Glorious Atomic Bazaar! Glorious weekend!

I had an art show in Sarasota this weekend called Atomic Bazaar. I got the privilege to stay with my friend Chip and bring my friend Lindsey to help me. I express HOW imperative it was to have a weekend away from Orlando. It was good for my soul, my heart, and my business.

I have the best friends ever. I really really appreciate the two of you so much. I appreciate all the amazing people i met at the show. [[I'll post another post about all of them!!]]

Let's just say i was really blessed. I had amazing encouragement, more sales then i realized, and lots of love from friends and strangers. I hope you all get the chance MANY MANY TIMES to feel the love i have felt. I really do.

Blessings to all of you.
Jenipher

One Year Ago this week.... Califonia Roll IRL!

How the crap has a year flown by SO fast?

This week, one year ago, i was in California. My life was upside down. I got accepted to Renegade. I was seeing my best friend i hadn't seen in years. Did i mention my life was upside down?

Renegade was super amazing. I shared a booth with Andrea, who is so talented, and friendly!

I had sushi at the bar of a place Sean frequented, so we got loads of free [scary] things to try. I tried [successfully] using chop stix. [and failed.]

Brian drove me all around, ate cupcakes, brought me to Ralph's [who makes the BEST cherry jam] cracked an egg with one hand. drove like a maniac. :) and made fun of me on his podcast.

Twas a lovely trip indeed.
I only have one real disappointment....

The California rolls are better in Orlando. :]

Are you going on any fun trips this summer?
Mucho love to you,
Jenipher

Lovely Sparrows of Paper

Tuesday night i hung out with this talented lady. Andrea from Paper Sparrow. She makes awseome illistrations, and collages mostly, but dabbles in a few other genres as well. :)



I love this picture of her!! :)



I'm so stoked to have someone to bounce ideas off it, and to understand what it's like to try and make it as a working artist. Andrea and I have some great ideas in the works! Stay Tuned!



In the mean time...check out her Etsy shop!

Paper Bead Making!!

I was inspired by a blog post i read at "A Story Book Life". Pearl posted about an artist named Helen who made her own paper beads. The images were so gorgeous and the idea seemed so simple yet so beautiful.



So i gathered some of my fun artsy friends, and let the bead making start!



The ink in the newspaper actually stains your nails, so beware! :D



Step #1 – Rip up newspaper into small pieces

Step #2 – Put the pieces of newspaper in a large stock pot

Step #3 – Pour enough boiling water over the paper to cover

Step #4 – Allow to sit for an hour or so

Step #5 – Stir the paper to help break it down a bit

Step #6 – Drain as much water out of the paper as you can

Step #7 – Add enough glue to the paper to help it hold together in a ball shape (any glue that is clear when dry – such as Elmer’s, or PVA)



Step #8 – Roll the paper into round balls being sure to squeeze out as much moisture as you can while rolling (you can make any size you would like)

Step #9 – Let them dry for a few days – rolling them every several hours – until they are completely dry



Georgia and Carissa are stellar-ly talented ladies!! They are inspirations to me and i know they will inspire you too! Check out their crafty blogs.



This project was super cheap and super fun!! I highly recomend it!! I can't wait to make more myself.

Smiles and Blessings Ya'll!
Jenipher

PS: TBC....PAINTING THE BEADS!

Hello Rollin's College....

I just participated in a small art show at a local college called Rollins College.

It was about 15 or so vendors in the "quad" of the campus. The turn out was actually much better then i expected, there were so many really nice artists/vendors there, and i sold much more then i anticipated i would.

I can't wait to participate in another one! :D



This is Olen. He has a company called "It's Apples". He makes home made apples dipped in an array of collaborations. My FAVORITE is the Apple Pie apple; which is incased in cinnamon, sugar, carmel, and some other goodies.







Amy makes some of the cutest clay pendants and pieces! I wish i had a better close up of her work. She has a collaborative Etsy shop with her friends called "The Pottery Syndicate".





I did NOT want to share this Reeces cupcake! :D





Terry makes some of the most scrumptious cupcakes i've ever eaten! YUM! I wish she had a shop online so i could send you her way. Her business is called "Serendipity Sweets", and she has a large assortment of moist, lovely little cupcakes.



Donna from Chateau Confections had so many types of rich dark chocolate bark. I tried the Peppermint one [i approve!], but i wish she had samples of the "Cherry Bombshell"! Maraschino cherries and bourbon encased in dark creamy chocolate. It sounds heavenly!

She had am amazing spirit and smile to boot. This lovely women is going to far! :D



Michelle was the best booth neighbor. She was friendly, and up beat, and had lots of things on her table that Camilo would like. :D She sells mostly at comic book conventions, but had some fun rings, and hand made [ducks] too.

All in all, it was a pretty rad show. Thanks for inviting me Brendan! I am looking forward to the next one. :)

Happy Sunday Ya'll!

Smiles and Blessings,
Jenipher

Wake Up In Glitter!!

I met Kathy aka Crafty Chika at a Michael's Craft Convention last year [walked around for 10 hours on crutches!]. When i sat down to rest, she down next to me and was twittering, so OF COURSE i had to tweet that i was tweeting next to the Crafty Chika.

She added me on twitter and we've been twitter friends ever since. I've always admired her work, but since getting to know her through her blog and tweets [and the fact that she replies to messages] is absolutely stellar. She is such a lovely, talented, creative person, and if you don't know her work yet, i know you'll love it!



She concurs every craft imaginable and always has another craft up her sleeve...so when i found out she was writing a novel, i was hooked! "Waking in the Land of Glitter" has just been published, and i am waiting eagerly to receive and read my copy of the book!

In the mean time..please head over to her website, check out her work, say hello via twitter and just generally enjoy her talents. :D



Below are some of the snazzy comments people have to say about her new novel. But "don't take my word for it", go read it yourself! Tell me what you think!! :D [Tell Kathy too!}

STAY TUNED FOR A CHANCE TO WIN KATHY'S NEW BOOK "WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER"!! :D






"A fun read about stumbling into love, honoring friendship, and celebrating the power of craft. Full of good cheer!" (Kate Jacobs, New York Times bestselling author of The Friday Night Knitting Club )

"Every word in this hilarious, fun read sparkles. Kathy Cano-Murillo is certainly an author to watch. I woke up in the land of happy reading!" (Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author )

"Waking Up in the Land of Glitter is wildly addictive! Funny, sweet, and slyly wicked, it draws you in so deeply that you're not even remotely mad you've spent the night on the couch, reading, and missed all of your shows on Bravo." (Laurie Notaro, New York Times bestselling author )

"Kathy Cano-Murillo is an amazing storyteller--her narrative is as bejeweled as her crafty creations!" (Alberto Ferreras, author of B as in Beauty )

"Kathy's novel dazzles! Through Ofie's purity of heart, Chloe's emotional transformation and Star's awakening to the shine that was always there, Waking Up in the Land of Glitter weaves a story of friendship, trust and self-discovery. Whether you're a painter, crocheter, sewer or have nary the crafty bone in your body you'll leave reading this book with the feeling that creativity is key, but love conquers all! A must-read for crafty women of all generations!" (Vickie Howell, host of DIY Network's Knitty Gritty and author of Pop Goes Crochet )

"Who knew that glitter really does make the world a better place? Kathy's book is creative, inspirational and empowering, just like she is. I couldn't put it down!" (Terri O, TV Personality, Spokesperson, Craft Expert www.terriocraftprojects.com )

Girls Art Day!

Some lovely craft lady folk came over last weekend to have a crafting day! Twas quite fun. We had delicious food, painted and a had a relaxing Saturday.





We decided to have a painting exchange. We all started a piece and then switched and switched until all 5 of helped create the final painting. It was a really cool idea and i hope we get to do it again soon!



We all set up shop in my stellar bed room and crafted for hours, listened to some good tunes, ate junk food and chatted.





We are at a really yummy organic, vegan, cafe in Orlando called Dandelion. Seriously! They have AMAZING food. I've never had a bad meal there. :D





A perdy image of our friend Amanda at Starbucks.



Playing "pass the painting" is actually a pretty neat activity. Highly recommended. :D It's really hard to start a piece of art and then ship it off to someone to finish. But it's good healthy challenge, i'd love to do again.

All and all it was a perdy stellar day. A day we're going to have MORE often right ladies? Like every month!!! :D [i hope!]

Talented Artists + Baked Goods = Fun Art Market!

Jess from Son of a Gun had a really fun little market today called Colonial Market. I met some amazing, talented girls, had a fun time with my friend Stephanie and introduced Cherry Runway to some lovely folks. :)



Setting up my table is becoming more fun which is a lovely thing indeed! Alas, my table needs a total refresher course, if you have any ideas please let me know! :)



Christina and I were foot twins..only her injury made mine look like a silly accident. Goodness..i hope you heal soon Christina!



Sara from Lily Flys Garden makes really fun jewelry for such affordable prices. I bought a sweet little headband from her too!

Stephanie from Polka Dots and Daisies Bakery
makes such amazing cakes and treats! Her cupcake pops were incredible and so tasty!



Teresa makes really sweet greeting cards, mustache pops, and jewelry!



Miranda had pretty jewelry, paintings and yummy sweets!



Mmm...Miranda made this delicious pineapple cupcake, with a real pineapple slice and strudel on top. :)



Christina from Feather Head makes really cute barrettes with her friend Aaryn!



Alyson from Design du Jour makes adorable purses and flower hair clips.



Stephanie is super awesome, and woke up SUPER early to come to my house at 6am to get to the show.

I had a really great afternoon, and hope I get the privilege to see all these amazing ladies again. I am SO game for a craft day! Let me know when you're interested in having one! :)

Creative Endevors..

“With each project I begin I’m reminded of the importance of listening, of appreciating and taking advantage of all the creative, dynamic and wonderfully bizarre people in my life. And like any good listener, I know it’s my duty to share this wealth of influence with others. “ - Ashley Olsen via Jeremy.



The worlds getting in the way of my blogging and creativity again..but I'm so inspired right now by others it's ridiculous! Here's my crafty and exciting goals for right now...

* Make shrinky dinks with friends tonight!

* Work on my etsy and new jewels tomorrow morning with a friend at Panera.

* Have a crafty evening inspired by Rachel's creative journal class on Saturday with a my friend Nikki.

* Meet up with a bunch of crafty local artists on Monday night!

PS: Does anyone know how to make the font on blogspot pretty colors? I saw it done before on another blog but don't know how.