MEMBER-MADE: Upholstered leather & vinyl bike seats from Don Saddles

Incite some serious bike-envy with Don Saddles’ sweet seats from 3rd Ward Instructors and fabricator-extraordinaires, Elise McMahon and Francesca Capone. They were a huge hit at the the 3rd Ward Handmade Holiday Craft Fair and are getting some serious traction in Brooklyn’s bike (and moped) scene.

Etsy listed Don Saddles as a featured “Fresh Shop” and the line has been picked up by New York’s first moped shop, The Orphanage. Elise and Francesca reupholster the seats with reclaimed leather and vinyl, pairing striking color combinations and smart stitching details with sturdy construction.

Ready to adorn your bike with these handmade beauties? Visit Don Saddle’s Etsy shop to get yours.

Plus, learn from these creative mavens and get on the waitlist for our popular Intro to Upholstery class. You’ll be the first to know when we add future sections.

Elise also teaches Intro to Woodworking and Skateboard Deck Making. Francesca also teaches Intro to Dyeing and Digital Textile Design.

DEAL // Have something beautiful to display?

Beauty doesn't last forever. Especially if you're using push pins and Scotch tape to display it. Give your art, photos, sketches, and other valuables the treatment they deserve with beautiful frames...at affordable prices.

Now all 3rd Ward Members can get a 15% discount and a 20% discount on bulk orders from 567 Framing.

567 Framing services include custom framing, matting, dry mounting, canvas stretching, and replacing glass. They frame everything from fine art, mirrors, posters and more, with a selection ranging from aluminum frames and shadow boxes to archival museum quality products. They also offer free framing consultations. All work is done on the premises of their three store locations in Chelsea, East Village, and East Williamsburg.

To get some framing ideas and inspiration, take a look at the 567 Framing gallery or blog.

DEAL // Make your ideas stick with Sticker Mule

Perhaps you're an illustrator, a custom woodworker, a web developer, a jewelry designer. How do you make sure your message sticks?

Stickers are a useful marketing tool for nearly everyone (plus they're just fun). Now, we've partnered with Sticker Mule to give you a great deal. 3rd Ward and friends get $25 off their first order with promo code 3RDWARD.

Sticker Mule can turn your art into custom stickers of any shape or size. Just go on their site, upload your design, and they’ll take care of the rest. They’ll help make your artwork press-ready, and send you a free proof with each order.

If you have any questions, hit Sticker Mule up at help@stickermule.com or tweet @stickermule.



3rd Ward Member showing at the International Center of Photography

"Moment of Recognition"
Opening Reception: Friday, January 21, 6–8 pm
Exhibit on View: January 15 - March 20
International Center of Photography
Rita K. Hillman Education Gallery
1114 Avenue of the Americas (at 43rd Street)

What does portraiture look like in the new millennium? 3rd Ward Member, Barnett Cohen, is sharing his vision of the modern photograph in a group show at the International Center for Photography.

In addition to Barnett’s work, curator Amy Arbus has collected images of reality TV star wannabes, male escorts, survivors of genocide, Hasidic Jews in Williamsburg, self-portraits, and functional as well as dysfunctional families.

Today’s photographers combine reportage, fashion, lifestyle, and sports to reinvent portraiture and create pictures uniquely their own. Each of the portraits implies a narrative or inspires the viewer to create one.

Amy Arbus has exhibited worldwide and her photographs are a part of the collections of The New York Public Library and The Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Learn more about Barnett at www.barnettcohen.com

And learn more about “Moment of Recognition here.

3rd Ward Open Call Winners Hit the Road Again

from GlitterousWinning Open Call was great, but that was just the beginning. After Carrie Shaltz and Zach Hyman learned they won, they celebrated for a bit, then immediately started planning the next art-making trip and gallery show with 3rd Ward.

We discovered them through their bewitching photo series titled, Glitterous. Now starting next Thursday, they’ll be embarking on a follow-up art-making trip that promises to be just as spell-binding. Same wandering, same collaboration, totally different adventure.

Some history on Glitterous and their Kerouac-esque methods. Trained as performers and photographers, Carrie and Zach wandered through the most deserted areas of the West Coast with nothing but themselves, their equipment and ten pounds of glitter (that's a lot).

The journey had no map, no "artist statement." Just a single concept: a relationship between “lonesome lovers” on an eternal exploration through desolate lands and abandoned infrastructures. From there, the creative process evolved organically, pulling inspiration from this contrived relationship, spontaneous detours, and the magnificence of the open road.

The resulting collection, Glitterous, exposed people and nature at their most bare and beautiful. Colors and textures leap at you, and emotions range from hostile to seductive to totally relaxed.

In their next adventure, Carrie and Zach will still aim to capture truthful, visceral, stripped-down moments between humans and the spaces they inhabit. As they said, they look past whether or not these moments are “captivating,” “beautiful,” “surreal,” “ugly” or “violent.” Instead, they rely on being honest.

Now they're going on a new adventure with a new storyline. Tune in next week to find out where they're headed  and what they're planning for their March gallery show at 3rd Ward.....

– Vann Alexandra

What Snowpocalypse? Our ideas for a fun snow day.

If you’ve left the house today, you’ve probably noticed the streets are plowed, most businesses are open and New York is handling this round of snow much more gracefully. Here’s a few good adventures for today’s winter wonderland:

Act quick and you can catch the tail end of Brooklyn Bridge Park's snow day shindig. On Pier 1 until 4pm, you can build snowmen, sip on free hot chocolate and join in on a scavenger hunt.







Discover your newest, cheapest, and coldest art material. Tap into the snow’s ephemeral qualities as you sculpt patterns into shoveled sidewalks. Dilute food coloring with water to create your own earth-friendly snow paints. Build a snow bar and invite your friends over for a drink. No refrigeration necessary.






Don’t feel like staying in tonight? Come to Drink n’ Draw at 3rd Ward tonight and meet some new creative friends. From 8 to 10:30, draw to your heart’s content with a PBR in hand. $15 solo, $10 with a friend.




Wrap it all up with a warm hot toddy. This slightly sweetened whiskey drink can be made simply with a drop of honey and hot water, but add lemon, nutmeg, cinnamon and a touch of ginger for a spiced twist.

Enjoy!

MEMBER MADE: Max Goodman’s newest jewelry releases

Max Goodman, 3rd Ward Jewelry Instructor and designer, is kicking off the year with new designs in her Etsy shop. Here are some of our picks.

Islamic Tile Earrings

Max was inspired by Turkish Ceramic patterns for these stunners. The intricate design is etched into copper and paired with a turquoise cabochon for a pop of color.

>> Want to make your own wearable etching in copper? Get on the wait list for our popular Photo-Etching course. We will be adding winter and spring sessions soon!




 

 

Stackable Modular Rings

 

These simple 18-gauge sterling bands are perfect for ladies or gents. In two of the corners, 1/16″ sold bronze spheres are soldered in place, to create a unique stacked effect.

>> Create your own silver pieces and learn the basics in Intro to Silversmithing.

Shark Teeth Necklace

Despite its ferocious material, this necklace remains elegant with an addition of delicate cultured pearls. The shark teeth are sourced from the Florida ocean, and add a one-of-a-kind element to each piece.

>> Learn to make chains like the one in this necklace in our Chain Making class.






 

More of Max’s work can be seen at http://moxymetals.wordpress.com/.

DEAL // Take a deep breath and reinvigorate yourself at Namaste Yoga & Tranquility Center

The new year is likely pulling you in a million directions. You're back to work, have projects to launch, and resolutions to stick to. Don't sweat it. Your key to a little relaxation and a lot of refocus is at Namaste Yoga & Tranquility Center. 

Founder Debbie Desmond (who taught yoga at 3rd Ward when we first opened), has built a gorgeous, peaceful and intimate studio in Williamsburg and is welcoming you all with an incredible deal. Mention 3rd Ward and you can get a monthly membership for $60/month (usually $78/month). Membership includes unlimited yoga classes, free aromatherapy steams, and discounts on workshops and holistic therapies like massage, reiki, acupuncture and organic facials. If you're not ready to jump into a membership just yet, take a FREE yoga class before March 1st!

Take this opportunity to unleash your prana life force and discover your inner yogi—or at least get a little more flexible. To explore Namaste’s offerings and sign up for membership or classes, visit www.namastewilliamsburg.com.

LAUNCHED AT 3RD WARD: Darryl Calmese’s growing photography empire

Europe hit him like lightning. 3rd Ward Unlimited Member Darryl Calmese went on vacation with a camera and left with a flood of photographs and a lifelong passion. Inspired and hungry to make a change in his life, Darryl asked around and found 3rd Ward.   

He began by shooting headshots for the people he knew, including the network of performers he built while acting in soap operas and touring internationally with Aida. As business boomed, he looked to fellow Member Alexey Yurenev for pricing advice, and Chiun-Kai Shih for editorial inspiration. At 3rd Ward, Darryl not only found photo studios, but -- more importantly -- a sense of possibility. From outlining the fundamentals for his company, Art-X Studio, in the Business Plan Workshop, to designing a logo in the Branding & Logo Design class, to expanding his skills in the Product Photography and Makeup Techniques classes, Darryl says, “I literally built my business here.”


 

Three years later, Art-X Studio has made a name for itself with dramatic portraits that bring entertainers to the top of the casting pile. Darryl now shoots headshots, fashion and editorial work, textiles (a highly subtle art), and everyday inspirational style in the Essence Magazine street style blog. The latest phase of his business is Art-X Gallery, an online portal that showcases and sells photographs from Darryl's world travels. Darryl believes in “Art. Responsibly” and prints his work on archival paper made from bamboo pulp. 

What’s next? Darryl is expanding his client base to L.A. and will manage his bi-coastal business from his headquarters in NYC. As we chat about his next moves, we can’t help but notice his expertly lined and tailored coat that he just happened to make himself.
 

To see more of Darryl’s work, visit www.artxphotography.com 

and www.artxgallery.com.

Are you looking to realize your creative dreams? Sign up for a Membership today!

Happy New Year! In 2011, You Don’t Have to Be Boring

Here at 3^rd Ward, everyday is an opportunity to make something of yourself. But on New Year’s, we think extra hard about what we could be. Here are some suggestions on how you can make 2011 your best year ever.

1) Do something that frightens you.

Night Welding: Intro to the Metal Shop // Photo by Matt TaplingerExplore the edges of your comfort and realize you’re more capable than you think. We provide the protective gear and safety overview. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Conquer your fears in: 

Night Welding: Intro to the Metal Shop and Flash Fiction Workshop

2) Rekindle an old hobby.

Painting with Watercolors // Photo by Matt Taplinger

You used to be creative as a kid. You used to be good at this. You used to rock at that. But you know what? The past doesn’t equal the future. Connect with the daring, interesting, curious person deep inside you.

Dust off your skills in:

Intro to Drawing or Intro to Digital Photography

3) Take a passion to the next level.Woodworking II: The Art of Joinery // Photo by Gianna Keiko Rankart

Few things are more rewarding than pushing yourself to excellence. Think of running that last mile, or getting that advanced degree. You only get what you give. Work harder, live better.

Reach higher in:

Intermediate Jewelry: Prong Setting and Photoshop II: Image Enhancement and Retouching

4) Meet people who inspire and push you.

What sort of company do you keep? Surround yourself Bamboo Light Sculpture // Photo by Gianna Keiko Rankartwith people who are ambitious, creative and gutsy, and – like magic -- you’ll find yourself transformed.

Experience new thinking and thinkers in:

Flying Sculpture and Urban Food Production for the Landless

5) Break out of the status quo.Life of Fire // Photo by Matt Taplinger

You don’t have to have a boring life if you don’t want to. Seriously, why bother.

Become a 3rd Ward Member or attend one of our events.