Technology huh?

My beautiful Moto Q was developing a few quirks. Since my contract was primed for renewal, both of the phones on the contract were also ready for upgrade.
Two requirements, a smart phone and tethering on one phone. Robust music capability on the second. The second was easy. The first, not so.
I work for a government agency and one of the perks is a discount (we must maintain a phone, so there is basis for the somewhat less than generous 10%). Along with the discount the provider does limit which phones are available.
The only phone meeting both tethering and ‘smart’ was the now infamous iPhone. I am now the owner of an iPhone. Tethering is not supported!!! (It is if you crack the silly thing.)
Yesterday, after spending 3 hours trying to create folders for pictures, I discovered the silly thing cannot even do that…no, there is no app for that. (And I do not really care for iTunes. I am a visual artist. Not a musician!)

 A web search found CopyTransPhoto.
Elegant, intuitive, perfect.
I cannot praise this bit of software enough. And fault Cupertino for not including similar productivity natively. (Moto Q performed this task beautifully with pc interface! You would think an iPhone using Apple based (as opposed to Windows based) intelligence would handle graphics and graphic manipulation/storage with better sense.

Anyone looking for similar solutions may want to do so now. CopyTransPhoto is priced at $29.99. Currently you can purchase a bundle which includes CopyTrans (Transfer iPod to computer and iPhone to iTunes),  CopyTransPhoto (Transfer photos to iPod/iPhone and PC), iCloner (Create full backup images of your iPod/iPhone), iLibs (Manage multiple iTunes libraries) at a special offer of $50 off!!.

ok…here is the disclaimer from me….I think these programs are fantastic. I have no connection whatsoever. Your experience may differ vastly from mine.

Valerie

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Sunday at FIT

Every year I see the ads for the Glass Art & Bead Festival in New York City. And every year I miss it. I live 20 minutes away.

Today I went.
This is the second bead show I have attended. The first was last spring in Santa Fe. Today’s event is smaller, more intimate. The location is wonderful…NYC’s Fashion Institute of Technology. When you finish the show there is still plenty to do in the vicinity to warrant the parking fee. (We went to Whole Foods)
First stop Soft Flex. They seem to have the deepest discounts at bead shows, and no disappointment today. I met Sara Hardin of Ask Sara fame. On her very good advice I picked up one of the smaller wigjigs.

I dragged my son along and he became enthralled with the work of Joan Miller and Penny Michelle 

And seemingly sharing a space, MyElements by Yvonne. Vibrant color, fantastic playful designs. Mesmerizing. And the artist…what a fun personality!

I took the time to watch Andrew Thornton's table. I wanted to stop by and say hello. We have ‘met’ on the web, wanted the opportunity to say hi in person. I am so very happy I did. Andrew represents Green Girl Studios and, of course, Andrew Thornton! A very kind and talented young man. Andrew gifted me with some of the Green Girl Studios pewter. Never having used pewter before I am impressed with the quality and richness of design. (No, dear son, you may not have the mermaid…and put that skull back.)

Lisa Kan lured me with the fabulous richness spread across her table. I’ve been wanting some of the wire lace. Just last week while working on a design thought the wire lace would be just the thing. Lisa had a fine selection and I bought a fine selection.

A bead shopping spree is never complete without a bit o’sparkle.

K Gottfried Inc! Have you seen Swarovski’s fire opal? BTW I only looked at 10% of the Swarovski display. I was in enough trouble.

 

Valerie (who is no longer counting her pennies, they are gone.)

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Buttons

Been MIA for a couple of weeks. For those who do not know, there are periods of time physically my bed is as far as I get.

I am the recipient of someone else’s liver. Now I am looking to replace the rest of me…any ideas?
Meanwhile…I have been focusing on fiber arts. I have some yarn I am not fond of…brown and beige and dull. Tried the KoolAid dye bath…WOW! I have some beautiful skeins. They are drying.  I’ll post pics when they are dry and can be handled.

Over the summer I finished a sweater jacket and have tried several buttons on it. As all who sew, knit, crochet, or otherwise create clothing, know…the closure makes the piece.

   I knew from the start I wanted polymer clay buttons. The material is lightweight and perfect for a crocheted and/or knitted garment. The question was design. Finally I hit on the perfect answer.

 

Colorful and the appearance of a knitted button.


 

They complement the fabric perfectly.

Process? As follows:

Prepare buttons from scrap clay in size and shape desired. Cure.

 
Scan the fabric of the sweater.
Manipulate the scan in Photoshop.
Print onto baking parchment.
Transfer onto a mixture of translucent and white Sculpey III. Thinnest setting on pasta machine, to create a veneer.
Cut veneer to cover button and re-cure.
And the perfect button to match any fabric!

Valerie

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Nominations final

Just received this in my mail:

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Hello Valerie,

Wow!  We were excited by all of the wonderful entries for our Flex Your Creativity Beading Contest.  Everyone did such a stellar job!  Congratulations, your design is nominated as a possible winner!  Now, it is time for a live, online vote to see who our top winners are!  Winners will be announced on December 1^st, 2009. 

So send this link out to your friends and family to cast their vote for your design: 

http://www.softflexcompany.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=BeadingContestVotes.html

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The two (of three) entries I entered and are vying for your vote are near the bottom. Scrolling mandatory!
I saw a couple of absolutely stunning and innovative designs. Worth the time to visit. And it is wonderful the ideas designers have when presented with the challenge of simple wire that wants to behave ITS way.

What are you working on? I read today the newest trend is toward ‘statement necklaces’. The operative design element here is BIG. Finally, what I do best. And to celebrate I am working on a collar design that has been sitting in my studio for 4 or 5 years. The first prototype looks good. Needs some tweaking and after the weekend (and holiday) ready for prime time..I’ll post.

Valerie

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