Ain't Nothing Like a Brooklyn Girl

Last year I got some Glittens for Christmas. They're bright ruby-red and they shine like the sun in the sun. I get compliments on them all the time. I was thrilled to pull them out the second we found ourselves in the sixties. They're totally inspirational and so, that is why...

on a beautiful bright morning in October I wrangled a gaggle of my girls, adorned them in kind, and went all Glitteratti on them. The sun shone and we shutterbugged the shine. Here are some of my favorites from the photoshoot. They're rocking out on Etsy, like a boss.

My gramma is the Betty behind these beautiful fingerless convertible glitter glittens (they actually sparkle!).

When I was a kid my parents were obsessed with this book called 'Start Small, Finish Big'. I don't remember anything about it, except the title. Maybe I'll look it up. However, that's exactly how I designed this shop. My gramma Betty handed over the glittens and I designed a logo. I thought I'd try a photoshoot.

That went well....

Once we got a glimpse at the film I realized two things, firstly,  Charles Hamilton was right and secondly, our tagline had to pay homage to these brownstone hotties.  We fixated on twinkling eyes and sparkling smiles and suddenly found ourselves with a tagline. I designed a banner

It's been a perfect exercise in fearless living. On that note I have some to go do. 

 Go see! Tell your friends! Dust off those wallets! Rock those manicures. Woot! Rally! Rah!

My Etsy Shop

My oldest and most wonderful friend, Angela, took these amazing photos of her kids. I decided to play with them, and just like that, my new Etsy Shop was born.

I'm having a lot of fun watching it grow, and playing with photo possibilities. It's another fun thing I'm doing while I add to the aspects of creating with other artists, like the photographers behind the photos I'm illustrating on.

So the possibilities in this little Amberbop Etsy shop are evolving. The process is so so fun. In grand opening excitement, Becky Higgins is giving away 3 custom photo print manipulations from my Etsy Shop tomorrow on her blog. All you have to do is stop by and leave a comment to win

Ring Out the Old

Ring in the New!

So, Now I have an Etsy Shop

I'm left handed and while a hundred people sat down and tried to teach me to crochet as a child, I was so hopeless learning from right handers that it never really took. My stubborn determined personality was pretty strong, even then. So, frustrated with my failure, when I was about eight years old, I sat down with the few pages afforded left handers in my gramma's coveted 'Complete Guide to Needlework".

I remember sitting cross-legged on our deck with the book in my lap as I tortured a skein of butter-yellow yarn into submission.

Crocheting was the first thing I ever entirely taught myself. I remember the shear delight at beating that yellow yarn into a 2 foot tall, overall-clad mouse. I was young, but already I was ready to take up the left-handed shield of truth and glory.



I raised my H-hook in the air, brandishing as I breathed,
"TAKE THAT, RIGHT HANDERS! TAKE THAT!"
I haven't changed this stance in the past two decades, so you know it was pretty inspired for a childhood declaration.

I pledged handmade this year and thought I'd start early with my gal MIka's birthday.
So I made the first of the bacon barrettes. They incited a movement at job-job and with my co-workers support it wasn't long before I felt my dormant need to create something that more dimensional chirpping from beneath the floorboards in my heart.

I am a strong advocate of doing something ELSE creative and fun. Of course I am also an expert of turning everything into some kind of work. Lucky for me I love work. If you're feeling a bit of a lul in the art that you make, make something totally different, but teh same, but different. You'll get it..

Amberbop Shop has been around for two weeks now. I made my first sale on Friday. Pretty sweet huh? LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE LEFT HANDERS!

Lucky Salutations

Given my life long love affair with chunky typography that is not what it seems,(scroll down to see exhibit A) I fell in love with Etsy's landing page this morning. I thought it'd be a travesty for it to be destroyed without proper accolades. Incase you missed it (like if you're not refreshing www.Etsy.com every ten minutes) I've recreated it here in all its crafty genius.

Give Me Time!

Everyone I know has flying dreams. I never do. I have running dreams. As I sleep (well when I do) I run and run, sprinting in a hurried and never lightened pace.

In my waking hours I always say and I always think and I always wish "If only I had more time!" I'm pretty sure that's what they're going to put on my gravestone. On a lighter note Check out these wicked clocks and buy yourself some freakin' time.

Simon Says Clock
by dustfurniture

My studio wall would be ever so dapper with a tangerine Simon Says!

Modern Animal Clock - Owl
by decoylab
This one belongs in my woodsy bedroom.

Metal Geek Clock
by YOUgNeek
This one belongs in the office of my future but yet unmet husband... I'm so attracted to nerdy hot that it smarts. Haha. I kill me. Can you imagine? I'll meet you at pi for pie!!! Be still my wild untamed heart.

Hand Painted Clock Autumn Calling
by madteapartyfurniture -- Isn't this etsyian's name the best?
I wish this clock matched some aspect of my current decor scheme. It's so Edward Gorey it's scary.

Red Flower Clock by Chromalab
In the words of my favorite philanthropist, Jen, when it comes to this clock all I can say is "Love." If you got some time, go read her blog! Be forewarned though, you'll spend a lot of time on it. Jen's log is hilarious yet thought provoking and sometimes about cereal.

Where Did The Time Go Clock by cybermoon
Here's to clever. I like the stark contrast on this little swatch of clock - but I think keeping it on my wall would just depress me. After all, where DOES all the time go? If I could stop asking myself this post wouldn't have even happened! (Indecently it's taken way too long.) In other news, Cybermoon hails from Coeur D'Alene. Some day I will too.

I've been in wild creation mode for weeks now. When you're running a freelance business and you're working a full-time job and you're single and dating and keeping up friendships finding time for everything is always an issue. often have full and epic dreams involving me and Hermione Granger's Time Turner. These lovelies are the next best thing ;)
listening to right this second: "tangled up in blue" -- bob dylan

Sundays are for Coveting

Here are some things I desperately wish I had by artists and collectors who have their pulse on the power of the pin up.

Centerfold Mobile

by Salty and Sweet

Party Dress
by Tara Starlet. This canary plaid makes me want to throw on some pumps and and sit by my rotary phone.

Flirty Everyday Housewife Apron

by the ever wonderful Momomadeit,
specializing in classic aprons for classy girls. If I had this apron I'd be happier. I'd also be barefoot and let's face it, probably pregnant.

Vintage Gold Safilo Cat-Eye Eyeglasses

by Vintage50sEyewear
These are magic glasses when you put them on you get to ignore change. I want them.
I'll wear them to work and to the roller derby. It will rock so hard.

The Desi Dress

by missbracheThis is the best way to sit while waiting for the postman.

Midnight Premiere

by itsthelittlethingsut

Nothing says 'come hither' like a pair of

Circus b'zerkus handmade platform pumps

by zerkahloostrah
Yeah, that's right. HANDMADE pumps.
Mind = blown

Boyfriend Sheer Buttonup Top

by Lamixx

Girl with Toy Plane

by She Hit Pause Studios
What are you coveting these days?
listening to right this second: "Narcolepsy" -- Ben Folds

A Note on Supporting the Arts:

Growing up with a fine artist father, I always thought of supporting the arts as some grand endeavor. I thought about it in a Pope/Michelangelo way. If you do too I want to change your mind!
Today we'll look to the kind of gifts you give.
I believe that as adults, birthdays mean more than they did as children. When you get older you get a gift.

On that note, let's turn our eyes to Etsy. Duh!
If you're not yet aware www.Etsy.com hosts the World's largest craft and arts community.

Today we'll set a budget, less than $20 and $5 shipping (be honest, that extra $5 is what you'd spend in traffic on gas on your way to any department store. Let's do it up right and take a look at some handmade work that you can order online and have delivered to your door. In my experience your purchase is usually accompanied by a happy thank-you note, a clean conscience and a VERY happy birthday girl or boy.

Sea Thrift - Oblong stained glass pendant - $16.00 by: Ling Glass

Large Flower Pot Chalkboard: Red - $16.00 by: Moxie Sisters

Little Robo Robot Cuff Links - $18.25 by: Bella Moda Artist

Oilcloth Lunch Bag-Strawberry and Blue Gingham - $15.00 by: Rick Rack Queen

Organic Beauty- Art Nouveau Antiqued Brass Filigree Ring - $18.50 by: Beadinbabe
Much like helping the environment by recycling your shampoo bottles and turning off the water while you're busy brushing your teeth, you can support the arts in small ways that really make a difference. Take some time to think about it.

Stop the Presses! Hold Everything!

So, remember when I told you that it was OK to make mistakes? You must have thought to yourself, "Really Amber? You are pure perfection! you never have a flaw to accept as a mistake." I'm going to let you in on my secret. I messed up, Etsy Style. After recent events came to light, it became clear that Amberbop Shop was not going to be able to hold all the product that I want to make available for the public. I'll explain why below, but I've had to start over with a new Etsy Store and my old little shop front is now a thing of the very recent past. ;)

So with no further ado: Get the horns ready... Man the drum line.....
Tah Tah Da Dah!!!

It's hot - It's cute - It's Sassy...Sexy...Sweet...
It's Amber Ink.

I'm also going to let you in on a 'top secret' kind of secret. I've been dying to get back into the scrapbook and stamping world. For a long time I've wanted my own little piece of scrapping turf. I've had my eye on the domain http://www.amberink.com/ for more than a year now. I've been stalking it non-stop. When the user who had it let it expire two months ago I had my fingers crossed. I just hoped the owner wouldn't snatch it up again (after it expires it goes into a holding spot where they can still get it back). Then a few days ago, wonder of wonders, it was released to the public and I bought it! So I'll be slowly building a real live business with tangible product. I'll be starting the company with downloadable scrapbook papers that you can print at home. I'm excited as pie!
They'll be showing up at Etsy soon!

Ok, run don't walk!