By the Sea Quilts

For many Christmases and birthdays, I have been the lucky and proud recipient of quilts and wall hangings hand crafted by Teri Scaduto. One of her quilts drapes over my piano, another - a Frank Lloyd Wright cityscape hangs over my bed and my favorite - a view of Sciacca, Sicily - hangs in my kitchen. All are works of art.

Full disclosure) Teri is my step-daughter. I've known her since she was a very smart, very talented and very rebellious 14 year old. I have watched her blossom into a gorgeous woman who is still one of the smartest people I know. Teri is an amazing quilt maker. Her color sense and craftsmanship is superb. She is also a fabulous mom.

Teri and I share a love of swimming - she swims daily - and a few summers ago, we logged in a lot of pool and beach time together in Sicily. Below is her quilt Night Swim.

Teri began quilting 16 years ago, with a simple calico nine-patch for her new-born son. She quickly discovered that quilting is a fascinating mix of the practical and the creative. She remains intrigued by the interplay of light and shadow that can be achieved in fabrics, as well as the endless possibilities inherent in combining traditional quilt patterns with modern sensibilities. Her expertise on the long-arm machine allows her to add intricate thread work to enhance the finished pieces. Her quilts, which range from the traditional patterns to contemporary designs, have won top prizes in several juried quilt shows.


Teri Scaduto and her son Christopher live in Babylon, New York.
Her background includes careers as a caterer, writer, and editor. These days, as a professional long-arm quilter she uses an industrial sewing machine mounted on a 15-foot table to do the decorative stitching that holds together the three layers of her customers' quilts. When not in her quilting studio, creating her own designs or finishing her customers’ quilts, she spends her time in, on, or near the water.

Our Glass - Fused Glass Art

A year and a half ago my sister Anita proudly showed me the glass art she had crafted using the warm glass process, also known as fused glass. I had just started Stevie's Artisans and she and her partner, Mike Sweek, were happy to join my curated collection of artisans. I was excited to represent their work.

Then Anita was diagnosed with liver cancer. But, my sister was a fighter and she was optimistic about her chances. Anita and Mike and her daughter Alyssa kept making beautiful glass. Anita died September 1, 2010, in the loving care of her daughter Alyssa, her three sisters, Mike, her Aunt Bert, her best friend Thalia and Alyssa's boyfriend, Russell.

Our Glass and Anita's spirit and creativity continue in the work carried on by Alyssa Trudeau and Mike Sweek. Mike feels Alyssa's work is every bit as inspired as Anita's glass art. I agree. Alyssa's boyfriend Russell Borne - a graphic artist and photographer - has joined the group, contributing lots of creative fire and energy, plus he documents all the work. BTW, Russell also designed and constructed the Stevie's Artisans website - lots of family involvement in these enterprise. and endeavors.




Like Anita, Alyssa, Mike and Russell also share a love of and aim to capture the play of light on glass. In addition to coasters and plates, they especially like crafting sun catchers and mini landscapes created from mixtures of opaque, iridized and transparent colors. I am struck how they manage to impart warmth to a medium that by its nature is brittle and hard and in the fractured patterns of some of their work, they are creating glass art with an edgy vibe.

Last month I made a site visit to Portland, OR where Alyssa, Mike and Russell live and work. Russell and I worked pretty solidly for two days to finish the Stevie's Artisans website but there was definitely time to visit the Our Glass studio sited in Mike's garage. They showed me prototypes, works-in-progress and all the glass ready to go up for sale on the website. We kicked around lots of ideas over a bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir. It was a very productive week-end.

My Website

Finally, My website is live!

You can go to www.steviesartisans.com to see what is available from the eclectic "gang of four" artisans who are Stevie's Artisans. The Home Page introduces the four artisans: Ivette Urbaez, Teri Scaduto, Our Glass
(Alyssa Trudeau, Mike Sweek & Russell Borne) and Naemeh Shirazi. Besides a short description of what they make, each artist has some images illustrating their work.

You can find the work by category i.e. silkscreen fashions, quilts, fused glass art and jewelry or you can go to the artisan's page. The artisan's page includes a bio and artist's statement and of course, all the work available for sale. The website was designed and constructed by Russell Borne and I think it is very user friendly. BTW, you can still find Stevie's Artisans on etsy.com/shop/steviesartisans

So, check it out and buy something from Stevie's Artisans. Or, please send a comment to tell us what you think. A sample of what you will find at Stevie's Artisans:

Sculpted Lace Earrings & Pendants by Naemeh Shirazi:


Fused Glass Art by Our Glass: plates, luminaria, candle holders & coasters.
















Original hand printed silkscreen fashions
by Ivette Urbaez - flirty skirts, dresses, leggings, tunics & kid's clothes.










Hand crafted Quilts by Teri Scaduto:

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