Frozen Music

On a Sunday afternoon car ride home from Alabama a few months ago, my architect brother--on one of his inspired, grandiose 'philosophy of architecture' rants--described architecture as "frozen music". He probably didn't coin the term, but I liked it. I can definitely see where he's coming from. Like powerful music, great design in architecture can make you feel something.

I vividly remember one experience I had at the Jewish Museum in Berlin--a museum that focuses a great deal on the Holocaust. Upon walking into one particularly dark, barren room, I was filled with angst and felt my stomach just drop. Of course, the context had something to do with it, but the materials and angles of the building really put you in a certain mood.

---------------------------------------------------------------
I would certainly say that I appreciate art and jewelry with an architectural influence, but these Phillipe Tournaire rings are preeeety intense and quite literal!

I do find this city ring pretty attractive...



Perhaps not the most practical, but certainly very interesting! I wonder if my brother could find some frozen music in them.

Allure

It seems that my average post time on DITB is every two months. Hopefully I can change that, especially now that I have a temp job where I literally do 1 hour's worth of work from 8 to 5. Never thought this level of boredom was possible!

About a month ago, I noticed that my step-dad, Bill, made the most beautiful and intricate lures for his fishing expeditions on the Little Red. I knew that he had become obsessed with creating his own lures (my mom rolls her eyes at the hours he spends cooped up in his office), and I'd noticed the boxes upon boxes he filled with mysterious and colorful fishing supplies. But I had no idea how cool his creations really were! As soon as I saw them, I made him a business deal--he'd provide production, and I'd make the jewelry line, which is to be titled Allure. I am too scared to Google search my idea and find that it's already taken!

A selection of Bill's work

I have only made a few necklaces so far, for family members and friends, but here's a shot of one I made for Elizabeth:

P.S. Bass Pro Shop is a scary place! Have a good week!

Every end is a new beginning...

It feels like a lifetime ago since I've updated the blog! While I don't know if I'll keep it going, I do feel compelled to bring it back to life, at least for a little while. I have no expectations this time around...just to have some fun!

---------------------------------------------------------------

Last week, I quit my job at A. Schwab's, the historic general store that's been on Beale Street since 1876. Although it was a short run (just shy of 2 months), I have to say that working at Schwab's was probably the most interesting job I have had yet. I vividly remember shopping there as a child on elementary school field trips, then as a teenager buying silly hats and a washboard, and more recently purchasing voodoo oils and penny candy. Never in a million years did I think I would one day work alongside Beverly and Elliott Schwab!

Some of my proudest accomplishments during my time on Beale include: orchestrating the first live rock show in the building's 150-year history; ripping down the rotting, painted cardboard from the windows that had obstructed the upstairs view onto Beale Street since 1952; befriending Elliott Schwab and discovering the history of the store and Beale Street itself; and learning the secrets of mojo--even creating some special concoctions for friends :)

No, it's not a Kabbalah bracelet!

I thought this string, which is everywhere around Schwab's, was very cheery. Every week, when the color started to fade, I would tie a new one to my wrist. Elliott said that they used to wrap packages in brown paper and this thread.

While I didn't leave on the best of terms (let's just say the new owner is difficult) I've taken away a lot from my experience at Schwab's. I made some great friends in the process, and even got to drink Pamplemousse rose Perrier in Craig Brewer's lair! I was sad to go, but I'm learning that sometimes you must accept what you can't change, and move on to more positive environments.

Below are some of my favorite photos from my time at Schwab's. Enjoy!

                               

                                           

I know, I'm a dork!

The Beale Street dog.

And finally, some photos from the Commercial Appeal website. Above, a shot of Beverly and Abram Schwab during the 1968 Memphis sanitation strike aftermath. Beverly said they were staring at the National Guard tanks that had been called down into Memphis (see below). She also said that the "I AM A MAN" posters were scattered all over the street, but she didn't save any. Martin Luther King, Jr. would be killed just blocks away 6 days later...