Loreal, Dior, Lancom anyone?

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Originally uploaded by dotthei

Ok so i'm trying my hand at photography. So far it's not so bad, I think I'm doing quite well... This is a picture of my friend Liz, she has a face that photographs really well, so she's been a great subject for my photos. I took this picture in Balboa Park (San Diego, CA) in front of the Ruben H. Fleet Science Center (The best place EVER to go on a date, trust me. Take in an IMAX and then play at all of the little stations, will bring out the kid in you and your date. Wow okay I;m off topic!) Anyways I was showing my sister some of my work and she happened to like this one. She says it reminds her of an ad from a fashion magazine. Like for perfume... if you stare hard enough you can see a perfume bottle in the corner with a slogan.... What do you think??? I'd love to get some feedback. XOXO Ang!

Shop O' September!

For the month of September, I “sat down” with UxCritter, and had a conversation about her shop. The shop is run by a family, which is so nice to see on Etsy, that families are connecting in a creative way. UxCritter offers art, woodwork, blended oils and other wonderful accessories.

Dot the I: Hello UxCritter, thanks for taking the time to talk to me. To start, please describe your shop in 5 wor

ds

UxCritter: canadian, family, arts & crafts, variety, practical

D: What do you create and how did you get started?

U: I personally like to create items that are functional and fun for all critters. Sarah likes to make a fashion statement, Jesse likes to work in more of an artist way. I got started by working with beads to make jewelry for myself during downtime at work.

D: It’s cool that you and your family have all found their own niche, and it works out because you have lots of variety in the shop. Where do you find your inspiration?

U: Daily I think of ideas of making items people can use and enjoy that are handmade. I'd rather see them have items made with a touch of love of each craft we work on built in, rather than the store bought manufactured items.

D: I agree, I love being able to connect with an artist by purchasing something handmade. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?

U: My new essential oils are my favorite right now. I just created a new blend, it’

s li

ke the one pictured here called BOOST. The new blend is for leveling mood swings and it smells divine!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14534934

D: What else can you tell me about your blended oils?

U: They definitely work and they smell fantastic. The oils are blends of essential 

oils that come together in a medley of aromas that heal, not only by breathing the scents, but through touch when massaged into the skin, and systemically as the oils themselves nourish, cleanse, tone, moisture, and cool or warm, depending on the specific oils that are used.

D: That does sound Devine! What makes you stand out on Etsy?

U:I believe our shop is a little bit different in that we offer quite a variety of items in very different mediums. It's quite often referre

d to as an eclectic mix. With 3 artists creating very different items, it's bound to be a little of this and a little of that. I think that is what makes us unique and interesting. 

D: When someone makes a purchase from you, how do you want them to feel?

U: I would hope that we make our customers feel very glad they purchased from UxCritter's Place. I am in contact right away after a purchase is made, to acknowledge and thank them for their order. I also want my customer to feel respected and appreciated, in that they are updated regularly on the status of their purchase. Both with a message of approximately when it will be sent and when it is actually on it's way to them.

D: It’s great to know that you offer such friendly customer service. I know I really appreciate hearing from sellers after I purchase an item. Any last words?

U: Thanks for this opportunity to share UxCritter's place with everyone in this way. I hope to remain with Etsy for a very long time as both UxCritter's Place and Etsy, continue to grow into a very postive thriving online environment.

D: Thank you, UxCritter. For taking time out of your shop to “sit down” with me and share a little bit about your shop on a personal level. Thank you.

Say "yes" to that little black dress....

and "no" to that bulky baby bag that clashes with anything formal. It's been my experience (through my sister of course who has an almost 2 yr old) That once you hit a certain age with your baby... they don't really "NEED" everything that is usually stored in a baby bag. Once they can eat solid foods at restaurants and family dinners, you don't really have to worry about carrying baby food and formula and a thousand diapers. My newest creation "Couture Diaper Clutches," are geared towards the modern mom that does not want to sacrifice style, for function. No one should have to especially moms because they work so hard 24/7 and we really should acknowledge it more than we do (once a year on Mother's day simply doesn't cut it). So when babies or toddlers hit the age that I mentioned above, and are still using diapers, I think these clutches are really nice, convenient and stylish for a night out. But let's back pedal a little because I haven't even described what a diaper clutch is! Ok, so here is the idea, on the outside it looks like a really nice and fancy clutch that you could pair with any formal attire, but what people won't know is that on the inside there's a secret... when you open the clutch, it fold out and becomes a changing pad, complete with a pocket for diapers, wipes, and maybe a few womanly essentials (lipstick, mascara, etc, let your husband foot the bill ;) haha). The inside is lined with black waterproof vinyl, so no need to worry that the bag will get soaked or ruined. So I really believe that this is a great option for formal events because a mother is thinking not only of her child, but herself as well. I hope you like it :)

much love,
Ang

Shop of the Month - Pretty in Peace

Recently I sat down (virtually of course) with Tameka, the owner of a shop that can I find to be very eclectic and original, Pretty in Peace. There is jewelery for pretty much any occasion, a few pieces in her shop could be worn with formal wear if you dare, because as Pretty in Peace puts it, they are the "anti-bling."

Dot the I: Describe your shop in 5 words:
Pretty in Peace: Classy, sassy, stylish, bold, funky, fun (i went with a list lest i be too verbiose)
D: How long have you been creating jewelery and how did you get started?
P: I've been re-creating forever, that is buying something and taking it apart because the components worked with my vision for another design. designing my own pieces happened accidentally about 1.5 years ago. i picked up some findings from a local crafts store fiddled, photographed and sold it and well, here i am!
D: Where do you find your inspiration?
P:My inspiration comes from everywhere, celebrities, street chic, the machination of my own mind if i actually wore jewelry-i ask myself what would i wear if i wanted to embellish and it just goes from there.
D: This is my favorite...what was you inspiration for this: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13545174
P: I designed the aja bracelet (see photo above) whilst watching national geographic, the tangles, the colors, the organic design are all very intriguing and inspiring to me as an artist, but I'm afraid of bugs-so i creat things that safely reflect my love of all things green textured and organic. (laughs)
D: What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
P: You and i are on the same page with the favorite item! i just love the aja bracelet. it combines an abstract, rustic funkiness with the class, glamour and environmental friendliness of faux pearls.
D: That really is a great bracelet, very stunning. But there are A LOT of jewelery designers on Etsy, What makes you stand out from the rest?
P: Honestly? i don't look at other designer's wares, i don't wear much jewelry-certainly not fashion jewelry, so i have very little outside influence. of course there will be similar styles due to the nature of how supplies are obtained, but otherwise everything you see is representative of Tameka and that in and of itself sets me apart from other Etsians.
D: I agree, I like to think of other Etsians as artists, as our peers. I don't like when we get all caught up in sales and money, sure that's great, but I think self expression is at the heart of Etsy. So when someone makes a purchase from you, how do you want them to feel? P: I like to think when someone purchases a piece of jewelry from pretty in peace, they feel the same sense of progressive fashion and pride i feel upon creating each piece.
D: Thats so nice:), So what's your favorite thing about Etsy?
P: my favorite thing about Etsy is everything. i know it isn't the "in" thing to be part of the cupcake brigade, but truth be told Etsy is a phenomenal business concept and i am grateful to be a part of it. kinks, quirks, and all. Etsy and the relationships I've made there is an integral part of the balance I've acquired between doing what i love and putting food on the table.
D: So true, Etsy is such a great community. Okay now it's word association time! Just for fun :) D: Etsy
P: fun
D: Creative
P: juices
D: haha! night
P: kitchen (it's a sendak book)
D: money
P: shopping
D: Haha, my favorite past time, future
P: bright
D: Indeed, I'm sure your future, and the future of your shop will be very bright! Any last words for our readers?
P: But of course, Live, love, laugh, and be Pretty in Peace. Many thanks.
D: Thank you Tameka, for taking the time to answer my questions. To see more of Pretty in Peace, please visit her shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5210693
and her blog: http://tamekasbuzz.blogspot.com

Calling all Etsians!

I would like to have a monthly (or weekly, if I can keep up!) profile of an Etsy shop. I'll send you an email with a few questions and I'll pick out some of my favorite items from your shop. Please comment on this post if you are interested in being considered! I will also be surfing around Etsy to find items that stand out. So I'd love to hear from you!

xoxo Ang :)

Frankly my dear...

By far, one of the best known and most recognizable movie quotes is "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" from Gone With the Wind. I LOVE that movie so much it's rediculous, and can I just say something? What is with Ms Scarlett O'Hara!? How is it that she was so in love with Ashley, a guy that not only tugged her around for years and years, but is also, HELLO, nothing compared to Rhett Butler. Ashley was totally "Fem." If you watch the movie, there's a scene where Ashley is cutting fire wood at Tara after the war just ended, and the guy looks like he can barely lift the ax! Yet there's Scarlett, totally drooling over him. And ok, looks aren't everything, I'm not saying that the most important thing is that a guy be ripped and such, but he was such a punk! But I guess it's the girl complex... we always want the guy that doesn't want us. Oh well, but Rhett is one of the sexiest and most desirable fictional characters, second only to Mr. Darcy in my opinion. Well here's a piece inspired by that quote. It's called "frankly my dear..." I don't give a hoot! Sometimes you just feel like telling the world to get off ur back because you just don't care. Here's to all of you, be brave, don't give a hoot haha! I hope all of you enjoy the rhett-ference (haha thanks to a fellow Etsian for coming up with this pun :P) from this piece :)

Good Morning Love,

So this morning I was woken up by a phone call from my (almost) 2 year old niece. She is starting to talk more and more every day! Both english and spanish. It's so funny though, last weekend when I was at her house we were playing around and out of no where she calls me "Loca!" (crazy girl, in spanish) hahaha! I think it's because ever since she was born I've always called her that, and she would always smile, like she knew what it meant! Well it's her favorite word now. She's been calling Grandma "loca" and this morning when she called me she gave me a new nickname, "Ange-loca."

She's so crazy, I could go on and on. I will definitely be back with more stories haha. But yes this is the little celebrity in the pictures below. When she was born was when I started creating and opened my shop on Etsy. So I owe this all to her really. Thanks Isabella!

I'm also known by:

So hilarious! If you get a chance generate your name post on your blog and comment with your link! I wanna see what other people come up with :P!

Angela Nicole Garzon's Aliases

Your movie star name: Grapes Carlos Your fashion designer name is Angela Venice Your socialite name is Garbonzo Bean Roma Your fly girl / guy name is A Gar Your detective name is Koala Patrick Henry Your barfly name is Rice Cake Mojito Your soap opera name is Nicole Navajo Your rock star name is Reeses Cheetah Your Star Wars name is Angroc Garcar Your punk rock band name is The Silly Toe-nail Clippers

The Amazing Meganame Generator

For the Birds

So, my newest collection, is what I like to call ''for the Birds.'' I've been really inspired lately by retro art and bold colors and of course, birds! Last month I redecorated my room to fit a kind of nature theme so I started working on some art to put on my walls, and thats how for the Birds was started. Each one of those pieces are really personal because i created them for my room which is also like my little work studio where I do all of my creative work. And also because they were narrating in a way, the changes that were going on in my life at the time.

"You say...I say..." on the left came about after someone who was a huge part of my life for the longest time, sort of left it from one moment to the next. That person said goodbye, and I had to say hello to the new part of my life that was just beginning!

My next piece called "Love Bird" (on the right)is about loving someone from afar. Anyone can relate to this piece because I think everyone goes through that, whether it be with someone you love romantically but can't be with at the moment, or if it's family/friends that lives far away or you is far from you emotionally, or if it's someone who has passed on... but still you remember them fondly. Everyone's ending is different, some never get to be with the ones they love, so the ending to this little birdies story is anyones guess.

These images where meant to inspire me in my workspace and I hope they inspire you too, and also bring a little happiness too. There will be more to come! So keep checking back :)

the inspiration of my shop: Isabella!

Etsy pick Jan 30th

My most recent pick from Etsy.com comes from Apron Ella.
How cute is this?! So chic, I wish it was a skirt! Haha
Makes me want to learn to cook too so I can wear it!

Here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8173052
Here's her shop: http://apronella.etsy.com

<<<<< oh ya, this one too!

My Picks - Jan 22!

Here are some of my favorite items on Etsy! Buy handmade, look what you could get:
These items are from Heart Works by Lori. She has a very cool style, it looks as fresh as the latest issue of Vogue, but as timeless as the great vintage jewelery you find in Grandma's attic!
Check her out at: http://heartworksbylori.etsy.com