Zines, swaps, glass beads, and more.......

I have been SO busy doing it all in the past month that I have barely been online.
I bound 8 zines (3.5) yesterday, before I set up my makeshift glass bead studio in the kitchen.

The month of August was extra busy for me in that I had a house guest for the majority of the month and house guests require a lot of attention and entertaining!

Making a neatly embellished glass bead is NOT as easy as I had hoped that it would be!
I am so used to the ease of rolling a polymer clay bead into a perfectly round shape.
Rolling a glass bead into a perfectly round shape is something I will need a lot more practice with.
My interest is really not in making perfect round beads, but rather sculptural and artistically expressive pieces.
Still, it would be good to know how to master the flame and molten glass to achieve those results.

I am in full swing zine production again, I just have to wing it for issue #4 (After I finish mailing the dozens of #3.5 Bling Bling Glitz Baby copies)

I will take pictures of the beads, they have been in the kiln for a few hours and as soon as the cycle is done, I will take pictures and share my interesting trials.
*Smiles*

Oh, I shipped all but a few of the black and whites.
Lori, Ruth and Heather, I still have yours.
You guys have the extra trade stuff that I have to include, and I plan on shipping them out before Friday.

I joined in a small project for the Enkoff family, and will be working diligently on that as well.

New charm swaps for OCT. are open for sign ups.

~*Black & Whites*~ ~Update!!~ Vickie Enkoff passed on.

It was a GREAT week!
Spent several days around Manhattan with my DH and Lil sis.
Took her down to China town for the first time (her and I together for the first time) ... showed her Pearl Paint.
Brought her to Herald Square for the first time.
We walked to Madison and 23rd street... Spent a few hours at Barnes and Noble a couple of days and enjoyed several of the wholesale stores.
(My first time taking her in with me)
Then Fri. We hung out with Regina for the first time since Christmas!
That was fun.
We each made some jewelry.

Spent the day *reading* in the sunlight yesterday.
That was LOVELY!
The sky was SO blue and the day, although it was warm, was very windy.
I took many pictures to share, but will post them much later.

I am now packing up the B&Ws today.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I signed online today, and learned that V died a few days ago.
The news is heartbreaking really.
She was an awesome pal to all who knew her.
I knew her well a few years back, and we talked almost daily for a while.
She was a very supportive friend to me, and kept me smiling, and I know that I did the same for her. I will miss her, I do miss her.

If you would like to send some art work, Frida Khalo work was her favorite (they were both artists with a broken body yet brilliant mind) she created a Frida type shrine days before she died. Please send your art work to celebrate the passing of Vickie to her husband-
Grady Enkoff
P.O. Box 3695,
Fontana, CA 92334
Remember to let people know how much they mean to you, they come and go pretty fast!
Amber

~*Stardust*~

To celebrate the end of summer school (extra credit) for my li'l sis... DH and I took her to see Stardust.
Although the movie hadn't gotten such rave reviews, I myself LOVE the movie.
It was a fun fantasy movie, and I really enjoyed seeing it on the big screen as opposed to waiting for the DVD.
As an added bonus, a woman in the row below us, wore
Dior Addict Eau Fraiche
"Notes:
Mandarin, Jasmine Petal, Bergamot, Orange, Mandarin Leaf, Gardenia, Queen of the Night, Bulgarian Rose, Mysore, Sandalwood, White Musk.
Style:
Sensual. Soft. Feminine." -Sephora

It really matched the movie's visuals, and I suppose enhanced the experience.

Better than smellorama AKA smellovision.

Bob De Niro made me laugh a lot!

As usual though I was the only person who clapped and said "Yay" at the end of the film, then a lot of the others followed... Why are people so shy?

It is as if people need someone else to break the barrier of expression to make reacting out loud OK. Well, I am not complaining, I am just concerned.

DH didn't care for the movie because of the animal sacrifices (done old world style)... Reading entrails for answers to the witches questions. I too do not care for those scenes, however since I have done my share of dissections I was not as easily grossed out by the handling of innards.

Now, Stardust the movie is a colorful feast for the eyes, it is full of surprise moments and a few wonderful cameos that leave their mark despite the quick come and go.

If you like movies like Legend, Labyrinth, Willow, The Fifth Element, Shrek, The Prince and the Pauper and LOTR... you will probably like this movie.

The Trailers we saw included ~*Spiderwick*~... We are really looking forward to it.

A few other movies too.

We needed to start going out to the theater again. Just wish that it was not so expensive!



I got tagged by 3 people that I still need to catch up on- Sonji, Amy & Heather... I will get to it soon.
Thank you for thinking of me!!!

15 years ago

If you think the furniture he is making me is impressive, you should see what else he can do!

This was what he made for me 15 years ago for my birthday.

What a sweet gift!

P.S.1, Harry Potter, Flooding, expressive opinions

I will start with the flooding.
It rained a lot here Wednesday.
The basement filled up with water.
Many people LIVE in the basements in this area, and they were a sad sight to see.
I went out in the morning and saw cars that had been washed onto the sidewalks, Some cars were UNDER water.
One building a few blocks away, the basement garage was *full* of water. There was about 3-7 inches of clearance between the water and the top of the garage door.
So many people were standing outside in disbelief. It was a sad sight.
It was SO hot and humid too.
DH worked from home... I caught up on some much needed sleep.

I worked with polymer clay and had some fun pulling canes of flowers.

I used his computer with wireless this weekend and watched You Tube for the first time without having to wait 45 minutes for a 2 minute video clip!
I have to get wireless!!!

Well, we were out for most of the weekend.
Saturday we hopped on over to Forest Hills and spent a little while on Continental, then Austin.
Hung out with a shop keeper in a store we love, walked to Barnes and Noble to check out some mags, and flipped through some books.
Then took a tour through the gated community.
It was SO quiet that we could hear the flapping of *sparrows* wings, the munching of nuts being chewed by squirrels and the sound of flies buzzing here and there.
Earlier in the morning DH wanted to go to a farm, but I think FH is good enough because I did not want to *smell* a farm.

After a nice walk we headed back to the 'hood, and got some provisions from the market.

Sunday the CRAZY parade was outside this time it was another country celebrating it's life here.
Good gosh was it LOUD!
Very abusive.

DH wanted to go to the field to fly kites, but there was no real wind.
So we hopped a train to LIC and I figured there would be wind by the water.
It was SO quiet over there by the train yard, that he just took in a deep breath and thanked me for getting him out of the neighborhood.

We walked over to P.S.1 and it was our first time going inside.
It may be my last.
We were both more impressed with the building interior and exterior itself than with the art.
Some of the "art" was just AWFUL!
Too many people mistake the concept of expression with the form and purpose of art.
Yes, there IS a difference.

I must admit. My favorite's included some morbid lazy bones installment that I didn't even bother looking for the title of.
It was a HUGE black skeleton laying in a hammock that was braided with skulls and heads hanging.
NOW before you think I am nuts, I didn't see it as a dark and dismal piece. I actually saw it as if the bare bones in the hammock was representative of war taking a rest.
I liked it. And the braiding was cool.

There were a few wall pieces that made me smile.
I liked some of the DOTS.

Sadly though, much of what we saw was NOT art, but conceptual babble.

There were some VERY interesting black and white compositions painted in the stairwells which inspired me.

There were some serious fire hazards that DH was pointing out as we walked through the basement.

I was just not impressed with some of the ridiculous mind numbing garbage on display.
Dragging an electric guitar over grass and blasting the sound that it makes is NOT art.
It is noise pollution.
OK so I am a critic.


The food was overpriced, I didn't order any, there were FLIES all over the place.
The food DH ordered was supposed to be hot. It was barely lukewarm.
The staff was very sweet.

I had more fun walking through the factories and pawing through the dumpsters.
I didn't take anything, but saw some cool fabrics.

The graph yard was full of kids, and aero artists.
I still need to take some pics to show you my favorite pieces.

After that we walked to Queensborough Plaza, and then hopped a bus to Kaufman Astoria Studios.
It was a bit late so DH grabbed Star $'s
We went to see HP.
Figured we could rent the Borne U.

HP was too fast, but it was fun.

I never read a HP book, but the movies are pretty cool.

That's all for now, I want to get back to making stuff.

~*Black & White*~ Charm swap

This is a private swap that I hosted.
I will list names on the picture for you to see...

What a great day....

What color is your soul painted? Blue Your soul is painted the color blue, which embodies the characteristics of peace, patience, understanding, health, tranquility, protection, spiritual awareness, unity, harmony, calmness, coolness, confidence, dependability, loyalty, idealism and wisdom. Blue is the color of the element Water, and is symbolic of the ocean, sleep, twilight, and the sky. Click Here to Take This Quiz

Quizzes and Personality Tests

So, all in one day, out of the blue DH got a mid year raise Which we needed SO much!
Today I saw several old friends... That was really cool. I visited with a friend who I met when I was teaching polymer clay classes at the art store. We went to that art store to shop a bit, saw a bunch of old friends, who just happened to all be there (Some were students and customers shopping, and some were employees) It was pretty great timing!
It was SO cool to see all of the new products on the market.
Thanks Pilar!

So I bought some unusual pearls, felt glue, ombre ribbons, WHITE staz on ink, memory glass, chipboard letters, and wooden disks and a square paper puncher. All goodies to create items with to fill up my Etsy shop. NICE store sales.

So.....

I got the COLOR thing from reading Heather's blog.

Hi Heather!

Well, I have been dealing with the zine deadlines, and using my *new* printer to print inserts for issue #3.5.
AND I have been packing up swaps from charm swaps.

I will post pictures of the black and white swap this weekend!

HISTORY and tradition.

***************************************
After just seeing this as one of the headlines on AOL- I HAD to post this because, well, people need to know something important, culture, and history, before theorizing and analyzing some ART.

Another last supper thing--- <--- Click here

I am so at a loss why people would waste time looking for answers to history in an artists rendition that are not even accurate of *possible* truths.
Example-
The last supper, would not have been eaten sitting in chairs.
The truth would be, that they were either sitting on pillows or a soft bed type thing on THE FLOOR. Or something like chaise style loungers
The Passover meal (which is what the last supper was, a Jewish religious observance) is eaten in a reclining position. Reclining as in like NOT sitting on a chair at a table.
Besides that, I think, but I don't remember this for sure, the meal would have be served in a "U" pattern, so there would not even be a straight table. It would be like 3 banquet tables set up in a "U"

Knowing the truth about customs, traditions and observances is key to really looking into HISTORY.

This post is not intended to offend or insult anyone. However, it is intended to help prevent ignorance.

OK....
If someone knows how the Passover meal is served, can you remind me if it was a "U" pattern?

Stories, myths, history, whatever you see it as, try and put the logical pieces together first.

The goods keep coming!

There have been way more goods in my life than bads, and I am *happy* to tell you that last week, as my old printer was driving me crazy for the hundredth time (probably more than that but...)

I just happened to surf through Craig's list in a section I have only gone to 2 or 3 times in the past few years...
THE BARTER SECTION!!! It is usually full of crazy requests and nonsense.
But I felt compelled to take a look with no clear idea of what I might find. Not really looking for anything specific.
What happened there? I found listed for barter the same exact printer that I LOVE and had been struggling to use and keep working with, being offered for trade!
The person offering it was willing to take something small in return too.

The best part?--- It is in PRISTINE barely used condition! It was an expensive model that I paid half a grand for in the late 90's... But I cannot afford one this good at this time!

I got another for *free*

In exchange, I gave the guy who brought it over (drove a distance), a Schwinn Stingray OCC black chopper style bike that was taking up space in my art room over the last 2 years.
When DH purchased it, he thought he would motorize it ... however, that is illegal here in NYC so we were stuck with this useless thing for a few years in the house. (that bike is SO not designed for pedaling!

Now I have a WORKING LIKE NEW printer that I LOVE and I am able print covers and special inserts for my zine again!

ALSO- last month, I went to a close out shop, and found rare papers that I had run out of a while back, that I used for inserts in my zine.
I would say that I am feeling so much more encouraged to continue my zine production!

I am SO happy to finally be free of the heavy chopper looking bike... OUT OF MY STUDIO SPACE!
HAPPY to get back to my Beau Ideal!
STRESS FREE PRINTING!!!
YAY!!!

((NOTE--the printer that I had, was damaged after I bought it, so it was not a malfunction, but rather damage ... so a new one is WONDERFUL!))

The doodle project

~*Furniture progress...COOL? Or What?*~

He is amazing!
I am still in AWE!
Here he is working on my piece today!

Evolution of a doodle... done by a girl who loves to create!

This is how this character came to be...
It started like this.
Started as a marker sketch, boyish but cute.

I transfered it to the computer, made it look more like a boy... Then a silly but cute girl....Then a vampy "Sweets"...

Not sure why I went this way with it...

I like it.

TIME FOR ME TO TURN IT INTO STICKERS AND JEWELRY!!!

FUN FUN FUN!

The Spirit of the Beehive

Just watched the ending of this movie.
I *wish* that I had seen it from the start.
The children are gorgeous and really great actors.
The scenes were wonderfully set.

I cannot wait to see this again.
I would love to know what was happening.

Hot Rod Sweets Graphic from a doodle.

ETSY - PORTALS - LIFE

I will start selling stuff on ETSY to raise some money.
OK I need to raise a bunch of money.

LOTS of stuff like charms, beads, rhinestones, paper, brass and copper stampings, vintage goodies, crafts, fabrics, keys, polymer clay etc.
All from my personal stash.

If you are interested in seeing my ETSY listings, email me and I will send you a link when I list the first few lots.

----------------------------------------------

I got the issue of Portals this weekend, and it looks like fun.
I have been enjoying this new found zine.
Heather did a great job rounding up talented artists to feature.
YAY Heather!

______________________________________________

Life has been a little funny lately.

Another doodle....

I love to sc'tch... kinda like scratching and sketching with a pen.

I needed to destress after a day of sad news and HOT weather.
Gosh is it *H*O*T* here in NYC!
Too hot for me!!!!
I doodled this picture and had fun playing with my new Photoshop CS2 that Heather sent me.
Thank you again Heather!
I am LOVING this ability to manipulate/distort my charms to turn them into earrings that fit on this chick's ears. I designed the charm for Heather's zine Portals.

Robin's motto:Love your life through all circumstances. Blessings are abundant, (even in the worst of times), if we only will have the attitude that allows us to recognize them. A positive attitude gives us strength, makes life sweeter, easier and more joyful. I'm lovin' my life....RBW

Robin Whittemore (July 28, 1952- July 9, 2007)

I have been enjoying the flowers.

So many lovely colors and scents.

After a winter full of gray.

.~*Robin Whittemore*~.

I was fortunate to meet Robin, through a designers guild a while back.
She was a lot of fun to talk to, and truly a caring and helpful friend.
Her jewelry was playful and fun, and I was excited when she joined in my charm exchange group last year.
Unfortunately, right around the time that she was getting very excited about what she would design for the exchange, she learned that her illness/cancer was back, with a vengeance.

Unfortunately, she needed a bone marrow transplant and a LOT of money.
Some of us banned together and helped her auction items to raise funds to help with the traveling expenses and hotel stays, etc., during her treatments.

Even through the pain, Robin was fun to chat with.
She kept a good sense of humor going to help deal with her troubles, and fears.
It is her belief in God, that has kept her strong through her fight.
She has a firm belief that after this life, she will be in heaven.

I learned early this morning that Robin is dying after a heart attack and heavy doses of treatments, her body/organs are shutting down, and she has requested no life support.
This does not surprise me.
She does not see death as something to fear. But rather a journey to look forward to.
She also believes in a perfect plan, the will of God... That it does exist, that He exists.

I deeply miss Robin's personality shining through emails and web posts.
She is someone who I adore, because she was herself. Giving, kind, friendly and fun.

Robin, you will not be soon forgotten.

Here is a quote that Robin likes a lot-Click on it to see her website.
"It's never too late to be who you might have been."

– George Eliot

I will remember Robin.

~*FiReWoRkS*~

My favorite part of celebrating the 4th here in NYC, is the sound and *feeling* of the explosive Macy's/Grucci fireworks blasting through the atmosphere.
Although it was rainy, the rain stopped just long enough for us to stand in the street to watch and feel the pyrotechnics.

I met a few new people. Had some good laughs and enjoyed the company of my friends and family.

Right now it is thundering and raining... For a July evening/early morning, it is quite cool in temperature, and I appreciate that fact. I appreciate days that are not hot.

I am at the moment, watching a movie, and waiting for some glaze to dry on a set of charms that I created for a swap.
I think I made 150 charms in June, and 40 this week alone.
Good practice!

Hosting swaps is great fun for me.
I like the organization aspect of it.

I think I feel like teaching again.
(It's been a while since I offered classes)

Teaching is fun.

That's all for today...
I have a birthday event to attend...

More tomorrow.

Nutella and a fresh banana peel~ mmm it smells like ice cream!

The foil seal with a smidge of Nutella on it, laying next to a fresh banana peel... SMELLS SO NICE.

I watched Marie Antoinette ... It was very pretty, but my heart felt very heavy at the end.

I did learn today, after years of believing the hype, that she did not in fact say "Let them eat cake." I was taught that lie in school.

Oh well.

The above image is an altered vintage label.

Feel free to use it in your art work if you wish.

I would appreciate the credit.

Have fun.

A Birthday Gift from Cisco & Jerry... Made by the talented Lori!

Lori Anderson's web page<======

I cannot wait to start making glass beads.

I hope to be making my own glass encased florals too.

I have been wanting to share this bracelet. I am SO happy wearing it!

Here is a black and white version for sale... it is the same price, just a bit different. BLACK AND WHITE <====click

BUY IT! TRY IT! IT'S COOL!

PORTALS <==Click here to see more I put together 4 fun pages for Heather's Portals zine.
IT IS A FULL COLOR & FULL SIZE ZINE TOO!~

I share a few AWESOME techniques on how to make some fun and fabulous recycled charms.

Check out her zine.
It is only $15.00 and that includes shipping.
Let me know if you get it.

HEADS UP MINI BOOK WINNERS!

After not being at the post office since I mailed them, I found out that although the majority of the book covers have been delivered, several were IN MY post office box. Apparently, although they were all wrapped the same, and had the same postage...??? Some were not "deliverable" and were returned to sender (me)

Teresa
Deb
Bev
Nancy
Kelly
Cat
I will be resending these TUESDAY when I go back to the PO.

Sorry about the delay!
Amber

~*!AMAZING!*~ GIFT IN THE MAIL!

Some of you who know me, know that I lost my computer hard drive a couple of months ago, and with it, I also lost my upgrade of Photoshop.
I need to use it for almost everything that I do.
So I was literally hurting using my basic OLD version 5.5!
OUCH!
Well, in yesterdays mail, PHOTOSHOP CS2 arrived!
A *GIFT*
WOW!!!!

YIPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Yes, I said it OUT LOUD when I installed and registered it!
I am SO amazingly hopeful!
It will be a great tool for me in my work.
And the person who sent it to me is SO COOL!
It will be fun to work with her!!!
AGAIN----- YIPPEEEEEEEEEEE

Giddy

Amber

~*Me and Donna Kato*~ 2005

I am much taller than her, so I am bending over leaning on my knees just to take the picture with her.
It was SO much fun meeting her in person.
She was standing over my demo table admiring my polymer work, when I looked up, there she was.
I was in shock.
It was an AMAZING meeting!
(My hair was *frizzy* because it was a rainy and humid day) PLUS this is a picture of a photograph, so the white dots on Donna's jacket are from the flash*)

~* I STARTED A NEW WEB PAGE! *~

I decided to start sharing gifts and surprises that I have gotten from my artist friends.
I have a GREAT collection of work made by some of the COOLEST and nicest people anyone could know!
I want to share EVERYTHING!!!
*Smiles*
So I started this- IMPRESSIVE ART! <---Click here
I started with a WONDERFUL handmade book by Debrynda!
(Isn't that a cool name?)

Amber

Updates

Charms for the youth swap.

Mini Book Cover Charms that I made for the winners.
Hi all, just checking in, if you would like to email me, to leave feedback or ask questions my email address is inventivesouls@yahoo.com

Amber

BEAU IDEAL ARTS, by, Amber Dawn issue #3.5 (For display only, not for sale) Click on pictures to see details. Published by 5 FingerPrints Press