InterBlur in LV

Hi All Y'all,
Well, I'm getting back in to the swing of the blog-e-ness.  Hope you are digging where you are at too.
I just back from Interbike!  Whew! It is really really (dare I) really big.  I had lunch at the Cliff Bar booth (thank you and yumm).  New flavors and other yummy stuff.  Everything else is a hazy shiny blur.  Except!  SockGuy and Nutcase.  They both had great booths and fun new stuff.  I love the new Nutcase bike bells!   Ding Ding!   SockGuy I just love you.  I can't wait until I can have ALLONEWORD socks... then i will know that I made it to the big time.
See you around town!  I'll update the show info and other stuff to.  :)  soon.
Cheers,
Mary Elizabeth

barcelona yup in spain...

Hi Everyone,
So, I got this order from Jordi in Barcelona.  I asked where they found out about little old me.  And he sent me a link to this amazingly cool blog.

hunchbacksociety

Here is what Jordi said about it "in february 2011 you can find one post talking about your caps. have a look there. It's in Catalan language, just explaining your web site and your caps.

very useful"

Of course I know how to read Catalan perfectly.  I checked it out.  Even if you can't read it -- it is darn cool.  Fab pictures.

The Heartland Velo Show was great.

Cheers,

Mary

New digs and art - attack!

Hi All,
I have new studio space at Bridgehead Studio right here in Alameda.  I'm pretty tired from moving in, but very happy to have such a great place to create.   My studio is not quite set up yet.  As soon as it is pictures to follow.

At Bridgehead there are monthly events: The-Estuary-Art-Attack and open studio events too.  I can't wait to attend.  Just the small amount of art I have seen in the hallways is FAB!

Well, I'll have a party to warm up the place.  I'll send you an invite soon...  See you at my place.

Cheers,
Mary

Treasure Island Flea -- I'll be there -- come by and say HI!

Hi Everyone,

I'll have a table at the Treasure Island Flea tomorrow and Sunday.  I gotta say that it looks like it is going to be a great time.  First -- Yummy Food!  Second -- amazing views of San Francisco Third -- you can see me!

There is even a fancy Groupon for Treasure Island Flea for the event.  So if you are in the know what that is and how it works -- man I am impressed!  If you don't just click on the link - and join those who are in the know.  :)

It is my birthday too.  No need to bring gifts :)   Just stop by and say Happy Birthday!

Mass Love to all ya' all,
Mary

a good wind a blowing...

Hi Ya,
This is so exciting.   One of my alloneword caps is on the gal who writes one of the best bike blogs around.   Her blog is called change your life ride a bike.  I feel so happy about this.  I got to meet her at the San Francisco Bike Party on friday.  Which was wonderful.   I'm not very comfortable riding in traffic nor with other riders.  I had a great time anyway.  Next time will be even better.
Cheers,
Mary

Bina Bilenky & alloneword caps...

Hi All,
Bina Bilenky emailed these fab photos of her family in my caps!   They can be found at Bilenky Cycle Works in Philadelphia PA.

Bina Bilenky, Stephen Bilenky, Justin Trahan, and Bob Kamzelski

Bob Kamelski, Stephen Bilenky, Bina Bilenky, and Justin Bilenky

Stephen Bilenky, Bob Kamzelski, and Bina Bilenky

Here are two articles about Bina Bilenky. 

momentum articles she-cut-her-teeth-on-bicycles

tandem-geek bina bilenky the san diego custom bicycle show

 I met her last year at the Philadelphia Bike Expo.  It was my first big bike event.  She was (and is) extremely helpful.  I am pretty darn happy she is working on the San Diego Custom Bicycle Show -- April 8,9, and 10 -- and I get to work with her again.

Cheers,

Mary

new web site!!!!!!

Hi Everyone,

Here is my new website allonewordshop      Stop by and check it out!  It is still in the building stages -- please tell me what you think.  I'll have current shows, new items, listings of great places to find nifty fabric, and much much more.

My bad for the long lag time between posts.  It seems that I am not so much of a Blogger.  I will add postings and keep you up to date on my events and shows.   The new website allonewordshop will be the main hub of Mary information.

Thank you all so very much for following my blog, it means so much to me.

Here are two blogs I follow.  (so very good both of them)

First:

monkey and seal

Give them a look see.  It is written by two local San Francisco artists.

Second:

The Enchanted Square

Give her a look see.  She lives right here in the East Bay.

Both blogs are wonderful.  monkey and seal have great insight in how to live as an artist.  The Enchanted Square shows how to make everyday, everything art.  

Rocket Reuse in Alameda Calif.

Hi Everyone,
Cool shop alert!

They just got these nifty vintage patterns in.  LOVE.
have a good one.
Mary
PS It's kinda a new shop -- so no sign out side.  It is on the Peet's side of Park St. next to the Golden Donut.

bike/car bike

Hi Everyone,
Well, I have tried the non - car life.  It just is not working for me.  I LOVE riding in Alameda.  I get scared when I ride to the local Bart station.  Sad but true.

So If ya know anyone who has a cheep good car for sale ... I'm right over here.

It is really beautiful outside today.   I'm going for a bike ride in my wonderful little town.

Peace out,
Mary

look Mom no hands...

Sometimes I just miss my Mom.
I silently dialing her number.
as if I could really call her.

in the fullness of time

The Canary  The song of canaries Never varies, And when they’re moulting They’re pretty revolting

by Ogden Nash

Happy New Year!!!!!

Hi Everyone!!!!
Well, you may have guessed that I not the new years resolution kinda gal.  My philosophy is that - you notice something is f@%ed-up then fix it (if you can - or just get the ball rolling).   The other thing you may have noticed about me is that I'm so good with the daily blog entries.  

To get this blog rolling I am having a give away.   The first person to email me at: alloneword.etsy@gmail.com gets this super cool Neil Gaiman Two Plays for Voices.  It has two stories first one Snow Glass Apples stars Bebe Neuwirth and the second Murder Mysteries staring Brian Dennehy.  I love these stories but alas no longer own a tape deck.  

Every week a new item!  and I'll pay the shipping! yup - free shipping.

Happy Happy New Year!!!!
Mary

now get back to work.... :)

old and young peer pressure ...

Hi Everyone,

It seems when I hear of peer pressure it is in reference to teens and or young kids.  However, I find that even as an adult I am swayed by peer pressure.   I can see my Mom telling me to stand up and do what I want (she was like that).   "What were you doing? Sitting there with your finger in your ear?" Mom would say.

The problem is even though I am older, and I like to think a little more savvy, so are my peers.  They are not even being mean, these folks are my friends.  They want me to be happy no matter how much I don't like it.

Good news:  no new crapy tattoo like the last time this peer pressure thing happened (I was in my twenties then).   Don't get me wrong. I love me a nice tattoo.  I don't have a nice tattoo.  My tattoo is a La drunk guy and flash.  Sad thing is my friend that I went to the tattoo place with was peer pressured my me.   Yes, that is the insidious thing about this very problem.  You can do it to others without knowing or even trying to.

What did I do?  I got my hair dyed brown.  Not a big deal.  I know.  However, I liked the color my hair was before: a pretty soft darkish blondish brownish.   I spent 100 bucks (I can ill afford to spend) to change one of the aspects of my appearance that I LIKE.  Man.  and darn.  And I want my 100 bucks back.   And I would like a spine, ninny that I am.

11/29/10

The color has mellowed and it looks good up close as well as from a distance.
Peace out,
Mary

PS: Just a little note to the men folk out there.  When a woman (any woman - friend, lover, wife, sister, Mom, stranger on the street) asks you what you think of the new hair cut and color.  Do not say that it "looks good from a distance."   Yes boys and girls he said "looks good from a distance."   Close friend or not I like you a little less now (not really but - ouch).  The worse part is that the hair dresser said the very same thing.   "No! he didn't" (you would say if you were here).  Oh yes, yes the hair dresser did.
m

Ear flap caps

Hi All,
I am in the workshop working on warm caps that cover the ears!  Yup and Yep.  It is getting cold and don't I know it.  I hope to have photos for you tomorrow.
Sew Buttons,
Mary

Miss Joie in a proto-winter cap.

San Francisco Bike Expo Fashion Show!!!!!!

San Francisco Bike Expo Fashion Show!!!!!!

San Francisco Bike Expo Fashion Show!!!!!!
Three alloneword Caps...

More to come.

Peace out,

Mary

super fast day...

Hi Ya,
I just can't get it.  It is time to go to sleep.  What happened to my day?  I worked hard, completed task, went to appointment, ate dinner... then poof... the day was gone.
See you tomorrow.
Mary
PS Everything has been kinda fast once I got home from Philadelphia.   Even when I was flat out with a hurt back... quick  ... gone.  Is it the holidays?  Already?
m

Special Order Cap for Shenita Strecher of the Liberty Belles

last names...

Hi Everyone,
I was watching  Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie today.   Suddenly, I remembered that when I was newly divorced I would look at movie credits for a new last name (as I no longer wanted my ex's last name and no longer felt like a maiden).  You know try on a few new names to hear how it sounds.   Sometimes, I would try out famous author names, or the parents of authors I like.  My favorite is Mary Shelley's mothers last name: Wollstonecraft.
Peace Out,
Mary
PS I'm looking for a home for my friends cat named Toby.  He is healthy and 16 years old.  See, my friend had a baby boy who is allergic to cats.  (drat)  If you are interested in having the coolest cat in town live with you leave a comment on this blog.  I'll get back to you directly.
m

Tough as Nails -- alleycat race with Prizes (one of my caps...)

Hi Everyone,
Cool event for those Alleycat riders.  Looks like fun and it is for a wonderful cause SFMBA (broken bones fund).   Lots of nifty prizes too.  Maybe I will see you there.  :)

One of my Lupe caps is a prize.  :)

More to come.  
Yours,
Mary

alloneword booth in Philadelphia Bike Expo and in San Francisco Bike Expo

Hi Everyone,
Here are my booths in Phila and San Francisco:

Philadelphia Booth

San Francisco Booth

Both Expos were wonderful and I meet so very many great folks.  I can't wait for next year -- in Phila and SF.  

In the first booth they supplied the white curtains and metal poles.  I thought that was normal and would always be curtains at all expos.   But, no they are not.  This is why it is good to read the entire rental agreement.  The poles and curtains are an "extra".  My plan of hanging my caps al a Phila would not work.  After a few minutes I got an another table, and put them on end, covered them up with fabric.  Then the booth was looking good.  It looked like I knew what I was doing.  Nice.

A few folks remembered my caps from the Handmade Ho-down from last year, and the Dia Di Los Muertos from last month.   So very happy.

Peace out,

Mary

Home again Home again.... S F Bike Show here I come...

I can see my house!

Hi Everyone,

I'm home safe and sound.  The trip was great and here is a little photo log of my travels.

I'm glad that I am home.  And looking forward to the San Francisco Bike expo this weekend (alloneword booth #189)

See you soon,

Mary

Inside Independence Hall Looking at the entry doors (note the big old lock)

The Key to the entry doors  of Independence Hall (yup, I'm holding it!)

The Armory (Where the Phila Bike Expo was held)