Thursday, March 17, 2011

Are You Wearing Your Green?

If not, I have a little somethin somethin to rectify that situation....


Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Movie Time!

By some strange turn of events (the Little Nugget collapsing into deep slumber after swim lessons), Mr. Nugget and I found ourselves in the position to enjoy a nice movie in the quiet and warm embrace of our comfortable couch.  With the help of our pal Netflix, we selected Exit through the Gift Shop for our viewing pleasure.


It's really good! It's a documentary about an amateur film maker who immerses himself in the world of street art.  Set on making a documentary on the underground scene, he gains the confidence of many important figures, including the British artist Banksy.  In the documentary, Banksy talks about their relationship and how the project took shape.  I'll leave it at that.

Very funny and smart look at the art world and it's shortcomings.  It was nominated for best documentary at the Academy Awards, although there has been some speculation as to whether it's actually a documentary or a mockumentary.  Either way, it's very entertaining plus you get to see street artists such as Banksy and Shepard Fairey at work.  See it!

All for now,
Nugget

Monday, March 7, 2011

Link Love

I've never been to the British Museum in London..



but thanks to the wonders of modern technology, almost 2 million objects in their collection can be accessed via the internet in their online collections database.  

For anyone interested in jewelry history or even art history in general, this is a bona fide treasure trove.  Their jewelry and metalwork holdings are spectacular to say the least, and I am especially fond of the 15th-17th century prints of  Renaissance jewelry designs:



or this:



Just remember when searching the database, you need to use British spellings (jewellery instead of the American jewelry).  I cannot tell you how much time I've spent just virtually cruising through this collection. Have fun and happy searching!

All for now,
Nugget

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Eh-Hem... *taptaptap* Is This Thing On?!

OMG I got my first Etsy Front Page!  Woot!  *Happy Dance!*



It's the Miriam Necklace, one of my personal favorites and the very first piece I made for my shop!!! How's that for serendipity!!!


What a great day!

All for now,
Nugget

When Stormtroopers Have Too Much Time on Their Hands...

Very cool photos by Stéfan found via this blog!

Baywatch


Camouflage
Dough You Mind

Fishing in the Toilets

Air Guitar Hero

Fun stuff!

Monday, February 28, 2011

Where's the Jewelry?

OK, so the big focus at the Oscars were the dresses, well and the awards.  But after much anticipation I was very much looking forward to a veritable parade of sparkly goodness.  Not so much.  Lots of bare necks.

I did like the little number worn by Nicole Kidman:

Despite the huge rocks, it's actually a very simple necklace, very lovely with a nice vintage feel.  Reminds me of the crystal beaded necklaces popular in the 40's-50's.

I thought Natalie Portman's Tiffany & Co. Tassel earrings were the highlight of the evening:


Stunning!  So pretty with the plum colored dress!

All in all, nothing too exciting to report here.  As far as trends, simple designs where the stone itself is the focus, emerald green, dazzling white sparkle?  Sigh.  The dresses were beautiful, & my Netflix queue is stuffed to the gills....

All for now,
Nugget

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Love Love Love!

When I saw this on Etsy the other day, my heart just melted:


I've always wanted to try needle felting, and examples like this just make it look like so much fun!  The first thing that popped into my mind when I saw that adorable belly button was this:

Woman (Venus) of Willendorf
22,000-21,000 BCE
4.3 in high

because of course that's what my art history brain is apt to do as they are roughly the same size, and share a super cuddly tactile qualiity!

Bunny tushie!

Super soft sleep buddy, indeed!

All for now,
Nugget


Saturday, February 12, 2011

It's Not You, It's Me...

This is so hard to say.  We've been together for such a long time now, which makes it even harder...I'm breaking up with you, Michaels

We had some good times.  When I got those weekly 40% Off the Price of Any Item Coupons (excluding sale items, magazines, books, Martha Stewart items, Cricut items, clearance items, or anything else you want), I couldn't wait to hook up with you.  It was intoxicating.  I remember the first time I introduced you to the Little Nugget.  She gasped "Oh Mommy, look at all the colors!!!"  I knew just how she felt.  We both thought you were "the one". 

But something happened.  I don't know.  Maybe you started phoning it in.  Maybe I just raised my standards.  But all I know is I need a store that can give me what I need.

I've started seeing another store.   It's a locally owned store.  There, I've said it.  Their beads are all drilled on center.  And the holes are straight.

But we can still be friends, right?  I'm sure I'll need some craft paints or a new sketch book from time to time.  And hey, you're the only place I can get butter rum Life Savers, so we've still got that! 

Take care of yourself, Michaels.  It was good knowing you.

Nugget

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Treasury Time!

A new treasury, this time for TeamBacon, which I am proud to announce I am now a card carrying member!  Actually, there's not really a card, but here's the treasury!



Enjoy!

Nugget

Thursday, January 13, 2011

2011 Will Be a Wild Ride! *Crossing Fingers!*

This new year finds me very motivated, but overwhelmingly so.  I want to do too many things, so much so that I'll probably end up doing none of them!  Well, OK, some of them.  I really need to work on inventory, blog at increased frequency, finish painting the living room...and instead, I want to draw, or make a sketchbook, or learn to make a mold for casting, or design t-shirts, or learn needle felting...

Sigh.  When it rains, it pours!  Didn't I just complain a month or so ago that I was drawing a blank creatively?  LOL!

I have a feeling this is going to be an interesting year, in terms of my artistic side, which has gone ignored for many, many years.  Many people in my life don't know that for the first 25 years of my life, I identified myself as an artist.  I painted, drew (oh how I loved to draw!), even went to school and got a degree in art. Also interested in the history of art, I immersed myself in studies and got a degree in that too.  Except when I became an art historian, somehow the artist part of me disappeared.  I'm not sure why.  Granted, I had a new circle of friends, friends who had only known me as the latter, and the world of painting and drawing seemed to fade into the distance, almost like a dream.  I lost some of my visual and technical skills, which was frustrating, and not really encouraging to my inner artist.

But a few years ago, I had a realization, maybe a re-awakening?  I really miss doing all that fun stuff!!!  So this year, yes I 'm going to work at rekindling that artistic side, and I hope to bring you along for the ride.  I'm a poet, and didn't know it!  JK.

Yea for Creativity!

Nugget