 at 10:00 am the veterans and citizens of the city of Grand Rapids Michigan will dedicate a brand new, Veteran's monument in Veteran's Park.

This monument is unique in several distinctive ways:

It is the first national memorial monument in the city.
It honors all recipients of the Purple Heart medal,
in all branches of service to the United States and all campaigns they were asked to serve.
It is the only memorial to be engraved on both sides.
It was designed by the Lamoreaux chapter (91) of Purple Heart Veterans.
It was funded by and for Purple Heart Veterans.

The driving force behind the effort to add this monument to Grand Rapid's Veteran's Park was Mr. Don Kramer, U.S.N. (Ret) of the Lamoreaux chapter of the Purple Heart Vets. His tireless effort to ensure that all his fellow wounded combat veteran's received the recognition they deserve in perpetuity, was not without challenge from several surprising sources. Mayor Hartwell believed this monument would be more appropriately placed at the Veteran's Home on Coit, far away from Veteran's Park in the central city. Don Kramer and many others disagreed.

The committee of veterans who designed this monument had some pretty specific symbols and message they wanted this piece to convey. Susan Cheslek, is the artist responsible for weaving together all the elements of this unique Purple Heart memorial. Susan's meticulous attention to detail, from the proper uniform on George Washington, to the placement of the message the combat wounded wish to convey, exemplifies the American Patriot. She was a little camera shy as they shrouded the monument however, she was not shy in expressing her passion for "getting it right". We join with the combat wounded and her fellow Grand Rapidians in saying to her;
"Thank You for a job well done, mission accomplished!"

We would also like to acknowledge Rapid Concrete and it's owner Rick Freiburger.
Thank you for your donation of time and material which gives this wonderful memorial it's firm foundation in Veteran's Park. Rick Freiburger is the son of Don Freiburger, U.S.N. (Ret), a World War II veteran.

Join your fellow Grand Rapidians at Veteran's Park on Saturday, to give these wounded warriors your heartfelt; "Thanks for Your Service!"

While you are there, look for this car and this guy.

The car is the Lamoreaux chapter (91) car and is driven by Don Kramer. Tell him "Thanks", and watch him grin.



For more photos of the shrouding and dedication, see the Flickr collection of WBF 8)

To see other Purple Heart Memorials, see this collection "purple heart" @Technorati.


Purple Heart Veterans can be found @Technorati here "purple heart veterans"


For more on Veterans, jump to "veterans"