In a former life...

...I owned a quilt shop.

...and had cool pink hair.
...and less tattoos.

Thanks Bela for the pict! :)

Cellos? Check! Boyliner? Check! Metal? Eh...

Ok, so I may be last person to know about Apocalyptica, but that's ok...I love me some boys in eyeliner AND a bunch of them are playing cello...super good!  I prefer a "heavier" sound, but that's ok, it's soooo fun to watch!  I'd cook for these fellas, they're a bit thin for my taste.

Drinking and Driving? Lead Paint? Cell Phones?

For me one of the most intersting things I notice when watching Mad Men is all the nonchalent smoking and drinking (including drinking and driving).  In the first episode one of the characters is at a gyno appiontment and the doctor is actually smoking in the exam room.

Oh, I have memories from the 1970's of my dear old ma driving down the turnpike, no seatbelts, beer bottle between her legs (until the bottle was empty of course, then she'd just toss it out of the moving car, good times!)...but you see, this was all B.O. (Before Oprah)...who cared? I'm still here, right?

Let's fast forward a few years and imagine were watching a movie about "the past" (let's say 2009)...and EVERYONE is on a cell phone...the whole audience gasps! Have a read of the article below...and just think about that next call you take.  My advice: use speakerphone!

Warning, Your Cell Phone May Be Hazardous To Your Health Gear + Gadgets: GQ.com

Vegan Pot Luck

We hosted a vegan pot luck this weekend and it was a blast!  Here's just SOME of the great grub we enjoyed...

I put out paper and markers for guests to announce each of their dishes...

And to make my life easier I tagged all the essential cabinets in the kitchen so the guests could really help themselves...

It was a super swell way to kick off the Veggie Pride Parade in NYC and a great "first party" in our apartment. All the animals (especially Pumpkin Cat) got lots of attention as the so deserve :)

Here's Brendon enjoying some kale...I think he's smiling :)

Veggie Pride Parade this Sunday!

Come one!  Come all to the NYC Veggie Pride Parade this Sunday, May 16, 2010

Bead Soup Party!

I've joined my first bead swap and I'm excited!  I've done other swaps in the past but this one really has me on my creative toes!  This group makes so many inspiring pieces and I want to make sure my swap partner isn't disappointed!

Here's a link to their flickr group

Open letter to art/craft show organizers

I understand that there’s a lot to think about when you’re organizing an event, even a small one. Securing a venue, recruiting talent, feeding the crowd, informing the public…the list goes on and on.

Having been in a number of craft/art shows over the years I’ve learned some basic do’s and don’ts.
Here are some suggestions I’d like to share with current and future event organizers (in no particular order):

Get the date and time correct.
Seems simple enough, if it’s on Friday the 12th from 6-10pm say so and mean it. Please don’t post a different time/date on some of the flyers and facebook or tell the vendors conflicting information.

Count the number of vendors; divide by the amount of space provided. Evenly.
OK, if I’ve paid for 8 feet of display space then please supply 8 feet of display space. Don’t make me and the vendors around me uncomfortable by making us “juggle” 12 feet if it’s supposed to be 16.

Make fees, donations and contracts clear BEFORE we sign up.
I was recently in a show where the organizers wanted us to sign contracts the day of. These were contracts that magically appeared out of nowhere…none of us signed them.

ADVERTISE THE EVENT!
Especially if it’s a charity event. A friend recently researched a show I was in and guess what came up first on Google…my blog posting. What the what!!!?!?!? The animal shelter that was to receive the donations generated from said event didn’t have the show listed on their site. The organizer didn’t place an ad on Craigslist. She didn’t even have ANY SIGNS outside or inside of the gallery! Really?! Yes, really.

If it’s a smoke free space, make sure it’s a smoke free space.

Tupperware Ain’t Crafty
If you’re going to set up a “craft show” don’t rent space to Tupperware, Avon and Tasty Chef vendors. There are places for these tables, but please, not next to my hand made, hand sewn, hand packaged items. I was once at show where the lady next to me was selling tube socks and plastic table cloths for $2. Give me a break. I knew going in that this wasn’t a juried art show, but com’mon! AT LEAST divide the room in half…yard sale items on one side and handmade, super creative vendors on the other.

Bring Refreshments
Ok, so you’ve asked all the vendors to chip in with some snacks and you’ve agreed that you’re going to bring the wine, cups, etc. So bring them. End of story.

Kid Control
Bringing your nieces and nephews? Great! They should be involved of the arts as soon as possible, but please, please don’t allow them to run amuck, scream and kid handle the merch. It’s embarrassing, annoying and rude.

Think about where the stage/DJ goes.
At one show I had the PRIMO! spot right next to the stage. Nothing chases away customers faster than a (horrible) rendition of Sweet Child o’Mine.

I'm sure I'll learn something new at each show I attend and really, regardless of what each event brings, I always find a way to have a good time.  I'd love to hear what you've learned from participaing in craft/art shows! 
Keep on Craftin'!
PVB

Sing to me and I'll sing to you!

Jam Packed Weekend with Linky Links!

I stretched this weekend to the limit! Here are the highlights:

1) Volunteered a few hours at Under My Wing Avian Rescue in Wantage NJ. Send them your money! Donate your time!
Paula, the queen bee is AMAZING. She’s has dedicated her life and home to about 130 homeless exotic birds. Macaws! Cockatoos! Cockatiels! Greys! The list goes on and on. Boy, are those birds LOUD and intimidating. I made special friends with a cockatoo named Sunny. I had my back to a bunch of birds (oh, and most of them are out of their cages!) and I feel THUMP! on my shoulder. Sunny had flown from her perch to visit me as I washed birdy dishes. Earlier in the day Paula introduced me to all the birds and quickly noted: “This one is a biter, this one isn’t, never touch this one, this one is a cuddler…” and so on. So here I am with this large amazing bird ¼ inch from my eyeballs and I’m thinking: “Oh crap! Is this a biter or a cuddler?” Luckily for me Sunny is a major mush pot and just wanted skritches… PHEW! Later in the day she ate part of a solid wood door…yikes!  I also made friends with Paula's delightful (large) German Shepard.  Go me!

2) Pedicure.  This place doesn't allow men in the shop. Weird and makes me angry.  I won't be going back. There's one guy working there. I don't get it and I wonder if it's even legal.

3) Cooked dinner a couple of times. I love cooking and I especially love cooking for my man. I’m newly enamored with kale. I’ve noticed that most of my dishes start with olive oil and onions…how can you go wrong?

4) Celebrated our nephew’s 3rd birthday at (wha wha whaaaaa) TGIFs. Ok, if you’re a vegan stuck at a TGIFs, order the baked ‘tater and get a side of guacamole. Delish! My strawberry margarita was kick-ass strong, perfect for a 3 year old’s b-day party!

5) Visited my pal Daphna who was performing in two bands (Hamstrung and The Holy Goats) at O’Hara’s in Jersey City. It was a benefit for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Super nice bar/restaurant and we met a couple of really interesting folks, including Glenn a drummer/vegan/bird lover & pet sitter. He toured with Voltaire and has an adorable girlfriend.  I heart meeting other cool vegans.

6) Participated in an art show to benefit the Wayne Animal Shelter. The show was a train wreck but at least I got to hang out with my pals Erica and Tom. Check out their art work here and here. Super cool folks and gracious artists too! I think I’m going to have to take a day or so to really reflect on this show and how poorly orchestrated it was. Stay tuned for another posting about it.

Here's a picture from Tom's book: Big Boned Cats:

7) Devoured part of a Moo Cluck vegan chocolate cake. Oh my. Go find this cake! I got ours at Wholefoods and it was pricey but soooo worth it.

8) Flirted, pet, smooched, rubbed my flock o’pets. Luke really seems to like his new cage and I love being able to roll him around the apartment. The rabbits got extra greens thanks to all my cooking. Brendon and William (love bird/parakeet couple) are trying to “nest”. So cute!

9) Something else...can't remember...

10) Watched the documentary Shadow Company. It’s an informative movie about private armies/mercenaries. Some of the images are still haunting me but I feel like it’s something we all should have some sort of understanding of. We netflixed it.

11) Did not practice cello. Yikes!  Tonight it's on like donkey kong!  Neighbors been warned!