Another Digi-Creation Show & Tell :)

I've been enjoying playing around with PhotoShop lately, as you may have noticed ; )

This one started as an option for a event invitation; it's not going to be used for that, but I couldn't help playing around with it a bit more for a new background for my Ipad...

Original photo by: Elizabeth of 2 Bird Studio.  Models: Josh K. & Chanel  (of the Trey McIntyre Project)

I really don't know what I'm doing with photoshop & it takes me forever to make stuff, but I love it!  Playing around with color & images & effects is so much fun--someday maybe I'll take a class to get a bit faster at it, lol :)  Maybe tomorrow night I'll make a holiday card.....hmmmmm...

Tomorrow is the end of the world...perhaps.   I'm not too worried, but looking forward to my little bro flying in from Japan to spend the holidays here.  And, we are hosting J's sister & bf this weekend too; they get the first stay in the improved (but not new) camper/aka guest house :)  I have the mini-bar stocked, snacks ready, & fresh linens ready for them; hope they have a sense of humor about cats & chickens wanting to visit, lol :) 

Happy Holidays.

Amber

Boise WTC Memorial---construction is under way...

Construction is officially underway on the World Trade Center Memorial.

Today, we cut the first pieces; the base plates that will be embedded in concrete tomorrow... 

 Work has started at Riverside Park, in preparation for the new walking paths & landscaping that make up the courtyard area.

We will be starting fabrication of the rings & sculptural elements, along with the wall of names early in 2013: I'll be updating with progress pics every step of the way... 

The 3500 lb beam section that came from the WTC site is currently on display in Star at Blake Trailers; out front, right next to the main road; you can see it as you drive through town; it's right across from the fire-station...  Feel free to stop in & take a look, if you want--take photos, etc.  Montry (owner) told me  that since I brought the beam out,  he has had people stop in every day & inquire about the project & is happy to share the details of the project.  I'll be bringing out the site plan, with the narrative about the design & details of the project to display in the office sometime this week.

Thanks so much to all who have stepped forward to get involved with this project; including Jensen-Belts Associates, Blake Trailers & Fabrication, Lochsa Engineering, & Bricon Construction.

more to come...

Amber

New Digital Art...

Just a little show & tell : ) Playing around with Photoshop the other night; the image is actually going to be an invitation for an event I'm helping with... 

Original photo by EB of 2 Bird Studio.  Model; Annie Fascilla

Amber

Tis the Season of Giving : )

This morning (way too early for me, lol) I had an appointment to show my available work to a very sweet husband who was shopping for something special for his wife...

She already owns a couple of my pieces, but he wanted to get her something special for her Christmas stocking  :)

He looked at everything, & could not decide; so asked me to pick something & gave me his budget...

I couldn't help but send him home with one of my fav. ever creations: I know his lovely wife likes keys, so I know she will love this one as much as I do : )    These kinds of sales make me smile; & make all the frustration, mistakes, experiments, etc worth it: I really feel honored that someone would want to give one of my creations as a gift to a loved one.

 I also sent him home with a set of aluminum bangle bracelets---she will rock these at work... and.....

a lovely clip for her hair :) 

I just couldn't help but give him a nice discount price on everything; I know she will be thrilled & that makes me happy.

This year, I have sold quite a few gifts--both through my Etsy shop & by special request...more than I have ever sold for the holidays before...

This large wall piece is going to an old friend---I hope he doesn't read my blog, lol  ; ) 

And I know he is going to be thrilled: sometimes it's hard not to just give these things away; when I know they are going to someone who will really appreciate them....

I just shipped this cute little bio-hazard off to my cousin for her hubby today, along with another piece: same thing--I'm so happy that I get to be a part of their holiday gift-giving; it really makes me smile to think about how he might react upon opening the box ; )

If I won the lottery tomorrow; I would still make these kinds of pieces---gifts for someone special; they are my absolute favorite & I would love to be able to just give them away!

Happy Holidays.

Amber

AGC Trophies-done & delivered :)

Another set of trophies delivered for the AGC end of year awards--I think this is the 5th set I've made for this event  : )

This year's trophies have nails, drill bits, hardware, & steel I-beams with sparkly acrylic plaques: thanks to Ray at Rogue Design Syndicate.  I love the little details he always puts into the designs :)

We delivered them Friday to the Stueckle Sky Center at BSU where the convention was being held; way cool!  That's the first time I've been in it; amazing views of the stadium obviously, but also of downtown Boise :)   The trophies were handed out that night at Gala.

This week, I'm finishing up more custom awards; a set for Hansen Rice Construction & 1 for the Utah Valley Home-builders Association; both repeat clients.  Making trophies is fun; they really are mini sculptures & I get to play around with the design every year; I always just use materials that I have gathered from the scrap yards or that I have on hand.  Even if the same person wins one of my trophies 2 years in a row, they get 2 completely unique designs.

Also, working on some new stuffs for my Etsy shop & some cool costume accessories for an Apocalypse party we are going to over the holidays, hehehe :)  Should be a busy next week; stay tuned for updates!

Amber

New Project; New Pinterest Board :)

OMG: I can't believe how excited I am to have the little camper; aka the 'Hilton on the Hill' here at my place!

I have been looking over the Pinterest boards for camper makeover inspiration: even started a new board:

http://pinterest.com/refinerii/camper-makeover-inspiration/

Right before Thanksgiving, we drug it off the hill & parked in at the bottom in front of the family cabin in Idaho City.  Then, this weekend, we all met up at the cabin for Thanksgiving: cooked the turkey in the wood fired oven & everything-it was great :)  Afterwards, I hooked onto the little camper & hauled it home...with only one minor delay due to a flat tire: we were 5 miles from home too,  ; )  

I parked it between 2 pine trees, next to a storage shed; & I'm making plans for an overhaul: glamping style!

Not familiar with glamping???  Think camping; but glamorous....check out the original Glamping Girl's guide at:

http://glampinggirl.com/what-is-glamping/

Every time I see it out there, I can't help but plan & scheme....a new paint job, a few updates to the interior (it's in amazingly good condition), a crystal chandelier, a little deck out front, and finally my chance to put in an outdoor bathtub; complete with pool-house!

 http://www.messynessychic.com/2012/04/08/photomix-this-is-how-you-retire-early/


More to come... got to make a trip to Home Depot to get a new plug-in for the extension cord; the original was just too far gone & fell apart when I tried to plug it in...hopefully I'll be able to find a replacement easy enough; that seems to be all that is wrong with it right now... & we have guests coming for Christmas; the camper is going to be the spare bedroom/bed & breakfast :)  

Stay tuned: I'll let you know how the wiring goes: I think I can do this one myself: but if all else fails; will call in Marcella; superwoman/electrician/ handywoman  plus BFF ; )

Hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving.  I so much enjoyed being up in the mountains away from all the black friday rush, etc.  We cooked the turkey in a very old wood-burning stove, along with stuffing, taters, & the works--& enjoyed paper plates, campfire, the stars, & good company.

More soon...

Amber
aka: Fuzz   

Black Friday Sale on my Etsy Shop!!

I'm having a Black Friday Sale on my Etsy shop (first time ever)!!

I just listed a bunch of new stuffs, yay :)

I'm offering 25% off everything; just enter the code BLACK7166 at checkout, & your discount will be applied :)

There is some new jewelry, garden art, & new wall pieces listed.

 Also, the discount will apply to any custom orders this weekend as well :)  If you have an old key that you want me to turn into a necklace, or an idea for a custom gift; send me a line & we will come up with something perfect :)

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Amber

 

New Small Pieces; on Etsy tomorrow

Just a sneak peek at some pieces that will be listed on Etsy tomorrow :)

"Flower"--19" wide by 10" tall; aluminum, steel, & copper

"Vortex" 13" tall by 23" wide

Nuclear (small) 8.5 inches in diameter :)

Bio-Hazard (tiny) 8.5 inches in diameter...

omg; these tiny pieces are so cute!  Such a pain to put together, but I love them :)  They will be available on my Etsy shop tomorrow & I'll be sending out a Black Friday discount coupon; so stay tuned : )  

--already sold a tiny bio-hazard: before it was even listed, lol --

So much fun; I want to keep them all!  But I'm happy when they go to good homes, too.

More new stuffs to come tomorrow :)

Amber

Happy Monday

Love this!

One of my fav. musical artists, btw :)

Happy Monday

Amber

the "Silver Palace"

About 2 weeks ago, we drug the "Silver Palace" off the hill....  the Hilton on the Hill is no more... :)

--if you are wondering: my family has a cabin that we built together from the ground, up in Idaho City; the "silver palace" was a nice addition for the construction phase, that is now over & the "palace" will be coming to my place for a makeover after Thanksgiving...

Really; it's a cute little camper; old, yes; but with  potential.  I am looking forward to working on it this winter; I want to give it a "glamping" makeover:

http://glampinggirl.com/what-is-glamping/

http://pinterest.com/search/?q=glamping

We are planning Thanksgiving at the cabin this year: & I'm so excited about it!  No TV, no internet, no cell phones; just good friends & family & wood fires (& ATVs) ...it's going to be fun!

I am planning an egg/scavenger hunt; for both adults & kids; the pics will be fun; thats all I can say :)

Looking forward to a non-traditional holiday this year: we'll see how it goes, lol :)

It sure beats Black Friday... ; ) 

Cheers!

Amber

Still RAW, but not so much...

Well: the RAWards Boise show was pretty amazing; I got an overwhelming number of votes & met lots of really cool people; even got a commission or 2 out of the night.  In the end, I didn't win; but came in 2nd: ahhhh; so bittersweet to be first runner up....alas, I have been here many times before.

Honestly, I really am disappointed; I wanted to get my work in front of the national judges & have the chance at the amazing national prizes.   But, that's the way these things go; I am still really glad I did the RAW shows & will consider trying again next year :)  

For now: we are on to designing some new fun stuff to add into the line, & some personalized Holiday gifts--pics coming soon...  And: Thanksgiving at the cabin this year: should be lots of fun!  I am organizing a turkey egg hunt; one for kids & one for adults, hehehehehe ; )  And, afterwards, I'm bringing the little camper aka the "silver palace" back to my place for a makeover; glamping style!  More to come---

Amber

Boise RAWards-Wish me Luck!

The Semi-Finals show is tomorrow night this evening; yikes; it's after midnight by a long-stretch...  I've been working on my display, slide-show, & a few new pieces today: I'm nervous for the show, to be quite honest....I'm up against 5 other very talented visual artists & I know that my style/work is a bit out of the box...   We'll see: I think I have a shot of winning & going on to compete nationally, but it's all soooo very subjective...wish me luck :)

Now, off to try & get some sleep...

Hope to see you at the show.

Amber

Duck Eggs :)

Aaaand; on a different note....

I have duck eggs for sale :)

 

 

At the moment, I have 2 duckies & 7 chickens that free-range the property; eating bugs & attempting to eat all my kale... the duck eggs are starting to stack up: I prefer the chicken eggs for breakfast & don't do much baking (not surprising, as I have no oven ;)

 

 

Duck eggs are very comparable to chicken eggs--but they are larger & definitely less runny; & the shells are much harder :)  Lots of people swear by duck eggs for baking & some prefer the taste over chicken eggs.

Here is a link to a good article comparing duck to chicken eggs:

Duck Eggs Vs Chicken Eggs

These are my duckies; begging for treats at the front door; they're so cute!!  Right now, I have a male runner-duck (the taller) & a female of unknown variety...  She is slightly crippled; walks with quite the gimp, but gets around just fine: & she lays an egg almost every day--big bluish green eggs.  

I want to add in at least 3 more runners in the spring; all hens--so I'm really going to have lots of eggs next fall, lol : )

I love having the ducks around; they're so funny!  And less destructive in the garden than the chickens; they eat bugs & weeds & don't dig things up: although they did like to nibble on my baby sunflower plants...

They spend their days wandering about our property, & visiting the neighbor's horse pasture next door; splashing in their little pool & tapping on the glass door : )  They get rations of organic feed & treats of seeds & berries & grapes.

 

If you are interested in trying out duck eggs; let me know: I'm offering them for $4 per half dozen.  I would be happy to meet up with you to deliver them in the Boise area--or if you are in S. Boise, you can come pick them up :)  Call or txt me at 861-7515 or email me at refinerii@yahoo.com.  My cell coverage is really spotty out here; so leave a message & I'll get back to you :)  

 

Amber

Idaho Botanical Garden; a visit to some of my creatons...

This week, on the last warm & sunny day this fall, we took a walk through the Idaho Botanical Garden to visit some of my creations...  The fall colors were beautiful, & it was warm & sunny: perfectly beautiful for a walk through the garden....    

The Machine is looking great; the grasses have grown up around the base & look amazing! At 15 feet tall; this sculpture stands watch at the upper end of the garden :)

 Plates & Shadows keeps watch below; located near the garden cottage & herb garden.

And Suspended Gear is looking happy among the fall colors ; )

I decided to donate all three pieces to the Garden in 2011 & I'm so happy with how they look--it's so nice to know that lot's of people get to see & enjoy them :)

As we walked through the Garden, we had to stop & visit the fish in the childeren's garden...

They are so huge! & colorful & pretty!

And, we checked out the progress on the Tree House; just being built now.  OMG: it's going to be such a fun addition to the garden & I love the concept sketch---I'm thinking I need to get involved with this one ; )

I could see doing the railings; with some colorful copper, stainless, etc & maybe the flag-poles on the roof; oooh: would love to see the top as a kinetic wind-spinner!
So much fun!

I'm so glad we spent the afternoon enjoying the sunshine; today it snowed & I think winter has arrived...although, I am looking forward to seeing the Garden all lit up for the Holidays :)


Amber

PS: I am doing another project out at the Garden that I'm really excited about, but I'll save that announcement for another post....stay tuned :)

World Trade Center Memorial project: it begins...

Today, I picked up the beam that came from ground zero; a piece of history that will become part of Boise's World Trade Center Memorial.

It's a bit surreal to have it on my truck; just outside my window right now.  The beam was part of the structure of the World Trade Center & was recovered from the wreckage.  I'll be taking it out to the fabrication shop in the next few days.  It will become the centerpiece for a new courtyard/park that will be built near the Fallen Firefighter's Memorial--located along the greenbelt on Riverside Drive.

The beam will be captured in rings of polished stainless steel & left the way it is now; damaged & broken & dented.  The rings represent ripples in water; & that theme is carried out in the design of the courtyard.

I am working with Jensen-Belts Landscape Architecture, & Lochsa Engineering on this project.  I am grateful to be working with such a passionate & talented team.  I feel very honored to have been chosen for this project--it truly is a piece of history...

I remember that morning vividly; I was a Flight Attendant for Horizon Air, at the time; based in Seattle.
I was scheduled to check in at 9am at the airport; woke up early, as usual; & turned on the TV; & caught a few initial reports of what was happening...called Crew Scheduling; just got a busy signal, so decided to just go to the airport anyway---it was walking distance, & I figured that I could get a better report of what was happening there...   As I walked up to the lower check-in stations of the airport: it was obvious things were chaotic---there was a long line of cars waiting, way too many people milling about, & the atmosphere was very tense; frightened & desperate; no one was talking; everyone was watching the TV monitors--I was scared...   I made my way through Security & then down to the Crew check-in/break rooms; it was the same; everyone was watching the TV's & I did the same; we watched in horror as the 2nd building was hit, & tried to make sense of all the reports coming in....   It was still unclear at this point, but the airport was shut down, & we were all told to evacuate...  I spent the next few days with a very generous friend who happened to live in Seattle (at the time, I lived in Lewiston, ID, & just commuted in for flight assignments) We watched in horror as planes crashed into buildings, & the Pentagon: & waited to hear if anyone we knew was on those flights---my Best Friends & my Mother were working for the major airlines at that time & I was so scared!!

It turned out that everyone I knew was OK: all stuck in some city, as I was: waiting for flights to be opened up again. 

The friend I stayed with for 5 days had a lovely home & family---we put up a tall flagpole together; set it in concrete in the front yard: it was just a small way of showing our support for our country & those who were lost or suffering as a result of the  9/11 attacks.  I still remember the emotions of that day & that week--& I will never forget....
 

I'll post more photos as the project moves forward---installation will be sometime in the spring.

Amber

RAWards Boise: next Thursday

Thanks so much to all who voted for me: I am competing against 5 other amazing visual artists for a chance at the national RAW competition. (OMG)

The Boise RAWards show is next Thursday at the Revolution Concert House in Garden City; tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door; purchase online at:

http://www.rawartists.org/boise/rawards2012

Everyone who comes to the show will be able to vote for their favorites in Fashion, Make Up, Hair, Accessories, Film, Music, & Visual Arts.  Public votes will count towards 50% of the total score for each artist; the other 50% will be based on the professional judges. 

Eek!  I am so nervous & excited about this!

Working on my display; it will be sculptural & will hold my I-pad for a slide-show, business cards, lights & my stats sheets; we only get a 4x4' space; so I have to get really creative to display my best work :)

I hope you can make it to the show; there will be food, drinks, art, fashion shows, live music, performance art, & lots more.  All the winners in each category will be announced live that night; each vote counts!!

Hope to see you there :)

Thanks so much again to all who voted for me & got me this far; crossing my fingers to make it to the next level; would love to represent Boise at the national level--omg; I feel so weird saying that; not sure I'm good enough, but will do my best!

Amber

Idaho Botanical Garden Fundraiser: 3 of my Creations up for Bid

Can you think of a better way to shop for the holidays?  All proceeds will benefit a local non-profit that provides community events, education, an amazing venue, & the amazing Garden itself...

This year, I have 3 items up for bid:

A lovely steampunk inspired necklace; with a glass lense, fuse, old key, old rhinestone & pearl charm, & a silver teapot charm: a princess length chain--a nice size for anyone...

A steel BioHazard sign; 17 inches in diameter & cut from heavy 10 gauge steel.  The perfect apocalypse gift... ; )

 And; a set of 3 recycled aluminum bangle bracelets; as seen at Boise Fashion Week. Made from aluminum canisters; cut, cleaned, & polished; they are very lightweight & easy to wear.  Will fit an average sized woman's wrist.

Check out all the items up for bid at:

https://botanicalgarden.afrogs.org/

Items are available to bid on through the 21st of December; just in time for Christmas.

Happy Holiday shopping :)

Amber

New Work now Available on my Etsy shop :)

A few new offerings in the shop...

I'll be adding in more in the coming weeks; all can be customized & shipped anywhere :)

The Bio-Hazard; all bling-ed out with copper & polished aluminum.  17 inches in diameter & constructed with nuts, bolts, & spacers for a 3 dimensional effect.

The perfect apocalypse accent for your decor; hang inside or out; looks great in the shop, on a fence, on a building, etc: I have one on the chicken coup :)  One of my fav. recent creations ; )

"Twilight" (mini edition)  This one is only about 13 inches tall; very tiny for me! But, so cute; I love it; it's hanging in my tiny living room at the moment.  Steel, copper, & polished aluminum

"Meteor" (mini)   Another small version of a larger original design--this one is about 20" at the widest point.  Steel, copper, brass, & polished aluminum.

And, the Nuclear with bling :)  Also 17 inches in diameter made from steel, copper, & polished aluminum.

More to come; I have a stack of little pieces out in the shop to put together :)

These are all available on my Etsy shop at 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/REFINERII

Happy Friday!

Amber