Iron and Glory Launch at Harley Davidson, Mermaid Parade, and More

Last summer I was lounging on the beach basking in the glow of the Coney Island Mermaid Parade when I met 'Iron and Glory's' founder Richard Brandt. We hit it off and stayed connected via social media.This spring Richard contacted me and requested to hire me as a consultant, to design custom installations for the Iron and Glory 'Whiskey and Motorcycle's' launch party at Harley Davidson's flagship store in Manhattan. Iron and Glory features an array of meticulously curated accessories, apparel,  home decor, and custom engraving that appeals to the biker-chic, Americana, and rock and roll subcultures. Striking out on his own, Iron and Glory is Richard Brandt's love child. His enthusiasm is unparalleled! A very exciting experience for me to support this dynamic, independent business. I do love rock and roll... ;)

                                                

                                                   Installation design by Sarah Sparkles for
                                      'Iron and Glory' at Harley Davidson, NYC Spring 2015

Shortly after, I get a call from one of my favorite designers, the illustrious Douglas Little asking me to build a cat suit out of feathers for an installation in a unique art-filled Soho condo.

Art direction by Douglas Little 

Fabrication by Sarah Sparkles and Paloma Soledad

Other art adventures this season included installations at the Juliska showroom on Madison ave and  flagship store in Stamford, Connecticut. Juliska is also a dynamic, independently owned business- the love child of the divine Capucine and David Gooding, purveyors of fine glass wear and home decor.

                                                          Art direction by Douglas Little
                                               Installations by Douglas and Sarah Sparkles

 One of the highlights of my entire year is attending the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. It is a national holiday for my mermaid tribe. This year I designed a new jewel encrusted bikini to wear in the parade. In tandem, designed a new collection of One of a Kind Creations mermaid jewelry sold exclusively at Enchantments in the East Village.

                                  One of a Kind Creations mermaid jewelry by Sarah Sparkles
                            Sold exclusively at Enchantments NYC and online etsy store.

                                             custom design bedazzled mermaid bra by Sarah Sparkles

                                             

 **Mermaid Tribe**

With my mermaid sister Kai Altair <3

**Happy Summer**

Now the Fall season is upon us. I am working around the clock in my studio, bedazzling props for the Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows. Coming up for air to do ongoing window installations, and make preparations for Bette Midler's Hulaween party. Tis the season to hustle and grind, but those sweet mermaid days of summer will remain close in my heart. <3

*Summer Art Adventures, Mystery Land Festival, Mermaid Parade, and More!*

After a much needed vacation, I have returned to tell the tale of summer art adventures starting with my job installing decor for the Mysteryland Festival at Bethel Woods with the Winkel & Balktick crew. Days prior to the Memorial Day weekend, our crew piled into a technicolor R.V. and road up to the lush upstate festival grounds, home to the original Woodstock gathering in 1969. Winkel and Balktick designed an environment called “Birdhuisje" (an audubon homage to the festival's Dutch origin), with life size books and birdhouses for the festival goers to explore.

During the Mysteryland install there was heavy rain that caused mud so strong it could easily suck a more fashionable boot right off your foot. Our days were spent hauling, building, painting, decorating, hitching rides on crew golf carts, exploring art installations, sleeping in a tent with a bed and electricity, and eating 3 healthy catered meals a day. I love the Dutch belief in social services, it makes the hard work extra fabulous!!! Once the party started, we had to do our finishing touches amidst some of the loudest techno music on earth. My favorite part of working at Mysteryland was exploring the festival grounds while the event site was still closed to the public and watching the installations being built. I am so grateful for this festival experience that aligned with my intentions to travel more doing art-based work :)

Every summer, thousands of decked out sirens, pirates, and sea creatures hit the streets of NYC to celebrate the annual Coney Island Mermaid Day Parade. It is one of my most beloved holidays of the year. In the days leading up to the parade, I work around the clock on my costume: new jewelry, headpiece, bag, and sparkle bra. My apartment becomes joyously covered in layers of blue glitter, sequins, jewels and shells. Many of my closest friends are also kindred fairy mermaids. On this day we all dressed up in glorious celebration of summer, the spirits of the sea, art, and enchantment. <3

 

Mermaid Day Costume Design by Sarah Sparkles 2014

  

                                                           HAPPY SUMMER!!!!!! <3

This summer in between trips to the beach and the woods, I birthed a 2014 Mermaid jewelry collection and put it up on my new and improved etsy store. The Sparkles Etsy is the one stop shop for stone & crystal mermaid jewelry, Vintage Glamor feather hair accessories, and signed copies of Parades, Parties, and Protests.

                                        Mermaid Jewelry design by Sarah Sparkles 2014

The past few months have been a time of regeneration after finishing writing a book, followed by six hardcore fantastic months building out the set of Queen of the Night. This summer I enjoyed quality time with friends and family, partying it up at festivals, swimming, beach, mountains, and luxurious amounts of sleep. I craved more quiet and open space to be intuitive about whats calling me. Now the Fall is just around the corners. This week I start holiday window production at Bergdorf, (Yes Christmas in August), and next week is Fashion Week Windows. The upcoming season I will be juggling projects in props, windows, theater, film, and high-end events. I'm ever grateful for my rejuvenating mermaid summer vacation, and for the dynamic fall art season that is to come.