Fall 2010: The Finer Things Collection

The finer things keep shining through
The way my soul gets lost in you
The finer things I feel in me
The golden dance life could be

-Steve Winwood

Breathes deeply and smiles in satisfaction as I look down upon my battered nails and fingers whilst typing. The Finer Things Collection: Fall 2010 is here, and almost out there for public viewing in the great big internet universe.

"The golden dance life could be..." In short, the concept behind the collection is rooted in my love of music and movement. The pieces are all rich in texture; woven like the twisted limbs of dancers glistening under the flickering brilliance of strobe lights, spot lights, the night sky- my mind's eye.


I don't accessorize much, I do however, have a stash of wardrobe staples; most of which are my own designs, some fellow artists' created finds, and a few vintage pieces thrown in for good measure. That's actually good blog fodder, I'll have to photograph my stash and share. With the new collection, I wanted to incorporate the versatility that makes staples staples, with the charm and character of vintage, then bring them to date and infuse them with movement.

All of the designs were created in very limited quantities with only 2-5 editions each. True to my original mission, all of the pieces are reasonably priced and no animal products or "by-products" were used in the creative process. The Finer Things Collection:Fall 2010 by T. Allen-Mercado for Pretty in Peace is available 7.31.10 on Big Cartel.

Peace and pretties

Random Thought Thursday: On Boys and Men

A little back story, if you will. It's easy to think I've got this thing down- y'know, the balance of holding on and letting go- with all of the purging and my admirable display of mock-sanity when my hard drive died, I can see how one might get that idea. Be not fooled, although I appear open and unattached there is one large area of my life where I am haplessly stagnate in an impassioned, pale-fisted, death grip: the imminent departure of our first child.

Yesterday was Favorite Guy's 41st birthday, per his request it was a low-key family day with lots of carbs and no company. He was pleased-excited even, evidenced as he thumbed the book I gave him, chortled over his cards, and the way he pressed his new brown cargo shorts to his waist and modeled them like a 3D paper doll. There was a glow and a soft, sweet, child-like smile which befell his face as he stood over his 9 cupcakes. Don't ask.

As Jordan and Yael began to belt the cacophony that is the birthday song, I toggled between glances of them and of him, of Jordan and of him, and of Jordan again, then I paused. I reflected on the twenty-two birthdays Favorite Guy and I have shared together and the family we've created, thinking how young we both were, and my heart sank. Ack! We were Jordan's age! In a moment of clarity magnified by the tears welling behind my camera lens, I realized that my leading man- the one before me, cheeks puffed to exaggerated capacity for a single candle-is someone's "boy".

For most of the night, I lay half awake empathizing- for...I believe...the first time- with the special brand of crazy to which my mother-in-law subscribes. I'm not at all ready for this.

Peace and growth

In with the new...

... and out with the old.
Shown above: "Rosa" drops, "Bella" ring

Where were we? Hmm...so much has been happening, I'm losing track of it all. Since I last posted, I've turned 37 years old, scored an insane deal on my favorite Gap jeans and made some tough albeit necessary decisions regarding Pretty in Peace on Etsy, among other things.


As I alluded to earlier, my artistic focus has changed. Evolved, shifted, grown? It's all semantics really, but what I do know is the urge to purge and begin again has been powerful. The designs that I've created since starting my 40 Day Design Challenge are different. (And, not currently available for viewing due to the death of my hard drive, but coming soon to a new venue.) The designs in the works are different too, so it seemed a natural progression that I reevaluate my business model and make a more cohesive whole.


And, I'm telling you this, why? Well, all of my Etsy inventory, current as well as some in-stock classics that I've re-listed have been reduced to just $12 per item. If you've had your eye on something, head on over and make it yours before it's gone forever. I've decided to discontinue all of the featured designs and focus on re-branding. Your purchases will go towards a bulk of the marketing expenses entailed with the rebirth of Pretty in Peace. As always, thanks for your continued support.

Peace and growth

This Art-filled Life V

Art, please! Exhales and begins typingthewordsasquicklyastheyrunthroughmyhurriedmindwithoutpause. This summer has been brutal for me creatively! A combination of factors both internally, and externally have kept me from being freely expressive.

The changes to my free time since returning to school would have been easier, if not for a particular instructor who I will refrain from writing about until my last few projects are graded. Trust you don't want to miss the insanity that I've experienced with her over the last several weeks. The adjustment from abstract to linear thoughts; I've been doing lots of academic writing and hence lots of linear thinking and less and less creative conceptual stuff. I'm also in a less than fancy-free place fiscally for projects I don't intend to sell, and wouldn't you know, none of the projects that have been cavorting about in my head are intended for sale...just yet.

So, now that I am free-which is also the theme for my next project, I'm pretty excited about getting back to...well, not work...um, let's call it love. I'd initially promised myself a day of complex-carb-induced-coma-like rest after toiling away at my final paper until the wee hours, but I can't resist sinking myself into this piece.

Peace, and paper, and glue, oh my!

One Week From Today

I'll be thirty-seven years old on the twelfth and the only thing I'm even remotely anxious about, is what color nail polish I should wear to my party! "Huh?" You say, "I knowww!" I say.

Honestly it's been a good year and I'm not going to beat myself up about the things I could have done, or things I should have done, or what might have been, had I done what I did do differently. I'm not going to spoil the Universe's plans for this new year by making lists, plans and predictions. I'm just going to...well, polish my nails and wait on something wonderful to come my way.

It's all so up in the air that should the feeling swoop upon me, I may very well hide out in the bathroom during my party and create a list on a napkin with one of those short sashimi bar pencils, or not. I don't know. But right now, at this very moment I have a clear mind and a clean slate, and I don't know about you, but that's a rarity 'round here, and it feels damn good, even if it is momentary. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to the mall.

Peace and freedom

Oh, Schmap!

Botanical Building: Balboa Park, San Diego California

As I sat lamenting the death of my external hard drive, approximately 4,000 photos and lots of music, the Universe was working on a consolation prize of sorts. Two of my photos on Flickr (one shown above) were short-listed for inclusion in the Phoenix and San Diego Schmap guides for late July.

So, what is Schmap ? (I was shamefully unawares.) From the website: "Schmap is a leading publisher of digital travel guides for 200 destinations throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. More than 90 million Schmap Guides have been downloaded since first release in March 2006: this phenomenally popular series can also be browsed online, with versions optimized for iPhone and Nokia users."

So, a little recognition and two photos with the potential for viewing by over 90 million people, kinda lessens the blow of the ones I've lost....kinda. Either way, I'm pretty excited for the opportunity and will be thinking of Schmap now when I take vacation pics, you just never know when they'll be looking for a photo.

Peace and pictures

Three

Sings, "Happy blogoversary to me, happy blogoversary to me, happy blogoversary (This is the part where it gets cacophonous, yes? ) Tea and Honey Bread, (Someone has undoubtedly said, "Tameka", or some other such variation.) happy blogoversary to me! And, many more".

Today is my blogoversary, go me! I've been pecking away at this blog for 3 whole years, that's pretty damn admirable for me, who generally loses interest after eight days. Not the writing, because I've always written- there's always something in my head that warrants writing-but the community, the effort, the photos. Blogging is life altering.

Before Tea & Honey Bread, I didn't photograph my dinners, insects, art projects or unsuspecting strangers. I talked at film and television, not about it. I pondered my existence (and that of the asshole) in silence and solitude. But, three years ago-that all changed.

I blog to differ.

I blog in wonder.

I blog to encourage and inspire.

I blog when I'm happy, angry, grieving and confused.

I blog because I exist.

I blog because you came and continue to come back, even when I've clearly angered and/or confused you. Thank you.

Peace and love