Author: JNA

Coming from a background in design, graphics, metal arts, and leather work, Jenifer Nakatsu Arntson makes quality hand-built vinyl goods such as hand bags, wallets, checkbooks, and accessories. Her materials are animal-friendly and her finished products are stylish and modern. After working in leather for many years, Jen has switched to working entirely in vinyl but approaches design and construction with the same attention to detail, quality and function she learned when apprenticing to master-level leather craftsmen and metalsmiths. She is now an Austin-based artisan but has lived in Kyoto, St. Paul/Minneapolis, and Tokyo. Jen's work is also available in Austin, San Francisco and New York boutiques. Her website is www.nakatsudesign.com. Jen is also an active member of the Austin Craft Mafia, and Babes in Business Bonanza. When she is not at the studio, she is on her way there.
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Advent calendar tutorial links…

In my search for a just-right advent calendar, I have been bookmarking advent calendar links, and thought I’d share some that I liked with you:

On Twig and Thistle, a magnetic calendar using watch cases and magnets, very cute!

A last minute version using paper bags from Prudent Baby

A very inspiring, more longterm project house from Gingerbread Snowflakes

10 how-to ideas from Skip To My Lou (I like this one with collected hanging presents

Using a 24-pack of soda or beer, from the reluctant hippie

From Readymade, this countdown of fabric ornaments with pockets in back!

A cute bingo advent from under the red roof

Some good ones for kids here, and more links here

An advent with 25 wrapped holiday-themed books to read from Make and Takes

The paper chain tree we made last year from the parsimonious princess

Some origami advent calendars

From Easie Peasie, a DIY Advent Calendar

A matchbox DIY Nativity scene advent calendar from Digitprop

City In A Jar’s blog on advent calendars

Bold and Herbaceous’ tumblr blog post

DIY Advent Calendar from Randomosity Blog

Free Printable DIY Advent Calendars from style-y Apartment Therapy

A collection of 50 Cool DIY Advent Calendars compiled by Shelterness

A Christmas Book & Activity Advent from Bella Dia

TeachingMOM’s Advent Calendar post and recs for an advent of seasonal books and movies

Dana MADE It’s Advent Calendar and list for getting started

Kiddley’s Activities Advent

A post about Unique, Unusual & Special Advent Calendar Toys for Children on Suite101.com

Christene’s squidoo lens for a Countdown to Christmas with some great tips on getting ready for Christmas and great suggestions for your own Advent Calender.

Advent Calendars from Martha Stewart

Craft stick Christmas tree advent calendar with “origami” boxes by the Crafty Nest

Centsational Girl’s Manzanita Advent Tree

Crafty Crow post 2011 Advent Calendar Ideas!

A Give Thanks- Fall Advent Calendar from Whateverdeedeewants

For those who want a special advent calendar with gifts to use all year there are further options:

A variety of Playmobile advent calendars available at around $18 USD for children from four-years-old with adult assemble required

…And I have more pinned to my Holiday craft ideas pinterest board, which I keep adding to…

Please enjoy, and happy holidays!
xo
Jen A

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Kiyoshi Kono Yoru (Silent Night)

Sung to the tune of Silent Night, the translation is a bit different than the usual English version, but this is the one we sang growing up:

“Kiyoshi kono yoru hoshi wa hikari
Sukui no miko wa mihaha no mune ni
Nemuritamaou yume yasuku

Kiyoshi kono yoru mitsuge ukeshi
Mikibitostachi wa mika no minae ni
Nukazukinu kashiko mite

Kiyoshi kono yoru miko no emi ni
Megumi no miyo no ashita no hikari
Kagayakeri hogaraka ni”

— Translation —

On this holy night

On this pure night the stars are shining
Child who will save us, sleep at your mother’s breast
Dreaming peacefully

On this pure night they receive a message
The shepherds bow respectfully
Before the Child

On this pure night the Child’s smile
Shines brightly with the light of tomorrow
In an age of grace

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My Pinterest Addiction…

Pinterest Logo

I have been enjoying Pinterest quite a bit and it’s very addictive, the links are double-curated so there are a lot of good pins! I mostly peruse the DIY/Crafty boards, and have a bunch of projects pinned to do with my kiddos. Currently we’re making jet packs from empty soda bottles. The 3 liter bottles are very nicely rounded and make excellent tanks!

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See you there, and don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’m gradually copying over stuff from my delicious links too.
Follow me on pinterest

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Blue Genie Holiday Art Bazaar 2012: November 27 through December 24

Blue Genie Holiday Art Bazaar

The Blue Genie Art Bazaar is an Austin tradition during the holiday shopping season (disclosure: I’ve been involved since it started 13 years ago, and hubby is a Genie.) The Blue Genie Art Bazaar features the handmade work of over 130 local area artists and craftspeople. It’s a great place to buy exceptional imaginative, quirky, and beautiful art and gifts (paintings, sculptures, jewelry, clothing, accessories, glassworks, ceramics, prints, photography, and plenty of items you can’t find anywhere else). I do most of our holiday shopping there and gift recipients have been thrilled. Open 7 days a week at 10:00am, the event runs from November 27th through the 24th and admission is always FREE!

And Blue Genie now has a retail space in the Oasis complex, open year-round and featuring a hand-picked selection of artists and craftspeople who have participated in the holiday bazaar. Last year the Oasis had a temporary ice skating rink, and visiting Santa and elves near the gallery.

Thanks for supporting local artists and craftspeople!

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Blue Genie Oasis Gallery 1 YR Anniversary Party!!

Blue Genie Oasis turns 1
Blue Genie Oasis Gallery’s front door

The Blue Genie Oasis Gallery is turning 1!!!!

Now in its 13th year, the Blue Genie Art Bazaar features the work of over 130 artists and craftspeople. This year the Bazaar runs November 30 through December 24.

Blue Genie Oasis offers a space for up and coming local artists to sell their art year round in an organized professional workplace. Each artist with merchandise in the Blue Genie Oasis Gallery store is hand selected by the artists at Blue Genie. All live and work locally in central Texas.

“The gallery store helps artists create a name for their selves and gain popularity, and liberates them to be in their studios creating more work to meet the demands of commissioners. Blue Genie has helped many local artists get their feet off the ground and become successful.

Our vendors offer all sorts of imaginative, quirky, and beautiful products: paintings, sculptures, jewelry, clothing, accessories, glassworks, ceramics, prints, photography, and plenty of miscellany and surprises that you can’t find anywhere else.
Our hopes with Blue Genie Oasis Texas is to encompass the joy of the Art Bazaar and to support our vendors year round in creating specialty made goods for you and your family.”

We could not have done it with YOU! Please come help us celebrate.”


Friday, August 24, 2012
6:00pm until 10:00pm

Snacks • Sips • Raffles • Family Fun for ALL!

See you there!

6550 Comanche Trail Ste 203, Austin, Texas 78732 map | 512-582-0176
Facebook | bluegenieoasistexas.com

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Now open to adults! Kids Masks and Capes class at Stitch Lab

I am so very excited to announce I’ll be teaching a new class at Stitch Lab, Capes & Masks! It’s been great fun putting this project together, and I’ve wanted to work with Leslie and the other wonderful folks there for a long while.

The Kid Masks and Capes class at Stitch Lab (flyer PDF) has been opened up to adults as well, attending with or without kiddos. The next class is scheduled for this Thursday 8/9/2012 8:30 am – 12:00 pm.
“Students will make a super hero or princess cape and mask for hours of creative play time crusading and make believing! (4 or 5 students per class , One (1) 3.5-hour class. All materials provided in class!!)
Prerequisite: Kids Intro to Machine Sewing, Kids Sew Fun Camp, or equivalent experience. Adults and kids ages 7 through 10 welcome!”

I’m also teaching Kids Tote Bags on Friday 8/10/2012 8:30 am – 12:00 pm.
“Students will make a lined, reversible tote bag with a pocket! You’ll feel like a rock star carrying your very own bag, made by YOU in the fabrics of your choosing! (4 or 5 students per class , One (1) 3.5-hour class. All materials provided in class!!)”
Adults and kids ages 7 through 10 welcome!

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Stitch Lab Fascinator Millinery class

I took a millinery class a while back with Laura Del Villaggio and made a fascinator (little cocktail hat/headpiece) incorporating the tiny collection of feathers passed to me by my grandmother and mother. Laura is very knowledgeable about millinery history, materials and construction and made the sinemay hat bases we used in class. Here is a photo of mine in progress, before stitching…

My project in the pinning stage

Put it on your calendar, Laura will be teaching this class again October 20th (in time for costume and dress-up holiday parties!), as well as a top hat class the same week (more info here, use ‘search by instructor’ pulldown > Laura.) I’d love to take the class myself, the samples I’ve seen are great.

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Blue Genie Art Bazaar is up and running!

BGA Bazaar 2011

Hi there! and Happy Holidays!

The 2011 Blue Genie Art Bazaar is up and running, and looks fantastic! The Blue Genie folks have made this space look spectacular, it really does get better each year. The show runs every day (10am-10pm) through December 24th (10am-6pm). Everything at this show is handmade, with over 140 local artists, artisans and craftspeople represented.

As always admission is free! Make plans to visit Austin’s most creative holiday bazaar with your friends and loved ones to check things out, then c’mon back as many times as you want for those incredible one-of-a-kind gifts your friends and family picked out. The Marchesa has a cash bar, and plenty of free parking!

Here’s the skinny:

The Marchesa Hall & Theatre
6226 Middle Fiskville Rd
Austin, TX 78752
(Map or here) (website) (news story)

December 1st – 24th
10 a.m. – 10 p.m. throught Decc 23, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Dec 24!

*This is a FREE event. Go have a beer and check out the really cool stuff there! There will be DJ’s, a bar and lots of amazing goodies to choose from.

Thank you so much for your continued support, and feel free to pass on this info to friends you think might enjoy the event!

Please have a safe and joyful holiday season,
xoxoxo
JNA