~*10 hours Zine*~

Although it just took me 10 hours to create the contents and construction of 1 zine, I needed a lot of extra time to complete the rest.

I had done some painful damage to my hands while constructing these zines and because I couldn't get my hands wet- I needed to *STAPLE* everything rather than use glue!

Well, although it was painful, it sure was worth the effort!
~*Smile*~

Honestly, I am glad that it turned out the way that it did because the results were fun.
This is a swap zine that I made for ~*I Heart Zines*~

I've not been able to make any progress on Beau Ideal #4 until I get a new computer- (hopefully I can find one soon that does exactly what I need it to without having a built in camera or overheating problem!)

I digress-

This is a preview zine to "OODLES OF DOODLES 2"
Featuring the art and doodles of some very cool people!

Dave Huddleston (Sabii Wabii's awesome husband), Michelle Walker AKA 3rd eye muse, Ahmad Abdush Shaheed, Me & Francisco De La Cruz

The zine will ONLY be made in black and white- no color like in this sample trade zine.

The inclusions, cover and layout for "Oodles of Doodles 2" will be a lot different as well.

~*The Grand Voyage charm design...*~

~*BON VOYAGE*~

This is a charm design and tag that I made

for my Grand Voyage charm theme swap.

A manhole cover in Union Square Park.

Getting another year older!

I took this picture a few days ago.

The mirrors are part of my holiday gift.

A jewelry display armoire from Pier One.

It smells of paint fumes, but I LOVE IT!

~*Charmsters Cocoon bead swap*~

I joined a swap hosted in charmsters.

The theme was cocoon beads.

I've really enjoyed making them and hope to sell some in my Etsy shop this month.

These are made with silk, filament thread, tassel thread with sequins, wire, beads, and cotton fabric or colorful faux wool.

Meet ~*Alexandria- Sasha for short!*~

SASHA

I was invited to join a Chanukah swap last year and was blessed with some wonderful gifts over the 7 nights which I got to open gifts from others. Those who participated- Joyce Vance ,Joanne Thieme Huffman , Connie Williams , Fran Saperstein , Kara Klein, Me, Judy Streger and Sandee Hyde !

I have not yet been able to take pictures of all that I got- However, I found one of my gifts on Judy Streger's blog.

She was the host and made me a VERY special gift.

A gypsy doll, adorned with gold jewelry and tons of jewels!

I ~*LOVE*~ my gypsy!

She lives in a fabulous spot right on my shelf.

I've recently learned that her given name by her father's mother Nadine, is Alexandria, Sasha for short.

Sasha arrived with a note and a bag full of precious gems in exchange for the rent on my shelf. She doesn't like to eat so she is a welcome guest!

After inspection, I gladly accepted her jewels and crystals which were made in Austria before she was even born!

Sasha makes me smile and I am happy to have her company!

Below is a picture I borrowed from Connie William's blog

This is the gift- or one very similar to it that

I made for each person in the holiday gift exchange.

*TO LIFE!*

This is taken from Joyce's blog and is what

I got from her in the swap.

Poisoning

Are you aware that some jewelry tools, pliers, and other hand tools are made with materials or substances ,"Known in the state of California" to cause *cancer* and birth defects as well as cause other harm to your body?

My husband bought me a pair of wire clippers and when I turned the package over to open it I was met with a sticker warning, telling me of the danger.
This was from BEADALON

:o(

I am SO bummed!
I've waited all weekend until today to continue working on some projects because my clippers are worn.
I got my pair - already used handed down from one of my friends, and wasn't aware of the danger that the handles may have on the tools!

Rats!
Just heads up to you.
Some cords, cables and wires have warnings on them from time to time about containing lead.- Some just never mention it!
Be more aware of what is in your home. NOT ALL COMPANIES ALERT YOU!

I have a feeling I am killing myself with all of this STUFF I use.
What can I do with my life if I keep having to give up every art form I love simply because the tools, materials and supplies are made in a toxic and poisonous way.

He's still at it folks! ~*My custom art work unit is coming along beautifully!*~

The man was out on the street working on a sheet of thick ICE cutting out 3 wooden shelves for my unit on Sunday.

He made the side portion to hold the shelves last weekend and carved out the details by hand on Saturday with hand tools.

What a hard working guy!

Yes, the drawers are a bit cluttered.

I am working on getting rid of most of that stuff to replace it with other supplies and tools that I've been using more often.

Here he is, testing the fit of each shelve.

~*LIFE IS SWEET-*~

My very own Echo of the Dreamer "Mars & Valentine" bracelet!

The other bracelet is made by Lori Anderson and remains my favorite.

Lori will be making me a matching necklace this year as well.

To celebrate 17 years together, my husband gave me

this beautiful handmade bracelet which I had admired in Macy's

(Herald Square, Manhattan, NY) Last fall.

I had blogged about it earlier, but just now uploaded the pictures.

When it gets warmer, I will take nicer pictures and share

the beautiful details that can be seen in the sunlight.

~*HELLO!*~ Holiday charm swap with Allegra and my own swaps- Alice in Wonderland and Charming times... I.C.E. swaps

"WATCH OUT! This sparkling snowman is armed with a snowball!"

~*HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!*~

Hey!
How've you been?

Good I hope!

I had several unrelated hand injuries during November and December so typing on the blog took a back seat!

So- I've been blog-quiet for some time and quite busy doing many other things.

One of which is fund and supply bartering for a school and working on the THINK PINK project.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I have a lot of items to trade and will start by offering some antique West German (US zone) glass flatback rhinestones and faceted glass beads made in Czechoslovakia. What I need is *GLUE* LOTS & LOTS OF good and new GLUE! This is a barter for glue to be used in an after school program. LOTS of KIDS 5 days a week!
Aleene's Tacky glue and other similar good glue will suffice.
Elmer's glue is good too, but we need stronger glue for heavier items as well.
GLUE DOTS ARE WONDERFUL TOO!

I can post pictures if you are interested!

I also have flocked iron ons from Victoria's Secret, bows with thread floral appliques, Swarovski Crystal components and stones, Mica powders like Pearlex, EP,- Embossing Powders- many different colors and types, glitters, and TONS of other embellishments.
INCLUDING LARGE RUSTY BEZELS!

If you are looking for something in particular, let me know! I just might have it!

Thank you for checking in!
Wishing you a VERY HAPPY New Year!

Amber Dawn

Charitable hearts- So lovely! Feeding people in NY.

Pay as you wish- I saw this on T.V. last night and LOVE these people for what they are doing!
WATCH!- http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6398192