Saturday, January 30, 2010

A Pink Saturday Advertisement 1/30

I think it's fascinating the way pink has been used in advertising. There is the obvious of course...cosmetics for women.

Be sure to click on each ad to see a larger image.

I liked this ad - not only was the photography beautiful, but because I was so impressed a woman could actually match her lipstick and fingernails to her exact dress color. Could Mother Nature have planned it so perfectly?
I had to read the fine print - I really thought this was an ad for an underarm depilatory, and I though Pink Fire might not be such a terrific name as it brings up images of blistered arm pits and emergency runs to the hospital. Luckily, it's just a lipstick - presumably, from the photo, for your underarms.
"Do for me; buy for me; lift me; carry me. Or I'll grind your measly little man-fingers under the heels of my soft-as-a-rose pink at-home pumps. Just a warning, my love."

What do you think this advertising was endorsing? A pink Pontiac? Pink bicycle riding jackets? Gorgeous pink sunsets? Hooking while exercising?Even 7-Up got into the pink advertising frenzy. And I must say, it was a pretty good campaign. It still is. This so makes me want to have a cherry 7-Up float! It has that terrific allure of being both refreshingly tasty and disgustingly sweet.
It might be just me. But a pink rain barrel complete with a pink princess telephone and pink hair ribbons, all exhibited against a groovy pink background, still doesn't make me want to put Lustre Creme on my hair. It just sounds like something you would need - oh, say, salt or flour, to get the grease out.


I am totally confused by this one. It's not because it's a drawing of an angst ridden man, cowering under his chenille bedspread. It's not the fact that he seems terrified of a pink unicorn. It's not even the insipid advice that the pink unicorn has given the cowering man. No, it's the fact that this ad was published in Ladies Home Journal. I'm bewildered by what segment of the Ladies Home Journal readership this was supposed to appeal to.This ad is just fantastic. I'm not sure if the ad was for General Electric or Pepto Bismol - but either way, I want that kitchen! Not as much as I want Marilyn's of "Our Victorian Cottage" (Click here to see it.) But, still I want it. Maybe I need two houses so that I might have them both.
Advertising artists are so clever. I mean, really, does anything just scream "BEER!" like a pink coat and a matching pink umbrella and scarf? Oh - and a poodle. This is so obviously a beer drinker - if you offered this chickie a cosmo or champagne cocktail, can't you tell she would never touch it?!
"Mother, don't tell me not to use three lipsticks at once. I can do my lips and both cheeks at the same time. It's a brilliant time-saving technique. Just wait. It is so going to catch on!"
...and, finally, this ad for Ivory Soap might be in black and white - but, really, let's face it. It's the pinkest ad of them all!
There is lots more pink inspiration at Beverly's Pink Saturday. Take the tour and see all the big and small treasures - all in pink! - that folks have found.

Then - go make something beautiful!
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan

P.S. I put this way down here so that it can easily be skipped. Trust me, if you are a genteel person of refined sensitivities, you do not want to click on this link. However, if you're an adventurous and open-minded person, you might like this ad that was pointed out to me by Ricë of Notes From the Voodoo Lounge. I will give you fair warning, before you click here, swallow your coffee or tea. This is the spew alert. Click Here. And that is - without question - the final word in pink advertising.

Friday, January 29, 2010

It's a Silent Friday Night ... ssssshhhhhh



Did you make something beautiful today?
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

If Dorothy Fell from Kansas Today ...




Warner Bros. Consumer Products and CRYSTALLIZED(TM) - Swarovski Elements Embark on a Ruby Crystal-Studded 70th Anniversary Celebration of The Wizard of Oz

"If Dorothy were living in the 21st century, what would she wear?" is the question being answered by The Wizard of Oz Ruby Slipper Collection, a creative re-interpretation of one of film's most iconic and revered symbols that has captured the hearts and imaginations of people the world over.

In anticipation of the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, Warner Bros. Consumer Products in partnership with CRYSTALLIZED(TM) - Swarovski Elements, have invited the world's top shoe designers to reinterpret Dorothy's iconic Ruby Slippers for modern times. The exclusive collection will be auctioned with the proceeds benefiting the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

A faded pair of the original ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz

Contemporary works of art from the likes of fashion masterminds A. Testoni, Abaete, Alberta Ferretti Betsey Johnson, Botkier, Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg, Giuseppe Zanotti, Jimmy Choo, L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani, Lisa Pliner, Manolo Blahnik, Moschino, Oscar de la Renta, Roger Vivier, Sergio Rossi, Stuart Weitzman, Tibi, and Tuleh will compose The Wizard of Oz Ruby Slipper Collection.
Ruby Slippers by Tuleh

"The Wizard of Oz is a quintessential and endearing story that has touched countless people all over the world during the last 70 years," said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President of Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "We are proud to be the stewards of this timeless classic and are excited to share with fans the beautiful and fun modern interpretations of Dorothy's Ruby Slipper with this exciting new collection."
Ruby Slippers by Tibi

Nadja Swarovski adds, "We're thrilled to turn fashion's spotlight on the most iconic pair of shoes, Dorothy's Ruby Slippers, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. As Hollywood's premier crystal purveyor, Swarovski feels privileged to be a sparkling element of the original pair and now, we are looking forward to new creative interpretations of the Ruby Slipper for the 21st century by these talented designers."
Ruby Slippers by Oscar de la Renta
The designers have been granted creative license and access to unlimited CRYSTALLIZED(TM) - Swarovski Elements to re-imagine Dorothy's design with their own modern vision of the sparkling Ruby Slipper. The Wizard of Oz Ruby Slipper Collection will be on display for one week and officially unveiled at Saks Fifth Avenue - in the famed Fifth Avenue windows and 10022-SHOE - the designer shoe salon that's so big it has its own zip code. An in-store gala event on the evening of September 4 will launch Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. The event will benefit philanthropic partner Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and kick-off support for the Foundation's annual Kids for Kids Family Carnival.
Ruby Slippers for L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani

Steve Sadove, Chairman and CEO of Saks Fifth Avenue said, "We are so pleased to be hosting such a creative and innovative tribute to the American classic film The Wizard of Oz. The Ruby Slippers play an integral role in the film and Saks Fifth Avenue is honored to be the destination for the most celebrated designers and their contemporary take on these iconic shoes."
Ruby Slippers by Diane von Furstenberg

The Collection will also be showcased at an incredible installation surrounding the famed fountain area at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week's Bryant Park tents beginning September 5th.
Ruby Slippers by Jimmy Choo

"It's only appropriate to bring such a cultural icon to center stage at this season's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week," said IMG Fashion Senior Vice President Fern Mallis. "The Wizard of Oz is a true classic, it will never go out of style and who doesn't want a pair of Ruby Slippers?"

Ruby Slippers by Botkier
Ruby Slippers by Betsy Johnson
Ruby Slippers by A. Testoni

About Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation


The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is a worldwide leader in the fight against pediatric AIDS. Its innovative research programs, collaborative training initiatives, advocacy efforts, and rapidly expanding international prevention and treatment programs are bringing dramatic changes to the lives of children worldwide. To learn more about the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and its programs, visit www.pedaids.org.
Now, go make something beautiful!
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan
Did I really make it through an entire post without a single smart aleck comment?! I'm slipping!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

579 blogs later ...

Where-oh-where did yesterday go? Have I truly lost an entire day? Am I mad? Have zombies sucked the last bit of grey matter from my head? Did I drink an entire pitcher of Bombay martinis and pass out?
No. I've been blog-hopping on the incredible One World One Heart event. I have managed to go to 537 blogs in one day. Wow. There is one heckuva lot of talented and generous and funny and inspirational people out there in Bloglandia! I've enjoyed discovering new artists who I will return to again - and, hopefully, get to know.

Oh, yeah. There's prizes involved! A LOT of prizes. And, I'm a greedy, greedy boy!

Isn't this an amazing fĂȘte for something-or-other?! A gorgeous room with beautifully gowned women and a cote of doves circling the room. Of course ... as we all know ...
... it's all fun until something spontaneously combusts.

That's gotta leave a mark.

Okay. I don't have a baby. And I certainly don't see one happening anywhere in the future. But if I did have a baby, this is what he/she would sleep in. I would insist upon it. In fact, if somebody would give me that bed, I might be willing to rent a baby once in a while to sleep in it.
Speaking of beds, like most people I know, I read for a while in bed before going to sleep. Wouldn't it be nice if we were able to read out of these exquisite embossed and carved and gilded leather volumes from the British Museum. How delightful it must feel to hold these worn and textured volumes - no doubt with deckle edge pages (my favorite!).
Do you choose your accessories and match your hat and purse to express your emotions?
Don't you just know she woke up feeling saucy?!
I believe she was a bit scared of the day ahead - and chose a bag with which she could wallop an attacker and a hat which could double as a garotte.
And then, somebody obviously just woke up and felt it was a day to shoplift. But in style.

I love illuminated letters, and have always been fascinated by the myriad ways artists have embellished the alphabet. This is one example by Antonion Basoli (1774-1848) I found at My Pet Arts - check it out for many more.Well, I told you I had been working on a few swaps, so I'll share - though these have to be the worst photographs ever. I don't know what was wrong with me. Yes I do. It's the camera - it's all the fault of the camera.

These ATC's are for the Marie Antoinette Mail Art Valentine swap. Believe it or not, LOL, they're actually pretty, though you'd never know it from this lousy photo (which was the best of 3!) If you click on the image, you can see a LARGE blurry image instead of a small blurry image.

This is another swap at the Marie Antoinette Mail Art group ... this was the Valentine Secret Admirer Swap. We decorate a box Marie-style - and then fill it with art goodies for the recipient. It's fun to create - and fun to receive! This is the top of my box ...
...and this is the inside of the box. I can't show all the things because it hasn't been received yet. But, trust me, it's stuffed with treasure-ettes and fun supplies - all Marie inspired!

My friend, artist Anne Huskey-Lockard of el Milagro Studio and I collaborated on a commission for a "rainbow" stole, which was a gift for a young minister's ordination last Sunday. Actually, though it was commissioned by somebody else, I knew this young man when he was the children's Sunday School teacher in our United Church of Christ. Since then, he's gone off and become a minister. Anyway, I did the bargello patchwork and quilting, and then Anne took the panels and turned them into a stole. I enjoy working with her. She's not only talented but funny. Good combination, I say!
In searching images to use in a few more Valentine Day pieces, I've discovered quite a few vintage valentines which have a disturbing theme of cupids roasting hearts. I'm confused. Is the message supposed to be Eat Your Heart? - or Eat MY Heart? - or I Want to Deep Fat Fry Your Heart? - or what?!?! I find it macabre, frankly. I'm concerned this will keep me awake tonight.
Well, I must get to the studio - I still have some things to finish up. And *blush* I still have about 400 OWOH blogs to visit! OOOOH! Art, crafts, design, furniture, prizes!

Take some time - have a cup of tea - heck, if you have the room, invite a friend ...
and go make something beautiful!
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan

Monday, January 25, 2010

One World One Heart 2010


Welcome to Enchanted Revelry

My name is Tristan and I'm an artist, actor and director. I used to be a schoolteacher, but after 20 years I threw in the towel, cried 'uncle!,' and chose to follow my muse into the visual arts.

My mantra: Sparkle! Shimmer! Glimmer! Gleam!

I love vintage images and antique books. I love to find enchanting items from turn-of-the-century Paris and funky trash from mid-century Hollywood. I love vintage papers and ephemera and I love making art paper of my own using a variety of antiques and products and techniques. But most of all, I love taking these items and assembling them together to create work which speaks to the heart and to the eye. I hope it speaks to you, too - and that you enjoy browsing!

Please take some time and peruse through various posts and enjoy some of the things I love - and love to share with my friends in Bloglandia.

For One World One Heart 2010, I am offering one of my mini-theatres. This piece features Marie Antoinette, and the display stage was inspired by Le Petit Trianon, the queen's refuge on the huge Versailles estate where she enjoyed the royal country life and all it had to offer.
If you would like to enter the giveaway, please leave a comment below. If your i.d. doesn't lead back to a blog or email address, please leave a way to contact you if you should win. I would love to get to know you, so it would be nice if you became a follower and left your blog address for me to visit you - but there's no requirement.

Thanks for visiting ... hope to see you again!
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan

Sunday, January 24, 2010

A Week of Love, Gratitude...and Goodies! What a Mail Week!

Isn't it nice to receive surprises?! I have had so many this week. I truly don't deserve so many lovely treasures - I don't really deserve any of them.

On the other hand, I'm so glad to receive them! Whether it is an off-hand email or a special surprise, it's wonderful to know that your friends are thinking of you as often as you think of them!

This week I got a terrific surprise - my upstairs neighbor "thanked" me for something or other (I don't even remember what I did) with a bouquet of red roses and baby's breath. There is nothing like red roses to brighten a cold dreary grey New England afternoon!

This surprise brought tears to my eyes. My friend, artist JoAnna of Moss Hill Studio, sent me this exquisite piece of work entitled "Strength." JoAnna creates these marvelous characters from vintage dolls and fabrics (often antique clothing and linens) and assorted findings and embellishments. Trust me, this photo does NOT do it justice. You probably know her, but if you aren't familiar with her work, you owe yourself a visit to her blog and see all the splendid things she creates. She works in various mediums - but her signature look is on everything. This beauty is hanging next to my bed - and I see her first thing every morning. I truly treasure her. And my friend! Both bring me strength.
You can't imagine the fun packaging job that arrived this week - constructed of paper tower rolls and about five pounds of shipping tape. It was something! But inside - ooh la la! My friend and artist Marie Antoinette - yes! that's her name! - has peacocks. And she sent me I-don-know-how-many-but dozens of peacock feathers! Long ones! - they're almost four feet high! The colors in the sunlight are amazing and in the evening they glisten and look mysterious. Right now I have them in a huge vase - but I have every intention of using them in some art pieces. She also makes lavish and extravagant dolls - with a heavy leaning towards (guess who!?) Marie Antoinette inspired pieces. Please visit her blog at Creations by Marie Antoinette.
Yet another gift that blurred my eyes with a little moisture. Friends at the Fiber Pirates group banded together and made me this quilt. It's bright and cheerful and large enough for both of us to snuggle under while watching "Criminal Minds" or "Nip/Tuck" - heh heh - and you thought I was a classy guy, right? Everybody made one block and Deb assembled the various sized and colored blocks into a terrific composition, and the whole thing was quilted by Frank. Apparently, this was started as a wedding gift for us ... but as several years have gone by, LOL, it's become a treasured anniversary gift. We are so thankful for such amazing friends.
Okay, the friend who sent me this swore she'd "get me back" if I blogged about her on here. The poor shy thing. (pfffffftttt!) But, nonetheless, it's yet ANOTHER incredible arrival in my mailbox this week. It should be no surprise to anybody that, as a fanatical Francophile, I love the Eiffel Tower. It would seem that this was on sale somewhere, my-not-to-be-revealed-shy-friend thought of me immediately - and voila! It's mine! Isn't she a doll?! An anonymous doll - but a doll, anyway.
Knowing that I'm a huge fan of all things cowboy, (hmmm. an obsession with cowboys, Marie Antoinette and all things French, and vintage films. What an odd conglomeration. I'm so darned weird.) I received this adorable wall hanging 'pocket' from Ricë at Notes From the Voodoo Café. I just love the image - and the copper plate reads: a cowboy's work is never done. And the whole thing is studded with gold beads. It's so fun! I have it hanging in my studio; nothing is in the pocket yet, but when I get around to it, I think I'll store all my cowboy and cowgirl charms and findings in it. Perfect, huh?

This, also came in the mail this week! It wasn't a gift. A dear friend and collaborator (in art, not the French Resistance, silly!), Anne Huskey-Lockard of el Milagro Studio, has put her painting on a few products at Zazzle. I couldn't resist it - I love the image! I actually got too large a mug - I got the 15 oz. one and it's too big for me. The coffee gets cold before I finish it. So I think I'll have to order another in the 110z size to drink out of and use this to store Splenda in. She also has stickers and other goodies. If you are a Java-Love-sorta-person, as I am, click on the image below and go get yourself some!


And, last - but certainly not least - I received my (personally autographed!) copy Gabriela Delworth's new book, Paper Headdresses. If you haven't discovered Gabriela yet, you must click here and find all the beautiful things she does and creates! She's a lady who follows my eternal mantra: Sparkle! Shimmer! Glimmer! Gleam! She makes the most scrumptuous crowns and hats and headdresses - and she has shared so many of her secrets and tips (and templates!) in this gorgeously photographed book. If you would like one of your very own, you can click on the image below and it will take you to the magical spot to get it!


Well, that's my tale of a fantastic mail week! Aren't I just the luckiest guy ever?! I have the best friends ... and, I salute them!
Well, off to get some work done in the studio. Making some fun stuff that I'll share later this week.

Thank you for visiting with me today, and allowing me to crow about my friends and treasures.

I hope you're having a fabulous day.

Now, go make something beautiful!
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan