Murakami and Little Tokyo

So I decided to wander down to MOCA to check out the Murakami exhibit and he really has perfected creating art as well as saturating the pop culture market. He is doing everything, work on canvas, amazing sculptures, animation, videos with Kanye West, collaboration with Marc Jacobs canvases and bags, t-shirts, books, mugs, key chains, buttons, and toys.

I bought a book on Murakami on my first visit to LA at an art book store and just fell in love with the bright colors mixed with some more evil undertones. I was tempted by some of the toys and books in the store but decided to wander across the street to Little Tokyo to buy some snacks, my favorite rice seasoning, and some little things that will later become jewelry.

Anyway it was nice to wander around by myself for a change with no agenda but now I must do some work!

By the way I am on Vacation

I am on vacation from my full-time job so I am busy planning for the new year! I am reading Craft Inc. right now trying to get some pointers for my beloved jewelry line. I am also reading Open Studio. I got a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble from my Dad so I will be there soon because vacation time means I get to read, wander online, make jewelry, sketch jewelry, snowboard.
I am also going to actually make it to MOCA to see the Murakami exhibit. I have been planning to go since it opened.
I redecorated my room some trying to make it more inspiring since I work and sleep in the same room. These are the sacrifices I make to live in sunny, warm Los Angeles.

Front Page on Etsy!!

I got on Etsy today and saw my flapper ring on the front page! So fun...now I have to get back to my bench to finish a few orders.

Trying to Get Treasuries on Etsy

I discovered the poster sketch tool and made one for decorating the walls! I have been into decorating lately. I got some new things for my room yesterday and just love wandering through etsy to see what other wonderful artists are making!

Picture Frame

So they sell these wonderful wood frames to paint at craft stores and for Christmas I thought I would make some for my family.

This one was my first one and I like it a lot. So maybe I will paint canvases and frames in the new year.

Crochet, Paint, Jewelry

So I tried to make some of my handmade gifts this year and not everyone got jewelry. The necklace I made as an order for a friend from college and I just love it hopefully in the next week I will make some variations that I will love just as much.

I also decided to crochet again and made some hats and scarves. I made 3 more scarves but didn't take pictures. Maybe I will sell some scarves online in the future who knows.

I also painted some picture frames for family and will post some of those photos soon.

I had a wonderful Christmas and am thankful for everything and everyone I have! Although for some reason I am sick again. I think I may go see a doctor this week to see why I am getting sick so much!

Now Available in Philly

So I am excited to say my rings are available in Philly now at this great new store that opened up at 5009 Baltimore Ave in West Philly. Next time I make it back east I will definitely stop in it looks like such a wonderful space and you can get lots of wonderful unique items here at VIX

Other than that some Christmas presents I have ordered for my family and friends have arrived and I must start wrapping. I bought everything handmade this year and I must say people are getting some great gifts!! I want to paint some more small paintings I did one today for my friend Lynn's birthday and I like it a lot. I ordered some new craft business books because I want the new year to be even better than this year!

Working on banners and jewelry

Trying to come up with something for CCCOE and finish some presents and orders....

Time to Clean

So I managed to get all my custom holiday orders out and got my first shipment out to VIX Emporium in Philly a great new store that opened up! So now I have to clean up the tornado that has taken over my room.
You can see the mess of my bench that I am trying to make all those items into rings. I had to actually take out the bottom shelf because I am an old lady and my back has been hurting from bending over my bench pin sawing circles.
You can see my new mini tumbler that makes everything shiny and clean and then I satin is or brush it to make it dull again. Notice the medicine next too, trying to fight off this cold that would not go away.
Now I am wishing for a circle cutter tool in the new year along with a dapping set so I can make even more rings!!!
Also check out the new CCCOE blog. I am working on it with another wonderful Etsy artist Corline of mommy and me.
That's it I'm off to clean before I go out for tonight!

First trip of the Season

I got to head up to Mountain High today with some friends and it was fun. It was actually cold because they were blowing snow all day. We get spoiled down here since it's never really cold. Anyway it was fun and my ankle was actually less sore. Tomorrow I will be back at the bench working on some orders for the holidays.

Busy Bee

So this week I caught a cold no fun being stuck in bed! But now I am back at the bench and I made this new resin ring that I am just loving. Daphne was in town from NYC so I had a very busy weekend for being sick show at the Roxy, art show, and fashion show. I had my busiest week on etsy yet, and lots of holiday orders rolling in. More retail locations are in the works for the next few months so I am going to be glued to my bench when I am not working downtown.

I got to check out two bead stores near my house that I never got a chance to check out and got lots of fun charms and some beads to make rings with.

I was supposed to go snowboarding today but decided that I should let myself get better first. So next weekend I will take a break from the bench and go to Mountain High for some fun in the snow.

I also finally got to meet up with my friend Jackie this morning for a breakfast at Bloom on Pico, where I had a great breakfast.