Take Note

By Elisabeth Abrahamson

Bijoux Redux

Owner Jillian Sassone knows how to turn a hobby into a full-time career. “I quit my job after being a medical device rep for 15 years, cashed in my 401k, rented a small design studio, and began my career as a jewelry designer,” says Sassone. What prompted the bigtime career change? Her family’s jewelry heirlooms. They weren’t her style, so she reimagined them into pieces that fit her personality, but still celebrated her beloved Grandma. Sassone started to do the same bauble transformations for clients and that was when Marrow Fine was born. We are on the edge of our seats waiting for her showroom to open in Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach in early 2021. Shop stacking rings, cocktail rings, dainty earrings and more. marrowfine.com

Contemporary Clowns

Known for his still life art (think pies, cakes, desserts, etc.) and now for his landscapes and cityscapes, Wayne Thiebaud is among the world’s most celebrated living artists. See the 100-year-old’s work at the latest exhibition to open at the Laguna Art Museum, Wayne Thiebaud: Clowns, which will be on view through April 4. You’ll find 46 works throughout the exhibit that tell the life of Thiebaud. Growing up in Long Beach, Thiebaud looked forward to the traveling Ringling Brothers Circus coming into town. He occasionally helped out behind the scenes in exchange for circus tickets. It was during this time that he became fascinated by the costumes, faces, and antics of the circus clowns. As a child, he visited Laguna Beach with his family, and later in life, his son, Paul, opened a gallery in Laguna Beach, so it’s fitting that his clown series, a tribute to performers remembered from his boyhood, would debut here. General admission is $7. Check the website or call before you go to confirm the museum is open. lagunaartmuseum.org, (949) 494-8971

Treasures in Gold and Jade

Located in Santa Ana, Bowers Museum has been an Orange County icon for more than 85 years. The museum’s newest exhibit, Treasures in Gold and Jade: Masterworks from Taiwan, is now open and scheduled to run until May 30, 2021. The exhibit features the exceptional sculptures of two of Taiwan’s premier artists: Wu Ching, a sculptor who creates intricate carvings which he translates to pure gold using a classic lost wax technique; and Huang Fushou, whose skill for jade carving allows him to create impossibly delicate forms. You’ll find 27 jade carvings by Fu-Shou—often carved from a single stone—and a poem to accompany each piece of artwork. Ching is exhibiting 17 brilliantly yellow gold sculptures that are deeply rooted in Buddhist doctrine and follow the sensory pleasures of his childhood all the way to the dawning of his spiritual enlightenment. This exhibit is free with general admission ($15). Check the website or call before you go to confirm the museum is open. bowers.org, (714) 567-3600

Discover Dodie Sy

Artist Dodie Sy was born and raised in the Philippines before moving to Southern California when he was 13. Sy attended FIDM, where he studied interior design, but he craved more creative freedom, so he left to pursue floral design. His interest jumped from floral design to watercolor to oil painting, and onto many other mediums such as fabric and clay. But the one thing that remained a constant was his continued inspiration from the Philippines. “Each piece begins with an image I have in my mind, but quickly transforms once my hands touch the medium and my intuition kicks in,” says Sy. “I’m in the moment and in that moment, I am one with the piece I am creating—it’s a silent conversation of creativity.” The Costa Mesa resident is working on a new series of pottery titled ‘Gulugod,’ which is about the nuances and form of the human spinal vertebrae. He also creates floral vessels, other ceramics, and an insanely gorgeous New Mexico series, which you can find on the back cover of this issue. dodiesy.com

Be Part of the Mvmt

Cinamin Stulik began her fitness, or as she calls it, “movement” journey as a classically trained ballet dancer. “This is where I truly fell in love with the feeling of moving my body,” says Stulik. So, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and altered the way people were working out and moving their bodies, Stulik found herself working out through a digital platform and surprisingly loved it. “I found myself saving so much time doing my workouts from home,” says Stulik. “I love the accessibility of experiencing other workouts I would not normally get the chance to do.” That’s why she decided to create MVMT Studio, a digital fitness studio that offers live and on-demand classes. It’s a great fit, considering she’s been studying and teaching a number of disciplines (think Pilates, Pure Barre, 044 Method) over the last 20 years. themvmtstudio.com

The Beads You Need

Owner Mary Rowe grew up in an artistic household. “Growing up, my grandmother lived with my family and she was a milliner, so I basically grew up in a hat shop,” says Rowe. “As a child I was always creating, sewing, designing… my grandmother would even let me do her window displays.” The creativity didn’t stop there. Rowe went on to study interior design at the University of Wisconsin, then headed west to Laguna Beach. “Laguna has always been known as an artists’ community,” she says. Rowe purchased The Bead Shop back in 2013 and keeps the shop stocked with beautiful, natural elements that she hopes will inspire her customers. “My shop has a nod to the surf culture and the boho California vibe,” says Rowe. Customers can browse individual beads, bracelet making kits, and much more. (949) 494-2115.

Natural Wellness

After graduating college, Angela Sinnett started working for a pharmaceutical company and found herself with constant stomachaches and greying hair. She started to see an acupuncturist and asked questions during treatment sessions, when something just clicked. Sinnett knew this was the path she was meant to be on. Now she owns and operates Magnolia Wellness in Costa Mesa, an acupuncture and wellness space for healing. Inspired by the magnolia tree, which is similar to the tree of life, Magnolia Wellness focuses on healing and the transformation patients can have when they branch out and blossom into something new. Magnolia Wellness offers acupuncture and naturopathic treatments, herbal consultations, and much more. magnoliawellnessoc.com, (949) 612-7247

Chakra Shack

Owner Jill Templin’s curiosity of the metaphysical world peaked after her father passed away. “I saw Sylvia Brown live, then found myself becoming more and more interested with crystals, intuitives, and ways of natural healing,” says Templin. The then 21-year-old graduated from college and moved to Laguna Beach where she opened her shop, Chakra Shack. “I feel that the pandemic forced us to dive deeper into our beliefs and really practice what we preach,” she says. “It gave us an opportunity to allow the flow of the universe and release resistance.” Templin is inspired by knowing that society has the power to grow and heal together, and at her shop she offers items that can help you on your spiritual journey. Browse healing crystals, gemstones, aromatherapy, incense, sage, and much more. chakrashack.com, (949) 715-6930