SuzeBlogz

EXPO

have you ever been to a Womens Expo? They're kinda fun!

I went with 3 friends today to see what it was all about...lots of freebies, lots of health information (I had my cholesteral, blood sugar, pulse and blood pressure done free) , lotsa jewelry to buy, soaps,

diet stuff, cosmetics, hair products...very fun.

Eileen got some temporary hot purple put in her hair

it washes right out....no worries !

Susan got her rings cleaned so they sparkled again !

I walked around dazzled by all the booths...

and then I fell upon the REAL dazzles !!!

Like the seven hundred dollar dazzles.....oy vey !

and some adorable purses from Beijo Bags

this was my blingiest purchase....a way cool cuff bracelet

 

then, out to lunch

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The Lenster went on a bicycle ride today with a group of avid cyclists (not a motorcycle...a real bicycle)...and then we stopped at one of our favorite furniture stores

we find great ideas there...

like this trash can lid.....seriously...anyone can make one but I had to have it immediately...I think I'm obsessive/compulsive. I loved that they had cut a hole for a mirror...and, it was tres inexpensive AND rusted...that's the PERFECT combo!

The Lenster just thinks I'm nuts !!!

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Remember yesterdays assemblage doll...well, here she is

Halloweens coming...you can see it everywhere...

bye for now peeps!!

Getting Inspiration

from various sources.....

Today The Lenster and I went to the Sugarloaf Craft Festival in Somerset, NJ. We go every year. We have favorite artists there that we look forward to buying from.

One of them is Primitive Twig. We see Bill Finks, (he & wife Marcia are the artists), at a few shows throughout the year and we've collected several of his crazy assemblage dolls!

This little gal (below) is our newest acquisition. Im a cat lover but ittle "sparky" did it for me !!

Their business began in 1989 using rusted steel in their early work and then they moved on to old tins and found objects. Eveything is recycled and/or antique.

This just proves how fruitful estate sales and flea markets can be !!

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We were also fascinated by Bud Scheffel. Owner and designer of Earthsaver wind sculptures

We stood there and literally watched him make - from scratch - one of his amazing sculptures.

from this stuff...

He works in stainless steel, copper, brass, bronze, glass and natural elements.

we were entranced by Artist Lindsey Shevkun Aguayo

her work was so enticing! I kept saying...where can I make room...where can I make room....

saw some beautiful ceramics

really gorgeous jewelry

amazing Judaica

and lots of other hand made art

leather flowers

knit hats

purses

boxes

sculpture

and beautiful stained glass

it's easy to spend all day - and all your money - at the Sugarloaf shows! These shows go all around the east coast..so, catch one if it comes your way.

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I listed a new copper piece on my ETSY site today...the last one sold right away...so, hope you'll check this one out !

A lot of work went into it....it's really special!

an exciting visit

Today I joined a group of friends and members of the Brandeis Womens Group on a visit to the Kalmyk community in Howell, New Jersey.

The Kalmyks are a tiny New Jersey ethnic group (about 3,000) that traces its roots to Mongolia and Genghis Khan. In 2011 they celebrated 60 years as Americans. Their native land is Kalmykia, one of the republics of the former USSR.

Today their monk gave us the grand tour of Tashi Lhunpo, their Buddhist temple.

Originally a nomadic people, the Kalmyks were one of the innumerable tribes united by Genghis Khan in the course of conquering much of Europe and Asia in the 12th and early 13th centuries. When the Mongolian Empire faded into retreat, the Kalmyks were incorporated into Russia.

They adhere to Tibetan Buddhism.

Buddhist prayer beads are a traditional tool used to count the number of times a mantra is recited while meditating. They are similar to other forms of prayer beads used in various world religions. Some call this tool the Buddhist rosary.

In Tibetan Buddhism, traditionally malas of 108 beads are used.

Doing one 108-bead mala counts as 100 mantra recitations; the extra repetitions are done to amend any mistakes.

we had a wonderful informative afternoon.

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Later during the day it was a belated birthday get together with another group of my gal pals for Chinese food. We always get a kick out of our friend Connie who 'meditates' over the fortune cookies

she figures if she touches them she'll know who to give which cookie to...

you realize of course she's just a little spaced out...gotta be too much wine !!!

just a reminder....hope you'll visit my ETSY page !!

Another fun weekend

I love when Julianna comes for a visit. She arrived Saturday morning,...which just happened to also be my birthday...and we took the train into NYC for The Whole Bead Show. Here's our stash!!!

Yup...I'm the one who went a tad overboard...my stuff's on the bottom !!

During our lunch break a bunch of kids were standing outside giving away free Nesquik chocolate milk...a company promotion. 

they loved us...colorful, excited, cheery...

so, of course they took our picture. They told us we might be on their facebook page....hasn't happened yet, but it still might... 

Nestle Nesquik USA

I keep checking !!

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Julez stayed over and went with us for the big sushi birthday dinner along with The Lenster, Jennifer & Jared. After dinner they came out with the fried ice cream 'birthday cake' and we all dug in ! if you've never had fried ice cream, trust me....it is exceptionally yummy and definitely NOT on Weight Watchers !

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Today the Lenster and I went to see Arbitrage...a movie starring Richard Gere. A juicy, jolting thriller. Very good. When it ended there was a kids Halloween contest going on right outside the theater...we stuck around to watch.

the kids got to ride around in a horse drawn wagon

Look at the sweet little rescue doggie with only 3 legs....

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NEXT....

on the way home we pass a house I cringe at every Halloween....Okay......c'mon......most of you know by now that I get crazed over those giant blow up lawn decorations you see on peoples lawns during the major holidays...

I can't explain why they make me nuts...they just do and I want to go around with a pin and pop all of them...

of course during the daytime most of them are dead on the lawns anyway....making them all the more awful !!!! Grrrrrr.

Geeeez....what did this coach cost ...??

or, the headless horseman...that moves no less !

I am cringing....so, if you are one of those folks that have these things....well...I have no words !!

But, I thank you for still reading my blog and not wanting to punch me !!

 

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Now, a little shameless self promotion....

Have you visited my ETSY shop lately??

I put some really nice new things up there...

Yes....real copper....all hand wired....it's really quite gorgeous !

 

Well...thats the news for today friends...

I can't thank you all enuf for the wonderful birthday wishes I got on Facebook and in email...you guys are the best !

a panel discussion

is in the works !!!

and

I've been asked to let you all know !!!

CHA NEW YORK AREA PANEL DISCUSSION

Join your fellow craft business colleagues on Thursday, November 1, 2012 from 4:00 – 6:30 PM at the Etsy.com headquarters in Brooklyn, New York for an afternoon of learning and fun. 

ETSY, as you know, is the world’s handmade marketplace.

 

The Craft & Hobby Association is hosting a panel discussion on “Business Essentials: Requirements for Success in 21st Century Craft Industry”

followed by a networking reception.

Panelists include: - David Blumenthal, President/CEO, Lion Brand Yarn Company -

David Farnworth, Vice President Marketing, Westcott/ACME United -

David Tse, President/CEO, Craftwell -

Rich Ezra, SVP Marketing, EK Success Brands

The panel will be moderated by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, co-host of Scrapbook Soup TV, quilter, blogger, mixed media artist, and New York City local.

The cost is $30.

Food and beverage will be provided by Radish, a local Brooklyn caterer. RSVP’s are required. Seating is limited.

Click here to register

A big thank you to CHA member Etsy.com, for providing meeting space for this event. CHAPTER ORGANIZATION For anyone interested in being part of the organizing committee to launch the New York Area Chapter of CHA please contact Lidia Diaz at ldiaz@craftandhobby.org. The organizing meeting will be held from 3:00 – 3:45 PM preceding the panel discussion. Details will be provided to registered attendees. LOCAL EVENT SPONSORSHIP

If you have any questions, or are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact Victor Domine at vdomine@craftandhobby.org or 201.835.1224.

and the sun sets on yet....

another super weekend here at The Weinbergs !!

yes...this was the gorgeous Jersey sky of just a few nights ago..I'd have sworn I was in Arizona or something. I had to stop on the road to grab an iPhone pix. A cop stopped behind me to ask what I was doing....he agreed...it was picture worthy!!

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On Saturday I attended a really wonderful, moving outdoor service sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Trenton NJ. 

it was an Anniversary Blessing and reaffirmation of Marriage Vows for members of the churches within this Diocese who have been married 1 year, 25 years and 50+ years.

Our friends Fran & Joe just hit number 50

and were blessed along with a few hundred others outdoors at the Garden State Art Center.

The blessing and Homile were given by Bishop David M. O'Connell, CM. A beautiful choir sang.

he blessed the rings

and at the end all the couples kissed!!

then..off to a big party !!

and an even bigger cake !!

and a lovely window view

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Sunday began with a shopping spree to CHICOS ! It was a fundraiser to benefit my Temple. The store opened 2 hours early for our gals who shopped till they dropped !!

then I raced up for a 1:00 class at "The Birds and the Beads" with one of my FAVORITE instructors Mary Jane Dodd (seen L)

she was teaching a Wire Wrapped Bezel class. I have taken lots of classes from Mary Jane. I ALWAYS come home ecstatically enthused. Everything I've ever made in her classes leaves me speechless.

so...we started with a flat drilled bead and a piece of copper

and I ended up with THIS !!!!!

The chain comes from Industrial Chic (Susan Lenart Kazmer)

HOW DO YOU SAY  LOOOOOVE  in a hundred different languages !

so..I made a second one with a red bead I borrowed from my classmate (and friend) Lena Pfeffer. Lena has every tool known to man !!

The rhinestone chain comes from NUNN Design.

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I'm finally catching up to this morning...I went to a lecture on Women in The Bible sponsored by my local Brandeis chapter.

and taught by Israeli born Adi Mor 

My word it's been a full weekend. !!

 

we've been deMeng-a-fied !

Well...Art Is....YOU has ended and Michael & Andrea deMeng drove me home and stayed the night ! I'm sure I don't have to tell you what a fun experience that was...!!

Lotsa laughs and the weird feeling that you never know what you're gonna find hiding in your house...like this little dolly left under our bedspread...

Okay...let's not go there...!

The deMengs are enjoying The Lensters wine...I don't drink but everyone has said it's delicious.

listen...all I can tell you is ...with Michael it's a laugh a minute !!!

he needs to be on TV..he's just that funny

(there's that weird dolly again) !!

next morning....breakfast at the 50's themed diner

then, we went into NYC with them....rain and all..

first a little trip to Tinsel Trading which was all decked out with Halloween decorations.

then...zipping past the fun wig stores on the Manhattan side streets

we arrive at M&J trimming

you can spend an entire day inside M&J and never see everything !

next, we grab a taxi down to Greenwich Village to see OBSCURA...the oddities store that has been on TV

This store is right up Michaels alley...

now he's in HIS comfort zone !

here's the kind of stuff they SELL !!!

At this point it was time to kiss goodbye...

Andrea and Michael spent the next day in NYC and are headed back to Canada today...I know everyone at Art is You loved their classes.

Hope it's not a whole year before we see them again !!

Art is......

sweetness !!

and starting the morning with a delicious breakfast

 

listening to some wonderful chit chat (Kecia Deveney & Seth Aptar)

the presentation of an amazing quilt

and then....I am off to class.My last class with the AMAZING Andrea Matus deMeng. Did I remember to say she is AMAZING !!!

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we all picked a face to work with on our 12X24 panels.

I picked this one

the task seemed daunting...Andrea explains that we should start by tearing...after all..you can always cut later if you want to.

then we layer a coat of matte medium on our wood panel. After it dries we lay out componants we 'think' we might like to use. We change our mind 100 times.

Once we have some sort of idea of our color scheme and theme we take everything off the board and start painting. Andrea likes us to try using our hands ..I pick black & white acrylic paint which eventually looks a lot like slate (when I get completely finished !)

our work tables are a mess !!

I start gluing stuff down....I'm scared !!

in the end some things wont even be visable any more.

Andrea shows us how to drip the paint

my final result thrilled me and it's STILL not actually finished. !!

and here are some of the other amazing pieces from the students in Andreas class

same face as mine...completely different interpretation!

Magnificent !

did I mention Andrea is AMAZING !!

the crazy ladies of....

ART IS.....YOU

YES...Vendor night is also TuTU night...

STRIKE A POSE !!!

no one dresses up more fabulously than Kecia

What a great night...wonderful vendors...like Lorraine Reynolds 

she had these fabulous Vermont wood planks that she's transferred photos to...and they were scooped up immediately

Sallianne got one

and I got one too

now, here's Sandy with her gorgeous wool scarves

I'm sitting in front of her wool wrap..it is stunning !

 

Joanne Sharpe is always a happy girl !

Amy Rubman had beautiful chain mail jewelry

and here's another special lady ....Pam Carriker

who now has her own fantastic line of stamps AND product

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There was just much too much to put in one little blog so...I'll show you some more of yesterdays art work in Andrea Matus deMengs class...

Andrea is a phenomenal teacher...

she's shakin' and stirring...it's the Dremel Dance !

and from todays class came more amazing work..

'Suspended Souls'

this one was done by Jean Rubman (Amys mom)..and is my personal favorite..

my own piece took an inspirational path 

it began simply with collage and a B/W face...

then we started the painting process. I've actually never experienced 'painting' before....not like this anyway. We learned how to take away 'the look of stickers' just being glued on a page.

We had to be willing to let go of pre-conceived ideas because, in the end, the piece was going to take on an entirely new life. It's best not to get attached to or fall in love with what you just did !!!

because.....after refreshing it many more times we began the BIG embellishment transformation.

I am over the moon wth this piece and when I get home I will 'suspend' it from a frame with chain.

here are a few others from todays class.

tomorrow I am taking the last of Andreas classes....that's how much I LOVE her work.

Tomorrows piece will be B-I-G...12x24...be prepared !

see ya then...

Retirement Entitlement !

Oh...what a glorious day !

you know what's so great about retirement??!! You get to sit and play for an entire day and feel entitled to it !!

Andrea Matus deMeng (yes...Michaels wife !) taught the most amazing class today. She is a FABULOUS teacher...thorough, patient, kind, considerate and fully prepared.

Some of her work...

from 10-5 we followed Andreas' instruction on how to Collage the Translucent. We began with matte medium and worked our way to paint, collage and the main imagry...here's the start of mine - which  - when we're done at the end of the day  - may look NOTHING like what it began as...!

Andrea instructs

 

we listen !

proceeding...

 

(BTW...I used Ver-Day paint on my middle layer which everyone loved. It has an almost immediate faux finish result ...and my mat board looked just like rusty iron!)

Andrea explained the concept of sandwiching layers of mica, transparency, imagry...etc

My beautiful table mates work

break for lunch

back to work....and seeing how everyones originals were completely transformed. 

transforming....

(mine)

The internet is giving me a bad time tonight at the hotel...so..I'll save more for tomorrows blog..

 

be sure and come back !!