A Crafty Questionnaire: MaryAnne LoVerme

MaryAnne LoVerme of Wabisabi Brooklyn turns humble elements into eye-catching jewelry.
The unusual name under which MaryAnne sells her unique designs is an amalgam of her native borough and the Japanese aesthetic concept of “wabi-sabi,” which roughly translated means “beauty of imperfection.”

Combining vintage elements, images from recycled paper, coins and other ephemera in unexpected ways, Mary Anne's jewelry references an up-cycle aesthetic that has been finely-honed into a personal statement. Many of her design ideas are the result of an almost daily walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. MaryAnne says some of her most inspired moments have come during this walking meditation, suspended between Brooklyn and Manhattan.

If you like the idea of crossing waterways to find such treasures, Wabisabi Brooklyn is one of the featured designers at The {NewNew} Governor's Island Etsy shop. However, if you're more of an armchair shopper, you can dive into the full Wabisabi experience without crossing a body of water by visiting MaryAnne's online shop and blog.


What is your idea of perfect happiness?

A morning of hard rewarding work followed by an afternoon nap and an evening of cocktails, delicious food, and delirious fun.

What is your greatest fear?
Being helpless.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Mae West.

Which living person do you most admire?
Dalton Rooney.

Do you have a theme song, and what is it?
"The Lady is a Tramp." I especially like the Alice Cooper version.

What is the trait you most like in yourself?
Wit.

What is the trait you most like in others?
Generosity.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Professional massages.

When and where were you happiest?
Every night when I settle into bed with a good book.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would slightly alter my brain chemistry so that I panic less and I don't get the winter blues.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I recently obtained an Italian passport through completely legitimate means. Italian bureaucracy: 0 MaryAnne: 1

If you were to be reincarnated as a person, animal, or thing, what do you think you would be?
A lizard.

What is your most treasured possession?
I don’t have any possessions that I couldn’t live without.

Which talent or skill would you most like to have?
Really good stage presence.

Who are your heroes in real life?
Martha Stewart. More "role model" than "hero," but still.

What is it the one thing you dislike the most?
Fundamentalism of any stripe.

What is your motto?
I have two: "I'd rather regret doing something than not doing something," and "Anyone who doesn't like me either doesn't really know me or is a jerk."

Who are your favorite artists?
Rather than choose one particular person, what inspires me in art is the sort of work found at The American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. These are artists who may not have name recognition, but their drive to create is such that it often inspires creative use of whatever is on hand to make some truly wonderful work.

Is there any invention you wish you had thought of?
The iPhone.

What's the first thing you remember making?
I have a very vivid memory of weaving a place mat out of paper when I was about four. It stayed in the kitchen for at least a decade, and I remember especially loving the patterns that faded into the paper when a staple came out and I could see how it had aged.


In addition to Governor's Island, Wabisabi Brooklyn will be in Baltimore this August to participate in her first wholesale show, the Buyers Market of American Craft. You can also support local retailers by shopping for Wabisabi Brooklyn at Mongo on Smith Street in Carroll Gardens, Eidolon on 5th Avenue in Park Slope, Nice Things Handmade in Philadelphia, Red Tree on the Avenue in Baltimore, and Lark in La Crosse, Wisconsin.




Susan
persuede.etsy.com
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