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Artists' Interviews Press Release

Jewish Gift Place is excited to announce a new collection of interviews with renowned craft and jewelry artists in a series called, Interview with the Artist. Aspiring artists and hobbyists who seek to turn their love of art into a career will find inspiration in these stories with jewelry designers, watchmakers, textile artists, and metal workers.

In this exclusive collection of interviews, artists such as Ayala Bar, Gary Rosenthal, and Michal Golan, give responses to questions which include:

• What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
• Was this always your career?
• How did you get started?
• Where did you train?
• Where do you get your inspiration?
• What do you enjoy most about this career?
• Who or what had the greatest influence on you as you developed as an artist?

Risa Borsykowsky, owner of Jewish Gift Place, has been passionate about handmade art since she was a child. “Meeting these artists and hearing their stories adds a dimension to their art that simply doesn’t exist with factory made pieces. A common element among all of the artists is an innate desire to create beauty in the world. By sharing their stories, I am hoping to inspire others to follow their dreams.” Jewish Gift Place will be adding new interviews throughout the year.

Readers will be inspired by Gary Rosenthal, who dropped out of college to pursue his love of sculpting in welded metal. His work has since been included in many fine galleries, private collections, and museum shops throughout the world. His pieces have been presented to Presidents from Carter to Bush. “My first experience with a torch was welding stove grates back together. I loved working with fire and became an artist with a torch.”

Jewish Gift Place, online since May 2007, is a resource that contains interviews with artists, as well as articles about Jewish symbolism and holidays. Jewish Gift Place distinguishes itself by selling only handmade Judaica. “It is such a delight to surround yourself with pieces that are handmade, you can't help but feel inspired by them,” says Risa Borsykowsky. Jewish Gift Place carries a large selection of Star of David jewelry, hamsas, menorahs, mezuzahs, silk tallit, dreidels, kiddush cups, candlesticks, and more.