Streetnoodles....revised

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Turning a new leaf...

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Alyn Carlson & My Fall Into "Recliner-land"...

I recently started to read the Etsy blog section and was delighted to read about a former “Berkeley-ite” named Alyn Carlson who seems to be a bit of a Rennaisance woman; a devoted follower of her “muse”, an artist extraordinaire, graphic designer, actor, one of those people you want to hate for being able to easily assess her talents in a multitude of directions, BUT you can’t because she’s so NICE (damn it!).


Her write-up in the Etsy blog was attributed to her style of décor as reflected in her 28 year renovation of her idyllic "church/house"… you can see pics of her renovation in her Flickr photostream, BUT when you read her blog & Etsy shop you’ll realize there is far more involved.


NOW the reason for this rather lengthy article… it’s my confession, that I have an abnormal LOVE for my Lazy-Boy recliner I recently got...my husband says that i'll be talking to him & in mid-sentence will fall fast asleep...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz





There was a time I was like Alyn… having a love of art, design, structure, lines…I would cream just walking close to a low profile Italian sectional or a classic comfortable English wingback…(omg) even just talking about such things makes my juices simmer a bit….and when I see just a sneak preview of Alyn’s pictorial of her Church house, tears well up as I realize “it can never be…” for me since I finally crossed the “recliner barrier” AND have CATS (4 of these little suckers).




We have 7 sofas & love seats which are all at different stages of destruction. We have used blankets, slipcovers, plastic containers, & disposable bedliners (one cat likes to pee when she’s "horny"). I’m seriously thinking of vinyl or concrete sofas vs. crocheting little “kitty-booties” to protect the furniture ...plus satisfying this desire to drive the cats crazy running around on the wooden floors & sliding into walls… I think that is called passive-aggressive behavior on my part (my shrink would be proud).

Before I show my really demented side going through my repertoire of “kitty-torture-jokes”, let me tell you, I do love my cats, they are all rescued cats, BUT that doesn’t make me trust them….IF the kitty bowl should ever go empty, and I have the misfortune to fall unconscious on the floor, I KNOW I will be next on the "kitty food chain of life".

Congratulations to our new "Giveaway" winner...

Congratulations to "mymothersgardens" for winning the giveaway!!! It has been a pure pleasure to host these last 2 giveaways (of the year)...it surely will not be the last :D

Have the very best & happiest of New Years! ..... wooo! 2010!!!

Another "Giveaway"??? Are You Insane?

i'm sponsoring another "giveaway" before the year's end...crazy i know!!! it will start Christmas Day & end New Year's Eve...Dec. 25th - Dec. 31st....the contest will close New Year's Eve midnight & a winner announced on NEW YEAR'S DAY.

the one thing i always noticed as i became an adult was that if you are the female of the species, there always seems to be a "double-edge sword" with every "good thing" that comes along.
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puberty comes along & wowy-zowy you're finally growing breasts (a good thing) just as you're told that "aunt flo" will be visiting you every month for the rest of your productive YEARS!
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christmas which was soooo special as a child (a good thing) is now such a chore...cleaning the house for family & friends, while making a zillion course meal as delicious as any "quick-fire winner of top chef" could do.
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this year we'll have a "giveaway" contest to look forward to AFTER Christmas...Yeah!
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ENTER as many times as you can for the best chance to win...
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MANDATORY ENTRY: Enter all (4) things to count as one mandatory entry (if you have them):
(a) enter your etsy shop
(b) enter your blogsite
(c) enter your website
(d) enter your contact (email) info
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EXTRA ENTRIES:
**most of these entries will be based on finding things about other participants & in the end promoting each other's shops, blogs & websites.
**in the beginning, use either my info to create your entries OR FOR MORE FUN...use info from shops, blogs, & websites that are only known to you :D
**try to spreadout your entry info to include as many shops, blogs & websites as possible.
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• go to ANY participant's etsy shop (except mine), and report back with the shop name & 2 items you like from the shop
• go to ANY participants etsy shop (except mine) and add to "your favorites"...report back with the name of shop.
• go to ANY participant's website (except mine) and request a "link exchange"...report back with the name of shop.
• go to ANY participant's blog (including mine) and "follow" them...report back with name of shop.
• go to ANY participant's blog (including mine) and add their blog to your "favorite blog list"..report back with blog site..
• go twitter and tweet about any aspect of ANY participant's etsy shop, blog or website that you liked...report back with link.
• IF you write an entry in your own blog about ANY participant's shop (except mine), that would be worth (3) official entries.
• IF you make a purchase from anyone's shop, you earn (5) official entries.

AGAIN at the start of these "comments" we will be in need of one or two participants to start adding extra entries...here are my mandatory information to start...don't forget that in a pinch or just to add some spice add an ETSY SHOP, A BLOG, or A WEBSITE you like:

• My Etsy Shop http://streetnoodles.etsy.com/
• My Blog http://nineandahalfdesign.blogspot.com/
• My Website http://www.ellenikemotodesign.com/
• Email ellen@ellenikemotodesign.com

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!! ...i will be "super-sizing" the prizes as i did before, BUT will hold off laying-out the criteria until i find out what i have left in my studio :D

"Super-sized" Giveaway Winner

FINALLY! THE WAIT IS OVER!... the winner of my very first giveaway is... KayzKreationz !

So Kay, you have 24 hrs. to answer my email announcement....if after that period I don't hear from you, someone else will be drawn for the winner.

Just so you all know, I had a blast doing this giveaway...reading the responses and being excited everyday that there were people finding my blog & shop and taking the time to participate...thank you all so much.

So in celebration of this celebration I'm adding another layer to this giveaway... any participant who didn't win BUT managed to contribute 5 or more entries will be contacted for mailing info so I can send them a "little-thank-you" prize :D

Happy Holidays to all !

The Super Bowl of Giveaways ! Dec.6th to Dec.12th

i've always wanted to sponser a "giveaway", but always procrastinated saying i wanted a theme or reason for it ... well, it finally happened. this winter i've noticed how the cold has penetrated my bones, how my glasses still can't help focus my vision, and my back looks more like a question mark as i work over my studio table.

I wish i could streamline my body... but instead i'm streamlining my Etsy shop, concentrating on my jewelery design... clearing out my studio bins filled with purses, scarves, cards, and art dolls.

So here are the Rules:

• please make sure to leave separate comment for each entry;
• In your comment, please include contact info & whether you are a multi-entry participant...so i can reach you & know you're eligible for the "SUPER GIVEAWAY".
• Winner of this giveaway will be chosen December 13th;
• Winner has 24 hrs. to answer my email OR new winner will be drawn.

Here's how to enter:

• MANDATORY ENTRY: please visit my Etsy site, Streetnoodles. Look at all of my items and then return here at my blog and let me know 2 pieces you like.
• EXTRA ENTRIES:
• add Streetnoodles as your favorite on Etsy (leave your Etsy user name);
• Follow Streetnoodles on Twitter
• Tweet this giveaway (leave your tweet link);
• Follow my blog
• Post about this giveaway in your blog (leave link, 2 entries);
• Purchase from Streetnoodles and let me know (5 entries).
• Remember to leave your contacts in the comments and leave separate comment for each entry.

***Now the Super-sizing of this giveaway***

The winner of this giveaway will be chosen on Dec. 13th... if they made multiple entries, we will add an additional random item from my studio... so if you won, and in total have 5 entries, you will receive not only the original earrings, but also (4) additional randomly selected items from my studio... which will be selected from handmade scarves, purses, cards, & art dolls.

if you work it right, a large portion of your Christmas list could be filled.

Good Luck !

p.s. for those followers of "made in canarias", if these rules sound a little familiar, it's because i think ave has the best blog for "giveaways"...so organized and well thought out. so i mimicked to a certain extent some of her guidelines...please checkout her blogsite (see my blogroll).

I'm on a New Treasury West !

I normally don't present any of my treasury entries in my blog, BUT i thought i would just mention this one because of the lovely creator of the treasury.

I checked out her blog and was immediately carried away to this violet bellas world...so much creativity & joy in what she's doing. As i've said before i'm fascinated with technology that brings ideas to life...some day i want to have my blog warm & welcoming as this one.

So please visit laura's lovely treasury as well as her blogsite.

New Lockets in my shop

I just love the look of these locket-like pendants. they actually should be called amulets. you remove the top jumpring and you can fill the piece with whatever you like. it allows for fairly thick 3-D objects to be placed inside... i've thought of charms, crytals, secrets...maybe the name of someone you secretly love ? :D

Shhhhhh! a BLOG SALE...20% off !

I pride myself in having great everyday low pricing...BUT between November 23rd & November 30th, i'll be holding a blog sale on everything at my Etsy & 1000Market stores.

Just mention this blog sales notice during the ordering process...usually in the "message to the seller" area. I'll then credit your Paypal account 20% of the purchase.

I Dodged the Bullet... :D

well i dodged the bullet... my in-laws decided to host thanksgiving this year. i don't have to "fake" making a turkey. come to think of it, i don't even like turkey...i'm a chicken or ham gal, maybe even a medium-rare steak fan.

i will be making a sugar-free apple pie and oatmeal cookies and bringing them to the table, not because i want to, BUT because it's my Thanksgiving survival plan.

i don't know why, but my in-laws all know i'm diabetic, BUT they will never make any consession for that "weakness"... in fact they go out of their way to make it harder for me. i don't take it personally though. over the years i've noticed something strange about them... a true phobia against the OLD & SICKLY. may i define this a little clearer... age is not the factor alone, but it is being old and what they perceive as "needy" in any way... needy for financial help, emotional help, physical help... total oblivious to the human condition that very few escape, including themselves. maybe if they "deny" it hard enough the "aging gods" will bypass them.

so until they realize denial is not a fool-proof plan... they will probably be administrators of a "solent green" factory in a future life :D

Scared again!

I'm scared again...going in for some emergency laser eye treatment this early morning...can't sleep.

My eyes tend to bleed at times, nothing ghoulish, just tiny bleeders that leave what the doctors call "spider webs". If you looked at my eye you would not even see it, but looking outward, I do...in normal people they usually disapate & fade away so the vision isn't effected for long, but for some reason (probably due to my diabetes) my bleeders don't act normally & stay & I'll get more bleeders until my eye is filled with these little "spider webs" that float about like thick algae floating through sea water.

It's time like these that I become scared & disgustingly maudlin...trying to think of what I could do if I lost my vision being an artist most of my life...Monet painted well into his blindness...his figures becoming more abstract BUT those amazing colors could not be restrained.

I know I'm no "Monet", but with technology, maybe I could see a bit longer or at least clearer...I hear that fonts can be enlarged :D

I'll try to sleep now...crossing my fingers & toes...knocking on wood.

Peace & Love Market of 1000Markets is wearing it's heart on their sleeves with a great Benefit Auction...

One of my favorite markets at 1000 Markets.com is again dispalying their hearts on their sleeves by sponsoring a Benefit Auction for "A Place to Bark"...an animal rescue facility located in Tennessee.

Bids are being taken Sunday Nov. 8th thru Saturday Nov. 14th at the Peace & Love Market Forums.

Just make a comment with your bid. If you are a member of 1000Markets that's all you need to do...if you are a newcomer & don't want to join at this time, just make your bid and leave your email address so you can be contacted in case you win.

If you are like me... a generous heart BUT with a hole in my pockets right now, consider making a donation, leaving your contact info :D

Wonderful Christmas theme jewelry has been donated and it will be fun to see how high bids will go... Winner will be announced November 15th ! ...Let's come an support the people who listen to the creatures who have no voices.

Some of the talent at "Wear It Out" market at 1000Markets.com

The talented Artisans of the Video (above)

the artisan from "wear it out" market who participated in this video:

headband shoppe, tissage, streetnoodles, tickled pink knits, hyena, storybeader, a stone's throw,
the pila shoppe, silver river metal, moxie and oliver, briana e., vigilante labs

Streetnoodles...October entries...

Cat Lovers or Haters...just in case you missed it...

i had seen this site about a year ago and my immediate response was "LOL"...but as i thought about the fact that my cat, grayson (who looks like the gray cat above) likes to eat his own hair...even likes to consume the "dust bunnies" that i breed to my husband's horror...talk about the HUGE synthetic hair ball he would have to endure!

here is the site if you missed it on the explorer front page: kittywigs.com

Gift Wrapping on the Cheap...a few ideas

One of the best ways to use up scraps of treasured gift wrap is to use what i call the "obi method"...imagine a plain unadorned gift box and add two different but compatible (complimentary in colors, similar decorative elements in both) decorative papers. i chose 2 graphic papers, both have a metallic gold that runs thru and the red & purple are from the same color family. my theory is that we all have a sense of style and we tend to pick items that just seem to go together.

once i figured this out, i stopped buying anymore papers...okay, maybe ONE extraordinary one once a year, only on a close-out sale tho :) ...my goal is to use up all my papers...that should take me 5-10 years!!!

the second & third pics, show two ideas for tags that are fun. the one in the middle are from japanese playing cards called "hana". they are beautifully made and already have unique pictures you can leave for the tags...but if you like you can replace the pics with your own...i've even used these cards for creative business cards since the opposite side is pure black. i've made little labels or in one case i actually hand wrote my business info. in white ink. you can usually find them on line or if there is a "japantown" where you live, checkout their gift shops.

the bottom pic, you can use any pics you have...xerox them, glue to card stock and cut into tags...here i used my prized "official beatles fan club cards" from the 60's.

i collect different papers, images, old stamps, graphic designs, beads, charms...i even have collected the plastic faux grass-like foliage that you find in take-out sushi bento boxes (you just never know :)

the above is just a small sampling of what you can do with the collectable scraps you have...on a simple kraft gift box is one of those gold-leaf sheets the chinese like to burn as offerings on special occassions (you can find them in your local "chinatown")...over that is a transparent sheet of paper i got at a stationery store, i like it for it's dreamy quality...i've used a paper punch to make cut outs displaying the different layers...added a portrait of a pretty lady. you can use your rubber stamps on the transparent paper to add more design, convey a message, or just leave it simple like i did.

i get all sorts of things in the mail for free that promotes this & that. lately i've been getting fake credit cards that i think is such an "icon" of our civilization...so i've used it here as the main focal point to a small jewelry gift box...but it could also be used as a gift tag.

i also like getting the "publisher's clearing house" stuff...i like to use the colorful magazine stamps on my tags and as part or all of my gift wrapping.

Big Mouth Bass at His Full Potential...

Chantal, GPS...and the "Panel"

the above shoe art is from a young artist (marina dempster) who probably wasn't even born when the fresno feminist art experiment came about, but i think she may have benefitted by it's subsequent movement.

after my participation in the gallery 25 show (an off-shoot of the feminist experiment..35 yrs later), i was able to get in contact with another founding member & friend, chantal gadd trauner, a very talented painter. we arranged to meet at my house to catch up with our lives (hers in georgia & mine here in california) as well as to take a short trip to the college, CSUFresno, where it all began to listen to a few speakers from the first wave of the feminist art program, that judy chicago brought to life.

i had long since had quit driving due to health issues and she volunteered to drive. admitting that she wasn't the best of drivers & horrible with directions...so of course her son provided her with a rental with GPS...and of course with a female voice with a british accent :) ...which we quickly infuriated with our own instilled creative directions at times.

we only heard 2 speakers; suzanne lacy, more of a conceptual artist w/ great talent in organizing & documenting large communities of people...she was a bit dry in her presentation. the other speaker, faith wilding, was so natural & charming in the lecture hall and disarmed us with her sense of humor towards that era that we had come to see a glimpse of.

after lunch, chantal & i went to a rather disappointing panel discussion consisting of quite a few of the original 1st wave (fresno-cal arts) group and a couple of additions i wondered about....one a neophyte organizer who was tripping over her tail between her legs, basking in all the "glorious women" around her; and a well deserved woman from the 2nd wave of feminist art group who i questioned only because there was a long under-appreciated professor who continued the feminist art program for 20+ years after judy chicago & rita yokoi left it, who was sitting in the audience.

after a short while, both chantal & i realized that this so-called panel discussion was just a "self-love fest" of the original group...even the questions were from the panelist themselves...only allowing questions from the audience when the group realized the "disconnect" between them & the audience. the speaker only holding general short commentary on questions that reflected a contrary opinion or an acknowledgement to others beyond the original group, who played a huge part to carrying on the energy of the feminist art movement and also helped to pull off the multi-venue & events around campus & the community that they were invited to.

as you can tell i'm a little mad...years ago when camille paglia came onto the scene & questioned the feminist norms, questioned the liberal media, hell just questiioned everything...i for one applauded her. i remember watching a panel of some heavy hitters in the feminist movement at that time...betty friedan & gloria steinem to name a couple...and a young enthusiastic woman in a non-confrontational way brought up the writings of paglia and asked a question about what they felt about it. all of the panelist down-graded paglia, spewed their own aged propoganda...it was if, they all "drank the same kool-aid". i was appalled that they, some of the most influencial women of our times could not see or make room for another opinion other than their own...their own ideas that had narrowed with age, with comfort, with a whole life & lucrative careers based on their stale idioms.

though not on the same international level...these panelist were suffering the same narrowing of opinions & thoughts. i guess it is true, that the glory of the revolutionist is that they will enviably become irrelevent AND that the new revolutionist to follow will need to remember their history BUT NEVER be afraid to question & disguard.