Blue Genie Art was featured in an article about dimensional signage as art in Sign Builder Illustrated! Continue reading Blue Genie featured in Sign Builder
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.
Japanese eggplant recipes
Was just talking about eggplant recipes with a friend and thought I’d post them here as well.
If sodium is a consideration they do sell lower sodium lite soy sauce and miso paste.
Easy eggplant and cucumber pickles my aunt taught me
(good as a side veggie with a rice dish)
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Slice eggplant into 4-5mm disks. Salt eggplant. Mix marinade in a baggie or container: 3 TBSP soy sauce, 3 TBSP vinegar (preferably rice wine vinegar), a little sugar. Marinate eggplant in refrigerator for 2-3 hours, shaking occasionally.
If desired, serve slices with a little hot chinese mustard.
Cucumber pickles: Long thin japanese cukes work best but I’ve used regular or english cucumbers as well
Mostly peel cucumber, cut into 3″ lengths, then lengthwise into quarters. Mix marinade as above, but add a couple of shakes of sesame oil.
Marinate in refrigerator 2-3 hours, shaking occasionally.
Continue reading Japanese eggplant recipes
Mini succulents garden
My son started a mini succulent garden at our friends‘ holiday party (terrarium and ornament-building stations for the kiddos = genius!), transferred to a Chris Levack olive dish it looks nice, doesn’t it? Concrete counter and tiles are by Eric Billig.
Blue Genie Art Bazaar!
The Blue Genie Art Bazaar is open today until 10pm and tomorrow Christmas Eve from 10am until 6pm for last-minute Santa-shopping in all price range. Give the gift of handmade (or to yourself!) and support local artists and craftspeople.
Admission is always free, plenty of free parking, bar and snacks on-site.
Marchesa Hall at Lincoln Village (6226 Middle Fiskville Rd)
Rebranding as Nakatsu by JNA Designs
I’ve rebranded as Nakatsu and can be found now at the url nakatsudesign.com. All of the jnadesigns.com stuff still works as I’m switching over, but I think the new name suits the range of what I do much better, and is a welcome fresh start. Thanks for sticking with me!
Happy holidays, and hope your 2013 rocks even harder than 2012 did.
xo
jna
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
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
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
New Craft Works podcast
Brian David Johnson has just started a new podcast, Craft Works, and interviews Kevin of Blue Genie Art in episode #2.
In Brian’s intro/episode #1 he interviews designer Eric Billig, who made our fabulous concrete kitchen counters. Enjoy!
My Pinterest Addiction…
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!
Source: pinnedit.blogspot.com via Jenifer Nakatsu on Pinterest
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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.
Blue Genie Holiday Art Bazaar 2012: November 27 through December 24
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!