Friday at Hip Chick's

Great things happen in Benicia, I'm convinced of it. It's the creative energy, the pleasant and friendly people and the blending of the two. My friday started with getting my costume ready for the Halloween party I'm going to tonight (I have high hopes of winning the best costume contest) then I dropped off a birthday present and made my way to the studio. EVERYONE seemed to come by today, all at one time I had Jeannie and Sally, Carol, and then Laura all of whom are dynamos in there own right. It was wierd, wonderful and wierd. I saw Laura's studio for the first time (Green Paintbrush-jewelry for those who are interested) and she and I are cooking up how we can benefit from our creative forces combining.....I cranked out two pet portraits one for Linda the other for Cathy, my first commision pieces and just as I was leaving had a great sale!! How great is that?! I swear I get so fired up when I am rewarded through my creativity and productivity. Now I am going to get ready for the party and tomorrow I'll post my photos for my costume......stay tuned!!!!!!

First sale at Hip Chick's!!

Hi blog followers (God love ya!) Today was a berry good day in Hip Chick land. I saw my good friend Sally who I haven't seen in along time (very talented artist who I met in a painting class FYI) and we are like an explosion of creative forces when we merge. So we caught up, painted, made plans for her to get a studio in Benicia and talked about an upcoming Christmas Boutique we'll both be participating in (details to follow...). While we are caught up in our excitement of all that's artistic and meaningful two ladies wander in and purchase a hip chick piece of merchandise!! How exciting is the FIRST SALE in my new venture???I am going to take a dollar from this sale and frame it as is customary in businesses and it will represent this memorable occasion. For those who are curious and I am always curious so I'm sure you must be too the item was a "case" with a handle for which she wanted to put files, it had a chic look and it only cost her a mere $15.00 The bargains are aplenty at this shop let me tell you! After all the excitement of this sale I took a nap, (HAHA, got ya) for those who know me you realize the absurdity of this statement, I painted another pet portrait. I am cranking them out I tell you, look for them soon on my website if you're interested. How could you not be???!!! Hahaha, I'm really on a roll today, must still be giddy from the sale......

Past Due Tuesday Post-steamer trunk

If this trunk could talk....what would it say?? Where has it been, what has it experienced....that is precisely why I love antiques, they have such a story to tell and their charm lies in their history. This steamer trunk is one of two matching trunks from this same time period, I'm guessing the turn of the Century but I don't know, all I know is it's wonderfully aged (like me!! ). I looked on ebay at the various trunks people are selling and one just like this was going for $300.00 I sell my merchandise MUCH cheaper, I have this priced at $135.00 and if anyone is interested let me know. Until then it will grace my studio with it's good vibes and it will whisper it's tales of adventure traveling on the Titanic, the Hindenburg and the first Pan Am flight.

Tahoe rendevous

My weekend was glorious, I got to get the heck outta dodge and take in the intoxicating aroma of the mountains. The gang (Ben, me, Abby and Ashley) drove up to Tahoe friday night and checked in to the Marriott Residence which was lovely, very Tahoe resortish place. Had some sushi for dinner and I watched "Away we Go" a sweet film (2 thumbs up). Woke up to a gorgeous day Saturday, crisp, clear, sunny and walked down to the lake and looked at the incredible mountains. Ben and I got sandwiches and took them on a hike near Emerald Bay where we found our own little lake and had a picnic on a rock overlooking the amazing scenery. On our way back from the hike we stopped to take pictures of the beautiful Aspen trees, which are so vibrant in color right now. Ben kicked back while I dashed to find a thirft shop to no avail (all closed) but I did find a ROSS which always works and I got a pair of slammin black boots and a black sweater for my evening's outfit. Got dolled up and went to The Forest restaurant at the top of Harrah's for Ben's walk down memory lane (he fondly remembered LOVING this buffet 30 yrs. ago). The buffet was good actually and there was no end of choices, prime rib, crab, chinese, pretty much whatever you want. The dessert's were a lot of fun, frozen yogurt with all the fixin's, pies, cakes, mini eclairs.......no problemo getting all our calorie quota for the day! Then Ben and I went to a Cabaret show of female impersonators, we saw Cher, Bette Midler, Celine Dion, Reba, and Barbara Streisand. Fun stuff!! Sunday we had to leave early as Ben had to work so it was cut short but we managed to pack a lot of fun in so that was good. Abby and I ended up working in the garden and crafting (also birthing an AWESOME new product idea). Finished the weekend watching Ugly Betty and getting cozy in our jammies on the couch....