"Joyce Densmore a Jewelry Engineer"

"My work background is chemical and mechanical engineering, but I've always had an artistic side to balance my engineering - whether it was sewing, smocking, painting porcelain dolls, watercolors, or designing jewelry. With my jewelry, I started working mainly with pearls. I love the organic look and feel of different types of pearls mixed with just about any stone. I branched out to working with copper, brass and sterling after taking a metal-smithing class - cold working metal -- bending, hammering, cutting, rolling (I have this very cool rolling mill!) - I find that metal work is a good blend of art and engineering."

--Joyce Densmore

"Tiger's Eye" - by Joyce Densmore

Even though Joyce has a rigid scientific background, her engineering abilities have created jewelry that is elegant yet precise, has an air of sophistication yet methodical, and can be casual yet orderly. You can see her mind working as you put on the strand of pearls, or the "waves" she creates out of copper and sterling silver using iridescent iris tube beads accenting the piece. Her choice of hand carved bone designs add that exquisite oriental flavor to some of her works.

"Sign of the Winter Palace" - by Joyce Densmore

"Gold Reflections" -by Joyce Densmore

As she chooses what beads, whether faceted tiger eye or faceted onyx, she wants to use her analytical minds eye begins to flow from a mathematical formulae to the fluidness of design. Methodically placing each bead on the wire, without thought, creating a piece of jewelry that catches your eye. Some balance equally, some balance asymmetrically all on purpose but yet without thought as the analytical envelopes the flow converging to form on unique yet sublime piece.

"Gia's Gold" - by Joyce Densmore

Joyce has an old world stature about her, with that she carries a sophisticated air that flows when she enters a room. It is that sophistication which is seen in her work, the impeccable, precise tooling that completes each piece.

Joyce Densmore is exhibiting her work at SoBoBo until the end of November. If you truly don't know what gift to get someone, perhaps you should stop in, see her work. You will know her unique, yet sublime designs and it is guaranteed you will not know which one to choose.

SoBoBo located at 42 Naugatuck Avenue, Milford is opened Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Noon to 6 pm.


Join us on Thursday, November 10th as we celebrate the last Art Stroll of 2011. The opening reception at Firehouse Gallery begins at 6:00 pm.

Sally Ann Endleman - May's Artisan

Sally Ann Endleman works with precious, semi-precious gems and stones as well as a variety of metals to create wearable art - jewelry. Her intuitiveness guides her to find the unusual pieces creating classic jewelry that can be worn with any fashion style from the past and even those that haven't been designed yet. Her embellishments add the flavor of how one feels when wearing her creations. They are classic yet faddish. They are flamboyant yet complimentary. They add that final touch needed to complete an outfit. She has an uncanny ability to know what is wanted by the art collector, the consumer.

Some pieces are made with African stones. Others with a variety of Jaspers. Some with Asian coins and even little charms. Hand blown glass medallions add eloquence to others.

Sally Ann Endleman, May's Artisan, has had many journeys throughout life as Frieda Howling did, as we all did and still are. A pragmatic woman she traversed through her art. A potterer she had created many unique pieces that could not be duplicated. Her molding of the clay, her glazes she used was her own style. A style that resembled the ancient worlds yet it was modern. Her work was on display in many galleries and museums. You must know that when she was promoting her work, she had to schlep from business to business marketing on her own. This was before craft fairs appeared in the mainstream. You might say she and a group of friends were the forerunners of that circuit. Setting up many events so everyone had the chance to view the art form and perhaps go home with a piece of art.

Sally Ann taught and held symposiums at Calhoun College at Yale University. For her work she was honored the title Fellow. She held symposiums about women in business and "Celebrating Women's Creativity" at, then, Quinnipiac College.

She felt it was time to move on after her many accomplishments with pottery. Sally Ann never stayed with the same avenue of art. She always changed. She not only created her works she also had owned an art gallery, Endleman Gallery, on Chapel Street in New Haven. She opened Endleman Two in Branford which was to be an accessory store but ended up selling clothing which were designs of up and coming young fashion designers.

Besides her own entrepreneurial achievements she has won many awards. Sally Ann was bestowed a Fellow of Calhoun College - Yale University, was Noteworthy Woman of New Haven County, and Top Retailer of American Craft, a national award that is chosen by artists/artisans across the United States. Her work had appeared on many a cover of magazines and sold in stores throughout New York. Sally Ann Endleman is a multi-faceted woman who strived for more and acted on her dreams becoming very accomplished.

You can see Sally Ann Endleman's creations on display at SoBoBo for the month of May and beyond, as she is a mainstay of the gallery. You might just find that gift you were looking for for that special someone.

March Winds Were Definitely Encircling...

"I began beading as a resurrection from sitting and not talking to my husband who had been undergoing problems from Parkinson's disease. I have always loved the fine seed beads and decided to see what I could come up with. I made my first necklace from black and brown matte seed beads and I was hooked.

I have made numerous necklaces and numerous designs. Every time I start out I always choose the beads I am going to use in making the pattern. I embroider for a while, then look, at the necklace to see whether I like it. Many times I do not like it and then I have to start again with the beads. This is the most important part to beading a necklace. You have to like what you are making! Choosing the pattern, design comes later. Choosing the color of the beads is the hardest of all. After you have chosen the beads you are on your way to making someone happy."

-- Lara Sendich, 2010 --

"Blue Gerdan" by Lara Sendich

The winds where whirling around Lara at a time change was afoot, creating a whirlwind similar to that of the Phoenix's ashes, you know how the Phoenix rose from the ashes. Her experience was what spurred her to go forward to create; breathing life into her work, making each piece come alive with a spark.

"Red Gerdan" by Lara Sendich

Lara's work is impeccable. The color and design choices create a world of yesteryear. When speaking with her you can feel her energy, you understand how loving what you do brings happiness to others just by creating a thing of beauty. Gerdan, a Ukraine term, or embroidered beading - frames one's face, accentuating the beauty in each one who wears it.



Lara Sendich, March's Artisan, will be exhibiting her creations at SoBoBo from March 1st through March 31st. She is a constant at SoBoBo. You will be able to see her work too during the Art Stroll taking place on Thursday, March 10th. Starts at Firehouse Gallery at 6:00 pm!

SoBoBo Gallery Hours:

Thursdays & Fridays: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Saturdays & Sundays: Noon to 5:00 pm

Mondays/Tuesdays/Wednesdays: By appointment only

Come and see the exquisite, intricate works of Lara!