Hip Chick Designs

Art is....coming to the Arsenal in September!

2012-01-31T22:04:00.000-08:00

I have been so busy trying to come up with a killer class for Art Is.....I can't believe they are coming to the Arsenal, and I GET TO TEACH A CLASS! I mean what?! Seriously, I just dreamed it only recently and now here it is coming true. One thing I know for sure, if you try, really try, for your dreams then they can come true. First you have to figure out what you want. Then you gotta take action towards it. It's been my experience that if you are in action, and you want it, then the universe responds. It's like it's listening. (mental note-good art idea) I only went to my first art retreat EVER last fall, it was "Spark the Event" in Salt Lake City Utah http://www.sparktheevent.com/ and it did more than spark me. It lite an inferno! I was on freakin' fire after that, realizing that's what I want to do, TEACH ART WORKSHOPS. What could be better?
But how? well, first I had make a lot of art. Art I liked, art I was proud of. But before I even tried to get "good enough" it was presented to me! Holy Moly! Long story short my friend Sharon Payne Bolton (talented bionic artist) went to Art is last year and met the head honchos, talked about how the Arsenal in Benicia would be so ideal for classes, and before we know it, they agreed! It all thanks to Sharon http://www.sharonpaynebolton.com/, and her amazingness, and I just happen to be lucky enough to ride this wave too. Now I have less than a week to come up with a two day workshop worthy of Art is. NO pressure.....haha. Seriously it's terrifying. But one thing I am good at is seizing an opportunity. And this one is a doozie. So I am madly making wings as my theme. I think there is serious wing appeal happening as wings have so much symbolism. I looked up what do wings symbolize and found this...
http://www.whats-your-sign.com/meaning-of-wings.html
Winged Humans: "Angels, of course. They are divine liaisons. They are messengers with the ability to move freely from the realm of earth-bound matter to the unlimited heavens. They're depicted with human attributes, and so we reason they have human interest at heart. They are gifted with magic and flight, they are creatures of the divine."
I know they are popular in mixed media. Everyone puts wings on their art, and I admit it's addicting. It just gives an image an extra special ability. Instead of being simply mortal they can be fairies, angels, butterflies, and birds.
One of my favorite artists is Misty Mawn, you can find her here http://mistymawn.typepad.com/ she uses wings in much of her work....here are just a few examples

I just love her style, and lucky me I get to meet her at Artfest in March. This is Artfest: http://www.teeshamoore.com/artfest/classes.html. She is teaching a portrait class ON MY BIRTHDAY! Another dream come true....I tell you, it's crazy. I will also be taking a class from Jesse Reno, he is hugely popular, and wildly imaginative. Here is his website to check out: http://jessereno.com/art/, and I will show examples of his work which all happen to have wings in them..

These two artists have extremely different styles obviously. I am taking Jesse's class to see how far I can loosen up and try something different. I am challenging myself, so I can grow, learn and develop as an artist. That doesn't happen staying safe and content making the same thing. Right now I am like a sponge, soaking it all up, and just making whatever I can, whenever I can. Rarely does a day go by without making something, I don't really love anything I make to be honest. I know I can do so much more, and it's really hard to impress ourselves. But that's good too, because it drives us to keep at it. Even when it's frustrating (which it is more than isn't) and even when it's crap (which it is more than it isn't) we yearn for the masterpiece. We wait for it to present itself.

I am impatiently waiting this week for my class masterpiece to present itself. I have the tick tock of the clock at my back and I am slapping plaster, wax, acrylic, pencil, ribbon, glue, twigs, feathers, and wood together to come up with a finished product that looks good. All I can do is my best, and I sure am giving it my all. I appreciate you taking the time to check in on what's happening with Hip Chick, I will share the finished product soon, and after this week I get to learn the in's and out's and techniques of chalk paint. This is another new technique I am adding to my repertoire. Here is Annie Sloan's link to check out : http://www.anniesloan.com/index.html I simply LOVE chalk paint and love having it to play with at the shop...

Here is one example of how chalk paint gives a piece depth, and warmth unlike regular latex paint. The colors are simply delicious. More on that later. For now it's bedtime. I have more wings and things to play with tomorrow, this creative is flying to slumberville....sweet dreams my friends.

Horses are the latest thing

2012-01-12T08:26:00.000-08:00

Well it's a new year and this is my first blog post of 2012. I thought I would blog more often this year, but I usually blog when I have something to share. So today I am sharing my latest painting in it's phases and sharing how it came about. I have a love/hate relationship with horses. I love how majestic they are, how bold and free their spirits are, and yet I hate riding them. The reason why is, I have had MANY bad experiences riding horses, and mostly due to the fact I don't have a clue how to 'show them I'm the boss'. Therefore they always take advantage of me. But when I am not attempting to ride them I really appreciate them and have a cowgirl vibe about me that one would think comes from me being a horse girl. Wrong. I just dress the part, cowboy hat, cowboy boots, and such but just don't ask me to actually get on one of these babies...just let me stand there and look good. Anyway, that is just my funny relationship to these beautiful animals and I decided to try to paint one after I was inspired by a beautiful photograph I saw online. The horse has flowing long hair and the background is so serene it just beckoned me to paint it. I used my new "Annie Sloan" chalk paint for the first time as the palette is muted and I wanted to see how it performed on canvas. I really liked it. Here is the painting in it's various stages...

this is the image I was inspired by...

the sketch..

first layer....

more layers..

and the finished painting...

I called this "White Whisperer" and I really like it. Its one I could look at for along time and just breathe in. I am going to submit it to Arts Benicia today for the "Art of a community" show they are having soon. Now I am thinking of doing a horse series. Among other things, I am also interested in doing an ocean series, a portrait series and so on....but this is what is current for me today. I am enrolled in so many online art classes I can't possibly keep up with them all, even when it's my full time passion and I can devote most of my time to it. I have overextended myself with too many classes. But I have accepted that I won't get it all done (difficult as this is) and I do what I can in the time I have. The good news is it's all art, all the time. The more I do, the better I get. win-win. I still struggle with finding my voice, my unique style, but if I just keep doing the work it will reveal itself to me. It's important to just go with it and see where it leads. Thanks for checking in on me and I love to hear from you.....happy painting!

"Reach"-my word for 2012

2011-12-26T22:55:00.000-08:00

I lay in bed, cozy and comfy. It's my favorite place to fill up my juices. I am grateful for all the holiday celebrations, and ready to look ahead to the New Year. Recently, I read a post about how to find a word for the New Year to emulate what you want to focus on, and thought, "I should do that".
Here is the link for those who care to read it...http://quinncreative.wordpress.com/2011/12/08/choosing-your-word/ So after much thinking I came up with the word "REACH". This painting will be my Reach inspiration, I barely started it and will share it's development as it evolves...

and tonight I did this one with my new pan pastel I got for Christmas...

It feels like what I am going to be about next year. I want to reach further and higher, to stretch myself to my fullest capacity. I even treated myself to some help. I am going to be working with Tiffany Moore of Teahouse studios, to help me structure and nurture my goals for the upcoming year. http://www.tiffanymoore.net/ This is a giant step for me, to have someone help me fine tune my goals. I have never done this before and I am really excited. It's so easy for me to have art ADD and want to do this, and that and then flitter all about and not get anywhere. With help I am hoping to implement a more strategic way to get where I want to go. Even knowing exactly where I want to go is hard, but I have some lofty goals, and while I am moving towards them I know it will become more known to me where I am supposed to go. That's what always happens. When I am in action the universe responds. Usually very generously. It's the getting going that can be the challenge, and in which direction. So instead of bumbling about like I tend to do, I am hiring a guide. How lovely, to not have to figure everything out on my own!! Yay.
I am also treating myself to some delicious inspirational reading, I can't recommend this enough! "Succulent Wild Woman" by SARK. I am devouring it, bite by delicious bite. http://www.amazon.com/Succulent-Wild-Woman-Sark/dp/068483376X It is a feast for my creative senses, in every way. Visually stimulating, emotionally engaging, and highly motivating. I read a few pages everyday to start my engines, she is so inspirational. Here's just a sample of what I mean...

"All my life, I've heard that I'm too much. Too wild, too outrageous, too emotional, too sensitive, too needy, TOO MUCH. "

"Living wild has consequences. Welcome to these and learn from them. PLEASE GIVE YOURSELF TOO MANY GIFTS! "

"We have the right to live wild, succulent lives. right now open your window and yell at the top of your lungs "I'm here1 I'm wild! I will live a daring and remarkable life! "
scary huh...

I have really only started this book and there is so much MEAT to it I don't do it justice. I encourage you to read it, do what she says and treat yourself. I have been doing this lately and I am loving it. It feels good, and am I harming anyone? NO, am I making us go broke? NO, am I giving myself what I need? YES! hip hip hooray!! It's kind of hard isn't it to really dote on ourselves, we are so used to being martyrs that it's actually EASIER to deprive ourselves then treat ourselves. Now I can't speak for you of course, maybe you are already a succulent wild woman who completely, utterly loves herself and treats herself like the queen that you are. if so, GOOD FOR YOU! You are awesome. Personally I don't know that many women who do this. And I know a lot of women, and very strong, talented women at that. Even me, a tutu dancing, artist has a hard time totally indulging myself. I am learning, and I learn form those who show me how. I look to the women who "lead by example".
So I think 2012 is going to be a big growth year, and I intend on reaching and stretching myself as far as I can. Here's how....
I want to try new things, go on adventures with people I love and by myself, grow artistically, improve in my business, meet new friends and play with those who can, love deeply and often, laugh daily, pause when agitated, SLOW DOWN and quit being so impatient all the time, shush my critic and encourage myself instead, be kind, be silly, be TOO MUCH, be creative, dance and sing and eat good food, sleep a lot, and exercise, feed my spirit with spiritual food, be in nature often, see great movies and eat popcorn, have passionate sex, massages and pedicures, explore towns I have never been to, talk to strangers and take classes, take tons of pictures and absorb the world as a wondrous, glorious place, swim in tropical waters with turtles and eat fresh mangoes, try a new art retreat and learn new techniques, have artist dates with myself and marvel at the limitless possibilities of creativity, love myself more and stop being so critical, go to flea markets often and find amazing treasure, learn how to build things, paint often and not care what it's for, spend less time on facebook and more time with real people, do nice things for those I care about, and even those I don't know, reach and stretch and grow beyond what I can even think of, and most of all be grateful.

Tracy Verdugo Interview

2011-12-01T08:27:00.000-08:00

Tracy Verdugo and I have never met before but I feel like I know her thanks to facebook. She lives down under in Australia, a place I long to go, so we wouldn't meet ordinarily, were it not for our facebook connection. I found out that she is coming here to the USA next year so we will meet in person at "Art is"
http://www.art-is-you.com/mysitecaddy/site3/events-westcoast.htm, I can't wait. I chat with her on facebook from time to time and asked her if she would do my 5 question interview. Being the sweetie that she is, she agreed. Without further adieu here it is..

1.How long have you been making art?

The journey into finding my creative voice really coincided with my journey into motherhood. There is something so empowering and awe inspiring about bringing a precious life into this world so I guess it’s not surprising that shortly after the birth of our first daughter Santana 18 years ago I sat down with half a dozen tubes of cheap acrylic paint and with my beautiful girl asleep next to me, painted my first two little paintings. I was so proud of my first attempts and felt the seeds of something amazing stir. Around the same time I also found the courage to share my voice. I had sung my whole life but very rarely in front of an audience as my performance anxiety was overwhelming. With the loving support of my husband Marco I progressed from singing just with him to performing on stage over a three year period. Currently we are in the studio working on our third album release, this time with our band The Long Goodbyes.

"She felt the potential"

2.How long did it take for you to find your unique style?

In 2002 I held my first solo exhibition inspired by our travels in Mexico where many of Marco’s family lives. My first works were described as colorful, vibrant and joyful so I guess in some ways I fell into my own unique style early. In other ways however as my skill level has increased and my spiritual journey has unfolded my work has morphed and I find myself often painting now in a much more intuitive, playful and soulful way, searching for meaning in my work as it progresses and then building layers of exploration upon that.

"Love lives here"

3.Do you consider yourself successful?

It has been a long journey, 18 years now since I first picked up a brush, difficult times and wonderful times and many times where I forgot about my creative self completely.

In the last year however something big has shifted in my own perception of what is possible and many doors have begun to open. 2012 is looking incredibly, almost unbelievably, and a little bit scarily, amazing as my dream of travelling the world teaching and inspiring others to honor and unleash their own creative beauty begins to unfold.

In January our whole family will travel to the enchanting island of Koh Samui, Thailand where I have been asked to judge a major mural competition, teach and hold my first international exhibition thanks to my gorgeous friend Michelle Ho who is organising these events. All commissions from the sale of my paintings will go to the Dog and Cat rescue centre on the island where our animal loving 14 year old daughter Sienna will volunteer for several days while we are there.

In March I will teach at the wonderful retreat “Art Is” in Sydney and then in September I will fly to the U.S to join the Art Is family again in California and Connecticut. I will also be teaching at the spectacular Sweet Freedom Retreat in Missouri and Hacienda Mosaico in Puerto Vallarta. Other wonderful online friends have offered to help me organise workshops in Texas, California, Georgia, Florida, Canada and Hawaii and I’m doing my best to be able to fit in all of this wonderment during the five months we will be in the U.S.

I am also thrilled to be one of the teachers in Tamara Laportes online extravaganza LifeBook which will run through the whole of 2012.

"Awakening the Muse"

4.Where do you get your ideas?

Ideas and inspiration bombard me continuously and come from many different sources, the small details, the big picture, a poem, a color, a memory, snippets of text cut out of old books. Inspiration overload can sometimes be just as paralyzing as a lack of inspiration as I sometimes struggle to find a starting point with so many ideas flying around in my head.

"Concept and Creation"

5.Do you have a loud critic at your back? If so how do you manage it?

I still occasionally have to deal with my inner critic but I’ve learnt (for the most part) to turn the volume down. I imagine it as the voice of a well-meaning relative who thinks they know what’s best for me but is acting out of their own very different perspective. I also find that staying in balance physically and emotionally, getting enough sleep and treating my body well also helps me to focus clearly and keep emotions of doubt and fear at bay.

Gratitude has also played a huge part in my creative journey. Our family takes a moment each night before we eat to tell each other the things that we are grateful for that day. The more I find to be grateful for the more I realize just how much there is and this awareness helps me to move through the world in a more wholehearted way.

Find me here 

My blog http://artoftracyverdugo.blogspot.com

Our music www.myspace.com/theloooooooonggoodbyes

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tracy.verdugo

Restoreandrework

2011-11-21T10:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to Restoreandrework, http://www.restoreandrework.com/, in Castro Valley, a hidden gem, owned and operated by Cisco Diaz. I met Cisco about 6 months ago at the Treasure Island flea market, he has wonderful vintage items at good prices, so naturally I was hooked. He is as nice as can be, warm and friendly and we chatted about antiques and business. Since then I have seen him at various locations (he gets around), namely the Alameda antique fair http://alamedapointantiquesfaire.com/ and vintage sales in town. He has a knack for display and I love his combination of jars, baskets, containers and treasure. Here we are in front of his store yesterday

I needed mason jars to make Joy Jars and he has plenty....I bought a lot...

Giant Joy Jars for people like me who use their Jars so much they need to keep upgrading to bigger and bigger jars...these will be transformed by Hip Chick and you can buy them at my store or online for a great holiday gift. I will talk more about these later...back to Cisco's awesome store...I did a quickie interview while we were packing up my goodies...
"When did you start your business?" Cisco said, "June 2010. I was unemployed. I couldn't find a job. I decided to build some things, and I built my first birdhouse..

then I built another, a bench, an table, and next thing I knew I had 40 things to sell, so I went to the local Castro Valley farmers market and sold my first item.

Then from there I did other farmers markets.

people said , You should do "Alameda", so I baby stepped with smaller venues first.

I went to the DeAnza flea market, and did some vintage shows, the Treasure Island Flea and finally "Alameda" 8 months ago. His spot if F27 for those who go frequently (like me)...

Various items Cisco collects

So I asked him, "Do you love what you do?" and he said, "I wish I would've started before, I was a mortgage wholesale representative and now I love the freedom to do what I want. I love the creativity to make new things from previously used old things. I love the interaction with people. The big shows keep that alive."

Cisco can be found at the Alameda antique on the first Sunday of every month at F27, at the Treasure Island flea market on the last weekend of every month, http://www.treasureislandflea.com/, and at his new shop in Castro Valley open the 2nd Saturday of the month from 9-6. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Restoreandrework/120073454752702?sk=wall

He has a facebook page, which is this link and could use some support, he is going to quickly get it, I can tell you, his place sings with charm. Here are some pictures of his new store in Castro Valley...

there is so much to see, everywhere you look there is treasure..

I love all the rusty pieces mixed with useful jars, and boxes..

I got the killer candle holder and it sits on my bedroom vanity, thanks Cisco!

charming rusty bike mixed with frames, boxes, candelabras and vintage frogs...

I love supporting other people doing what they love, and Cisco is good people. I know we will be doing business together in the future and if you live in the area you should check him out. You will find yourself leaving with a smile and some treasure, what more could you ask for??

Free Pet Portrait for the Holidays!

2011-11-18T09:23:00.000-08:00

I am giving away a free custom pet portrait for the Holidays and the lucky winner could be YOU! Do you love your pet? Do you know someone else who LOVES their pet? Then you are eligible. All you need to do is email me your name and why you love your pet to carrieclay@yahoo.com. You are entered to win. The lucky winner will be announced December 1, 2011. They will receive a custom pet portrait of their choice just in time for the holidays. I have been enjoying painting pets so much lately that I felt it would be in the spirit of giving to provide a lucky winner this heartfelt prize. The best part about painting people's pets is how happy they are with the results. I love seeing people's faces light up when they see their beloved animal on canvas and that is why I offer pet portraits for a service. This is valued at $150.00 so it's a real treat for someone to win. Here are some recent portraits I did for a client who had a whole family of dogs

I have painted many animals and more can be found on my website if you are interested. Here is the link.

http://www.hipchickdesignsca.com/Art.html
My favorite pose for a portrait is close up and personal. If you can get the animal to show it's personality that makes it really special. I started painting pets after I painted my own dog, Chester. He is a German Shepherd/Poodle mix with lots of wild hair. He was such fun to paint that I thought "hmmm, pet portraits.." and that was that. The winner will also get their portrait and story featured on my blog, so don't even think of passing on this fun opportunity! What's better then free?

"Jane" my portrait painting and it's progression

2011-11-13T20:36:00.000-08:00

I am not highly skilled at portraits, quite the opposite. But the only way to get better is to practice, so I decided to take an online class from one of my favorite artists "Gritty Jane" or Jane DesRosier. Here is her link if you are interested...
http://grittyjane2011.blogspot.com/
She does amazing work, and I would love to be able to emulate her style. So part of the class is of course making your own portrait. This was my attempt. I called her "Jane" in honor of Gritty Jane and her style which is layers and texture mixed with paint. I am amazed at how much my portrait changed every time I worked on it. I think it's pretty good for my first attempt at this style, and the fact that I don't typically paint people. I can say that people are very challenging, there are so many components, mainly proportion. That is always a challenge for me, and really it comes back to the basics of drawing. There is no over estimating the importance of this practice. It is the back bone of all art essentially. What I tend to do is jump in without first laying down an accurate drawing. I am so excited to start painting that I jump in too quickly, thereby making more work for myself later on. But try as I might this is how I am. I have always done it, and probably always will. The good news is I choose a "forgiving" medium in acrylic paint. You can just keep going til you get it right. Watercolors were never for me due to the fact that you make your mark and it's there, if you need to move it, too bad. It's stuck and it ain't never going to move again. Oils and acrylics are so forgiving you can virtually paint an entire new subject over another and never even know it. That's for me. I can't stand being rigid when it comes to choices. I want to loosen up and paint with total abandon, and I feel like this happens after years and years and years of work. I am not there, not even close. But at least I am painting, and I am learning and I am trying. I quit art years ago after being so frustrated with my inner critic yelling at how bad I was. I challenge that critic now, I stand up to it and I say "go away, you aren't needed right now...." I am allowing myself to learn, to grow, and to try all kinds of ways to create. My biggest hurdle is ME. My critic and my expectations, if I can get past that, I am a success...I hope you enjoyed my process and if you can relate please share...

Sharon Payne Bolton-Artist at the Arsenal

2011-11-11T18:31:00.000-08:00

I met Sharon about 3 years ago when I first got my studio at the Arsenal in Benicia. I was mesmerized by her right away. She is gorgeous and talented, which can be very annoying except that she is also very humble and friendly. She does everything well. I am not exaggerating, She has more energy than anyone I have ever met. When I met her she was pregnant with Brody (who is now 2 years old), newly married and a mother to two more sons, Wyatt and Tucker. That's plenty for anyone, but she managed to carve out an art career and be an all-star sports star to top it all off. The thing that really had me in awe was how she could use power tools like a man, and build furniture. I mean really. Is there anything she CAN"T do? And while she was tending to her newborn, she was making art, and juggling a family. The funny thing about Sharon is how humble she is, she really didn't want to be interviewed. But I am very persuasive, and persistent. So without further adieu I asked her the same 5 questions I asked Sharon Tomlinson. Here they are...

1. How long have you been making art?

Maybe we should ask my mom this question? I think she remembers the toys I used to make out of wood, nails, rubber bands, tape, coffee cans, etc...She probably remembers the clothes I use to make for my Barbie Dolls? Fast Forward to when I was just out of college and would have an open block of time, I always wanted to build something... so, with the help of a friend at the time, I built my first fish bench...

after I had my first son, I worked a little smaller, (woodwork mostly) furniture, etc

After I had my second son I saw my first copy of Somerset Studio and it gave me the mixed media element...

2. How long did it take for you to find your unique style?

I am still chasing my unique style (is that even possible?)... My guess it that it might be out there, it might not... I wonder what is lost on trying to be something vs. simply just being? I think we all have to relax and let the exchange happen... art is an exchange.

3. Do you consider yourself successful?

Successful? hmmmm... I wonder when that happens? I really believe that I have a long way to go but I have come a long way too. I have some pretty lofty goals and now that I think about it, I have actually met some of them..

OK, OK, I will admit one of them... I have been exhibiting at the Ketchum Arts Festival in Sun Valley, Idaho for over 10 years now, and I always thought it would be a VERY cool honor to receive the Best of Show (Best Booth) award, well last year, 2010, my booth won!

I am not surprised....her art and style are so appealing. This is from her studio in the Arsenal....one small section....

4. Where do you get your ideas?

My ideas are everywhere (not sure who owns ideas anyhow!)... sometimes if I see a shape off in the corner of my eye, sometimes a word in a song will take off and become a Cabinet of Curiosity, sometimes from a dream, sometimes from conversation, sometimes I will create something and I will have no idea where it came from.

This is some of Sharon's current work, assemblage.

5. Do you have a loud critic at your back, if so how do you manage it?

My critic likes to drive, but I do think I am getting better at pushing that critic out of the way, well sometimes I can kick that critic off in the corner... I think I am starting to work with my critic, accepting that critic could be a necessary evil... I have had the good fortune of having some incredibly supportive people in my life, a lot of them artists. Three years ago I found the Arsenal and I found a place that is one of the true Centers of The Universe... The support, the artists, the energy, the collaboration, the friendships, the realness of This Place has become such a HUGE part of my life that I truly had no idea existed...

This last picture is her newest work. I love it. It is so unique, beautiful, layered and funky just like Sharon herself. You can come visit Sharon (and me) for our December Open Studios December 10th and 11th from 10-5. This is a real treat if you have never been to the Arsenal in Benicia, it's a playground of Artists, shops and beautiful architecture. This event if family friendly, fun and FREE.

Here is a link for Sharon's website for those who want to see more...

http://www.sharonpaynebolton.com/

This is one rising star I can tell you, her work is also featured in the downtown Benicia gallery 621..

http://www.gallery621.com/Artists/SharonPayneBolton/SharonPayneBolton.html

I am happy to be a friend of Sharon's and I hope some of her artistic genius blows over Hip Chick's direction. Come visit both of us anytime at the Arsenal!!

http://beniciaarsenal.com/maps.php

Handmade Christmas ornaments

2011-11-04T10:38:00.000-07:00

I went to Spark the Event in Salt Lake City Oct 21st and 22nd and came away completely inspired by the level of creativity there. We did nothing but craft for two full days and my head was spinning from so much stimulation. One of my favorite parts was the "make and takes", they are quick easy projects that can be done in 15mins or so. It made me think of offering make and takes at the shop for open studios in December. Handmade gifts are so special and many people are too busy to do them but if there was a table with all the supplies and a teacher (me) to show you how to do it, then perhaps this would be popular.... So I went to Michael's craft store yesterday. Ouch. That places hurts my head and my pocketbook. I have such art ADD I seriously can't handle a store like Michael's. I want to make EVERYTHING and buy EVERYTHING. Well as we all know that's big bucks. What I did buy was some glitter, pipe cleaners and stars to try out my make and take concept. Here is what I came up with...

I think these would work for make and takes, and I am having fun creating one of a kind styles. To personalize for make and takes I would have letters so people can say "Grandma" or "Mom" etc and then they would be giving a unique present. What do you think?? I was thinking of pricing them at $10.00 I know I would love to do this if I were looking for a Christmas present and it'd be fun to make one for my own tree...Here they are together..

and I am going to make more with some other styles and shapes...Also here is my last painting I made on a day I was struggling with thinking too much...

it's a good reminder for me to stop thinking and just create...I love crackle and want to incorporate more of it in the future. So that's what I've been up to. Off to the shop to make more make and takes and paint....I love to hear from you, so let me know if you are creating and if you have any good make and takes ideas to share....

An Interview with Sharon Tomlinson-Artist Extraordinare

2011-10-29T22:01:00.000-07:00

I love women artists. They inspire me daily. I have met the most incredible artists on facebook and one of these talented ladies is Sharon Tomlinson. I love her work. It is unique, fun , gorgeous and dynamic. Probably like it's creator I'm guessing, who was generous enough to take some of her time and respond to my questions about what got her started. Before I share my questions and her response, let me show you a few pictures of her work..

I just love the dynamic palette she uses, her original style of mixed media and collage, and her obvious talent with faces..

This is a softer and more relaxed palette, again using imagery for the overall composition, and leaving the story up to the viewer.
I don't know Sharon well, I am just an admirer of her work, and soon to be student in her new class, "Faces in Collage" which starts November 4, 2011. Here is her link to find out more
http://allnorahsart.blogspot.com/

I asked Sharon 5 questions that I as an artist am curious about.

1. How long have you been making art?

"I guess you could say I have been making art since my oldest was one year old. He is now 43. Yes, I am old. And throughout all those years my art play took me in many directions. I experienced seeing something and wanting to try it; because, when you are young and have a creative spirit, that is just what you do. For example, I started with ceramics and tole painting which led me to oil painting. I was a oil painter of landscapes, still life, as well as, the human figure. I am self taught with the exception of one mentor who shared her studio and talent with me nearly every weekday. It was during that time that I discovered my passion for sculpture. Studying how-to books, I became an original doll maker and made my own production molds as well as the wigs and costumes right down to the tiny one inch leather shoes. I think that was the first time that I realized I had a creative passion about something. However, doll making, my way, from the lump of clay to the tiny shoes was so time consuming that during my children's teenage years, I had to put the lump of clay down for a while. Then I joined my husband in our insurance business. All that being said, I took about a 20 year break from my art. However, my creative spirit could not be squelched totally. One example is during that time I was involved with community theater where I wore all the hats of a community volunteer including, painting many huge backdrops for the theater productions.

Then, about 5 years ago, I discovered a new passion. The discovery of collage, mixed media and altered books on the Internet knocked me over. I don't even remember why I started using acrylic paints as I had never used them before. But I feel the passion and no matter what I am doing, I must have a brush in my hand. More than that, I must be painting faces. Faces are my passion."

2. How long did it take for you to find your unique style?

"Well, I have been making art for so many years and I'm sure my style has been evolving. But I actually feel like my style today has only been developing this past five years. I think a unique style develops when you have such a passion for something that you just keep doing it over and over and over.

And you let yourself grow by being fearless and experimenting. And you daydream about it when you are not doing it. In my case, "faces" being part of my passion, I can't even watch a TV program without looking at mouths and eyes and noses and getting lost. I even see faces in patterns and texture when there are no real faces. I think your unique you shows up when you get lost in the process. I think it's about passion."

3. Do you consider yourself successful?

"Yes, I do.

I have so many successes: almost 50 years of marriage; two beautiful grown children who gave us four grandchildren; my health; and our business.

I also consider my creative self successful. I sell my art and have a great online art teaching business that is very successful. My newest class, Faces In Collage, starts November 7th."

http://allnorahsart.blogspot.com/

4. Where do you get your ideas?
"I find and see and hear inspiration everywhere and anywhere. I'm not looking to see the whole or finished next painting. Sometimes, I hear the quietest whisper that snags my imagination and is all I need to "start". You just have to start and know that you are an artist and you have been inspired. And then after you have started, keep listening because and you will get inspiration for the next brush stroke. And the next. And the next. My new class tag line is "images inspire the story". I think that relates to your question because it is the real images, as well as, the minds eye images and images from our memory that all get stirred around and give us our imagination that becomes the story."

5. Do you have a loud critic at your back, if so how do you manage it?

"I know him. But he has been pretty quiet lately. I'm not sure why. Maybe ignoring him long enough worked and that gave me some confidence.

Thank you Sharon. Thank you for sharing yourself with me, and my friends, for inspiring me and helping me grow. I know so much more about you now, and I look forward to watching your career unfold. I am simply in awe of how women in the arts collaborate instead of compete. It's utterly refreshing to ask such personal questions about the artistic process and get in depth answers within a day's time. Sharon Tomlinson is a class act and I am thrilled to be able to showcase such a talented artist.

"Spark the Event" ignited an inferno in me....

2011-10-25T15:06:00.000-07:00

I am going to try to find words to tell about Spark the Event. This is challenging because there was so much happening every minute, I couldn't even catch my breath. But I need to share my spark, it's my duty. I have been given such a gift, I want to pass it on to you....so the best way I can share how amazing this whole experience was is to SHOW you with pictures. Cause seeing is believing, right?

Here I am beginning my spark journey, inspired by my surroundings of the mountains in Utah. My first time there and definitely not the last. The scenery, the people and the energy is all pure and fresh.

How clever is this, just walking upon the door we begin to see the joy and beauty that awaits....

My new friends Gina and Jennifer. All these women from all over the country (even some from Japan!) came to ignite their creativity. It was grown up girls art camp, and it was fabulous.

I met Nancy Wyatt after being facebook friends and she is just as fun and friendly as you would imagine. I was struck by the realness of everyone involved. No one had a diva attitude or wasn't just humble and genuine. How refreshing! These are dynamic, successful women and they were all gathered together to help facilitate growth and bonding for creative women...

the decor was happy and ingenious, using all recycled items. Margie said they didn't spend a lot but you wouldn't know it, which is really creativity as it's best. Use what you have around you. You don't have to spend a lot to make something beautiful. It's been my motto all along, and I loved seeing how the decorations were made with ribbon, yard and paper scraps. I am going to implement some of the sparkness I saw at the shop...

This is the uber talented Mindy Gledhill. She is AMAZING. She sang a song called "Anchor" and I was hooked. line. sinker. I am bought her CD and I have since played it over and over, I can't wait to bring it to the shop and create whilst listening to that melodic voice....here is the cutie patooties website...
http://www.mindygledhill.com/

I like this shot, the light was so nice, I was so overwhelmed with joy and took a moment to look out the window and thank God for all this goodness. The talented Cathe Holden was kind enough to take my picture and she was also generous throughout the event in sharing useful tidbits of information about being in the creative business world. Here is her awesome blog "just something i made"...
http://justsomethingimade.com/

Cathe is also a local to me living in the darling town of Petaluma, hopefully our paths will cross again soon...

Here is our gorgeous food table, it was always charming, and lavish. We wanted for nothing. Included in the package was lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks galore. I am amazed at the value, not to mention they showered us with freebies. All of a sudden you would be deep in concentration, making a project and in would walk Margie saying "Who wants some presents?" and we would get a giant bag of scrapbook goodies....it was just constant goodness is all I can say.

Here is the view from the rooptop of Noah's the gorgeous building where this was hosted...beauty everywhere....

We had the whole place to ourselves. The meals were in the big room downstairs and the various classes were all upstairs, the schedule was 8AM-9PM and we crafted and created like elfs the day before Christmas.....

my spark homies: Nancy, me, Gina, Jennifer and Michelle. What a great group of women, I never knew any of them before Spark and we bonded instantly. I was surprised at how many women went by themselves, they were all brave and stepping outside their comfort zones, many having their first Mom getaway ever. I think it helped form instant friendships and I know everyone who went has spark sisters they will stay connected to.

This is one of the many classes, this is Donna Downey's class and this was my favorite of them all. Why it was my favorite is because I love Donna's style, loose and free,and I used pan pastels for the first time. I just found out about them and I love how non-messy and convenient they are. I also liked how Donna's class was "do-able" in that we made a collage in an hour. Some of the classes were tough only in that I wanted more time (and I am a fast worker), but her's was basic enough to finish in the amount of time we had. I will be buying pan pastels ASAP as a result of this class, and I am now a big follower of her work.

Donna showing the sample collage and explaining how to make it. It was surprisingly easy....

Donna is so down to earth and funny. I loved meeting artists whose work I admire. There is no pretentiousness with any of these ladies, which made it non stressful and uplifting. Art can be intimidating and even if you were a beginner you would have been able to walk away with a finished piece of work and felt good about it.

"Here is our work teacher!!" Loved this technique and will be doing more of it in the future....Here is Donna's blog for those interested in her work...
http://donnadowney.typepad.com/

This is Christy Campbell Tomlinson, creator of "She Art" which is so popular right now. She's as delightful and real as the rest, sharing her touching story of how "She Art" manifested through her father's death. She made her first "She Art" for her sister to help her cope and it just exploded from there. I am struck by how organic the whole process of art is, how if you just let go and create, what is meant to happen will happen. This is powerful for me as I often struggle with wanting to know where my path is going. I need to let go and let God, and see what unfolds. If I try to force it , then I only get frustrated. When I keep myself open things come to me, just like Spark. I wasn't even looking for it but it came right to me. I am so glad it did.
Here is Christy's "She Art" link for those interested...
http://christytomlinson.typepad.com/christytomlinson/workshops.html

This is the darling Emily Falconbridge, queen of felting. I had never felted before, nor did I even know what felting was. It's a technique used with wool and this was our last class at Spark. We made felted soap, which is an extremely relaxing and somewhat sensual process.. I shall take Emily's online felting class and continue to learn more about this art...here's a link to her blog if you want to check it out..
http://embers.typepad.com/e/workshops.html

This was our dinner table for Saturday night, full of beauty and Spark. I probably gained 5 pounds from all the yummy food and desserts.

Here is the Queen, founder and creator of Spark, Margie Romney-Aslett. She is so inspirational to me that I gave her my original red tutu of the tutu series. I felt compelled to do so. She has sparked so many women's lives and her leadership shows me what can be accomplished with hard work and ingenuity. It is women like her that show us how to get there, by surrounding herself with other amazing women that support her vision. By being genuine, funny and talented she has accomplished so much. Honestly I know she does a lot more then Spark, she teaches, has a creative team and a whole lot more. Here is her blog for those who want to find out more..I know I will be watching her rise to fame, cheering her on the sidelines and happy to Spark again next year...
http://www.margieromney-aslett.typepad.com/

Here is another incredibly talented woman Sarah Sample, she performed on Saturday night and rocked the house with her beautiful voice. She told us stories of how she wrote her songs and then we helped sing along and I had chills from the collective energy of the room. It was hard not to cry at times, it was so powerful. I also bought her CD's and have been loving playing them at home, keeping my Spark lit....here is Sarah's link, check her out, she is on her way to the top, no doubt about it...
http://www.sarahsample.com/music.php

and then I met the darling, the delicious Chrissy Gardner. It was love at first sight. We are both cowgirl hippy's and we sparked immediately. She is one of those instant friends, you can just tell by her smile can't you? I have a big time girl crush on her and I look forward to collaborating on a hippy cowgirl line in the near future...here's miss fabulous's blog for those who want to know her...
http://www.chrissygardner.blogspot.com/

and then after all this mind-blowing goodness, and I do mean mind blowing. My head hurt from all the excitement we go to the Dear Lizzie store. OMG is all I can say. It is the best store I have ever seen. My mouth literally opened and I think I might have even drooled a bit, I am telling you, it's GORGEOUS! If I lived near this shop I would never need to go anywhere else for a pick me up. Laura the owner is as kind and warm as all the other spark sisters and she deserves all the credit for making this slice of heaven. I gasped when I saw these tutu's, I would never be able to resist if my daughter was small...

The hardest part is taking it all in, every inch of the store is packed with beauty. Very inspiring for me as a shop owner. I saw some familiar things and some things I wanted for the shop.

Here is the link to Laura's store to find out more...

http://www.mydearlizzie.com/boutique

This was one of the last pictures and I love it cause we were cracking up. I saw someone get this drink (that I have in my hands) and I gasped, and said "What is that?!" It was a Fizzy Lizzie drink which is essentially cherry soda and whip cream. What a perfect drink to finish off a perfect trip. Nancy and I were laughing as I was trying to take a picture with one hand in the mirror and cheers with the other....Nancy is another multi talented woman who has her hands in many things creative. Here is her blog to check out as well....
http://www.lovestocreate.com/

As I sit here writing about Spark I am still reeling from the weekend's events and happenings. This magic is going to permeate my art and I am so excited to go to the studio tomorrow. I expected to like Spark, I knew it would be fun. But it far exceeded my expectations. I made a Spark shrine with all my goodies, I have sparked up my dining room chandelier and I have yet to unpack. I have been Sparkformed, as have all who went. I can hardly wait to do it again.....here is the Spark website for those who care to look...
http://www.sparktheevent.com/

Day 5- Be Unique

2011-10-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

I quit. I am sorry Patti, and anyone else who started the 101 questions game plan. It sounded good, and got me going til I looked at the questions and they are all the same. BOR-ING. And let me tell you I don't do well with boredom. In fact I say whenever possible if you can change course from boredom to excitement then by all means do so....That's what I am going to do. I am changing course.

That's me turning right, and not sure where I am going. But it's going to be more interesting then following all those guys going the other way...maybe I will miss them...maybe their way is best. But I will never know if mine is, if I don't explore. This is what life is all about. Exploring. Certainly with regards to art. If I just follow everyone else's art I will never find my own. I gotta keep exploring all different things to find my way. So the topic for today is changing course. Do you allow yourself to change course? or do you stay safe following others? It's a good question and sometimes I am one and sometimes I am another. I change course when I feel it's good for me and I follow when I feel it's good for me. It all depends on the situation. Today I don't want to follow. Today I blaze my own trail. Ultimately life is all about choices, and I am grateful for this. I choose change. How about you?

Day 4 "What are you grateful for?"

2011-10-14T02:20:00.000-07:00

There is a similarity to the topics for the 101 questions, and so as not to keep repeating the obvious I will expand upon other things then my family and my children. These are a given. I am very grateful for life. To be alive. To be healthy for sure. I never take this gift for granted. It's so precious. It can change in an instant, as I have seen with many people I care about and I always count my blessings that so far I have been able to sustain good overall health.
I am in a hotel at the moment and it's 2 Am and I can't sleep. I am not grateful for this. I have issues with sleep and it's not easy for me. This is something I have struggled with all my life. I just have to accept it. I decided to get up and write this post. My family is sleeping, they are getting up at 6 am to go try and get in the movie "Maverick's" here in Santa Cruz. We spontaneously came to Santa Cruz and we are at the new Fairfield Marriott on 41st Ave. I am impressed with the hotel. I am grateful for the Marriott and how my husband gets points so we can stay for free. This saves us a lot of money and I am most grateful for that.
I am also most grateful for my facebook friends. I get so much inspiration and support from so many talented women I wouldn't even know if it weren't for this. I love how facebook connects us and is so easy and free. Next week I will be meeting some of the art friends in person and this is so exciting. I am going to my first art retreat called "Spark" in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am grateful to be able to do this...

I am grateful to be able to afford to do things like this as a special treat, and I want to make it a yearly goal to do a art retreat. This is important on many levels, mostly personal growth but also good for my business. I get to meet other artists and make art, what could be better?? I can't believe this time next week I will be there. Hopefully I will be sleeping, unlike now. haha. I could go on and on about things I am grateful for but that's not the point. The point is to share, to think of things that are important. If you are reading this I hope you know I am grateful for you. You took time to read my blog. For that I am very grateful. You could be doing a million other things...so lastly I will say I am grateful for my wacky spirit. I am glad I don't mind expressing myself and that I feel free to just be me. That's hard for many people and I am glad that comes easily for me. The older I get the more free. I can't imagine what that looks like down the road.....probably something like this...

but then I am always drawn to the quirky, the ones who are colorful and fun. Love to hear from you and if you are writing about the questions....thanks for reading my blog....off to try sleeping again....wish me luck.

Day 3 Topic "What are the achievements you are most proud of?"

2011-10-12T23:00:00.000-07:00

My single biggest contribution towards making the world a better place is my children, Alex and Abby.

I mean just look at them. They are so special. I truly can't believe how good they are and how enjoyable it is to be their parent. In the same breath I am just as proud of my sobriety and my marriage . Both are things I work at, both need attention and commitment to flourish. Both require discipline, patience, understanding, nurturing, love and time.

I have done one for 20 years and the other for 10. I have had good times and hard times but I have always stayed committed. I am always amazed by this, that I have the stamina, the dedication that marriage takes. I wouldn't have bet on me. I come from a broken home, I am an alcoholic and I loathe routine. It's funny really. But I gotta say, I do like a challenge. And marriage is always challenging so in this way I am never bored...

I am also proud of starting my own business, from scratch, one chair and antique collectible at a time. My business plan was just a simple idea to make my space a store and a studio and see what happens. It continues to unveil itself. I started this blog completely ignorantly with 1 follower, and today I have 92. I will be 2 years old in January 2012 and I am still such a beginner. The hardest part is just like marriage, sobriety and kids-making through the tough times. You keep at it anyway and then the tough times change and they become good again.

and then it's good you didn't bail, you just rode the wave and then got back up and surfed another one. So that's my Day 3 Blog post. I hope you liked it. I would love to hear your achievements, and feedback. It's sometimes lonely being the only one at the wheel, and if I feel like there are people with me then I am always eager to keep sailing....see you tomorrow for Day 4...

Day 2 "What are you passionate about?"

2011-10-11T22:40:00.000-07:00

Today's topic is passion. Juicy, delicious, passion....dripping with goodness, oozing with flavor and mouthwatering joy. Here are some images of the things I'm passionate about....

My family

My business

dancing in Daisy

My husband

Silliness

The BEACH

Art

Art friends

My truck Daisy

laughing with friends

shopping at the Alameda antique fair....and or any flea market

leaping in my tutu

St. Croix, USVI

Buck Island

Bass Lake

Fork's Burgers

Tutu's (of course)

Cherries

My sister Holly

finding treasure for the shop

my daughters jumps

my sobriety

friends

ice cream

Tom Petty

and much much more.....It was easy to think of things I'm passionate about. I could go on and on....I like this new endeavor we are on, I am happy you are joining in, if you want to jump in any time feel free. Just get a notebook and start writing. Extra credit if you make art and a cover.....see you all tomorrow!

How to live life to the fullest ...101 questions to ask yourself

2011-10-10T23:21:00.000-07:00

Tonight my daughter Abby and I made journals to start our new program of inspirational "me" time. This came about from this website,101-questions-to-ask-yourself
So Abby and I made journals from composition books, and drawing paper. We covered the journals with drawing paper and went to the craft drawer to get something on the cover...we took some pictures of the stuff we used and all this took about an hour..

glitter is fun

stamps are nice

letters for "Dear Abby"

Abby's journal

fun tape for the inside

Abby's journal with ribbon

good saying

my journal.....

Today's topic is "Who am I?" Kind of a big question to be sure. But one we should all know the answer to....We wrote a page on this, and tomorrow we will do another topic...so if this sounds good, join us. It's easy. You might like it. Who knows what will happen....I sure don't. But I already like it. It's quality time with my daughter, it's artsy fun and I might learn something new....yay. It will also get me blogging again. I admit I was getting burnt out. I just couldn't get fired up about it. This will keep me focused and on track. I need that discipline. Left to my own devices I can be rather lazy...confession time. Ok, I thank you for reading and come on and join the adventure...I would love to hear from you...

A glorious day to be at the beach

2011-09-11T22:30:00.000-07:00

Hi friends,
It's Sunday night 9:14 pm and I am kickin it after a lovely day at the beach in Santa Cruz. I love the beach. I am passionate about the feeling I get when I am there. Connected. It's the place where my soul takes a huge deep breath and sighs.....ahhhh. I am happiest when I am at the beach, when I can see the ocean, hear it's waves. I lived on a island in the Caribbean twice in my life and it's power has never left me. I also lived in Santa Cruz and Monterey but it's been along time since I have lived by the sea...too long. I need to return from whence I came. I'm like a mermaid, I can only stay away from the ocean for so long before I die of sadness..

so I will return when my daughter graduates high school. I can hardly wait. We have been going more frequently lately, as my son goes to college at UCSC. We go to the flea market, or surfing and then visit him at his work at "Aldo's" for lunch afterwards. It's always a perfect day. I love the vibe in Santa Cruz, it's very laid back and chill. It can be a bit crazy downtown but the beaches are lovely. Today we went to the beach off 41st avenue where Abby and Ben surfed, while I read and sketched on the beach. It was heavenly. I listened to the soothing sounds of the waves and I drew a picture of a surfer girl...

then my son finished work and met me us at the beach....

it was a beautiful day, not cold, and not hot. We watched Abby surf....

she is getting the hang of it! It's her newest passion. Too bad we don't live right down the street, she would get sooo good, sooo fast! She is just the cutest surfer girl....

After all the sun and fun we went to the taqueria for a bite and drove home. The good vibes are worth the drive, and we are becoming more and more locals once again...Ben and I lived in Santa Cruz when we first started dating 24 years ago, near the boardwalk. I worked at Aldo's then, the very same restaurant my son works at now. I love the continuity of it....so moving back to the beach is in the future for certain. It's just a matter of time. I think a Santa Cruz Hip Chick Designs is just what it needs......
thanks for checking in on me...

Hip Chick's first class

2011-08-21T19:03:00.000-07:00

Saturday was a great day, it started with a tutu sale before I even got out of bed! WOO HOO! That's what I'm talkin' bout. Then I had my first art class and I was totally prepared and excited. I had 5 students sign up for my timeline class which I had learned from taking "Soul Restoration" from the "Brave Girls club". I found the experience so powerful I wanted to share it with others so I decided it would be my first class at Hip Chick Designs. My students were Paula Oesterling, Carrie Nerheim, Donna Butler and Paula Wayne. We started off with introducing ourselves, followed by a 10 minute meditation to quiet our minds and reflect on our lives. After we finished our meditation I instructed the girls on the structure of the book. They all dove in and made quick progress and before I knew it they were all ready to put their images to paper. The class was a timeline of our life and I provided images while also encouraging them to bring pictures of their life to use if they chose. These ladies were fired up and they just rolled through the different pages, adding images, text and creating 3D pop up work to boot! I happily facilitated any questions but these gals had none, they just went for it. Here are some pictures of this wonderful day....
Students

Paula Oesterling

Paula Wayne

Donna Butler

Carrie Nerheim

Paula and Carrie working..

Paula Oesterling's finished piece and her overall experience...
"I enjoyed the camaraderie and that we have done something personal and special. I loved picking your brain about art. It's the most fun I've had in along time".

Donna Butler's timeline...
"Don't be afraid, it's so much fun. I didn't think I could do it, I've enjoyed it so much. It made me think and remember."

Paula Wayne's timeline
"I was so excited the night before I came and it was even more fun than I thought it'd be. A great experience, and a good way to get reacquainted with yourself."

Carrie Nerheim's timeline....
"You eased me into it gradually and before I knew it, I was an artist!"

There had to be a tutu picture finale!

What a blast, thanks girls for being my first students, I am psyched to do more classes in the future....I will be doing decoupaged busts in October and then we also have Laura's charm bracelet class Sept 17th and Diane's garden scene class Oct 29th. Check website for details....www.hipchickdesignsca.com

thanks for checking in on Hip Chick happenings!!

Road trips are meant to rejuvenate the spirit

2011-08-01T09:29:00.000-07:00

Hi Blogger fans,
I realize I haven't been bloggin as much, I'm sorry. Just haven't had a ton to say I guess. Last week I admit this hip chick was struggling to keep any shred of sanity with the PMS from menopause hell....I was psycho..I mean so psycho even my daughter was looking at me with some fear in her eyes...It ain't pretty sometimes I hate to say. In fact I was SOOO grumpy, anti social and pyscho I went to the shop on Friday to open and couldn't do it, couldn't face the public, locked myself inside instead, and re-arranged, de-cluttered and saved the world from my psychosis. It was the right call, sometimes you just gotta take care of yourself and know it's ok.
Well today I am finally getting back some balance and preparing for a 5 day road trip with my family to So. Cal. Just a mini vaca to rejuvenate the mood and have a little fun. We are hitting Ventura, Newport, Disneyland (for Abby) and San Luis Obispo to see what fun we can find. We like to do a trip for summer and this year couldn't swing a big Hawaii excursion. Too expensive. So road trips work and anytime you get to get outta town and stay in a hotel it's fun.
When I return I am gearting up to teach my first art class at the shop, August 20th. It's a timeline of your life with pictures and collage. Powerful experience. I encourage those who can attend to sign up, I am providing lunch and we will take the day to create our life's masterpiece.
So for now I need to pack and get ready. Just wanted to say a quick hello and good-bye to those who check my blog. It's so nice to know you care..
I will share pictures, but what I am doing more and more is posting on my Hip Chick facebook page, it's faster and sometimes that works. I like the blog for sharing more stories and elaborating on topics...
Hope you all have a fabulous week, I appreciate you!
Carrie

10 years of clean living

2011-07-19T21:31:00.000-07:00

hi blogger fans. first let me say sorry. sorry i haven't posted in awhile. i think it's because of summer and such. who knows. maybe i just didn't have much to say? well i do now. i want to give thanks. To the program of Alcoholics Anonymous for 10 years of sobriety. I know this is a bold statement to make on the Internet, for all to see. but i am just transparent now, in all aspects of my life, so i don't care who knows it. i'm not ashamed of it. quite the opposite. it is my biggest achievement, along with being a great parent. why hide that? so here's my story for those who care to read it...
i started drinking and smoking pot in jr. high, it was offered i wanted to fit in, so i partook. i liked it. no biggie. didn't change my life drastically until high school when i really decided to become a dedicated "partier" . yay. how ambitious. it seemed to fit though, i mean i was good at it, and it helped me feel good, plus everyone around me was doing it. so i graduated (barely) and i tried to figure out what to do with my life, didn't want to go to college, as this was what you're 'supposed' to do...so i moved to the Caribbean, naturally. i lived there for a couple years in my early 20's partying HARD, and it is totally acceptable there. encouraged. i mean there are bars where you can order a to go drink and you can LEGALLY drink and drive with an open container. still to this day. perfect paradise for an alcoholic. i thought i would live there forever. but fate intervened. as it turned out i came back to california to visit and saw my husband Ben after many years absence. we started dating. then i had to choose..him or the caribbean...well i can't believe i was so wise at 23 years of age but i was and i chose him. we started a life together. we got married. had our son alex, i went to college, all the while i was drinking but it was sort of 'normal' in that nothing bad was happening. i graduated college. had a daughter named abby. was a full time mom. lived in a darling town called carmel valley. ben was building his career. then i got bored. restless. and i started drinking more. and smoking pot again. before long it was everyday. i didn't like being sober. ever. and yet i pulled it off. i never got in trouble. never. this still baffles me. so even though i knew i was blowin it i looked around and saw things were fine. but i was dying inside. i started to become a prisoner of my own circumstances, always figuring out how i could get loaded without getting too wasted, and still be a good mom, and wife. i knew i was needing to stop but i couldn't seem to, not for any length of time. most i ever got was a week. and that was really tough. until i got way too drunk one night, and the next day in a bad hangover swore i was going to stop drinking. and i went to AA. it was soooo scary. those people were so serious. and they expected so much. you had to get a sponsor. you had to do steps. you had to not drink. you had to believe in a power greater than yourself. wholy moly. i wasn't THAT bad..i said. and i went back to my usual pattern. i was good for awhile, then it got away from me and i got drunk, felt horrible, swore i could mellow out, and then i got drunk again. damn. what could i do? if only i could limit myself! but try and try and try some more and the same thing happened. until the miraculous day when it changed. it's funny because the last drunk i had was no different than so many before. i blacked out. i woke up feeling like shit. i tried to piece together the night before to no avail. i swore i would mellow out. and then i realized FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THAT IF I DRANK AGAIN THE EXACT SAME THiING WOULD HAPPEN, I WOULD GET DRUNK. how could i have not seen that before? that this pattern was so obvious anyone could see, and i couldn't. i couldn't connect the dots until that day. and i knew then in that instant my life was changed. i knew this time i was going to quit. and mean it. and do what i needed to WHATEVER i needed to, to live differently.
humbly i went back to AA. i listened. i did exactly what they said to do. it was hard. hardest thing i ever did. i wanted to drink so bad all day everyday. but i didn't. i wanted relief from the raw nerve that was exposed and aching. there was no relief other than time. and one day at a time i began to feel better. i thought there would never be a day i didn't obsess about drinking. and then magically one day it happened. it took quite awhile but it came. and it was worth it. i had struggles with my marriage over how much time i was spending with AA, but i stayed focused. i knew i had to commit 100% or i would go right back to what i was doing before. so i stayed the course. and time marched on. as it does for us all. pretty soon i had a year of sobriety. what a miracle.
then 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9 years. many things happened, all good. never did i think my life would be better if i could drink. and now i come to my 10th year birthday tomorrow. I am having a party and all the people who have shared my journey are coming. i celebrate with them as it is a WE program. i didn't do this by myself.
i'm excited. for those of you who can't come i celebrate with you via the Internet. for those of you who are reading this and can't relate i appreciate your support. i share this story because i share myself in my blog. not just the packaged version of what sounds good, what i 'should' write about. i share what's true. what's real. it's all i know how to be now. take it or leave it, this is me. i am a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous and i thank them for saving my soul.
nowadays recovery isn't so taboo. seems like everyone is in recovery or if you aren't you know someone who is. it's acceptable to talk about. i hope i have helped someone with my story and if i have then i am grateful. i share this milestone with you my friends, known or unknown. it is my biggest achievement.
thank you as always for your support,
Carrie

Time for some summer vacation

2011-07-01T23:29:00.000-07:00

Hip Chick is taking a week off to Bass Lake for some sun, fun and family time. I am talking old fashioned no internet, hanging out on the dock, swimming and sunning. Lots of talking, laughing, running, eating and chill-axing....I just love vacation, who doesn't right? But Bass is so fun becuase it's got so much of our family history...Here is the story for those who are interested..My Great Grandfather was Albert Graves Wishon, the senoir engineer for PG&E so we have been going to the lake ever since it was built. I am incredibly honored to be related to the founder of the idea...

BassLakeCA.com


History Typical cabin built by the Williams familly A hundred years ago Bass Lake was not a lake at all, but a lush meadow surrounded by pine tree covered hills and mountains. Chuckchansi Indians have inhabited the area for Thousands of years. The Mono Indians came to the area about 200 years ago. A detachment of the Mariposa Battalion came across the valley in 1851 shortly after their discovery of Yosemite Valley. After observing flocks of what they thought were Sandhill Cranes, they decided to name the large meadow area Crane Valley. The large grey-blue birds were actually Great Blue Herons which still populate the area. Through Crane Valley flowed Willow Creek, a tributary of the San Joaquin River. In 1895, a plan was devised to use the waters of Willow Creek to generate hydroelectric power for residents of the great San Joaquin Valley. The San Joaquin Electric Company was formed and the first earthen dam was built in Crane Valley in 1901. Mule-drawn freight wagons carried machinery and supplies up the mountain and went down loaded with timber that had been cleared from the reservoir site. In 1902 the San Joaquin Light & Power Corporation was formed to purchase the electric company and later the electric operations of the rival gas company. The dam was enlarged in 1905 and the present Dam was built in 1910 (145 feet high). The lake was called Crane Valley Reservoir for many years but the name was eventually changed when a small Bass Lake lumber operation polluted the lake, killing all the fish that were in it. The lumber company was ordered by the government to replace all the fish that were lost. The chosen fish was Bass, hence the new name - Bass Lake. Bass Lake is now owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the waters of the lake are still used today to generate electricity, irrigate farmland in the Central Valley and for numerous recreational activities. The lake is considered a "warm water" lake with water temperatures reaching near 80 degrees during the summer months. (written by USFS) The Lake Bass Lake was completed in 1910 to protect property down stream. Now it generates 27 megawatts of power through 5 downstream power houses and is owned by Pacific Gas & Electric. It has developed into major resort and recreation facility. This lake features year round full contact with boating, personal water craft, fishing & water sports. The Pines Track Prior to 1991, The Pines Tract consisted of 255 undivided acres of land leased by Bud Williams (Williams Resort) from PG&E on a long term master lease which expired in 2013. The Land had been informally subdivided into 550 residential lots, some commercial property and the road network. Williams subleased these informally divided lots to persons who built cabins on the leased land. The Cabins were owned, but were built on leased land. The subleases were set to expire in 2012. because of this arrangement, the cabins were, for the most part, modist. As 2012 was getting closer, maintenance was deferred and very few cabins were remolded improved. It was very unclear that PG&E would grant Williams another master lease. It was equally unclear if Williams would be reasonable in renegotiating renewal of subleases. In 1984 Henry "Barney" Bernard formed the Bass Lake Homeowners Association. With a lot of hard work and help from the County of Madera, sublease owners were able to buy out the Williams Resort. A Bond assessment program was implemented in 1989, money was raised, and over it's objections, Williams Resort was bought out for $5.1 Million Dollars. Negotiations commenced with PG&E and again, after lengthy negotiations and bargaining, PG&E sold 125 Acres to the Bass Lake Homeowners Association for 16.3 Million Dollars. This took another bond issue to raise the money. Liens on every piece of property which went to the bond for financing were put in place. People started getting their deeds to their land in 1992. Again in this process, Madera County assisted in many ways, supporting the bond issue, serving as a facilitator, holding the land until it could be surveyed, officially subdivided and the deeds issued, etc. Since sublease holders became real property owners without the fear of loosing their investment, the community was reborn with a boom of new building. Old cabins were torn down and others remolded. Property values have soared with Lake Front homes selling for over $2 Million Dollars. (article written by Jim Ackroyd, edited by BLCA.com) Wishon - by Dwight Barnes For a few years in the 1920s, Bass Lake was served by a fully accredited, common carrier railroad for which the town of Wishon was established in 1923. Wishon was the mountain terminus of the Minarets and Western Railroad which extended 53 miles from western end of the Bass Lake Dam to Pinedale on the banks of the San Joaquin River just north of Fresno. Solely owned by the Sugar Pine Lumber Company, the railroad’s primary purpose was to carry logs to a huge mill at Pinedale, but it was an official common carrier. A privately owned, standard gauge railroad carried the logs from Central Camp across Bass Lake Dam to Wishon. The town was named for A. Emory Wishon, who was active in the early development of hydroelectric energy using Bass Lake water and who became executive vice president of Pacific Gas & Electric Company, after it purchased the Bass Lake operation. Although Sugar Pine Lumber Company failed after only eight years, the post office continued until 1986. During those years, it was housed in what today is called Miller’s Landing. The store had been started by John McDougald, who was Wishon’s first postmaster.Born a railroad town, for many years Wishon showed remnants of cars and other railroad material. PG&E in the Sierra - by Russell Westmann Did you know that the Pacific Gas & Electric Company is one of the largest utilities in the United States? Are you aware of where the first powerhouse was located in the Central Sierra or how the site became part of the PG&E hydroelectric generation system? It all started in 1895 when J.S. Eastwood, civil engineer for the City of Fresno, and J.J. Seymour, formed the San Joaquin Light and Power Company. In 1896 they completed construction of a powerhouse on the San Joaquin River between Auberry and North Fork. This powerhouse (PH#1) was remarkable because it had head of 1410 feet (“head” is the drop from the top of the penstock to where it enters the power house) and transmitted power all the way to Fresno (37 miles), both engineering records at the time. Unfortunately, the Fresno Gas & Electric Company resented the new competition and filed claim to the riparian water rights in Crane Valley (Bass Lake) thereby interfering with the reliable flow of water to Power House #1, located by the San Joaquin River about halfway between North Fork and Auberry. This problem, coupled with several years of drought, forced this pioneering effort into bankruptcy in 1899. Both Eastwood and Seymour suffered heavy financial losses. The San Joaquin and Electric Company was placed in receivership with John Seymour appointed as receiver. John Eastwood was no longer in the picture. In an effort to establish a year-round water supply for San Joaquin #1, Seymour applied for a permit in 1902 and started construction of an earth dam at Crane Valley (now Bass Lake). You can imagine the surprise when Seymour (also President of Fresno Water Company) was arrested in his office by federal authorities. It seems the permit application had not been acted upon and Seymour had started construction prematurely. Seymour’s brother-in-law, J.M. Howells, obtained the option on the defaulted bonds for the San Joaquin Electric Company and together they traveled to Los Angeles to meet with W.G. Kerckhoff and A.C. Balch. Kerckhoff and Balch were major investors in hydroelectric power plants in Southern California and controlled almost half of the stock of Pacific Light & Power Company. They purchased the assets of San Joaquin Electric Company (San Joaquin Powerhouse #1, transmission line to Fresno, water rights, etc.) and formed the San Joaquin Power Company. They now owned San Joaquin #1, however they did not have a manager. Fortunately for Kerckhoff and Balch, Albert Graves Wishon approached them at that time about some water rights on the Tule River. A.G. Wishon already had experience building and managing two other small hydroelectric systems in the Kaweah and Tulare areas. Kerckhoff and Balch declined the Tule River opportunity but hired A.G. Wishon to manage their newly acquired power plant on the San Joaquin River. San Joaquin #1 was then operated successfully until 1910 when it was replaced by a larger and more modern plant now named A.G. Wishon Power House. Today, travelers can see this newer powerhouse near the upper end of Kerckhoff Reservoir on Power House Road. That does the new San Joaquin Power Company controlled by Kerckhoff and Balch and managed by A.G. Wishon have to do with the Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation? After bankruptcy, Los Angeles investors A.C. Balch and W.G. Kerckhoff acquired the company. They immediately hired A.G. Wishon as general manager. Thus, in 1902 the new company, San Joaquin Power Co. consisted of one powerhouse – San Joaquin #1, a small dam at Bass Lake, transmission lines to Fresno and Hanford, and a system of canals and flumes. A.G. Wishon set to work expanding the demand for electricity in the Central Valley and developing further sources of electrical power. Key to this expansion was an agreement between Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and San Joaquin Power Co. In this agreement a boundary was defined to establish their electrical service areas thereby permitting the San Joaquin Power Co. to expand into all of Central California. Over the next 20 years, the San Joaquin Power Co. (later becoming San Joaquin Light & Power) constructed four more power plants on Willow Creek above San Joaquin #1 was replaced by a more modern powerhouse, now named A.G. Wishon Powerhouse, and in 1920 the Kerckhoff reservoir and powerhouse were constructed. This later addition resulted in the first powerhouse and dam to use the waters of the San Joaquin River. In 1927 the Balch powerhouse on the North Fork of the Kings River was completed. All of these hydroelectric power plants are still in operation. By 1930 the San Joaquin Power Co. had reorganized as the San Joaquin Light & Power Corp. (to obtain more capital) and had purchased or merged with several other power companies. This resulted in eleven power plants supplying energy to a service area stretching from Bakersfield to Merced and from the mountains to the ocean. At this point, irrigation systems and oil fields were electrified and electricity was available to virtually all communities in Central California. A.G. Wishon had been joined earlier by his son A.E. Wishon and when W.G. Kerckhoff retired they together managed the San Joaquin Light & Power Corp. In 1936, a merger of San Joaquin Light & Power and Pacific Gas & Electric was completed, which significantly expanded the service territory of PG&E. A.E. Wishon served as a director and executive Vice President of PG&E until his untimely death in 1946. Today the legacy of these pioneers can be found in the powerhouses and reservoirs bearing their names and in the strength of Pacific Gas & Electric Corporation that has become one of the largest utilities in the United States. This enterprise all started in 1896 with the construction of Eastwood’s powerhouse, San Joaquin #1, between Auberry and North Fork. our cabin- my most treasured family heirloom. so until next week, I wish you all some summer fun and a Happy Fourth of July!!

"Unfolding"

2011-06-27T23:04:00.000-07:00

One of the best parts of my wacky business is it's unpredictability...it's never the same. Yay. I don't like same, it gets boring.....fast. What I love most about Hip Chick Designs is the many components that keep it interesting, and changing. There are pet portraits to paint, treasure to hunt for and then merchandise in the shop, art classes to host and teach, collages to make, tutu pictures to take for the portfolio, farmers markets, etc..to name a few..Two new aspects were added to the repertoire last week when I got a free 4 panel screen, and I met Arianna who is getting married at the Arsenal in November. Caren McCracken my advertising friend came by with a truck of freebies, my favorite, and of the items she had was a large 4 panel screen

I wasn't in love with the fancy hunting scene, but I was in love with it's potential...here is what it looked like once I started playing with it...

right away I knew it was going to be special....so I kept adding paper and paint and whatever I could to give it life, and depth..

and this is what it looks like now...it's not finished yet, I have more sanding to do, if you look closely at the left side it's been distressed and at the bottom it's unfinished, it's a big job...and the collage can also be developed more as well..but so far I am LOVING it. It really represents Hip Chick right now. Vintage Hip. Old text, and I mean old, some postcards and letters and newspapers from 1918 mixed with dictionary pages, music and pretty wrapping paper, mixed with paint, ink and charcoal ...it's so fun...What I love most about this style is it's looseness, it is dynamic and colorful in a vintage themed way....very hip chickey....As a result of this screen I am thinking beyond canvas now, and that excites me....yay.

On top of that another very new, fabulous breakthrough occurred...On Friday I had adorable bride to be Ariana come in wanting to buy my old ironing board for her vintage themed wedding at the Arsenal....only yards away from Hip Chick Designs...She told me all of her amazing ideas for the perfect vintage wedding just like I hope to give Abby someday (my daughter)...well as you might guess she wanted everything in the shop, but she also wanted to keep her budget down. We both came up with the perfect solution.....Vintage Wedding Rental by Hip Chick for the Arsenal. Win win...I never thought of it before as I never thought of being a rental business but it makes sense to do weddings in the Arsenal.. It's super close, it's already got the old vibe as these buildings are more than 100 years old, and my stuff would look amazing in the setting! Genius! So just like that , "snap" another avenue to add to the Hip Chick repertoire...I love it.

When you have your own business, you get to try new things and see what works. It really is the only way to learn. There can be hard lessons as well as good ones, but it's all part of the journey. Learning keeps things fresh, and fun. Without that it's just another shop...with 'stuff' you can buy...that's not the goal. The goal is to have a creative oasis, where magic is made, people can gather to enjoy art and I can grow as an artist. So far I am accomplishing that goal. I just have to suit up and show up to see what's next. It's always an adventure...thanks for being a part of it.

How things happen...

2011-06-20T09:09:00.000-07:00

I had a very interesting Saturday at the shop. It started out ordinarily, kind of quiet and I was working on my collage...

I was painting and scrapping and sanding and adding and then Marlene came by from Summer cottage antiques in Petaluma. I was chatting with her and then Shelley came in, who I had never met before and says "OMG your stuff is so Spark". Having no idea what "Spark" is I asked her and Shelley told me about this big event called "Spark the Event" in October in Utah. She started to name some of the people involved like Margie Romney-Aslett, and Christy Campbell Tomlinson and I recognized their names right away....I thought maybe this is something I need to participate in, Shelley tells me how she has wanted to go for YEARS and she brought all her best handbags and shoes to Rags to Riches to help pay for her ticket there. I was intrigued. I said to Shelley, maybe we should go together, and I should bring my stuff and sell it, and we just went crazy with how this was going to happen...Marlene was still in the store, marveling at how we JUST met and were concocting our whole Thelma and Louise "Spark" trip..I said I'm in. So less than 24 hours later it's on. It's on like donkey kong. And I just know it is meant to be. This event has tons of artists who I know via the facebook/artist network and it will be a weekend workshop of crafting, fun and networking. I have dreamed of going to one of these events and now I am. Just like that, SNAP. Cause really that's how things happen. I just follow the next thread that appears, instead of over analyzing it and talking myself out of it. Here is the link for anyone who is interested...http://www.sparktheevent.com/

aside from all that excitement, I am working on getting more classes lined up for the shop, soldering jewelry and doing my homework for Traci Bautista's "discovering Y.O.U." class...there is never enough time to squeeze in all I want to do. But I do what I can, and it's all good. Hope you are enjoying this summer weather, today I get to go to our pool for a little R&R with my sister and the kids. Thanks for checking in on Hip Chick happenings, let me know what you're up to, I love hearing from you!!

and let me know if you're ready to buy a tutu....they brighten ANY occasion!!

Podcast With Risa and Benicia Farmer's Market on Thursday

2011-06-14T21:10:00.000-07:00

I love free press. How flattered was I to get interviewed by Risa the other day...here is the link for it,

http://voodoonotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/podcast-with-hip-chick-carrie-clayden.html

Risa is a sassy lady who found me via Pam Carriker, a well known artist and author who I sent a tutu to, and who is in my tutu series......Thanks Pam! She wrote "Art at the Speed of Life" and we met on facebook (my favorite social network vehicle). Pam's husband is a pilot like mine, I am an artist like her and we bonded immediately. Thanks to Pam wearing my tutu, Risa saw it and asked about it, and that's how it goes....so these tutu's really do have magic in them...I swear. I sell these magical skirts on my website and invoice via paypal for anyone who is interested. I can get any size and color, just email me what you like at carrieclay@yahoo.com.
The latest new happening is coming this Thursday as I will be at the Benicia Farmers Market selling my wares. Thankfully the weather has finally warmed up, so it will be a lot of fun to be outside chatting with the locals in downtown Benicia from 4-8pm. Come on down and see me ok? I am soldering up some charms and necklaces, I got a shipment of feather earrings and of course I will have tutu's for sale...
As always I thank you for checking in on Hip Chick and her adventures...stay tuned as there are always more around the corner.....

Sodering is fun!

2011-06-12T21:28:00.000-07:00

Saturday we had another fun class at the shop, this one was a wine bottle charm necklace class taught by Laura Ellington. Laura and I met at Room with a Past about 4 or 5 years ago, we both had spaces and sold our treasures there before I left to do my Hip Chick thing. She has been soldiering for years, and makes amazing necklaces with vintage charms and such. Recently she had the idea to use wine bottles as a charm and they look beautiful, like little pieces of stained glass...We had 5 students in all and everyone was fearless about diving right in. My mom came and we celebrated her birthday with cake and presents, so it was a big fun filled day. Here are some pictures to share.....

Linda and Nancy from The Thrift Station in Danville came..

Christy came to her first class

Our teacher Laura Ellington

My Mom

our yummy tray of glass and ribbons...

Laura shows us how it's done

mother-daughter love

Mom was a pro

Patti( our class regular) loved her necklace!

nice work Patti!

Christy used two charms

we sang Happy Birthday and had cake.....

yummy princess cake

Nancy's finished work

Christy made this amazing three piece necklace

my turn..

I want to solder everything now...

I am going to get a soldering set up tomorrow as a result of this class...I just love making things and the sky is the limit when it comes to making jewelry. Hip Chick is going to make some vintage charms and sell them at her shop and at the farmers market. I love learning new art techniques and this could be scary as I am such a spaz and it's a HOT iron...must use some restraint....haha...not likely...thanks for checking out the latest happenings...always up to something creative...please let me know what you're up to as I love to hear from my blogging friends...

Annual cherry pickin party

2011-06-07T22:44:00.000-07:00

Today it was finally nice here in California, it's been really wet and chilly so seeing the sun shine today was glorious. Last year about this time the hubbie and I went cherry pickin' and it was really fun. and delicious I might add...I love me some crunchy bing cherries. don't you? Man they are good! This time our daughter Abby joined the fun and we ate as many cherries as we could before feeling sick. Then we picked cherries to bring home, far more than we will eat. I like sharing. Sharing is caring I always say...so here's some fun shots of our cherry pickin excursion...

don't these look delicious??

Ben certainly thinks so!!

had to wear my tutu, it's tradition!

yo, who loves cherries?

Abby in the treetops

the cherries killed her

our bounty

here's my lot, where's yours?

this is the life!

my darling daughter Abby

she humored me with the headband (pressie from Ben from Italy)

it's fun up here!

Hellooooooo overrrrr thereeeeee.....

there were tutus falling from the sky...

and landing on ladders

exquisite contrasts

tutu in cherry orchard

Now who wants some cherries? They go quickly as they are sooo yummy...after all the joy of this excursion I came home to find I got published in Crescendoh in the Art Saves category....this is really exciting for this Hip Chick. I entered my story on a whim and forgot all about it and then today find out I'm in ! Yipee! Here is the link for those who are interested...

http://blog.crescendoh.com/readers_share/2011/06/finally-found-my-niche-by-carrie-clayden.html

I am honored to be in this publication and it validates all the effort I put into my business. Being my own boss is a learning experience everyday, as I am the bookkeeper, the buyer, the artist, the marketing manager, the spokesperson, the writer of blogs and websites, etc...I could go on, suffice it to say I wear many hats. Motherhood has trained me well for this job, as being a Mother ones juggles numerous things at once. It's always changing which I like and there is a never ending list of "To Do's" which I don't always like, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Thank you to you who have been supporting this adventure. You help motivate me when I am down, wondering what the heck I'm doing...all it takes is a simple, "way to go" and I'm feeling good. Let's keep frolicking on and see where the road goes....I'm glad we are on it together....

Whatever works

2011-06-03T08:49:00.000-07:00

Hi friends. I am psyching up for my day, looking outside at the dark clouds, trying not to let them 'dampen' my spirits. But I do wish for a warm day I have to confess...I am a sunshiney girl for certain. I always say I'm like the weather, "when it's sunny, I'm sunny and when it's cloudy then you know....I'm cloudy. And this late June winter weather has got my panties in a wad let me tell you.. I mean geez. The forecast for the weekend is rain. all weekend. So much for the BBQ that we are having on Sunday, oops I mean Rainday...ok enough about the weather. I could write for hours...

The topic today is whatever works. I chose this as a result of my recent joining of "Etsy". I am doing whatever works to get my name out there, sell my art, and make a couple bucks. As you know I have the shop in Benicia, and it's fabulous, but it is quiet...because it is hidden. My biggest challenge is finding my customers and then getting them to come to me. I am still working on how to do that. An easier approach is to post items I have online as I have built a huge online friend base. This way people that don't live nearby can see what I have and hopefully buy it. So I joined Etsy the online crafty website for yummy goodies. I only have 1 item at the moment, but you gotta start somewhere right? I will add more little by little and see what happens. One thing I have learned with my business is it's good to keep trying new things to see what works. I don't have a road map for Hip Chick's, I am 'off road' seeing all the sights and meeting new friends in the nooks and crannies of the road less traveled. One thing I love about having my own business is there are no rules, I am in charge and it's scary and empowering all at the same time. There is a big learning curve, I am not always going to make everyone happy that's for sure. But I do try to make my shop a happy place for people to be inspired, myself included. So for those who can't come in, I will provide an online shop and then I'm reaching everyone I can. I have met so many amazing artists from facebook and online art classes and we all support each others endeavors. It is one of my favorite parts of my business. We are all trying to do what we love and hopefully make some money at the same time. That's the main objective after all. So with out further adue, here is my Etsy link...
http://www.etsy.com/listing/75305978/vintage-bottle
Be the first to buy my stuff, I would be sooooo inspired. I have many more bottles with fun sayings, art I will post, vintage treasures and the like. Thank you for all your support, it really does keep me going. I often wonder if I am just spinning my wheels, round and round in circles, and when I get comments from you telling me how much something I did affected you, it makes it all worth it. Thank you.

Art isn't always happy

2011-05-26T20:14:00.000-07:00

Today I had a heavy heart. We had a tragedy in our community when Allison Bayliss took her life on Monday by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. This is unimaginable to me. How does a 15 year old think life is too painful and the only answer is ending it? Depression? Pressure? Hormones? Family strife? Friend trouble? Bullies? I don;t think we'll ever know and it scares the hell out of me. My daughter was classmates with Alliy and in girl scouts in third grade. She had a 'normal' life, good family, etc. Then one day she snapped, obviously. She meticulously planned her demise. It's horrific. So with a heavy heart I sat at the shop and thought about what to create and I made this piece

"never good enough"

this was inspired by recent events. I had the image of a little girl and I painted her not knowing what I would use her for. I already had the wings cut out from my 'brave girl' online class and they say all sorts of things like' never finishes the laundry', spills things, eats too much candy etc... and I liked the idea of using them as wings with a woman to represent labels we place on ourselves. As a looked at the little girl I thought about how women pressure themselves and never give themselves enough credit. We are just never enough. Universally I think women feel that way, and it's so sad. WHY? Why aren't we enough? We do it all. We are MORE than enough and yet most women are insecure. I bet 9 out of 10 women would say they don't feel like they measure up somehow....so this piece is representing of that message. The image of the young girl surrounded by women represent the innocence of youth and the ignorance of 'measuring up' to the pressures of being a woman. The tape measure is symbolic of measuring ourselves on a scale of 1 to 10 and the wire surrounding the image is how we trap ourselves with this pressure. The hand has a key just outside the 'cage' and just outside of reach...symbolising the never ending reaching that women endure to be perfect. I love this piece. I have put it in my house and it has a lot of meaning to me. It isn't a happy piece, but it is powerful and it reminds me to be 'enough' all the time. I don't want to be "never good enough" and I admit I can fall into that trap at times. I can look at my art and think "big deal Carrie, you call yourself an artist?", only REAL artists show their work in galleries and get paid BIG money....." but I also know that is toxic, and negative and down right MEAN, and I shouldn't talk to myself that way. But I am human and it happens. I am sharing this because art is raw. Art is exposing yourself through all kinds of mediums. Words, images, pictures, whatever. The most powerful art is an expression of emotions. So I can't be afraid of showing them, good or bad. To be an artist, one has to be brave. This much I know. I must fight against the critic, the 'not good enough' voices, and do it anyway. I know my little creations matter. The smallest gesture can make a difference to others. Just like this blog post. This post might inspire another, it might really strike a chord with someone, and I'll never know. If I don't put myself out there, I definitely won't help. I know I help people just by doing what I believe in. This motivates me. This keeps me blogging, posting, creating, suiting up and showing up when I get no customers, or have no sales. I create anyway. It's enough. And you are enough. I appreciate YOU. You took the time to read my blog, to care about what I'm doing and that is incredibly valuable to me. I thank you. Please leave me comments if you have something to share, I LOVE hearing from you.....

Reunited and it feels so good....

2011-05-24T22:53:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I got to reunite with my old best friend Cindi Thompson. Cindi and I met in the girls
bathroom at Leigh High school and we became instant best friends. We were inseperable. We shared so many life experiences I couldn't begin to write about them...we had 20 plus years of fun together. But then we had a rift, and sadly the rift lasted about 7 years. But then out of the blue, we talked again and we mended our differences. What a miracle. If I had my old pictures scanned I would do a photo log of our relationship, but it would takes hours to find the pics and scan them to do that. Just picture the 80's, then both of us with feathered hair and you have the image....then fast forward to these...

Cindi with her boyfriend Gage, and her brother Scott with his kids

Carrie, Scott and Cindi

old St.Croix friends Susan and Cindi

old roomies Cindi and Ben

Cindi and Gage

The Claydens

group shot in Santa Cruz

best buds

here was the reunion, at Aldo's in Santa Cruz and Alex (my son) was our waiter. So fun. It was a wonderful day for everyone, we all ate yummy food, caught up and walked to the beach. I have missed my friend and when I thought of us it made me sad. It's such an empty feeling to end a friendship, its like a death. But we got a second chance and I am so grateful. Life is too short to hold bad feelings, and if you have an opportunity for happiness then take it. I did and I am glad. The day after I talked to Cindi I healed another relationship that was painful in my life. Talk about synchronicity. It was on fire that week! How fortunate to have this happen in the same time and make my life twice as good in two days time. I am still adjusting to the enormity of it. I am always open and willing to what life presents, and especially so when it's a blessing. What a blessing this is.........

Road trips are the best

2011-05-17T19:47:00.000-07:00

Funny that my last post was of Bass Lake and the follow up post is about Bass Lake...that's synchronicity folks! Abby and I got to go on our annual mother-daughter road trip last weekend to Bass Lake and this time we both brought a friend. She brought Emilie and I brought Kat and the funny thing is we all gell like magellin...haha. Now that Abby is 15 she really likes hanging with her friends and I understand, I am just grateful she still likes hanging out with me too. I am amazed how all of her friends are so engaging and fun. The older generation (Kat and I) delight in watching them be girls and dance, and sing and have fun. They don't roll their eyes at us oldies when we do the same, they join in! It's wonderful. Let's just show the pictures as they show all the fun...I am soooo happy to have my camera back after over a month of it being at the shop getting repaired. You all know how much I love that thing. I am a picture MANIAC! Now that I have it back it's picture time...(.da..da..da..da...da.da...da..da..dance music plays..) ok, well here are some of the pictures which I always post on facebook (BTW) but there are some of you (Robin) who don't do facebook so herre ya go...

Abby and Emilie at the Frosty shop awaiting their ice cream cones...

Emile's first time to Bass, she loved it...who wouldn't?

everything is so beautiful there....so peaceful...

first tutu silliness...

best view on the lake, right in front of the cabin

new yellow tutu is amazing in sunshine

I like jumping in tutus...

falling is funny too..

Kat is my soul sister

these girls can dance...and kick...

mother daughter love bump

a moment in time...

hmmm, look what I found..

Art journaling

girls having fun on kayak

Abby and Emile got these boys to don tutus...

and then we had some car trouble....

but our taxi driver Jeannie was fun

and the next morning it was WINTER...

beautiful and still

then we had Fork's for our Finale and Ramon donned a tutu

and we drove home under an intense sky

it was a whirlwind of sun, fun, thrifting, car trouble, art journaling, hair cuts. good food and friends, laughter, good movie (Jack goes Boating), yoga, picture taking, did I mention tutu's?, snow, rain, hail, sunflower seeds, and much more.....what can I say except Bass Lake is the best. The weather went from 78 degrees on friday to about 36 degrees on Sunday so it was the full spectrum. But we did it all and even with car trouble had a great time. Just goes to show you, with tutu's, good friends, and a good attitude everyday is beautiful.

Inspiration

2011-05-10T18:09:00.000-07:00

For those of you who know me, and for those who don't, you probably know that I am linked to tutu's. Right? Right. Do you know WHY? Maybe some do, but most probably don't. Wanna know?? Thought so..all thanks to a Bass Lake road trip 2 years ago with my daughter Abby. We went on our mother daughter road trip in May 2009 . While on the road we stopped off at a thrift shop (our usual thing) and saw a red tutu hanging on the clothes rack, and we thought..."FUN". GOOD. Let's get it! So we did. Later that day, we were kickin it at the cabin, and we decided to go take some pictures. (Our usual thing again) so we went to "Bee beach" which we nicknamed because yes there were lots of bees there once, hence the term "bee beach". So we grabbed our red tutu and we start shooting......here are the pics...

cute...so cute. right? Having no idea how this tutu thing would become a phenomenon we just laughed and twirled on and on....

Abby rocked that tutu as she is a dancer, but I had to have a turn too...even though I'm an old lady I still like to kick my heels up..

I loved it, I felt so fabulous twirling about...we took tons of shots...laughing the whole time....

the light was perfect and the mood was joyous...when we were done we threw the tutu in the air...

and marveled how gorgeous the tutu looked against the blue sky, like a giant flower... I call this "Exuberance", it captures the essence of our experiences that day. Later Abby and I feasted on Miller's burgers...yumm...

It was a glorious Mother daughter weekend. One of many. And it started the tutu train down the tracks.....choo choo....after seeing our tutu pictures and remembering our joy in the tutu frolic, I thought...."maybe there is magic in that red tutu", and I brought it to my next event, a birthday party. Well, I was right, there IS magic in that tutu, and in every tutu I have seen since. Every time someone puts one on, they light up and smile, they become young, silly and happy. I have since taken hundreds of tutu pictures. There are sooo many and I have put many on my website. If you haven't seen them go to www.hipchickdesignsca.com and enjoy the slide show. I need to compile a book and also make cards, it's just on my long list of things to do see.... Now I sell these "magic tutus" and this has been catching on quickly. I love that such a simple thing, a pettiskirt, is making people happy. It's helping my business by showcasing who I am, a silly artist named Carrie who dances about in a tutu skirt for fun and thrills. Seems like there isn't enough fun and silliness in the world and I am happy to help spread more of that about if I can. This weekend is another mother daughter Bass Lake road trip. This time we have both invited a friend, it's so fun we love to share. Of course there will be tutus and we hope some sunshine too. I know the tutu thing will wear off sooner of later...for now it's a fun ride and people are enjoying it. I know I am. That's the fun thing about inspiration, you never know when or where it will strike.

But once it does you go with it, you just know, ya know? I will know when it's done and then I will move on to something else...most likely the next thing will plop in my lap just as the tutu's did. That will be fun. Until then we shall all dance around in out tutu's and be silly. Life's too short not to be, and I admire people who can let their hair down and let loose. It's liberating. Exhilarating. and for this Hip Chick, essential. Thanks again for taking time to check out my blog, I love to hear from you, what inspires you? I shall end with this adorable picture of my darling daughter at Bass Lake when she was about 1 year old. Priceless..

Open Studios and following your gut

2011-05-02T22:21:00.000-07:00

Open studios was this weekend and it was a big success. We artists love having people come out and share in our spaces and in our love of creativity at the Arsenal. Thank you to all who came out to support us. We had newbies who ooooohhhh'ed and ahhhhhhh'ed and then we had familiar faces stop by to lend support and buy some of our wares. We love those folks!! We gear up for this for months and we always say, "We should do this more often" but truth be told it wouldn't be as good if we did it all the time. It's better to have something fabulous only occasionally as it keeps it's allure that way. Here are some pictures I took with my Itouch. Sadly my Nikon is in the shop and I won't even go there about how upsetting it is.....back to happiness and goodnesss......here's the montage...................................

the entry

the gorgeous Jan Ely stopped by...

my daughter Abby and her friend Louise helped a lot

Cami and Olivia came to check it out

and of course Terence came to hang in his spot.

Lee wanted to rock a tutu....who am I to refuse?

Hip Chick with Hermann chickalicious

Molly, Carrie and Carrie again...

tutu lovers.......

Hip chick with sweet Sandi all in bloom...

these artsy girls grabbed at my chocolate cake.....

Scott was kickin it in his studio

Hip Chick in her signature tutu

my helpers took a time out to be creative....always welcome at Hip Chick's!

now this shirt should be mine! LOVED IT!

If there's a party, Alexander is there!

two sassy hip chick's

All hail the Queen....

new friend Erica and her art

Felix and Lynn dropped in for some fun

sassy friends Fran and Mary

the shop

The pictures show the fun, that's what I love about taking them. We artists love to show off our work though and I am happy to say I sold many of my art pieces. It's just VALIDATING to have someone buy something you made, ya know? That's the best feeling there is, as a creative person, lemme tell you.

So today I vegged all day. Yummy. Spring is here and I couldn't be happier. Cause I'm like the weather, "when it's cloudy, I'm cloudy and when it's sunny, I'm sunny". This weeks weather looks to be nice and warm and I intend on making the most of it, I hope you do too. Thanks again to those who were able to come, and thank you for those of you who couldn't, but who are taking the time to read my blog. I appreciate YOU too, and I will be going online for those who want to buy hip chick goodies but live too far away. I wanna help you out! What can I say, I am just nice like that....

I was just about to sign off and I saw my topic titile said "open studios and following your gut" and I didn't talk about about guts yet...so I guess I better. Guts. Hmmm. a messy, gooey, topic really. haha. I put that in my Title because if I hadn't followed my gut I wouldn't have been participating in Open Studios at all. So it is by following your gut that you get these sparkely gems that you never would have dreamed of until they present themselves. I encourage you to just try to do that thing you love, just sometimes, and see what happens. We are called to it, and if you don't listen, then you will miss out. And that's sad. I know fear is a powerful forcefield and it can convince us that we aren't good enough, that we don't have the time, the money, the degree, the influence, the space, the energy, the passion, the whatever we need to have to do it. But we do. It's only a matter of doing it. I promise. It's only a matter of saying yes. Yes I will try, yes I will do that thing, yes I will do one tiny little step towards that enormous goal that seems so big I could never get there. And then before you can believe it, you're there......so what's stopping YOU?

"love yourself"

Playing hooky and taking action

2011-04-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

The yin and yang of life...just as I thought of my title I thought of ying and yang...let's see what it means..."In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang are opposite forces that form a whole. Everything contains both yin and yang in a balance that is always changing, such as hot and cold, day and night, and health and disease. ..." yep, pretty much thought that's what it means. So my blog today is one of yin and yang. I will share about a day spent being in action for a good cause, "Invisible Children", and a day playing hooky (today) because that is what my soul said I needed for balance.
First I will share about my action day. Ironically it was spent in silence. WHAT? ME-silent for a whole day you say? Yes, it's true. I committed to 25 hours of silence for 25 years of war thanks to my daughter Abby. She was at school last Monday when "Invisible children" came and shared their dedication to helping children in Africa who are threatened by Joseph Kony, an evil psychopath who abducts children to become soliders in his 'army'. Abby was so affected by their plight she committed to the 25 hours of silence campaign and shared the struggle with me. I was happy to join her as 1. I care about human rights causes 2. I support my daughter when she is passionate about things 3. I could do this. So we donated money and got tshirts that said "Invisible children" and we didn't talk for 24 hours. I ran a couple errands and passed out cards explaining my silence and the response was respect and support. It was a learning experience for me to be hampered by my silent pledge and to deal with life without words. There was writing on tablets, texting and the like, but no words. I admit it was hard, but I committed to it and I love a challenge. There was an event in San Francisco for breaking the silence that Abby and her friends wanted to go to Monday night. I was eager to see others in silence and I chaperoned the girls. Kat ,my friend, joined us as she is always up for supporting a good cause and she is a real trooper. We all got on Bart and went into the city, SILENTLY. There are always fun characters in the city and these guys were funny...

being as we got off right in front of the forever 21 mecca we power shopped for 45 mins and then grabbed subway and headed to the event. They got everyone organized and inside all IN SILENCE...

the girls were really into it and that was inspiring to see

once inside we signed letters to congresswomen asking for help, and we waited for the countdown.

here is the countdown video...
It was fun to scream as loud as possible and really fun to be able to talk again!! The speaker from Uganda brought it all home as he thanked us for our efforts and help. He shared how much it is helping and how wonderful the Americans have been in supporting this cause. After the speaker there was a small band and then a small dance party and then it was over. All in all it was a really eye opening experience and one I was proud to have taken part in. It's so easy to leave it to someone else, and yet just doing one thing, can make a difference. I was happy to share helping another person's plight with my daughter, as it is by example that children learn. I was proud to take action and do my small part in making the world a better place on Monday..

Today was the opposite of Monday as I wanted to take the day OFF. I have Open Studios this weekend which is a huge fun filled event that brings in lots of people. The event is free if you are reading this and can come to Benicia this weekend. It's Saturday and Sunday from 11-5 and the day is filled with food, drinks, raffles, art and of course TUTUS. All the artists open their doors to this weekend and the weather looks to be spectacular! Woo hoo! I just love bright sunny skies so I can open the doors up and let the warm breeze inside the shop. I have been making many collages and such in preparation for the weekend so today I just felt like chill-axing. I took my dog on a long 5 mile hike on Las Trampas ridge.

my mangy dog Chester..It was a beautiful spring day that beckoned me to play...

the cows were chill-axing too..

It was so wonderful to have the day to just do whatever I wanted, even though I did manage to get some productivity in there as well. I will be better for it come this weekend, and I hope you can all come out and visit me. With that, I'm out. Thanks for checking in on Hip Chick's adventures. Love the comments, love to hear what you are up to too!! Happy spring......

Women in Art support each other

2011-04-18T10:20:00.000-07:00

I am only now connecting the dots, 16 years later, between my Women's Studies and Art major in college. I attended UCSC from 1993-1995 as a "Re-Entry" student which means, "old lady over 25 or some such thing"...I was married, and had a son Alex, when I finally grasped higher education. I had no idea what to major in prior to transferring to UCSC, I just wanted a Bachelor's Degree. But you have to major in SOMETHING so I figured I would major in ART, and then I took a Women's Studies class, just before I transferred and I dug it so I thought, "maybe I can do both?" and I did. I was a double major and I felt like I was clever to get two degrees for the price of one...always a schemer, always looking to get the most for my money...haha. It was a perfect marriage. I made Art and learned about women, and loved the contrast and connection between the two subjects. Then I graduated. 32 years old and I got my degree. I was proud. It was hard. Now what...what the heck do you do with a Women's Studies/Art degree? I had another baby...and went back into full time motherhood. Ironic. And this was my story for 13 more years....

I quit art, never really thinking I was good enough to call myself an "ARTIST", even with an Art degree, and I didn't know what the heck to do with my Women's Studies teachings....become a Women's Lib leader? I worked odd jobs every now and then to get a fix for empowering myself, only to eventually quit after a year because it wasn't really "IT". I even went back to school and got an Interior Designer certificate from Las Positas college, thinking this was really going to be "IT". But it wasn't. I liked rearranging furniture and I loved to make things look pretty but I couldn't see myself working at a fancy Interior Designer showroom and ordering drapes, couches and rugs for fancy clients. I could see myself as the "Design on a Dime" type of designer but I never really got it off the ground. I am great at school, and then not so great at putting my learning into a "career". But wait, there is a happy ending!!!
I finally turned a corner in 2009 when I recommitted myself to art. I read the "Artist Way" and it lovingly guided me to my passion-Art. Oh yeah. I liked art once. I just never thought I was good....enough....so I decided to try it again. And that lead me to where I am now.

On a whim I looked into art studios and I found Benicia, completely off the radar and yet perfect for me. Affordable and funky=perfect. I started painting again. I was happy. I had a place to play and create. I made it cute. Adorable. I had a bed, a record player and an easel. I was in heaven. Then I had a good idea..."I can make it a shop AND a studio", and sell things and make enough money to pay the rent. So I opened Hip Chick Designs officially in January 2010. And I have been doing it for a year and a bit and I only recently realized this huge realization. "THIS IS WHAT A WOMEN'S STUDIES/ART MAJOR DOES FOR HER CAREER" She has a shop and art studio that facilitates women connecting through creative endeavors. Only 2 months ago we had our first art class at the shop and it was such a smash hit that it launched subsequent classes from then on. The energy of many women making art together is palpable and it validates my usefulness.

I facilitate women connecting through art in my space. WOW. Right on. This makes me feel truly valuable. I didn't even plan this all out. It is leading me, and I am along for the ride. I just made a commitment to do art, and see what happens. I have also made art friends online that are influencing the direction of my art immensely. My last post was all about my breakthrough in art thanks to the brave girls classes empowering me to be kinder to myself. Art therapy. As I was doing my 'homework' and making art that says "you are enough" I internalized it and realized we all need this validation. Women are too hard on ourselves. We expect soooo much of ourselves and we give ourselves no credit. That is sad, that is silly, that is not what I want for the women's movement. I want to empower women to live their dreams, to embrace their passions and to love themselves. This is the point. This is the women's movement that matters to me.

And in my small way I am contributing to it. By making art that speaks to women, by hosting women gathering together to make something beautiful, by living my dream, and by showing my daughter that when you do what you love, success follows. It's scary at times because I am making this up as I go along, but it's also really exciting. I have no idea where this ride ends, and the twists and turns are always there, but I know it's the right path, the one I was looking for all along. It just took awhile to find it. I hope you find yours, sometimes it takes a lot of digging, and trying different things to figure it out. Just don't give up, because if you are trying then you will get there. "Don't leave before the miracle happens."
I would love to hear if you are living your dreams and how you got there. I am inspired by others stories and I love the support women give each other. I thank you for your support and for taking time to care about mine. We need each other. Alone I am small, together we are mighty.

Hip Chick has a breakthrough

2011-04-16T08:49:00.000-07:00

I shared recently that I enrolled in the brave girls club, an online art class that empowers women in art. It's art therapy basically. Very powerful stuff. The adorable Melody Ross lovingly asks her students to be brave and overcome the obstacles that block us in life. Through art. One page, one stroke at a time. Genius. I don't have big obstacles to overcome, luckily. Some women are overcoming cancer, divorce, abuse, addiction, you name it, they are facing it. I think this class is fantastic therapy for them and it changes lives. My only obstacle in my way is ME. ouch. yuck. How can that be? Easy, we all get in our way if we listen to our insecurities. My insecurity is not being "good enough" and this is very common among artists, people in general too. But I am facing it. Head on. I am a brave girl. By facing it we can change it. How? By asking if it's true. Melody (even her name is beautiful) asks us to make truth cards, these are cards that empower us with statements like "I am precious" I am good" I don't have to know everything to be valued". and many many more profound statements. There are pages of empowering statements to choose from and you pick which one speaks to you. and you make an art card out of it. When you are feeling vulnerable the idea is to look at your truth card and ask yourself is what I am feeling true? or is it my old behavior talking to me? This class is only 2 weeks in and it has already made a huge impact on me. I am making art like CRAZY. It has helped me loosen up, Yipee!! This is exactly what I needed. I am playing again. I am letting myself experiment and I am loving what is happening...

I think this says, "You are so brave dear one."
This was a happy accident...which is what most art is..I saw these two old pictures hanging on the wall in the shop and decided to experiment with them. I glued some burlap on them, painted on the burlap and then looked around for things to use on top of that. This is often my process...I saw an old picture and some ribbon and as I was just thinking of my truth statements I used one and WA-LA...it was finished. Then I made this one..to go with it..

It says "Let your wings guide you. You were meant to soar"
and I loved it. I have an obsession with wings as they are my spiritual symbol ( as they are for many people) and my Hip Chick Design sign has wings on either end so this works really well in the shop. I posted the pictures on my Hip Chick facebook page and immediately sold these pieces. wow. This has never happened before. I was just goofing around.....hmmmmm....I think there's a lesson here. Suffice it to say the direction of my art has now changed from traditional painting to mixed media collage. I love the combination of vintage vibe combined with empowering statements. It's exactly what Hip Chick is all about! I am just so grateful to be making art that represents me, for the shop and has meaning. And people like it. This is my purpose, this is why I do what I do. I don't need to get rich, I don't sell my art for much, in fact, it's ridiculously cheap. I sell my art for the joy of it. I love to make something beautiful that makes another's life more beautiful by having it. That's the best feeling in the world. I am going to be adding my art and treasures to my website and setting up paypal for those of you who don't live nearby and want to purchase my goodies. I have been meaning to do this, it's the way of the future. Online selling. My art pieces were $38.00 each. A steal. So if you are looking for affordable treasures you know where to get them. Me. I have more goodies to share but I must get going. We have an art class today at the shop. It's a collage, mixed media class by Stephanie Jordan and it's going to be fun. I am sure I will learn some tricks and I love seeing people enjoying my shop and making art. I will host a class myself in the future, right now I am enjoying letting others teach and I am the student. There is plenty of time and thanks to my brave girls lessons I don't have to do it all NOW. I will let it flow, naturally and gently. Thank you for checking in on Hip Chick Happenings....I love your support!

Happening's at Hip Chick Designs

2011-04-12T09:49:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we had Julee Hermann teach us all about soldering at the shop and it was delightful. There were 9 students, not including myself, and Julee walked us through how to create a pretty picture in a house shaped case and when we were done enclose it with the soldering technique. It looked kinda intimidating at first, the soldering iron is HOT and I know I am such a spaz I was worried I would hurt myself, or someone else. But I managed to come out unscathed, as we all did and I have a beautiful piece of art to show for it. Here are some pictures of the class....

I love how everyone made their own creation, no two were alike....

First you make the 'collage' then you put it in the glass to be preserved...

our beautiful teacher Julee Hermann

the demo

Patty has taken all of Hip Chick's classes so far...

Terin made her piece as a gift for her brother

my piece before it was soldered

soldering station

The Shellies having fun....

Terin soldering her piece

My finished piece, "Key to Life"
I love soldering now, I want to solder everything....haha. typical. But I think it'd be great to have a set to make charms and necklaces, shrines, etc for the shop. I shall put it on my wish list...Our next class is this Saturday with Stephanie Jordan who is teaching a mixed media collage class. There is still space available and as you can see this is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. You can be surrounded with good creative energy at a fun store, learn new techniques and walk away with a beautiful piece of art, handmade by YOU. A real treat. If you are interested email me at carrieclay@yahoo.com. Or call the shop at (707) 747-5543. We'd love to have you. I love having people make art at the shop and we will be having classes monthly, if you want information, make sure to join my email list as I am sending newsletters monthly. I have a facebook Hip Chick page where I post events often as well as I have a tab on my blog for constant contact, this is where you add your email to my list to be informed.
Lastly I want to shout out that Open Studios is April 30th and May 1st at the Arsenal. This is a once a year event sponsored by Arts Benicia and it is not to be missed.

The event is all day Saturday and Sunday it is FREE, and you will see more than 100 studios open for your viewing pleasure, I don't know about you but I LOVE snooping and this is your chance to snoop in these studios that are normally closed. Come see what art is made right here in the Bay Area, there is food, drinks, music, and art show, raffle and most of all.....FUN! I know I will be there, and I hope to see you too...thanks for taking time to check out Hip Chick's happenings...

Soul Restoration Online Workshop by Brave Girls Club

2011-04-04T22:33:00.000-07:00

Hi blog friends. I have been neglectful. I'm sorry. It's hard after an absence to get back in the mode ya know? But I am here, I am thinking abou cha. What is up is trying to decompress back into real life again after the vaca of a lifetime. Re-entry is brutal. When one is transported so dramatically into paradise as I was, it is very challenging to do laundry, pay bills, and get groceries....I mean no one is feeling sorry for me, and indeed I'm not either, I'm just telling it like it is. So that being said it's time to get back into it....LIFE. Hip Chick and creating and frolicking..sometimes a break is good. You come back rejuvenated and ready to take on the world. And other times it leaves you numb, fuzzy headed and unclear. I'm experiencing the latter. So I decided to treat myself, yes, treat myself to "brave girls club" online art class. I found it through the facebook art channels, and it looks really positive and inspiring. Just what I need to get back into art after my little sabbatical. Here's what I am talking about..

check it out....these are some darling girls.

I just know we'd be friends if we met in real life. But since we haven't YET, I will do the workshop and meet other artists and women that are doing the same. I have done other workshops and met other women like my new friend Julee Hermann who happens to live near me and is teaching a class next Saturday at Hip Chick's. I met her through the Creative workshop's group and now we are hooked up! I love the internet for connecting people. I also love taking art classes and since I am time challenged as we all are, online classes are the best! You can do them at home whenever you have free time. There is nothing better than watching others create and then learning a new technique to implement into your own art. I am now a 'brave girl' and I shall be excited to see what unfolds....

Paradise revisited

2011-03-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

This is a video of baby turtles taking their first steps in the world....magical

and here is a slideshow of my various pictures of the trip of a lifetime...I will never forget it.

I posted even more pictures on facebook, and to be honest it's much easier to do. But there are a few people like Robin who only check my blog so I post these for you....a labor of love. As the pictures show it was a trip of a lifetime. I waited 24 years to return and do this trip with Ben and it exceeded all my expectations. I got to see old friends, my old house, sail to Buck Island, see turtles migrate and renew my wedding vows. It was magical. I can't wait to get painting and make a giant painting of Buck Island. I have been to St.Croix three times, twice to live and once for a vacation and every time I am blown away by it's charm. If you haven't been then go. It's completely unique, third world funky, combined with epic beauty and charm. It has my heart and soul, and the best moments in my life.....

Hip Chick has returned to her roots

2011-03-23T07:07:00.000-07:00

Today is day 3 of being in paradise....St.Croix USVI. I have waited 24 years to get here. Why? Gosh I guess it seemed so far and so expensive, but now that I am here I know I won't wait that long to return.

This is a picture on the first day outside our room at the hotel...
I moved to St.Croix in 1978 from California, my dad was transferred through Bank of America and we lived here for 2 years. This is house we lived in..

I went back and knocked on the door and Megan answered and I told her I lived there 32 years ago and she was so gracious as to let me go inside. I saw the whole house and it hadn't changed one bit.

I remember this big room just like this...and I saw my old bedroom...I used to sneak out of the sliding glass doors...good times...it's so wonderful to go back in time. I just love it.

I dream of the things that happened there and then there I was, "snap", back in that house. Surreal. I also saw some of my old friends...Big Beard has a charter boat company and he sails to Buck Island...My favorite memories are sailing

with him. Ben and I are going to Buck Island tomorrow and I can't wait..
I saw another familiar face, Sue Gibbons, my old roommate from my 20's.

I came back to St.Croix from 85-87 and lived here once again. Had way too much fun.....I went back to California to 'visit' and ended up staying as I had started to date Ben, my husband. So for us to come here 24 years later together is full circle indeed. Words cannot convey my feelings, but I am a sharing kind of gal so I show in my pictures my joy.

I have posted many more pictures on facebook as it's much easier but I know there are those like Robin who don't go on facebook. So these are for you...thank you for caring. for checking. for being in my life. Hip Chick is in her mecca and she has never been happier...

shout out from Pam Carriker

2011-03-17T10:09:00.000-07:00

Pam gives Hip Chick a huge shout out today. Thanks Pam. She is one of my heros. I love her demeanor, her art and her accessibility. She's so real. I sent her a cobalt blue tutu and she loves it, and I love her. One of the many delightful things to happen to me lately has been to interact with fellow artists via the internet. I don't even know these women in person but I feel like I do because they are so friendly. Pam is such the case. She is pretty doggone famous now that her book, "Art at the speed of life" is on the bestseller list. But she takes time to chat on facebook, answer emails and give advice or support. It's one of the best things about artists, the ability to share. I have to run, literally and then go pick up Bob my studio mate, but I wanted to post this before I did. I am closed from March 20-April 6th on vacation. When I return from the Caribbean we have our 20 year anniversary, my birthday and Abby's birthday (my daughter) it's 'crunch week' at the Clayden house. I will be posting from home tho and of course sharing my Caribbean pictures so stay tuned!! As always thank you for your support!!

check out Pam's blog at www.pamcarriker.com
http://pamcarriker.com/2011/03/17/when-life-gets-you-down/

The Alameda was quite an adventure today!

2011-03-13T20:14:00.000-07:00

Today was full of "splatter" as Sandi and I named "too much fun"...why splatter? Cause your brains feel like they splatter all over the place from happiness. I picked up Miss Sandi and met Kat at our usual rendevous and off we went on Miss Daisy (my truck) to the Alameda. Brrrr. It was chilly willy. Cloudy and sorta rainy but that doesn't deter us crazy hip chicks from shopping, no way! Stopped by the Junk Girls and said hi to Jenny and Melissa, they have wonderful merchandise and they are such sweeties. I lusted after a few things, walked away and thought about this cabinet full of drawers and when I came back I saw it was sold. DANG! But that's the flea, you take your chances and if you think too long it gets bought up right after you walk away. But don't fret this hip chick got plenty of goodies, she just kept on looking..

and after we all got our goodies, we drove to the shop and unloaded the shelf. Sandi decided she wanted to buy my secretary so we rearranged all the Toykomilk, and we loaded up Daisy once more and set off. In Walnut Creek as we were transferring Kat's stuff into her car I turned off Daisy. I noticed I had left the lights on, OOPS, and quickly turned them off. Too late. Battery died. NOOOOOO. Daisy has been so good, so strong, and dependable. Luckily Kat called AAA and we had Andrew there in a jiffy. He replaced the battery and spun the fan and Daisy started right up. Whew! Sandi and I drove home and unloaded her secretary with the engine running just to be safe and then I parked her on the hill and came home bushed. What a day! It was truly an adventure and I loved it all, got to take Daisy for a ride, got to hang with my buddies Kat and Sandi, got some goodies for the shop, made a couple sales, had an unexpected adventure, and laughed a lot. What more could you ask for on a gloomy Sunday in March???

Old friends are priceless

2011-03-07T14:58:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of my friend Robin and our families.

Robin and I have been friends since high school, I think we met in the girls bathroom. Her school Camden had closed and she was new to Leigh, she was a beautiful blond, all sweet and smiley and we bonded over cigarettes I think. This was in 1980 and we've been friends ever since. 31 years now. wow. I recently had a bump in the road with Robin and worried if we could recover, luckily we did and this blog post is to show her how grateful I am. She is my #1 blog fan. Thank you Robin. You mean the world to me.

This is Robin with her daughters Erica and Alexandra, her mother and sister at Erica's graduation..
I can be a pushy bitch, always have. always will. I used to corrupt Robin to go party, always a bad influence. This would remain a pattern for us, Carrie urging Robin to come out and play and Robin reluctantly agreeing sooner or later. Robin got married young and started her family while I continued to play. I always marveled at how she took to marriage and children at such a young age, she was 21 when she settled down. I finally got hitched at 27 and then had my son Alex months later. Marriage and motherhood did not come easily to me. I used to call Robin on the phone and ask for her advice, "What can I do now?", she'd say "go for a walk", I said "already did that", she'd say, "play a game", I'd say "did it" etc....and we had completely different experiences of motherhood. I felt confined and stuck and she blossomed. Now our children are almost grown..Her daughter Erica is engaged and getting married later this year. My son Alex who I asked advice about is 19 and a sophmore at UCSC. Robin and I haven't always been able to hang out, usually obligations prevented us from seeing each other. But the love held strong. Recently I got my feelings hurt because I wanted Robin to come to my open studios and 1 year anniversary, but family obligations came first.

This picture is from open studios May 2010
This has always been our biggest obstacle. I got nasty and we had words. I wondered if this was it, were we done? It's so hard to recover from hurt feelings even though they are bound to occur in relationships. The best relationships can sustain this and ours did. I apologized and owned my behavior and ultimately realized I won't get what I want from Robin. What I want is for her to come out and play, to put me as a priority. It's what I've always wanted and but rarely gotten. Robin is filled up with her family obligations and this will remain steady, I keep hoping things will change and magically there will be a opportunity. What it comes down to is acceptance. I have never been very good at it, and it continues to challenge me. Can I accept the things I cannot change? Can I accept what Robin can give, even when I don't like it? Yes. I can and I will because she is worth it.

I cannot replace 31 years of memories. I may not get what I want but what I have is special. I have a friend who adores me even though we are so different. I have a friend who cares, even when I don't feel it all the time. I have a friend who is funny, loving, loyal and true. Why would I jeopardize this just because I am not getting my way? I'm spoiled and immature and bullheaded that's why. So Robin if you're reading this, and I'm pretty sure you are, thank you. Thank you for not giving up on me. For staying my friend for 31 years and I will do my best to stop pressuring you. I love you and your family and I don't want to loose you. Let's keep laughing and loving all the way to the grave.......

"Tangerine" in Dublin is the place to be...

2011-03-01T22:44:00.000-08:00

Howdy blog readers, today hip chick went on a field trip to lovely downtown Dublin. Not Ireland, mind you, but California. My new friend Julee told me about her friend Gina's cute shop called Tangerine, and being I like to support other hip chicky types I went to check it out. It was delicious!

It was a bit Hip Chick and a bit more, I was drooling over everything.

I wanted to buy it all, she has incredible taste. Tangerine also offers art classes and she sells a ton of great art supplies for them. I aim to do the same eventually so it was very inspiring for me to see how she had it all laid out. Gina Gabriell the owner, was a delightful lady.

She is one of those multi talented women who you wanna hate cause they are so damn good at everything but you can't because they are so doggone sweet. Yup that's her. And she has a heart wrenching story. Her daughter died of brain cancer at age 19 in 2007. I could hardly breathe when she told me this...she shares her story on her blog. Gina is an powerful writer.
http://stevieandthedreamofhorses.blogspot.com/
Frankly I am awed by women like Gina. She is incredibly balanced, she's talented and charming and STRONG. The store alone impressed me but meeting Gina and hearing her story blew me away..

it's inspiring to meet someone who teaches you things. Gina taught me a lot today without even realizing it. First she taught me about how I want to incorporate art supplies into Hip Chick's shop, like she does so well at Tangerine. Secondly she taught me about strength and hope through her courageous battle with Stevie's passing, and trying to move forward with having more children. Lastly she taught me to keep doing what I'm doing (again unbeknownst to her) because I want to be like her when I grow up. I want to make all different types of art, I want to sell it online and at the shop, I want to facilitate workshops, and surround myself with people making art a part of their lives.

Here is Gina's studio which she said was messy, honey if that's messy she'd faint at my desk!

so all I can say is it was a pleasure to go to Tangerine today. I discovered a real treasure in more ways than one. For those of you who live nearby I highly recommend you treat yourself by going to this shop. People like Gina help me better myself by showing me where I can go....and I in turn can help someone else. It's all part of the journey. As long as we make art a part of life we are going to be just fine...or as Gina's slogan says so well,
"Make Art=Be Happy"

Stencils are my latest craze

2011-02-24T22:54:00.000-08:00

One good thing about crummy weather and it being slow at the shop, I create more. I have been making journals all week, out of composition books and I pretty them up with paper and tags and stamps. They are fun and a great gift at only $18.00.

Today I pulled out some small wood pieces and decided to play with them and see what I could come up with. I made a cute little sign..

and a small collage of my daughter in her tutu with 'dance' from the dictionary and some added elements to give it depth.

I liked how it turned out and so did Abby. The best part is using what's around the shop and seeing what I can come up with. Yesterday I decided I wanted to try stenciling, as it's pretty prevelant in mixed media what with all the layering that goes on. But stencils are kinda hard to find so I decided to make my own. Initially I didnt have the proper tools, I had an old blade and our cutting board with which I made a basic bird, which is on the cover of the first journal above. Today I found my new exacto knife and cutting pad and I was fired up to make much better stencils. Here's what I made. I started with an easy one...

then progressed quickly...

I loved this one and was pleased how it came out....recognize it??? "The silly walk" from Monty Python

and my finale was Mona as in Lisa. Here's my first attempt...

oops, where's her mouth?? Then I got the mouth shape out and.....

Wa-La, a masterpiece! I was truly shocked how well it came out. So I am on a stencil roll now. I love that I can use these over and over, and making them only costs .20 I mean how cheap is that?! Just transperancy paper and a knife, and of course patience. Which isn't really my virtue but when it comes to certain things I can exhibit some. Hope you enjoyed my show and tell...I am sure I shall be making plenty more art as it's nothing but rain and even snow in the forecast...when life gives you rain make a sun stencil and create your own landscape!

Collage class with Steph Jordan

2011-02-23T21:12:00.000-08:00

Hip Chick is hosting another fun art class April 16th with the fabulous Steph Jordan. Here are the details...

Come have fun with Mixed Media Artist Steph Jordan and learn several different techniques while creating a fabulous 11 x 14 Collage on Canvas. Supplies provided by Steph.

The techniques you learn can be used on many different Art projects and Crafts and include using Beeswax, Emboss, Gel Gloss and more.

As hostess of ‘Living In Color With Steph Jordan’ and owner of her own Art business ‘Diviacity’ Steph has focused on teaching healing Arts as well as navigating your way around all of the product out there.

Steph has taught her product driven (lots of gooey stuff) techniques at various venues in the Bay as well as Los Angeles and Sacramento.

Join us for 3 hours of mad fun! Plus… Steph gives each guest a ticket and before it’s all over someone wins a fabulous prize to Inspire and Create their own goodies!

April 16^th, 2011

11 – 2

Kit & Supplies Provided

$65

Here are some of Steph's collages

Everyone loves "Mona"...

and here's more

This is "Goddess Nature" and there's one more

"Her heritage"

I love collages and Steph is a master, so I will be excited to learn new techniques myself! Steph has a dynamic spirit and this is going to be a fun time. If you want to bring a photo of yourself this is encouraged but not necessary. All materials are included in the price of the class. Mixed media is so hot right now and these collages are all individual, reflecting your personality. The fun of taking a class at Hip Chick's is the camaraderie of learning a fun technique around other interesting people in a fabulous setting. How could you resist learning art surrounded by tutus and antiques??

So sign up now, there is space for 10 and it's first come, first served, you can sign up at the shop, through my facebook hip chick or by phone at 707-747-5543. Spend your saturday making something lasting and special, I sure will!

Rainy days are good for Art

2011-02-19T09:04:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I played hooky. I admit it. I drove in the sleet and rain to the shop on Thursday and I couldn't bear it again friday so I called in sick. Haha. My boss is very understanding, she said "just chillax Carrie," so I did. I vegged all day, in my sweats. munched on everything in the house, joined Constant Contact to help me organize my Hip Chick customers and then I made a journal page. Here it is...

How I started this was first I was practicing my lettering by using a calligraphy book as a guide. I thought of a shield with the different aspects of my life as a form to hold the words and I penciled them in before going over them with markers. Then I shaded each word and thought of what to put inside the compartments. I started with the marriage, I had just read a story in Real Simple on this woman's marriage,and she had a nice quote I wanted to use, "marriage: a conversation that lasts a lifetime." So this is in small text with an image of a couple holding hands, then I added an image of a man and lady dancing. Easy-done. I did friends next and I didn't want to just put pictures of friends, rather a symbol of what friendship represents, and I found this image of a girl splashing in puddles. So I cut out her legs and put her on my shield in puddles, thus symbolizing friendship to me. Friends are companions to play with, to let your self be completely free with and just laugh. Next I did family, I found this tree stamp and it seemed to go perfectly, obviously trees are symbolic of family, and they represent nature and the Earth. I kept this simple with just my core family names and painted the background with watercolors. Lastly was Art and I made a heart as art is close to my heart, and then added the word "creativity" and some wings as they are my spiritual symbol. I didn't know what else to put in the space and I saw this shoe that caught my eye so I decided to draw it and hang it by a string, like some eye candy. Lord knows I couldn't walk in them but I do love them and I appreciated their style. So all in all this probably took a couple hours and I was pleased with it's outcome. I felt somewhat productive making some art on my 'sick' day and really it was the right choice. I watched it rain ALL day and I was thankful I was inside, on my couch all cozy, contemplating life.
Today however, I must go in, I am going to get a run in as I am much overdue, this weather has hampered my motivation. Brrrr. Then it's off to the shop to create more art and hopefully make a few sales. Hope wherever you are that you have a good day today, try something new, it's the best way to learn. Thanks for stopping by, I love your support!

Walk on the Wild side Wednesday

2011-02-16T09:34:00.000-08:00

http://heartcollective.blogspot.com/2011/02/walk-on-wild-side-wednesday_16.html?showComment=1297876328487#c3901664416636801433

Today I look outside and see white puffy clouds and rain drops on the trees. I am laying in bed catching up on my emails, and facebook before I pack up and head to the shop. Julee Hermann wrote about the shop on her blog so I wanted to share. She is going to be teaching a class at Hip Chick's on April 9th and I can't wait. I love having art classes at the shop for many reasons, I love sharing my happy place with others who are creating, I get to learn something new and it's just FUN! Art classes are in demand and I am thrilled to facilitate this at the shop. Julee's class is April 9th 11-3 , it's $65.00 supplies included and sign ups are at the shop or through me. A credit card reserves your spot. This class is limited to 10 people and you will be learning how to solder. I myself have never tried it so I'm excited...here is Julee's link to her online class which describes the process we will be learning.
http://www.shabbycottagestudio.com/store/WsDefault.asp?One=1897

Julee and I just met a week ago, after I friended her through "Creative Workshops". I saw she lived in Orinda and I said "hey Julee I live in Danville, we should meet, so she and her sidekick Stephanie came to the shop and we all feel madly in love." So it is with artists. I love connecting with other artists and the online art communities I have listed in my sidebar have acquainted me with many. So I better get off my duff and get ready for my day. Lots of creating to be done, hope you all have a wonderful day, thanks for checking in on Hip Chick happenings!

Art makes people happy

2011-02-13T11:52:00.000-08:00

I honestly need to catch my breath, things have been so exciting, even this Hip Chick who LOVES fun is reeling from recent events. About a month ago on a whim I went to you tube and typed in "mixed media" and found fun videos of artists doing their thing. This has since ignited a flurry of events that are mind blowingly awesome. Ok as I shared in recent blog posts I found Pam Carriker, Millande, and Gary Reef all on you tube and loved each of their unique styles. Well each of them have their own network of people and from there I have been meeting these incredible artists, all in mere days. I saw Julee Hermann on "Creative Workshops" and I noticed she lives in Orinda which is very close by so I said hey, I have a place in Benicia, yatta yatta. And what do you know she shows up at my hip chick door on friday with her fabulousness and Steph in tow and we became BFF's instantaniously. They are just like me, they love fun, they love creating and sparks flew!

Let's just say it didn't take any coercing to get them to put on tutu's!! We are already collaborating for a big art event this summer...Each of these talented ladies has plenty to offer...here are some of their goodies...
here is Julee's blog,
http://heartcollective.blogspot.com/
and here is Steph's
http://www.stephjordanincolor.blogspot.com/

then I on Saturday I got to host Anna Corba's art class at the shop. We had 10 people come create beautiful collages and it was simply exquisite. Anna is such a sweet lady and she was the pioneer behind all this vintage crafting that we all love. I have admired her work for years, so to meet her and have her in my shop was truly an honor. I felt extremely grateful watching everyone having fun gathered in my happy place.

Anna provided everyone with a packet full of collage images, she walked us through how to put them on the canvas and then the final step was layering wax over the top. I was so jazzed I didn't think I would be able to focus on making one, but I am glad I managed to pull something together. Now I have a special piece to remind me of this Joy Jar day. Here are some peoples work...

Joanne and Mandi made some beauties

So did Terin who is really taping into her artist. There are more pictures on my facebook Hip Chick Page so if you want to see all the fun look there...it was a magical day. I feel incredibly blessed. I had a big "ah ha" moment recently that I'll share. I was a Women's Studies and Art Double major in college and when I graduated I thought that's nice. Now what? I went on to have my daughter and raise the family and I put art aside. It was only a couple years ago after reading "The Artist's Way" that I reacquainted myself with my artist. And then I followed my dreams to lead me to where I am now. My "ah ha" was this.....This is exactly what a Women's Studies/Art Major does, she has a business geared toward empowering women in the arts. And it's called "Hip Chick Designs." It only took me 16 years to figure it out, but how wonderful to see the culmination of experiences that meshed together to get me here. It's not the destination but the journey that's the point.

2011-02-08T16:14:00.000-08:00

Today is my day off, ahhh...I needed to catch up on some chores but I always try to squeeze some fun into everyday. So I did my errands and I sat down and did my journal page from my Journal 365 class by Pam Carriker. I signed up a couple weeks ago and have been so inspired by Pam. She is a very talented and easy to follow teacher. I have some of the journal art supplies, the funny thing is I have an art studio and I have supplies there but I want supplies at home too, so I don't have to cart them back and forth. So today I bought some watercolor crayons and a journal, some charcoal pencils and I sat down and did the one of the assignments. It was from lesson 6 and it was to draw a mask and say something about the mask we wear in our lives.
What we put out in the world vs. how we feel on the inside.

So I did "carefree" for the outside and "struggling" on the inside for me in regards to art. I love it and yet I struggle truth be told. It's just so challenging and I'm my worst critic. It takes ALOT to impress me. haha. sad but true. So then you're supposed to doodle and use the crayons to color which I really enjoyed. My favorite thing about Pam's class and mixed media is learning something new. New experiences are what help us live life fully so I always love the stimulation of learning. So I humbly submit my page for you blog people who are so supportive, and I say bravo. Bravo to anyone who tries, because it is better to try and fail then never to try at all. There is so much beauty in willingness through courageous acts. So I am here to encourage and say TRY, I promise I don't think I'm any better then you are. One is not born an artist, an artist puts in the work. That's the truth.
I also share my latest pet portrait of "El Fuego" a friend's grandson's pet lizard.

I have never painted a lizard and the request was, El Fuego on a cactus, in the desert with a sunset in the background. So this is what I came up with. I hope he likes it. Lizards are tricky, there isn't much color on them so I used more color in the other elements. Now it's time for my afternoon run, thank you for checking my blog and for supporting this crazy Hip Chick on her art journey.....

Big weekend

2011-02-05T08:32:00.000-08:00

The first Saturdays of the month are always busy for me. Good busy, but busy. Today I will get a run in before I head to the studio and create. It's going to be GORGEOUS all weekend so I'm really psyched. After I close up I will dash home and get dolled up for my commitment tonight as the secretary of the Danviile big speaker meeting. We take our guest speaker out to dinner before hand and then the meeting goes til 10. It's wonderful to be a part of this celebration of sobriety. Why I'm posting this on my blog for all the world is, I am who I am, and I've got nothing to hide. I'm proud to be a sober member of Alcoholics Anonymous, it has given me the structure and support I needed my entire life. Why be quiet about something that has improved your life, it could benefit another is how I see it. So that's today, and tomorrow is the Alameda antique fair...woo hoo! My playground. After treasure hunting and gathering all morning then it's the Super Bowl so it's quite a fun filled weekend.. I hope you are all doing something you love as well...here's the link to the Alameda for any who are interested...
http://www.alamedapointantiquesfaire.com/index.php

so get on out there and enjoy this sunshine cause we are sooo lucky to live in California while the rest of the country is entrenched in snow

Inspiration is shared knowledge

2011-01-31T15:17:00.000-08:00

I sit on my day bed in the nook of my bedroom looking at the sunny hillside and I reflect on what to post for my blog. I usually tell it like it is, straight up, unedited and real. So I shall continue to do so and what's up is everything. I feel extremely grateful, inspired and stimulated by art. Funny. I am FINALLY giving my artist her due. I mean I was just telling my friend Terin how even when I was an art major in college I wouldn't consider myself an artist. I "liked" art, and I would admire others art and consider them "the real artists", while I struggled along. When it came time to graduate and have a 'show' of your work or a critique I choose critique not valuing my work enough to show it. Now 16 years later I can say I am an artist. I don't have to have shows in N.Y. or galleries to claim being an artist. Now being an artist to me means I love to make and create art. It's the rawness of exposing what we do that means so much. It's the feeling behind the work that lasts for the artist. We always remember the feeling.. when I made that piece I was feeling good, or when I made this piece I was frustrated, or this piece just made itself. The product isn't necessarily the most important part. I want to be impressed by what I make I admit it. I think that's natural. That's why so many people don't even try because they don't know how, and it will look bad. What if that's the same for an 'artist' one who claims to be good at this thing? Yowsa, that can't be so...and yet it is.
So in all this musing I have discovered this is just part of the process, that is the complex nature of art, it isn't always good, it isn't always fun, it isn't aways flowing. But it is always rewarding. Even when it's bad it's still good. Cause you tried. There is a famous quote about, "it is better to have tried and failed then never to have tried at all"...so true. Not always easy to remember but always true. This last week I have been obsessed with you tube videos about mixed media and collage. I have all kinds of fun new materials, I even signed up for Pam Carriker's journal 365 class. And I want a masterpiece damn it. I won't settle for anything less. I want to be as good as Pam or I am pissed. Well, obviously I'm not. As good as Pam, and I'm over being pissed. I get to practice, hmmmm, what an interesting concept...PRACTICE how to use these new tools and get better and better over time..like any professional when they do something it looks so easy, and when it comes time to do it yourself it's shocking how much more challenging it really is. Like skiing, or tennis or running or any sport, you don't just start and then you're awesome. It takes practice, and time and then you get better, not excellent, just better....
so I guess I have to write and post this as a reminder to ease up for me as well as you too. You whoever you are that are reading this. I do hope you can relate and that you are laughing to yourself thinking how familiar this perfectionist notion is...if you're not and you are one of those uber mellow types that don't pressure yourself, congratulations! I hate you. NO, I was only kidding, I admire you actually, because I get in my way ALL the time. In fact I am going to make an art piece on just that very notion. Both on how I get in my way and how I can't keep up. What can I say it's just how I roll! Before I go I want to give you a good reason for reading all this jargon. I want to give credit where credit is due. I am going to list all the recent outlet's that have inspired me, excited me, make me want to run out and buy everything they do and more...
http://milliande.ning.com/ this is a community of women artist from all over the world organized by Millande. She graciously shares her videos of her art process FREE for all to see and I love the playfulness she brings to her work.

another talented artist I admire and spend time emulating is Pam Carriker. She is an art journal champion and has many videos as well, here's just one to give you a taste....

I was so inspired by her work I signed up for her 365 journal workshop and I'm learning so much. I am also connecting with other artists which is another benefit to finding these sites. Another super sweetie is Gary Reef, an Aussie artist who has his own following, deservadely so.. Here is one of Gary's videos to check out.

he has LOADS, and he is deliciously fun. His mixed media site is another great resource and it's at
http://www.lovingmixedmedia.com/
The reason I'm sharing all this is as my topic says, "Inspiration is shared knowledge". We all need inspiration and I want to share mine with you, my blog friends. Hopefully one day I can be like these guys, making videos and communities for people to join, but for now, today, I'm grateful to learn from them. I'm happy to try these new techniques and have fun. If you have any tips and sites to share I welcome them. I always appreciate comments....thanks for checking my blog, happy creating!

Art journaling is ON!

2011-01-27T21:12:00.000-08:00

here are my first art journal pages...hooray! I started watching you tube videos and got hooked immediately on Pam Carriker's style. She's very talented, very sweet and has a large body of work. It wasn't long before I was hooked line and sinker and on board. I joined the creative workshop site, signed up for her class Journal 365 and started, all in a couple days. One thing I am good at is "taking action". I drove on over to Blick art supplies and got some pencils, paint pens, and watercolor pencils. Then I watched the first video and I was ready for action. I can tell this is my new path, I love mixed media collage so much more than traditional painting. It's just more fun. More free. Before it was paint on canvas. Now its paint, it's pencil, it's stamps, it's paper, it's anything goes baby! That's what I'm talking about.....I like the journal aspect as a playground for ideas, too often I pressured myself by starting on canvas. Now I play on paper, if I have a potential masterpiece on my hands, then I can take it to the next level. If it's just nice and that's that then I can have it in my journal, just for me. GENIUS! I promise to share for those who care, hey that's a rhyme....thanks for checking in

artistic slumps

2011-01-23T22:15:00.000-08:00

first of all let me say how I LOVE this sunshine we are having lately. Today I got to go to the beach and the flea market in Santa Cruz and it was like summer. I wore a tank top, flip flops and I was sweating at times....heaven..it is a breath of fresh air after the dreary rain and fog and cold. I will really miss it when it goes away. So on Saturday I had a breakthrough, which happens often actually. It wasn't a huge, earthshaking breakthrough but it felt significant at the time. I had a rough art day the day before, hating my attempts at my new pursuit, 'art journaling'. I was so inspired by all the videos I have been watching and I was fired up to create something fabulous. NOT even close. Funny how that works. Looks so easy and yet its not. So I had to get down on myself about how I suck as an artist etc. cause that's my M.O. and then the next day I had a chat with my godmother Kae about it. I told her I really don't want to do that anymore, beat myself up for not creating perfectly. haha. what an oxymoron, creating is supposed to be all organic and spiritual and zen right? I am in my way, or rather my critic is. So I did something different yesterday that I haven't done before and it was really positive. I stayed late, I closed the shop and locked the doors, and I cranked the tunes and I created. In the studio with no one around and it was awesome. I had medium flying and paper and wax and paint and it was heaven. I danced. I sang. I had fun, creating. and that's the whole point. I didn't care what I was making, and I ended up liking it when I was through. Of course. That is soooo the way of things isn't it? Lesson learned here, stay and play when you can. Big difference having the studio all alone vs. when I'm open and people are coming in and out all day. Lesson 2, when I am listening to my critic, I am too focused on the finished product. Stop and wait til I can make it playful and then it will flow and be better....this is real basic stuff here but to me it felt like a breakthrough. here are a couple of pictures of the things I made in the playtime of Saturday night...

thank you for taking time to check on my happenings and I appreciate your support!

One year celebration at Hip Chick Designs

2011-01-18T09:42:00.000-08:00

First of all I want to thank each and every one of you who came to help celebrate my one year in business on Saturday. What a day..what a joy jar day! The weather DID NOT cooperate and was foggy and cold, unlike it's forecast of sun, but all the good spirits of the people there helped to bring our own sunshine to the table as the pictures show. The theme seemed to be tutus. They sure liven up a party with their color and flair. I happened to be fully stocked and it was simply delicious seeing everyone running around in them all day. We even had some brave men don them and later reflected how they had no idea they would get MORE attention by wearing women's clothes then not...there is a message here I think.

Highlights of the day were Jessica singing the "Tutu song" in Daisy, this is on video and will be posted soon, just not sure how yet...That girl can sing and she belted out how her pink tutu would help her not feel blue and we all clapped and sang along...classic!

I predict great things for Miss Jessica...then there was plenty of dancing,in Daisy (my truck) in the parking lot, wherever we would fit really. We did the electric slide, sort of, the macerena, and many more
then Alex busted out "All the single ladies" and wow, he knew every step! He out danced Abby who is an incredible dancer and brought the house down... proud...sniff, sniff....
so the party was off the hook, and when all was said and done a huge success. I was thrilled to celebrate with my favorite people in my favorite place, doing my favorite thing. Doesn't get much better than that does it?

Now we go forward in the second year, and we will see where this leads us. I know there will be fun, there will be art, there will be friends and family and of course tutus..but what next?? stay tuned and we will find out together! Thank you for joining me on this journey and I appreciate every bit of support.

countdown 3 days til PARTY!!!

2011-01-12T21:49:00.000-08:00

Only 3 more days and we will be celebrating at the shop. I am tagging and fluffing, and thrilled with our forecast. It looks like a nice day is on the horizon, I was a bit worried. Today we received heart chalkboards, French messenger bags and vintage crowns. Just yummy...as I was unpacking my friend Sharon came by and took my picture...She is the bomb. We are going to start having classes at both our studios, we have the exact same taste in rusty vintage everything.

There is going to be a tutu dance party filmed at 2, 2 for tutus and hopefully it'll be SO fab we will post it on you tube and go viral-tastic. Even if it doesn't we will have a blast making it and dancing around in our colorful skirts. Daisy will be there, she's been gone for 7 months and I miss her. John will start playing music at 1:00 and we will have yummy food , drinks and my famous cupcakes to nosh on.I am truly grateful I have ridden the storm of my first year, it's been challenging at times. There were times I was questioning my endeavor and doubtful, I had many days of no sales and no customers and this is difficult to not take personally. I rode it out and kept the faith, although I will admit I considered relocation. I'm happy to say I am staying put. I love the arsenal. I love the artists, the water, the FUNK, the architecture and actually the calm. I think if I were in a busy location I might burn out, I like time to do my art and have the place to myself. It is fun though when it's busy and of course it's ideal to make a couple bucks. This helps my morale a lot! Basically it's validation. So hope to keep on dancing, making art and seeing where this ride will take me, it's been an adventure and I'm so happy you are taking it with me!

Chalkboard paint and tutus are a good combo

2011-01-07T20:43:00.000-08:00

Today was a fun and productive day at Hip Chick Designs. My hubbie Ben came to help, he is the muscle and the handy man, and thankfully he eagerly helps me when I need it. Thanks Ben! So being as Ben is careful and slow, unlike me, as we all know, he painted the back wall with chalkboard paint. I LOVE this stuff!! It's the best, you just slap it on anything and "Shazamm" it's a chalkboard! So the pictures show what a dramatic look it makes and I didn't even write on it yet...I had to exhibit 'patience' that starnge thing people are always talking about that I understand every once in a blue moon...so suffice it to say I can't wait to get in to the shop tomorrow and have fun with my new art wall...

In addition to this wonferful transformation we added tutus, that's right, tutu's to the ceiling!! Woo hoo!! It's a party at Hip Chick's and YOU"RE invited! My dream is truly taking shape, the tutu's hanging from the ceiling just about completes it. It's got the best vibe inside, such a happy energizing feeling with goodies galore. I am simply tickled to see it evolve daily and get better and better all the time. I took pictures of some of the fun merchandise I am adding to the vintage vibe, cuffs made by Jodi Douglass, worn by American Idol contestants apparently...all I know is TO DIE FOR...there are necklaces by rustyclover that simply shine with delight, as well as spoon jewels made by junkgirls. Which one do I choose?? ALL. That was what I thought too, I will see if you all agree, these will all be available to purchase at the shop naturally AND online soon, very soon.....in case you are too far and MUST have. I want you to have one too!

There are yummy smells all about the shop from the tokyomilk products, perfumes, candles and soaps, packaged oh so cute with the earthy funky flair I adore, I honestly like all the fragances. The fun of having a shop is I get to buy what I like, naturally and that way it's a win win. It doesn't sell then at least I like it and it's MINE! haha. The shop truly is 100% all my favorite things which is ever changing and always fun, old and charming. Like me. haha.

So hope you had fun checking out the new look and new stuff, I am adding more and more all the time, truly.. Wait til you see the vintage messenger bags and the zinc chalkboards, the crowns and flowers, the sachets and cards...the list goes on and on...stay tuned as I promise to share...

as always thank you for your support, I couldn't do it with you!

Bye bye Christmas, Hello New Year!

2010-12-31T09:57:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day of the year 2010, and tomorrow we greet 2011. We had a great Christmas in the Clayden family, Hip Chick got a zoom lens and photoshop so she can get even more tutu pictures next year! I had no idea photoshop was SO complicated so I will have to take a deep breath, say "Ommmmm" and learn patience and persistence to understand it. My friend Molly came over to give me a lesson and her son was a programmer for photoshop and even he said it's a lot to learn. Note to self, it's ok to not try and get this in 5 mins. or less. haha. So as the Christmas season leaves I happily put away all the decorations, tree and signs of clutter at home while everyone in the family is gone. For those of you who know me my favorite saying is 'when it's time to change you gotta re-arrange'....sha na na na na na na na na, sha na na na na.......Partridge famiy, good times...so Christmas is GONE at home and now it's GONE at the shop as of yesterday. BA-BYE...there was much to pack up and put away, as we all know. Much more fun to put it out then to take down for sure.
Now I have a clear palette for the new year and for my par-tay January 15th. For those of you who don't know, I turn one year old Jan 16th and I thought we better celebrate this occasion with a party. We are having John Richmond play his sweet sounds as he was our maestro last year and we throughly enjoyed it. We will have food, drinks, dancing in Daisy and tutu performances by my lovely daughter and friends. A fun day will be had, so I am stocking the store in the hopes of much support and activity.
Yesterday as my friend Annie and I were taking down Christmas we had some customers come in who made my day. Nick and Michelle with their daughter Olive drove all the way from Fremont to visit Hip Chick Designs! I was so honored! Nick had come by about a month previous and purchased a tin storage bin for his lovely wife, just because. What a guy! He told his wife about the shop and she wanted to come see what was going on, sadly she came on a Tuesday and I wasn't there. So sorry Michelle!! But she perservered and came back and boy am I glad they did! They purchased my metal locker so Michelle can display her collection of Pyrex bowls. Wonderful! I know how fun it is to collect things, being a Fiesta collector for years, and being able to display our collections is half the fun. Hopefully Michelle will share her treasure with a picture and I will post it, it's such fun to know what people do with the things they buy after they leave the shop. It's always bittersweet to part with things, I mean of course that's the point and yet you can't help but get a bit attached to some of the things you love. I do get pleasure knowing things are moving on and giving others pleasure, that's so much why I love having the shop. I love to meet people who are vintage treasure hunters and see their joy at acquiring a new purchase and hopefully see them again and again...that makes my 'job' satisfying. So thanks Michelle for making me feel so good yesterday, it's customers like you that make me feel purposeful.
This weekend is the Alameda antique fair, my playground and paradise. What to get? I'll know it when I see it. I bring wads of cash and never leave with a dollar in my pocket. They also have the best kettle corn on the planet. I can hardly stand it it's so good. So I say good bye to 2010, it was a good year. I started my dream business and had amazing adventures. I look forward to much more fun in 2011 and I hope you will join me January 15th to celebrate this fabulous ride. If not I want to thank you for taking time to read my blog, to cheer me on and to support the journey. Let's kick ass in 2011 together!

Tutu's and birthdays

2010-12-21T22:14:00.000-08:00

Today was Lisa's birthday, she's my new friend and I was happy to spend the day celebrating HER. Now obviously I packed the tutu's in the car, as I'm the tutu lady and I didn't have a picture of Lisa in one yet. I didn't know where we would take the pictures, I had some ideas but what's great about the tutu shots are they basically tell me where to go. The plan was lunch at Plum's in Oakland as I had recently read a write up giving it rave reviews. Sadly I was disappointed. We had a GOOD lunch not an excellent one so that's alright. I doubt I'll go back anytime soon. After lunch we headed to Lafayette and as I was getting lost( as usual) we made it a happy accident by busting out the tutus! We pulled over on top of the mountain so Lisa could let her birthday banner fly in the wind along with her purple tutu. Loved the birthday glow Lisa let loose....after the mountain top twirl we saw a funky farm and decided to check it out. I mean farms and tutu's go hand....and at the farm we found some adorable Jr. Hip Chick's Tamar and Mia. They were on the sidelines watching us take pictures so I said "would you like to put the tutu's on?" and they eagerly said "YES"! They were naturals and the pictures really show the fun we all had. The girls twirled around and around and I watched tutu magic happen once again. The girls were asking me what am I doing with these pictures, and I told them, this is my job girls. And funny enough it is!

Pet portraits for Christmas

2010-12-17T18:45:00.000-08:00

I love paintings pet portraits. Why you ask? I love painting anything but I especially love painting things that have meaning and our pets mean a lot to us. I love knowing whoever gets the pet portrait will be pleased as it's a thoughtful and special gift that you wouldn't ever expect. I have two recent portraits to share. One is for my friend Ann to give to her brother, the pugs. The other is a for a customer name Jack and his sister's dog is McFly, a Chihuahua . I did both of these this week and I am painting my husband's bosses dog soon as a thank you for our NY trip. I start with a charcoal sketch then I layer the paint, putting in lights and darks loosely in case I need to move things and I usually do. I LOVE acrylic as you can always just paint right over a spot and start fresh. I have always struggled with proportions and I usually have to adjust things so I am always grateful for the forgiving nature of acrylics. It's so wonderful to have commission paintings to do while I am at the shop. I love to make art and when people come in it's icing on the cake. When it's slow I am 'working' and doing what I love, a win win. I need to get the word out as pet portraits are affordable ($100) and fast, and a true keepsake gift. It only takes a picture so this can all be done via the internet folks. I shall be expanding this aspect of Hip Chick for my next year's goals. As always thanks for stopping by my blog and I really appreciate your support!

Open studios pictorial and Theatre of Dreams

2010-12-12T20:03:00.000-08:00

Friday I went to Wendy Addison's studio in Port Costa for her open studios but sadly she was in NY at a promotional event. I was hoping to get a shot of her in my red tutu for the portfolio...but it was still very stimulating to be in her studio among her incredible art pieces. I wanted to buy everything! I did buy a good bit and then saw the foster farm chickens in a red truck parked right in front of my car which made me smile...then it was off to get ready for the weekend....and what a weekend it was!

I LOVE open studios! The Arsenal is humming with good energy and enthusiastic art lovers and supporters. It was so wonderful to have all my family and friends come to the shop and support my dream. Thank you to all of you who made the journey. It warms my heart to see my favorite people in my studio and then to share my joy of creativity, it is the icing on the cake. The store feels so good when there are loads of people inside, all ohhing and ahhing and the music is playing....it's heaven. I saw my peeps, my family, my friends and neighbors and met some new supporters as well. I had good sales and good vibes and the weekend was a huge success. The pictures really tell the story. Saturday Ben (my hubbie) and Alex (our son) came to cheer me on and Sunday Abby (our daughter) and her friend Louise came to join in the fun and take tutu pictures....with their pointe shoes and let me tell you these girls can't take a bad picture. GORGEOUS! I feel incredibly blessed to be able to do what I love, create art and have my shop, in a place I love, the Arsenal, and then share it with people I love, YOU all. It just doesn't get any better than that!

Open Studio weekend

2010-12-11T08:22:00.000-08:00

Well it's Saturday at 8:11 and I am getting ready for the big weekend, it's our open studios at the Arsenal in Benicia. I have tried to spread this news ad nausem on facebook and with postcards etc. I never did post on my blog so better late than never right?! I have a new line of fragrances called ToykoMilk and they are yummy! plus loads of Christmas decor, art, cheery music, snacks and best of all ME! haha...
So I hope all you fans can come and celebrate this occasion, perhaps find some Christmas presents and have fun looking at all the art studios here in the Arsenal. I love open houses, I was always a snoop when I was young so when you can go in someone's private place it's a treat. There is every possible kind of art and flavor happening here, and the talent is enormous. I am honored to be a part of this community of creatively talented individuals. I feel like a kindergartner compared but at least I'm in the game ya know!! Pictures to follow of course so stay tuned and thanks for your support!!

ToykoMilk coming to Hip Chick

2010-12-06T16:58:00.000-08:00

I am excited to announce the shop will be carrying ToykoMilk a luxurious line of yummy perfume, lotions, soaps and candles. These will hopefully be arriving in time for open studios this weekend so come on down and get some! I am psyched for the festivities and merriment...then we have Hip Chick's 1 year anniversary celebration coming up on January 15th. There will be dancing in Daisy, music by John Richmond, tasty treats and bubbly. There will also be a special tutu dance party presentation by my daughter and her friends so it's going to be FUN!!

Pay it forward- December 1, 2010

2010-11-30T16:37:00.000-08:00

Did you see the movie Pay it forward? It was excellent. Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, Haley Joel Osment were the cast if this movie from 2000. Here's what it's about.....
"Everything in social studies teacher Eugene Simonet's life is in order--every shirt, every pencil, every person in its proper place. To keep the surface placid means never having to go deeper. And no one and nothing in his life has ever asked him to. Arlene McKinney is a single mother hanging on by her fingertips, working two jobs, and struggling to raise her son, Trevor. She is trying to give him a new life, but in her absence she is losing him. Eugene gives Trevor's class an assignment: look at the world around you and fix what you don't like. But can you fix people? "
I've seen this movie a few times and every time I am moved and affected. I love the concept that Trevor created which was to do 3 random acts of kindness and if those 3 people pay it forward then eventually everyone would be doing good deeds. Tomorrow is official "Pay it forward" day according to David Del Mundo. He posted on facebook an invite that December 1st is official pay it forward day, and he asked people to join. I happily agreed. It's easy to pay it forward, the hard part is in being anonymous. I often do random acts of kindness but I usually get thanked for it. The real test is doing it and not having any praise and acknowledgment. So I thought of different things to do for it and settled on distributing 8 poinsettias with Merry Christmas from someone who cares to the people in hospice. I would like to give everyone one, and I will let the staff figure out who gets them but it's a start. The reason I'm sharing this is not for praise but to inspire you to do the same tomorrow in whatever way you find enjoyable. I like to support good causes and this is a good one to be sure. I thought about buying people Starbucks but I really wanted to reach someone who needs a lift. I think I will make December a pay it forward month and do as many acts of kindness as I can. I just wanted to be sure and do something for the launch. If you haven't seen the movie, get it. If you've never paid it forward, try it. You will get just as much out of it as the person who receives it, if not more. And remember "Tis the season".....

This is David's post for Pay it forward on facebook..
David's 2nd Annual
Pay It Forward Day
December 1st, 2010

‘Tis the Season! A random act of kindness goes a long way so…

PAY IT FORWARD!!!

What can you do?
ON DEC. 1st...
• Pay for someone’s cup of coffee…
• Buy someone some groceries…
• Get the next person’s gas…
• Help someone out…
• Donate something…
• Be creative!!!

When you do something for someone there’s a good chance they’ll do something for someone else. If not, at least you’ve done a good deed for someone.

So on December 1st share some kindness and spread some joy! It can be as little as a few dollars or as much as you want. No one needs to know!

Join me, won’t you?

(I'm trying to make this a national event so spread the word. Maybe one day it'll be a nationally recognized day!)

I won't be offended if you don't decide to participate, but please... spread the word!

Gratitude

2010-11-24T10:59:00.000-08:00

November is gratitude month in AA. For those of you who know me you know I am in this program. For those of you who don't know me now you know. Haha. I am proud of this and I do not hide my anonymity. I have been sober for 9 years, and being sober is the best thing I ever did. I'm not going to go on and on about sobriety, although this is what I'm most grateful for. Without my sobriety I am lost. I am floundering and I am a mental mess. With sobriety I have clarity, direction and purpose. Most of all I have gratitude.
I just want you to take a minute right now and mentally list the things you are grateful for..........when you are finished I will list mine......

I am going to freely brainstorm them now......
life, family, friends, AA, health, higher power, sunshine, clouds, air, oceans and warm water, gentle breezes, laughter, smiles, tears. Colors and light, art, paper, paint, and books. Cupcakes, ice cream, sunflower seeds and fizzy juice, Bass Lake, St. Croix and memories. My husband who I have grown up with and continue to grow old with and my two astonishing children Alex and Abby. I am humbled by their goodness and always impressed with their uniqueness. My shop Hip Chick and how it has enabled me to grow as an artist and business woman. It teaches me what I want and where I want to go on a daily basis. I have gratitude for my creative journey and it's never ending expansion. I am grateful for my family of origin and tomorrow being with them all for Thanksgiving, all except my brother who I am grateful is now joining me in sobriety. I am grateful for all my friends who love and support me, encourage and inspire me. I am grateful I live in America, I have food, water, shelter, good health and money to live comfortably. I am grateful for so much more but now I must stop as I should be going to the shop.....I just wanted to get a quick post up before I left.

I would LOVE to hear what YOU"RE grateful for, I love feedback and you are just as important to me as I am to you. I am grateful for YOU too.

Happy Thanksgiving from Hip Chick Carrie

Phil Hansen has got it

2010-11-18T19:10:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tncwN7Hdyeg
Stumbled upon this video of Phil Hansen and he just blew my brains. The dude's got it. I mean talent, complex ideas and the ability to produce something fresh. This humbles me. Could make me jealous but that's just silly, so instead I salute him. BRAVO Phil!you deserve all the recognition you receive and I shall be an admirer of what you do.....

It's funny about art. It's so personal and specific to the artist, like Phil's work is what is important to him. I like to think I'm an artist and yet I still get blocked on how to convey what is important to me in my work. I opt for what pleases me instead. I opt for visually interesting instead of sending a message. Sometimes I capture a moment that was particularly poignant, and this feels good. Yet I aim to put complex messages into my art and to do it in a fresh way. That's a tall order and the key is in not pressuring myself. That's a real buzz kill, "PRESSURE", a creative fire extinguisher....It's a trap and I am tuned in to it which helps me to sidestep it if I'm lucky...By suiting up and showing up, my art will evolve and go where it's meant to. It's always changing and growing and I just have to get my ego outta the way. My ego tells me it sucks, it's been done, what's the point, I should be doing something more pertinent, yatta yatta...real friendly stuff like that. It never says, "Gee Carrie you are learning and trying new things, good for you. Who cares if it isn't perfect, pretty and 'sale able"....I have to train my brain against the ego's negativism...it's like a bad guy with the dark suit and hat who creeps out from the dark alley and says I'm gonna get ya...the good news is I won't let him get me, I'm always just a few steps ahead of him,yet he's lurking and if I'm not careful he could grab me and then , "poof", I'm screwed....ok this sounds very mellow dramatic but it FEELS very real. Those who create, understand the nerve wracking that goes along with the joy, the angst and the ecstasy...the creative blocks and the breakthroughs, it's all part of the creative process, and there's no better ride I'd rather be on........

Christmas has come to Hip Chick's

2010-11-12T18:55:00.000-08:00

It's all sparkly at the shop people as I love decorating for Christmas. I didn't get to have Christmas at the shop last year, we were in transition, painting and getting ready for opening in January. So it's fun to put the trees up, and the decorations and throw fake snow about and sing deck the halls.....hahaha. Ok I'm not really singing Christmas carols yet, don't worry, that's kinda gross at this point, nor am I even putting Christmas music on until it's DECEMBER but I do have the festive spirit now that the shop is decked. I had a productive day making things today, I had a black hat I embellished with paper, ribbon, feather and flower bow. Wha-la...fabulous! and I made a collage with some Paris images and paper, glitter and glue, oh the fun of glue let me tell you. This is one fabulous element. I can't get enough of it...I want to collage everything...people, places, things....haha... I also LOVE my triple thick gloss which I put on top of a collage to really seal and age it. The large multi color piece has the goop and it just coagulates beautifully. I wanted to share my efforts with those of you who care, you know who you are...and I hope to see all of you for our open studios in December on the 11th and 12th from 10-4. Treats and festivities will abound, so don't miss out on the fun, as always thanks for your support....ho ho ho...

San Damiano tutu shots

2010-11-10T10:54:00.000-08:00

Monday I took the red tutu to San Damiano in Danville for a photo shoot. It was a gray day and not ideal for picture taking but I didn't care too much. You gotta go when the mood strikes regardless of lighting, and I had a chunk of time so I drove on up and wandered around. Here's San Damiano in a nutshell....."OUR MISSION is to provide a peaceful environment of natural beauty where spiritual renewal and growth may be sought by people of all faiths and backgrounds. In the spirit of St. Francis and guided by the Franciscan traditions of joy, hospitality, compassion, peace and simplicity, we offer contemporary and challenging retreats and programs in response to the changing needs of God's people." This retreat is in the heart of downtown Danville at the top of Highland Dr. and many people go there for retreats, gatherings, spiritual healing and quiet. Not many people are there taking pictures with tutus but then again I am kinda quirky....
I envisioned a tutu shrine shot and mine is ok, nothing exceptional but not every photo shoot produces the epic shot. But the point isn't always to get the perfect shot but to have fun and see what happens. I had a few curious looks for sure but no one seemed to mind the silly girl and her red tutu....it is a place to embrace all people and all spirituality. My tutu is a form of spirituality, it brings me peace, happiness and joy. It also brings many people peace, happiness and joy so this encourages me to keep playing with it.
Today Ben my husband decided to tackle our hairy beast of a dog, Chester. He is a combo German Shepherd and Poodle and one big ball of fur. Kinda like a Rastafarian dog when we let his hair grow long. It gets all matted and clumpy and NASTY. Being we are kinda cheapskates and don't want to fork over $100 to tame this hairy beast, we have the home job kit. Scissors and a electric razor. Ben is the groomer and he does surprisingly well with it. When it's cattiwamus well that just gives Chester that unique hip look that you just can't get from a professional groomer..

Flying first class

2010-11-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

A miracle occurred, out of the blue, and rocked my world. For the first time EVER the pilots wives were invited on the Global by Ellen (bosses wife). She was going empty to Boston and NY for 3 nights, four days and I jumped at it. We had to get up at 4:30 AM Saturday, this was the only bummer of the whole trip, but who cares when you get there and it's all first class livin'....We took off in seconds, that jet gets up fast, and I kicked it in my plush leather seat, and was served a hot towel with lemon for my cleaning pleasure. This was the way of it, I got a meal served on white linen, crystal glasses and sterling silver cutlery, I had choices for what to eat, I chose split pea soup and a caprese salad. I had a television as big as what we have at home and I could get up and do whatever I wanted for the whole flight!! This was the best part, you see I'm not actually into flying, AT ALL. I am quite the opposite, if I never had to fly that would be just dandy but unfortunately it's the main mode of transpo to get places. Especially as my hubbie is a pilot! That being said, I loved the contact I had with the flight crew, I got to chat with the guys in the cabin and even sat in the co-pilot seat, learned about how the plane works, good to know info, and chat up Susan our lovely flight attendant. Before I knew it we were in Boston and we walk off the plane and into our rental car....SNAP...just like that. Ahhh the ease of it.
Boston was chilly and beautiful, we had a family trip there about 5 years ago so I was familiar with it's charm. We ate dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant, "Giacomo's" where you just line up outside for a table and they always have a line as they are that good. The next day we wanted to see some fall foliage and I wanted to bring along the tutu as it had been awhile since I had a fresh tutu shot. Got some by a lake we stumbled across and then we headed to the Colonial Inn for a "Lobsta Roll" , a Boston tradition, heaps of lobster with some mayo on a hot dog bun.....YUMMY! After lunch we found my dream store called nesting, full of Hip Chick style items, I bought a few and was happily satiated as we left Boston to fly to NY that night.
All corporate jets fly to Teterboro airport if they are going to NY due to such high volume of traffic and it was my first time at this FBO (flight based operations) the FBO was SWANKY like a fancy Elle Decor magazine interior and a grand piano in the corner, there was a huge pilot's lounge and all the celebs and the richey riches go through on a regular basis. I was in heaven....so this is how the other half lives.....NICE! Our flight was only 45 mins, that's my kind of flying and then we drove about as much to get into the city, Times Square was our destintation. It was on. It's always on in NY and at Times Square. And this day just so happened to be Halloween. Thank God I thought to bring my tutu's and a mask in case I was feeling feisty....they were quite popular. Ben and I walked around Times Square and tourist stopped me and asked if I would take a picture with them, it was hilarious! And fun! Of course I was more then happy to oblige and then I took pictures with various costumed folk, it was hoppin! We heard there was a rockin parade in Grennich Village so we headed down and it was so packed we could barely see a thing. But everywhere we went there we people dressed up, having a good time and that made it worth the trip. Note to self, Halloween is HUGE in NY....
Next day was mellow, our only full day of non travel so we soaked up the concierge lounge and set off walking the streets. Had lunch at Eataly which is a huge Italian compound of little restaurants and markets. We bought some fresh pasta to take to Jeff's house for dinner (Ben's oldest friend) and it was a smash hit. We watched the Giants win the World Series and it was all good.....Tuesday was our last day and we ran in central park where they were setting up for the Marathon, it was a chilly, clear day and I love running in the park. Later we went to Chelsea and had a lovely french lunch and walked on the highline a new above ground walkway, very chic, artsy and scenic, in an industrial area of the city. I even squeezed in a thrift shop and felt like things could'nt have been better.. But there was one big finale after all that waiting at the teterboro airport. I saw Zach Galifianakis from The Hangover and Robert Downey Jr. a few minutes later. Robert was with his wife and I didn't want to bug him but Zach was alone so I asked if I could take a picture and he said sure. I want to camp out at the FBO and see how many celebs I can count in a day....so that was my trip, a real whirlwind of first class travel, fun sights, quality time with Ben, and unexpected pleasures...sometimes life has a way of just surprising you and exceeding all of your expectations..