SuzeBlogz

Absolutely MORE of Everything !

and so...a fabulous weekend at ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING has concluded. I was just too damned tired last night to blog.

I mean...check this out...what a scrumptious looking group of faaaaahbulous women these were

and this is an example of what they learned to make on day 2...a bazillion UTEE techniques plus more beeswax.

 

This is Kate. She's  introducing me.....I felt like I was getting an EMMY or something..it was cool...everyone was rapt with attention...at least I think that's what they were.

 

Students came in their best attire.....

for crying out loud..I wanna shirt with MY name on it !!!...

 

Just kidding.....when I'm done teaching you'll KNOW you Schmoozed with Suze

first up....Instant Art Transferz

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anything goes in my class...even the 'I'll have my lobster with butter please' look

I loved them all...the most enthusiastic group of gals !

 

I brought hundreds of items for them to mold...hid them in 3 big tubs under the table till the moment of the big reveal

but we did have one or two over achievers...ahem....

 

they loved the Cloisonne technique using Ranger Perfect Pearls & the Mosaic Stones stamp from Starving Artist Stamps

 

and "Faux Soldering"

and using UTEE to put a stamped image into a Ranger Memory Frame

we sure as heck melted a lot of UTEE and got some wonderful unexpected effects...like this secret number "25" that's hidden in there...see it?

and in keeping with my kitchen philosophy...I found the perfect use for a frig... cooling UTEE donut necklaces

 

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But, lets talk about the store itself.....everywhere you go you'll find amazing items to either buy or admire

even the bathroom has art in it...pee and see

and the store is FILLED with wonderment

 

I went nuts over all the wire birdhouses. It was like a real estate sale ! Frankly, if I had more room in my already "over crowded with art stuff" house I'd have bought them ALL !!!

 

 

aren't these little black torsos way cool....you can buy them to display your jewelry.

 

and the store sells tons of gorgeous ribbons

 

and trinkets...some of which I'd never seen before

and when the class was over I signed some books and some aprons and we said bye-bye

aaaahhhh....but the day was NOT over

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from there it was on to Kates amazing home

and out to dinner to celebrate her hubbys birthday.

and I got to have all the sushi I could eat and I was a mega happy camper !!!!

then..back to Kates for dessert and a million laughs

and finally...close to midnight, back to the hotel.

I took these with my IPhone...AT NIGHT... and look how cool they are...you just need to hold your hand steady

 

OKAY NOW.....almost The End

so...for those who are wondering where they can buy my products - or ANY product - and don't have a local source. ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING is doing mail order and they have absolutely everything...call them at 978-887-6397.

Ask for Kate...she's the cute one on the right

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Next day we had a family gathering...Now you can see why I'm a tad pooped

My first cousins live in the town next to Kates store....

HELLO FAMILY !!!

I love my cousins...we went to my cousin Anitas house. Her father and my mother were brother & sister

Anita put out a spread of food enough to feed an army

all the most wonderful "Jewish Foods"....

whitefish

 

Kugel

 

Salads, Gefilte Fish, Lox

rugalach

and everyone had IPhones so we exchanged APPs and laughed a lot

 

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Now...it's time to unwind, unpack and RE-Pack for the next event

come and see me at
Shawnee, Kansas, Sept 24/25th

CAN'T WAIT !!!

Absolutely Everything !

In 5 1/2 short driving hours we arrived at

the MOST remarkable store

if you need it....if you want it...if you don't even know what 'IT' is but you have to have it.....this is THE place !

ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING HAS GOT IT. It has Absolutely Everything !

 

Stop drooling...just get your little self up to this fabulous shop in Topsfield, Massachusetts.

tonight I did a 3 hour collage with beeswax class that seemed to be a big hit with everyone....I know this cause they all said so ! All 20 wonderful students

I even taught them how to fuse using a torch instead of a heat gun...that was a BIG hit !

here's some examples of the fun everyone had

 

Melting Ranger Beeswax

 

we loved the Pan Pastels. They look fabulous on wax

 

 

 

 

and then I got to play with something I hadn't tried before

These pens make the coolest little raised beads that dry quickly.

If your store carries them you need to try them/ Way cool fun.

Okay..bedtime....tomorrow is our UTEE class...stay tuned

Off to Boston

well....the bags are packed....the multitude of supplies are too...and The Lenster and I will be off by car bright and early tomorrow morning for our 5+ hour drive to Topsfield, Mass. I'll be teaching this weekend for

ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING !!!!

I'll bring the computer and do my level best to blog about it. I am looking forward to this so much !!!

also...my family (on my mothers side) comes from Boston, so on Sunday we'll see cousins. Very happy !

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but...in the meantime...here's an easy tutorial for those who need that last little bit of encouragement to get out their melting pots and UTEE...

and you know who you are....

1. Pick a stamp, unmounted is easier but it's okay if it's mounted.

2. Melt UTEE in pot. Work on non stick craft sheet.

3. Place Ranger Memory Frame on rubber (don't use a polymer stamp). If it makes you feel better ink the stamp with some clear embossing ink but it's really not necessary.

4. pour melted UTEE right into frame and try not to overfill. These pix are from various classes so that's why you'll see different size frames....

 

let it all harden. Doesn't matter how long its on the rubber. Even after it hardens it will remain warm.

5. Then, peel frame and all off the rubber.

6. dust the UTEE with Perfect Pearls

7,. Squeeze out a bit of my Stickles Glitz Glitter Glue on the surface and rub it in with your finger

Great fun results if you pick a cool textured stamp

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and now some news from ALTERED ARTS MAGAZINE

30% off all of their Download Products

If it downloads or is viewed on the internet, it is on sale!

E-magazines, digital back issues, and collage sheets.

 

Stock up! Sale ends 8-31-10

no coupon necessary

excludes digital magazine subscriptions
and...they're on http://www.facebook.com/alteredarts

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Now go and see what my very clever, very cute, cat loving funny friend Wendy Vecchi did with a pair of false eyelashes....

I'm ripping mine right off my face and heading to the studio !!! Wendy I'll be sending you my weird orange blush, bright magenta eye shadow and super green glittery nail polish because they'll look better on your art than anywhere on me !!!!!

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SPELLBINDERS has announced that many of their new dies have arrived with more coming soon

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and let me conclude with.......

I got so many hilarious emails and posts about yesterdays blog, but surely the funniest came from Wendy in the UK which I just had to re-post because I am still wetting my pants while dribbling from my swollen upper lip....

" OMG how I laughed, you see I went to the Dentist too today, for a check up and clean. What I want to know is how the hell cleaning can be so painful and cause so much blood loss?? He says to me, all seems fine but a few areas are a little loose - I am not friggin surprised, you just shoved the little sharp tooly thing around like you were diggin for diamonds. I am sure he is just making sure there is work for next time around.......geesh was I glad to get out of there. I treated myself to a new shirt and matching scarf for being such a good patient and not screaming while crushing his manly bits which were at hand height as I lay back in his chair wearing a pair of 1960's style sunglasses and a plastic bib!!! Hope your tomorrow is more fun xx"

really...& how did YOUR day go ?

I would rather suck my big toe than have to go to the dentist.

There, I've said it !

give me a mammogram...squish the girls....much easier than going to the dentist.

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The bottom teeth are now hopefully okay.

They were nearly done in after I chewed on a Viactive Calcium chew

and pulled off an old cap, only to discover that the tooth next to that one was equally, if not in worse shape, than the Viactive one. Today...a double crown was inserted and a whole new way to floss  - with some incredible gum torturing contraption that looks like I'm threading a needle  - and I'm blind !

appliance !!!...is that what they're calling my new teeth....AN APPLIANCE !!!

The TOP teeth are in worse shape. After 6 gorgeous crowns last year 3 had to be replaced because of resorption in the middle one.....Lets not get into that you dental students out there.....its a long story.

More Novocaine than a human is allowed by law. Stinging. Painful. Crybaby! Underneath the caps I resembled a vampire. It was even too gross for ME to take a pix of.

There'll be one more loooong visit for the vampire teeth and hopefully I'm done..... till it's time for the 6 mos cleaning when the agony of defeat starts all over again.

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Okay..so, then the dentist (who I really do love BTW) says I'm ok to eat but should wait for the novocaine to wear off. Since I couldn't make my lips look in the least normal anyway I figured that was a good idea. I'd go across the street to Ocean County Mall, walk around for an hour...call it exercise....try on a few things....call it exercise.... and by then it will be time for sushi.

I park.....at BOSCOVS dept store. I see the sign when I come inside the store says 'SOUTH' entrance so I know I have to remember this if I ever want to see my car again.

Into the mall we go...straight through Boscovs, do not pass go, and on to Macys....don't NEED anything...am just going there for the exercise & to kill time.

First thing I pass in the mall is a huge cart selling gummies. Are they kidding me? I just had 3 hours of dental work done.....

Aaaah Macys......find some GLEE apparel in the teenage section. I am a grandma who THINKS she is a teen...so...I try some on. I am killing time. WOW one shirt fits great...it says MUSIC IS MY LIFE

I buy it.

There's a strong possibility I'm gonna look like a dork cause it says GLEE on it, but I don't care..I really love the shirt. I really love GLEE.

I schlep around for another hour...I find a purse..I need a purse like I need a third eye.....I buy 3 bras....those I need......I kill time as the mouth thing improves and now...alas..I am ready to go. Must find "SOUTH".

I am moderately confused. I don't see any signs over the doors.  I whip out my IPhone and search for SOUTH on the compass. Brilliant huh???? I walk right toward SOUTH. I'm so excited that the IPhone compass is so accurate.

No sign over that door.....or any door.

Aaaah, but, no panic.

Oh no...its too soon to panic. It's probably early dementia . I can deal. Worst case scenario..... I'll call The Lenster who'll leave me there 'exercising' till about 6 pm when he'll drive over after work to help me find the car. By then my credit card will be maxed anyway and I'll probably be a size smaller from all that walking.

I decide to walk outside Macys.....in the parking lot..... yucky, humid, drizzling. I walk around the entire building. Macys is big. No car.

After 30 minutes of this utter nonsense....since I know I came there by car...I decide to go back inside the mall and retrace my path...I'm lucky I can remember that I had a 'path' to begin with !

DUH....you dumb-head...you didn't park at Macys..you parked at Boscovs. Well, what a friggin' relief that was.

Now I am going to use my IPhone to leave myself photos of where I parked and voice memos too....cause I see where all of this is going !

I called The Lenster to re-cap the story....YUP, he says..no matter how many crossword puzzles and word games we do.....this is where we're all headed !!!

Oy vey !!!

Just the Usual

I had to be up in the Shrewsbury area today to see a very old friend so I did my monthly 'pop into Anthro" thing for some of their usual inspiration.

The panoramas were done on the IPhone using an app called Pano which I LOVE !

The app lets you snap the first image, then the next image begins where you last left off and will link together as many snaps as you take. It lines them up. The first pix used 6 shots, this one used 3. I've tried a few panorama apps for the IPhone...this one is my fav.

This wall (above) was most interesting...all small snippets of copper...and not real copper....like metallic papers of some sort. They also covered books in their windows with it...sorry about the reflection

 

they've rearranged their store...can you see me in the mirror ???

of course their jewelry is always wonderful.

all I know is I come home with a lot of design ideas when I visit this store. Like my adorable friend Margie says..."Anthropologie...I worship" !

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Today I wore one of my favorite necklaces

I made this with the help of my wonderful friend Angela Bannatyne when I was in Florida a few months ago. The long rhinestone necklace is from CHICOS...where else ! Anyway...some lady stopped me today to compliment my necklace...I got very excited !

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I also posted a new project on my Yahoo group

It's something I made a while ago but, because of it's simplicity, I thought I'd encourage you to get out those melting pots.

Any metal tin works fine. Glue any type of legs to it (glossy accents works well), place a photocopy in the tin. Melt Clear UTEE. I allowed mine to go a bit amber cause it looks more vintage. Pour UTEE over photocopy. Finish off with other embellishments.

I've given many of these types of tins as house gifts. People love them. They're different and they don't take up a lot of room.

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I try to SKYPE with my cutie Jared every night, even tho he only lives an hour+ from me...but we had some real weather issues today and this is what my computer screen looked like on skype tonight....

It's COLLAGEABLE (is there even such a word !)

 

Poor me...Jared just kept fading in and out.....

 

he was like a watercolor painting !!!

he could see me perfectly, but all I could see was more of this

well....he knows I love him.....maybe it'll be better tomorrow !!!

I'm an enabler....

Tiffany Sherman posted that comment on my FB page...I think she is 500% right !

Love you Tiff.....

The fabulous Bead Fest continues...tee hee

The largest necklace in the world

***NOTE: NOTE: First and foremost I want to mention that I asked permission when I took pictures of peoples work. All but one said "absolutely'.

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now, remember I said I loved this chain. It comes from fe Maille

this gal makes not only the chain in 15 different colors

of enameled copper but, Sterling Silver, Gold filled and real copper too...but,also  jump rings in 3 different sizes in 15 different matching colors. 717-960-9100. They are in Carlisle, Pa. YES...I BOUGHT SOME !!!

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I also had a blast at SUNROOM STUDIOS

I BOUGHT WHATS IN MY HAND....because these glass beads can be turned into this

and the directions are in this magazine

I may do something entirely different with them, but, here's more ideas from them

I had so much fun at this booth Priscilla Marban

Yes...bought a bunch !

Priscilla apparently recognized me from YouTube and got all excited over meeting me....we couldn't stop laughing.

her funky collage beads appeal to my sense of humor.

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Found these at Chico Silver. Had the name Chico...who could resist !

Really liked the handcrafted porcelain components from Earthenwood Studios. I bought the ones below. Melanie Brooks, owner, made some beautiful steampunk jewelry using her pieces plus those from Tim and Vintaj. I've posted some of her finished work down a little further.

I don't remember where I found these funky beads but I just had to have them. They are stone, not plastic.

The wonderful Susan Lenart Kazmer insisted on giving me these from her AMAZING line of findings. A generous soul.

can not wait to play.

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Now...here was something I saw (but I didn't personally need to buy) that I thought was BRILLIANT.

what is it you ask ???

Well...if you sell jewelry that hangs on cards then this is for you

Easy Earring Cards Punch Kit

 

This is what it punches..now really..this is brilliant !
 

and there's also one that punches the miniature holes

If you display & sell jewelry...you need that !

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Okay...more of what I saw if you can stand it...

 

 

 

My friends at Red Bank Beads had a lovely booth
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Lisa Niven Kelly

Everyone can use some inspiration. Here is some work I saw from many talented artists

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are from Earthenwood

 

 

 

 

also from Earthenwood

 

 

from Sunroom Studios

so...did we have a great time...did I buy a bunch (lots more still in bags!)

YES...YES...YES

come along with me

to Bead Fest, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, about 90 min from my house

be prepared...

no matter how much money you came with

you will go home minus ALL of it and then some

Self Control does NOT exist here !!!!!

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On with the show......get there early before it gets too crowded

meet up with friends

Diana, Bev, Sandy and Rebecca

The brilliant designer Susan Lenart-Kazmer

 

Joan and Lisa Kettel

 

 Armando at Amate Studios (and demo artist Rebecca Peck r)

 Kecia Frazee Deveney (c) and Leslie Marsh (l)

 

Visit our friends at Beadalon

and then we....Start Shopping..tote bag in hand

you try to make decisions because there is sooooooooo much to look at

 

so, it's almost best to walk through the whole show first, make notes and then come back. Two entire floors of beads and supplies.

 

gold, silver, copper, brass and a thousand and one other colors of everything

It's completely overwhelming

 

you make some kind-a weird attempt to stay focused ! ha.!

Rub On Patinas

 

strands and strands of pearls and beads

 

More chain then you could ever imagine

 

**Loved this gals stuff...more on that tomorrow....

 

LOTS-a stuff from Bali and Indonesia

wanna 'lend an ear'.....

toggles and closures up the wazoo

you name it....it was there

I'll conclude tomorrow with some of my favorites

because...you know me....I took 205 pictures...they ALL can't go here !!

NO...they just can't !

oh my......!

When did all this happen ?

well....after I closed my office last Dec we moved a bunch of 'stuff' into the garage. Somehow it has been multiplying itself...like a rabid disease !

The Lenster wonders if the car will ever see its home again.

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Same goes for my craft room. Multiplying...multiplying...multiplying

This is making me craaaaaaaazy ! Which, for me, isn't a far stretch !

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Tomorrow I am off to BeadFest in Valley Forge, PA. The weather is supposed to be really sunny warm nice...that means The Lenster will suggest we go there by motorcycle. I hope he realizes, of course, that beads are small and can fit perfectly within the bikes storage space.... ha ha ha...more crap to fit into the craft room !

as we speak I'm already color coding all the bead containers so I stop buying what I already have.

Wanna help me?

Of course you do..............

I am going to count all my rubber stamps that have been living happily ever after up there in their little wire homes and sell them.....yes..I am. I'm really not stamping much any more....I totally need the space for other things.

We are talking a LOT of stamps and I want to do this as one lump thing....all the stamps together....I'll keep ya posted. And...I apologize in advance because this will be for U.S. only. You guys over across the pond don't want to have to explain to customs what all that rubber is about.

so...that's really it from here...short and sweet....

ah...but wait till tomorrow.

Wonderful Wednesday

So, alas.....one of our only local bead shops - Red Bank Beads - is going to close. Today they had a biiiiiiig one-day sale with some things being 60% off....

I went!

did I need to go....duh....

This is why it pays for me to stay locked up at home ! I am dangerous.

don't show me gorgeous samples, don't tell me how great this bead looks with that bead. I start to salivate and then my credit card comes out.

 

There's no impulse control

 

 

now why is this a bad thing....

WELL...I shall tell you...because THIS SATURDAY IS BEAD FEST in Valley Forge, PA and I'll be going to that too! Bazillions of bead vendors....bazillions....and The Lenster is coming too and heaven forbid he should witness me doing the damage.....

Okay then...moving on.....

evening comes.....we go off to have a lovely sushi dinner /  slash business meeting with Justin from Ranger

sushi is the ONLY way to have meetings !!!

We went to SAWA at the Pier Village in Long Branch...another of our lovely shopping / slash beach towns...

 

The Lenster discovers a store that sells olive oil from all over the world...imagine...a whole store devoted to olive oil...jeez

He feels an urgent need to sample just about all of them

fill the little cup, dip the bread....

 

I, on the other hand, feel an urgent need to 'check out the plaza' (that's another word for shop) - especially the items in this one cool store...

 

 

you're in a beach town ya gotta expect the seahorse thing

OK..last of the beachy stuff

how about Jersey Shore T-Shirts..we're famous for our Parkway exits...and the fact that we are not allowed to pump our own gas (just like Oregon)

well...today was one day I was really grateful for my unobtrusive Iphone camera which took ALL these pictures.....

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Have you heard the news that Barnes & Noble is in trouble and up for sale?

I know..I was shocked too. Which reminds me...I am 1/2 an hour away from finishing "One Day"...anyone else read it? So far its been absolutely wonderful.

Whatz in the yard ?

One day it's hot & humid & yucky, next day it pours...make up your mind oh Weather God. I need to know whether it's top down day with the convertible or, if I accidentally leave it down in the driveway, will I awake to a bucket full of water in my car (oh yes..this once happened...we won't talk about it !)

Okay..forget the car for today...I've decided to stay in. If I take it out I will only get in trouble buying something I positively do NOT need. Instead....I have taken the big SLR (that's a camera for those not in the know) into the backyard to see the wildlife. And, for this I don't have to put on any makeup or dress to impress. The bugs don't give a hoot what I REALLY look likes sans blush & mascara....altho it can kinda scare me sometimes !!!

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I spot this butterfly...I become obsessed trying to get a decent- in focus- snapshot of him. He moves around too fast and I want that 'oh so professional' depth of field thing..

 

  

Meanwhile, Mollie sits out there with me...doesn't move, doesn't approach..doesn't care. In her own little cat world. Miss oblivious!

I see a morning dove....love the sound they make

Then there was the little bee who I just couldn't get any closer to and didn't exactly want to. That's what they make 300 mm lenses for !!!

The happy little cucumber plant

 

and crawly thing...he better NOT become a Gypsy moth

and some of the faces that are randomly lurking around my backyard

 

This one is a water fountain

 

These would all require a LOT of Mold n Pour !!

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but wait.........just when you thought that was IT !!!!!

The most fabulous gizmo...gadget....toy....OMG..came in the mail. I ordered it last week from Fotojojo.

it fits....ARE YOU READY...My IPhone

I'm taking a deeeeeeep breath now

it takes wide angle and macro and stays on via a magnet

it took these....this was a teeny weeny tiny flower

 

My word...you can see the tiny little bugs...this flower was minuscule.
 

The wide angle

Deeeeeep breaths again....after all..it's a camera phone lens !!

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OKAY...ON TO OTHER STUFF.....

cute, gorgeous, little blonde whirlwind of a friend, designer JULIANNA HUDGINS created this terrific Adirondack chair. Click on her name to find out how. It involves Sizzix....whoa !!

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Looking for very cool embellishments, especially verdigris patina..look no further than my friend Terri Venturas' Dime Store Emporium

Vintage, brass, altered art, steampunk..she has it all. See even more of her amazing finished work HERE. And, follow her BLOG too.

and you were all worried about where Ive been...no worries..I'm cool !!!

Getting handouts ready for my class at Absolutely Everything Aug 27-28th