Blog

Friday, August 15, 2008

ONE OF MY GALZ:
My good friend Violette is having her ART STUDIO OPEN HOUSE this SUNDAY as part of the first SURREY CULTURAL CRAWL. (Address: 1635 - 157 Street, South Surrey)

Her studio, which is pretty much her whole house (aka The Magic Cottage), will be open to the public from 11am-5pm.
Last night I popped over to lend her a display stand on my way out to do some grocery shopping.

There was absolutely no hesitation when Violette asked me to join her for a glass of wine in her garden. It was soooo what I needed after a very busy few weeks. No rushing anywhere or frantically making more necklaces, just sitting back in her lovely yard as the sun sets, sipping a glass of wine and chatting with a good friend.
Needless to say, I never made it to the grocery store (lol).
Two and a half hours later and I was back home and planning an early morning trip to get groceries before the heat of the day took over.

GLITZY GALZ have found another HOME:
As of today my Glitzy Galz Art Necklace Pendants have now taken up temporary lodging at Gardenia Cottage in Langley... that is until you come and adopt one to take home with you.

They are in the perfect location to drop in on tomorrow while you are out at the annual Langley Arts Alive Street Festival. I hear the weather will be perfect for it!
Just make sure you bring along sunscreen and some bottled water.
(Festival location: Fraser Highway between 204th & 206th)

Have a great weekend and maybe we will run in to each other at Violette's on Sunday.

Keep smiling and creating!
Nicci

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Posted by nicci at 8/15/2008 04:57:00 PM

Thursday, August 14, 2008

It's going to be a HOT ONE!!!

Today is supposed to get up to around 30 degrees Celsius today.
Aycheee-wow-wa!

I have been quite busy as most of you know with events and commissions.
Today I am adding the final layers of varnish to a couple of cushion covers. The heat will definitely help dry it faster.

I am off to my lil guys swimming lessons, so I will try and write more later today for you.

Have a great day!
Keep smiling and creating,
Nicci

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Posted by nicci at 8/14/2008 09:38:00 AM

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Tonight's the night!

This could be a big step into the Vancouver Scene or 'just another event'. Tonight I am showcasing my art and creating at the "Glitterblitz Diskobash" in Vancouver.
A portion of the event is being promoted as a 'Battle of the Artists', Jim Cummins (aka I Braineater) vs. Nicci Battilana (aka Brushed With Magic).
I have been unable so far to reach Jim, therefore I am having to dig down deep and grasp what Glitterblitz Diskobash means to me while I ponder....
What will Sir Jim be doing tonight? Will he have a secret weapon up his sleeve or will we battle it out on one large canvas intermixing our girls and talent as the paint blends and repels against one another?
Will we join forces, will one stand out,..... or will he sink my battle ship?

Another question I ponder as I plan out my art weapons f choice... is the Majestic Nightclub ready for glitter?


WEEK RECAP:
As I head off to prepare myself...
I leave you with a few photos from last Sunday's Vancouver Pride Festival where there were over 400,000 people attending the events of the day.









Keep smiling and creating!
Nicci

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Posted by nicci at 8/07/2008 07:58:00 AM

Friday, July 25, 2008



P.S. Don't forget that tomorrow is GLITTER YOUR TOES DAY!

Keep smiling and creating!
NIcci

Posted by nicci at 7/25/2008 10:21:00 AM

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

I learned a new thing today.... Sometimes when the paper calls to ask you about an Art event, you should just say two words...... "no comment".


mural072108-002.jpg White Rock artists are upset that murals along White Rock beach are to be painted over.
Chung Chow photo
Peace Arch News

Painting over murals disrespectful: artists


By Laura Baziuk - Peace Arch News

Published: July 22, 2008 1:00 PM
Updated: July 22, 2008 2:32 PM

Artists who contributed to two murals on White Rock beach last year are upset because the walls will be painted over.

“I was hoping they wouldn’t,” said Nicci Battilana, who helped create the Mermaids at Play mural on the East Beach washroom wall, as part of the August long-weekend Spirit of the Sea Festival activities.

Alicia M.B. Ballard, who also painted the mermaids, said the group that set up and paid for the murals, the Community of Lights Events Society, “never told” her the works would be painted over.

“I find it very disrespectful,” she told the Peace Arch News Monday.

However, the agreement was always to keep the murals for only a year, said Coun. Matt Todd, president of Community of Lights.

Having a new mural repainted each year “made the city feel more comfortable.”

Todd said some people were worried “about the quality of the artwork” when the society proposed the mural idea to city council last year.

“There was never any intention to leave them up permanently. We thought that that was part of the fun,” Todd said.

Battilana said the artists who contributed knew before the project started that the murals “could possibly get painted over,” but hoped that wouldn’t be the case.

Ballard questioned why the mural had to be covered up, calling it an “enchantment” for all to see.

“I can live with a painted-over mural in my portfolio. What I find hard to come to terms with is how these secretive arrangements are being made,” Ballard said.

Todd said he selected the artists who will paint the new murals at this year’s sea festival.

He chose Elizabeth Hollick to oversee the mural painting at the East Beach washrooms – where she will invite passersby to paint a fish – and Judy Jordison to treat the West Beach facilities to a mural commemorating B.C.’s 150th birthday.

Both Battilana and Ballard wondered why a new mural couldn’t just be painted on the washroom’s other blank walls, instead of over their mermaids.

“That’s not the point of the program. The point is to have new murals,” Todd said.

He said the walls are slated to be whitewashed early next week, and new murals will be painted on Aug. 2 during the festival.


UGH!, I think I am going to be sick. My stomach is turned and I feel like I am on a tilt-a-whirl ride. Can somebody please get me off this thing????

So, in response I have sent this Letter into the Newspapers Editor in hopes that it will be published in Saturdays paper:

I just wanted to clarify where I stand and what I knew would happen to our murals. As advised to Laura Baziuk when she called me, we were all fully aware that the murals would eventually be painted over. We were even told that they might have only lasted until the end of October 2007. Since they have stayed up longer than that... I began hoping, in the back of my mind, that those involved had changed their minds and decided to leave the murals up and paint the other walls during the 2008 Spirit of the Sea Festival. Unfortunately that is not the case. I will be sad to see our mural gone, but at the same time I am very excited to see the new ones. Truth be told though, I will have to avoid the beach for the next week or so, as it might hurt a bit to see our wall get painted over white before the new mural begins. I wish the new teams great weather to work in and smooth team work. Keep smiling and creating! - Nicci Battilana

I hope they print it.

I think I need a drink!
Oh well, such is life with it's twists and turns hey?

On a happier note.....
I have been accepted as an Artisan Vendor at the upcoming PRIDE DAY FESTIVAL!
Yeah!

I guess I had better get to work on my four commissioned art pieces (a bra, a tank top and two cushion covers), so I can then start on more necklaces and a sparkling belt buckle or two for Aug 3rd.
See you at Sunset Beach!
Keep smiling and creating!
Nicci

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Posted by nicci at 7/23/2008 02:24:00 PM

Tuesday, July 22, 2008


Hoping to take a big leap showcasing my art in Vancouver on Sunday August 3rd.

I have sent in an application for an Artisan vendor space at this years PRIDE DAY FESTIVAL at Sunset Beach. (detailed info below was borrowed from the Vancouver Pride website)

Pride Festival
Sunday, August 3, 2008 12:00 - 6:00PM
Place: Sunset Beach
Map: Google Map
Price: Free for all
Event Type: Official
Celebrations continue after the Parade at Sunset Beach festival site. Vancouver Pride has a crowd that reaches over 80,000 people in the park listening to the live music on the Vancity Festival Stage, viewing the diverse selection of products and services provided by vendors and a Pride beer garden.

I should hopefully have an answer this afternoon.
Wish me luck!

(PHOTO: The photo is of the small display I had up last Saturday at the White Rock Five Corners Block Party.)

Keep smiling and creating,
Nicci

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Posted by nicci at 7/22/2008 08:25:00 AM

Monday, July 21, 2008

Today's correspondence regarding the MURALS at WHITE ROCK BEACH:

Hi Matt,
Thank you Matt for your quick response.
Is there any way we can get the City to allow Artists to paint the other sides of the bathrooms, rather than over top of the existing murals?
I really hate to see them disappear and I still get comments every few weeks when new people come across my work and tell me how they have seen it before down on the beach and how much they love all the murals.

Regards,
Nicci

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The whole point of the program is to have the murals change each year. None of the murals painted by the festival will be permanent. If you would like to participate again, you can apply to the festival organizers next spring.

Please note that this is a Spirit of the Sea Festival program run by the Community of Lights Events Society. While the City has given the festival permission to paint certain walls, it is the festival that selects the artists and pays for the program. Having the murals be replaced each year was a key component of the initial proposal.

This is much like the fence. We each had our favourites but knew it would get painted over soon. Sometimes we didn't like what replaced it as much but other people liked it more. The same will be true of the festival murals. The difference is that the muralists for these walls will be invited rather than an open drop-in.

I'm glad you've had such great feedback from having your work on the festival's wall for this past year.

The Balsam washroom will be primed later this week in preparation for the 2008 festival.

--
Matt

Posted by nicci at 7/21/2008 10:25:00 AM

Sunday, July 20, 2008

My Art Adventure this weekend in
White Rock, BC.









I was planning on talking about the effects of an unknown couple and their crass remarks & what a shame it is that the negative remarks stay on the forefront of ones mind for hours rather than the lovely and encouraging remarks made by 98% of the rest of the passerby's and customers.

However, that has now been placed into file 13, the worthless "pity those people and their low self worth that they must put it on to others" file.

A much more pressing matter has come into play...
SAVE THE WHITE ROCK MURALS!

There are a few large city murals that are apparently resting on the sharp edge at dangers door.
Firstly, the one close to my heart is the Mermaids at Play wall which was created last BC Day Weekend (during the Spirit of the Sea Festival) by myself, Joanna Bevis & Alicia Ballard.
The word through the grapevine is that the beach side murals are going to be painted over.

The City also plans on taking away one of the major grass areas along the White Rock Promenade to build a cement "Spirit Square", but then they may actually be taking away the cities Playful, Artful spirit by painting over murals? What's up White Rock????

I have sent an e-mail to City Counsillor Matt Todd asking him if this rumour has any truth to it and what the details are. I will let you know what he responds with.
Here is the response I rcvd from Matt Todd today:
"Yes. New murals will be painted during the festival. That was always the plan -- to have the walls repainted every year so there's new waterfront murals after each festival. The Balsam wall will be painted by Elizabeth Hollick and festival visitors. She will be helping people paint their own small fish on the wall. Judy Jordison will be painting the Oxford wall, likely will something to commemorate BC's 150th anniversary of becoming a British colony. " - Matt Todd, Councillor, City of White Rock
Thank you for the quick detailed response today (Sunday) Matt.

I beg all of you to please take a moment and write to the City of White Rock and let them know in a positive way how important the Murals are to our Residents, Neighbours and Tourists alike.
Maybe we can get them to add murals on all sides of the beach washroom facilities, etc in White Rock rather than painting over existing ones.
Via E-Mail Matt Todd (City Counsillor)
Mayor's E-Mail Judy Forster

Thank you for your support!

Keep smiling and creating!
Nicci

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Posted by nicci at 7/20/2008 09:39:00 AM

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Here is the poster to the club night where
I will be showcasing my work at on Aug7th
(Just click on the image to see a larger version)

Vancouver's own
GlitterBlitz Diskobash


Another event to add to the NOT TO MISS art list is the White Rock FIVE CORNERS 3rd Annual BLOCK PARTY, which takes place this Saturday from 11am-2pm. Artists of all mediums will have their work on display (Johnston Road and Pacific Ave).

Keep smiling and creating,
Nicci

Posted by nicci at 7/16/2008 08:21:00 AM

Friday, July 11, 2008

GLITZY GALZ Art Necklaces are NOW ON SALE!!!











They are being uploaded today in my online shop. CLICK HERE

Happy Shopping and have a great weekend!

Nicci

Posted by nicci at 7/11/2008 04:27:00 PM

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Another Sunny day in South Surrey
... and I think I see the horizon before me.
***********************************************************************************
GlitterBlitz Diskobash (featuring little ol' me)
An exciting new style of club night is coming to saturate your senses.
We are bringing a brand new club experience to VANCOUVER. In the Spirit of Steve Strange's legendary BLITZ CLUB and Studio 54 it will meet the Misshapes, meets London's Boombox meets New Wave meets Nu-Wave/Rave/Nu-Disko meets Punk. There will be High Style, Chique Freaks, Low and High Fashion, Low Art, High Art Everything goes, Leave your inhibitions AT THE DOOR!
***** "GLITTERBLITZ-DISKOBASH! "*****
PREMIERE!
Majestic Nightclub
1138 Davie Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
August 7-2008 9PM-3AM!
NU DISKO-WAVE/RAVE vs NEW WAVE vs LEIGH BOWERY
Battle of the DJ's: DJ BETTI FORDE (BOOMBOX,STINKMITT) vs DJ RHIANNON (HERSHE, LICK)
Battle of the Artists: I, BRAINEATER ART vs BRUSHED WITH MAGIC
Fashion Show: Nancy Black Glitter Fashion Show
***********************************************************************************

Teapots and TeddyBears

Here are a few photos for you of the lovely display Rachel put together in her shop of treasures.
I went in on Tuesday and had a look around. She has already begun selling the necklaces and is receiving wonderful feedback.



Gemini Glitter Sister

Yesterday three of us gathered for our annual Gemini get-together (a little late this year, but better late than never.)
We talked about art, dreams, life, and shared creative inspiration. (Violette, Happy Tyler, and Me)

I think after viewing all the fun photos from yesterday, that I realize my first instincts were correct, and that I must dye my hair a darker colour again.
Yes, I bleached it so much that the hairdresser had to cut it off, but I guess it was something I just had to go through.
Hmmmm maybe I can afford extensions for my 20 year reunion in October.

Keep creating and smiling,
Nicci

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Posted by nicci at 7/10/2008 09:21:00 AM

Monday, July 7, 2008

Life should not be a chore

I keep thinking, gosh I have to post something, but what?
It's not like I have nothing to show you or tell you. I do.

In fact, last week I delivered a commission order to Teapots and Teddybears at 18408 - 64th Ave, Surrey (Cloverdale), BC. (20 necklaces, 4 cushions, 1 painting and one painted jacket)
The whole drive there I had a pit in my stomach that was getting bigger the closer I got to the shop. What if she does not like her order? What if she wants more crystal? What if she says forget it, I want something else.
After I parked and started getting out of my car, she pulled up next to me and was full of compliments from the start.
She loved everything! To see her enthusiasm and excitement over items in which I had created a strong feeling enveloped me and reminded me of the little sparkling shiny ripples of water on the free flowing ocean. Like when you are on vacation and in no rush as all, sitting back with a nice cool beverage on a comfy chair watching the sun reflect of the water. Peace.

Why do we do this to our selves? We create something and try to make it the best way we can & then when we need to present it to the world we think we are not good enough. Good old self sabotage ... what would we do without you (LOL). Do all people feel this way about themselves at certain points in their life?

Her 'Glitzy Galz' display should be up and shimmering in her funky shop today. I will try and pop by tomorrow and get some photos for you. Otherwise, if you are in the area, please make a point of stopping in.

Peanut Butter, Chocolate and Flickr
A few weeks ago I was perusing some cake groups on flickr and saw this absolutely mouth watering cake that seriously might have made a few people actually lick their monitors. Ugh, smell-o-vision where are you?
So just this last Saturday I decided that I would take my stab at it & try to make my own version. I think I was successful, as I made it a two layer cake with round 9" pans and it was almost finished off my six adults and 3 toddlers...
But let's not get ahead of ourselves, I need to take a few steps back to 11am on Saturday.
I bring out my adored Kitchenaid Artisan and mix up the first cake batter for layer one. Mix, pour bake, flip onto cooling rack....lovely. Mix up second batter for the top layer, mix, pour, bake, flip, EXPLODE! Explode? What? What happened? I don't get it. For the love of Pete, I have to start level 2 all over!? It's now 1:30pm, company is coming at 6. I need time for the cake to cool before I can even think of frosting it!
I send my loving hubby out to get more ingredients. I stress that I need three eggs, as they are an important part of the cake making process. He is gone maybe 15 minutes and my son would like a snack. I look in the fridge and right there in front of me are three eggs staring right back sending me a mental message. "Remember us?"
Oh my gosh! I forgot to put in the eggs! No wonder it fell to pieces across my counter top!!!
Hubby gets home at two and my four year old says "Guess what Mommy did?".
I get a laugh and a 'look' as he places the grocery bag on the counter. Half an hour later I place the cakes in the freezer to bring the temperature down and begin making my chocolate butter cream icing. I follow the typical butter cream recipe, but add some melted dark Purdy's chocolate and Thomas Haas chocolate mix, along with a small container of low fat cream cheese and a table spoon of peanut butter.
Just before the company arrives at the door, I manage to ice the cake, crumble 11 peanut butter cups into a bowl and sprinkle it on the top and sides of the cake. As a finishing touch I melt down 2 more bars of Purdy's dark chocolate and drizzle if over the top and sides. Put the cake aside with the fancy glass cover, clean the counters, run upstairs to change my clothes and then the knocks come at the front door. Phew!

See that wasn't so bad! Why did I thinking blogging was a chore today? Maybe it's because I know I need to be away from the computer and creating. I had better go do that now.

Have a lovely day!
Keep smiling and creating!
Nicci

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Posted by nicci at 7/07/2008 01:14:00 PM

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Dancing Naked at the Edge of Dawn

Okay, well maybe not naked, and it may not be at the edge of dawn, but have a look at this video which brought a long smile and a few tears this morning.


Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

Matt.... may you always dance with passion, joy and spontaneous friends from around our small world! Thank you for sharing.

Keep smiling and creating!
Nicci

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Posted by nicci at 6/26/2008 08:55:00 AM

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Glitzy Galz Art Pendants

Here is a glimpse of my new pendant line.
These photos however just do not seem to do them any justice.
I need to invest in a photo cube and maybe a new camera.

The new website is in the works, as well as a new ETSY store.
These two places will focus on my Glitzy Galz Character and Product lines.

Hope you like them!

Unfortunately the Swarovsky Crystals just don't POP in these photos. Please use your imagination.

Have a great week!
Keep smiling and creating!

Nicci

Posted by nicci at 6/24/2008 10:49:00 AM

Friday, June 20, 2008

The Graduate!

We made mini cupcakes for the party.
He chose to make them green.

I think we may be on a green kick right now (lol).

We are so proud of our little man!






See you at my
ART STUDIO OPEN HOUSE
Tomorrow!
The open house takes place from 10am until 2pm.
I will be unveiling my new line of
Glitzy Galz Art Pendant Necklaces.
You don't want to miss it!


Keep smiling and creating,
Nicci

Posted by nicci at 6/20/2008 09:16:00 AM

Thursday, June 19, 2008

A fresh approach

We (my family of three) painting our living room this week.

We went from a dark tomato soup red to a bright grape green with crisp white accents.

Here are a few photos to show the transition.


Hope you all had a great week as well!






FYI: The painting featured on the 'Bitter Chocolate' wall is by Jim Cummins (aka I Braineater) of Vancouver, BC, Canada

NOTE: We have a full untouched 1 gallon can of grape green (a BEHR colour) Aura paint mixed by Benjamin Moore if anyone local is interested in purchasing it. We paid $60 for it on Monday, but did not need it. I will be listing in on Craigs List soon for $45.00. The paint covers in two coats!


Keep creating and smiling!

Nicci

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Posted by nicci at 6/19/2008 09:56:00 AM

Sunday, June 15, 2008


Hi All,

Today (June 15) is my birthday and therefore any purchases made today through my etsy shop (http://brushedwithmagic.etsy.com)with payment completed within 24 hours... I will include a special surprise!
Each sale will include one of my buttons, plus I will draw one lucky name to receive one of my Glitzy Galz Art Pendants encrusted in swarovsky crystals.

These pendants are the focus of my new jewelry line which will be unveiled here on ETSY June 22!

It may be my birthday, but I just feel like giving!

Happy Shopping!
and thank you!

Nicci

Posted by nicci at 6/15/2008 10:14:00 AM

Friday, June 13, 2008

Hmm, maybe I should have...
posted the transition photos (see below), now that darn bottle of black hair dye upstairs is calling my name. Resist Nicci, just resist.

I am busy getting ready for my friend Violette's B-Day party! The question now is.... what the heck goes with florescent orange hair (ha ha)?

Violette and I were meant to be friends! We share the same birthday (Just a few years apart), are very creative, cherish our friends, love people who are honest (but nice), and it urks us to the bone when others want us to live by their so called rules (LOL).

She is having a great birthday giveaway on her blog right now that you should sign up for.
It is such a great idea that I have decided to follow suit. I will give one of my new Glitzy Galz Art necklace pendants away. Please message me through my website (CLICK HERE) and let me know that you want to be in the draw. Don't forget to include your name and mailing address. I will announce the winner this Monday on my blog.

Good luck and have a Happy Father's Day!

Keep smiling and creating,
Nicci

Posted by nicci at 6/13/2008 04:04:00 PM

Slowly but surely...

I am getting there.
Here are a few hair progression photos.


I have to wait a couple weeks now (If I am that strong) before I can bleach it again, otherwise it may start breaking off due to damage.

Have a great day!

Nicci

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Posted by nicci at 6/13/2008 10:38:00 AM

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Identity Crisis

I have recently been commissioned to paint a close replica of my current art gallery jacket.
It all started out fine, but the further I got into it the more, hmmm agitated is not the right word...
I don't know, I was feeling rather anxious, tight, as though I was being bound up somehow.

I went and bought a bottle of hair bleach and tried to strip the black out of hair, yah right, like that worked. I knew it wouldn't, but it was the bound up rebel in me trying to break the rules and hopefully make them work for me. It looks like it will take a few weeks now to get me to the blonde stage without completely frying it (ha ha). Sebastian's Potion 9 is once again my best friend.

Okay, so that did not make me feel better. I have not been able to wear my jacket, as it no longer feels like it belongs to me. I have never had this problem before when painting a jacket for someone. I think it may have to do with it being a replica and not a new creation.

While I was waiting for the paint to dry (no really, I was), I picked up my jacket and began painting an area that was left untouched.
I started to feel better. So every time I had to put the commissioned one aside to let the paint dry, I picked up mine. I have been adding more and more and believe I will end up covering the whole jacket in creativity, jewels and love.

Wow, it's amazing how personal art can really be. I cannot wait to finish both jackets and see my client wearing hers with pride. It was almost like a roller coaster and a battle at the same time with my brain and heart while the paint brush just kept working away, making my hand dip the brush in the paint, move this way and that way, then get drenched in the sudden downpour of water... cleansing it all through and through.

I know, I am blathering and maybe not even making much sense, but this one was a little harder to put into words.

At least I was able to wear my jacket in comfort again today.

Have a great weekend and keep smiling!

FYI: I get to repaint my living room this weekend! YEAH!!

Nicci

Posted by nicci at 6/12/2008 10:09:00 AM

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Art Girlz and Growth.

It's almost like my latest girlz are emerging and telling me to develop each one more as individual characters.
Take this cutie patutie to your left for instance. Last night I was planning on working on more of my art pendants only to put my supplies away and take out my watercolour pad and pen instead.

Out came Betty Sue in her bikini. She is a country girl who lives on a farm filled with chickens and cows, but anxiously awaits her high fashion magazines to arrive in the mail each month. Betty Sue spends her evenings tearing out her favorite pages and doodling in her sketch book. On her one day off she sits in front of her sewing machine making her own creative designs before she takes a picture and loads them into her online store. Betty Sue loves the family farm and the laid back lifestyle, but would rather not milk the cows and gather the eggs for the rest of her life.
In my minds eye, I picture Betty Sue with blue hair and light brown eyes, wearing a red and white polka dotted bikini and dark blue chaps, with her bare feet standing in the green grass. She has a tiny silver heart ring on her right index toe. The background is yellow from the expansive hay field behind here. Oh, I think I see a cow or two far off in the distance.

The Girlz (My Glitzy Galz) of 2008 will be featured as jewlery art pendants, cards and prints. They will be sold online in my shop as of June 22nd, 2008 and will also soon be available in exclusive funky stores, spas and salons.
Stay tuned for for the Glitzy Galz Product Launch!

Keep creating and smiling,
Nicci

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Posted by nicci at 6/04/2008 08:51:00 AM

Thursday, May 29, 2008

ARt Studio

Some updated pictures of my rather messy studio. UGH!
I think I need to organize....










Hope you are having a great week.









To view larger images of the photos, just click on them with your mouse.


Keep smiling and creating!

Nicci

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Posted by nicci at 5/29/2008 09:03:00 AM

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Art Car by Jim Cummins


will write more later tonight

Posted by nicci at 5/28/2008 03:29:00 PM

Saturday, May 24, 2008

What a week!
Tuesday I had a talk with my Mom about what to do to prepare myself for getting a job when my son goes to school full time. It's more like a back up plan in case the art sales peter off.
It sucked me right down to almost the bottom of the barrel. It was like I was immediately encased in the bubble of ... I guess I would call it 'dread'. It was not like I had given up or been labeled as a failure. It was more like I had not gotten as far as I really have with my art and the old school 'reality' = 'get a real job' mentality was pushing at me from all sides and for a moment (24 hours) I forgot who I really was. That night I thought it had been put out of my mind, but then I awoke to ...
Wednesday. I woke up with the idea engraved in my brain that I had to search out all local schools and possible interesting courses that I could find. I searched out Event Planner, Pastry Artist, which after a few hours brought me to Fine Arts. I was getting stressed. I was obsessed with looking into all of these options (since I can apply for Gov't funding before my son turns 5 and my time is starting to run out).
I found myself getting frustrated at my son's interruptions, not realizing that he wanted my attention because I had hardly given him any all day.
The Fine Arts lead brought me to thinking that if I try and get funding to pay for that it would help prepare me for becoming a quality Tattoo Artist (my Mom is probably cringing right now). Art... realization.... What the He** am I doing???? I am an Artist! ... and I love my son! That is why I stayed home from a 9-5 job in the first place. I scraped the encasing sludge off of me, turned off the computer and went and played with my fabulously wonderful little boy.

Thursday, on our way out to Fort Langley my Mom says that I really need to check out this great shop that my Sister in Law told me about. So we make a detour in Cloverdale. We walk into the lovely store and started to look around. The shop owner comes over to say 'Hi' and pretty much before I could say anything else she comments on my necklace and asks where I got it.
I advise her that I made it and that it is my art work underneath the glass. Within a matter of minutes we have negotiated a commissioned sale of 20 necklaces and she cuts me a cheque for the deposit. YEAH! The shop is called 'Teapots and Teddybears' located at 18408 - 64th Avenue, Surrey. Please make a point of stopping in, taking a look and saying hi to Rachel the owner. My Girlz Art Jewelry should be in there in 3-4 weeks on display. NOTE: They will have black cord instead of the ball chain shown in this picture.

It just goes to show that when we start to even think about making a different choice at that fork in the road, you will most likely be bumped back into the direction you should be going... sometimes the bumps even come from a intuative 4 year old that loves you.

As of tomorrow, I will have officially been wearing this necklace in and around town for a week. I get stopped at least a few times every day with people commenting, which leads them to asking how they can buy one. My last lovely compliment was from Kelly at the Evergreen BC Liqour Store this afternoon. Thanks Kelly.

I believe I am going down the path that is meant for me.

Have a lovely Saturday night.
Nicci

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Posted by nicci at 5/24/2008 08:20:00 PM

Monday, May 19, 2008

Experimenting with Solder and Swarovski Crystals...

I am really happy with my new art pendants and received many compliments on the one I have been wearing for the past few days. In fact, on Friday night I headed into Vancouver and had a wonderful time at the I Braineater (aka Jim Cummins) art show. I ran out of the business cards I had brought with me, which wasn't many, as I was in the mind set that I was going to see Jim's work and not that people would be asking for my card.
I am still suffering from a bit of an Art Show Hangover. I absolutely fell in love with one of his art pieces and ended up buying it. I thought it looked 6' wide, which is definitely big.
Just before I left to head home to South Surrey (almost an hour away), I asked Jim... "So Jim, how wide is that piece?". He then told me it is 8' wide, not 6'.
I woke up the next morning thinking I bought an art piece that is how big????? Ha ha, at least I have a couple walls in the house that are big enough. My hubby hasn't seen it yet, as Jim will be delivering it this week for me. Ooooh, it is so cool. Once it is here and up on my wall I will post a picture for you all to see.

It is like Jim's version of Penelope Pitstop, but she is driving a old fashioned roadster with flames up the side. Absolutely FABULOUS and Funky!!!

Back to my pendants....
Yesterday I was heading out to another event and thought.... "I wonder how my pendant would look with Swarovski crystals on it?". I proceeded to hunt for the crystals in my supply cabinet and then my jewelry glue. What you see in these photos is the outcome, but trust me the photos do not do them justice. You should see them in the light or especially in the sunlight. Wowzer! ha ha.

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Posted by nicci at 5/19/2008 09:51:00 AM