Posted Oct 8, 2009 by Diane, under bella
Tacoma poet, Tammy Robacker, celebrates and releases her first book of poetry, The Vicissitudes, published by Pearle Publications. The public is invited to join the poet for a special book release, reading, and signing party held Sunday, October 25 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the bellaballs art studio located at 747 South Fawcett Avenue in Tacoma. Current 2009-10 Urban Grace Poet Laureate of Tacoma, Antonio Edwards, Jr. will be emceeing the poetry event, which is free and open to the public.
Robacker’s collection of poetry, The Vicissitudes, was made possible due to funding by the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program (TAIP) grant awarded to her this past year from the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Arts Commission.
Local bellaballs owners, Lesli Jacobs-M cHugh and Diane Hansen, have designed and hand-blown a collection of Limited Edition ‘Vicissitudes’ bellaballs—created exclusively for sale at the release party for Tammy Robacker’s first book. The bellas are 3″ in diameter and will be sold for $28 each. They are inspired by the book’s hot pink and black cover created by Seattle designer, Martin McClellan. The Vicissitudes bellas are transparent, hot pink glass floats embossed with sterling silver and 24 Karat gold on a black background with the bellaballs ‘beautiful’ design adornment.
“Lesli and I met Tammy through a writing project at the beginning of our own new business venture last year—when bellaballs was still a concept. She has always been there for us. Supporting us and encouraging our dream,” said glass artist, Diane Hansen.
“We are honored to be hosting this reading and celebrating the release of her new book,” said local designer, Lesli Jacobs-McHugh.
Come enjoy this exclusive reading of poetry from Ms. Robacker’s new book as well as refreshments, the live jazz duo: Sidewalk Symphony, and an opportunity to meet and greet the author! Don’t forget to pick up your signed copy of The Vicissitudes at this event for $14.95. Only cash and checks can be accepted.
Tammy Robacker studied Creative Writing and Poetry at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, graduating with a B.A. degree in=2 01993. Now, actively involved in the South Sound poetry community as a poet, a freelance writer and a volunteer, Robacker also serves as secretary of the board for Puget Sound Poetry Connection and secretary of the board for Exquisite Disarray Publishing, a non-profit literary arts organization that publishes Northwest writers. In 2009, she co-edited a Tacoma poetry anthology, with former Urban Grace Poet Laureate of Tacoma, Bill Kupinse, called, In Tahoma’s Shadow: Poems from the City of Destiny. Her poetry has appeared in Plazm, Floating Bridge Review: Pontoon, Word Salad, Pens on Fire, and the Allegheny Review.
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Posted Jul 21, 2009 by Diane, under bella
It is a bella tradition that wherever Lesli and I travel we pack a bellaball with us, and when the moment feels ‘right’ we release it. Our belief in destiny, and that particular bella ending up in just the right hands at just the right moment is what the beauty of the bellaball is all about.
Somewhere in Oregon, or perhaps all the way to the Pacific Ocean by now a bella is looking for its new home.
Just off the stern, port side a pink diamond ‘Classic fig’ bella bobs on the Willamette River.
Feeling the need to escape the concrete jungle, I hopped into my convertible last weekend and decided to go wherever the breeze blew my sails. Originally, Santa Cruz and learning to surf was my destination. With that in mind I headed south, pink diamond bellaball sitting on the seat beside me.
The journey from Tacoma, WA to Santa Cruz, CA is 13.5 hours according to Google maps. I thought I’d split this up by driving to Eugene and stopping to visit my niece. She’s always full of energy and a lot of fun. My call to her yielded the following invite: No, she wouldn’t be in Eugene, but perhaps I would like to come to Bend to jet-ski with her and her friend? Fantastic! I headed south then east, and pulled into Bend about 2 a.m. The next morning I woke to a new world. I was now in a beautiful desert scene, flanked by snow-capped mountains. We headed to Lake Billy Chinook, a gorgeous basalt-surrounded canyon lake. We had a wonderful day laughing and pulling each other around the lake on an inner tube. I though about letting the bella go there, in the lake, but something held me back.
Later that weekend I said good-bye to my niece and my new-found friend and headed north. An interesting sign “Aurora Historical Antique Area” piqued my interest. I pulled the car off the road and followed the signs to the most beautiful, quaint town with amazing antiques. I bought some letters in an architectural salvage yard that spelled “LIFE IS NOW”, and went into a tavern to order some lunch. Perusing my cell phone, I decided to return some calls from the past months (I’ve been busy!). I call to my friend Capt’n Brad found that he and three others were about to launch their boat 1/2 hour from where I was!
I got directions to the boat launch, changed into my suit and eyed the pink diamond bella.…HERE was its destiny. I tucked it into my beach bag along with some sunblock and a towel. We enjoyed a beautiful day cruising the Willamette, and went to some amazing falls where fishermen were reeling in sturgeon. One young fisherman, probably about 13 or 14 proudly held up his catch after Capt’n Brad inquired if they had caught anything. It felt straight from a Hemmingway novel.
At the end of the cruise, with the dock in sight I quietly slipped my bella into the water, sending with it the blessing for a wonderful life to whomever finds it.
own beautiful give beautiful live beautiful
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Posted Jul 8, 2009 by Diane, under bella
Lesli and I received this beautiful letter from a wonderful person whom we met while bellaballs was still a dream. We spoke with them about our vision and intent for the bellas, how they were meant to remind us all that although at times we feel fragile, we are strong, we are beautiful, and we all serve to hold each other up. As a thank-you for all of their support we gifted three bellas, one for the past, one for the present, and one for the future. Today we received this note, and after we wiped our tears, we wanted to share it with you:
My friends–
I just wanted to send you a note and let you know that the 3 bellaballs I received from you have brought so much joy to me. I chose a very precious golden bee bella to house in my living room and it is in my line of vision on a daily basis and each time my gaze falls upon it, i feel such happiness and hope — it is the strangest thing….I love that damn bee. I just dont even know why, but it is a treasure.
Also, the other two bellas I chose, I recently gave away to two women in my life whom I have a precious friendship with that I am always really trying to express my gratitude toward–but for some reason, I feel I can never say it the right way. The bellas said it for me….
One woman is someone whom I recently connected with after 20 years of losing touch. This woman took me in when I was a teenager due to a very difficult and violent childhood I had with living with my mother. She was only 30 years old at the time i met her–I was 16. She was my high school guidance counselor, but she knew that things in my family were volatile and she knew i was a good person and let me live with her and her husband, until the state could find me foster home placement in the area so that i could finish high school. I look back now on what she did and the giving and sacrifice it took to do that for me as a 30 year old woman taking me into her home. Many times, I feel she has saved my life. I have of course thanked her over the years, but, last week, i gave her one of my bellas in person to share my gratitude, and it was an extremely emotional and treasured gift to her. I chose a bee bella for her, because she taught me how to take the honey out of life, even during turbulent times.
The second woman I gave my bella too is a dear friend who is going thru a wicked divorce and she just moved out of her dream home and is starting over. I chose a LOVE bella for her that matches her decor in her new place so that everyday, she can see that she is loved and see what is beautiful still in her life. She sent me an email this morning thanking me so much for that bella and for my friendship that she will now be reminded of every day.
So, this is my bella story to you. I had to share this with both of you because the generosity and the spirit behind what has transpired between us in a small business venture has a huge, profound meaning to me. And you must know this. Because you are both special and your bellaballs are perhaps more magical and miraculous than you may know.
Thank you so much…from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely,
T****
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Posted Jun 13, 2009 by Diane, under bella
Symbolic of good fortune, continue to fill it until it overflows with a lifetime of beautiful…
Our Lucky Horseshoe!
Just in time for Father’s Day, or any Lucky Day, we proudly present our newest addition to the bella collection, our “Lucky Horseshoe”.
The horseshoe symbol today is commonly considered to bring good luck to its owner and when given as a gift is a gesture of good luck, welcome and prosperity for the recipient.
We at bellaballs feel very lucky to to have such wonderful friends and collectors, and wish to share a bit of our good fortune with you. We add a little magic to each bella in the hotshop to give yours a head start! Place one on your desk, by the sink or in your garden to remind yourself of just how beautiful you are, and give one to a friend to let them know just how lucky YOU feel to have them in your life.
own beautiful give beautiful live beautiful
*bellaballs*
Tags: Add new tag, art, art glass, baby gifts, bella, bellaball, bellaballs, chihuhly, corporate gifts, event, glass floats, japanese float, japanese floats, love, northwest, sterling, wedding, wedding gifts
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