The wax carving for this elaborate commission is nearly complete. I began working on it in late April and over the last many weeks, have devoted my design time to this project only. Three stunning opals are incorporated into this piece; one carved Australian Crystal Opal and two Mexican Fire Opals.
Marty Magic Snake Ear Cuff
A customer emailed me to tell me that Urban Outfitters was selling a copy of my Snake Ear Cuff. I guess this isn’t the first time that Urban Outfitters has been accused of stealing designs from others (see links below) but this is too blatant. It’s one thing to create your own version of an idea but in this case it seems they have just taken a mold from my original work.
Shame on you Urban Outfitters!
You can purchase my ear cuffs and ear wraps at my website or my etsy shop.
Below are some links to other designers who have had problems with Urban Outfitters.
http://imakeshinythings.tumblr.com/post/5855716317/not-cool-urban-outfitters-not-cool
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2010/05/are_brooklyn_fa.php
Urban Outfitters Snake Ear Cuff
Marty's Snake Ear Cuff photo from same angle as UO for comparison
My father just published his memoir of the war years, Surf Forecasting for Invasions during World War II.
In addition to being professor emeritus at UCSB and a world famous geologist, my father got his masters degree in oceanographic meteorology, and played a critical part forecasting the surf conditions for the invasion of Normandy during Word War II.
He also has plans to publish his adventures as a field geologist and another book.
Since my return from Africa two weeks ago, I have been working warp speed and I will debut my new Bronze Ear Cuff Line this comming weekend at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, July 29,30,31. In addition to offering my ear cuffs in bronze, my large garlic pendant will also be available in bronze at the Garlic Festival. I hope many of you will come to say hello and give us feed back on our new collection of bronze treasures! (We will continue to offer the solid sterling silver versions of these popular designs.)
The large bronze Garlic Pendant is 2″ high and sculpted on both the front and the back. The front side is intricately detailed and the reverse is polished and sculptural. A black cord or a brass ball chain is included in the price as a show special for $49.00. (regular price $68.00)
One of my many safari photos
After a return trip of 65 hours, 6 flights, lost luggage, and a cancelled flight, I arrived back in Santa Cruz on Tuesday. The jetlag is now mostly gone, email mostly answered, social and business affairs mostly current. I’ll be posting my Safari writing on my travel blog over the next several weeks with photos. The plan this time is to create a one issue Marty Magic Safari magazine.
Henrietta Hippo Ring
I’m flying to Africa on safari with my son John tomorrow. I’ve been to Africa a number of times; twice to Egypt, twice to Morocco, once to Kenya. This will John’s first time on the continent of Africa. We’ll be going to view wildlife in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
I’m looking for inspiration to add pieces to my African Safari Jewelry collection. Art and Kat will be taking care of business until I return on July 10 so you can continue to order online at martymagic.com and martymagicbadgirl.com. Art will also be helping with the blog posts while I’m gone. I hope to be able to post to my travel blog but it may be hard to get an internet connection where we’re going.
Alish, John and Marty at Norcal Pirate Festival
This is our third year at the Norcal Pirate festival and it gets better every year. Continue reading
Three dragons in gold, black, and red patina
I received my three Flight of Fancy Dragon sculptures back from the foundry. As you can see, they were finished in black, gold and red patinas.
Art has mounted them on redwood burls. Two will be shipped today to a collector. The red dragon will grace my living room until it is adopted.
This Father’s Day weekend, June 18-19, is the NorCal Pirate Festival, a show that we especially look forward to! We are busily adding “golden” doubloons to our pirate chest and packing up fishing nets to decorate our booth. It’s a wonderful event, held on Mare Island along the Vallejo waterfront, complete with Pirate Ships sailing the harbor and exploding cannons. We’ll have our complete Pirate Jewelry collection for sale. Continue reading
A single lotus flower is beginning to bloom in my pond. It is early June and I wonder if summer will ever arrive? When I take a break from sculpting waxes, I step into my back yard haven and decompress by my koi pond. Each time that I step outside, my koi fish swim to greet me. I know that their greeting is food related, but nevertheless I feel welcomed into their peaceful world.
