VAIN Blog

Hello love birds! Happy beautiful Sunday to you, and oh yes, Happy Valentines Day. Yesterday we celebrated at VAIN Ballard, along with the launch of this month’s featured jeweler, Down to the Wire Designs. We had bubbles + DIY valentines + [thanks to most awesome manager Julie] chocolate covered everything. Chocolate covered red vines? I’m in love!

Thanks to everyone who came by to purchase + admire the jewelry, you make our parties fun!

Local goodies like Theo chocolates, select Pretty Parlor wares, of course our featured jewelers, and much much more are deliciously available at VAIN Ballard. I make no guarantees that there are more chocolate covered pretzels though - sorry for my part in devouring them!

xo,

Sarah Jo

Just a friendly reminder to all you art lovers out there that VAIN is hosting an art show opening reception this Saturday from 2-7pm at VAIN downtown as part of our Love Heroes Valentine’s weekend action. The show started to go up yesterday and already looks great- curator + artist Michael Lane has assembled a diverse collection of love + pain-themed art in a variety of mediums. Participating artists include:

And as if all that art weren’t enough, we’ll have snacks + beverages on hand. So come on down and get your art appreciation on!

Love Heroes opening reception Saturday, Feb. 13 from 2-7pm at VAIN downtown- 2018 1st Ave. VAIN is also participating in Ballard’s art walk from 6-9pm that night with our featured jeweler of the month.

This Saturday, as part of VAIN’s “Love Heroes” weekend, VAIN Ballard will feature the textural metalwork of Chuck Domitrovich of “Down to the Wire Designs” from 6-9pm as part of the Ballard Art Walk.

Domitrovich has been working in metal and making jewelry since 1988 when he was a student at University of Washington.

As Domitrovich says, his “patterned metal jewelry is meant to evoke the work of the Weiner Werkstatte (Vienna Workshops). This group was a contemporary of the Arts and Crafts movement and it sought to make art that was simple, practical, and accessible.”

Join us this Saturday from 6-9pm for art, drinks, food, and make your own valentine station – 5401 Ballard Ave NW.

Stop by VAIN downtown and/or VAIN Ballard anytime this weekend to get your Valentine’s fix, VAIN style. Here’s what’s going on:

VAIN Downtown:
• DIY/make-your-own Valentines station- We’ll have construction paper, markers, sparkly puff paint, etc for you to make your own cards + re-live the fourth grade all over again. free + open to the public all weekend long. Who needs Hallmark?
• “Love Heroes” visual art show featuring the love + pain-themed artwork of over a dozen talented artists. Sweet snacks + fizzy drinks to be served! Opening reception Saturday, Feb. 13, 2 - 7pm
• OMGit’saSALE! Get 15% off just about anything red or pink- scarves, hats, costume jewelry, nail polish, DIY hair dye, hair products that come red or pink bottles, etc!*

VAIN Ballard:
• DIY/make-your-own Valentines station- same arts + crafts fun, free + open to the public during our business hours all weekend long.
• Ballard art walk action featuring our jeweler of the month, Chuck Domitrovich of “Down to the Wire Designs”. Saturday, Feb. 13, 6 - 9pm
• SaleSaleSale-15% discount on nearly anything red or pink in the entire salon*

There you have it- more Valentine’s action than you can tease your hair at. Hope to see you at VAIN this weekend!

xo,
VAIN

We heart you + your hair, too: VAIN downtown- 2018 1st Ave, and VAIN Ballard- 5401 Ballard Ave NW.
*15% discount good Feb 13 + 14 only. Does not apply to art, featured jeweler pieces, or hair services. Other than that, have at it!

Join us at VAIN Ballard on Saturday December 19 from 4-8pm for Luminaries in Ballard – an evening with hay rides through luminary-lined streets. Stroll the neighborhood, listen to carolers, and enjoy holiday treats at VAIN and other select merchant locations. We will also have wonderful handmade items by 3 local artists and lots of of other great holiday gifts.

Using recycled bicycle chain rings Erica Gordon of Steel Toe Studio makes fabulous hand forged belt buckles and bottle openers. Also handmade belts in leather or recycled bicycle inner tubes are available.

Incorporating upcycled vintage jewelry components, Krissy Maier of Orangebox Jewelry, creates eco-friendly yet very fashionable jewelry.

We will also have wonderful Victorian inspired silver jewelry by Mary Powers who uses beautiful vintage buttons and thimbles in her work.

Winter grey got you down? Looking for a place to shake it out?

Tomorrow night: VAIN’s very own Carly and Valentine are hosting a special night of beats, dancing feet, and hair-styles-so-sweet as part of their weekly “Make It Rain!” event at Havana on Capitol Hill. While the hosts drop some fresh jams, VAIN stylists will be providing Guerrilla Hair for the hotties in the powder room. For an extra special time, dance electro band CMYK will be there to rock the place!

See you there!
xo,
VAIN

Come out Thursday, December 3rd to Havana @1010 East Pike Street. Doors at 9pm//$5

Last month at VAIN’s “Turn & Face the Strange” event, we unveiled a collection of stellar works from five Seattle artists: Michael Lane, Josh Buesseler, Nicholas Kamuda, Ted Chen, and Eddy Lee.

Aubrie, Morgan, and Buster enjoying the show.

The art opening was a huge success and party goers got a chance to experience each artists’ diverse take on portraits and figure studies - here is just a glimpse of the amazing work:

Astounding works by Michael Lane - view his blog here.

Clockwise from top left: work from Nicholas Kamuda, Eddy Lee, Ted Chen, and Josh Buesseler

You can catch more photos of the amazing show and festivities on the VAIN Flickr page and see the fun captured by the VAIN mirror - which made it’s debut at the event.  The show is still up until November 30th, so be sure to come by before it’s over!

“Turn and Face the Strange” on view through Novemeber 30th at the VAIN gallery adjacent to the salon at our downtown location: 2018 1st Ave, Seattle 206-441-3441

Be sure to come out to VAIN this Saturday, October 17th, to celebrate the opening of our new exhibit “Turn & Face the Strange.” The show will be a diverse collection of works by artists Michael Lane, Josh Buesseler, Nicholas Kamuda, Ted Chen, and (new addition) Eddy Lee. It will not only promise to be a feast of beauty and curiosity, but it will also be a chance to examine and self-reflect through the exploration of portraits and human anatomy.

Words aside, here’s a sneak peak of what’s ahead:

Untitled work by Eddy Lee

Opening reception is Saturday October 17th 4pm - 9pm. We’ll have refreshments and tea to keep you warm!

La Rousse will be on our sidewalks from 12pm - 6pm (inside, if it’s raining) featuring new clothing from Slow and Steady Wins the Race and local designers Galah.

Also, be sure to check many of Seattle’s local artists in the open studios above the salon as well as the arrival of Surplus jewelry.

Whew, there’s so much happening! See you there!
xo,
VAIN

“Turn and Face the Strange” Opening reception at VAIN downtown 2018 1st Ave, Seattle 4pm - 9pm. Art on view through November 30th.

VAIN is proud to host the astounding work of jeweler Harriet McNamara. Her line Surplus, much of which is created from scrap steel and found treasures, is a convergence of ancient, old beauty and modernism. Her rough and worn style invokes a feeling of the raw, yet stays clear from overtly industrial results. Without a hint of kitsch or heady romance, Surplus lets old pieces shine, as if re-purposed to show their true beauty.

Triangle Monolith Necklace - photo by Seth Thomas

Each item in the Surplus collection stands out as a unique piece on its own. McNamara may make more than one piece  in a certain style, but because she uses found items, the individual elements of her work help make each one subtly unparalleled. Bracelets and rings, such as the shackle bracelet below, can also be custom sized for the best fit.

Shackle Bracelet (custom sizing available) - photo by Seth Thomas

McNamara, well traveled, has lead a diverse education and career path in art, fashion, photography, and journalism. Though her studies have taken her to cities like Chicago and Paris, in her own words, McNamara recognizes the recent local education and resources that allowed her to create Surplus: “I would like to acknowledge the encouragement, knowledge and steel scraps from Black Dog Forge. Louie and Mary…are not only great artists, but giving, caring and sharing people. This world would be a different place were there more hearts as large.” Her work has appeared in galleries across Seattle including the Henry Art Gallery.

We’re very excited about Surplus and hope you will be too!

See Harriet McNamara’s Surplus line at the opening reception for “Turn & Face the Strange” at VAIN downtown in the gallery space adjacent to the salon @2018 1st Ave, Seattle, WA

A few Saturdays ago, VAIN put on an art opening for “It’s not all about the Benjamins, baby” a show of art all $50 or less with an accompanying sidewalk sale provided by La Rousse. The event was an excellent time and there was plenty to take in as shown in the photos below:

Artists Mark Selander and Nick Kamuda in background,
Stefvin Caswell on right // photo by Sylvia Chen

Bernice takes it all in // photo by Raymond Smith

More photos of the exhibit and event fun can been seen on the VAIN Flickr page. Even if you missed out on all the festivities, you can still check out the show while pieces last. Stop on by!

Check out “It’s all about the Benjamins, baby” at the gallery space next to the salon during at VAIN downtown 2018 1st Ave, Seattle.

Stop by VAIN downtown this Saturday, August 15th from 1 to 5pm for Cookies for Constantine, a bake sale/fundraiser for our friend + King County Executive candidate Dow Constantine. We’ll have tasty baked goods prepared lovingly by our VAIN staff (and, who are we kidding, probably by the staff of Toll House + Safeway, too. What? We’re busy doing hair!) out front all afternoon, and all the $ raised will go to Dow’s campaign.

So if you find yourself on 1st Ave this Saturday, come by, have a cookie or cupcake, and learn more about the positive change we know Dow Constantine will make happen as King County Executive. This is a really, really, important role in local government, so every cookie counts.

Cookies for Constantine runs this Saturday, Aug 15 from 1-5pm at VAIN downtown, 2018 1st Ave, Seattle. For more information about Dow Constantine + his campaign, visit www.dowconstantine.com.

Each month at VAIN Ballard we unveil new works of art by featured jewelers. This month we are proud to present the antique inspired creations of VAIN’s  own Aran Galligan, with an opening reception this Saturday, August 8th from 6pm-9pm as part of Ballard’s Second Saturday Art Walk.

Smokey Quartz Earrings

Aran graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2000 with a BFA in metals. In 2006 she was accepted into the Core Fellowship Program at Penland School of Crafts. Her work was included 500 Enameled Objects, and has been part of several exhibitions throughout the U.S.

Perforated Steel Cufflinks

Aran, in her own words: “Antique tableware, textiles, and jewelry inspire my openwork series. Antiques have the ability to reflect a culture that is no longer accessible to us and often lends only part of the whole story”.

White Enameled Brooch

“These objects can at once capture something from the past and tap into a broader collective unconscious, giving antique styles and patterns a unique power all their own. The openwork series examines the passage of time and the impact of history”.

xo,
VAIN Ballard

For more info about Aran’s creations, check out her website at www.arangalligan.com. And as if copious amounts of gorgeous jewelry wasn’t reason enough to come down, we’ve got Lukie2Pence rocking the banjo starting at 8pm! 5401 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle