I visit Vancouver British Columbia a lot these days. It’s a spectacular city of urbanity, snow capped mountains, bays and an incredible sophistication that’s a melting pot of Canada, Asia and the United States. While shopping there, an activity always a part of any trip someplace new, I discovered the jewelry designs of Martha Sturdy. I knew I had discovered something that was exquisite in line and form, projected a distinctly glamorous tone and elicited a zen like response from my left brained persona. Working in a highly sculptural manner, rarely using embellishment, the facility with which this designer worked with geometry, metal and finishes blew me away.

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There is always something new to see at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. It is certainly one of the most recognized museums in this country, offering some of the most important permanent and traveling exhibits for the entire world to see.

For years, the MET has displayed a work of art, thought to be by “The Workshop of Velázquez”.  The painting was donated to the museum in 1949.

The painting was darker than those painted at the hand of Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velázquez.  Therefore, the lead authority on Velázquez’s work in the 1960s downgraded the painting to be “The Workshop of” instead of by the master himself.  In 1979, the museum downgraded the painting as well.

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So you’ve decided to make the leap and collect art.  You read about Hugh Grant buying an Andy Warhol for $3 million and selling it later for a little less than $25 million and you think…this is for me!

Ok, maybe you aren’t a $3 million dollar buyer, but you have a few nickels to spend.  You head to New York City to visit with some of the top galleries.  As you enter your first shop, you are greeted by the gallery owner. He inquires about what “style” of art you are interested in.

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Boulle cabinetry is the topic today, Reyne will inform Jonathan and the rest of us how to pronounce it! Plus, we get a history of these beautifully ornate pieces of furniture. We also see some examples of accessories in the same tortoise inlay as the bigger pieces.

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Reyne and Jonathan make their way around the HADA Show in Houston. 150 Dealers are present to show their wares. Which also means, 150 chances for Jonathan to break something! There is a little if everything at this show, from furniture to jewelry to glass and silver.

Reyne and Jonathan let their inner child loose for a little while, when they pay a visit to Keith, who is an arcade game collector. Did you know Pong was not the first arcade game? Find out what was and have a look at some great vintage games.

Earlier this week, I attended the National Retail Federation show in NYC.  This was a very exciting event, focused on the latest, greatest trends in retailing and what that means to the independent retailer.

As I walked the floor, two things became immediately apparent.  One is that there is clearly, despite the effects of the recession, still plenty of business to be had.  Investment and innovation in retailing has NOT dropped off, despite what the nay-sayers have been crying for a while now.

The second trend is the steadily increasing role technology is playing in connecting the independent retailer with their customer base.  The buzz-word at the show was m-commerce, for mobile commerce: marketing initiatives delivered via cell phone. We’re seeing the advent of downloadable coupons and special offers in text messages.

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1921 photograph signed to ‘a great awakener of the Jewish spirit’; 1934 ‘Weltbild‘ inscribed to longtime friend and mentor Max Talmey, Feb. 11-12 at Heritage Beverly Hills

LOS ANGELES — A trio of intriguing lots related to the father of modern physics, Albert Einstein, from three distinct and important periods of his life, will provide a fascinating survey of one of the great geniuses of all-time when they come up for public auction as part of Heritage Galleries Beverly Hills’ Feb. 11-12 Rare Books and Historical Manuscripts & Autographs Auctions.

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