New Designs!

 I've been in the studio recently working up some new designs for my cases! Being that Day of the Dead aka Dia de los Muertos is so popular year round for me, I decided to come up with a new design that's fun and festive!  All elements are paper and my own decoupage' technique that make this all mine!  They came out quite nice and I'll be creating more of them for my up coming show at the Garden of Beaden in Upland on April 26-27 !

 Here's a little peek at the process~as you can see, it's eyeglass cases and paper...

...it's all quite simple really...NOT!

Fun at the Renaissance Faire! Huzzah!

 Need I say more?

 Ladies Debb & Lynne of the Shire all smiles on this Day of Merriment and Frivolity!

We took part in the Queen's Tea, which was a wonderful way to take a break from the visual and sensory overload of the day! We met some lovely people and a Duke or two! I was even given a talking to by the Queen herself for flipping my hat feathers and keeping audience with a Sir Richard Dudley from her Court! Lynne and I thought this most amusing and Sir Dudley Most Charming!

1.  

 The Beautiful, Lady Lynne of the Shire!

 Our Favorite Rogues, The Dread Pirates of Odd Wood! OMGosh, these guys are a RIOT! With their Bawdy Sea Shanty's and physical comedy to match, there is nothing left to the imagination...plus, the keyboard player is HOT and the drummer has the most amazing blue eyes ever...I digress...anyway, the show is a complete laugh~they're heavy metal Unplugged! Head Banging before electricity! Rockin' the Shire Daily!

 Lady Lynne of the Shire, Strike A Pose!

 Queen Elizabeth Giving us a Talking to! (I can't believe I had the balls to snap this whilst being scolded!)

 Some of the "Taller" folk we met!

 This guy...not so friendly to look at, but loved his whole costume!  The costumes here are AMAZING!  We just love taking it all in and getting new ideas and inspiration everywhere we look! 

 Myself, Lady Debb of the Shire at the entrance~what a Perfect Day in the Shire!

 I ask you: "how else would you sail YOUR ship?" 

 One must laugh ALWAYS!

 Okay, there's an amusing story that goes with this sign...we ventured into the Ren Faire Museum, which was loaded with photos and memorabilia encompassing 50 years of Faire Fun and memories. One of the docents saw me snapping a picture of this sign and told us the tale... Back in the 70's when the Faire was in Augora, there were two paths to take to get across the park; the lower more used and defined trail and the upper, more private, secluded less traveled trail loaded with poison oak.  Well, the youth are always looking for private places to "relax" as it were and were always getting busted by security, which kept the first aid station BUSY being they always had an outbreak of poison oak on tons of peoples "unmentionable" parts!  So, these signs were put up all around the upper trail to warn-off those randy folks in a language even THEY would understand! This is one of the Original signs from that era~now on display with a Fun Story Attached!

 Wood Nymph~beautiful costume and make-up!

Lady Debb of the Shire at a metal works booth! This artist does a lot of Dia de los Muertos art and is based in Montclair Gang! Whoo Hoo, lets hear it for Local Artists! His enameled pieces are Awesome!

A Wonderful Day was had by All! It all went by so fast~so now I have to launder my costume and put my Hat of Many Plumes away and save all of my goodies for another Faire~Huzzah!

Vintage Beauty!

I'm so Twitterpated! I finally purchased Melanie Doerman's book: "The Art of Forgotten Things" and was so inspired by one of her creations, that I made a version of my own! It took me a couple of days, and a lot of design planning and selection to come to fruition, but I did it!

Now, the reason I was so intrigued by this project was that the center disk is a 1 1/2" washer! Yes, a common washer found at any hardware store Gang! I love how a common item such as a washer can be transformed into a beautiful piece of jewelry!  The colored crystal dangles are actual vintage pieces from a larger piece I acquired a couple years ago on one of my "Kat & Debb" treasure hunting days!  The vintage photo is actually a picture of my Mom when she was 17 and  modeled in her youth.
It was the perfect accent for this piece. I think I'll venture to make a couple more, being I love this design and it's origins so much! 

Garden of Beaden Trunk Show!

A BIG THANKS to Irene Sanchez and her Awesome Shop in Upland, California~

Garden of Beaden for Hosting my First ever Trunk Show! I had a Total Blast with you Irene and look forward to my next show April 19-20!  I'll have Make-N-Takes planned for you guys along with a Fun Day at the GOB! If you are in the area Gang, visit the Garden of Beaden~313 N. Second Ave #J, Upland, Ca it's the coolest bead shop around with a knowledgeable and helpful staff! It's not only a place to shop for your "Need to Bead", but it's an awesome place to sit and visit and make friends! A truly unique and inviting place to Visit! For more info. go to: www.gardenofbeadenupland.com  

March Show~GlitterFest!

 GlitterFest Spring 2013! 

Had a total BLAST at the new location in Anaheim!

 Beautiful HUGE paper flowers added to the festive Spring Decor!

 My table at the front windows~the perfect spot for my art to SHINE!

 Some Goodies...Close Up!

 My Fabulous Eyeglass Cases and Credit Card Cases! 

 Purses and Wallets and Books, Oh My!

My "Rockabilly Girl" Vignette!

Had a wonderful time at Glitterfest Gang! Was Awesome seeing all of my Artsy friends there~Tara Wilson, Jenny Hernandez, Crystal Basica, Lisa Loria! This show was so much FUN and I am Crushing on the new venue  A HUGE THANK YOU to all of my Friends and Customers that came out to see me and support me in my Artistic Adventure! I love you guys and am Blessed with your love and support~You All ROCK! Thanks go to Sheryl and Diane for another successful Event! Thanks Girlie's, cant wait until October for the Fall Show! This time I'm gettin' my Halloween and Dia de los Muertos ON!

Working in the Studio!

Workin' in my studio with a little help from my Ruby Girl! I'm busy creating all NEW GOODIES for you all to see at GlitterFest this March 9th in Anaheim, Ca! (click on the link to the right for more info. on this awesome event!)  I have some Fabulous New Jewelry for you guys~along with new Wallets and Eyeglass Cases and Purses! Can you say Marie Antoinette? Also, some cool Dia de los Muerts designs (I know, it's early, but this stuff is great all year round!)  

Check out my website for more fantastic Goodies at: http://paradisekittenart.wix.com/debbra-j-designs 

Thanks Gang!

Dig Your Art!

I'm Goin' to GlitterFest!

I'm so excited Gang! 

I just found out that I'm going to be showing my Artsy Wares at GlitterFest Spring in March!  I've done this juried art show a few times in the past couple years and always enjoy it on so many levels!  I love seeing all of my loyal customers and meeting new ones~there's nothing like having people admire your booth and art and comment on how they're happy to see you selling here again! Love it! I also treasure seeing all of my Artsy friends here at this show, it's like a reunion~even though we all keep in touch on-line!  So, if you're in Southern California Gang, Swing on By and see me at GlitterFest~I would love to see you all and say "Hi" and maybe go for drinks after! For more info. go to: www.glitterfest.com 

I LOVE Beading!

I absolutely LOVE this beading technique, perfected by the Memorable Melanie Doerman and taught to me by the talented, Crystal Basica!  I was taught to do this piece just a week ago by my good friend, Crystal, after admiring Melanie's beautiful work.  We had a fabulous day together and even fit in a trip to our favorite haunt, Treasures and Junk!  Thank you Crystal for teaching me to "Fish" so I can learn a new skill!

 Shot of the pendant being worn.  I especially love how the beading looks so very detailed and  unique.  After making a few, it did get easier and I was able to move forward with a few different pieces!  I'll be sure to post pics when I get them all completed! Love, Love, Love this new technique! Not bad for my first attempt!

Day of the Dead Katrina

BEADING ROCKS!

Flags Of Hope

After the horrendous tragedy that occurred at Connecticut's Sandy Hook Elementary School a couple weeks ago, many of us find ourselves rendered useless by not knowing what we can do to help.  Well, one of my FB artist friends came up with the perfect solution for some of us~making prayer or hope flags that will be made into banners and hopefully put on display at the new school location for the kids to see.  There was a comment made recently that stated that one of the worries is that everyone will forget all about what has happened and life will go on in a couple weeks~not so.  The healing will take a lifetime, and we will never forget this tragedy.  Leighanna Light came up with a marvelous idea to make Hope flags for the school to brighten the children's day while at school in their new location! What a Fab idea! Plus, myself and various others had an outlet for our grief and confusion related to this awful tragedy, perfect! 

Now I don't sew, but was able to pull something together that I really like and can't wait to share with the others involved with the project, and ultimately, the kids.  It's just my small way to be connected and let them all know that I cared, and won't forget.

So, kids, teachers, staff, residents of Connecticut, we do care and hope that you will all smile some day, we Love You All!    

For more information on this fabulous project, go to: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-hope-flag-project/498268640213821?fref=ts

Read about the project or become a part of the project!

A Little "Ornamental" Fun!

 Had some Fun making all of these wonderful beaded ornaments this week, thanks to my friend Cristina!  They are so easy to do and fast~and the results are Amazing, as you can see!  These are going to make wonderful Christmas gifts this year!

 I just used beads that I already had in my arsenal, so no money spent! (Cristina gave me the balls to use.)  I will go to Michael's after the holidays and score the balls on clearance, that's the trick!

 After I would finish each one, I would think THAT one was the most beautiful! It's so fun to watch it take shape as you create it~Love these!

Cristina and I would text and send each other pictures of our newly created piece after we finished it~was really fun to see the different color combinations we would come up with!

Wishing you All a Christmas that is Merry and Bright!

Don't Gimme No Lip!

I'm at it again! making my Homemade Lip Balm Gang!  I made a test-batch of this lip goodness last year and handed them out to a few of you Girlies who reported back that you Loved It!  So, I'm makin' up another batch to give as little gifties this Christmas Season!  I ran outta Crisco, so it's to the market I go to get some more so I can finish my production.  The flavs I'm offering: Lemon, Orange and Peppermint~Yum, Yum, Yummers!  And I have to say, I haven't had a chapped lip since I've been using this wonderful concoction on my lips...just sayin'...

A shout out of thanks go to Mark Montano and his book: "Big Ass Book of Crafts" for the recipe on this Bad-Ass Lip Balm!  Thanks Mark!

On the Bridle Path with Kat & Ruby!

Went for an early morning  hike/walk this morning with my good friend Kathy Jo and my trustee pooch, Ruby. It was such a beautiful day for a walk in the country, and we both had been putting this off for awhile. (plus, the dog really needed it!)

We even found some wild pepper trees along the way that we picked some fresh pepper corns from~which we will use in our cooking at home!  (don't worry, they're safe, we've done this before! ) After the walk, we went to one of our favorite eateries for breakfast, Twisted Sage! Yum, Yum, Yummer's on the breakfast burrito!  What a great way to start our day, I think I'll start getting out more and hiking again, being there are so many great trails nearby!  Plus, the DOG loves it! Have a great weekend Gang!