The Dancing Monkey Jewelry Chronicles: Urban Fashion Network

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

And I thought one blog was a lot of work...

So, I've been helping to organize an art show that will be happening this summer (Saturday, July 26th) called Bella Faire - Art in the Garden. I volunteered to create the blog (or web-site) for the group, http://www.bellafaire.blogspot.com/. I also volunteered to create the post cards were sending out to promote the show. Plus, I took it upon myself to list the show on a few web-sites:

Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/events/tacoma-bella-faire---art-in-the-garden-art-show-and-market

FeedTacoma.org: http://www.feedtacoma.com/events/event.php?e=1266

I've submitted notices to the

Seattle Times - NW Source events column - www.seattletimes.com

Urban Fashion Network- http://www.urbanfashionnetwork.com/

and on the Seattle's EtsyRain - (http://craftsellers.meetup.com/82/ )-message board - a group that I belong to that promotes western Washington artists who have shops on Etsy.com.

There are other artist's who will be promoting the show - but I just wanted to do my part.

I'm hoping that we get some sort of exposure and at the very least we get our name out there and people will come check us out at the very least. Sales would just be the cherry on the top of the Sunday.

So, if you live in the South Puget Sound region and find some extra time on your hands, please come visit us.

Dancing Monkey Jewelry

How would I describe my jewelry? I could do it in two words: Funky Elegance. I love the jewelry in the Sundance Catalog - to me it's the epitome of funky, artistic, sophisticated jewelry.
Many times I've looked at their jewelry and have fallen in love with a particular piece and then looked at the price - most of it was prohibitively expensive. Then I took a few jewelry classes, learned some simple wire-wrapping techniques and the next time I looked in the Sundance Catalog I noticed that those artists were using the same techniques that I had learned to do. So, now when I look at the catalog I alway think "I can do that."

While Sundance was a source of inspiration of mine at one time, I've gone on to find my own style. One that is simple, with uncomplicated lines, but elegant and organic.

The materials I like to work with are sterling or fine silver, Precious Metal Clay (totally awesome stuff), semi-precious stones (Chalcedony, Aquamarine, Labradorite, Peridot, Citrine and Poppy Jasper are some of my favorites), and freshwater pearls.

I would describe myself as partly trained and mostly self-taught. I've taken all of my classes at The Bead Factory, in Tacoma WA. They are such an awesome business I don't mind putting their name on my blog. You should check them out www.thebeadfactory.com.

The Recipe of the Week - March 3, 2008

I love spicy, savory foods with complex flavors - and this recipe provides all that. However, this recipe takes time to prepare because you'll will have to marinate the chicken for 4 hours at the least, preferably overnight to infuse it with as much flavor as possible. It might sound like trouble but I guarantee it's worth the time. This is a delicious recipe.

In our house, couscous is a favorite side dish. Add a spinach salad with chopped dates, pecans, crumbled goat cheese and a orange vinaigrette dressing and you've got yourself a fantastic dinner.

So, here's my first recipe.

Moroccan Chicken

10 minutes to prepare marinade. 4 - 24 hours to marinade chicken. Approximately 55 minutes to cook chicken at 350 degrees. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2 pounds chicken, pieces (breast halves, thighs, and drumsticks)

2 teaspoon orange peel

1/2 cup(s) orange juice

1 tablespoon oil, olive

1 tablespoon ginger, fresh

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon cumin, ground

1/2 teaspoon coriander, ground

1/4 teaspoon pepper, red, crushed

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoon honey

2 teaspoon orange juice

1. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag set in a deep dish. For marinade, in a small bowl, stir together the 1/2 cup orange juice, the olive oil, ginger, paprika, cumin, coriander, crushed red pepper, and salt. Pour marinade over chicken. Seal bag; turn to coat chicken. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours, turning the bag occasionally.

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together orange peel, honey, and the 2 teaspoons orange juice.

3. Drain the chicken, discarding the marinade..Place chicken, skinned sides up, on lightly greased broiler pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until chicken is done (170°F for breast halves; 180°F for thighs and drumsticks); brush occasionally with honey mixture during the last 10 minutes of baking. If the chicken is starting to get too dark, you can loosely cover it with foil to prevent it from getting browner.

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The Dancing Monkey Jewelry Chronicles

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

And I thought one blog was a lot of work...

Dancing Monkey Jewelry Monthy Shop Specials

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The Recipe of the Week - March 3, 2008

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