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| Throw me a life raft |
Throw me a life raft
100 Follower Giveaway!! CLOSED
I am giving away a total of 12 polishes! They are not extremely expensive nail polish but I hope you still like the giveaway. 6 of the polishes are two-way nail pens and 6 of them are WnW nail polishes. One lucky winner will get:
WnW Craze Nocturnal
WnW Wild Shine Caribbean Frost
WnW Wild Shine Blue Moon
WnW Wild Shine Wild Card
WnW Fast Dry Blue Wants to Be a Millionaire
WnW Fast Dry Hannah Pinktana
and 6 Two-way nail pens
You can have a total of four entries.
The Rules:
- The contest will end June 24th and the winner will be announced June 25th.
- You may only enter once.
- The contest is open internationally :)
- You must be a follower of my blog.
- You must fill out your GFC name and a valid Email address which counts as 1 entry.
- If you "like" my facebook page you will get 1 extra entry.
- If you add my blog to your blog roll you will get 1 extra entry.
- If you blog about my giveaway you will get 1 extra entry.
What you will win:
Dustin Dollin is a class act
Saturday May 28th was Skateboarder Magazine's 2nd Annual Best Trick Jam
to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Tons of money was raised and everyone was ripping
but Dustin Dollin killed it the hardest by showing up and matching the $2500 1st place donation
out of his own pocket. Good show, DD.
You can read about it all HERE.
Caballero Skates FOr a cause
Steve Caballero, Lance Mountain & Dave Hackett
throw down some speed lines for Skate for a Cause:
No Criticism of Kevin Nash Here
Kevin Nash has had an interesting wrestling career. He has been involved in some of the greatest angles. He has been a multiple time champion. Unfortunately, he has also been criticized for various reasons (such as backstage politics and laziness).
I don't know the inside scoop, but I can tell you he seems like a straight up guy to me. He is always really cool in person and I have met him several times under many different circumstances. He goes out of his way to give his fans what they want.
For some odd reason, JayHawk and I decided we wanted the big man to put us in headlocks. He obliged. Be careful what you ask for, but hindsight is 20/20. It seemed like a good idea. Fortunately, Big Kev kept it a loose lock and didn't snap our necks. Seriously, I do think Kev could have put a hurtin' on us if he wanted.
Kev also is patient and willing to talk about himself, wrestling and his friends in wrestling.
He has enough detractors out there (really too many), but I am not one of them. Kev is okay in my opinion!
I don't know the inside scoop, but I can tell you he seems like a straight up guy to me. He is always really cool in person and I have met him several times under many different circumstances. He goes out of his way to give his fans what they want.
For some odd reason, JayHawk and I decided we wanted the big man to put us in headlocks. He obliged. Be careful what you ask for, but hindsight is 20/20. It seemed like a good idea. Fortunately, Big Kev kept it a loose lock and didn't snap our necks. Seriously, I do think Kev could have put a hurtin' on us if he wanted.
Kev also is patient and willing to talk about himself, wrestling and his friends in wrestling.
He has enough detractors out there (really too many), but I am not one of them. Kev is okay in my opinion!
JayHawk Evans, Kevin Nash and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2010.
Facelift...Complete!
Well, unless you count some minor remaining details like figuring out where to hang my flaming clock, I'm calling this one DONE! It's been so long in the making, and such an extended project that I thought I would never finish. An out of town dual-birthday party for my two elderly in-laws this weekend didn't stop me from finishing the plumbing, securing the metal workbench sides, and getting the rest of the extras finished. It's not my dream studio by any means*, but it's good enough to get me where I'm headed in the meantime, and was fairly easy on the budget. I've already started unloading some of the things I won't be using in my new studio on Freecycle.
You saw what I did to my glass storage in a prior post, and that was only the beginning. I have this habit of dragging out the power tools when my husband goes on business trips, and our recent chicken coop building project only whet my appetite for building. I built a near 8' long workbench using 2 x 4s for framing and attached it to the wall, leveling it in two directions all by myself using a bit of spit, a level, and my torching chair. That was hard. I attached a bit of a ledger board on the wall first, and leveled it. My brother gave me a great tip about clamping the 2x4's for the legs (instead of cutting them first and hoping for level) while I figured out exactly how long each leg should be. This bench is secured to the wall on two sides and has three free standing legs. This is my first time building anything with 2x4s, and due to ignorance and haste I think I used the cheapest type meant for using as studs inside a wall, but I made sure they were straight when I bought them, and I have to admit it was kind of fun using something so strong for the first time. Just kidding about the spit.
I topped the framework with MDF and then fire resistant gypsum, adding a backsplash of sorts on the back and two sides. A local roofing metal company did a great job making my inexpensive galvanized top despite a couple of measurement errors on my part. I debated surface materials, and finally settled on this relatively lightweight and clean looking metal, even though I'm not much for the industrial look. At least it will keep any dust down. This bench is solid! I can even stand on it with no perceptible movement at all. The 2x4s for the two legs on the left side extend up quite a ways to provide an attachment point for my lights, and give me a frame on which I can mount the pegboard for the tools on the left torching station.
The exposed studs had me scratching my head for a good while, trying to figure out how to disguise them without just putting up drywall. In a moment of inspiration at OSH I found these reed roll-up blinds and they were just the thing to make the dingy walls disappear. I have a little inspirational mixed-media art piece in mind for the walls to replace my bead images.
My ventilation has always been a range hood I found on eBay for a song, although the shipping costs were more like a box set. It did an OK job, but not great - it was way too high above my table, and needed a lower hood enclosure to be effective. Inspired by Andrea Guarino's ventilation tutorial I was determined to enhance the suckability of my setup by using ductwork, but was only able to find the flexible corrugated stuff at Lowe's. It has tremendously improved the performance of my 400 cfm hood, but I need to find the smooth flexible ducting, and ideally a ready-made "Y" joint to replace my sketchy one. It's all a bit of overkill for a garage studio where one wall can be raised at will, but in the colder months I don't usually open it all the way, so the ventilation upgrade is a good idea.
I also plumbed the gas from outside using this great tutorial from LE, and moved my flashback arrestor so it's inline in my hose instead of at the tank outside. Found a few leaks today when I finally tested it, but was able to tighten everything up.
I had some wine boxes from the local wine distributor and converted one into a little shelving unit next to my torch to hold my presses and other flotsam. I've been able to repurpose almost all of the concrete backer board I used to have on my torch table.
Still need a skirt for my old voter's registration table (free from the county years ago) where I dip mandrels, to hide the storage underneath. The (free) metal cabinet under my new glass storage holds extra supplies and equipment.
The guest torching station will have a pegboard for tools like I do, but on a smaller scale. I plan to start teaching private and 2-person classes soon, and when I do I'll move the kiln to a cart to make a little more elbow room at the bench.
Just for fun I'm going to try finding some old vertical blinds on Freecycle, to use as a kinetic skirt on my mandrel dipping table. I'll probably jazz them up somehow first, though.
I've already started using my tumbler on my new bench, as well as some electroforming. Finishing projects started months, even years ago is high on my list right now, as few other accomplishments rejuvenate me quite as much. I've been creating some new jewelry as well, and will photograph and list several new pieces this week, so keep your eyes on my Etsy shop.
*My dream studio will be in it's own building, and will include torching stations for eight, a kitchen, great room with fireplace, and individual lodging rooms as well. If you're thinking it sounds like a Bead & Breakfast, you're right! That's my dream.
In the beginning.
Let's start with the "before". It was hastily thrown together what, 8 years ago, using a hand me down adjustable height table, a piece of concrete backer board I spray painted black, and some fabric quickly stapled to the bare studs to make my corner of my garage studio a little less..."garagey". It's not like I wasn't able to transport myself away from those drab surroundings and dream my glassy little dreams out there, but I really wasn't excited about having people visit. I hated how sometimes things went pop and I didn't know where they went. I was also increasingly frustrated with my pile-o-tools on the table to my right. There was never enough room for them, and I was always struggling to disentangle them mid-bead. You saw what I did to my glass storage in a prior post, and that was only the beginning. I have this habit of dragging out the power tools when my husband goes on business trips, and our recent chicken coop building project only whet my appetite for building. I built a near 8' long workbench using 2 x 4s for framing and attached it to the wall, leveling it in two directions all by myself using a bit of spit, a level, and my torching chair. That was hard. I attached a bit of a ledger board on the wall first, and leveled it. My brother gave me a great tip about clamping the 2x4's for the legs (instead of cutting them first and hoping for level) while I figured out exactly how long each leg should be. This bench is secured to the wall on two sides and has three free standing legs. This is my first time building anything with 2x4s, and due to ignorance and haste I think I used the cheapest type meant for using as studs inside a wall, but I made sure they were straight when I bought them, and I have to admit it was kind of fun using something so strong for the first time. Just kidding about the spit.
I topped the framework with MDF and then fire resistant gypsum, adding a backsplash of sorts on the back and two sides. A local roofing metal company did a great job making my inexpensive galvanized top despite a couple of measurement errors on my part. I debated surface materials, and finally settled on this relatively lightweight and clean looking metal, even though I'm not much for the industrial look. At least it will keep any dust down. This bench is solid! I can even stand on it with no perceptible movement at all. The 2x4s for the two legs on the left side extend up quite a ways to provide an attachment point for my lights, and give me a frame on which I can mount the pegboard for the tools on the left torching station.
The exposed studs had me scratching my head for a good while, trying to figure out how to disguise them without just putting up drywall. In a moment of inspiration at OSH I found these reed roll-up blinds and they were just the thing to make the dingy walls disappear. I have a little inspirational mixed-media art piece in mind for the walls to replace my bead images.
Finally...a place for everything.
My ventilation has always been a range hood I found on eBay for a song, although the shipping costs were more like a box set. It did an OK job, but not great - it was way too high above my table, and needed a lower hood enclosure to be effective. Inspired by Andrea Guarino's ventilation tutorial I was determined to enhance the suckability of my setup by using ductwork, but was only able to find the flexible corrugated stuff at Lowe's. It has tremendously improved the performance of my 400 cfm hood, but I need to find the smooth flexible ducting, and ideally a ready-made "Y" joint to replace my sketchy one. It's all a bit of overkill for a garage studio where one wall can be raised at will, but in the colder months I don't usually open it all the way, so the ventilation upgrade is a good idea.
I also plumbed the gas from outside using this great tutorial from LE, and moved my flashback arrestor so it's inline in my hose instead of at the tank outside. Found a few leaks today when I finally tested it, but was able to tighten everything up.
I had some wine boxes from the local wine distributor and converted one into a little shelving unit next to my torch to hold my presses and other flotsam. I've been able to repurpose almost all of the concrete backer board I used to have on my torch table.
Still need a skirt for my old voter's registration table (free from the county years ago) where I dip mandrels, to hide the storage underneath. The (free) metal cabinet under my new glass storage holds extra supplies and equipment.
The guest torching station will have a pegboard for tools like I do, but on a smaller scale. I plan to start teaching private and 2-person classes soon, and when I do I'll move the kiln to a cart to make a little more elbow room at the bench.
Just for fun I'm going to try finding some old vertical blinds on Freecycle, to use as a kinetic skirt on my mandrel dipping table. I'll probably jazz them up somehow first, though.
I've already started using my tumbler on my new bench, as well as some electroforming. Finishing projects started months, even years ago is high on my list right now, as few other accomplishments rejuvenate me quite as much. I've been creating some new jewelry as well, and will photograph and list several new pieces this week, so keep your eyes on my Etsy shop.
*My dream studio will be in it's own building, and will include torching stations for eight, a kitchen, great room with fireplace, and individual lodging rooms as well. If you're thinking it sounds like a Bead & Breakfast, you're right! That's my dream.
Haul
Its coming to the ends of the month and I know I did not do any better in buying less polish then there is days in the month but there was just so many things that I couldn't pass up on. This month I found alot of really cheap stuff so its not like I spent alot. I think my goal is gonna change to how much money I spend instead on number of bottles.
Walgreens
Sally Hansen Crackle Chery Smash
Sally Hansen Distressed Denim
Sinful Colors Neon melon
Sinful Colors Pink
Sinful Colors Dancing nails
5 Below
Wet N Wild Prancer
Wet N Wild Blitzen
Wet N Wild Comet
Funky Fingers Sand and Stilettos
Funky Fingers Golden Coast
Color Club Glam Stickers
Glitter for a fraken
Marshall's
California Colors set (nameless colors) ($4.99)
Cute Glass file
Barielle Frech manicure set ($5.99)
Rite Aid & Marshalls
Nicole by OPI Nic's sticks 5 pack ($6.99)
Sally Hansen color quick and nail art pen duo
Sally Hansen crackle antiqued gold
Ulta In NH
Essence I like
2 Essence studio nails stickers
Everythings here was all pretty cheap so I was happy even though I bought alot. I also took advantage of the 50% off on Barielle polishes and I did resist the one free Zoya bottle promo. I think Ive been good most of my polish buying has been for swaps and a giveaway so that's helped from buying polishes for myself. I couple bottles more I will have to build my 2nd helmer because I am running out of room. I updated my spreadsheet and I know have over 500 polishes. I am a Polishaholic!
Another Butterfly Mani
I loved my blue monarch butterfly mani so much that I had to do it again in a different color. I am going to keep this short and sweet today because it is going to be ein the 90's today and I will be spending the day outside in the sun! Here it is:
I used 2 coats of WnW Fast Dry in Ocean Grotto which is a new polish from their Mermaid Cove collection. I then used my two-way nail art pens in black and white to create the lines and dots. Those pens work so well for dotting! Then as usual I layered a nice coat of SV over the whole thing. This green is so pretty, if you are a sucker for green polish like I am then you must have this one. It has very fine gold shimmer in it. Happy Memorial day to everyone :)
Friendly Encounters
This is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebs.
Matt Parker is my nephew and a frequent subject of Friendly Encounters. Matt is always looking for Friendly Encounters opportunities.
Recently Matt attended a WSCR broadcast as part of their "Who Needs Two?" promotion featuring Dan Bernstein and Terry Boers. The nearby Chicago bar was pretty crowded, so Matt didn't really get to interact with the broadcasters. He did manage to talk to show producer Herb Lawrence, a Score veteran.
Matt asked Herb for a picture (always looking for the FE photo-op...good job Big Money). Herb seemed somewhat surprised that Matt would want a picture with him. Herb is certainly no slouch. He's a beloved Score personality. Besides, there are no small stars as far as Johngy's Beat goes.
Matt Parker is my nephew and a frequent subject of Friendly Encounters. Matt is always looking for Friendly Encounters opportunities.
Recently Matt attended a WSCR broadcast as part of their "Who Needs Two?" promotion featuring Dan Bernstein and Terry Boers. The nearby Chicago bar was pretty crowded, so Matt didn't really get to interact with the broadcasters. He did manage to talk to show producer Herb Lawrence, a Score veteran.
Matt asked Herb for a picture (always looking for the FE photo-op...good job Big Money). Herb seemed somewhat surprised that Matt would want a picture with him. Herb is certainly no slouch. He's a beloved Score personality. Besides, there are no small stars as far as Johngy's Beat goes.
Herb Lawrence and Matt Parker in Chicago, IL-Spring 2011.
2011 Las Vegas Weekly Awards!
This past Wednesday I was invited to attend an event held by the Las Vegas Weekly, a weekly magazine here in Las Vegas. I was selected as the recipient of the 2011 'Best Blogger' award in the 2011 Weekly awards!! SO exciting!! :) Of course, since I was going to the event, I had to do Las Vegas Weekly nails, so I used one of the copies of when the story about me was in the Weekly last May to work into the manicure. (I was a tad overzealous in getting spare copies to keep, so I had a few issues to spare :-P) Check out the blurb about the award here!
Forgive me for not including my thumb in the picture- I swatched another color over it without thinking before I got around to photographing it. Stupid me. For the texture in the background, I transferred bits of the original article using alcohol onto the white background, then painted the Las Vegas WEEKLY logo over it. :)
 |
| My name on the big screen! :) |
I used American Apparel Cotton as a base, with Claire's Stiletto for the red, and American Apparel Hassid for the black. Topped it all off with two coats of Seche Vite top coat.
En Route to NYC...
Good Morning!
Just a short post since I'm moving to the city that never sleeps today! I hope you all have a fabulous day. I will be back to posting this week!
If any of you are in the NYC area and interested in a blogger meet-up, let me know!! And send me suggestions of places to wine, dine and shop!
Happy Monday!
KIU,
Twentysomething
Photo credit:
www.movingtoplaces.com
Just a short post since I'm moving to the city that never sleeps today! I hope you all have a fabulous day. I will be back to posting this week!
If any of you are in the NYC area and interested in a blogger meet-up, let me know!! And send me suggestions of places to wine, dine and shop!
Happy Monday!
KIU,
Twentysomething
Photo credit:
www.movingtoplaces.com
Metalhead Process!
Hey everybody! Realized I never posted this! So here it is :), my Metalhead process.
Some Music - Adam Tensta ft. Dida - Grounded :O
Some Music - Adam Tensta ft. Dida - Grounded :O
Small journal slideshow
I would love to share my travel journal with you. This is what I have created so far!
Kittens and Ice Cream
To celebrate their 5th year anniversary, JapanLA is having a “Kittens & Ice Cream” art show and party on June 4 from 7-10 pm.They will be featuring artists all over the world for Part of the “Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue & Support.” I will have some of my personal work there, including necklaces, and original art prints. If you are in Los Angeles this weekend, it will be a great event with featuring lots of different artists. JapanLA is a store and art gallery that is themed around Japanese pop culture. Be sure and visit JapanLA's Facebook Page page to preview more art, and for any other details you may have. If you get to go, please let me know, and be sure and mention if you're looking for "Lactose Intoler-Art." Unfortunately I will not be able to personally attend this event, as I am preparing to go back to Tokyo later this summer.
Other Info:
Address:
JapanLA
7320 1/2 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, California
Phone: (323) 934-5201
Website: http://www.japanla.com
Parking Info: Easy parking on Fuller Ave., or metered parking out front on Melrose Ave.
Also, feel free to Lactose Intoler-Art on facebook: Lactose Intoler-Art Facebook
Colorful Tips
My nails have finally gotten a little stronger and haven't broke as much. So I finally have tips so I decided to do a colorful french. I picked out the following polishes for my colorful tips.
China Glaze Towel boy toy
Sinful colors pink
Sinful colors neon melon
Color Club the Lime start here
Sally Girl glitter
Sally Girl neon orange
Started off with a basic french then added a coat of glitter and lastly added 2 coat of each color on the tips. I love how it came out even though my Hubby said it look like a ghetto girl manicure.
I actually got a couple of compliments from people. What do you guys think? Is it to much?
Spice Up Your Sunday...
by MaryAnn CarrollAnd add an extra sprinkle of spice by reading to the end of our designer interview to learn if you are the winner of the earrings giveaway.....
Now on to getting to know Izzy Winterhart...
I have to say, the little bit that I have gotten to know Izzy, I feel like I've known her for a long time. Some people just have those open and honest personalities that comes shining through even in brief online conversations. Izzy is one of those people. I think you will also find that personality shining through in her jewelry creations and in her blog writing. You can view her Etsy shop which I am sure you will be curious to see....
....as well as her blog where she shares her personal side.....
So Izzy, How did you first get interested in creating jewelry?
I’m a bit of a rock-hounder and I noticed each time I attended a gem and mineral show more and more gemstone bead vendors where there. I found myself mesmerized by this vast sea of beads. So I purchased a few strings and started creating jewelry. The past few years, however, my fascination has turned from beads to copper. Now I find myself swimming in a sea of metal, hammers, blow torches and sheer happiness.
How long have you been selling and how did you first decide to sell (online, shows, etc.)?
How did you first get interested in working with metals?
I’ve been selling on Etsy for about four years combining my first shop and current shop. Etsy seemed to be the most suggested online selling venue for crafters, so I gave it a try. I’m hoping to take my show on the road at some point and participate in local craft fairs.
Have you set any goals for your future in terms of creating and selling?
I will continue to establish myself as a “jewelry artist”, growing and learning along the way. I will also continue to try new techniques while keeping the uniqueness of my style. I’d like to one day see something of mine in a gallery, peeking out and calling in those who wander the streets window shopping.
How did you first get interested in working with metals?
To be honest, I’m not sure how that happened. It seems copper found me, not the other way around. Copper exudes warmth and who can resist something that comes straight from the earth. It is easy to work with, has a sweet energy and looks amazing.
How do you come up with your designs? (for example: Do you sketch them out on paper or do you start out and just freestyle?)
I tried the sketching thing in the beginning but the more I forced a piece to look like its paper counterpart, the more I completely messed it up. So I quit. I now just sit at my bench, music jamming in the background, pull out some copper, add a dash of filigree and a sprinkle of bead sparkle. I just let it happen.
What have you enjoyed the most about selling online?
For me, selling online is the greatest way to reach out across the world and meet people. I love the idea that one of my little creations might cross the sea to some far off destination. And that it will be greeted, loved and worn by someone who may, in fact, speak a different language. My jewelry has seen more of the world than I have…
Lastly, Izzy, When you are not making this gorgeous jewelry,
what else are you up to?
When I’m not working with copper I’m knee deep in home improvement. I love fixing up our home, even though my husband thinks I suffer from projectaholicism. I seriously can’t have too many items on my “to do” list.
Thank-you Izzy for such a great interview.... and for my your understanding regarding my accidentaly pre-posting blunder that I didn't realize shows up in google reader.... even when I think I'm quick to remove it! I've learned something new...... Be vvvveeeeeerrrrrryyyyy careful which button you push ;o) Careful is a word that I have had to personally practice throughout my life..... I'll get it right one day :O)
To learn more about Izzy..... just click any of the links below.
And..... as promised, the winner of the earrings giveaway is.....
TRACY SUZANNE
Congratulations Tracy Suzanne! Our next giveaway will be Sunday, June 5th.
Please contact MaryAnn by clicking HERE with your address.