The Lego Story

We are HUGE Lego fans in our home. I've lost count of all the Lego sets Gabriel has in his collection - God only knows if he has all the respective pieces too.  

If Gabe isn't building, rebuilding or creating (he's very good at building from his imagination) then he's scouring You Tube for Lego Reviews.  Not too long ago while perusing reviews, we stumbled across this video on the Lego Feed - I enjoyed it so much that I just had to share it.

I love anything and everything that has a positive message.  Without giving away the movie  

- Keep Moving Forward - 

is what I walked away with.  That and, Keep the Faith, and always follow your intuition too.

What an inspiring story to say the least.  It's no wonder Lego is as successful as it it!

Reminiscing

Although I didn't know him then...this reminds me of my grandfather. He was a carnie before he met my grandmother in Texas and settled down. He told me stories about climbing the Ferris Wheel to set it up and take it down. As a matter of fact, my grandmother got on the ride and my grandfather wouldn't let her off - he was smitten. With that began a new chapter and the carnie life was left behind.

It all started when my grandfather ran away from home at the age of 9 and again at 13.  The second time he ran away from home, he worked in a bowling alley on 42nd Street in New York City setting up the bowling pins; it was 1939.  From there he joined a traveling carnival and ended up manning the Ferris Wheel.

The story I was told over and over again goes like this... Nanny (that's my grandmother) was at the carnival with her brother (my Uncle Dink...hey it was Texas in the 40's) and they got on the Ferris Wheel.  My grandfather saw her and was immediately smitten.  He had no idea Uncle Dink was her brother.  Round and round they went, with my grandfather refusing to let them off the ride until she agreed to a date with him.  Which, from I what was told, was a pretty long time. 

When it came time for the carnival to move on, the sheriff made sure my grandfather went with them.  You see, his son was also smitten with my grandmother.  From what I understand, not a week went by that my grandfather was back and they were married.  That was 1945.

MerCurios

Bio Mary Jo Peritore

About the Jewelry

MerCurios - born of a mercurial nature, steeped in schizophrenic aesthetic.  The creations of Mary Jo Peritore are eloquent and unexpected, sweetfully sensual and unapologetically hardcore.  Her vision and design philosophy are rooted in emotion, spirituality, mindfulness of her impact on the earth and...just a bit of goth punk.

This unique collection includes rings, bracelets, and chokers that are crafted in copper, brass, stainless steel, silver or gold and are wrapped, chained, tied or twisted.  Many are embellished with curious charms, gemstones and crystals.  Ever eco-aware, Mary Jo uses reclaimed sources as her materials of choice for most MerCurios pieces.  Carefully chosen elements are shaped and shifted into truly one of a kind pieces of jewelry.

Speaking of shape-shifting, oh, the many moods of a girl...pick your piece according to the type of woman you feel like in each moment.  Rock and roll girls will covet unique pieces such as sexy hammered links with chunky skulls, stunning skeleton key bangles to unlock mysteries and bohemian bass ass two finger rings which provide a pretty, yet powerful punch.  Soulful gypsy girls will want to don a beautiful and bewitching evil eye pendant or a come-hither corset ring adorned with a word of inspiration.  Romantic dreamy girls will wish for a wrap bracelet made from blown glass, flowing copper wire and ethereal organza ribbon.  Spiritually progressive girls will love the cathedral chains and koi featured in some of the newest pieces.  The inherent character of MerCurios is one of metamorphosis, expect the specific designs of the pieces to change at the whim of the artist.  However, the aura of the line will remain constant - organic, raw, industrial and chaotically couture.

About the Artist

Born and raised in Queens, New York, Mary Jo has more than twenty years of valuable experience in the fashion industry and was employed by several companies including Liz Claiborne and Emanuel Ungaro.  She has created and executed trunk shows, fashion shows, wardrobe workshops and training seminars across the country.  It was a natural progression for Mary Jo to grow from her fashion career into a self taught jewelry designer and craftsman.


Mary Jo's pieces have been featured in the book 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse: Remake, Restyle, Recycle, Renew by Garth Johnson (Quarry Books, 2009); CLEO Magazine (September 2010); CLEO Magazine (October 2010); STATUS Magazine Issue 15, (October/November 2010); CLEO Magazine (March 2011); Accessories Magazine (May 2011).  Look for the MerCurios shop at www.mercurios.net.



Mary Jo not only puts her mind, heart and soul into her jewelry, her first and foremost source of love and inspiration is her family.  She is a proud wife, a progressive mother and the epitome of a modern fusion of Factory and Rockabilly Girl.  Read about her life and work at www.mercurios-jewels.blogspot.com.


MerCurios is also on Facebook  at www.facebook.com/mercuriosjewelry.