Tag Archives: artisan

Meet The Artisan: Massimo Strino

09 Thursday Oct 2014

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Uno Alla Volta's "Enchanted Garden" Kaleidoscope

Renowned among collectors, Massimo Strino, originally from Naples, now of Australia, crafts some of the world’s most breathtaking kaleidoscopes. Handcrafted in meticulous detail, they transport the beholder to a bygone era and create a sense of wonder – even before peering into the glass to gaze upon the magnificent display of color. Since 2008, Massimo has been dazzling Uno Alla Volta customers with works available nowhere else in all the world.

Uno Alla Volta's "Enchanted Garden" Kaleidoscope

Our 2014 edition, the “Enchanted Garden” is his finest yet. A feast for the senses, each mesmerizing scope is constructed, in Massimo’s New York City studio, of brass lamp parts and bedecked with hand-carved and polished onyx, richly colored enamels and thousands of meticulously handset Swarovski crystals. Each comes with a crystal encrusted LED flashlight to shine upon the hummingbirds and sunflowers while they revolve to the tune of “Over the Rainbow.”

Click here to indulge in this breathtaking work of art

Uno Alla Volta's "Enchanted Garden" Kaleidoscope

Individuality & Connection – Our Core Principles

07 Tuesday Oct 2014

Posted by in Letters from Terri, Stonycreek Brands

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Each handcrafted treasure pictured in the following pages is a unique expression of the artisan’s individuality, brought to life as much by his or her heart as hands.

Attesting to our artisans’ boundless creativity, nearly half of these pieces are being seen here for the first time ever…anywhere. You will see rich new textures, beautiful on-trend colorways, and handcrafted quality that never goes out of style

When a particular piece grabs your attention, I hope you’ll sense a connection with its artisan – the connection that forms between a work’s creator and caretaker. Although you will likely never meet, each of you is making a difference in the life of the other.

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Terri S. Alpert
Founder & CEO

T.alpert@unoallavolta.com

Upgrading YOUR Online UNO ALLA VOLTA Experience!

06 Monday Oct 2014

Posted by in Letters from Terri, Stonycreek Brands

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We have listened to you!Microsoft Word Document 1092014 20353 PM.bmp

We have taken all of the feedback from all of our customers into account to create your all new experience of UNO ALLA VOLTA online.

My team has been hard at work for over a year. Tomorrow, we will be “flipping the switch!”

What does this mean for you?

Well…after what I hope will be a VERY brief inconvenience, while our website is down between approximately 5:00 am and 12:00 noon Eastern tomorrow, here is just some of what you will find:

–An awesome gift giving experience: You will be able to personalize the certificates of authenticity which accompany each handcrafted treasure. And, you may save your address book so that you may more easily “WOW!” your loved ones next time you need something special.

–Really see those handcrafted details: Our mouse over zoom and our alternate views are all going to bring the little things to life.

–Better navigation and organization!

We are testing, testing, and testing to ensure your experience is glitch free. But… as is the nature of these things, there may be a glitch or two. If there is, please let us know! Contact us at custserv@unoallavolta.com. We want one thing and one thing only – that your online UNO ALLA VOLTA experience be as good (or better) than your offline experience.

And what else? Well.. this will be our platform to bring you so much more of what you desire – a real chance to meet our artisans, hear their stories, and watch them work. Much of that will come over the next few months.

Please know that we are ever evolving. YOU are my partner in this endeavor as are my dedicated employees and artisans throughout the U.S. and around the world.

In gratitude,

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Terri S. Alpert, Founder & CEO
t.alpert@unoallavolta.com

Discover Russia’s St. Basil’s Cathedral

29 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by in Stonycreek Brands

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Built in the 16th century at the behest of Ivan the Terrible, St. Basil’s Cathedral sits at the geometric center of Moscow on Red Square. Its iconic form features multiple domes and spires decorated in extraordinary patterns and details that attest to the building’s – and the city’s – colorful past. Our Russian artisans carry on the traditions of their ancestors as they painstakingly hand-paint layer upon layer of  color and lacquer in exquisite detail for each hand-crafted piece inspired by St. Basil’s Cathedral & their national heritage.Russian Father Christmas Sculpture 

For this limited edition sculpture, our artisan, Olga of Moscow begins each piece by meticulously hand-carving the shape of Father Christmas from hand-selected basswood. She then brings each cheery figure alive with an exquisitely painted face and robe adorned with golden details and a wintery scene featuring St. Basil’s Cathedral in times of old. Act fast as only 50 will ever be made!

To see our entire collection of Russian artistry visit: http://bit.ly/russian-artistry

Meet Our Venetian Artisan, Fanny

27 Saturday Sep 2014

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FannyA true Renaissance woman, Fanny is a world traveler with a degree in literature who worked in the fashion industry before focusing her creative energies on jewelry design. Inspired by the beauty and history of her Venetian surroundings, her spectacular beaded creations are as multifaceted as the artisan herself.

Our jewelry designer, Fanny, meticulously handcrafts this intricate collection of sparkling faceted glass beads, masterfully interweaving varied beads into wearable works of art.

ELMAN4CSTORYTo see all of Fanny’s creations, visit www.unoallavolta.com/FANNY.

Reserve Your 2015 & 2016 Polish Pottery Jack-O’-Lantern

24 Wednesday Sep 2014

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We worked for two years to design our Halloween Polish pottery collection with our friends in Boleslawiec, Poland. Our artisans have been making and preparing the collection since March, exclusively for Uno Alla Volta.

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Our exceptionally popular 2014 Polish pottery jack-O’- lantern has been selling beyond our wildest dreams. We are so sorry that we can no longer deliver any new orders of this 2014 edition Polish pottery jack-o’-lantern until well after Halloween. It is absolutely gorgeous and well worth the wait.

Because our jack-o’-lanterns are flying out of our door faster than they can come in, we have created a reservation list for our future polish pottery Jack O’ Lantern editions. You may wish to reserve your 2015 & 2016 edition now, risk free, you may cancel at any time.

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Click these links for “first dibs” on future editions:

2015 Jack-o’-lantern: http://bit.ly/1rnrTk6

2016 Jack-o’-lantern: http://bit.ly/1psAtso

Authentic Limited Edition Kitchen Witch

17 Wednesday Sep 2014

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In cities and small towns alike, Italy’s open-air markets are the place to go for everything from fruits and vegetables to vintage treasures and local crafts. Our artisan, Letizia, scours the markets in and around Florence for both inspiration and authentic materials to bring our charming kitchen witch to life.2013-03-19 18 47 11 (2)

After gathering her finds, Letizia then handcrafts each figure with traditional features and meticulously hand-trimmed and stitched clothing. According to a centuries-old legend, a kitchen witch will bring good luck and ward off bad spirits when hung within the home. Only 140 of our authentic kitchen witch, an Uno Alla Volta exclusive, will ever be made!

View our Florentine Kitchen witch here: http://bit.ly/1p0H1PJ

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Meet our Polish Pottery Artisans: Weronika and Jacek

15 Monday Sep 2014

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We worked with our friends, Weronika and Jacek, to develop our newest exclusive Halloween collection for 2014. Together,we found just the right color-pallet, stamps and ceramic shapes to bring together this year’s seasonal stoneware assortment.

In their buzzing workshop in the village of Boleslawiec, Poland, our Polish artisans brought our designs to life, creating these charming hand-painted collectibles of pottery. Each stoneware piece is meticulously hand-painted with whimsical Halloween motifs using hand-carved sea sponges and fine brushwork, showcasing the highest level of decorative artistry and skill. Each one is then fired at high temperatures for vessels of enormous durability and years of enjoyment.

Polish Pottery Halloween Collection

Remember, you can only find these Halloween Polish pottery pieces exclusively at Uno Alla Volta. Act fast as this spooky collection is going quickly!

Visit unoallavolta.com/polishpottery to see all of our stunning Polish stoneware pieces. Don’t forget to pre-order your 2015 & 2016 Jack-O’-Lanterns before they disappear.

Informing And Empowering The Individual

12 Friday Sep 2014

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Fight With Grace
One of our artisans, Judy, credits her recovery from breast cancer to Dr. Weiss who has built the world’s most utilized resource for helping women and their loved ones make sense of the complex medical and personal information to make the best decisions for their lives.

Breastcancer.org touches the lives of 9 million people each year.

Each year Judy has created special ornament editions to support the cause. This year’s powerful woman is Grace and she is available only through Uno Alla Volta.

I am delighted to join Judy and Marisa in the fight against breast cancer. Uno Alla Volta is a proud sponsor of the upcoming “Rock the Ribbon” event in Philadelphia.

terrilogo

Terri S. Alpert
Founder & CEO

T.alpert@unoallavolta.com

Nothing inspires us more than hearing that what we do matters.

11 Thursday Sep 2014

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From one of our valued customers:

I have received UnaAllaVolta catalog for a number of years and thought it unique and interesting.

I wanted to get a special “Sweet Sixteen” Birthday gift for someone whose family heritage is from Italy although she has never visited there.   I happened to see the Rose Petal Murano glass necklace and earring set.  It was “Just the Perfect Thing” for her!  The perfect balance between delicate youthfulness and beauty and an artisan culture unique to her family heritage she could be proud to wear for the rest of her life!

I was impressed by the Murano glass fish. The fullness of the colors and the uniqueness of the idea make this item one of a kind!  A school of tropical fish now reside on the edge of my bath space!  And I picture the glass blower in his art creating each piece with his unique skill and imagination and feeling a pride in his work and I feel so good about supporting that.

I love your recent Sunflower Ceramic Bowl and Pitcher and Trivet!  The care taken in its hand painting makes these items so valuable and not to be had otherwise.

I am into BEES…my husband and I are beekeepers since 1972 and I do Honey Show Demos for stores that carry our honeys.  I wear a little “Queen Bee” outfit so when I saw your “Queen Bee Brass Bracelet”…well, I just had to have it!…in fact TWO…one for each arm!…and the earrings.  I also wear the Garden Flower necklace and Pin to complete the look!  It is just “TOO CUTE” and I have gotten so many GREAT COMPLIMENTS!

So many of the pieces have extra features that only an artisan would include, such as carvings on the backs of necklace pieces…color matching of stones…intricate designs…going beyond a simple item to create a unique piece beautified with detailing that embellishes it to be “special” and definitely noticed!

I especially love anything in which the technique is rooted in cultures and old “lost” techniques brought to new life by these people who understand how to do them!…and share them with a world accustomed to cookie cutter items made quickly but without personality behind them.

Contemplating these pieces, I always imagine the artisan in his/her work and the intensity and feeling that requires of them inspires me to value uniqueness in my own life.

I wish you much success and applaude you for YOUR uniqueness in appreciating these artisans and offering them a venue to make their wares available to people like me who truly appreciate them and are seeking items beyond the ordinary!

Thank You,

 

Neva J. Whetzel