What's in a name?

http://www.etsy.com/shop/adornandconquer

More love to come...

Create and Donate

a double rainbow at burning man...yyaaaayyy

During an unexpected overnight stay in Denver, CO flying home from Burning Man, I decided to grab a bottle of wine and unwind at the pool before returning to the 'reality' of everyday life.

A nearby liquor store carried a nice selection, and my choice was between a Dog House Zinfandel, who donates 50 cents for every bottle sold to a seeing eye dog foundation called Guard Dogs for the Blind, or a Tin Roof Cabernet Sauvignon. I was more in the mood for a Cab, not to mention the label was dreamy so Tin Roof would be my drink of choice for the evening.

I'm happy to report that the TR Cab. is a lusciously sweeter red, at an affordable price. This wine would be an excellent choice for those who prefer a white, but want to switch things up- or as a gift but are unsure of preference.

As I relaxed in the hot tub, recollecting my thoughts from my newest adventure of Black Rock City, I kept thinking about Dog House Wines. Had I made the right choice; did I pass on donating to a great cause because I wanted to be seduced by a label? Right or wrong choice the Tin Roof was definitely right...

Already a conscious shopper, living in New Orleans and experiencing the effects of Katrina and now the Gulf BP oil spill encouraged me to be an even more conscious human being. With my new 'Save the Gulf' series, raising money for the clean up efforts, and the overflow of other local artists contributing just the same-you become aware of the power of community, and activism.

like this shirt made by my good friend Phil at inexplicable confetti , I have this shirt and I love it
"$5 from each sale goes to benefit the Audubon Society and they efforts to save the coast."

So it dawned on me soaking in a hot tub at a Denver hotel alone on a Tuesday night, reflecting on life with a delicious glass of Tin Roof Cabernet in hand. Create and donate.

Imagine the world we could create, if everyone who makes something could donate even just a little to a cause they believe in. Or ALOT like Paul Newman, really and who doesn't love Newman's Own ?

So the next time you're faced with a decision don't just be seduced by the romantic label, although an occasional seduction is always fun, but make an important deciding factor that of contribution and community support. Consider Dog House Wine's next time you grab a bottle of wine for a gathering, gift, or quiet night at home. Enjoy & contribute- they're labels pretty cute too.

UPDATE: I pleased the contribution Gods just days later with an abita's SOS (donations to gulf restortation) while enjoying Lake Pontchartrain, good sushi, and great company...
SOS is super delicious...

Mardi Gras and Krewe Do Craft

It's that time of year again NOLA! Come watch the Box of Wine Parade this Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 3 pm at the corner of Washington and St Charles. We will end at The Big Top on Clio St.
My Throw! A handmade Peewee Crazy street sign POT HOLDER!

Who is Krewe 'Do' Craft?

We are a small group of artisans and craftsmen who first paraded in 2008 in Box of Wine. Founded by local artists, we are a walking krewe featuring special, handmade throws as an alternative to the mass-produced plastic beads that litter the streets and trees during Mardi Gras. Our throws are unique, handcrafted, and made with love! They are also very collectible, and people truly feel as though they have received something special.

Our vision is to do our part in keeping Mardi Gras local, by offering locally made throws and supporting the vibrant arts community that is such a part of New Orleans. Krewe do Craft's throws have been featured online and in the Times-Picayune.

more pictures on our Flickr Site. or our facebook page.

Saints are goin' to the Super Bowl!

WHO DAT?!

Going to Florida for the big day? Grab yourself one of these treasures!



www.yabettasupadont.etsy.com

available 'domed' as well...

Easter Parade in New Orleans

Yesterday I marched with Krewe Do Craft: http://www.krewedocraft.com/ ,for the second annual Good Children Carnival Club: www.myspace.com/goodchildrencarnivalclub Easter Parade up St. Claude in the Marginy here in New Orleans. The parade was awesome of course, full of wonderful costumes, colorful umbrellas, music, and unforgettable handmade throws. This parade is a treasure and I'm sure will become more so in the following years!

**Coming together, rebuilding our city, and letting our spirit grow!**

Check out my Flickr for other pics as well.

B-native Shop-n-Sip in New Orleans, Support local artists!

B-native.com is an amazing website run by a New Orleans native and is dedicated to supporting local artists. The website has a wonderful variety of makers, writers, crafters, and jewelry artists to browse.


This month, every Thursday from 5pm-7pm Bar Uncommon (Located in the Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel at 817 Common St., 504.525.1111) will be hosting a b-native Shop-n-Sip where the locals can come meet the artists, sip some cocktails, and shop!


Not only will there be different and amazing artists featured every week, there will be drink specials, and free valet parking.


***I'll be showing my work next week, Thursday March 19, and will offer a 15% discount to my customers who mention this Blog post!***


So spread the word to family and friends who love a good cocktail, handmade goods, and of course unforgettable handmade jewelry. Thanks yall!

Krewe Do Craft and Mardi Gras

Last year a group of us New Orleans crafters decided to start our own Mardi Gras Krewe. Our mission is to bring light to the very obvious issue New Orleans faces every Mardi Gras season: TRASH! After every parade the streets are literally covered with broken bead and trinkets.

The street sweepers have kept up on the clean up the last few years, but the WASTE is just mind boggling. Although most beads are recycled back as throws every year, their destiny is to become trash soon enough. And need I mention where most of the throws come from? China...

Krewe Do Craft is proud to be the 1st marching Krewe to throw about 90% HANDMADE throws! MAGNETS,T-SHIRTS,JEWELRY AND WEARABLES,TOYS,TRINKETS,ETC.

So we'll have less throws, and not everyone will catch something...but our items will be kept and treasured, instead of thrown into a landfill in a few days, or years.

If you're in the city, come check us out this year, and catch some HANDMADE with love throws!

We'll be marching with the Box of Wine Parade, before Bacchus on Sunday Feb. 22, from SECOND St. to CLIO St. This years theme is "Alice in Craftyland", so it'll be hard to miss our whimsical display of costumes!

My throws will consist of bouncy ball rings, magnets, pins, and my Cheshi-smile' stuffed animals.

you know you want one.

New Orleans New Years

For the 1st year the traditional Midcity Bonfire was kept under wraps by the local NOPD.

Anywho, it was fun and we got some super fun pics out of it....more later...

Snow in New Orleans!

Eliot Kamenitz/The Times-Picayune

John McCusker / The Times-Picayune

That's right! It's a rare happening way down here in New Orleans, but early this morning the phones were ringing with excitement to spread the word of snow!! The last time this region saw snow was Christmas day 2004, and before that it was 1989! (I think I've seen a few flurries after that date in Slidell, just outside the city.)

It lasted a couple hours, then turned into sleet/hail. We watched a movie with 3 blankets, hot tea, and a kitty and pup' nuzzled beside us, as the kids shrieked with happiness outside....I'm pretty sure that means they got a 'snow day' from school. What excitement. =]


Outside the apartment, HECK no I wasn't going out there. I got my fill in Cleveland for 6 years.

Dixon playing in the snow, with his awesome outfit my sister made for him during a visit to Baltimore.

Dealing with these snow flurries yourself? Check out my friend avantegarb 's new and wild hats to keep your head toasty this season!

New Orleans Jewelry

I thought I'd share some of my new New Orleans creations! (copyrightMF)

"Let the good times roll!" The secondline is a tradition here in New Orleans, originally the parade was preformed for funerals. Music and people dancing with the umbrellas take over the street to celebrate the life of a loved one who's passed. Today, secondlines can happen at just about any celebration! Ya gotta' love this city!

Nola, and the super dome!

This necklace is a piece of history! After hurricane Katrina these signs were spray painted all over New Orleans. The overwhelming love and pride for our city came through with cans of spray paint, wood, and nails. The pendant really says it all. Nola, love it, live it, respect it!

Banksy In New Orleans!

As some of you know the amazingly talented British street artist 'Banksy' was recently in New Orleans. Banksy's work is recognized for his stark political imagery, which is executed anonymously.

New Orleanians are proud to have his work displayed on and around the buildings in our city. It's an honor to 'discover' his work, one that is shared with excitement with friends and family.




But, we have an ENEMY! Orleans street artist's have been battling Fred Radke also nicknamed The Gray Ghost since before Katrina. Th Ghost has taken it upon himself to cover ANY and ALL street art with flat gray paint. Fred defends himself saying graffiti is a sign of gang activity and drug dens. Meanwhile our colorful and vibrant city is being blotched with gray paint everyday. Even murals, have fallen victim. The New Orleans police seem to support his efforts even though Fred's paint also qualifies as vandalism, and is unappreciated and disliked by most locals. My friends at NOLA RISING have gone head to head with The Ghost for too long.




This piece was actually 'grayed' by Banksy, commenting on the gray ghost.

Where am I going with this? Let me get to it...
Fred was caught red handed painting over Banksy's works, and the artist's of New Orleans are speaking out about it. Banksy is a respected artist, and it's an honor to have his work here in our city! It's not so often someone can get their political messages out there to the public.


I was happy to stumble on one of his very popular works this weekend, and had my camera! SOMEONE covered the beautiful piece with acrylic bolted right into the side of the building. It will be protected from the Gray Ghost, and enjoyed for as long as we can keep it there. I was so proud to call New Orleans my home, this is why NOLA is OOAK!

the beginning

Ok here I am blogging world! lol

I'm starting a blog, because there's so much I want to share, and this will be a great starter before a website.

I'll be posting about jewelry, art, New Orleans, adventures, life, and whatever I feel like!