Etsy Monday! Issue #12: Some Classy Dudes

If you and I are anything alike - well, most of you, anyway - some of the hardest people to shop for are men.  Hubby, my best friend, my father and stepfather, my Secret Santa at work (which will most likely be a dude, working with 95% dudes) - you want to get 'em something that'll make him smile and not rattle around in a junk drawer.  I'd like to introduce you to three of my favourite Etsy shops offering unique and useful gifts for the trendy men in your life!

toybreaker.etsy.com

Now, these are ties even I would steal out of hubby's closet!  Bethany Shorb of Cyberoptix™ Tie Lab dressed rock stars - she can definitely make that dude on your list feel like a rock star in one of these ties!  With a workshop on the second floor of a furniture warehouse in downtown Detroit, Bethany screenprints each tie by hand, available in silk, cotton, microfibre, as well as limited edition pieces with vintage and sustainable elements and materials.  She's been "filling the void" of hip mens formalwear since 2006, with much success since - Bethany's work has been featured in The Martha Stewart Show, New York Times Magazine and various prominent fashion blogs around the internet. Quite simply, I think we're all in agreement - "these ties don't suck!"

Oh, and while you're visiting the shop buying that tie, don't forget to check out the silk and pashmina scarves for the ladies ... but don't blame me for that impulse purchase!  Follow Cyberoptix™on Facebook and Twitter to keep on top of shop updates!

Communication, screenprinted radio transmitter tower necktie

Artbeads.com: The Pantone Colours of Fall 2010

Another Artbeads.com project is here!  If you've read previous posts about Pantone Inc. on this blog, you'll be familiar with their importance in the fashion industry in the definition and language of colour.  The tools available from Pantone are a wealth of resources for fashion designers, interior decorators, paint manufacturers and many other facets of art and design.  Pantone Inc. releases a palpable colour palate every season, coinciding with fashion collections, interior design trends and visual art applications and receive feedback "on prominent collection colors, color inspiration, color philosophy" and signature shades of featured designers.  Take a look at this season's colour palate, featuring a great mix of warm, cool, earth and jewel tones!

So many possibilities when I looked at these colours!  My mind had went wild with the matches and combinations that I could use in these projects.  I had purchased a couple of bronze and gold-plated chain necklaces from Value Village, a local thrift department store, to repurposed into these pieces.  I had also purchased these ball headpins from snapcrafty on Etsy for this project to add some special detail.  There's also a pair of earrings and a few that had lost their mates, a store-bought necklace, fabric appliques from an old shirt and a few other little surprises!

After a little fun with Color Scheme Designer 3 for some inspiration on colour combinations (a great tool when you have an inspiration block, or don't know what to pair those fabulous beads you just got with), I had a great time strolling through Artbeads.com with lots of ideas in mind.  With so many choices in beads and components, I had a hard time narrowing down selections. After finally deciding, I had realized most of my choices came from the Limited Edition selections, which will make these pieces all the more enticing and one-of-a-kind!  Most, if not all, of these beads used in these pieces will no longer be available from the site, but I do insist you take a look - you just may find that 'rare gem' your signature piece can't be without!  Beautiful coloured glass, vintage elements, resin rings and detailed pendants all fit into the bill for this colour-inspired collection.

It's Easy Being Green ... In 'Shout! The Mod Musical'!

Please pardon the lapse of 'original' posts, but I do have some exciting news!

I had auditioned last week for LP Stage Production's run of Shout! The Mod Musical - and if you liked Jersey Boys, this one's right up your alley for a groovy girls' night out!  Shout! takes you back in time to the 1960s and 1970s, where women were awakened to a new independence never before experienced by previous generations.  In the wake of changing attitudes toward genders, the birth control pill to the evils of marijuana, mod fashions and big hair, heartbreak, true love and everything in between, this revolution of women is set to a soundtrack of the pioneers of the time from America and 'across the pond' in Great Britain.  Such great ladies as Dusty Springfield, Lulu, Shirley Bassey, Petula Clark, Cilla Black and so much more map out the timeline for these five girls growing up through changing times in a 'groovy age'.  With tongue in cheek and humour in check, this musical "will make you wanna throw your head back and Shout!"  Check out this video of the national tour hitting Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine, United States!

Wordless Wednesday Special Edition, Issue #12: Dan McNab Photography

My thirtieth birthday had passed on October 25, something I had mixed feelings about.  The 'number' I had denied for so long, but still admitted in age if anyone asked (I ain't no lady!).  I still have people ask me at work if I should be in school.  I guess these good looks shouldn't go to waste!  So, I called my friend Dan McNab to help me out!  This photo shoot was the very first thing I did on the day of my birthday (a Monday this year), sans makeup or fab model getup.  I wanted something casual, urban, youthful and fun for these portraits - something I can reflect on in later years and remember to have that same youthful attitude all my life.  I also hope to use some of these as part of a headshot package for future auditions and gigs!

'With A Thousand Sweet Kisses,' An Open 'Thank You' Letter to the Cast, Crew & Musicians of Brampton Music Theatre's 'Rent'

The thing with community theatre and their short run dates is that you never want that feeling to end; not just the rush of the applause and the spotlight, but the sense of family with the cast and crew after it all comes together, and the people you've shared the experience with become great friends in the end.  Rent was the perfect production to get myself back into the swing of things after such a long hiatus from theatre in general, onstage or off, and I am very humbled to have shared it with such glowing, talented people of all facets.

Jonathan Larson's masterpiece pays homage to the dramas that came before, deriving its plot from Puccini's La Boheme, set in 1830 Paris focusing on the love between Rodolfo, a poet, and Mimì, a seamstress.  Although they separate because of Rodolfo's disapproval of Mimì's flirtatious ways towards men, they reunite before she succumbs to the clutches of tuberculosis, dying in his arms, surrounded by their adopted family of artists and friends whom also shared their state of Bohemia.  A poignant piece that reminds us to live and appreciate each day to its fullest, we were reminded of the short time we would share together bringing Jonathan's message to our little corner of the world.  I don't think there was a finer group of artists that could have accomplished this in only the way we could.

Etsy Treasury: Gifts For Her Under $100 USD by No Wonder

Thanks to the lovely shop No Wonder for including my Duality earrings in this Etsy Treasury full of ideas for the ladies on your list!

Milky Mimi with Red Bow Tie ... dancinginthera... $25.00	SALE Twig fascinator, unique... SchickiMickis $50.00
Decorative Red clay Poppy ... TheJoyofColor $60.00	Saki Trousers-Grey onor $89.00
S A L E - Duality earrings designbycassan... $5.00	NAUGHTY CAT, FISHING 14x18 R... alexandrafergu... $89.00
Le Petit Jardin - cotton bag... ThongbaiTatong $49.00	Red Heart Drop Necklace - St... toolisjewelry $45.00
Rocky Raccoon scarf - M A D ... SillyHilli $	Birdy Birdy sevilyadesign $20.00
Shirred Dress With Cowl Neck... Lirola $124.00	Christmas SALE - Scotland Si... petekdesign $8.00
The Simple FARRAGO iPad Case... farragobags $59.00	Decorative Throw Pillow Cove... asmushomeinter... $19.95
sterling silver flowers with... baronikadesign... $34.00	Two in One Mohair Tube Cowl ... reflectionsbyd... $70.00

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Etsy Treasury: Making it easy for the hubby ...

Hey, Nick!  Here's a Treasury just for you - gifts under $40 I'd love to see under the tree from Etsy!  (Wonder what I'll get!)

Black Crew Neck T-shirt - Si... sealmaiden $26.00	Shakespeare Journal Ophelia ... immortallongin... $35.00
PHOTOsynthesis LEAFLET Earri... CameraSHYphoto... $38.00	EVITA Broadway Musical - Tim... ivylanedesigns $20.00
Organic Patchouli Clove Hand... DeShawnMarie $5.50	Small Citrine Pendant DrCraze $30.00
Japanese Star Moss Scarf in ... Xenotees $22.00	ON SALE - Mona Lisa Locket ... Shoogi $26.55
Mad Hatter Alice in Wonderla... nowonder $24.00	Black Ice Bracelet savagesalvage $28.00
Rose Vanilla Marshamllows whimsyandspice $6.00	Stackers ThirteenGems $40.00
Black and Gold Rose Earrings tamar $24.00	I Will Save You Unicorn Neck... pamelahenderso... $25.00
Hand Knit Hat - Cloche Hat i... pixiebell $40.00	Gold Recycled Guitar String ... PluckingPendan... $19.00

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Etsy Treasury: Great Finds from Great Shops by BombaStitch

Many thanks to BombaStitch for such a kind gesture!  She's created this Treasury as a 'thank you' for other sellers who have featured her work in their own Treasuries, and included the Demeter ring!  (I had featured BombaStitch's Blues Brothers cross-stitch pattern in this Treasury!)  Check out these awesome finds from these awesome sellers!

Starburst Diaper/Shoulder Ba... handmadetherap... $25.00	S A L E - Demeter ring designbycassan... $15.00
DILL PICKLE Shower and Shavi... BathAndBodyBou... $4.85	Knitting Scarf Caramel Hand ... filofashion $30.00
Zooey Deer- Original Portrai... robinelizabeth... $115.00	The bird with moustache sabahnur $22.00
OOAK Copper domed necklace w... BlueberryCream $18.00	Fun felted necklace and brac... goldenneedlecr... $13.50
eCard GIFT CERTIFICATE for C... tangonovemberb... $36.00	Pure silk dupioni in Unique... FabricsAndTrim... $3.75
Recycled Book and Vintage Pr... dpad $120.00	Hostess Wool Jersey Pleated ... IslaNewYork $125.00
Vintage Folding Postcard Mar... luckylisp $5.00	Lily Lips - Glass necklace everythingELB $12.00
Vintage ART CRAFT Tortoisesh... FlossysTreasur... $32.99	Personalized Skully drawing punkscrapper $35.00

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