Our Quickies-For-Valentine's Day

Maybe it was the truly great women who signed up for Bean Up The Nose Art's "Quickie Class: Matchbox Valentines" last Saturday evening . . . one of whom said at the end of class, "We've been giving a back seat to our creative needs. And they need to climb up into the front seat now!"

Maybe it was the art journal page Bean Up The Nose Art made the morning before, envisioning holding the class space and the folks in it with fun and love.

Maybe it was the terrific class venue: Sunny Day Salvage, in Fairfax, CA (which we've talked about here before).

Maybe it was the bubbly we provided :)

Whatever the reason, whatever combination of them, we are most grateful for getting to "teach" one of our most fun, rip-roaring classes so far.

By "teach," we mean that the eight women who were "students" needed only about 30 seconds worth of explanation of how to turn matchboxes:

into Valentines. Then, the rip-roaring began. Because those gals were off and running. Rummaging through the materials provided. Sharing scissors, glue, pinking sheers, Dresden foil bits . . . and lots of jokes and laughter about . . . well, what girls say about Valentine's-type topics. Folding, glueing, cutting.

This is not an exaggeration: what I did after the first 30 seconds of "instruction" was help find more glue. Pour some more champagne. Pass around the chocolates.

And in the 90 minutes we had together, these women created matchbox Valentines much more cool and innovative than the sample I'd pulled together. For example.

This one ended up including a PUZZLE on the inside!

Another artist composed and folded a two-sided story book into hers.

Three-dimensionality ruled.

And voila! Folks went on to design and make their own bounty of Valentine's cards, too.

What an absolute treat to spend that Saturday evening time with women who jumped in with such gusto, who were creative and confident and content in their makings-of-love. It was a gift to me to be in the company of folks who already believed they could make art. Who understood already that, as one woman said of the students she teaches to sing when they think they can't, "They're not failing. They're just confused." Who already knew that when we doubt ourselves as artists, we just need to get ourselves unconfused and unstuck. What joy to spend that time with eight folks already grounded in this understanding, who confidently went forward and made SO MUCH COOL STUFF! And who were funny, and kind to each other, and supportive -- of the folks they already knew, and of the new friends they made that night. too.

It was one of those times when I giggle inside with glee, in delight at what is going on around me, and thinking I also get paid for it :) Thank you, "students." YOU RULE!!!!

* * * * * *

And now, a plug for our next Valentine's Day Quickie!!!

Hoping that if you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, you will stop on by the new studio space and

Yep! Come on over to 2 Florence Ave. in San Anselmo, CA. From 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. this coming Saturday afternoon, February 4.

Bean Up The Nose Art is teaming up with two other great local artists to provide a one-stop shopping spot for Valentine's Day goodies: cards, mugs, jewelry, and other gifty-goods!

We're joined by Willow Older of Cheeky Kiwi Creations.

And the fabulous Suskia, who makes great steampunk-and-more jewelry. (My bad: this photo does not do it justice.)

And awesome felt creations.

And, of course, we've got cards for you:)

Hoping to see folks here this Saturday afternoon. Cool indoor studio space. Bubbly and treats while you shop. What's not to like?

Thanks for playing :)

I think it's a DIY world, after all.

Today, Bean Up The Nose Art tackles . . . wait for it . . . REALITY.

Yes.

The Whole Enchilada. The Entire Shebang. And we also propose why we should all go out and make our owned darned versions of it.

Ready?

Come on!!!

* * * * *

Bean Up The Nose Art got its name from the time I ran up to my mom and assured her, "I DON'T HAVE A BEAN UP MY NOSE!"

(Button = gift of my fabulous Twitter friends @sally_K and @fun_master.)

All of my issues with "reality" are apparent right there.

1. We don't truly know what is going on in any situation until we live it ourselves. ("Hey! Let's see what happens if I put this up my nose!")

2. Humans always spin situations based on their own agendas. ("Wait! I know! I'll just tell her it's not there!")

3. Confidence in your view will not necessarily win the day, and untruths will come to light. ("She didn't believe me?!?!?")

4. You never really know for sure how things are going to turn out. (For instance, I do not know the end of the story. My mom has passed away, and my dad cannot remember the outcome. For all I know, the bean is still up there. And lo these many years later, it has became a kick-ass business name. Who knew?)

In short, my healthy dose of curiosity about -- and potential skepticism over -- the rules, authority, and how things worked was apparently something I was born with.

And it just got more pronounced.

When we learned division in grammar school, I asked what happened if you divided by zero. I was told, literally, "You cannot do it. It is impossible."

Fast-forward to more advanced math classes a few years later . . . where, lo and behold, you COULD -- and SHOULD -- divide by zero! Because that was how you got to imaginary numbers, which was part of the assignment.

WHAT?!?!?!?

In fourth grade, you couldn't divide by zero. Because it was IMPOSSIBLE. But in seventh grade, you HAD TO?!?!?!

I was outraged.

Here's how that translated in my particular let's-stick-a-bean-up-our-nose brain: in that instant, what I internalized was that "reality" and rules and whatever else gets portrayed as "the truth" by folks in authority is really just one version of things. (A darker perspective: it's an outright lie, perpetuated by any number of motives . . . including being too tired to explain to a fourth grader that one actually could some day learn to divide by zero, but it just was not going to happen today.)

Nowadays, my attitude toward folks pedaling any version of the "the truth," is to smile to myself on the inside and say, "Okay. It's your version. If it helps us, let's go with it."

To me, all religion, and all science, is -- at its best -- a set of the best conjectures and best faiths based on the best information folks have got on hand at the time. Things change. Perspectives change. Information changes. No one really, really, really knows what happens when we die. Or who's running things. Or how the universe started. No one does, for sure. None of it can be absolutely proved, or disproved. All faith and all science is simply a matter of a set of beliefs.

And all of this is to say that I am increasingly frustrated and sad about humans' predilections to get their panties in a bunch about what "the truth" is, and how the rest of the world should believe it, too.

When no one can prove for certain what is true and what isn't in these matters, why can't we just admit that, and be kinder to each other about it all?

And, in fact, why can't we view it as a glorious opportunity to create our own versions of how we want our worlds to be? Because if "the truth" and "reality" are really only versions of how things are, why can't we make up new and better ones?

I for one would make up a world where the more soft and flabby skin you develop on your neck as a mid-life woman, the more powerful and attractive you become. That would be a start. And then we would tackle world hunger, war, illiteracy, slavery, racism, and poverty.

Hoping you will join me in your own do-it-yourself reality-making. To the extent we can. Whatver that is. Because who the heck really knows? But since no one can really prove to us that we can't, WHY THE HECK NOT TRY?!?!

Thanks for playing. Keep us posted on your results :)

Featured Fabulousness: Meryl Rose Phillips

We here at Bean Up The Nose Art would like to introduce you to one of our favorite creations: fabulous daughter (and artist, and oh so many other things) Meryl Phillips.

(This photo via wonderful Heather Kenney.)

We cannot take all the credit. Other people were involved. And this chick came into the world already packing her own amazing brand of can-do spirit.

She was, after all, the kid who explained to me as a six-year-old how to get over sadness:

"Two anger and and four happiness molecules come into my forehead. And then, I'm not sad any more."

And how she got over her fear of dogs:

"I said to myself, 'Meryl, you're going to be around dogs your whole life -- now, just get over it.' And then I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and did a 'poof' with my fingers, to make it stick."

And she's just become even more savvy and wonderful with age. These days, 26 years old.

Meryl's a 2009 studio art major graduate (minor in film) from Mills College.

She won awards. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa. I'm telling you this because a) I am her mom and I am proud of her and b) she pulled out of UC Davis as a sophomore when she was bombing out. And figured out what to do next, each step along the way. And went back to college with a better fit. And kicked ass. WE LIKE THAT WAY OF DOING THINGS.

Art from Mills time. Senior installation, examining neighborhoods of Oakland.

She did not want to take the required sculpting class. Voila.

She started Mills to study film and videography. She made butt-kicking documentaries there. But she didn't want to take the required drawing class, because she didn't think she could draw. She found out you could learn.

In the years since graduation, Meryl has strung together a stunning range of jobs and activities. Even more than us, Meryl is truly The Boss Of Herself.

She designs and draws by hand these shoes . . . which landed her in juried craft fairs, and now a designer spot at Bucket Feet.

For the past three years, she and her boyfriend Chris have been renovating their house in Oakland, which Meryl chronicles every step of the way on her blog, Picardy Project. There, her kick-ass nature abounds, replete with cussing and honesty and humor. The other day she let drop in a conversation that companies post her all the time, asking to advertise on her site. She ignores them, because she thinks it would cramp her style.

She is way more fearless than we are.

And she wields a mean skill saw.

But that's not all.

Nope.

When Meryl was three-years-old (and still sucking her thumb), we took her to her first baseball game. A night game at the Oakland Coliseum, before it became the Al Davis Travesty. As we came out to our seats on the third deck, with the green green green field spread out before us in the lights, Meryl stopped and stood stock still. She pulled her thumb out of her mouth, to exclaim in awe, "This is a VERY BEAUTIFUL PLACE!"

And from then on, she was an As fan.

And since 2008 when she got an internship there, she's been working every season behind the camera, behind the desk, behind the scenes as a slo-mo and still store/PDR operator. What does that mean? Well . . . she knows who wins every Dot Race and Under The Cap game. And the answer to all the Player Trivia questions. And who's going to be up on Diamond Vision. And sometimes, you see her out in the crowd, filming. Or down on the field. She's also a part of the film and video team for the Raiders, has worked for the Warriors, and Earthquakes.

She's also an organizer, personal assistant, bookkeeper, girl Friday to anyone lucky enough to book a slice of her time. Like we get to, every once in a while. Because she also trains really hard as an athlete, and is an incredibly fast distance runner.

And when she's got a cold and needs some down time? When she's feeling "unproductive?" She'll design and whip out a Kindle case from scratch in an afternoon . . . .

Here's a big, fat, wonderful Bean Up The Nose Art cheer for fellow artist, uber hip and crafty and oh-so-energetic go-getter . . . and fabulous daughter . . . Meryl Rose Phillips. As she said just yesterday when helping out Bean Up The Nose Art in our new digs, "Life needs more exclamation points." Meryl Rosie, here's a big helping for you!!!!!!! We are actually in awe of you, and think the Universe must be a pretty darned wonderful place if we were lucky enough to be a part of your making. YOU RULE!!!!!

My oh my! It's a big fat juicy world!

Here's what it looks like outside on this rainy Friday afternoon in Marin County, California

But here's what it looks like on my insides.

Because it's a big old wonderful fat juicy world, people!!!

In the few short weeks of since this still-virtually-brand-new-year began, things in Bean Up The Nose Art's world have upended, unhooked, and rearranged themselves.

* * * * * *

First . . . we began working with a different sales rep. With whom we are truly, truly, utterly delighted and happy. And who gets her own blog spot here in February. Stay tuned!!!

* * * * *

Second . . . a brand new live/work studio space.

In this unassuming-but-0h-so-magical building.

Where good luck comes to play.

Which I first walked into last June, to take a class from Lisa Sonora Beam. (Click here for post on that magic.)

Which I revisted in November -- to teach a class on my own. (Click here for post on "Giving Thanks" class.)
Which I came to again in December, to sell Bean Up The Nose Art goodies at a Holiday Pop-Up Shop. (Click here for post on that fun.)

And in which Bean Up The Nose Art has just set up shop as a studio.

That's right, folks. In another serendipitous piece of the Universe's puzzling through with us, we moved in here last weekend. Fabulous Lisa Sonora Beam is nomad-ing the world (literally the world) through 2012 as she teaches and makes art. She rented the magical studio in San Anselmo to us.

Gracie the Dog approves of it, too . . . right down to the low-maintenance, made-for-artists blue floor.

And what further confirmation does one need that this is right place to be than what the neighbors have stenciled on their curb?

* * * * *

Okay, so along with the fabulous magic flow of new spaces and opportunities and excitement comes some ebb, too. Earlier this week during a warm-up, I felt a momentous, rubber-band-like snap across the bottom of my heel. Uh-oh.

Diagnosis: torn plantar fascial stuff. A couple of months to heal, with no high impact activity -- which CrossFitters will know means no running, no box jumps, no so many other things . . . and, mostly, no competing in The Open that begins at the end of February. Which, if I performed well enough, would qualify me for The Games in July. For which I had been training, whole-heartedly, dedicatedly, committedly, almost-part-time-job-edly . . . and butt-kickingly . . . FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. Because this year, I am in the very bottom of the 50-54 year old age group. And I am good at CrossFit. And I love it. And it seemed like this would be the year to go for it. And make it happen.

But do you know what?

I couldn't make it happen.

You can't MAKE things happen. You can do your best, but you can't control what's going to occur. (Duh. How many times do I need to learn this one?)

And do you know what else?

I could only be glum about this turn of events for about 24 hours.

Because after that, I was buoyed up (in spite of myself!) by the kindness, love and support of truly awesome people. Like Anna Scott (click here for fabulousness), Rani Druda (click here for her good work), the wonderful members at Tamalpais CrossFit (click here), by great and wonderful Whidbey peeps (click here for love letter to Whidbey), and all of the great Marin Twitter folks.

These people -- these terrific, butt-kicking, enthusiastic, kind, generous, loving people -- helped me open up to see that yes, while it sucks, it is also an opportunity. For so many things. For so many ways to hear and learn and see and let go and open up and see what happens next. What openings are there? What does it feel like to be dealing with this, right now . . . and how do things shift? What is the "right timing" for things? And who really knows how things work? Just show up, pay attention, do your best . . . and see.

I decided to believe them.

There are openings.

* * * * *

Last night, the Matchbox Valentine's Quickie class sold out.

And this morning, Bean Up The Nose Art got a second sales rep, to cover new territory :) SHE called US. Bwahahaha!

Here's to your own big fat wonderful juicy world opening up ripe and sweet, right before your eyes. Here's to the openings in all of our lives. New people. New possibilities. New energies. New ways of seeing.

Thank you so much for playing here. YOU RULE.

In Honor of Dr. King

"I refuse to accept the idea that the 'isness' of man's present nature makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the 'oughtness' that forever confronts him."

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dec. 10, 1964 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.

Dr. King -- reverend, and a Ph.D. -- spoke those words when he was 35 years old. By the time he was 39, he was dead. How he chose to spend his time in this world remains a shining ray of inspiration, courage, enthusiasm and grit.

On this day that we celebrate Dr. King's life and work, we hope you will click here to read the entire text of his remarkable acceptance speech -- for what it says about work, love, and hope. And click here to view an excellent tribute site developed by the Seattle Times, from where we pulled this photo.

Go out and make it a good day. For all the children of the world, including your own inner one.

Of Tweets and Dogs

. . . or, "Reason #647 Why I Love Twitter So Darned Much."

Meet Gracie the Dog. (Well, if you've already visited this blog, or follow us on Twitter, you've already met.)

Gracie the Dog came to us as a seven-month-old rescue puppy. Now she's almost nine-years-old. From the beginning, Gracie has been a trial, a wonder, a teacher -- and always, always, always the most earnest being filled with more affection and enthusiasm than seems humanly possible.

In other words, she is a dog.

Really, seriously, does anything get any better than a dog?

Our grown-up kids used to say when they'd visit, "You love that dog more than you love us." To which I could not really say anything. (Which is probably why they don't say it any more.)

Because, come on.

Do members of your family leap off the couch and wag their tails in sheer delight JUST BECAUSE YOU WALK IN THE FRONT DOOR? Nope. And when you get back into the car after running in to the post office, do members of your family JUMP INTO THE FRONT SEAT AND KISS YOU? No, they do not.

But guess what?

I have found the place where humans are as kind, enthusiastic and generous as dogs.

That's right. It's Twitter. (And it should come as no surprise that a sizable percentage of tweets are ABOUT dogs -- folks walking them, photos of them, tweets about love for them.)

(This is Poncho, the great dog of my Twitter friend @Sally_K, who kindly put his foot on top of mine at a tweet-up this fall. To love and protect me.)

Because here's how Twitter works -- as illustrated by events that delighted and amazed me earlier this week.

I tweeted from Whole Foods at 8:00 p.m. on Monday night that, in fact, that was the best-ever time to shop there: empty-aisles easiness.

Within minutes, I got a tweet back from my fellow Marin tweep (and fabulous friend) @dianefischler . . . could I buy a cold remedy there for her husband (and fellow fabulous tweep) @ken_homer?

I did, and dropped it off at their house.

That is it. Just an errand you do on your way home.

BAM!!!!! TAIL-WAGGING BAM-ITUDE!!!!

Those two wonderful tweeps posted tweets about me like I was some rockstar. "Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping us!!!"

In other words, they were JUST AS KIND AND EARNEST AS OUR DOG FRIENDS.

Okay, and THAT would have been enough, right there.

BUT THERE'S MORE!!!

Eight more people fired off tweets before I even drove all the way home: "YOU ARE SO NICE!!! WAY TO GO!!!!"

See what I'm saying? Twitter is where humans are their very best dog-like selves: enthusiastic, kind, generous, earnest, and jumping right into the front seat to give you a big kiss just because they're happy you got back in the car.

We need more of this in life.

I'll start.

Here's a big, earnest swack on the cheek for reading this post, and for rocking on with your bad selves :)

And you can't see it, but my tail is wagging.

Spread the Love! Two Quickies for Valentine's Day.

Bwahaha!

'Tis the Season of Love. That's right: Valentine's Day will be upon us soon.

And we know you're busy.

Really, really, so darned and completely busy. But you know you want some fun. And you know you want to make some Valentine's Day thing-y . . . but you don't want to have to haul out all your materials. And you know you're gonna need a couple of extra cards and gifty-gifts.

So guess what?!?!

Bean Up The Nose Art has designed two "Quickies" ESPECIALLY FOR YOU!!!

Read on, friends. And if you're in the San Francisco Bay Area, we hope you can join us at one . . . or both.

Valentine's Day Matchbox Card Quickie

Saturday, January 28 . . . 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

at Sunny Day Salvage, School Street Plaza, Fairfax, CA

$30.00 for all supplies . . . and treats!

Michele and Angela share their sweet store space in this hour-and-a-half art blast, where we'll make a matchbox Valentine's "card."

Which opens up for more love.

After starting out from these humble beginnings.

Yes! It's way-so-easy. And fast. And even more fun when you're visiting with friends . . . get to pick from all of Bean Up The Nose Art's supplies of gold and pink and silver foil goodies and fun paper . . . and sip some bubbly and eat some delicious food as you go. And don't have to pick up after yourself.

COME PLAY WITH US!!! Pre-registration is required, and class will be limited to eight folks. Post us at tamara@beanupthenoseart to sign up.

Valentine's Day Quickie Shop

Saturday, February 4, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

#2 Florence Ave., San Anselmo, CA

More bubbly! And treats to eat while you shop! In the light and airy energy of Lisa Sonora Beam's "2 FLO" studio space!

Bean Up The Nose Art will be pairing with awesome Willow Older and her Cheeky Kiwi Creations. Click here to see her fabulousness at her etsy shop. Lots and lots of heart art for the Big Day. Greeting cards like this.

Gifty-gifts like these mugs. Because who in their right minds does not like cupcakes?!?!?!

And guess what?!?!?! A BONUS ARTIST to be named later will be adding her goodies to the gift-buying opportunities that will abound.

Of course, Bean Up The Nose Art's got some cards for you, too. Yep!!! Here are our current two most popular Valentine's Day cards.

Hoping you will come on by on February 4 for treats, drinks, and to get your quickie card and gift shopping done . . . with local artists who totally appreciate your support!!!