It's a Monkey Kind Of Monday....

The newest addition to the Monkey family....

She's a bit worse for wear, but it was love at first sight on Saturday.

She will be sporting a cute bonnet and a mixed-media dress soon. Maybe that will help detract from the "chewed" on hands and feet...She obviously was WELL LOVED before she stole my heart!

xoxoxoxo

A little bit everyday.

If I were a wooden sculpture, this would be me...

Always in  think. plan. do. mode.

A few nights ago Phillip and I were driving down the road on our way home. We were rolling the big truck (15' Isuzu box truck) and as we passed a pile of rolled up barbed wire on the side of the road with a FREE sign on it...he looked over to me and asked, "Does the MONKEY need any rolls of barbed wire, cause I can turn the truck around?"

Can I just say, right here and now, to whomever is reading today's post ???

I LOVE THIS MAN!!! HE TOTALLY GETS ME!!!

So, of course, he did a u-turn and I hopped out to load up many rolls of rusty barbed wire - bare handed, I might add, BUT I didn't get a scratch! The woman-of-the-house came walking down her dirt driveway and thanked me and gave me a hug! I love living here...NOT only are folks happy to give their "junk" away, but they give hugs!!!

***
Fast-forward to last night...while the box truck was at home, we loaded up my future cash-wrap station into the truck...

Definition: cash wrap...the place where money will hopefully transfer hands from future customers and students to entrepreneur (me) in exchange for creative workshops, home goods, jewelry, garden decor, etc....where many stories will be shared and lifelong friendships will be created and nurtured...

NOTE to Self: keep eyes open for a replacement cabinet/shelving unit for the laundry room at home...

Today, we moved it into place.

The pink Formica counter-top will be replaced...cause pink is not my color....and has NOTHING to do with "RUSTY"!

I'm toying with the idea of painting the oak black too??? or maybe not...???

The back (now the front) of the cabinet is un-finished.

A few months back I scored a pile of old rusty corrugated panels from the Spaulding saw mill that closed down in Grants Pass....

 ...ignore the saw dust...that's just from when THE wall was being built...

Here's the plan...

...and I gotta get that old bed frame hung up on the wall so I can put up the letters...
R.U.S.T.Y... M.O.N.K.E.Y

 A little bit EVERYDAY!

Cheers!

Future Home...

Imagine, if you will...

a new glass/metal door....

pressure washed sidewalk...

weeds gone!

some cute, rustic, rusty focal point - truth be told? I'd LOVE. LOVE. LOVE an old, vintage, rusty truck out front....cut in half lengthwise...with the bed of the truck staged with goodies, but I've been told those are very expensive...and I would be hunted by the antique auto restorers for doing such a treacherous deed!

a rust, brown, cream striped fabric awning....

new paint scheme....rust. brown. cream.

I need some input.

Dark blue = rust or chocolate brown?

Medium gray trim = rust or chocolate brown?

Light gray body = cream!

Or I could just leave it "as-is" so it looks like our main building and spend my budget inside...???

***

I got a quote to replace this 30' awning...to re-dress it would be about $2000. It was originally about a $3000-3500 adventure! I know!!! YIKES!!! Who knew? It was here when we bought the place.

But, the nice man at the awning business suggested I just PEEL off the vinyl lettering and graphics...WOW! I thought it was screen-printed. Guess I never looked at it that closely.

Hot weather lately? Yeppers! They just peeled right off...a $2000 savings in just under 10 minutes! I guess that means I'm $2000 ahead of the game....great way to rationalize it, right??? lol

Now, I just need to use some goo-be-gone, a bit of bleach and a scrub brush and all will should be good. No more muffler and brake shop!!! NO more walk-ins asking for service and repair!

****

It's a good day!!!

Can you see the smile on my face?

Last week, Ginger and Kathy and I, drove up to Portland to Ikea.

Why? You ask..

Workshop tables!!!

Butcher block. Oh Yeah!

These 8' slabs will create 12 workstations - roughly 26" x 4 foot...per person!

Tables need legs...so we counted 48!!! Yes, 48 legs!!!

Black. To match the trim and the doors...and the chalkboards....and to not show scuffs as easily.

I wanted white, but then the girls brought me to my senses!!! Thanks, ladies.... :-)

****

After Portland, we drove to Kathy's house in Eugene.

After an AWESOME tour of my stuff, I mean, her stuff (who could tell the difference?) Not us. We like (and buy) exactly the same things!

Ginger and I camped out in her motor home in the driveway...how cool is that? She was a bit worried, and even had a bad dream that I was all "crooked-up" in the morning from being uncomfortable, but it was fine...I'd totally do it again!!

... and I can totally relate to her "guest" rooms (ex-kiddo rooms) being chock-full of arts and crafts supplies..but, I would totally have slept in there too!

The next day, we shuffled on over to Barb's to pick up my treasure. I've been eye-balling this beauty for a couple of years, at least. Well, she finally decided to make some room in her shop and I'm the lucky new owner! Perfect!! 26, yes, 26! galvanized, very long drawers... the top shallow drawers are perfect for all little things "trinkety".

I'm deciding WHAT to put on the top...right now it's a piece of OSB. What would you put up there?

Not a piece you would see everyday...but the story goes like this...

Once upon a time, Barb spotted this at a garage sale. It was SUPER heavy and full of tools and out of her price range...Some time later, she spotted it at another yard sale, tools removed and inquired about whether it was for sale or not. The man agreed to sell, even though it wasn't for sale. It worked hard in her shop for a few years, and now it will work hard in mine. The End.

Last little addition to the studio?

LOCKERS!!!

These need a bit of a face-lift, but what around here couldn't use a little work?

Things are moving right along...

Cheers!

Get Serious.

It's been a very wild ride these last couple of years.

We've had multiple Disney projects to complete for park openings worldwide.

We've bought and sold a couple of commercial buildings.

Moved our entire business - twice - in two different cities.

A son joined the Army.

A son graduated high school.

A treasured family pet passed away (more accurately - suddenly and unexpectedly needed to be put to sleep).

New artistic opportunities offered.

Travel.

Time spent with new friends.

Old friendships renewed.

Wow! Lots of roller coaster...LOTS of LIFE!

Things will always be hectic and crazy, I think. Phillip and I are SO goal oriented, we joke about how we'll leave this earth with a LONG to-do list. Our minds just never.sit.still. Sometimes, I wonder what it's all for. Why do we put this kind of pressure on ourselves? Are we truly making a difference?

Would we be satisfied in a small condo with a communal gardener vs. a huge, fixer-upper house on a mountain with over-grown acreage?

Could we get by with just one little commuter car vs. a stable of classic cars and motorcycles and a motor home and a scooter and a dune buggy? (all collected over a 27-year marriage, of course! We never won the lottery or had some rich family member die and bequeath us a bucket of money!)

Would we be happy back working in the 2-car garage where we started E.B. Effects vs. our current 14,000+ commercial space?

I think it's all just a matter of perspective, you know?

It's always been about setting goals and keeping moving forward - even if that meant sacrifices and taking two steps backwards on the current path (sometimes more!) to take one forward in the right direction...

It's like a shark...always swimming.swimming.swimming.

I reflect because, I've been talking and talking and talking AND planning and planning and planning a new adventure called The Rusty Monkey. It focuses around art and creative workshops...teaching, hosting and sharing a variety of designs and techniques with others.

Our new location has the space with prime frontage...location.location.location...and the time is getting near...to say I'm not a little scared would be an understatement...not scared of failure, so much, but scared of time...will I be able to make the time to get-er-done?

Today, I reflect on how when the boys were little and we were busy with school, sports, scouts, etc...I used to think, when these guys grow up, I'll have SO much time! Well, that's NOT the case...Together Phillip and I have grown a business as well. Kind of a 20+ year old fourth child, so to speak, but one that will never leave the nest...It's a kick ass, great business. We LOVE it!!! So why am I thinking about starting another business? Why?

It's time. It's time to get SERIOUS. Serious about creating a place I can create. A place where I can event plan. A place where I can laugh and share and learn with other like minded women...and men, I guess. I'm surrounded by men now...the entire shop is men! Men are creative too!

Everyone keeps asking me, "What is The Rusty Monkey?", when I mention it...

When will The Rusty Monkey be open?

In a nut shell, the Rusty Monkey will be a place where artistic and creative workshops will be offered. Classes to learn a plethora of creative pursuits...

home decor elements - wall art, art canvases, signage, faux painting, etc.

dimensional mixed-media, re-purposed and salvage art

jewelry making - soldering, resin casting, beading, etc.

yard art - rusty goods, found objects, etc...

Open studio events...seasonal market places for sales of found objects and art creations...fun gatherings of minds. I'm even hoping to entice other instructors in specialized arenas to come teach and share their knowledge...and offer open space for their own "trunk sales" on their day(s) of teaching.

I just want to share and have fun. I want to create a place, a place big enough to spread out, but still cozy enough to feel connected. A place to inspire and build lasting friendships.

All in due time...I'm getting closer...

Hope you enjoyed a bit of my collected inspiration...

Cheers!

Can you believe it? I'm actually on my blog!!!!

It feels like it's been FOREVER since I've blogged...and I guess it has! My feelings are correct!

Been VERY busy with SO much in life...


Project deadlines...theme park openings spanning the globe. Lots of long hours for the entire E.B. crew. Lots of new costume projects and deadlines. Work. Work. Work. All good, considering the alternative, but some days it truly feels like over-load...It IS over load...I guess my feeling are again correct!

One that's out the door...Big Rock Candy Mountain...photo credit and article link

Kyle is home on leave from Korea.

A.J. graduated from high school.

Our favorite...one and only family dog, Wonka had to be put down un-expectedly due to complications of diabetes...we didn't even know he was diabetic...and he was NOT vet appointment deprived by any means...the symptoms just came on fast and were irreversable..Not a happy time for any of us...

We have a new back porch. We love it. Especially since it will keep rain from dumping down on the new (almost 3, or maybe even 4 years old! My how time really does fly!) door.

We are trying to get settled in the new shop, but really, just landed and hit the ground running full-steam ahead.

The Rusty Monkey wall started to be built today. YAY!!! That is a happy adventure down the road...
that road is getting shorter...I hope!

Lots going on...

LOTS!!!

Just wait until this is done....I hope it will look something like this...

A SERIOUSLY WONDER WALL!!! Thanks to Layla and Kevin Palmer over at the Lettered Cottage for the inspiration....

Cheers!!!

Light Through Yonder Window Breaks....

Tuesday night, Ty's darling girlfriend, Jania, assisted me in hanging the two old windows in the opening between the two retail areas in the future home of the Rusty Monkey...yes, the windows are still filthy...but, I just was too excited to get them hung up!!!! I'm sure you understand...lol

As they are just hanging in the opening, I'm waiting for the lightning bolt to hit with the perfect fasteners at the bottom...dominoes, square-head nails, blocks...You'll know as soon as I know...but there needs to be something there to keep them from swinging freely. In my house, they could just hang, but in a "public" place, I'd feel more comfortable with them not.

Janice and I will be off on a field trip on Saturday to pick up MORE of these cute windows.... Yay! I can see window workshops in our future....
Even though I'm super, duper excited about the whole process, it is a process and with all the other LIFE that is going on right now, it will be a couple more months of tinkering on the space...I can't complain, because it's a fun process and I have NO problem what-so-ever playing in an unfinished space....

In the meantime, I'll just keep writing down ideas in my journal and tinkering...it WILL be worth every moment of planning and dreaming...

*****

Here's my grandmother's hutch against the dictionary page/starch papered wall...I'm liking it, but I think it needs a little updating in the handle, knob and hinge department...the 1990's knobs are a bit on the boring side...and the brass hinges are just, well, dated.

Here's a peek at the hutch through the dirty windows...

It's SO cute in there....and every. little. bit. of setting up and planning is making me giddy with excitement....

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.....

Well, I think I've found a new medium...right up my alley....Annie Sloan Chalk PAINT!!!

I am most comfortable with a paint brush in my hand. Not in a fine art sort of a way, but more in it just feel good to dab, plop, stroke, brush kind of a way...

Even with ICE Resin. It's designed to pour and cast, but I love when it's on the tip on a brush!

Even with Mod Podge.

Even with frosting.

It just feel natural to me. I couldn't paint a landscape or portrait to save my soul, but I love playing with color and texture and dimension.

I HATE foam brushes. They smear. They leave bubbles. They bloat. They fall apart.

So, when I was offered the opportunity to attend an Annie Sloan workshop in San Francisco for her 1-of-8 city tour, I jumped at the chance...

Janice and Ginger jumped too! So, we road-tripped it to San Fran and played in some paint on Monday!

Annie was VERY down-to-earth. She was REAL, if you know what I mean. As she demo'd, she paused from time to time to re-think things, just like I do when I do demo's. She played it by ear.

I loved how she just kept pushing home that there is NO wrong way to play and be creative. Just jump in and have fun. It's only paint!!! It can be sanded. It can be re-painted. It can be FUN! Just relax and have FUN!!!

...and that's what we did! Had fun.

Here we are waiting for the bus...well, Ginger and Janice...I'm BEHIND the phone...er, camera...

Ginger and I thrifted at the Goodwill prior to the trip to find us each a paint shirt in OUR colors...

Janice=lime green    me=red     Ginger=purple  

Let me tell you, men's shirts are really comfy!

Ginger and Janice had a little fun painting each other in class...and even the "neighbors" got in on it!

I painted mine a bit too...a swatch of Old White and some Provence Blue lines with a couple thumb-prints...Once dry, the white swatch was the perfect signature space for Annie to sign...so perfect in fact, she was delighted by the idea..so were a few others in the class...white swatches for EVERYONE!!! Not really, but a few anyway... :-)

Annie even signed my sample board...

As always, I played outside-the-box and went left!

The paint is great. The wax is interesting. A new way of thinking, but with fabulous results...I'm even seriously considering becoming a retail partner so I can sell it and "share" the magic at the Rusty Monkey...Come On, Rusty Monkey...Not too much longer!!!

Cheers!

A NEW Collection is Forming....

Rewind to November 2011...yeah, it's not that long ago, but that's where it kind of all began...

I was at the Medford Armory, just perusing the 'for sales' there. In both the far back corners are staircases to access the upstairs. On the right side, I couldn't help but notice THIS...

The stairs had been taken over by a gaggle of girls....and a couple boys.

The nicest group of grandmas was in charge of this corner.

I kindly asked one of the grandmas if I could take a photo of the group on the stairs. I could tell she was a bit quizzled at why I would want to take a photo, but, well, that's just how I roll. I am always taking snapshots of strange things...

So, I proceeded to set down my purse, my shopping bag and raise my phone. She seemed a bit quizzled at why I didn't have a camera...well, I guess my iPhone takes primary position to my Nikon too!

Any who, as I was clicking away with my phone and making conversation, she tells me each dolly is only a BUCK!

Well, I'm notorious for buying little things for CHEAP too! I like a great deal. As my multiple  STORAGE areas would attest..."I'm not a HOARDER...I'm NOT a HOARDER!"

My mind just sees the GOOD in the CAST OFFS...

Just look at some of those little faces...How could I only walk away with a few photos and not a few dollies?

Well, I carefully selected a couple, or three, or four...

*****
One of them had ratty hair...Rattier than the others. Another VERY kind grandma says to me, "Oh, give her to me. She needs a day at the salon."

I handed her over. She sprays some de-tangler in her hair and proceeds to gently comb through it.

"There. Now she's beautiful!", as she hands her over with sweet smelling, wet, dolly hair.

Oh, those Grandmas are JUST TOO SWEET!!! Even to a 40+ year old woman! I can just imagine how they are with the little girls...

*****

The little plastic boy with the cute face and darling hair.

Ok. Maybe it's a boy wearing a pink dress...Or maybe it's really a girl. But, when I'm done, it will be a boy...Bwaaaaa Haaaa Haaaaa...

Then, there was this little girl. Kind of reminded me of I Love Lucy. Maybe it's just the red hair and bright red lips?

....Yeah, she's nekked. But not for long.... I think a creepy Halloween costume is in her future. That forehead crown just screams "stitches" to me....  Poor Lucy...

Boy? Girl? I LOVE the rosey-red cheeks and the little knee dimples...

I think this little lady is my favorite of the bunch. Her face is already a bit "green" and one of her eyes is cloudy...LOVE it! Another Halloween contestant? Yeah. I think so....

Here they are at the Rusty Monkey, resting and waiting for their day at the tailor....

Four dollies. Four bucks. Four ME!!!

Rambling on a Wednesday....

Well, I began today with a trip to the doctor so my sweetie could find his voice..Sometime in the night, it went missing...

He's feeling a little better now, as am I, but a little tickle keeps making me cough. Oh well. I hope it's gone soon...I have a VERY busy weekend....

***

Friday, I need to bake and decorate my Valentine's cookies for Kristen's little soiree on Saturday. I'm really looking forward to some fun time with her, Ruth Rae, Kelly B., Ginger, Janice, Jania, her mom, and a few others... I need to get cracking on my Valentine's too! I hear tell that there will be some really good things swapped. You bet I will have camera in hand taking some great shots of a whole lotta fun!...Kristen, in case I forget to tell you, I had FUN!!! You throw a great party...lol

I'm sure we'll all be giddy, on a sugar-induced high by the time the afternoon rolls around.

Maybe even more giddy than when I was down in L.A. last week shopping with the girls? Hmmm..we'll see..

 Ruth and Kelly.

Ruth with the cutest RED record box...I LOVE RED boxes!!!!

***

On another note, The Rusty Monkey, is bubbling on the back burner. I was SO inspired by the place Kelly took me shopping.

OH yeah. You can see why? I have a pile of rusty corrugated from an old 1930's saw mill just waiting to be used...."I can pikture it in my mind...."

I'm working on getting my logo in place for my outdoor awning, business cards, totes, t-shirts;

space planning (which includes a girl's bathroom, an industrial sink, a fun classroom area, a coffee bar, and storage);

and then there's the marketplace...OOOOH.

There's so much to do, but good things come to those who wait and plan and dream and plan and dream....

A Rusty Monkey cousin was at Treasures and Junk

.... he was SO adorable...I'm thinking I need to collect photos and print them out for

my monkey

as a family tree...Not really a tree, but a wall of monkey-family portraits....

***

Then, there's art camp coming in April. It falls on my birthday, so that should be fun...It was just announced yesterday that Ruth will be teaching alongside Kristen and Terri. There are so many like-minded women attending. I don't think we'll get ANY sleep! Or maybe the sound of the ocean will lull us there eventually! The place is gorgeous!!! Can't wait...

***

And a big shout out to Kathy Thompson of Katalina Jewelry as the newest ICE Resin Creative Team member...she does great work. I like her style of mixed-media jewelry...I think she'll have to take us shopping in her neighborhood up in Eugene on our way back from camp... :-)

***

Lastly, I am sharing this photo from Joanna's blog post....

Here is Susan's ballerina I mentioned yesterday, that I didn't take a photo of - Lunk Head that I am!!!

I can tell I'm feeling better... My mind is buzzing with excitement....!!!

Cheers!