The Old Man and the Nile

Mr Pastore and his beautiful houseboat in Cairo in the NY Times. Amazing.

Flotsam and Jetsam NY in January 2011 Lucky Magazine

This months issue of Lucky Magazine is featuring shopping in Dallas. Thanks to the amazing store, The Shining for carrying our work in their Natural History Museums meets jewelry and design store.

Peter Francisco

Inspirations for the Armada Collection....

As a child my grandmother would tell us the local legend of Peter Francisco.

It was a story she unearthed while preparing to teach local history for Hopewell, Virginia. She lit the fires of many children’s imaginations regaling the tale of a little boy put ashore in 1765 on the docks of City Point. The jettisoned child was wearing silver buckles and velvet pants and speaking a language no one understood. Later they discovered it was Portuguese, and he was abducted by pirates from his parent’s home in the Azores They believe while traversing the Atlantic a great storm was endured and like the biblical story of Jonah being offered to the Sea, he was expelled from the ship and the proverbial whale that absorbed him were the colonies of what would become the United States.

A painting of a little boy on the dock watching his captor’s ships sail away hung on our walls and reminded me of the tragic beginnings of this boys life and the adventures that begin at sea. The beautiful crucifix-like masts of the Pirate ships told the story every day of the most interesting occurrence on the banks of the James River since Pocahontas spared the life of Captain John Smith.

Recently I devoured a book entitled, Hercules of the Revolution, a page turning historical fiction by a descendant of the little orphaned boy. It turns out little Peter Francisco led quite the life. Originally he was sold into slavery where he learned the art of blacksmithing. He was greatly appreciated by the plantation owners and fellow slaves as well as a local family for saving their daughter’s life. He grew to be a whopping 6 and half feet of strength and integrity, which drew the attention of patriots like Patrick Henry and others as they planned to assert their freedom against the British crown. Francisco went on to fight in the American Revolution with a 6-foot broadsword custom made for him on the orders of General George Washington. In doing this he earned both his own freedom as well as that of the colonies.

The 6th generation grandson, Travis Bowman, shares his ancestor’s height and charisma. He not only authored the book, he also produced a documentary and travels around the country bringing the story to life for audiences as an actor.

Hercules of the Revolution, a true American legend of Peter Francisco can be purchased here. It is a great stocking stuffer for fans of history and adventure.

Flotsam and Jetsam Holiday Shopping Guide

We hope this finds you enjoying this holiday season. Here are a few ideas of pieces that make fantastic gifts.
Flotsam and Jetsam NY is offering a discount of 7% off all items in our store.
Enter code: A017G387VY12

Have a beautiful Winter.

1- Seahorse Salt Cell
These salt cells make fantastic gifts for many occasions from house warming to Mother's Day.
Pair it with pink salt for your gourmet friends.
Add it to Mark Kurlansky's book Salt for your intellectual friends.
Purchase it for caviar from Russ and Daughters for an elegant New Years treat.
Mix it with a bottle of india ink for your artist friend.

2- Black Arm and Chandelier
Black Arms are sold individually and come in handy as key and necklace holders.
The dangling Chandeliers are perfect for displaying earring collections.
*Arms are $90, Chandeliers are $90, Sold together they are $180
They are perfect for the person who has everything, or perhaps even too much of everything.

3- Gazelle Earrings
These animal totems lend beautiful brutality to those that wear them.

4- Lancelot Monkey Ring
Affordable, Comfortable, Adjustable. Memorable.

Early Mermaid Illustrations

from webblog, Pink Tentacle, These mermaid illustrations are very Edvard Munch.

Jettisoned Johnny

I first met Johnny Gallo when I first walked in to the Montauk Manor. He was wearing a vintage Hawaiin shirt and dragging a cooler full of lobsters. What other signs does a person need to know when a legend is standing before you? Amongst fisherman he is a known for surviving a sinking fishing boat off the grand banks of Newfoundland and floating on a cooler for a day until he was found. He has placed a deepwater devil anglerfish in the Smithsonian and sings a mean Led Zeppelin karaoke. But last week he was at the Liar's, and he was representing Flotsam and Jetsam NY.

Bora Yoon, the sound of an Angel

Tadao Ando's Temple of Water, Awaji Island, Japan

Tado Ando and Elvis were both truck drivers before finding their life's calling and creating greatness for the world.
Ando was even a boxer at one time. Now he is an architectural conductor directing a symphony of concrete, water
and light. Water Church.

Global Expansion....Part I

In the coming weeks, lookout for "The World is Yours" collection... It begins with a nod to Tony Montana and Brian De Palma...to the Unishpere of the world's fair... More work and global metaphors to come...

Sun Dog and the Rising Sun

A Sun dog, scientific name parhelion (Greek for "beside the sun") is an atmospheric phenomenon that creates bright spots of light
in the sky, often on a luminous ring or halo on either side of the sun.
Sundogs may appear as a colored patch of light to the left or right of the sun, 22° distant and at the same distance above the horizon as the sun, and in ice halos. They can be seen anywhere in the world during any season, but they are not always obvious or bright. Sundogs are best seen and are most conspicuous when the sun is low.
In her history Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance, telling the story of Endurance's ill-fated polar expedition in 1912, Jennifer Armstrong writes:
… All around them, too, were signs that the Antarctic winter was fast approaching: there were now twelve hours of darkness, and during the daylight hours petrels and terns fled toward the north. Skuas kept up a screeching clamor, and penguins on the move honked and brayed from the ice for miles around. Killer whales cruised the open leads, blowing spouts of icy spray. The tricks of the Antarctic atmosphere brought mock suns and green sunsets, and showers of jewel-coloured ice crystals.
The poet Aratus (Phaenomena 880-891) mentions parhelia as part of his catalogue of Weather Signs; for him, they can indicate rain, wind, or an approaching storm.

Taxidermy for Vegetarians

When we were a young family- I a little girl, Grandpa still around, still with his own teeth, we used to get in the car and drive hours to places to eat. One of these magical establishments worth driving all the way, was Roma's Italian on Connecticut Avenue in Bethesda Maryland. Just inside the door stood a Wild Tiger mounted in an erect pouncing stance. The Tiny restaurant was long and narrow, banquet booths flanked a walkway that threaded through. The walls were guilt leather wallpaper, the booths were old black vinyl. Above each table was an old sepia photo of the owner on Safari holding his weapon and animal trophy, above was the animal mount. In the early afternoon a blind woman entered beneath the pouncing tiger and walked down the aisle to an old piano where she would feel her way across the ivory keys and entertain us as we dined in the Taxidermy Menagerie.

The Taxidermy for Vegetarians series has been a precious memory in my head since childhood and in the works for several years. The Animal Mount Pendants are produced in bronze and silver. They are all also produced in pewter pendants and wall sculptures in varying effects. Gazelle Rings are scampering throughout the world on fingers and postcards, with Botswana Agate and Cats Eye Stones. The final piece will be Gazelle earrings with elegant glass drops... about 3 weeks away.

Perfect for anyone without the heart to kill or room to hang the real thing.

Patterns

Coney Island Parachute Drop meet
Mesozoic invertebrate, Astrophyton Darwinium.

From the Carving Block

Last Night Gone with the Wind was on Turner Classic Movies....The perfect inspiration for carving lazy flowing flowers. With candle and chaser and blade more work was done towards the THREE GRACES SERIES. The Three Graces are inspired by the antique arm tie backs and sconces from Rococco days. The single arm holds necklaces. There is a chandalier adornment to hold earrings and shown here is a bouquet of flowers to hang down and hold rings. Named for the three graces who helped the goddess Venus dress in the mornings, these helping hands can make every woman feel a bejewelled beauty. These are off to the caster for first casting. Expected to be finished and for sale in early October.

The September Issue

Well actually, its the November issue, but its on the stands now...
Check it out....last winter's work.

Cave of the Storm Nymphs

many thanks to JWC's endless library of art history he calls a brain and his clever insertions of historical beauty to brighten a girls day. and to Sir Edward John Poynter...

A Tale of Two Pianos...

No visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art is complete without a visit to artworks I have come to consider
friends throughout the years. It is sad to say but I probably see some pieces more than friends...one of these is
The Golden Harpsichord of Michele Todini, a baroque masterpiece said to have pushed the envelope in the moments
leading to the invention of the modern piano by Cristofori.
Recently Macedonian Industrial Designer, Apostal Tnovski, has dreamt up the Hydra Piano.
There is a myth saying Lady Gaga was the inspiration and even sadder than visiting works of art more than friends
is the potential that Lady Gaga could be the Catherine De Medici of our times. But this is not a post about pop stars, this is
a post about beautiful pianos....

Liquid Surface Travel

Taking things a step farther, after skimming the surface of the Achafalaya Swamp Basin, it was time to see the Peconic River up close instead of peering from the window of the L.I.R.R. Peconic Paddler is a gas station turned Adventure Sales and Rental Shop in Riverhead Long Island at the mouth of the Peconic Bay that separates Long Island's North and South Fork. It is a business run by Jim Breeman an energetic man who wants to sell the business so he can take people on long distance Kayak trips.
Paddling through the narrow and winding creeks was straight out of the Wind in the Willows. It was the beginning of many more river trips to come. The trip is a dirty one, but someone found the courage to archive it here http://picasaweb.google.com/randyhagerman/PeconicRiverTrip#5387296188354675890

Hightimes Medical Cannabis Cup

It was a long road and many lessons learned. It was a big step and a challenge. I was fortunate to work with a company in Connecticut who has been in the business since 1798 who employ American Craftsman that polish atop pulpits.
And now it is complete and the first Hightimes Medical Cannabis Cup went off without a hitch.

Armen Ra releases his first album

I was fortunate enough to see Armen play years ago when he was in New York. It put me in a trance and true to any other addiction, I sought to experience his Aural Enchantments again and again. Somehow I even talked him into coming to Virginia to
play at my first art opening, Hortus Siccus at the Sycamore Rouge. Several years and many accomplishments later he has released his first album, Armen Ra Plays the Theramin. Well done Armen.

the monkeys of Gibraltar

Many people are drawn to skulls in art and jewelry, I believe an equal amount are drawn to Monkeys, perhaps it is two ways of approaching life. Monkeys are the beginning, and skulls are the end, frolicking in the danse macabre both have a humor to their postures and ways. Throughout June, Flotsam and Jetsam NY will be launching monkeys. shown here are sketches for the monkey ringand monkey earrings/pendants....coming to a store near you.
They will also be for sale at the Renegade Craft Fair and Hester Street Market.

Renegade Craft Fair

Flotsam and Jetsam NY will be at booth 114 at McCarren Park
Saturday June 5th and 6th
Come and Visit.

Blue Bayou

My partner and crime and I are just back from Lousiana. There will be many posts covering various angles of why this is the most special part of the country. I will save oil rants for another day. "Oil in Nawlins...why, I won't think about that today, I'll think of it tomorrow....at Tara"
Anyhow, we ended our trip by visiting the Atchafalaya Swamp, Americas largest swamp. Having grown up near the dismal swamp, it surprises even myself to find such a place interesting, but I am willing to brave mosquitoes to lay eyes on the careless drapings of Spanish Moss, partake of the roots of the Bald Cypress and I might have the wrong impression, but as long as an Aligator is in the water and I on boat, they are adorable.
This becomes a bit of a travel review, but from New Orleans we took the river road (route 18) and passed all the antibellum sugar plantations of Lousiana with ancient oaks. A truck stop in the south is a surprisingly good meal, as there are not too many places to eat, follow the trucks, they know the roots, generally a sign saying DIESEL and FRIED CHICKEN OR FISH together means good food. The Great River Road lands you in Baton Rouge where Interstate I-10 becomes a beautiful ride, if one can say such things of an interstate. I-10 through these parts is a land bridge over the Bayou. It divides and joins in beautiful curves as your car rolls over the rythmic concrete slabs that are the bridge. If you take this tour, be sure to listen to WWOZ 90.7, New Orleans heartbeat to music for as long as you can pick it up.
We had a crestfallen moment when we arrived for the arranged private airboat swamp tour at McGhees to find after our journey it was cancelled for lack of boats. But partner in crime and I, hereto referred to as PIC, have strange look, generally when something bad happens, it is for our own good, while it seems bad at the time.
We found another place down the street, Atchafalaya Basin Tours, who had things far more together, and houseboats to boot! What we found was beauty and in lieu of 'squitoes, dragonflies galore!
If I were to travel there again, I would face my Cape Fear fears and spend the night and hope De Niro did not come out of the swamp after me. Instead we left and followed good advice to Crawfish USA. Crawfish USA is the equivalent to a German Beer Garden for the South. In a barn like building, they offer boiled (pronounced "bawled" in these parts) seafood, atleast, they do while there is still some left. Tomorrow is another day, today I post the beatitudes of the South, tomorrow the evils of Corporate Control on our Government and their effect on a cultural pulse of America.

after water, bikes are my second love

And Water Bikes Take the Cake

The Bird is The Word

Thanks So Much to the Amazing Store Catbird.

In Search of 1950's Florida

Just back from a trip in search of old Florida. Beneath the spanish moss and over roads with dancing heat mirages, through throngs of retirees and snowbirds, and amidst clouds of mosquitoes and love bugs I found it and its called Weeki Wachee Springs.
The Seminole Indians named the waters Weeki Wachee meaning "little spring" or "winding river." Florida is home to many springs that bubble up from the bowels of the earth releasing consistently cool 72 degree waters into the often limestone lined caves and depressions that house them. The results are enchanting blue waters cool in the summer and warm in the winter where many people can snorkel, tube, swim and boat with the native manatees, turtles and occasional alligator.
In 1946, ex Navy Frogman and trainer to Navy Seals in WWII, Newton Perry came across this spring and had a vision. He purchased the land and removed the discarded refrigerators and rubble and begin experimenting with underwater breathing systems. Like Jacques Cousteau, a fellow WWII vet who invented the Aqualung, Perry invented hoses that would supply people in the spring with oxygen enabling them to stay under the surface for long periods of time. He found local beauties and trained them to perform underwater shows and the park opened on October 13th 1947. It is said in the early days that the mermaids of Weeki Wachee would stand near the roadside and lure cars in their bathing suits, like sirens, attracting customers to their shows. Success came quickly as Weeki Wachee became one of the top roadside attractions in America in the 1950's, even luring Elvis Presley to their world of buxom bathing beauties. Throughout the years people have travelled from all over the world for the honor of being a mermaid and they have come to be a dreamy profession like the Rockettes in New York City. The Springs incorporated in 1966 and consist of a population of 9 people and a family of peacocks led by a former mermaid mayor.

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A Tale of Two Oceans

Its not to say that the Atlantic Ocean is in any way preferable to the Pacific. Although where the Atlantic touches America, the temperature is generally more agreeable and waves softer than the Pacifics cold kisses on the California shores. Where the Atlantic Ocean has the Sargosso Sea and Pirate and Drug runner history of the Caribbean, the Pacific has the Pacific Gyre and the Pacific Coast Highways rocky coastline and the ring of fire and the romantic exoticism of the South Pacific.
For your comparison the intended Artwork of Jason De Caires Taylor and tragic vortex of human's waste known as the Pacific Gyre.

The Dawning of Aquarius

New York City Mayor Bloomberg and his dead pan Broadway performance in Hair.
I love this man.

black and white liquid beauty

My eyes are not tip top this week, so sailing through the internet, I borrowed Joel Pickford's.
And what an eye for beauty... Here are a few of his compositions containing water.