FRIENDS OF CAMA: THE SPRING BASH

POSTPONED EVENT - WILL ADVISE WHEN READY


CAMA 1st Day of Spring Special!

We are accepting orders now to be picked up at the "CAMA Spring Bash" in California  in  March 2011.

There will be a satellite party in the State of Washington also in  March, with details to follow.

Roberta Niccacci and one of the Cama Artists will attend the party in California and will introduce new Cama items to be seen for the first time. Also, there will be a raffle of a beautiful Cama pitcher and tray, and other items to benefit a well-known Bay Area Charity... to be announced!

To take part in Cama's rebirth, enter the code "Friends of Cama" in the delivery address next to your name on your order.

"1st Day of Spring Special" orders must be placed by January 1st, 2011. Please note that party orders will have to be picked up at a CAMA Spring Bash in Berkeley or Seattle on March 20th.

We look forward to seeing you there!

A special Thank you to:

The Friends of Cama - Bay Area, California
The Friends of Cama - Germany
The Friends of Cama - Italy 

Borgo Deruta, srl 

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The happy ending story of Cama now available on the Friendsofcama - facebook fan page  and/or twitter. Become a Friend of Cama with just a click. Thank you for your preference.

Cama Deruta: a business that goes beyond business.

1861- 2011: 150th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy

Roberta Niccacci in her 1800s costume
for the cortege in Piegaro (PG) celebrating
the 150th Anniversary of Italy. 

Italy became one country as we know it in the shape of a boot with the islands of Sardinia and Sicily in 1861. Next year we are celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy.

Italy was originally a Kingdom, the so-called Kingdom of Italy. It was a constitutional Monarchy. This Monarchy lasted in Italy until June 2^nd 1946 when the existing Italian Republic was constituted and the Monarchy abolished.

Umbria is one of the 20 regions of Italy which were formally recognized for the first time in 1947. Italy nowadays has about 60 million inhabitants from the Alps to Sicily with about 8,000 kilometres (5,000 miles) of beautiful coastline. From Umbria, it takes 2 hours to get to either coast.

There are several theses about the origin of the name “Italy” both from Latin and from the Etruscan language. Its meaning goes back to Veal and/or cow. Italy has always been an agricultural country with a strong tradition in breeding animals for meat and for working the fields.

Latin was the language of the Romans and of the Ancient Roman dominion from the 8^th Century B.C. to 476 A.D. with its last Roman Emperor. The Roman culture gave birth to the Italian language through Latin, influenced other languages like French and Spanish and lent many words to the English language.

All the words in English that are similar to Italian are called “false Friends” and there are dictionaries in the market in order to learn how not to get confused between the meaning ("significato") and the writing of the word itself ("significante"). When you are aware of false friends that really means you know the Italian language or reverse. Though it is always easy to get trapped by false friends, just like in real life.

From my lecture "Welcome to Umbria, the green heart of Italy" for the art classes of Mr. Tony Turpin "Learn to Paint in Umbria, Italy May 9 – 20, 2010".

Classic Deruta Patterns Meanings

Classic Deruta patterns by Cama, setting the trend in the US market in the past 30 years through the store of Biordi's in San Francisco and other famous ceramic specialty stores. 
The Cama Deruta workshop was closed on June 18th, 2011 and looks forward to merging into another workshop to resume her dinnerware production hopefully within 2012. 
Cama fan page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/friendsofcama

Ricco Deruta - Acanthus leaves, scrolls and flowers taking inspiration from the genius of the artist Perugino, who worked and lived in the city of Perugia. An example of his work is the "Cambio" (exchange office) in Perugia. Historical pattern from Deruta (First half of the 16th century). More popular with the "Star" center version.

Raffallesco - The dragons take inspiration from the Nero home in Rome where artists in the Renaissance went to study the classical themes of the Roman age. Interpretation of the grotesques of Vatican's rooms painted by the artist Raffaello. Historical pattern from Deruta (Second half of the 16th century).

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Each workshop in Deruta offers a different styling and interpretation of the Classic Deruta patterns. Look for the original designs. These patterns are by Cama based on the original Cama tracing papers. 

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Antico Deruta - Created by Cama upon the original tracing papers of Ricco Deruta. On a silver background that soothens the strength of the cobalt blue color.  Cama original pattern. Source of inspiration of all  similar patterns in the market.

Orvieto Green Rooster - Pattern dedicated to the city of Orvieto where the original Middle Age pattern pieces where found in archeological sites. The rooster was added later on by the artists of Deruta.

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Siena - Reproduction of the floor of the Cathedral of Siena. The sitting deer is a symbol of knowledge and elegance. It takes inspiration from the Biblical psalm starting "Sicut Cervus ad Fontes Aquarum" (tr. The same way the deer goes to the water fount"). Black and brown are the colors of the city of Siena.










Arabesco - Mediterranean pattern of Iberian origins. You may find it in Portugal in a very interesting interpretation. This pattern goes back to the 17th century.

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- Original Posts by Roberta Niccacci -

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Deruta dinnerware: The best handwoven fabrics from Umbria

1. "Zucca" pattern by Cama and Brozzetti "Saint Peter" Pattern

2. "Trapezio" pattern by Cama and Brozzetti "Lions" Pattern
3. "Muschio" pattern by Cama and Brozzetti "Griphon" Pattern

In my research about the defense and rescue of Umbrian high-end crafts I recently met Miss Marta Cucchia, the heir of the famous workshop "Giuditta Brozzetti" in Perugia.

I am in love with her fabrics which are still "hand-beaten". Her workshop is located in a Romanic Church of Franciscan origins downtown the old city.

This is the kind of precious art example where the word "expensive" must be banned. Indeed it takes days to make a runner, as an example, and it is worth every penny of its price. The yarns are of first quality in terms of softness and colors (hand-dyed), the best in the market. Marta uses linen, cotton, silk and cashmere.

I took draft photos of the combinations of the Cama

ceramics patterns and Brozzetti fabrics. Marta found the perfect match for all the patterns. A wonderful marriage. The web address of the Giuditta Brozzetti workshop is www.brozzetti.com.

One last note: Marta can be of great help, because of her passion for her family tradition and also because she is an interior designer with lots of taste. The website is beautiful but does not make justice to the beauty of the fabrics.

Therefore I will be happy to bring these beautiful works of art of Renaissance origins with me to the United States. You will have an authentic piece of art history at your home to enjoy forever.

Also a great tribute to the engagement of Italian women in the past century for the defense of art crafts. It is thanks to sensitive women like Giuditta Brozzetti in the early 1920s that the ancient Italian art of hand-weaving came back to life after the Industrial Revolution had made its victims.

Fabrics are seen in the best homes in Perugia, Italy. A great tradition in our region, painted on frescoes by the greatest Italian artists. Seen in the best travel magazines and specialty books. The last laboratory left in the Old World, unique: www.brozzetti.com.

Example photos showing the following Cama patterns: 1. Zucca, 2. Trapezio, 3. Muschio.

November 25th: Cama online store open for shopping!

Dear Friends, returning customers and new customers,

We are happy to inform you that the online store is ready for shopping. We look forward to serving you!

The Cama online store is the most innovative service direct from the workshop to the final customers. No third parties between us.

We thank you for supporting our art by shopping with us.

With this occasion I would like to thank everybody in our creative team in Italy for their help, patience, professional assistance and for believing in Cama. A special thank you to the Friends of Cama and to Mary and her family in the United States. Cama would not be the same without all of you.

With lots of love and the best wishes for a happy holiday season coming up. Stay tuned!

Roberta Niccacci

Your personal shop Assistant

www.camaderuta.com

www.camaderuta.blogspot.com

www.bertabella.blogspot.com

Photo: My brother Andrea and myself at the traditional Saint Catherine's lunch with the Cama artists and our family on November 25th, Feast of Saint Catherine, Patron of the Ceramicists of Deruta.