Art in Craft Media

 

A few weekends back I went to visit my parents in Buffalo, NY.  My mom's artwork was in the new art exhibit at the Burchfield Penney Art Museum - Art in Craft Media.  My mom's art deals with her recent experience with breast cancer.  Breast cancer used to be a death sentence, but thanks to modern medicine breast cancer is one of the most treatable cancers now, but going through the process of treating cancer is no easy task.  I really admire her strength.  Creativity, art making, and the support of friends helped her to cope.  Her artwork in the show was a sculptural dress made from upcycled coffee filters and cancer cell images.  I'm so proud of her!  

Her prints are now for sale at the Burchfield Penney Art Museum gift shop and online

https://www.etsy.com/listing/166925260/coffee-filter-dress-print-dressing-gown?ref=shop_home_active

to view more of her artwork

www.carolannricerafferty.com

Why be negative when you can be positive?

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.  -Albert Einstein

When faced with a difficult circumstance you have two choices - be positive or be negative.  It's just as easy to be negative as it is to be positive, so why not be positive?  Rice rafferty is faced with some challenges, but we're ready.  We will put on our warrior headbands go full speed ahead.  Always advance...never retreat.

We're working hard like little elves in the rice rafferty studio and most importantly we're having fun!  We designed new headbands for the ultra feminine warriors. 

Headbands made from up cycled silk, tulle, jewelry elements, and feathers. We can make custom designs for weddings. One for all your bridesmaids. We can use different hair clips/combs, colors, feathers, jewelry elements (rhinestones, pearls, silver, or gold) - you design it!  Each piece is one of a kind.  We are also working on veils, cake toppers, garters, corsages, boutineers, and wedding bouquets.  We'd love to be part of your special day.  Send us a message to learn more.  :)

Spread Joy Wherever You Go

The day my mom was having her mammogram my coworker told me she was diagnosed with cancer.  It was terrifying to sit and wait the past few weeks to see which way the pendulum would swing.  My mother doesn't have cancer, but both my mother and my coworker are having a lumpectomy surgery on the same day next week...kind of freaky, right?  Today, I told my coworker my mom is having surgery the same day and she felt kind of comforted that she's not in this alone.  I was hesitant about telling her at first, but i'm glad I could bring her some comfort during this really difficult time.  You never really know what people are going through or how you can bring joy to someone in an unexpected way. 

Rice Rafferty also has big news.  Our, in the Pink, rice rafferty Statement Necklace will be available tonight at Viva for Life ;~) http://www.vivaforlife.org/Celebrations.html  So happy to be part of the solution ;~)   

2010 ViVA for Life, Buffalo, NY, an evening of celebration benefiting
The Western New York Breast Resource Center
at Roswell Park Cancer Institute

In the Pink

My mum [who has breast cancer] is a fighter. I've got that from her, I know she's a fighter.
Naomi Campbell

Rice Rafferty has joined the fight against Breast Cancer.  Our new line "In The Pink" was inspired by the pink ribbon and breast cancer awareness.  We plan to give a percentage of the sale of this line to Look Good Feel Better.  The next most important part of recovering from cancer after all the surgeries etc is feeling good about yourself and finding the beauty within to keep going.  Our designs are meant to help people find their beauty and joy in in life again.

Cancer is something that has touched at least one family member, friend, or acquaintance.  The earlier we detect problems the faster we can fix them.  Get a mammogram once a year.  If you're too afraid to do it for yourself then do it for your loved ones.  Both of my grandmothers and my aunt had breast cancer and they're all survivors. 

Our line includes statement bib necklaces and corsages.  We hand dye our tulle and use upcycled beads, pearls, and upcycled jewelry to embellish the accessories.  The bib statement necklace pictured above also incorporates one of our handmade and hand painted polymer clay roses.  The back of the necklace is reinforced with a soft fabric and our rice rafferty label.  The necklace length is adjustable with the long ribbon.

We're also looking to donate a necklace fto a breast cancer organization to be raffled off or auctioned off.   Please contact us if you're interested in purchasing an accessory, helping out or know an organization we can help.  Thank you!

(Bib Statement Necklace $115, Corsage $22)