WW: Dressed Up {Linky}

Isaak had a workshop at school called Think Tank. A handful of students get to go from each middle school. In the past they mixed those students up to form groups. They get to name a business, come up with a business model and logo. 

Isaak hasn't had much to do with the honors club (his school calls it GATE). He's not a reader, doesn't really like Quiz Bowl like Mica did. If his cards align, he's a great student, a strategic thinker, understands process, creative, and has a keen since of detail. 

The staff member that's in charge of GATE came to Isaak before spring break to ask if this would be something he would want to do. Isaak jumped in with a big YES. After spring break Isaak went up to this same guy asking for the paper work. He said, "Are you sure you can handle this?" He acted like he didn't remember asking Isaak to be a part of Think Tank. Some people are so odd! I hate when teachers, councilors and so on lack faith in young people. Here is this kid that wants to be involved. Let him be. 

Since he's artsy I got him a Keith Haring button down shirt at H&M. Doesn't he look handsome!?

Happy Halloween!

This is the first year I won't have my boys going out for Trick or Treating. Actually Mica stayed in last year as well.

It's supposed to snow AGAIN! I'm afraid we won't get too many Trick or Treaters. I might be wrong though.

I'll turn on something spookish, for the boys.

Isaak is dressing up in his all one colored body suit; to hand out candy. He wanted all black, but they were out of stock. It was supposed to be all white, but came red. I won his costume, so I didn't want to make a big deal out of it. I thought if it was all black he could be a shadow, or throw anything scary with it. If it was all white he could be a mannequin, or ghost. What does one do with an all red body suit? Ideas are welcome. Otherwise he's happy just answering the door with his all red body suit, for the Trick or Treaters.

Since my work is crazy about Halloween, I went dressed as Salvador Dali. 

The Good: 

It's an art school, so why not dress up like an artist?

It wasn't expensive! All I had to buy was a T-Shirt that I'll wear other times, plastic ants, a mustache, and I did buy black, white makeup, eyeliner, and black hair spray (all of which I can use again).

The Bad:

I didn't get up any earlier than normal; to get ready.

I couldn't find my face glue, and know I have some.

There were students that didn't get it. I had one student ask me if I was Charlie Chaplin? Not the right mustache, for Charlie Chaplin. I found out first year hasn't gotten to Surrealism yet, in Art History. My Aunt Becky said on Facebook, "Who are you supposed to be?" Ya she isn't into art. I even had a hashtag #salvadordali in the post. Some people just don't read.

I didn't get first, second or third place, for my costume - when it came to the staff. I don't get anything for it anyhow, but I thought it was original, and I fit the part. I also was in my office quite a bit. It wasn't a teaching day.

A little bit about Salvador Dali:

He uses crutches and ants in many of his pieces.

 

I added ants, and borrowed a crutch from my Dad - put ants on that. I wish the ants were smaller.

I made myself more black and white because that's how I view Salvador Dali mostly. From black and white photos. 

My shirt had The Persistence of Memory on it:

 Will you, did you dress up for Halloween?

Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings 'Paradise'

Guess who's birthday is coming up? Mine is. It's the first day of summer. I told Travis I want some pretty earrings. I love different earrings, and necklaces. I could do without bracelets because I'm always working on art, doing dishes, or typing.

I just reviewed .925 Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings called 'Paradise' from one of my favorite companies: Novica. I said, "Travis wrap them up for me please." 

It drives Travis nuts when I get items to review, and want them as gifts. Really, I promise they are pretty! He agreed that they are. He make jewelry himself, so he knows quality and good design.

I like Novica so much because they are artist friendly. Yes I like things made in the US to support our workers, but I also like the fact that Novica brings different cultures into their products. They don't hold back that they work from artists around the world. You know how I like different types of music? I like different types of art and jewelry to. They are associated with National Geographic. They believe in global happiness. This world is large, yet small place. We need to work with one another. There's something special about getting a drum from Africa, a set of earrings from Bali, a necklace from Thailand, and so on.

The opulent hoop earrings I got are finely crafted showcase Balinese design. They are made by the artist Sriasih. I'm in love with them.

Like all of Novica's products the earrings come in a bag, which makes them fun to give.

Each item also comes with a little book that gives a description of the earrings, and the artist. Some items have a hand written note from the artist to. This one didn't, but I love when I get handwritten notes from someone afar.

I found the earrings easy to put on. Some I struggle with, and I have to have Travis or Isaak help me. Isaak loves putting jewelry on me. He's very gentle with that.

These are .925 sterling arabesques swirl amid silver petals and granules in contemporary heirloom earrings.

Measurements: 0.9" L x 0.7" W x 0.5" D

Retail Price: $45.99 Discounted Price: $11.50.

What kind of jewelry do you like to wear?

Disclaimer: I received a discount on this product purpose of this review. The opinions are 100% mine.

Gustav Klimt Mother and Child Review

I'm in love with my new art print!

I got Gustav Klimt Mother and Child - 12x12 inch Print on Synthetic Canvas GICLEE to review.

This sounds crazy, but I'm going to give it to Travis. I know it's a Mother and Child, but he loves collecting art. We also have a numbered Picasso print in our room to. We love art in our house. Our bedroom is a red-orange color with big squares of gold painted on top. The print will go perfectly in there!

I'll cut a matte for it (I have a matte cutter), and frame it before I give it to him. It would be nice if it was on a stretched canvas, so it would be ready to hang. The print is such a great quality though. 

Size: 12"x12" - 30x30 cm

Cost: $24.90, but on sale for $12.90

How well it's made I would think it would be more money.

Shipping: They had it rolled in plastic, in a tube, and the plastic ends were stapled to ensure that there would be no damages. About the only struggle I had was that the United Postal Service had it stuck in New York for awhile. I have no idea why. When I went to call about it no information was present about the order. Since it was something I needed to review in a timely fashion I was a little frustrated about that.

I haven't checked into frames just yet, but it's nice that it will fit into standard sized ones. I may want to make the framing more complicated by adding the matte.

What kind of art pieces do you have in your home?

Disclaimer: I received this print at a discount for the purpose of this review. The opinions are 100% mine.

Pearl Chalcedony Citrine Earrings 'Radiant Love' Review

I really love the color red-orange. It's my favorite!

I received for a discount Pearl Chalcedony Citrine Earrings 'Radiant Love' to review. Novica has never disappointed me. I love these earrings like all their other products I own!

It came in a beautiful bag. I've said this before, the items that come from Novica make excellent gifts. The whole package is put together well with a lot of thought!

Novica has a little book that comes with their merchandise as well. This one tells of the Peridot & Silver Necklace 'Chennai Promise' as well as a little bit about the artist: Shanker.

The Book Says:

By Nareerat: To create my jewelry, I like to sit in the middle of the materials – colorful stones and pearls in many shapes... Nature is a reference for my designs. 

Radiant Love: Beautiful and colorful, gemstones cluster in exquisitely feminine earrings. Nareerat knots peridot and pearls on silken strands with citrine, quartz and orange chalcedony. They hang from silver wires. .925 Sterling silver hooks

About the Artist:

Nareerat Tansuwansophon is the designer, but you can call her Lek. She was born into a Catholic family in Trang province, in southern Thailand. Her mother passed away after she was born. She is the youngest child of six siblings and have three brothers and two sisters. Her family members are merchants. Her house was next to the church so she did many activities at the church. Her family believed in God, just as she does. In 1982, after she graduated from grade nine, she moved to Bangkok. There she was a secretarial major at the Convert of the Holy Infant Jesus School, where she studied for three years. Then she worked as a buyer at a foreign trading agency until 1992 when an enamel company asked her to work in their marketing department. She thought it was a good opportunity so she worked there for three years before she quit to get married. Her hobby is origami, folding papers into many shapes. In 1996, her first daughter was born. She named her Ice. While she was pregnant, she spent all of my time doing origami. It made me get better and appreciate art. After she had some time off for being pregnant, she went back to work for another three years until she had cute twin sons in 2000. They are H and OAT. She quit working again when she had the twins and devoted all my time to them. When she moved to a new house about a year later, she was so bored. She wanted to have her own small business so she looked for products at the big Bangkok market she liked several kinds of jewelry so she bought some of them to sell at her sister's shop. The feedback was great, so she decided to design her own jewelry in 2004.

She prefers to design and craft the jewelry herself. She wanted to make something different from what one would find in the market. She she bought a book about making jewelry and the processes. She started from the beginning. It was so hard before she finished and it took her a long time to make the first piece. When she knew the basics and the process, she started to design by herself. She tried for a long time until she got better. Finally, in September of 2005, she opened her own small shop.

Many companies do not give the artist very much support. Not Novica. They always support the artist. 

These earrings are so captivating!

Features:

• They are made in Thailand
• Sterling silver
• Cultured Pearl
• Peridot
• Citrine
• Chalcedony
• Dyed Quartz
• Glass
• Hook Earrings
• Cost: $39.95, but on sale for $17.09

Measurements:

• 1.6" L x 0.6" W

I love this. The colors stand out. They are warm, and inviting. The green compliments the red. Such a beautiful design!

Disclaimer: I received product mentioned at a discount in exchange for a review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Pearl & Silver Dangle Earrings 'Two Full Moons'

June is my birthday month. When is your birthday? My birthstone is alexandrite, which is rare, and super expensive. The pearl stone has taken over alexandrite's spot. I'm so glad because it is so pretty.

I received for a discount Pearl & Silver Dangle Earrings 'Two Full Moons' to review. They are super pretty!

I love the bag that the earrings came in as much as the earrings. The whole package is just super pretty!

Novica has a little book that comes with their merchandise as well. It tells about the artist Nyoman Rena's vision when making Two Full Moons.

The Book Says:

Silver moonlight radiates from luminous pearls, which represent June's birthstones. Set in argent circles, they become dancing dangle earrings by Bali's Nyoman Rena. 

About the Artist:

Nyoman Rena was born on October 11 as the third of five children. His father is Made Beratha and his mother is Ketut Sukarti. Young Rena started to learn wood carving when he was in the third year of elementary school. His grandfather, an architect of traditional Balinese buildings who is also a senior carver, gave much support to Rena's carving and jewelry development. After graduating from elementary school in 1983, Rena was introduced to a famous silversmith in his village by his father. Since then, Rena began learning to craft silver jewelry on Sundays. Making use of his carving ability, Rena combines it with his silver work. He believes that one day his silver crafting will invite the interest of customers worldwide.

I just love how Novica supports different artists!

The earrings are beautiful!

Features:

• They are made in Indonesia
• Sterling silver and freshwater pearls 
• Hook earrings 
• Measurements: 1.5" L x 0.3" W 
• Cost: $53.95, but on sale for $34.49

I love how the pearls don't feel like they are going to pop off. That's a problem I've had with my other pearl jewelry.

Disclaimer: I received product mentioned at a discount in exchange for a review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Pearl and Silver Earrings 'Nocturnal Symphony' Review

I don't collect shoes, or purses, but I do collect earrings. I have quite a few earrings from Novica. Recently I got Pearl and Silver Earrings 'Nocturnal Symphony' to review.

I love that these are different than any other pair I have. They add a splash of uniqueness to what I'm wearing. They go with a lot of different colors: Grey, black, blue, white, or even blown. I feel like the earrings are neutral enough that they could go with almost anything. 

After Christmas I did go get a box of clear plastic earring backs for my fishhook earrings. I was having the worst luck with them wanting to pop off when I took my coat, or shirt off. That problem was solved. I never see fishhook earrings come with backings. 

These earrings cast a spell of elegance and charm. Nareerat crafts them by hand on strings of silk featuring pearls and glistening glass. The pearl stone is my most used birthstone. Alexandrite is June's official birthstone, but not very many people use that one because the stone is so expensive. I love pearls. Black pearls in specific add a unique quality to jewelry. They are so pretty!

Novica takes pride in their products. They always have their jewelry in a special bag that's a keepsake. Most of the time I toss the packaging. Not when I get things from Novica.

A little book comes with every purchase. Inside the book it tells you about the product.

Features:

• Sterling Silver
• Freshwater pearls 
• Glass on silk
• Hook earrings

Cost:

• $39.95
• On sale for $17.09

Measurements:

• 3.2" L x 0.8" W x 0.4" D

Do you like earrings? What's your favorite clothing accessory?

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for a discounted rate. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.