'Confetti Quilts' are affordable and original

Ann Loveless is a native of Frankfort, Michigan, which is located on the shore of Lake Michigan. She attended Michigan State University and received her degree in Clothing & Textile Design. The artist began sewing her own clothes as a girl and in 2004, she fell in love with the art of Landscape Quilting. Most of her designs come from nature and the beautiful lakes and woods of her region. Ann works from photographs and sketches made on location.







All mini confetti quilts are one-of-a-kind originals and are signed and titled by the artist. They all come in 6" x 4" on an 8" x 10" white mat board for $42 and 6" x 8" on an 11" x 14" white mat board for $70. Stop by either Gallery Fifty location or call to order: 231-932-0775.

Every great idea starts somewhere — here’s your somewhere.

We’ve always done well selling gifts with inspirational sayings, and now Compendium's "live inspired" line has taken the classic flip-up notebook and redesigned it with flair.

This stylish and functional notebook is perfect for the office, the classroom, the car — wherever inspiration strikes. Keep one nearby to jot down your big ideas, favorite quotes, to-do lists or life goals. The size and portable design allows it to fit perfectly into your pocket, purse or briefcase. Every great idea or intention starts somewhere — here’s your somewhere.

Measures 3.75” x 5.5” with textured hardcover with elastic closure band. Quotes are sprinkled inside the 96 lined pages. $7.95 each. Stop in Gallery Fifty's downtown location, or call to order: 231-946-0610.

Evoking early childhood memories

Traverse City artist Linda Chamberlain's primary focus in designing her mixed media paintings is the exploration of man and his relationship to the natural environment. Her pieces evoke conceptual references to nature, botanical themes, the figurative form and early childhood memories.

Linda draws upon the simplification associated with the Arts and Crafts Period. She creates works that eliminate the superfluous in life, reducing reality to the essentials. The artist's most recent series explores man's fascination with life and spirituality. The bird image is used to examine this quest. Childlike figures lead us to the path of our own introspective journey. Man's fascination with his surroundings is examined within these confines.

We've been carrying Linda's original paintings and assemblages for years, but recently we've added her giclee prints and blank greeting cards. They are an affordable way for collectors to acquire images that they connect with. The "Friends," "Max," and "Up North" series are all best sellers and range from $40 for a 10" x 10" to $85 for a 14" x 14" giclee print. Greeting cards are $4.50 each.

Please contact Gallery Fifty directly to purchase or for a special order: 231-932-0775.

Arthur and the Red Ball

Moving Day

Bird in Hand

Emma

Eli

A Good Day

On the Pond

Road Trip

Rocket Dog

Bob the Bear with Cabin

Bob the Bear in Canoe

Bob the Bear with Rock

Minervini receives C.R.A.F.T. Design Challenge recognition

Gallery Fifty owner Christie Minervini was recently honored in a design competition held in conjunction with the Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She won one of three grand prizes awarded in the C.R.A.F.T. Design Challenge. (One display pedestal. Five contemporary art objects. A box of props. Make magic.)

Minervini won $350 in merchandise vouchers good at the show. "I was thrilled to learn that I'd won. While I was proud of my design, I didn't feel it was my best work, so I was totally surprised," said Minervini.

Judge Kristen Godsey commented, "The jewelry displayed on the tree is clever and effective, as is the placement of the rounded, metallic objects in a circular pattern in the scene. I like the use of the flowing, earth-toned fabric, with just a smattering of rocks, to create a simple statement."

Techno Romantic Jewelry by Thomas Mann

Louisiana artist Thomas Mann has been represented by Gallery Fifty from the beginning. You could even say he had a hand in its creation, but more about that later.

Tom describes himself as an artist working in the medium of jewelry and sculpture. I describe him as the father of art jewelry. For over thirty years he has reshaped the way we think about ornamentation, and has elevated great design with non-precious materials to the status of fine jewelry. His one-off pieces are highly collectable and we've done extremely well with his limited production line.

Tom's primary design vocabulary combines industrial aesthetics and materials and with evocative romantic themes and imagery. He calls this design system "Techno Romantic." Though it is not the only design mode in which he works, it is the one for which he is best known.

The artist lives and works in New Orleans where he oversees a jewelry design and production studio, a sculpture studio and gallery.

Please contact us for more information: 231-932-0775.

Note: I took a week-long class from Tom at Peters Valley Craft School in July 2004. I'd been planning to open a gallery, but still had serious concerns. Not only was he an excellent instructor, he was an invaluable resource for my gallery questions. I left the school with several beautiful Thomas Mann knock-off designs and renewed ambition. We opened Gallery Fifty at the Commons five months later.

New Pins by Thomas Mann

Ladybug Pin
Ladybugs are said to bring good luck so keep this brooch on a jacket at all times. Silver, brass and plexiglass. 1 5/8"
$145

Hands Full Pin
Resin with brass backing, nickle, steel and acrylic. 2 5/8"
$185

Fly Like A Dove Pin
Resin with a brass backing. Ours is red. 2 5/8"
$165

New Necklaces from Thomas Mann

Hammered Heart Garnet
A sterling silver or bronze heart capture garnets for the center of attention. Sterling silver, bronze, brass, acrylic and garnets. Toggle closure. 18"
$275

Heart Lock Toggle Necklace
Sterling silver, bronze and brass. 17"
$180

Heartbox Toggle Necklace
Sterling silver. Ours has a red crystal heart. 17" chain.
$140

Resin Heart Necklace
Sterling silver and resin. Toggle closure. 16"
$135

Shadow Rococo Heart Necklace
Sterling silver and bronze. 16" with lobster claw clasp.
$150

Be Here Now - Pod Necklace
Sterling silver and brass. 18"
$185

Small Bee Necklace
This is the latest buzz... Sterling silver, brass and laminate. Hook closure. 17 1/4" ball chain.
$135

Small Ladybug Necklace
Ladybugs are said to bring you good luck! Sterling silver, brass, acrylic and laminate. Hook closure. 17 1/4" ball chain.
$135

Confetti Necklace
Inspired by Mardi Gras, this necklace is our most popular necklaces because of its versatility. It can be worn 3 different ways: as a long necklace, wrapped twice as a double choker or the toggle inserted into an element to make a "Y" necklace. Silver, brass, bronze and various colored acrylic. 34 1/2".
$325

New Earrings by Thomas Mann

Lock Heart Earrings
Unlock a heart! Sterling silver, brass and bronze. 1 1/4"
$105

Small Cat Earrings
Cute little kitties. Sterling silver. 1 3/8"
$70

Small Dog Earrings
Perfect little pups to show your love for animals. Sterling silver. 1 3/8"
$70

Pagoda Lantern Earrings
Sterling silver, bronze and brass.
2 1/2"
$140

Rococo Heart Earrings
Sterling silver. 1 3/8"
$90