Guitar Pick Jewelry

Last year, when we were in the Boston area, The Husband got himself a guitar pick punch at a local comic book shop.  He goes through guitar picks pretty fast and planned to make them out of old gift cards and expired credit cards.  Now he has quite a collection.

Fast forward a year.  I’ve been borrowing his punch to make cute guitar picks for jewelry.  Sometimes I buy gift cards specifically for their graphics, like these:  

 They were Walmart gift cards available around Easter.

Unlike The Husband, I have to make at least one hole, sometimes 2 depending on the design, so I also have a hole puncher.  It’s supposed to be for metal but so far, it’s been fine for the plastic. 

And I've also used the specialty scissors to cut unusual shapes as a background for charms.

  I love adding the beads, charms and chain to the picks to create little one of a kind treasures.  You can find them in my earrings section on Etsy  HERE

C’est La Vie! Do What You Love!

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What’s Up? Steampunk and France!

It’s been a while, boys and girls.  My creative mojo has been on hiatus.  I took a French class.  I stressed out at work.  I visited friends and family in the Boston area.  I ate way too much. I read a lot.

Sometimes I feel like I stepped back from my inner life and my physical life.  I retreated.  Don’t know why.  These things sneak up and hide themselves in your head,  so you don’t realize you’re not doing anything--creating, exercising, thinking.  

But lately I’ve been getting creative again, making some jewelry and working on a Steampunk character.  For those of you who don’t know what Steampunk is, it’s basically a Victorian vision of science fiction--think  H.G. Wells and Jules Verne.  More recently, read the Leviathan series by Scott Westfield or Gail Carrigers’ Alexia Tarabotti books (which mix Steampunk with vampires and werewolves).  Steampunk is anything goes--from corsets to tricked out weaponry, top hats to gears as embellishments.  Characters range from scientists and royalty to adventurers and ladies of the evening.  We already have our reservations for the HRH Steampunk Symposium on the Queen Mary in January, so I’m gathering materials and making my costumes and accessories.

Cats are a big part of my character, Felina Reid’s, life, so they will figure in parts of my costume.  Like my hats--yes, those are cat ears!  

 
And the embellishment also features a cat pin.

Here some great shoes I scored at Goodwill yesterday:

I’ll be making a drawstring bag (and probably my skirt/bustle) out of velveteen fabric I used to use on my tables at craft shows.  The fabulous trim I found on Etsy.

We’re also planning a trip to France next year.  The Mom recently gave me a monetary gift to start a Paris fund.  I wanted to go next year for our 35th anniversary and this money gave that dream a big boost!  The Husband is a military history buff, so naturally wants to see the D-Day beaches in Normandy.  I’m a museum rat and flea market shopper, so that’s what I’m looking forward to in Paris.  You’d think the Louvre would be #1 on my list but it’s actually the Musee D’Orsay, since I love the Impressionists.  We also love to walk, so seeing Paris on foot is going to be exciting.  I remember walking in San Francisco--a walking pace at ground level allows you to see so many tiny, amazing details!  
 

I love the planning of a trip as much as the actual travel, so lately I’m either elbows deep in beads or French tour books.

I’ll keep you up to date on what I’m making and planning!

C’est La Vie! Do What You Love!

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I Missed Publishing My Newsletter

I used to send out a snail mail newsletter that I really enjoyed producing. It was like having my own little magazine! But with the economy the way it's been going, it became difficult to justify the paper, ink, time and postage. So I let it slip away and started playing with my blog, which has also been fun.

 

Then a few weeks ago, The Husband started thinking about sending out marketing for his educational school shows electronically. We looked at a few newsletter sites and decided we'd try Mad Mimi, which I'd seen a recommendation for on Etsy. Our partnership is sort of stereotypical--I generally handle the software and he does the hardware. Meaning, I had to learn how to use Mad Mimi while he figures a way to put new gutters on the house…

 

So, I set up an account for Bear Chick and started learning how to put together an e-newsletter. I'm happy to report that Mad Mimi, unlike most semi-tech websites, answered all the questions I had, right from their help screens. And there are so many guidelines when sending out newsletters, Mad Mimi does their best (her best?) to make sure you're adhering to the laws. So far, it's been a very good experience.

 

Next, I'm going to start working with a photo editing website to create a new banner for the top. I love to learn new skills, so, thanks, Husband, for pushing me into a new realm!

For now, using an old banner from my Etsy shop, I really like the look of the newsletter--it's crisp and clear. And it's so easy to set up--uploading pictures is easy, adding text and pictures is easy and editing was pretty simple. I used their template, which can be customized with color and fonts, etc. Now that I've done it once, the next one will be easier. Bear Chick likes User Friendly!

They also have several ways to import or cut and paste email addresses, that you can then separate into different lists. For example, I have a special list for Southern California only, in case I want to send out a special edition before a live show. That's why I ask for your state/country in the newsletter sign up to the right here on my blog (hint, hint!).

There are tracking reports for each promotion you do and Mad Mimi takes care of all subscriptions, forwarding and (I hope not a lot) unsubscribing. And they've been sending an email a day with ideas and tips for a better newsletter.

I know what you're thinking--that's a fun new toy for you, Bear Chick. But what's in it for me?? Well, I'll keep you up to date on what I'm doing and new things I'm making. And like my paper newsletter, I'll feature people, places and things that you'll hopefully find fun and interesting. Like the bead challenge I'm participating in at the Bead Society and my friend, Barbara, a great artist and jeweler. Bear Chick's 10th anniversary is next month, plus the holidays are coming. Jewelry makes great gifts! That’s why I'll be doing special coupons and deals for my newsletter subscribers. There's still time to get the first issue~I can identify all my new fans and I'll get you the first issue when you sign up.

 

So, yeah, I’ve got a web-crush on my e-newsletter provider. Hmmmm… Mad Mimi could be the George Clooney of e-marketing!

Do What You Love!

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What Have I Done Today?

Hmmmm… I’ve been lagging behind on my blogging… Things at The Day Job have gotten busier since we had to lay off one person from our department. The holidays were filled with too much sugar and I got Binge Brain (which means sugar zapped my energy and creativity). I just haven’t had the brain power to blog.

So, I think somedays I’ll just have to virtually mumble about the mundane things I’ve done that day in the hopes of getting some true inspiration.

Today, I dropped The Husband at work, since his ancient VW bus is in the shop. It didn’t pass the smog test. Do NOT get me started on the CA DMV… I had a bunch of errands to do:

My weekly visit to the library, dropped one book, picked up 4 :-)

Stopped at Walmart for a money order and saw this awesome pickup truck--the color drew my eye but I love the entire thing!

Dropped into my eye doctor to confirm how big frames would have to be for my trifocals (yeah, I’m old. So??). I’ve been browsing vintage cat’s eye frames on Etsy.

Braved Brea Bead Works to see if I could find a really small gauge sterling silver jump ring for a commissioned pair of earrings. I couldn’t. Looks like I’ll have to make some jump rings that fit. Wait--if I couldn’t find the jump rings I wanted, how did I spend $38??? Hence why I used the word “braved” BBW’s. Bead stores are rife with temptation. In my defense, though, one thing I bought was for The Mom’s birthday!

Got chicken apple sausages on sale at Sprouts.

Did the grocery shopping. Drove through Carls for a side salad. And a small vanilla shake. With whip cream. I didn’t ask for the whip cream. It just comes with it…

Later on, I picked up The Husband, cooked some of the sausage’s (nom!), watched last night’s CSI:NY with a cat sleeping on my lap and now The Husband is watching some scary movie on SyFy. Think I’ll go try to make some tiny jump rings!

Do What You Love!

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Great Park Part 2 Carousel

As promised, here are some shots of the carousel at the Great Park:

Horse and deer

White Tiger

Panda

Cat with Fish

Looong Eared Rabbit

Awesome Sea Horse

The Husband admiring the Carousel. Unfortunately, it wasn't running the day we were there. I'll be the first in line when we do catch it running. Hmmm, let's see... Sea Horse? Panda?? I may get pretty dizzy before I'm finished!

And here's a preview of Part 3, The Great Park Gardens and Scarecrow Contest.

Do What You Love!

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A Froggy Day in the Neighborhood

We took a trip to Muzeo today in Anaheim, to see A Chorus of Color, the frog exhibit that ends tomorrow. You may remember my trips to see the Napoleon exhibit earlier this year NAP1 and NAP2~same wonderful museum space. Next month begins a great looking exhibit on Russian Icons.

Anyway, A Chorus of Color was a blast. And today and tomorrow, it's underwritten by Bank of America, so it's free and free is good! I read a lot of froggy facts but I'm not an authority so I'm just going to show, not tell :-) Enjoy!

At the Beginning

Frog imitation... Very flattering...

Little green frogs. They don't even look real...

This one looked like origami...

Tomato frogs.

Peekaboo!

A friendly lookin' fella.

DANGER! DANGER!!

They may be pretty but there's enough venom in these gorgeous guys to kill 10 humans!

These look like cricket legs to me...

The second building at Muzeo is now hosting Mirada's, Mexican Art from the Bank of America Collection. This whimsical piece is by Alejandro Colunga.

Trust me to find the bling! I think this is a Miss Anaheim crown.

Oooo, he just couldn't resist...

So, if you're ever in the Anaheim area (think Disneyland), spend a few hours at this awesome little museum. I'm sure there'll be something that will spark your interest!

Do What You Love!

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Finding Beauty on the Walk Home

Currently, The Husband and I have car issues. Namely, his car has been in the shop for two months! *sigh*

We live within walking distance of my workplace so he’s been dropping me at work and taking the car we’re sharing at this point the 10 miles to his job. Once in a while, when he has to work into the evening, I get to walk home (might as well make it sound enjoyable…). And in actual fact, the walk is good for me and if I go through the park, it IS pretty enjoyable.

Here’s a gander (sorry, there are geese in the park…) at my walk home:

The promise of things to come

Heron? Crane? Delicate and beautiful

Gorgeousness!

Contrast

The shady part

Duck Duck Goose

Reflections

This little guy lives down the street from the park, near a very nice housing complex.

Do What You Love!

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12 Questions

I found these questions a while ago and finally decided to answer them. I know, I haven’t been blogging consistently. My Muse seems to be on vacation…

1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart "go-to" meal to fix in a pinch? English muffin pizza’s with sauce, cheese and whatever meat is in the house

2. What is one item you won't leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.) My cell phone

3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting? The library

4. Share one factoid of your family's history. My father drove a tank in Korea

5. Complete this sentence: "Once upon a time I ...." dreamed of being an actress

6. If you could win a one year's supply of anything, what would it be? Cat food--highly recommended by all the wildlife we feed around our house (raccoons, skunks and possums, not to mention three outside neighborhood cats, plus our own two inside cats)

7. "One quirky thing you may not know about me is ...." I put less-than-fresh licorice in the microwave

8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy? A tiny notebook

9. "One thing that always makes me laugh is ...." The Husband, sometimes even when he means to

10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal? Not eat the trail mix that’s calling to me from the cupboard

11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else? Compliment them.

12. What is one thing you're looking forward to soon? Meeting up with my cousin in Palm Springs in August. Haven’t seen him in 25 years!

Do What You Love!

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Wishful Thinking Sunday

I wish there was no such thing as war. But there is. So on this Memorial Day weekend, The Husband and I went to the relatively new Lyon Air Museum in Costa Mesa. Here are a few shots of our visit:

Reminds me of MASH~btw, my dad was in Korea.

The Husband and a German vehicle-those middle wheels actually helped in hilly terrain.

Something to keep up morale in the 40's, the Helms Bakery truck, complete with cooling racks and bread shelves!

An aerial view of some of the planes

A wedding dress made out of a fiance's parachute

No caption required!

This museum only opened last fall but it had a constant stream of visitors this morning. The docents are very helpful and you'll enjoy all the history this place has to offer. It's on the far side of John Wayne Airport, really easy to get to. Would make a great Father's Day destination for those of you near the OC!

Do What You Love!

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Wordless Wednesday

Do What You Love!

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Friday Potpourri-Collecting

Last November, The Husband gave me a Puritan Rubber Ducky. He saw it at Party City and thought it was cute. Thus began my newest collection: Holiday rubber duckies...

For me, collections are usually about the thrill of the hunt. I think The Husband brought home the Christmas Caroller and the Irish ducky. But I had to search for the Valentine's duck-you wouldn't think it would be so hard to find something V Day... And I'd almost given up on the Easter ducky, but Party City came through again!

I'm looking forward to finding a Patriotic ducky for Memorial/Fourth of July and perhaps a variety of Halloween duckies. I may start making my own, too. Get a few naked (!) duckies and dress them for Mardi Gras (yeah, a little late...), Flag Day, my summer birthday, Veteran's Day... The possibilities are endless.

These guys live in my car, on the deck in front of the speedometer. They make me happy, even on the way to work!

And so, this is how collections start. Part challenge, part creativity, part pure desire. The harder something is to find or afford, the more value it has. What do you collect?

Do What You Love!


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