Lovers of fine objects who wander to the back of Castle in the Air to peruse our best pens this week will be hard pressed not to be distracted by the revels taking place atop the case. There, inside a smaller glass box, it seems as though a fairy troupe has been magically frozen mid-revel. Nymphs admiring birds, satyrs raising wine glasses, undulating mermaids, and dancing men and women with the heads of unicorns (unitaurs?) frolic among bud vases etched with swirls and symbols in a glistening fantasy-land created by local glass artist Andre Nigoghossian.
Andre first brought his delicate griffons, buck deer, and hippocampi to Castle in the Air last summer, and they've been shimmering in the shop only long enough to be noticed by their delighted new owners. Come by soon and witness the midsummer night's gleam before these beauties disappear too.
I've been collecting paper theatres for years and years. It never ceases to amaze me how entire worlds full of romantic history, outrageous characters, high drama, and magical settings can fit into a simple set of printed sheets of paper. But there they are, and I'm always happy to delve into these worlds each time I set up one of my miniature theatres.
That said, it goes without saying that I'm excited for the opening of the upcoming paper theatres exhibit at the Museum of Performance & Design in San Francisco. The show will have 21 rare toy theatres from the U.S., Mexico, and Europe, some of them from as far back as the 18th century. If you're like me and want to get the full experience of this exhibit, be sure to call ahead for tickets to the opening reception on July 13.
Toy Theatres
Worlds in MiniatureThe Museum of Performance & Design
401 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 402
San Francisco, California
Opening Reception and Welcoming PresentationTuesday, July 13, 6:30 p.m.Free to Museum Members,$20 to the General PublicTo reserve tickets, call (415) 255-4800
A few weeks back we hinted at the recent shipment of Commedia dell'Arte postcards we'd added to our rack downstairs. Now all of our far-off friends can browse the cards as well via the Online Shoppe. The images on the slightly oversize cards (you'll need to use a 44-cent stamp) are from the paintings of 19th-century illustrator and novelist Maurice Sand, and we've been reeling in delight as we peruse the poses and costumes of these assorted classic theatrical characters.
The other day we received the most stunning photographs from our friend Laurie, a fan of our florist crepe paper. She writes: "I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how excited I am about all the fabulous new florist crepe colors you have. They're amazing! Keep them coming! Attached are a few pics of flowers I've made with your new selection." Thank you, Laurie!
The paintings are hung, the sketchbooks arranged, the flowers, wine, and cheese are here. It must be a party! Please join us at Castle in the Air this evening for the opening reception of "Inclement Weather," an exhibit of works from Linda Hanson.
Inclement WeatherThe Paintings of Linda Hanson
June 15 through July 31, 2010
** TONIGHT **
Free reception with light refreshments
Thursday, June 17, 6 p.m.
Castle in the Air
1805 Fourth Street
Berkeley, Calif. 94710
(510) 204-9801
Read the full invitation and press release.
Castle in the Air and Dromedary Press are thrilled to announce that Commonplace Mouse has been awarded a silver medal in the 2010 Independent Publisher Book Awards.
The Independent Publisher Book Awards (the IPPYs) were conceived in 1996 as an unaffiliated program to bring increased recognition to the thousands of exemplary independent books produced each year. The IPPYs reward authors and publishers who exhibit the courage, innovation, and creativity to bring about change in the world of publishing.
Winning this award means a lot to me not just as the creator of Commonplace Mouse, but also as the founder of my own publishing imprint, Dromedary Press. Dromedary was founded out of a desire to tell my own stories outside of the confines of the major publishing houses. Most people who know me think of me in relation to Castle in the Air. But the truth is that more than any other reason, the shop was founded as a way to fund the publication of beautiful books through Dromedary Press.
Many thanks to Independent Publisher and to everyone who has supported Commonplace Mouse along the way. If you would like to buy a copy, you can do so through the Castle in the Air Online Shoppe, the Dromedary Press website, or Amazon.com.
This year I've devoted even more time to my bandoneon, practicing songs, learning to read music, and taking lessons from my beloved bandoneon instructor in Argentina via Skype. As every artist knows, there's not much point in making art if you can't share it, so one of my favorite activities each week is Family Band. My husband joins me on guitar, my daughters play their fiddles, and even Grandpa gets into the groove on the piano. Everyone plays what they feel and we have a great time bonding through music.
Here's a tiny sample from one of our recent jam sessions. You can hear my younger daughter asking a guest to open a kazoo box so she can recruit him into the band: Listen.
The gallery is back to its bare state today, following the packing up of "Paris Captured." There's no rest for the gallery gnomes, though, as next week we'll be prepping for our next exhibit, "Inclement Weather," a collection of paintings and sketches from Linda Hanson. We'll post a bit more once the show opens June 15, and we hope you'll mark your calendar and come to the reception the evening of Thursday, June 17.
Inclement Weather
The Paintings of Linda Hanson
June 15 through July 31, 2010
Gallery open 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. every day
Free reception with light refreshments
Thursday, June 17, 6 p.m.
Castle in the Air
1805 Fourth Street
Berkeley, Calif. 94710
(510) 204-9801
Read the full invitation and press release. 
June is here, and with it come the first of our summer classes in the Studio for the Imagination. John McRae's Dresden Party Picks kicks things off on June 9, followed by Alice Armstrong's Journaling with Rubber Stamps the weekend of June 12-13 and Summer Roses, taught by Aimee Baldwin and Anandamayi Arnold on Tuesday, June 15.
In the gallery, we're getting ready for the launch of an exhibit of paintings and sketches from Linda Hanson, a Bay Area artist who teaches several celebrated classes at Castle in the Air each year. More details about her show soon.
Downstairs in the shop, there's always something new coming in from our network of fantastic suppliers. Just today we put out a line of Commedia dell'arte postcards and some amazing new sheet papers from one of our Italian vendors. Come by to see what all the fuss is about!
Lovers of fine objects who wander to the back of Castle in the Air to peruse our best pens this week will be hard pressed not to be distracted by the revels taking place atop the case. There, inside a smaller glass box, it seems as though a fairy troupe has been magically frozen mid-revel. Nymphs admiring birds, satyrs raising wine glasses, undulating mermaids, and dancing men and women with the heads of unicorns (unitaurs?) frolic among bud vases etched with swirls and symbols in a glistening fantasy-land created by local glass artist Andre Nigoghossian.
