Caught in the Stages of Denial

This is just a quick note to say that earlier this morning, i was informed my older brother of only a year, had died in his sleep the day before...i've tried to wrap my mind around this, BUT just can't. In true CSI fanatical fashion, i won't believe it till i see the body, read the autopsy...even then i know he can't be...dead.

Spectacular End of the Year...Easy-Breezy Giveaway!!

I've been meaning to have a giveaway long before this time so everyone could relax for most of the holidays and have a little something extra to look forward to...a SURPRISE to add a little spice to our lives.

But life got in the way and I forgot and so many things are lumming...Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year AND tax time !!! ...So to lighten the load for all of US, I decided to have an Easy-Breezy Giveaway... as trouble free as I can make it for all involved.

I'm not sure if the younger generation had these, but when I was a kid the local drugstore every year around Christmas would have a big bin of "grab bags" for sale...No one knew what was in the bags...but it was always of more value than the price of the bag and all the proceeds went to a local charity. The bags were beautifully wrapped & were a clear temptation for all us kids & visually stimulated adults with child-like dreams..."what could be in the bags??"...mom would let us all buy one, but we had to put it under the tree till Christmas, adding to the "mystique".

IMPORTANT POINTS:

This Giveaway will run thru DECEMBER 15th...giving me time to mail everything out before Christmas.

Participants can only enter ONCE, this way everyone will have an equal chance to win..I would prefer you enter by following me on my blog & reporting back, BUT another way to enter is to go to my Etsy shop and pick one item you like & report back under comments...don't forget your email so I can contact you if you win.

blog: http://nineandahalfdesign.blogspot.com
etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/streetnoodles


There will be MULTIPLE winners since I will be reducing my inventory in bundles worth $50-$75+ each.

I would prefer to keep the participants domestic so deliveries should reach you before Christmas, BUT if any international client wants to participate, please know that your prize will contain smaller items (probably jewelry or cards) to keep the mailing cost down...and please know there is no way I can guarantee a before Christmas delivery.

So GOOD LUCK to all...I hope this simple giveaway will add to your child-like wonder and yet be easy on your adult duties over the holidays :D

I'm Ashamed for Many Things, BUT Not For Presenting This Extraordinary Contemporary Folk Art Dollmaker Duo

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My confession to being ashamed is for not acquiring permission to present this slide presentation from "Cart Before the Horse", a remarkable art doll shop at Etsy. I had noticed their shop and their increditable creations months ago...i even convoed them for permission to use their images, but was unable to make contact of any kind.

I only hope that they will understand my selfish motivation to introduce them to my readers & followers. They have done an extraordinary thing in connecting their doll images to our feelings, our common history, our connectiveness instead of our differences. Historical touchstones are referenced, but there seems to be subtle new references, a sense of humor with every stitch, and a dry wit at times.

Dylan & Jo are the creative force behind this charming shop, a modern "mom & pop" collaboration . Each doll is individually sewn, drawn & painted. They usually come as limited editions of 25. Pieces are signed, numbered, and dated by the artists themselves, Dylan & Jo.

Along with a charming variety of art dolls, Dylan & Jo also have very affordable quilt pattern kits of their own creation & style... which I can only guess is an off-shoot of their instructional FREE blog articles that walk you through some of the most delightful craft projects... see their blog; http://thecartbeforethehorse.blogspot.com

My favorite new Fall TV series...Terriers

Donal Loque and Michael Raymond-James are the stars of this series about two buddies who due to a series of strange circumstances become "unofficial" (no license) private eyes. Donal is a disgraced "clean" alcoholic ex-cop doing whatever odd jobs to survive...Michael is talented ex-thief who has become tight friends with Donal helping him with whatever odd jobs arise...they drive an old pick-up that has the faded name of the previous owners' business painted on it's side...in a depressed ocean side community.

You've probably recognize the actors' faces...great contemporary character actors have that great distinction to be recognized BUT not quite really. I've seen Donal over the years in comedies, dramas, & vampire films & have had a crush on him for years...with Michael i recognize him, "but not really":D

What makes this my favorite new Fall series is the acting & writing, BUT i really like the maturity of the producers to not expect instantaneous bravado or recognition of the characters, BUT to show a slow burlesque-like tease of each character introduced from Donal's stressed out old cop partner trying to quit smoking by chewing & inhaling thru an endless supply of nicotine filter tips and Michael's relationship with a gorgeous vet student, who he burglarized & fell in love with on the spot (unbeknowst to her)...add the only dog in the mix, a stout & loveable english bulldog.

There is one more thing i have to mention... more of a prediction really about Michael Raymond-James...my husband thinks i'm crazy, BUT this is my thought....remember "Thelma & Louise" and the monumental appearance of a young Brad Pitt introduced as a charismatic convenience store robber...so polite & charming. I get the same vibe from Michael's character in this series...a comical, zany, polite, sweet, charming & sexy "outlaw".

Whatever it is...i hope you will at least watch it once or TIVO it & watch it at your leisure...would like to hear what you think.

Conclusion: Facebook is like an abusive boyfriend...that your parents like!

This is dedicated to Erica who made a comment on the previous "Facebook entry"... my opinions are my own, and based on a 7 hour bout with Facebook trying to get my fan page up and running.

Facebook is like an abusive boyfriend that your parents like... everyone told me i should have a fan page with Facebook, even though i told them i didn't trust them, found them confusing & hard to deal with...following the "rules" they set, and yet with every inelegant programers' frustrated "loops" & turns there was an obvious intent to make me feel stupid and inadequate..HEY, i'm a college graduate, went to grad school, got my masters...BUT i'm suppose to find a microscopic phrase or single word that is inherently frought with "misdirection".

"4Q" you Facebook! ... no Faceless, mega entity, hiding in the darkness of annonimity is worth 7 hours of my time...unfortunately you've got the general public ("the parents") bamboozled...so sorry Erica...i did get my fan page up, BUT I HAVE NO IDEA HOW I DID IT! ...my only hope in some alternate universe, all of us abused victims will gather mattresses around the faceless Facebook building & burn it down...using self-defense due to post-traumatic stress as our defense.

Facebook...devil or angel??

this is just a short blurb for me about my confession that Facebook is a total mystery to me...i HATE IT, yet i keep returning to it because i know it must have mystical powers i should be tapping into...i just don't have the magic sword or key or "portal" that will allow me to navigate without getting lost and frustrated beyond belief.

there is a wonderful blog called "I dreamed I saw"...if you see it you'll see how special it is...visually & content-wise. It was developed & designed by an amazing branding & website design/ development group, www.houseoftearsdesign.com . at a blissful time a few months ago i was under the delusion that i could make enough in sales to employ them to help me shape my empire...but alas, the sales have slowed and I had to tell Kirk, the rep there, that I couldn't afford their services. I guess we hit it off, because he spent a little longer on the phone telling me some good "free" advice of what i could do for myself...the first being, to create a Facebook fan page for my business.

so in honor of kirk's patience & generousity... i plan to dedicate a few hours daily to conquer my fear of Facebook! ...let the challenge begin!

JunqueGypsy @ Etsy.com

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My blog followers will attest that this is the first time I've ever done a promotional write-up for a vintage shop. When you see Leonda's shop, JunqueGypsy, you may also ask "why?"...a few pics are a little dark & some blurry, and the items aren't "staged" like Etsy might like them to in the "Etsy-way"...BUT if you look at the items themselves you'll see the quirky, eccentric, fun nostalgic mix you get from her shop and the passion that this woman gives in her collection...my video doesn't do it justice.

It all started 30 years ago when Leonda first "absconded" (nice way to say, ripped off, stole, took without permission) with a wide collar swing 50's classic black "Donnybrook Original" coat from the high school drama department.

Since then over a dozen different countries, the thrill of the "hunt" and "discovery" is the same from a foreign bazaar or a local flea market. Her fondest "hunt" was a local dumpster diving incident with a friend holding her by her ankles as she braved filth, disease & dignity for an antique watering can.

The entrepreneur side has always been there since childhood. Her grandparents, Mammaw & Pappaw, were true Kentucky hill people. She remembers their house always nice & tidy, but on closer inspection, all the knick knacks & such had price tags on. People would come by regularly and have private shopping tours...and on weekends, they set up a table at the local flea market.

Before she opened her Etsy shop, Leonda had accumulated a huge collection of stuffed animal toys, but when her husband complained to "get rid of those typhoid toys" she immediately placed in a trunk in the basement and 30 years later after a career in teaching, she rediscovered them and also rediscovered herself & her passion in a "vintage" business. When in her first antique show, a woman ran up and grabbed one of the stuffed animals, squealing, "Billy! It's Billy". Turns out her mother had thrown her favorite stuffed friend out decades ago.

Not only is Leonda having fun digging out her vintage wares, researching the history, and on occasion, hearing "the rest of the story" from their purchasers...BUT she is part of a cherished few who DON'T think that Wal Mart or the urban mall are all that great. In a society where we don't think twice about throwing away "stuff"...or people. It's nice to know there are people who value things for their iconic beauty & their personal history to people

Please visit the JunqueGypsy and have fun remembering :D

Would you believe...a free full length video as a "Cracker Jack" surprise!

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This is what you get if you make an ungodly amount of "free" 30-second videos... a free full-length video. i actually could have used up to 3 minutes worth of time...but i just lost count of the number of pics i was downloading from my files :D

It's not going to win any awards BUT i love it anyway :D ...i hope you'll all enjoy.

daisical... handmade nature & vintage inspired jewelry

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Brittany is the energy & style behind this relatively new shop at Etsy (just over a year old)... i say this because since finding her shop thru her blog, i've been so impressed with her style AND "styling" of her shop & blog. Beautiful & professional presentation, yet an obvious warm human factor, making all her work so approachable & wearable.

please visit & spread the word about Brittany's shop & blog:

shop... http://www.etsy.com/shop/daisical

blog... http://prettylittlevintage.blogspot.com/

A Beautiful New Blog I'm Following...

just a quick announcement about a wonderful little new blog that i'm following:

http://prettylittlevintage.blogspot.com/

brittany who started the blog also is a fellow Etsian and has a lovely shop there:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/daisical

brittany has graciously invited me to be her first Etsy interviewee and i'm so honored i could spit :D Get comfortable...get some popcorn...it's long like one of my story-telling sessions here.

Fidana...unique, high quality, handcrafted jewelry

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The unusual shop name comes from a combination of the owners' name, Hana, and her beloved yellow Lab puppy, Fido.

Hana who came from the Czech Republic found her way to America when after graduating with her Masters in Pharmacy wanted to travel to the US then settledown back home....BUT as we all know about "the best laid plans"...she met her future husband here and now calls this "home". She works at Apple currently...don't get me started here....I'm still trying to figure out how to ask her if she gets store discounts for the iPhone & iPad....but then I realize that I'm still trying to figure out how to use my cell phone!!! I would definitely be a waste of technology : (

Since early childhood, she has been making creative use of her hands & mind through many ways...the sand in shoes, twigs collected in pockets, & pretty pebbles hidden under pillows.

It was about 7 years ago that she picked up wire into her hands for the express purpose of making jewelry. Since then she has strived to perfect her craft and to specialize in unique, high quality handcrafted jewelry. She focuses on detail and infusing her own style to each piece as well as using the best quality natural stones & materials.

Checkout her website: http://www.fidana.com

and Blog which is brand new: http://www.fidana.wordpress.com

Etsy shop: http://etsy.com/shop/fidana

ElenaMarySiff...collage & assemblage artist @ Etsy

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I first met Elena as the energetic manager of more 1000 Market groups than was (i thought) humanly possible. I became a fan when we both had dealings with another 1K individual, who shall remain nameless, who basically pissed us off.

I guess "fan" does not quite explain it...more like "goddess"! I know in any venue group, it is usually against some unimpeachable rule that you can't say anything bad about anyone else...even though they were raised by wolves and hurt people right & left, we can't righteously react to them. Where did being an online artist/designer equate to losing your moral compass & BALLS???

Before I blurt out the secret...I'll move on to Elena's work which is as dynamic as she is. Here are a few of her sites & sites she's vested in:

Etsy shop... http://www.etsy.com/shop/elenamary

Elena's personal website... http://www.elenamarysiff.com/

Blog: featuring Etsy artists who are members of the "making change" etsy team, concerned with political,environmental & social agenda... http://artofmakingchange.blogspot.com

This group is also opening a store at 18th St.Art Center for 3 months... http://18thstreet.org/events/making-change-elena-siff

She has also created custom books for birthdays, graduations, and any special occassion...see examples: http://www.vampandtramp.com/finepress/elena-mary-siff.html

Face Book page: http://www.facebook.com/ElenaMarySiff

Noah Erenberg...extraordinary abstract artist

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Noah Erenberg is the son of Elena Mary Siff who has grown to be a fine abstract artist in his own right. His obvious talent being inspired and nurturned by family & friends.

Asked what his favorite colors are...the straight forward answers are red, blue, pink. When asked what "art" means to him, he says it makes him feel wonderful & happy he's an artist. He does his work outside...being directly inspired by the neighborhood, trees, ocen, surf.

He was invited to join an international exhibition of visionary art called, "Internal Guidance Systems" which traveled the world from 2006-2008.

His art is featured in a new book titled, "Drawing Autism" by Jill Mullen, Mark Batty Press, NYC http://markbattypublishers.com/books/drawingautism

Also see more of his work on a website he shares with his mother: http://elenamarysiff.com/noah/index.html

My "Bird & Butterfly" additions...

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Axels Castle...lovely vintage inspired jewelry

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Sorry for my language BUT hell I just don't know why this Etsian isn't selling her jewelry by the truck load.... and just as I was going to blow a gasget I read her convo to me that she confessed she was the worst at any kind of self-promotion of her jewelry...thus her esquisite shop remains "obscure".

OMG, I've seen inferior pieces from shops who charge twice as much for less quality, style & "panache"...if this artist isn't placed under your Etsy favorites at least I'm going to spit ...and you don't want that.... spittel on monitors and keyboards is just so messy.

PLEASE check out her jewelry shop, Axel Castle, and also her very successful supply shop, Blueladore.

Coty Lee @ Etsy...handmade ooak women's apparel

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Coty Lee is a self-taught seamtress & designer. She started her clothing line in 2007. Passionate about her work using new & recycled fabrics, stretchy cottons a particular favorite of hers, the recycled finds find its way organically into her designs as she goes thru her reconstruction phase.

What caught my eye was that her designs are simple silohettes & so wearable & comfortable ...PLUS i love, luv, lov the return of the "dress" WITH POCKETS no less. What can I say, I've never been a fan of purses, just for purse sake, when a pocket can hold the essentials... ID, credit card & folding money (just in case)...okay, maybe "tic-tacs" & lip gloss too.

I've always wondered what the BIG BAG said about a girl.... "my right shouldar is 1 inch lower than my left", "guess what I have at the bottom of my purse; spare diapers or petrified pieces of doggie doo-doo?", "take me home, I have my toothbrush & hair dryer with me"..."please, don't notice I'm homeless".

Sorry...(back to Coty Lee's shop)... her dresses seem to have a simple silohette BUT then you see some interesting darting, or blocking, and buttons that draw your eyes like a well practiced magician's act to appealing focal points.

If you're lucky enough to live in the area, she sells at the "Honey Pot" @ 86 Lexington Ave. in downtown Asheville, NC.

Fluxplay...wonderful flow of methods & technique

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Maria Whetman's online presence was first introduced to me thru the wonderful "carrotbox" blog quite a while back. I recently rediscovered it when i saw her Etsy shop under my "favorite listing"...talk about "a mind is a terrible thing to waste"...mine in particular :D

Maria has 22 years experience as an art-jeweller & metalsmith as well as being a well qualified teacher & lecturer.

She has always admired the designs & colors of many printed steel biscuit tins, tea caddy's, olive oil cans, and using these recycled tins along with silver, copper, brass & steel; she'll combine traditional silversmithing & jewellery techniques with mixed-media & non-traditional approaches to make one-of-a-kin & limited edition handmade jewellery.

Want to see more of Maria's work?:

BLOG: http://www.fluxplay.blogspot.com

WEBSITE: http://www.fluxplay.co.uk

FLICKR: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fluxplay/

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/FluxplayJewellery

UK HANDMADE COMMUNITY: http://ukhandmade.ning.com

Steel Magnolia (my fav!)... BUT OMG, I must step away from YouTube

A Bygone Memory of My College Days...plus I still love the song

Bethenny Getting Married?...exchanging one addiction for another

I know a couple of weeks ago I proudly confessed that I was a "Housewives of New York" junkie. I also know that there are those who love the Orange County original wives over the New York & those who can't live without the Jersey wives or the Atlanta group...and god knows what will happen as the D.C. wives make their debut. BUT I DON'T CARE...I LOVE BETHENNY & JASON!

I was pretty much vested in it only because I loved Bethenny's humor & openess in the "New York wives"...and my OCD came out when I kept on watching the island vacation, 3-part reunion, & the lost NY wives tapes OVER & OVER again...only coming up for air to watch that late night Bravo show ("what's Happening?") ... and just to add (since i'm not vested in the Jersey wives), the live performance of Danielle, tho coming out of left gay field...was very good to excellent (she has a good voice without the help of recording "magic")...I just wish I didn't have this idea in the back of my head that she looks more & more like a transvestite as she gets lost in cosmetic surgery.

Back to Bethenny's new show...I finally hit the crossroads of fan to possible fanatic when the "perfect man" Jason dismisses Bethenny's perfect impression of "Bride-zilla" demanding he help her with the wedding decisions... and his response is "...but honey, the games on".

And though at the time of this blog print, it hasn't been shown BUT in the trailer, it is suggested that Bethenny has to make a decision to pee in a champagne bucket in her wedding dress... I salute her assistant & wedding planner for going WAY BEYOND their job description.

I can't wait to see the next episode!