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.

own beautiful give beautiful live beautiful

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****

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*

Estate Pineapple

LIVE BEAUTIFUL

You are invited to our first ever

bella social

Wednesday, April 22nd

747 Fawcett Avenue, Suite B

Tacoma WA.  98402

253-627-0183

Diane and Lesli invite you to an evening of beautiful.  Bring a friend or two.  Come see our new designs, the Napoleonic Bee, which reminds us to savor the sweetness of life, and the Estate Pineapple which is the international symbol of friendship and hospitality.  Meet the artists!  Share your bella story.

You can never have too much beautiful.

]]> http://bellaballs.com/2009/04/bella-social/feed/ 0 http://bellaballs.com/2009/02/leslis-and-her-bellaball-adventures/ http://bellaballs.com/2009/02/leslis-and-her-bellaball-adventures/#comments Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:05:02 +0000 Lesli http://bellaballs.com/bellablog/?p=27

Lesli and Mike

Hello. I must admit that I am a bit intimidated right now. I would not call myself “computer savvy” so I am grateful to my fabulous business partner, who gently pushes me into the unknown blogging abyss. Here we go!

My bella adventure began last November when my husband and I took a much needed trip to Maui. Of course, I had my bellaball in my carry on luggage and was really fascinated at how much jostling it withstood… hence, they display a strength that belies their fragile appearance.

Aloha

We were fortunate to be able to spend a glorious 3 weeks on the Island and I was constantly on the hunt to find just the right place to free my bella. Many days passed where I would carry my bellaball to different beaches, walking trails, and hiking locations. I actually considered taking it on an early morning eco-zip line excursion far up in the regions of Haleakala.

I am posting some of the different photos I took while waiting to find the perfect place to place my bellaball. My husband was a great sport packing my bella everywhere we went but his patience grew a little thin when I insisted we go to the Grand Wailea Hotel to capture some photos on their beautiful grounds. I am not a photographer but pretended to be as I was laying on the pathways to get the perfect angles.

The last four days of our trip were spent at the Hana Hotel and Resort. Mike and I were married there and we try to go back as often as we can because it truly is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I knew when we got there that this would be the place to send my bella into the world in hopes that a special someone would find it and feel the love, hope and joy it holds. Somewhere, in Hana, Hawaii, a beautiful green bella found a new home.

My bella On The Beach