Abandoned Places (and Things) + Overwhelmed Spaces

I took a walk in Orlando not too long ago. I was near the entrance to Disney. On one thoroughfare less than a mile long I came across these spaces:

• About 50 abandoned bikes in front of an apartment complex all locked up and chained together. Bike spokes intertwined and overgrown with plants. How or why this many bikes would be left here is a mystery to me. An art project? Statement regarding expensive bikes?

• A restaurant victim of the pandemic. I love the branding. The vintage signage gas pump and light. There was a time these type of things were so appreciated for their…I don’t know…innate coolness and history, someone would have stolen them. Yes. Theft does imply value. Weird to say but true. Right now I don’t know if society is in a place of not valuing history, not wanting to acknowledge it, wanting to erase it, being ashamed of it or some limbo place of all four that’s ripping us apart. It may also be that people in Orlando just don’t steal things…

• The last place I came upon was a parking lot so crammed with cars and people I was overwhelmed and I remember my one wish was to get photos of the space with no people. Almost got hit by a car twice. The parking lot was shared with an IHOP, huge Florida tourist shop and hot pot restaurant with a Buddha sculpture.

Bike Chain. ReIncarnated.

At the beginning of next month I am going to be sharing my newest collection of bike chain jewelry, Sunset and Lotus. I freely admit that recycling bike parts or even more specifically bike chain into the stuff fashion forward dreams are made of wasn't my idea. 

When I lived in Philadelphia I worked with some folks who knew some folks that worked at this great and amazing place called The Bike Church. Run by this super organization called Neighborhood Bike Works. I participated in a fundraiser where I made art from busted bike parts.

Here's one of my pieces I did for the show: 

I also helped this ( I believe now defunct) organization Spokespeople assemble their bike chain jewelry. Soooo much fun and I was hooked.

It was a while after being introduced to the idea of recycling bike parts that I decided to do my own thing. I had a different vision for the jewelry though. I wanted to combine the feminine and masculine characteristics of the chain. I didn't want it to just be seen as a 'guy thing' or a 'girl thing'. I Feel like the new collection Sunset and Lotus does this pretty well. Hopefully, I have something for the guys and the chicks.

To celebrate the new collection I'll be posting fun facts about bicycles and bike related topics. Silly facts, serious facts, facts concerning me and my fear of running over people on a bike...

Also, newsletter subscribers will get 10% off items in the new collection, so be sure to sign up before November 16th to get your coupon. This is a great opportunity to get started on your holiday shopping! You will also get a sneak peek at a few of the pieces. Those who attend ArtWalk November 6th (the first Wednesday of the month) will get a full preview of the new line.  

If you have any interesting facts about bicycles, bike chain, and the like feel free to post them here in the comments section. I'd love to hear them :)