Bizarre Bazaar

  This year, the lovely ladies of Chikoko hosted their first annual Spring Bizarre Bazaar. It was a collection of talented artists and designers selling their delights at a local venue. It was so amazing to walk into a place and witness such beauty and creativity all around. There was everything from jewelry to art to clothing to garden tools. All of it handmade, and all of it inspiring. I love that each artist worked his/her own booth so you got an opportunity to meet and get to know the person behind the designs.
   I went on Sunday, and I brought my kids and my mama-in-law.  I wanted EVERYTHING! I swear, if I were rich, I'd go broke spending my money on things for sale in that room alone. It was such a treat to see familiar faces and meet new ones. I was also so impressed by people I already know making new things. It is amazing to watch other artists evolve.
  I couldn't stay long, (my son was getting over an ear infection), but I got to squeeze some friends, make a couple purchases and snap some photos. I can't wait for the next Bizarre Bazaar, usually around the holidays, it is the best place to buy gifts. I have a "one for (fill in name here) and one for me" policy.  My gosh I love this town!

Dreadful Kitty

Muir Hughes

oh baby, that's my girl! Sadie Rose!

Zeeko Bag

David "Dragonboy" Sutherland

Jen Moon

Fortunes and Folklore

Julie Demaggio

Jaime Hughes Artgirl Colormagnet

Adorn by Mari

Swallowed by a Seamonster

About a month ago, I was a part of an event called "The Delta of Venus". On the same night, only one block away, was an art showing at the Ray Ray Gallery. The show was called "The Secret Adventures of Miss Muffin" by the lovely Seamonster. She has been one of my favorite artists since I first laid eyes on her work about a year ago. I hopped over to the exhibit during my event, to give her a squeeze and to stare in amazement at her new paintings. Not only is she gorgeous, smart, sweet and extremely funny, she is crazy talented. Crazy. I am in awe of her work and hope to hang one of her paintings on my wall in the very near future.

Seamonster

Art lovin' hipsters

Claire Fong

Dragonboy

Mid Century Mimi

 I spent Saturday and Sunday in Santa Rosa visiting my husband's grandmother, Mimi. It is always a great visit, and this time was no different. She is a wonderful and charming woman, with a rich history and impeccable taste.
                

                                                   
  She grew up in China, (her father was in the military), and has amazing photos of her childhood. Stunning black and whites of her and her family riding horses and camels, having parties and riding in rickshaws. Her house is full of antique furniture from china and mid century goodies.
  Her second marriage was to a man who shared her love of mid century furniture. They collected iconic chairs and artwork while living in San Diego.  Her treasures have traveled with her for years, and now reside in her quaint condo in northern California.

Bertoia Bird chair and ottoman

Eames chairs circa 1950

Saarinen Womb chair and ottoman circa 1960

artwork in her bedroom

artwork in her dining room

above the piano

mosaic art handmade by her second husband

After leisurely hanging around Mimi's house, we went to uncle Jolly's home for dinner. His house is full of Mimi's furniture that does not fit into her house and it is just as amazing. My favorite thing about Uncle Jolly's house is the moongate and pond in his backyard .

Lot's of conversation, laughter and food. We spent our Sunday morning making waffles, playing the piano and doing crosswords and puzzles.

Nadine working on a puzzle

My hubby mixing up some waffle batter

waffles on Vileroy and Boch Acapulco plates circa 1960

Eamon and Nadine playing a duet

I can't wait to visit with Mimi again. Next time, we plan on recording her stories of childhood and all of her family history. I feel so lucky to have been married into my husband's family and that I get to share these visits with my children. A true bohemian tribe with mid century furniture. Sounds perfect.

DIY yard art

 I am working on turning my outdoor patio into a gypsy/bohemian paradise. It is a work in progress, and I get what I find, when I find it. So the end date is unknown. I know to accomplish the look I am hoping to acheive, it is going to take layers. Art, plants, tapestries, fabric, candles etc.
 This morning I was at my favorite thrift store, (it happened to be 1/2 off day), and I snagged these 2 painted canvas'. They definitely went together, and I loved the colors of the paintings, but there were some blemishes and scratches. I grabbed them (at $1 a piece how could I not?), and I brought them home. then I painted a few feathers over the blemishes, and now I have 2 painting to hang under my patio. I think they turned out cute!

 

 

                                                        

my new friend

  I was thrifting the other day with my daughter, looking for some new materials. I found myself low on doilies and have a couple custom orders pending, so I told myself, "only look for doilies!"  This is nearly an impossible task for me,  since I love to sift through every rack  for hidden treasures. None the less, it was a successful trip, and with my arm loaded  with way more than I came for, I spotted this dress form in the front of the store. I was shocked that I missed it walking in, and when I came closer to it, I was almost in a state of panic. Canvas body, metal cage hem, and rod iron base with wheels. I have a fully functioning dress form that has been so good to me for years, but it is ugly. Just a work-horse. I have always dreamed of having a cool canvas one for pictures and aesthetics. And here she was, in all her rustic beauty. I was in love! The trouble started when I saw her price tag $45. I am frugal, but more than anything, I am broke. So I called my husband, hoping he'd approve of this "big" purchase, but couldn't reach him. I put back half the stuff in my arms and decided that I would regret it if I didn't buy her. You should have seen me stuffing her into the back of my car.
  Later that night i looked up the maker and model and to my amazement, these retail for $775. It was a good buy. I have to laugh that I was deliberating for so long about buying her. My husband completely approves and to top it off, I immediately started working on a new dress which I finished 10 hours later. Not only is this dress form beautiful, it is fully functional and inspiring. I can now work on two dresses at the same time! I am in LOVE!
       

                                                                  

                                                                 

The Big Event

 This past Friday was The Delta of Venus. A local  fashion social  in the incredible little town of Chico, CA. I was a participant in this event, held at the beautiful 360 Ecotique. The night was a success with a great turnout, (Chico is a very cool place, with very cool people who love to support their community), great music and TONS of AMAZING treasures for sale. We served wine and my friend baked Russian tea cakes and passed them around on a sliver platter (i have the sweetest friends!).  At a few points in the night, the place was shoulder to shoulder with hipsters admiring, trying on and purchasing their finds. The whole night had a constant stream of folks and it was so wonderful to meet the people trying on my items, and it gave me a great opportunity to talk about my designs and the creative process behind them. I was so overwhelmed with compliments and in depth discussions pertaining to my designs. What a great night. I would say, for myself, that my Heirloom dresses overshadowed all of my other items. That is not to say people didn't love the others (or purchase them!), but it was the first time the dresses were displayed in a group with access to trying them on. I was also wearing my newest creation, (I custom made for myself, for this event), and another sweetie-pie girlfriend was selling raffle tickets while wearing a dress from the collection. It really helps to have someone modeling their beauty.

 

 

The other vendors were my dear friend Sadie Rose of  Lost boys and Lovers , Adorn by Mari, Kodo fragrances and my newest girl crush, Cabrina Channing Jewelry designs. What an inspiring group of women! There were so many things i wanted, but had to show some restraint. I purchased a great necklace from Adorn by Mari and I have teamed up with Cabrina Channing to do a trade for her insane body jewelry. She will get a custom heirloom dress I have just begun to work on. We also had a dear friend of mine read Tarot cards, which she had a line for all night! Thanks Monica!

 

 

 

 

Here are some pics of the event including set up and some local hipsters. As well as my GORGEOUS friends and fellow artists.

The night was a lot of fun, but I was so tired after the set up, event then breakdown, I completely took the next couple days off.  I woke up this morning hungry for more. There is no taming this beast. My poor husband. The house has been, a-hem...neglected, and he has so sweetly defended it by saying, " When it is fashion week around here, this is just the way it is going to look." Thank you sweetie! Happy Valentine's Day. I love you!

*** a special thanks to Crystina Hemmingway and Lorna Hillman of the 360ecotique, Sadie rose and Erin Lizardo.