Amazing edible creations from Andie's Specialty Sweets!

OMG! These are so amazing! Matter of fact, everything in this shop is amazing! Love, love, love the realistic look of each creation! I was drawn to the shop because of the Vintage Button candies, but fell in love with these mushrooms! Take a look at the etsy shop for more striking creations! www.etsy.com/shop/andiespecialtysweets

Los Angeles Artist Model ~ Miyoko

Years ago, when I first graduated from University, I got a job on campus, with the same department that I graduated from, Art! My official title was "Administrative Assistant" (aka secretary!), but the scope of duties I covered, far outweighed the title. One of the subcategory jobs I did was to manage the Life/Figure Model program for our Anatomy, Life Drawing & Painting classes. There were lots of interesting characters whom I had the pleasure to work with at that time and one of them in particular, I will always remember. Her name is Miyoko. I'm sad for my bad memory, as I cannot remember her last name and therefore cannot find much information about her on the internet.

When I had the honor of working with Miyoko, it was about 1999-2001. She lived in a resident hotel in Downtown LA, did not have her own phone (I had to call the hotel mgr to leave messages for her), she took the bus to all of the gigs she had at all of the colleges & universities around the greater LA area, wore stiletto healed, thigh high leather boots, a mink coat and a sexy little spandex mini skirt & tube top. All this with a shock of teased out salt & pepper hair atop her head. Miyoko was born sometime in the mid 1920s. I remember seeing her birthday on her employee info card and couldn't believe that this woman in front of me was 75 years old! Her English was broken and I think many who gazed upon her, were more frightened or unsure about talking to her. But I am glad that I did! She told me about when she first came to the United States, how she always worked as a Life Model in the universities in NYC, how she came to California because of the sunshine, about her pre & post War experience in Japan. She was a lively person who had a life full of adventure and creativity and is someone who has left a good memory with me all of these years later.

I recently thought I'd try to find some info about her on the internet. Surely for someone with a prolific Los Angeles art model career as she, there would be something about her on the world wide web! But alas, the last I can find about her was written in 2009. She seems to have had quite a long and sincere relationship with an LA artist named Robert Vargas. The only photo I can find of her is of him kneeling before her, paintbrush to paper, while she sits with her elbows on knees and chin cupped in her hands, mink coat, stiletto boots and that shock of hair that was her trademark. Apparently, she disappeared at some point in 2009. By that time, she would have been well into her mid 80s! I know everyone goes at some point or another, but Miyoko is one of those people who I wish I could always have the chance of running into on the street or in a drawing workshop or on the bus. I'm grateful to have had the chance to meet her and get to know a little bit about her when I did.

Please take a look here for more info on Robert Vargas and his muse, Miyoko: http://saskiavogel.com/?tag=robert-vargas

Christmas Weekend in Los Angeles!

Thankfully, the drive down HWY 5 was smooth and speedy and full of beautiful stormy cloud formations!



Christmas night, stopped by Mireya & Oscar's place of El Ponk fame for a visit and gift exchange. We also made a trade...I took home one of the Ramone skulls in the second photo and the lovely Frida one in the first photo.



My mom and I spent Sunday together visiting friends, doing a little shopping and completing our night at Oomasa, my favorite sushi restaurant in Little Tokyo. Because it was so cold out, I opted for the shrimp tempura udon and shared a scallop dynamite with my mom, who enjoyed her own plate of chicken teriyaki, salad, rice and pickled veggies!


The Japanese are so cheeky with their bathroom signs! Guess us ladies often find ourselves running to the bathroom!


This lovely bikini clad lady has breasts that bob from side to side and is powered by solar! You know you need one of these on your desk at work! ;-)


Monday morning when I got in my car, the thermostat told me it was 79degrees! That temp only stayed there for a couple of minutes before dropping down to 71, but it was still a lovely December day in L.A.!


I spent all afternoon with my grandma. She will be 95 years old in February. We had a great time together. I took her out for lunch, we went down to the Marina to watch the boats go by and ended our visit with an ice cream. I don't get to see her very often, so these times together are extra special.


And, signing off with a photo of an amazing piece of art created with gelatin! It was tasty too!

El Ponk represents at the 1st Annual Renegade Holiday Show in LA this Weekend!

So many cool new holiday related items to be had at the El Ponk booth this weekend at the 1st Annual Renegade Handmade event in Los Angeles! These newly designed & created ornaments are just in time for the holiday! Of course, you can be sure to find all of the retro inspirted handpainted wallets, purses, etc. and lots of papier mache that you are used to finding in their booth at all of the best craft fairs in Southern California!

For more info on the Renegade event: http://www.renegadecraft.com/holiday-la
For more info on El Ponk: www.elponk.com www.elponk.etsy.com www.elponk.blogspot.com

Go to Leanna Lin's Wonderland to take advantage of BLACK WEEKEND sales!!!

As taken from Leanna Lin's Wonderland announcement:
"Shop Small Businesses this weekend!
I'm a proud supporter of the 3/50 Project and excited about 11/27 being declared as Small Business Saturday! This weekend is our 1st annual BLACK WEEKEND SALE! Check out why Yelp put Leanna Lin's Wonderland on the 2010 Yelpiest Gift Guide Ever! (http://www.yelp.com/weekly?editorial_id=w-047hTsCUFaFt0BvObIIg)

20% off select collections, including Leanna Lin Jewelry (excludes hair pins)
30% off select vintage home decor + jewelry

HOURS:
Thursday, 11/25: Closed * HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING *
Friday, 11/26: 11am-7pm
Saturday, 11/27: 11am-6pm
Sunday, 11/28: 11am-4pm

A few new Hoot owls in stock too!

El Ponk at Huff-A-Palooza Saturday Nov. 27th!

This skull will be available in the auction!

My friends at El Ponk will be vending at the Huff-A-Palooza this Saturday, November 27th. Shop alternative and Indie for your holiday gifts while supporting a great cause! Bo Huff is a legendary fabricator in the classic car world. He's battling cancer and some kind folks have put this event together to help raise money to assist in his medical bills. Cars, Music, Art, Pinups, Vendors & Show! If you're in the LA area for the weekend, take a drive out to Colton and be sure to visit El Ponk!

www.elponk.blogspot.com
www.elponk.etsy.com
www.elponk.com

Artist Sister's opening this weekend @ Leanna Lin's Wonderland!

This is a must see opening! I don't often regret not living in Los Angeles any more...but I do regret not living there this weekend, as I will be missing this opening!

From Leanna Lin's Wonderland blog (http://www.leeleeswonderland.blogspot.com):

This Saturday, 11/13 from 6-10pm

The Artist Sisters: CJ Metzger & Miss Mindy presents
HEART ON OUR SLEEVE splendid works in paint, pencil & ink
www.ArtistSisters.com

I'm so excited to have these lovely local artists at Leanna Lin's Wonderland! Join us for the opening event during November's NELA art walk. They will be bringing small paintings, drawings, and watercolors, hand embellished limited edition prints, hand painted nesting dolls, signed sets and more! Show runs through Dec. 29th.

* Special Goody Bags to the first 18 people
* Posters for all purchases (while supplies last)
* drinks + pink heart cookies by Maile's Fine Pastries
* Papas's Tapas spanish cuisine truck
* Lake Street Creamery gourmet ice cream truck



Leanna Lin's Wonderland is a playful jewelry STUDIO/SHOP/ART gallery inspired by modern + retro designs, where you can use your imagination to CREATE your own beaded jewelry!

Leanna Lin Jewelry + Wonderland
5024 Eagle Rock Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041
323.550.1332
hello@LeannaLinsWonderland.com

Check out El Ponk!

My good friend Mireya, of El Ponk fame, has been making some truly amazing adornments and decorative objects in preparation for Day of the Dead celebrations and craft/art sales. She and her boyfriend, Pancho, create, sculpt and paint so many cool things it's hard to pick out my favorite! I'm including a few pics of her newest creations, but you can see more at her ETSY shop: www.elponk.etsy.com; her blog: www.elponk.blogspot.com; and her website: www.elponk.com

She is based out of Los Angeles and participates in lots of various handmade shows throughtout Southern Cali. You can also find them vending at classic car/hot rod shows and the upcoming annual Day of the Dead festivities at Self Help Graphics in East LA and I believe they will also be at the Hollywood Forever Cemetary event, so keep an eye out! They do have a select offering of objects at several stores in LA, but you'll have to take a look at her website to get that info! If you're in the Bay Area, Who's Your Betty? on College Ave just started carrying her handpainted wallets! www.stitchesforbitches.com

Clifton's Cafeteria! A bit o' magic in Downtown LA

Last weekend I spent a few days in LA. Saturday afternoon, my mom, brother & his girlfriend and my friend went out for lunch at Clifton's. It's been a while since I've been there, but every time I go, it amazes me that there is still something like that in existance in Los Angeles! So many of the cool old buildings and locations have been torn down, built over or gutted and turned into lofts/condos. My friend told me there is something going on with Clifton's, but hopefully they will be able to stay there for as many more years as they've been there already! Walking into Clifton's is like walking back into time. My mom grew up in South Gate and used to come shopping Downtown and have lunch here in the 1950s and 60s. It's truely a magical experience waiting for you to visit in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles on Broadway @ 7th St.
http://www.cliftonscafeteria.com/home.html

Yay! Recent sale from my ETSY shop!

This lovely brooch has found a new home in Los Angeles! Will be on it's way come Monday! Thanks for supporting my etsy shop Jazmin!


Now if I can just sell a few more items! Maybe one of these piques your interest?! www.Questionetc.etsy.com

I'm Back and posting on ETSY again!

Hello All!
My trip to LA was just what I needed! Only wish I had another week to spend more time in the thrift stores! Instead, we spent the great majority of our week deep in the dark depths of record stores. And yes, I do mean "record"!... the sorts of stores that sell old vinyl and if you get to chatting with the owner, he may well give you a discount on your purchases! My boyfriend and I came back with some true gems and all at bargain prices!

We did make it to a couple of thrift stores and I will follow this post with a few pics of the things I found there. Since our return, work has kept me busy and a little cold has been keeping me at home. So, instead of wallowing in my aches and pains, I decided to get some pics taken and things posted to my ETSY shop: www.Questionetc.etsy.com I spent the majority of Saturday working on this and I've even already sold one of the newly posted items! Here's a few pics of some of the new items added.