gmubabe2004

There's so much, here it is in list form:

Our New Home:
- We have nearly all of the paperwork signed until closing (then there's more paperwork).
- We met with the design center last week to make all of our choices (flooring, cabinets, tile, fixtures, etc).
- The poured the foundation about a month ago :). Once they finish the other build, they'll get the lumber drop and start our set.
- Countdown until end of October/beginning of November! Can't wait until I get the keys and I can start painting and get it ready for our move. Would love to hire movers.
- Already have started to purge.

My Art Business:
- Starting to purge for the move. Buying new jewelry displays (nice display cases for the shows and to store them in).
- Selling a lot of art supplies and displays....I'll try to get a list together soon.
- Getting ready for August shows...Need to remember to apply to another couple tonight.
- Getting some new stuff ready for the upcoming shows, and for DEKKA.
- My Koi Pond cuff was a finalist in the 2009 Bead Dreams competition!
- I just got notification a couple days ago that my fine silver orchid (Agape) placed first in its category in the competition! This was an international jewelry competition sponsored by Interweave Press and my piece will be appearing in the November/December issue of Step by Step Beads! Very exciting - my first attempt at an orchid! What's funny about this one is that it was started and completed the Easter weekend we were confirmed into the Catholic church - I started it the day of the ceremony and finished it Easter Sunday. Was the least stressful piece I have ever completed and went without a hitch. And I named it Agape - for me to remember why that day was so important. And it won ;)
- I can't wait until we move! My studio space will be where the dining room is in the floor plans - it'll be nice not having to share my studio with a bedroom. And I'll have my power tools in the garage...sweet!
- I photographed Kelsey and Duane's wedding in June (very sweet and small ceremony), and will be photographing Kate and Paul's this upcoming weekend. Summer = season of weddings! :)

Family:
- My family visited once in June and once in July; my brother had a law school forum event in June and because of the possibility of him moving up for school, my parents enrolled him in a defensive driving class in July. Was good seeing them :)
- Excited about Scott's parents moving into the area! And congrats to Ken on the job! :)

4th of July:
We visited our friends Sonya and Wes in Richmond over the 4th of July and had a great time; it was good seeing them! We saw the fireworks at the field on Fort Lee - pretty neat!

Billy Joel and Elton John Concert:
- From my last LJ entry, I'm sure you know that we were excited to finally see them in concert. Was a good show!

Work:
- At work, we usually have a slow down in June-August, but haven't seen one yet. Thankful I have a steady job. Just been really busy and I need a vacation. LOL
- Have some fun projects though!

Scott and I went to the Billy Joel and Elton John "Face 2 Face" concert on Saturday night at Nationals Stadium - was an awesome show, and I'm glad to have finally seen Elton John in concert (saw Billy Joel once before).

This is just going to be a quick entry (I know it's been a while since I've updated, but it has been a very busy summer with various graphic design projects, art obligations, and photographing weddings), because I found a really funny video from the concert. Poor Elton John's sustain pedal broke, and Billy Joel tried to fix it (see video below, linked from YouTube - warning - the last part has Elton dropping the f-bomb).



( Click for More Videos... )

Bead Dreams Exhibition
May 31, 2009 through June 7, 2009
Bead & Button Show at Midwest Airlines Center, Milwaukee, WI

This is the largest consumer bead show in the World, and the finalists from the Bead Dreams competition will be on exhibit during this time. One of my fine silver cuffs (the Koi Pond one) will be on exhibit :)

...And like the NYC show, I won't be able to go visit :/. So if you're in the area, stop by and say hi to it for me :)!

A Postcard is Worth 1000 Words
June 5, 2009 through June 29, 2009
Opening Night Reception: June 5th from 6-8pm

NOTE: The exhibition will be at the Long Island City location, not their NYC/Lower East Side gallery.

I have 10 photographs that will be shown in this exhibition, all from the Caribbean trip in January. I unfortunately will not be able to attend, but if you're in the area, I hope you stop by and check it out!

So little time!!! So here's my entry, in list format:

1. Did my first 2 art shows of the year; went well, even in the rain! Met some really awesome people from the Audubon Naturalist Society, and got to see my buddy, Jessica, at the Ballston Art Market (she organizes them).
2. Very excited that some of my work will be on exhibit in NYC and Milwaukee over the next month. Working on getting more of my photography out there.
3. Still carving lots of fine silver...1 custom piece left to do (at the moment)
4. Sold 2/3's of Transcendence 3. Glad they are off to good homes. The last remaining piece is at DEKKA at the moment (the medallion).
5. Worked my first couple shifts at DEKKA; I love being there on the weekends.
6. Shooting a wedding in June and wedding in July, boy I'm going to be busy! Going to try to take on more weddings...
7. Just typical insanity; lots of competitions coming up, and I'm trying to get a couple proposals in by the end of July (to a publisher - to write/design 1-2 lessons in a jewelrymaking how-to book). I got my first check from a publisher (Sterling) last week; the book is set to come out in 2010 (one of my designs+instructions will be in the book). Whew...
8. I'm putting my thesis show back together; I met a lady at the Audubon Naturalist Society Art Fair who wants to help get it into a gallery/museum/on display. So I've reprinted the center silk images...and now framing them all.
9. See I told you I was busy...now if I could only get more sleep.

And most importantly:
10. Today Scott and I celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary. Time has flown by and I love him so much!
11. We celebrated our anniversary by buying a house! It's a 3 level townhouse that will be completed in November, so we have plenty of time to purge/pack. We got a great deal on it, and even managed to get them to upgrade us to all hardwood floors - except the stairs. So we've been running around signing paperwork...more paperwork...ugh.
12. Scott's godfather just flew in from Alaska last night, so we're going to be visiting our parents this weekend. Will be a nice change in pace from the craziness up here.

Whew...Hope you all are doing well. I apologize for the lack of posting lately.

I got my ears pierced tonight :p

Oh btw, if you're looking for something to do tomorrow, I'm going to be working at DEKKA from 10am to 7:30pm: http://www.yelp.com/biz/dekka-washington :) Company is always appreciated.

Things are going well, just crazy like usual. Like - I'm going to have 10 of my photographs in a show in NYC at the end of this month through June (from the Caribbean trip - woot!). :D And one of my silver pieces on exhibit in Milwaukee at the end of the month through the first week of June. I'm so excited!

Take care everyone!

As a 2005 graduate of George Mason University (B.A. Art and Visual Technology degree), and a former student of Professor Kirby Malone, I was absolutely appalled to find out that his contract was not going to be renewed. Professor Malone is an extremely intelligent, well-informed, well-read, and amazing professor who fully extends himself and his knowledge to his students. I count myself blessed to have had him as a professor; he rounded out my education at Mason and flamed my passion in my art with his never ending support and encouragement.

I feel that Professor Malone is one of the reasons I have been so successful with my art. I am now an award winning artist who has exhibited throughout the country. I also work full time as a graphic designer for an international green engineering firm. I honestly was thinking about going back to Mason for a master's degree, but because of this decision, among others, I will never be a student at Mason again. This decision is proof to me that the administration does not care about providing a quality education. I can not fathom why a school would dismiss one of their best professors - someone who has inspired so many students. I am outraged by this decision. Do you not care about the student body? Have you never witnessed one of his classes? The proof is in the sheer amount of support he has received from his current and former students. I have never witnessed such rage from the student body before. Professor Malone's dismissal is another reason that I will never EVER donate any amount of money to the school - it'll probably end up being used to prep the school for the yearly circus instead of helping provide a top notch education to current and future students.

I am saddened by his possible dismissal - it is a shame that future AVT students may not be able to experience one of his classes. Professor Malone is passionate about teaching and the administration of George Mason University should count itself lucky to have such an inspiring professor. I implore you to renew his contract - news of his possible termination has already been a big blow to the school, its reputation, and the morale of the students.

Sincerely,

Melissa Lew Bradford
www.melissalew.com


cc: Mr. Bill Reeder (Dean, CVPA), Mr. Peter Stearns (Provost), Mr. Alan Merten (President), Mr. Harold Linton (AVT Chair), Mr. Kirby Malone, Broadside, Washington Post (Close to Home)

WHAT: FAM4
WHERE: DEKKA, 1338 U St. NW 2nd Floor, DC, 20009
WHEN: Saturday, May 2, 2009, 6:30-10pm

FAM4 occurs monthly (1st Saturday) and features 4 artists and their work. Please come and join us for tasty cocktails, hors d'ouvres, music, and Spring shopping (with discounts!)!

I'm one of the featured artists this month! Come see me and have some fun!

I'm also at the 2009 Nature Fair this weekend at Woodend Sanctuary in Maryland - I have 2 free passes to get in. If you're interested, let me know.

I just heard back from the Bead & Button magazine today - my work, specifically The Koi Pond, has been juried into the 2009 Bead Dreams competition in the Metal Clay category! I'm a finalist! :)

It will be on exhibit at the Bead & Button Show - May 31 through June 7, 2009 at Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee, WI.

For more information about the show, please visit http://www.beadandbuttonshow.com/bnbshow/default.aspx?c=ts&id=9.

I'm so stoked :)

...since the last time I posted!

Religion: We celebrated Easter this year - as Catholics! Scott and I started the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) class back in September and joined the church in full communion at the Easter Vigil. It was such a beautiful ceremony! It's amazing how much has changed since we started the process :)

We had to pick a patron saint before the ceremony - or rather, the saints actually pick us. My patron saint is St. Catherine of Bologna - patron saint of artists. http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=111

To our families - thank you for being so supportive in our faith search. :)

Art: I have 2 shows coming up!

Audubon Naturalist Society - 2009 Nature Fair
Sunday, May 3, 2009
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Woodend Sanctuary
8940 Jones Mill Road
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
http://www.audubonnaturalist.org/default.asp?page=569 -> 2 of those photos are mine (butterfly and the fan pins)

Ballston Arts & Crafts Market
Saturday, May 9, 2009
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Welburn Square at Ballston Metro
http://ballstonarts-craftsmarket.blogspot.com/

If you can't see me at a show, and you want to see my work in person, please visit DEKKA in DC!

I just finished another competition piece:

Agape - a handcarved recycled fine silver orchid with ruby. In Chinese symbolism, the orchid stands for divine, unconditional, self-sacrificing, and thoughtful love (which is what Agape means in Greek).

A New Home:
Our lease is up in October and we are seriously looking at purchasing a home. We met with a Realtor earlier this week, and we have already been pre-approved for a $400,000 loan. Hopefully will be able to meet with some reps in the next week or so for a community called South Riding, in Loudoun County, really close to where I work. Scott drove me through there the other night, and it was so nice and quiet...and beautiful!

Well I better get going - time for bed! Work has been crazy, like usual, so I need my sleep! ;)

It's been really busy! 1 more to go this Spring.

( Click to see the recent creations )

Come celebrate DEKKA's 1 year birthday (sponsored by Red Bull) TODAY from 6-10pm!

Enjoy cocktails, appetizers, music (spun by local DJ JMC), meet local designers and artists (I'll be there!), and discounts galore!

*As a thank you for coming, most of my work will be on sale for 20% off - tonight only*

DEKKA
1338 U St
2nd Floor
(between N 13th St & N 14th St)
Washington, DC 20009

I didn't want to announce this before I was absolutely sure it was going to happen, but...


I'm now showing my work at DEKKA in DC!

I actually met with the owner a couple weeks ago, and yesterday afternoon found out that my first day in the store was going to be today. Had a mad rush last night to purchase displays and to get everything in order (new labels, signage, etc) for this morning. But it's there! And I'm so excited :)

DEKKA is located in the fashion trendy U Street Corridor, near Dupont Circle. It's an artist co-op; so you might see me down at the store working every now and then!

DEKKA
1338 U St
2nd Floor
(between N 13th St & N 14th St)
Washington, DC 20009

The store's 1 year anniversary is actually coming up on April 4th; there's going to be a huge trunk show/shopping party extravaganza from 6pm to 10pm. I hope to see some of you there :).

*Note* I apologize for not responding to comments in my journal over the last couple weeks; it's been pretty crazy with this and with working lots of overtime at work (...it's interesting being in the office around midnight...). But hope you all are doing well! :)

On my way to work, I was trying to turn left off of a main road onto a side street. I was patiently waiting for oncoming traffic to clear before going, and once it cleared, I started to turn. All of a sudden I caught something in the corner of my eye and slammed on my brakes as a woman in a huge SUV came flying off of a side street right in front of me and turned left onto the main road. WHOA.

If I hadn't seen it, she would have t-boned me! I'm sorry, but I don't think my little Civic would hold up to that huge thing. It was one of those monster Ford SUVs.

As she passed, she did turn to me and with a huge smile, waved "HIIIIII!!!!!" OMG. I hope she doesn't think if she waves, it makes such a dangerous move right! I was on the main road - I had the right of way!!!

Some people just shouldn't have licenses...

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

LOL!

"The Big Read reckons that the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books they've printed."
1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Reprint this list in your own LJ so we can try and track down these people who've read 6 and force books upon them"

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible (most, in pieces)
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare (most)
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte's Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Well 36 out of 100 isn't bad.

Sometime during the night as we slept, the 2 cats figured out how to open the double doors on our hallway closet. They raided it, and knocked a bunch of stuff down - AND found my dowel rods and chewed one of them up.

That's NOT good that they've figured out how to open doors; they already know how to get into the cabinets. I wonder which one was the ringleader...

Probably Mei Mei...Vincent is a little sweetie, but he's really not all that bright. He spends most of his time with his head cocked to one side - and has the most confused look on his face.

I guess these cats are really like kid training - they get into everything! Yikes!