Barbie's Makeover

A while back I blogged about Barbie's 50th birthday and I included some pictures of what one jewelry artist is creating with discarded Barbie parts. A friend of mine read the entry and told me I should make some Barbie-inspired things myself. He was so set on helping me do this that he brought me a bag of Barbies he had found at a little thrift store at the coast. Well, I have had this bag of Barbies - sans clothing - in my art studio for a few months now. Then yesterday a designer I work with asked me if I could spare a few of the dolls so she could use them in a craft project she is making for our CHA booth. Of course, yes!. Let me bring them in.............So, here they are, waiting to made into something fabulous. I will keep you posted!

Michael Jackson, Fashion Icon

I grew up with Michael Jackson. Not literally, but figuratively. I was there the first time around when the sequin glove was cool and everyone wanted a band jacket that looked like his. Fast forward to 2009 and Michael is dead, literally but not figuratively. The tributes have dominated the news since he passed away. But Michael lives on, because he is a music icon and a fashion icon. The anticipation of his upcoming tour dovetailed into the fashion inspirations we've been seeing on the runways as designers look to the 1980's for inspiration. The ripped jeans and the military jackets are a favorite in fashion magazines and on celebrities. Look for the '80's influence and Michael's style to take up even more space in fashion and pop culture as people continue to pay tribute to the King of Pop.

A Trend Fan

I get to work this morning and open my emails to find a really funny one, complimenting me on my trend advice from last Sunday night's interview on Inspired At Home. My subject was the popularity of the polka dot. Here's what this person wrote - picturing herself arriving for work - after listening to my trend report:

"....In walked 'Trendsetting Gooness' (what's a 'gooness'?) this morning sporting an adorable black and white polka dot shift dress. She moves with ease in comfort and style. 'Gooness' has added candy apple red accessories- most notably the red sunglasses and square short handled vintage purse dated 1948. The red peep toe heels set the outfit off with a happy go lucky summer day at the office! When we spoke with 'Gooness', she stated that she listens faithfully to the number one Trend Setter, Jennifer Blevins. Her last radio interview bringing up the facts that true trendsetters stick with the happy polka dots year round. Special thanks to Jen for keeping us on the cutting edge!"

What can I say?

Maxfield Parrish

Last weekend is was Father's Day and we decided to head to Elk Grove (Sacramento area) on Saturday - just for the day - to see my husband's family. We left home early and arrived about 10am to my brother-in-law's home. We went out to lunch at B.J.'s and had a delicious meal and a wonderful visit with everyone - my brother-in-law, his wife and my husband's dad. Back at my brother-in-law's home, the guys talked cars and the kids swam, so my sister-in-law, also named Jenny, and I decided to head to the Crocker Museum to take in the current Maxfield Parrish (1870-1966) exhibit. He was an American painter and illustrator who was famous for the dazzlingly luminous colors that marked much of his artwork; the shade “Parrish blue” was coined in acknowledgement. I was so excited! I love his work and always love going to art museums. Jenny and I even ended up buying the same book that included an extensive offering of plates of his work. It was funny when we each went to pay for our book with different credit cards with the same name on it. The cashier was a little confused at first but we all laughed about it. Anyway, if you get a chance to be in the Sacramento area you should stop by and enjoy this exhibit. After we finished at the Crocker, Jenny took me to a cool bead store, The Bead Fetish to buy some beads. I loved the whole vibe of the store....very bohemian, colorful, funky. You can tell just from looking at the storefront. Now, my philosophy is 'you can never have enough beads' so I had to buy just a few to add to my arsenal of jewelry making supplies at home. I can't wait to make something fabulous with them.

After the bead store we decided the men had been left alone long enough so we headed back to my sister-in-law's home. We wrapped up the day by sharing our adventures with everyone over a snack tray of cheese, crackers and fruit. My family and I headed for home around 6pm, ending a perfect day with family. I drove - while my husband and our boys slept soundly - as I sipped a Starbuck's and listened to Rock tunes while blazing down highway 99. We were home by 8:30pm and Gabby was quite glad to see us. Another great weekend!

Woodstock Turns 40

Celebrating the Summer of Love, 1969. Woodstock turns 40 this August. Check out the tie dye set of Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer. Expect to see a wide range of iconic images of the Summer of Love with peace signs, tie dye and all things commemorating the musicfest that took place 40 years ago at Bethel Woods.

Who they came to see in 1969: Joan Baez, The Band, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Canned Heat, Joe Cocker, Country Joe and the Fish, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Crosby, Stills and Nash and Young, Grateful Dead, Arlo Guthrie, Tim Hardin, Richie Havens, Jimi Hendrix, Incredible String Band, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Keef Hartley Band, Melanie, Mountain, Quill, Santana, John Sebastian, Sha-Na-Na, Ravi, Shankar, Sly and the Family Stone, Bert Sommer, Sweetwater, Ten Years After, The Who, and Johnny Winter.

Gabby

While I sit at my computer to blog or read my email, or read my books on my comfy sofa, my sweet little Gabby rests contently in her bed......keeping me company with her soft snoring. If you didn't know it, Boston Terriers snore. They also lick like crazy. Gabby is the favorite 'person' in our house because she is such a lover to each one of us.

It's been a long week at work and I am glad to be home, out in my art studio, listening to music and making some jewelry. Here are two pieces I created after dinner. I love mixing metals - sterling silver with brass - with beautiful gemstones. These pictures do not do justice to the stones. The necklace is a Peruvian opal with a sterling silver tiara on the end of the long chain. The earrings are faceted labradorites with two different sterling silver charms on the end of the brass chains - a heart and a flower. Who says things have to match? They are so yummy!