Working in the Shop

Getting ready to do a show is both exciting and stressful.  The type of stress I feel is a good kind of stress, a kind of stress with purpose. It motivates me and inspires me.  All I want to do is create more good new stuff to show my customers and contemporaries, hence the excitement part of the process. When I do Glitterfest Fall, it's easy for me, being I love this time of the year, namely, Halloween! I so love creating little creepy goodies and cute ghoulish treasures, it's easy to tap into my macabre side. Spring is my challenging time of year.  I feel I have to get all bright and pretty and happy, (not that Halloween isn't happy, it is for me!) it's just a different color scheme and mindset for me, the Spring. I so enjoy this world of mixed media, I love the freedom it allows me artistically, the lack of boundaries excite and inspire me. Thank God, it's hard enough to work without using my oranges and blacks, accented with slime greens and purples! I can still use these colors, but in a different way, which is fun! I also thrill at the notion of working in different mediums, not the same old thing.

This year, I started making assemblage art using up all of those old cigar boxes that I have accumulated over the years. Nothing goes to waste in my workshop, no siree! this is a completely new concept for me, and I love it! Using various vintage photos, tools, bits and bobs along with pretty papers, old hand dyed book pages and some new elements, the sky's the limit! I really felt the creativity flow through my hands as I hammered and sawed, filed and sanded, painted and dyed, all to make some thing old look interesting and sometimes older or newer but still vintage. I realized there really is an art to this assemblage stuff. Anyone can take a bunch of junk and glue it in a box and call it art, anyone; but making it work and have balance and flow, composition and form and design, there's the trick! I will be premiering my New assemblage boxes at Glitterfest Spring on February 27th, come see me and my art along with many other amazing artists and their wares; so much talent and quality under one roof it'll knock your socks off! Hope to see ya there! 

Yes, I Ate It...

Alright, I admit, I was really excited to eat this Halloween Burger at Burger King. I mean, it's a BLACK BUN! WTH? Last night my daughter and I had to go visit two Burger Kings to finally order one of these Gothic Wonders. So, basically, it's a Whopper that looks to be made of tar. It's nothing like the ad, they never are. This thing was squished and flat, like it had seen better days. They use way too much mayo for my taste, but then I forgot that I could have had it my way, oh well. Now after this non-event in culinary Don't's, I regretted it, mainly because it wasn't as cool looking as I thought it would be. While bringing it home I was telling my daughter about all of the cool pictures I could take with this ebony diet buster. I was imagining donning my steampunk top hat, cool John Lennon style clip-on sunglasses and black lipstick for a great shot! When I spied this...thing, all I could hear is an audible "wha wha wha..." So sad. If you're thinking of partaking in this "treat", save your duckets, it's not worth the trip. Oh, and the next morning when this lovely makes it's exit, you will experience the darkest green mess, so just thank your innards for passing this thing uneventfully. Sad but true, I fell for all the Hoopla, back to In-N-Out for me. 

I Did It Again!

I'm so stoked to be published in the August issue of Jewelry Affair! This is so exciting for me, I don't care how old I get, how jaded I become, seeing my art and words in print is pretty cool. This journey all started with a New Year's resolution to work on getting my artwork published in 2015. I know that most resolutions I make never come to be, but I was determined to see this one through.  After meeting the publisher, Natalie Way, of Jewelry Affair Magazine at Glitterfest, where I was a vendor, I decided to take her up on her offer.  It was the best thing I did an am so glad I did.  It's such a quality publication that I have enjoyed for years.  I would comb over each and every page marveling at all of the artisans creativity and originality, knowing that I had it in me one day to achieve these levels of excellence.  Then, as the years rolled by, I started to toy with the idea of actually being published one day.  Friends, peers, family and fellow artists all asked me why I hadn't submitted my work for publication yet, I didn't have a viable answer except for, lazy?  Fast forward to 2015, time to make it happen, and I did. I'm so glad that I took this step and hope to continue submitting my goods for the world to see.  Stay tuned Gang, this is a fun journey that I hope you will all join me on!

I'm Published!

 I finally did it Gang! I took the time and got myself organized and stayed focused enough to actually see this task through, and it paid off! My Tiki-Cocktail Necklace is published for all to see in this months Jewelry Affair! I'm so Over the Moon about this, I should of done it much sooner. I've been told for years by family, friends, customers, peers, fellow artists, my kid, that I should submit my work to be published. I always made excuses: "I don't have anything worthy yet", or: "I don't have the time", "my stuff isn't their style", "they hold onto your stuff for so long, will I ever get it back?". And on, and on until all that was left to do is get off the Excuse Train to Nowhere and DO IT! I'm so glad that I did, the feeling is pure joy, to say the least! I finally reached a level in my jewelry making that satisfied me skill-wise. I'm always lucky enough to have loads of ideas, some good, some different, but the skill level had to be there for me to take this step. Timing is everything and here I am! I'm so grateful to everyone who has supported me and my art through the years, you all have given me the drive to keep learning and perfecting my skills and fuel my creativity. Once the wheels start turning there's no slowing them down or turning back; it's full steam ahead! (I don't know where all of the train references are coming from, must be channeling my Dad!) Now all I can think about is trying to get another piece or two in print. I need to get back out into the shop and finish up on some new ideas I've been working on lately, peacock feathers under glass are a project of mine these days and I'm back at soldering Dem bones! Stay tuned, and who knows, you may see me in print again! 

Jewelry Affair Spring 2015 Issue

Glitterfest FUN!

Glitterfest Spring 2015 was such a Blast! I always enjoy vending at this Awesome event twice a year and look at it not only as a venue and opportunity to sell my art, but as a Reunion of sorts! Of course all of us artists stay connected via FB, Instagram, Twitter, etc., but there's nothing like seeing each other In Person! I always enjoy this part of the day the MOST! Also Fun, is seeing my longtime and childhood friends drop by to offer their support  and Friendship~this Always makes my Day! My return customers are the Best, and I always love to talk with them about the goodies they have purchased over the years! Thank you All for making this day a Great Experience and I look forward to seeing you all in the Fall for the October Show! 

 Fun pieces hanging on my New Display that I purchased from Kathy Jo of Vintage Pretty.

 ~I had Loads of Lovlies all For Sale~

 New Statement Necklaces 

Fresh out of the Studio!

 New Cuff Bracelets

To bring some extra Bling to your Life!

 Good friends~Debbie and Lynne

 Lynne and I have known each other since 3rd grade in

 Mrs. Marrucca's class at Barranca Elementary!

 Dian and I go back to grade school too!

 I'm so Blessed to have such Amazing friends that come 

out and support me in my artistic endeavors!

 And LOOK~Cheryl made it all of the way from Arizona! 

(well....kinda...)

Studio MADNESS!

It's Showtime! Well, actually, Saturday the 28th of February, to be exact. Of course, this means working like a crazy person to complete all of my imagined projects for this Awesome Event, Glitterfest! I know that once I "get in the groove" there's no stopping me...except when in the middle of the creating madness I get a new idea for a project that has NOTHING to do with what I'm currently working on! And, of course, I have no time to take on a new endevour. What could I be thinking? I'm not.  That's the problem. Unless...

I digress, I'm working on the home stretch and only have one more project to complete and figure out my table design, which is in my head being tweaked as I go through my day. Isn't this how everybody works? Well, cluttered or not, my cranium is on creative overdrive and I still decompress by working in my art journal in the evenings. This tends to relax me, no deadlines, no structure, no restrictions or rules, just Play. I need this and it keeps me creatively Sane!  As I look forward to next weekends show, I'm already percolating on some new stuff for the Fall show, my Favorite time of the year! 

So mark your calendars Gang~Glitterfest is nearly here!

Looking Forward to a New Year~

Can you All Believe it's been nearly 15 years since the Millennium? I remember throwing a Fabulous Fun Party in Belair at Ed's Awesome Home~my parents were going to a New Years Eve party at the club and us 'kids' were throwing our own Bash at the house. Not only was this the infamous "Millenium", which was reason enough to celebrate in Grand Style, but Ed's health would take a turn in a few months plaguing him with Alzheimer's and a year and 4 months later, his passing. This was the Last Party that any of us ever enjoyed at his Fabulous house on the hill overlooking UCLA.  I'm so Glad that we threw this Bash and celebrated in proper style and Panash befitting the splendor of this vintage dwelling that Ed had built in 1952. Later that new year, the house sold, the property was completely flattened and a brand news shiney modern glass palace was erected. Beautiful to behold, but not the vintage mansion that we had loved so much.  As I reflect at this time of year, I always think of this party to End All Parties and the Awesome Friends that joined us in our Celebration and Future Dreams~Time does indeed Fly. Cherish and Live Life~keep each other close and Love! Happy New Year Gang~I Love You All!

Journaling Journey

Well Hell-o, it's been awhile since I've posted here~sorry to have been absent for so long. Currently, I've challenged myself to create a page a day in my Art Journal for the next 30 days! I was up late one night trolling YouTube and watching great videos on art journaling when I figured this would be a good exercise for me. I started this past Saturday and have now done 3 enteries in my journal so far! Whoo Hoo! I have to learn to not expect every entry to be a masterpiece, but an exercise in techniques and creative exploration mixed with a little personal insight and thought.  Easy, right? I still find at this early stage of the game, that I'm striving for perfection, like I'm working on a commissioned canvas. Hopefully, I will soon relax and just Create, we'll see. Meantime, I'm enjoying this fun journey and will post more pictures as I go along! 

Never Stop Learning!

My colorful muses~as many of you have seen recently on my FB page, I've been rediscovering my love for drawing and painting by creating some new art. While drawing a piece for one of my girls this past weekend at a Scrapbooking crop, my friends were commenting on how fast I drew the picture and were amazed at the fact that I don't sketch in pencil first, I just go at the drawing with my pen. Although I was flattered by their observation, it's actually taken me most of my life to be able to create with this much confidence and satisfaction. People should have seen my lame attempts at my artwork in my younger years! I've really had to work hard to get to where I am today artistically, it's been a real work in progress and I'm still learning. I am so appreciative to have customers and fans of my work, something I never imagined years ago when I was creating my funky fun art. Funny thing, a few years ago when I was showing my Mom a piece that I had just finished, she said: "wow, your art is really good now!"  and she was right, she's been there since the beginning!  Always keep at it and never stop evolving and learning, never. 

Baking in this HEAT!

Lemon Cupcakes...From Scratch!

Ingredients:

6 tsp. Butter

1  cup Sugar

2 Eggs-Beaten

1 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour

1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder

1/4 tsp. Salt

1/2 Cup Milk

1 tsp. Vanilla

2 tbsp Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

Glaze

3/4 cup powdered sugar-sifted

1 tbsp Butter

1 tbsp Milk

1/2 tsp. Vanilla

1/4 tsp. Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees

Cream butter and sugar

Stir in eggs

Stir in vanilla

Combine flour, baking powder and salt (in separate bowl)

Add dry mixture to sugar/butter mixture stirring

Stir in milk until well mixed

Add lemon juice-mix well

Pour into cupcake papers in cupcake pan

Bake for 25 min. at 350 degrees

Glaze

Melt butter and combine all ingredients

Beat until smooth

Spoon over warm cupcakes

Add sprinkles if desired

ENJOY!

Semi-Healthy Oatmeal Raisin

Protein Cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Sticks of Real unsweetened butter-melted

1 cup Sugar 

1/2 cup Golden Brown Sugar

4 scoops Protein Powder (Trader Joe's) mix well w/butter

1 tsp. Vanilla

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1 Egg + 1 Egg White

1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

1/4 tsp. Salt

1 cup Whole Wheat Flour

3 cups Oatmeal (Old Fashioned Quaker Rolled Oats)

1 cup Raisins

1 cup Walnuts (small crushed pieces)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in the order listed

Make golf ball size cookies and place on Pam sprayed cookie sheet

Bake at 350 degrees for 13 min.

Remove from oven and place immediately on cooling rack.

ENJOY!

Dream Banner Class at Whimzy!

New Class at Whimzy in Tustin Gang!

Date: Sat. May 17th

Time:  11am-1pm

Teacher: Debbie Miller of Debbra J Designs

Fee:  $30.00 (includes kit)

Where: Whimzy

474 El Camino Real

Tustin, CA  92780

Phone:  (714) 573-1025

Lets make it a Banner Day with this Rustic "Dream" banner! Burlap is the new Everything in decor today, so why not incorporate it into this fun banner?  All of the supplies needed are furnished in your kit, except for a few little things like adhesives. (Whimzy has the materials list) You will be Amazed by how this all comes together with the techniques to make your banner Stellar!  The good thing about this banner style is that it will fit just about any season, event or setting!  These burlap banners have been adorning weddings, baby and bridal showers, birthdays, etc.~the list just goes on!  And what creative space isn't complete without a little inspiration draped near by?  After taking this class, you'll be creating these banners for everyone!

"Bountiful Book Class" at Garden of Beaden!

                       

Class at Garden of Beaden in Upland Gang!

When: Monday May 12th

Time:  11-3pm

Fee:  $65.00  (incl. kit)
Where: Garden of Beaden

313 N. Second Ave #J

Upland, CA  91786

Phone: (909) 949-7107

We are going to make a mixed media book from SCRATCH you guys!  You will be using fabric, fibers papers, stamping and painting and MORE!  Debb will be showing you all kinds of cool techniques that you can take with you and use in your art!  These books are perfect for that gift for that special someone~they can hold pictures, recipes and all sorts of goodies!  Space is Limited, so sign-up ASAP! We hope to see you there!

Glitterfest Fun and Friends!

Hey Gang~had a Wonderful Time this past Saturday at Glitterfest! It was a beautiful day to display and play! I loved how my table turned out and had a Blast meeting new people and seeing familiar faces! Oh, and selling my Art! Thanks to all of you for coming out to see me, I truly appreciate it and am Thankful for your support~You All ROCK!

Besides looking forward to selling at Glitterfest, I look forward to seeing my Art Friends~Lisa Loria & Michelle Legler, Crystal Basica and Tara Wilson! All of their tables looked Awesome and their art is Amazing! It's a Reunion every time, and Michelle came out from Arizona to be here which was a Real Treat! Thanks again to all of my supporters who made it out~Thanks to Sheryl and Diane for a Great Show, it's always a Blast! Stay Sparkly!

Glitterfest is Coming!

I Love Glitterfest! I really love seeing all of my Artsy Friends and enjoying a Beautifully Artful Day!I've been participating at Glitterfest since 2011~I'm so Grateful to be a part of this Fantastic Artisan Show~so many Talented Artists under one roof! All art being sold is one-of-a-kind hand made originals beautifully displayed and For Sale! There's home decor, clothing, mixed media art, jewelry, and so much More! Oh, and there's food trucks! Yummers! Here are the Particulars:

When:  Saturday, March 15

Time:    10-4pm

Where:   The Business Expo of Anaheim

               1960 South Anaheim Way

                Anaheim, CA. 92805

Hope to see you All there for an Awesome Day of ART!

I'm Goin' to Glitterfest Gang!

Hey Gang, just thought I'd share the Good News with you~I'm Going to be selling my artistic wares at Glitterfest this March!  I'm so excited to continue to be able to be a part of this Awesome Show!  Currently, I'm working on some new Goodies that will be exclusive to Glitterfest this Spring~so mark your calendars for Saturday, March 15th  10-4pm in Anaheim at the Business Expo of Anaheim! Hope to see you there where everything's Better with Glitter!

Make It a Happy 2014 Gang!

Happy New Year!

As we end the year of 2013 and look forward to 2014 we are always forced to reflect on what we've been through and what we hope will be and improvement in the New Year.  For me 2013 has been full of ups and downs, changes and adjustments with moments of life and joy in between.  I'm looking forward to 2014 as a beginning of new ideas and adventures in my Art, Family and Life in general. I'm forever optimistic that the Future is Bright, even when I wear shades and that friends that have become my Family over the years become ever more Dear. I look forward to my small Family going through some changes, but nothing Earth shattering. (an aging Mom, a maturing daughter) as the New Year approaches. Life is anything but predictable and to me is always exciting and cool! So, live with a PURPOSE, LOVE what you do and those around you, find ART in everything and stay YOUNG at heart! If you do all of this you will never forget to PLAY! Happy New Year All! PEACE!

Tis the Season!

The Christmas Season is here and I'm barely keeping up! Got the house all decorated, been enjoying cooking fantastic rib stickin' winter foods like Turkey Pot Pies and Crock Pot meals~yummmmm...

 I love getting together with my Girls and wonder where the year went~always commenting to each about how we need to get together more then Bam! It's Christmas again!

Enjoy the Season Gang, pace yourself and don't get overwhelmed~eat without guilt and Love each other! 

Mom's Pumpkin Cookie Recipe~

Pumpkin Cookies

From Mom and Aunt Wilma

 

½ Cup Shortening                                        

1 ½ Cups brown sugar

2 Eggs

¾ Cup Pumpkin (canned)

1 Cup chopped walnuts

1 Cup raisins

2 Cups flour

1 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

Simmer raisins in water till plump.  Remove from stove~drain and cool.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

“Cream” the following:

Shortening, brown sugar, eggs, and pumpkin.

  

Sift the following:

Flour, cloves, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.

Add dry mixture to wet, mix with mixer.

Fold in nuts and raisins. (Make sure raisins are cool first)

Add non-stick baking spray to cookie sheets.  Drop mixed dough by spoon to baking sheet

Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.  YUMMY! 

Count Your Blessings

Wow, are we really in the middle of November already? Time is fleeting by and we're quickly crashing into the Holiday Season, whether we're ready for it or not. I feel like I'm still in August~maybe it's this weather we're having lately, but I think I'm just stuck somewhere else these days! (In my studio creating!) 

Lately, I've been hearing of so many people being diagnosed with terrible health issues. I have no words for this. The awful disaster in the Philippines.  I have no words. Watching the news, a murder here, a murder there, reported to us on an hourly basis. I have no words. 

All I can think of us to count my Blessings and remain Grateful for the life I'm Blessed to live today and pray for those afflicted.  Life is fickle, and I could very easily be the one needing prayer and support at any time. Cherish your lives and each other Gang~we're All we have! Love you all!

In My Kitchen!

Hey Gang! Good Morning and Happy Saturday to Ya! As promised, I'm posting here on my blog my 2 recipes that I had shared on FB recently~Homemade Granola and my Mom's Banana Bread! Both are Fantastic and of course, NO PRESERVATIVES!

Homemade Granola

 2 cups oats

(you  can add any dry cereal you have in the pantry too)

1 Egg white

2/3 cup of Honey or Pancake Syrup

1/2 cup dried fruit 

1 cup nuts

1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla

1/4 tsp. Salt

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes on a non-stick cookie sheet (with sides) or a baking dish that's been sprayed with PAM . Spread mixture flat on baking surface.

After removed from oven, let cool 2 hrs. then cut or break apart. YUM!

This is a Great recipe to use up some of those items in your pantry that have been sitting around so you DON'T have to throw them away! (how often do we use pancake syrup after the brilliant idea to make pancakes ONE Sunday morning?) Enjoy!

Banana Bread

2 cups flour (all purpose)

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup shortening

3 tbsp sour milk (sour the milk with a bit of white vinegar)

1 tsp. baking soda (mixed into the flour)

3 over-ripe bananas-smashed

Pinch of salt

1/2 cup of nuts (if desired)

Pour mixture in to a pre-greased bread pan

Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hr to 1 hr 15 min. (depending on your oven.)

This recipe came from my 87 year old Mom who was given it by her oldest sister~so this is a proven Family Recipe! I have made this delicious banana bread for years and it is always Awesome! 

Let me know how it turns out, I would Love to hear from you guys!

Enjoy Gang and have and Awesome Weekend! 

Halloween Bash 2013!

Another year has rolled around and we found ourselves enjoying yet another Awesome Halloween Party! These pictures were all taken by my good friend, Debbie (I haven't uploaded mine yet, and hers are better!)

 I always decorate "The Ledge" in my home, being I have collected so many Halloween decorations through the years.  Actually, I think I may have more Halloween decorations than Christmas decorations!

 Moi, Lynne, Rosie (aka, Sis) and Tony! All Smiles for the Party!

 Kathy, Moi, Lynne, Rosie and Debbie!

Great Costumes you guys!

 Lynne and my Baby Girl!

 Lovely Friends at the dinner table!

 Kat & Debb

The Blondes with loads of Ambition! (Yes, that's a wig!)

 Good Long time Friends, Debbie & Kit!

It was so good seeing them after all of these years!

 Sam & Virgie~Love the Steampunk Flair Girls!

 Mom and Lynne! Mom still enjoys my parties and has been to every single one!

We all had such a Blast! Good Friends, Good Food and Good Times make the Best Memories! Thanks Gang for making this Halloween Bash a Raving Success! I Love You All!

GlitterFest Fall 2013! A Magical time Was had By All!

 Hi Gang! GlitterFest Fall was such a BLAST this time! This is the second show in our new location at the Bussiness Center of Anaheim and I Love It! So much more room for our customers to shop in, lots of space for us all to be inside, and Fabulous Food Trucks to sample~what more could a Girl ask for?

 New Dia de Los Muertos Handbag, Wallet and Eyeglass Case Set

I Love This Combo!

 My Mannequin all decked-out for the Holiday! Of course, she's sporting the Latest bling from Debbra J Designs! The two middle pieces I made for Halloween SOLD at the show! Yay! 

 My One-of-a-Kind Brooches! They're for Dia de Los Muertos, but I wear mine all year round!  they look Great on a little knit scarf or Smashing on a jacket lapel!

 My Cow Head is all adorned for the season...any season! I also have tons of handmade books for sale~sold a few of these!

 My wallets, of course~no two are exactly the same! I even displayed some of my latest "Frieda" paintings~Love their Folksy-Flair. Variety is the Spice of Life!

 Lisa Loria and I posing at her Awesome Booth! I'm diggin' her tights, So Cute!

 Lisa's sweet daughter, Emily holding down the fort! I LOVE Lisa's skeleton horses! She had so much amazing art at her booth...I NEED to be rich, so I can buy more ART!

 Two more of my Uber-Talented friends~Crystal and Robin! There's so much Talent in this picture, I'm about to fall down!

My Good Friend, Crystal~as always, her booth had so much AMAZING ART, I didn't know where to look first!  GlitterFest was so much FUN!  Sheryl and Diane did an AWESOME JOB as always with this FABULOUS EVENT! Thanks Girlies~LOVE YA!