Holiday Handmade Artist's Market

It is down to the wire. You have holiday gifts to buy, you know you do. Drop by the Holiday Handmade Artist's Market at 1412 South Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78704 December 18-19 from 11:00 am- 7:00 pm. You will find handmade goods that will wow your loved ones, and get to meet members of the Etsy Austin Team. South Congress is a great place to spend an afternoon get some lunch, and shop for the gifts that make people feel bad they didn't get you something better. Hope to see you out.

Dripping Springs Artist Tour

One of the really wonderful things about living in a city like Austin is the amount of artists who find their way here to create. Some of us end up a little further away from downtown than others but we are all part of the same wonderful collective. Each artist has their own space to create. This can be a little spot at the end of the kitchen table, or a fully fledged studio that is dedicated to their craft. In my opinion to be invited into this space is a real honor. To have the chance to see the handmade tool that might not look like much on the work bench, but in their hands it becomes this invaluable custom made doohickey. Something that no one has ever needed or thought of before, but that they could not construct their work without. This Saturday May 15th you will have that rare opportunity in Dripping Springs, Texas from 10:00-6:00. There will be 5 destinations, 4 art studios and 1 art show. The art studios are Sunset Canyon Pottery, Solstice Gardens, Wesley Gallery, and Carved Stone they are all on or near 290, and you can find a map of the tour. The show will be In the cul-de-sac at Roger Hanks Park and will feature over 50 artists displaying their handmade goods. I am excited to be in such talented company. There will be exhibits at the studios, and it should be an amazing day.

First Thursday on South Congress

First Thursday is one of those wonderful little things about Austin. The small business owners on that street have banded together to have a relaxed and fun evening for all their patrons. They all stay open late and offer music, and chance to meet and get to know your local entrepreneurs. My favorite part is that on this evening little tent villages pop up all along the street. They are filled with local artists who join the festivities to show their wares. I am lucky enough to share in all the fun this go 'round. About a dozen of us from the Etsy Austin team will be out at 1300 South Congress, next to Hey Cupcake, for the very first time. Now I may be biased but you really should come out from 4- dark. The Etsy Austin team has some of the most ambitious, and exciting artists and crafters around. You are sure to find something to tickle your fancy when we show up. I hope to see you out.

3rd Annual Springfest

This will be my fist time at the Springfest and I am really excited. It is at the Hill Country Galleria Mall, on April 24th from 11 am - 9 pm. There will be activities for kids including bounce houses, a dunk tank, face painting, a Velcro wall, and jousting. There will also be live music from great local acts like Two Tons of Steel, Dale Watson, and the Derailers. I think my favorite part will end up being the chili cook off, and the bloody mary contest. Admission is free, and there will be enough going on for a whole day of fun. I am working on a new design for stainless steel vases that I am hopping to premier, and I will have all of my other work as well. It looks like spectacular weather and loads of fun. Stop by and find your mother something amazing for her special day.

The 78704 Market

Here in Austin your zip code says alot about your lifestyle. One of the greatest to live in is the 78704. On any weekend you can head down to South Congress to find all the fun and funky that Austin has to offer. While you are there you will want to check out 1300 South Congress for the 78704 Market. It is sponsored by WeAre78704.com They provide the lot each week and local artists provide the wares. Where else can you have a meal, shop amazing art work, and find your new best friend? There is a crepe trailer, as well as a barbeque one, and a pet rescue. On the third weekend if each month you will get to meet some of the artists from the Etsy Austin team. On a recent weekend I made it out to see what amazing things these folks have come up with.

Merrit Gade makes jewelry for her shop MerrittGade.etsy.com. It moves as if it is alive, and makes you want to feel it. She also makes the most gorgeous tiaras I have ever seen. The kind that make you reconsider a simple lifestyle for the possibility of being a princess.

Jasmine Turner, of TheJasmineGallery.etsy.com has a knack for taking a simple item, like a domino, and transforming it into cool pendant.

I am excited to have a fun funky market like this so close to home. You can drop by any time between 11-6 for all the excitement. I hope to see you there.

You can check out the work of those who will be out this weekend.

ameliabeth.etsy.com

wildmoondesign.etsy.com

lindesigns.etsy.com

Lynnea Edwards

adornmodern.etsy.com

Stacey Samuels

Lynnea Edwards

carolbradleydesigns.com

gypsyharte.etsy.com

happybuddha.etsy.com

GemJunkie.etsy.com

maggie913.etsy.com

etsy.com/shop/ajthepurple

etsy.com/shop/TheJasmineGallery

lindesigns.etsy.com

Getting To That Age

My whole life I feel like I have been waiting to get to a certain age. I am almost 32 and I am not there yet. I consistently get carded to buy a lottery ticket. I guess I should be happy that people are not quite sure I look 18, but it is just silly. As far back as I can remember people have been telling me "wait until you get older" about everything from not wanting to have kids, to not liking asparagus.

So when exactly is older?

Do I have have gray hair? Well I found one just the other day. I think it may have fallen out because I can not find it now, but it was there. Do I have to have wrinkles when I am not smiling well I do there is one on my ear lobe, why on my ear lobe I have no idea. I have not worn a pair of earrings since the 90's but it is there.Do I have to crack and pop when I first get up? You can check that box.Do I have to dislike music made by people younger than me? That's a big 10-4 good buddy. I feel old. I think I look old, at least older than I did when I was 18.

So the question is this how old do you have to look before other adults believe that you know what you like to eat, what temperature you are comfortable in , or if you liked a certain movie?

Good Advice

All my life I remember my great aunt giving unsolicited advice. It was often good advice, although sometimes I was much to young to really understand it. She and my Grandmother were very close sisters and would have dinner once a week for decades after they were married and had their own families. I hope that people look at my sister and I like I looked at them. She was the sort of woman who could say "your head looks too big with that hair cut sweetheart", and there was nothing you could do but grow it out again. I want to be her when I am older. I think that when you get to a certain age you have earned the right to say whatever you want simply because you have survived. One bit of advice she gave me when I was about 12 only just last night made real sense to me. She looked at me in all honesty in a silent room and said "Find a man that you can stand to look at over a meal. You can't just not eat breakfast the rest of your life, and make sure he is funny. You can't just have a man that looks pretty, you will get bored." My fella is pretty and I have to admit it was the reason that I ever talked to him the first place. So I am good there. I have always found him amusing but after 10 years together he can still make me laugh. Last night he was looking for a DVD he wanted to watch, and he asked me "have you found that movie yet?" To which I replied "Have you kissed my butt yet?" Then he proved to me we really are compatible by saying "Honey I like to do that when you are asleep so that you don't know about it." That made me laugh for more than one reason. The first reason is it was funny. The idea that he really does like me enough to do that, but he does not want me to know about is just hilarious. The second reason is that I know my great aunt is somewhere smiling that I am lucky enough to be one of those people who could spend 40 or 50 years with the same person, laughing the entire time.

Solar Panels: The Final Chapter

Well it is complete. After almost a year of getting the permit for the tree, the energy updates to the house, the tree removal, the installation, and all of the inspections it is done. The system is screwed to the roof, turned on, and making power. I hope this is the biggest project we have to tackle as home owners. It has taken a very long time. I have to say it is worth it. We have made a true improvement to the home and its value. It was not always easy to see to the end of the road, but we had the good luck of working with really good companies.
Our tree removal company Austin Tree Surgeons were professional, and promptly brought to our attention and repaired very minor damage done to our fence when removing the tree. I will absolutely use them again when we need them, and would recommend them to anyone. What they did for us was no small job. It was two solid days of work getting that mammoth out of the yard, and they did it for a very fair price. href="http://www.austintreesurgeons.com/images/middlehome_leftpic.jpg">

The folks at Green Collar Operations were great every step of the way. You will have to do this evaluation if you want to sell a home in Austin. When you get the evaluation done it will be good for 10 years. They told me that in Austin homes can lose as much as 30% of their cooled and heated air in the attic or through poorly shutting windows and doors. They sealed up our duct work and put in a heck of a lot of insulation for us. Which we really needed. the house is much more comfortable, and I think it was worth more than what we spent. There are city and federal rebates for this work that you should look into as well, and they will be happy to help you with the paper work for the rebates from the City of Austin.
And finally wonderful folks over at Texas solar power. They stuck with us through all of this. They came out on the weekends to meet with us to go over proposals, and they were there through all of the inspections. The best part, which I could not guarantee to everyone, is they came in significantly under their original price, by keeping an eye on the price of the panels, and having a really great master electrician who found that we did not need an electrical upgrade. They could have easily stuck with their original price and we would have never known. If you choose to work with them you will be getting a great group of professional who know their stuff.

53rd Annual Zilker Botanical Garden Festival

I am so excited about this weekend. The weather forecast is beautiful it should be 80 on Saturday, and 72 on Sunday. You can not ask for better weather to hang out at an art show. This show is unique in that it is in the Botanical gardens. You get to stroll through an amazing array of plants and flowers, which in itself is a great way to spend the day, but on March 27th and 28th you also get to buy plants, and visit with artists. And we have three Etsy Austin Team members who will be presenting their wares this weekend.

Bandy of PigseyArt.etsy.com makes the greatest journals out of rebound recycled books. It is so fun to watch people find a title that they loved as a kid or one that their grandmother used to read to them. You can see that happy memory wash over their face. She spends hours at book stores looking for titles that may have been thumbed through too often for people to want to read them, and gives them a new life with a new author.



Amy of CraftChi.etsy.com works in lots of different mediums, that all stem from her great ability to draw. She screen prints house wares, accessories, paper, and t-shirts. She also makes rubber stamps, and can create a screen with your design that you can use at home. The organic cloth she uses for her tea towels and pillows make you want to touch them. Her crisp graphics still have a soft flow to them that feel light and bold all at the same time.



You will also see me Megan of demiduval.etsy.com for all of your functional metalworking needs. There will be plenty of new plants you will not be able to leave without. If you need a stainless steel flower pot to put them in please look for me at booth 700.

Solar Panels (almost there)

Well we have come a long way, and are almost there. The panels are on the roof, and it has all been wired. We just have one final inspection from the city to make sure everything is correct. I am sure it will be. The folks at Texas Solar Power have been great. Brian Burke has met with us on the weekends, and has kept us invloved in every part of the process. If this is something you have ever thought about look into it. Even if you have not thought about it look into it. The Federal Government is offering rebates for these types of updates, and depending on your city untility they may offer incentives as well.

Thanksgiving

This year I have so much to be thankful for. I have a great house, a great guy, and a great dog. We are well on our way to getting solar panels on the house, and have personally had a pretty uneventful year as far as illness or injury. Our families have had a few bumps in the road, but are now all healthy and doing well. As the year comes to a close I look back and am a little amazed at all I have been able to accomplish and do. It is only because I have such great friends and family who make me take a breath now and a again and ask why I am heading in this direction. I am very lucky. I hope you are as luck as this.

E.A.S.T. 2009

This was a great weekend, even with the chilly weather on Saturday. Etsy Austin put their best face forward for E.A.S.T. 2009. We had members set up all around, but I was at Smith road Studios as a guest of Faith Schexnayder, of Flat Fork Studio. Faith is one of those artists who does just about everything. She paints, she does mosaics, and she makes the most amazing sculptures of foam. They are so good one little boy asked his dad if a two foot tall lemon slice was real. The show was a lot of fun. It is always a pleasure to spend the day with some crafty ladies, talking about what we do and why. At the building there are several other artists who have space, including a glass blower that would allow you to make your own piece with them. This should certainly be a stop on your route next year. I hope if you were able to get out you had a great experience, and if you were unable there is always next year.

Wheatsville Art Festival

Joy of all joys I have been accepted into the Wheatsville Art Festival. This is so exciting for me. I have been doing smaller shows, and very happy to be able to do them, but the Wheatsville is a highly attended long running show. I am honored to be chosen out of the many applications they receive each year. I am also honored to be setting up shop in the main parking lot near the store. The show will be bigger than ever, and will reach to other parking lots, and stretch out to the Spider house. It will be a true event. On December 5 and 6 you should put on your walking shoes, and come on out to see all of the beautiful art. The show will from 10-5, and it should be a great deal of fun. The Wheatsville Food Co-op, if you are not familiar, is a staple here in Austin. Being on Guadalupe it has been one of the few good choices for students at UT for 33 years now. I can not wait until the show, but I have so much to do. I wonder if Santa can spare an Elf or two.

http://wheatsville.coop/

Solar panels making progress….

The beast in the back yard has fallen. The giant ailing Arizona Ash was removed by Austin Tree Surgeons and we were very happy with their work. There was some minor accidental damage to our fence but they repaired it promptly. Brad took us through the process, and is a really nice guy. Chainsaw are not me favorite sound, but it was all worth it. Now we have moved on to step two, the weatherization of our house. This is a good idea for just about any house I think. Rob and Alison of Green Collar Operations have been very helpful, and have explained what we needed and why. When the guys came to do the work, I was surprised at how quiet they were. They checked our ducts, and repaired any leaks, as well as caulked our windows, and put weather stripping on our doors. They also blew 10 inches of insulation in the attic, as we only had 6, and there were gaps in several places. It has only been a few days, but I have already noticed a more consistent temperature in the house. Rob tells me that homes that are even a couple of years old are failing the test, allowing the home to be sold in Austin, of 10%leakage or less. The final step of our weatherization has been to add solar film to our southern and western facing windows. Sunsational Solutions came out and did the film. They were very courteous, and worked quickly. Sam did our evaluation and fully explained how the film works, and what different options we had. He even told me about a shatter proof option that will stop anything but a bullet. You can watch the video online to see it stop a 2x4 being shot from a cannon. The film is virtually invisible, so it would be a much more attractive option that bars on the window, and may be a good investment if you live in an area prone to storms. Chris and Jonathan did the installation. Jonathan told me has been doing this work for 15 years, but you would never believe it to look at him. When they were installing the film you could feel the difference in the heat that was let in through the window without the film, and since it blocks 99% of all UV rays, it is more pleasant to would look through. I would expect it will also help drapes, and furniture to last longer not being bleached by the sun. Overall this has been a pleasant experience. The workmen have all been efficient, and pleasant. I am looking forward to the saving that we can expect on our next utility bills. Next step the solar panels.

Labor or Love Arts and crafts show

The Labor or Love Arts and crafts show was a lot of fun. I had great neighbors, which is always a nice treat. The show was in doors, which also a treat. There were plenty of folks out for the chocolate cake. I am told it is famous, and it was rather tasty. I broke away from my little station and picked up a few goodies for my nieces and nephews. For the little man I found a hand made wooden train. He is at that age where anything with wheels will hold his attention. You would not believe how inexpensive this was. Charlie, the toy maker, told me they just try to cover the costs of the toys that they give away. How could I possibly say no after hearing that? He had a lot of other super cute push and pull toys, and hand painted puzzles. These are really pieces of art that a kid can play with, and some day pass down to their own children. Now for the girls it is all about glamour. They want glitz and flash, and is absolutely must be pink. I was thrilled to find this groovy purse made of vintage fabric, by Amy of Sweet tooth. I was even more thrilled to find that she could make me a second one out of the same fabric. It just would not do if they were not alike. Being the cool Aunt is not always that easy but it gets a lot easier when you run into artists of this caliber.

Charlie and Jan bush 512-264-2618
Amy Barber of Sweet Tooth http://www.sweettoothbags.com

Solar Panels Volume 2

After weeks and weeks of what I should call negotiations, but was actually badgering I have gotten permission from the city to cut down the very large tree from my backyard. Halleluiah! We are going with a company called the Austin Tree Surgeons. I will let you know how that works out. The fellow we have been working with, Brad, seems like a really nice guy. After the tree comes down, we just need to get the solar panel company, Texas Solar Power, to come for the final estimates, and then put in the applications to the city for installation. I think we might get it done by the end of the year. I am really excited about having a much lower utility bill and I am also excited about being able to do something. When you are working essentially two jobs it is hard to give back to your community. This is an awesome way to do it. You are not only taking yourself out of the pool of those who use energy that has to be produced by some outside source, clean or not, you are actually selling what you do not use to the city. This allows the system to have to work a little less, and alleviates the need for coal or other energy sources, that have a lot of repercussions. We will now be sun farmers. How funny is that? The panels are supposed to last for decades, and are smaller and more efficient than they have ever been. I am really excited about this. This is the first big project we are trying to tackle since we moved into our first home, about a year ago. It makes it feel like ours that we can attach this huge thing to the roof. I will keep you up to date on the demise of the backyard giant.

Labor of Love

I have a lot of shows lined up for this holiday season the fist of which will be the 18th “Annual Labor of Love Arts and Crafts Show”. It is put on by the Hill Crest Baptist Church here in Austin and looks to be very promising. It is always nice to have an indoor show as the weather turns to rainy or cold. Here in Austin we are right in the thick of the wet and miserable. The show will be jam packed with close to 100 vendors of handmade arts and crafts. It will be my first year in attendance, but the shows organizer tells me that most of their merchants have returned year after year. The proceeds of the show are a fundraiser for their teen mission program. The young people work to raise money for their own accounts by volunteering at events like this, helping the vendors carry their wares, and making sure everything is running smoothly. An indoor show, with help carrying my set up, and by well mannered teenagers no less, someone pinch me. The show will be Friday October 30th from 9-6, and Saturday October 31st from 9-4 at 3838 Steck Ave. Austin, TX 78759. You can find some creative holiday gifts, and still have plenty of time to trick or treat.

The hardest thing

I think the hardest thing about trying to run your own business is admitting when you should seek help. I hit things with a hammer that is how I get them to work. When you are making business cards, there are no hammers involved. This fact puts me at a great disadvantage. I found a package of paper at my local office supply that said I could make my own business cards and flyers with my computer. This sounded like an excellent idea. It however was not. I can not say for sure if it was my computer, my printer, the software, or the fact that I was controlling the process, but as I had previously suspected I do not know how to make business cards. After hours of wasting paper, ink, and most importantly time, I decided to go to a print shop where they know about these things. As it turns out they could do it faster and cheaper than I could, and it looked a heck of a lot better. While I was there, just to be sure, I peaked around the counter and I was right they did not have a hammer there.

Meditation by hammer blow:

All of my life I have heard people talk about meditation, how you can clear your mind. As lovely as this sounded to me it is something that I have never been able to accomplish. I start to think about what needs to be done, or acquired. Before long I am up and working down the list I just created. Then this week when I was out in my shop I realized I have been meditating for years. I only think about the thing that I am doing if I am cutting I focus only on staying on the line. If I am polishing I only consider how to move so I can cover more of an area with one motion. This may not be the most accepted form of meditation, but it is the closest I think I will ever come. It is my break from the stressful and the mundane alike. I hope that you have a fixation like this in your life. Something that is so powerful to you that it can hold your attention, and make you notice each movement and how you make it.

The BYDEE Festival

If you are in the Austin area come on out to the BYDEE Art Festival This weekend, September 19th. It will be held in Heritage Oak Park - 875 Quest Parkway from 2 pm- 7 pm. I have not been before but it looks like a lot of fun for the whole family. There will be art vendors, food, clowns, and music. I am personally looking for ward to the big wheel races. I will have a few new designs of metal work to display, and a brand new booth set up. Each day I check the weather the forecast is getting cooler and cooler, and less chance of rain. It looks like a high of 88 is projected. It was not too long ago that triple digit days were the norm, so 88 sounds fabulous to me. I hope that you can make it out. Have a good one.

Click below for a map to the park.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Cedar+Park&state=TX&address=875+Discovery+Blvd&zipcode=78613&country=US&latitude=30.520481&longitude=-97.819959&geocode=ADDRESS

Solar Panels

Installing solar panels is not nearly as easy as you might think. When you read about them on the Internet the company selling the product says we show up and screw them to the roof, and you are done. Well that is really step 100. Step one is finding out if you have to have any permits from the city you live in. The next step is finding out if any state or local rebates are offered, what they are, and how to qualify. This is a really great link for that. Another thing to consider is will your property taxes increase? The value of the home will be raised by the addition, will what you save in electricity be worth it to your bottom line in what you will pay in increased taxes?
Then you will need to meet with the Solar company at your home to do a site survey this lets you know what size system you can get, how much it will be, and if there are any trees or other structures that you need to remove for the panels to operate. This may be the kicker, you may not be able to cut down the tree 1 because it is in your neighbors yard, or because there are city ordinances protecting it. Depending on where you live, and if there are any city ordinances about cutting down any type of tree you may have a big decision on your hands. Some trees are protected species, and some trees are just really big. Some cities may require you to get a dispensation to cut down a large or protected tree. Others might require you to plant a new tree to replace the one you have cut down. If you have limited space in your yard you may end up back in the same spot you are now in a few years with shade on your roof. Some cities may allow you to pay a fine for the tree that is calculated by size, and some cities will let you cut it down because it is your tree, in your yard, and you do not want it anymore. I really suggest you check it out with the city first, you do not want to have a big fine you were not expecting creep up on you. Now if the tree is in a neighbor’s yard you may want to learn how to bake some really good cookies, before you approach the topic. Once you are sure you are in the clear to remove the tree you then need to get at least three quotes. A certified Aborist is really no necessary for a job like this, the tree is coming down, it does not matter if it is done all that properly. That being said if the tree is large you need an experienced crew. By crew I mean more than 1 guy. The tree we have in our yard is about 40 feet high, and will take I would say at least four guys to get it out. There should be ropes and a pully system, and the branches should be lowered to the ground to minimize possible harm to anyone on the ground. Now then once that is complete you can schedule the Solar company to come out. To get your final inspection. I am still in the stages of trying to get our very large tree down. I will keep you updated with what I find.

Austin Children’s Academy Green Art Show

I am looking forward to my next show this Sunday, May 17th. It is at the Austin Children's Academy campus, 12310 Ranch Road 620 N.Austin, TX 78750, from 11-5. It is a green theme. I am not sure that all of my work is green minded, but stainless steel is all at least 65 % recycled, and it is fully recyclable later on, if you don't want it anymore. There will be some make and take art for the kids, which I think is always fun to watch. Kids take crafts so seriously, It's awesome. I have a couple of new items I am trotting out for the first time, clocks, and picture holders. Many of my new designs seem to be things that can sit on a desk. I guess ti make sense that is where I am most of the time. It is always a little nerve racking showing off a new design. You want people to like the work. I hope if you have time you can make it out. If not, well to heck with you.

For a map to the show click here http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=12310+Ranch+Road+620+N+austin+tx&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.352165,53.173828&ie=UTF8&ll=30.467096,-97.813897&spn=0.01683,0.025964&z=15

The thing in my back yard

Have you ever had to brush your dogs teeth? Well if you have you know the first time is not all that fun, they are at first very excited you are down in there face and it looks like you have food, but you don't. Things get very unpleasant very quickly. As it turns out dogs, at least my dog, does not like the taste of dog tooth paste. Even though the package assures you they will. What are the differences between people tooth past and dog toothpaste? Dogs can not spit so there is a lack of fluoride and it is supposed to taste like chicken. I told my dog that but he did not really seem to care. It is not that I have some unreasonable hygiene issues with my dog, it is that I saw him with an opossum in his mouth in my back yard, as proud as anyone has ever been of anything. Just in case you are city folk like me, they do actually play opossum. He laid there breathing very shallow for a long time before hauling it over the fence. This is of course after about half an hour of telling my dog to "DROP IT!" The neighbors loved that at 11:00 at night.

What you should know is that upon first meeting my dog you would think he is a little stupid, sweet, but stupid. If you are a man you would think my dog is rather mean as he has a habit of giving a high five, to anyone who comes in house, in the crotch area. I find this funny other do not. I have seen this dog run up stairs, and just forget to pick up his feet and crack his sternum on the next step. I have seen him run head first, at full speed into a sliding glass door. I have also seen him keep my 18 month old niece away from the top of the stairs, and double back on my brother to meet him as they were playing chase around the couch. So I am not sure if the stupid thing is an act, or he has moments of clarity. If the stupid is an act it is a role that he is highly commit ed to.

About three weeks ago I had to bribe him with food to come in at night, he would sit at the foot of a large Arizona ash in our back yard and look up at the limbs, very calm, very quiet, just waiting. I was starting to think his mind was beginning to go. Then about a week ago, I was making a late dinner and stepped outside to get the food off of the grill and saw that beady eyed little booger on the fence. The dog went nuts trying to get him, but he ran off. A few nights later he caught him. I had just opened the door to walk outside to get him, when I saw him come around the corner, it was dark so I was not sure what he had, then I saw how he was shaking and pawing at it, and I knew. I do not suppose we will see the possum any time soon, hopefully never. He had to learn the hard way, that you never know what day you will catch the dog on, and he got a little too close on a good day.

Eat well for a little less

I have a theory about going out to eat. It is more than food, it is more than not having to do the dishes after you are done. It is one of the few places that you are taken care of, you are actually waited on. One person is assigned to you when you walk in the door, and what ever you need, on the menu, they will bring you. Everyone at the table can have a different meal and it is brought to you usually with in about 20 minutes. In a time where we are all a little afraid of what tomorrow may bring financially I have put together a list of good restaurants that have specials, on certain nights. Go have a good time and feel good about it taking a little bit of your day just for you, and however you want to spend that time with. These are for Austin, and if you have any other suggestions do speak up. If you do not live in Austin put together a list of your own, and share it with your friends.

Serranos:http://www.serranos.com/specials.html Monday: Join us for our legendary Buy-One-Get-One-Free Enchilada Dinner (Dine in ONLY. Other Restrictions Apply)

Huts: http://www.hutsfrankandangies.com/newhutsmenu/content/newmenu_4_large.html Monday night 2 for 1 veggie burgers, and Wednesday 2 for 1 burgers, Dine in only.

Double Dave's: 2 for 1 pepperoni rolls Tuesday http://doubledaves.com/locations/index.html?c=2

Patsy’s cowgirl cafe: http://www.patsyscowgirlcafe.com/ half price burgers 5 PM to close.

Elsie's: http://www.elsisrestaurant.com/ no 2 for 1 specials, but reasonably priced, and very good in my opinion.

Texican: http://www.texicancafe.com/dinnerspecial.html not bad the whole deal for 19.99 on Sunday through Thursday 5- 10, they close at 9 on Sundays.

Din Ho: They do not have specials, or a website, but they are worth the trip, we usually spend about 20.00 bucks with the standard fare, I love there barbecue pork soup, the fried rice, and the general tso’s. http://www.yelp.com/biz/din-ho-chinese-bbq-austin

El sol y la Luna: http://www.elsolylalunaaustin.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=35 no day specials, but still very inexpensive even down on 6th street.

El Chile: very reasonable for the caliber of food. http://www.elchilecafe.com/

El Chilito: There taco bar just down the street, inexpensive, and good, just no air conditioning. Monday through Friday: 7am--10pm Saturday: 8am--10pm Sunday: 8am--9pm http://www.elchilito.com/

Enchiladas y Mas: This is down an dirty text-mex. But they put something on the fajita chicken that is so very good. http://enchiladasymas.com/page/o4lo/Dinner_Menu.html

Taco Deli: certainly not the cheapest taco in town, but it is good, and cheaper than most restaurants. http://www.tacodeli.com/specials.php http://www.elsisrestaurant.com/ no 2 for 1 specials, but reasonably priced, and very good in my opinion.

I love Austin, I really do. I love the food, I love the open green spaces, and I really love the people. This last Saturday was my first time to show at the Austin Handmade Market. It was a little chilly, a little rainy, and there was a rooster crowing within earshot all day long, but that did not stop folks from coming out. From open to close, 12:00-6:00, there was a steady stream of people who wanted to see what was going on. Even though we took over the parking lot, there were still ample spaces along Mary St. to park. It was a really great mix of different mediums. There were a couple of jewelers, a soap maker, different work with fabrics, a book binder, and other really fun stuff. Seeing people stand in the rain to shop really warms the heart of a street show crafter. In the future the shows our host would like to have food, and music, and make it bigger and better each time. They wants to have a rotating mix of different crafters and artists for each show, so you will always see something different and new each time you stop by. The Market will be held every second and last Saturday of the month. I hope to see you out agin this Saturday, May 2nd, from noon-6.

These beauties are actual safety rated glasses they are UV blocking, spark deflecting marvels of modern science. And yes they do have rhinestones in them. While recently at my local home improvement store I happened upon them. They are “Women’s Safety Goggles” and I must admit they fit better than any pair I have had before. Apparently I have a feminine little head, I never would have guessed. Another added plus of these is that I look like a very fancy bug while wearing them. I am sure that at some point I probably wished that I could fly, and that I had some sparkles, I guess I can see how that got twisted around to looking like a fancy flying thing, a bug. So be careful what you wish for kids. I really can see these handed out to all the girls on the line during the war. Rosie the Riveter was only missing a pair of these lovelies propped up on her head. It cracks me up that even in a situation where you are elbow deep in dust, and grime is still no excuse to not look like a lady.

This Saturday is the second ever Austin Handmade Market. It will be my first. I must admit I am a little excited. It has been a long time since I have been going to art shows regularly, and I am really looking forward to it. If you are in the Austin are this Saturday, April 11th, you should stop by 507 West Mary Street. It is right on the corner of South First and Mary, just north or Oltorf, you can not miss it. There are a lot of really cool places on South First if you have not been recently, it is worth a look see. The market is supposed to happen every second and Saturday of the month from 12-6, but this is a new thing so if it does not just roll with it people. The owners of the Austin Handmade store are super cool and very gracious to host an event like this so often for young artists, so I hope that everyone who can will stop by and look around. I know you will all be searching for a reason to leave the house being cooped up with your family for the Easter holiday anyhow. So bring all of your rich relatives over to the show. The Austin Handmade market is put on with my crafty group Etsy Austin. They are a great group of crafters and artists, and a really good mix of different mediums. There are jewelers, of course, all different kinds of textile work, a book binder, and even a metal worker, me. I hope to see, and meet a lot of folks out there. Have a good one.

http://www.austinhandmade.com/

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Austin+&state=TX&address=507+W+Mary

Picture taking on a budget

When taking photographs, especially to showcase work you have done, it can be very frustrating to find the colors do not appear true. Most often pictures turn out poorly due to the lighting used. Photography literally means to write with light. It is the best tool that you have when taking a picture. The first pictures made relied solely on sunlight and length of exposure. Although digital photography has opened up the possibilities immensely, to the average Joe, all of that technology is based on those very first images. Professional photographers use lighting equipment that burns at 5000 degrees Kelvin or higher. I have recently discovered bulbs that you can get at the grocery store that also burn at that same temprature. They are very affordable, usually under $10.00. They are sold for those who suffer from seasonal effectiveness disorder, but can be a great help when taking pictures. For the examples I chose a soda can because it is something that everyone will have a reference point for.

In the first example we have regular florescent lighting that burns at about 3200k. You will notice that it turns everything a little yellow.

This picture was taken with one of the bulbs that burns at 5000k or higher. You will notice a truer color to the can, as well as my drapes are no longer yellow.

In this picture a flash was instituted. With the light not coming from directly over head the shadows are not as harsh, and the subject is more evenly light. When using the flash that is put onto most cameras you will want to remember that they are designed to be used about four feet away from the subject.

Here you see how getting closer to the subject with the flash, about two feet, the back ground begins to fade off, and the subject begins to seem too bright for the over all picture.

And here , about eight inches away you can see that the background is completely lost, and you lose perspective of the subject.

Having the lighting on the same level as the subject gives a better sense of the dimension of the object.

Having two sources of light helps to outline the subject. For this you will need one main source of light, the bulb, and one secondary source, a bounce.

You may be asking what is a bounce? Well mine looks like this. You can get one at any camera shop for any from 30.00- 300.00, depending on the size you need. But all a bounce really needs to do is reflect light. A very effective one could be made from an embroidery hoop and some aluminum foil. Even a white sheet of poster board could work with a very bight light source.

Do not be afraid to move around your subject, to try new backgrounds, or lighting options. A photograph can make a big impact or it can misrepresent your hard work. I hope this has given you new ideas on how to best represent your work. My recent dicovery of these bulbs will have me updating a lot of photographs in the near future.