Eco Artist Extraordinaire Mary Anne Enriquez

Mary Anne Enriquez aka Urban Woodswalker is an amazing artist that I admire.  Her passion for the environment and her creative mind unite to turn what others would consider trash into unique and beautiful  jewelry, art, and fashion.

 She recently entered and won the Grand Prize for the "Save My Oceans Upcycle Contest"  with her Upcycled Fused Plastic Bag Coat. She worked tirelessly for one month cutting and fusing plastic bags together to create the coat. 

                                   This IS Globalization Trash Chaos Vessel

Mary Anne has found a way to de-clutter her countertops from the endless barrage of junk mail. Using recycled magazines and junk mail, she created a "trash chaos vessel". It's now a beautiful and useful piece of art.  

Aluminum cans become her beads for this unique one-of-a-kind necklace. You can find more of her jewelry in her Etsy shop Urban Woodswalker. To view the gallery of her portfolio visit her Flickr page, you'll be amazed at how beautiful trash can become! 

B.Y.O.B. No Excuses!

Plastic Sucks Reusable Shopping Bag by Bonesbags on Etsy

I have to admit that when I decided to make the switch over from using plastic grocery bags to bringing my own it took awhile to get into the habit. I would forget to put them in the car...or walk into the store and remember as I was in the checkout line. We do get spoiled with the convenience of the store taking care of this need But who pays the price?

Did you know that approximately 1 BILLION seabirds and mammals die per year by ingesting plastic bags? Unfortunately these bags which can catch the air like a balloon can travel for miles and eventually end up in our oceans, lakes and streams all over the world.

Grocery stores are trying to help us by offering their own eco-friendly bags for purchase. I do see some people bringing their own bags, but I don't think the majority of people will until they Ban the Plastic Bags.

It's easier than you think to B.Y.O.B. to the stores! Here's some tips to get you started.

Tip #1 - Look through your closets, you may already have some canvas bags around the house. Throw them in your trunk so they're ready when you need them.

Tip #2 - If you live close to a Trader Joe's, take your bags there for your first time. They will enthusiastically welcome you and your bags and even throw your name into a raffle!

Tip # 3 - Buy a Chico Bag. This was my very first re-usable bag I bought. It cost around $5 but has been worth every penny. I've had this for over 2 years and it's still going strong...small, compact, fits in your purse or clips on your belt...genius!

Tip- # 4- Ignore the rude cashiers that seem annoyed that it takes longer to pack your groceries in your re-usable bag. It may slow up their line, but you are doing a good thing!

My Work In Progress "Breaking Free"

It's a big year of change for me...my heart and soul went into this piece. I'll be adding more chains to my heart...some broken, some still attached. Moving on to the next phase of my life, where my heart will be surrounded with bright happiness, peace and joy! I'll post pics after grouting.

The Grass is Greener...the air is cleaner.

The green green grass of my home has a new garderner...me! I've taken over the chore of mowing the lawn. My first attempt at starting the mower was enough to make me rip all the grass out. Twenty minutes later with sweat dripping down my face I was finally successful and heard the "beast " roar. I eventually would get the technique perfected and be able to start the mower with a single pull. The "beast" could cut grass well, but the noise pollution and air pollution that spewed out really bothered me. That's when my quest to find an eco-friendly replacement began.

Electric mowers seemed to be a good alternative, but the annoyance of the cord seemed to be an issue. I remembered my Mom using a push mower for our yard, did they still make those I wondered?

I researched and found the one I wanted...Scott's Classic Reel Mower. It had great reviews and I watched a 6 min. video of a small woman mowing her lawn. I was sold!

After a simple assembly of the handle...off we went for a test drive. My gas mower had conked out halfway through so now Scott (that's what I call him) had the job of tackling the mohawk that Mr. Rootin'-Tootin'-Pollutin' had left behind. It was now pitch dark but my son and I were determined to get er' done, so under the glow of the cellphone we mowed. I didn't really get a good look at the job Scott did until the morning after. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was cut perfectly and matched the noisy dude's work.

So if you're thinking of finding ways to go green in your life, and you have a small yard...then I highly recommend finding a Scott of your own. It is easy to push, easier to turn, and I just can't get enough of that whirling sound it makes as your push your way along!

Amber Glow

The Seventies was all aglow with Amber...I love to pick up vintage treasures from this era. There's just something warm and fuzzy about this color that makes me feel at home. Could it be that this glass might of been the same glass I drank out of as a child of the 70's and it stirs up old memories for me?

The texture on this glass is amazing and as I thought of all the creative ways you could use a single glass like this to decorate your home, alas my son came up with this one.

A simple votive candle and voila...an amber glow to light up your night!

You can find this vintage treasure in my Etsy shop!

Irene

Meet Irene...my latest eyeball mosaic. She currently sits atop my mantel awaiting adoption. To learn more about her visit my Etsy shop!

A Motherless Mother's Day

You left me far too soon

I wasn't ready to let you go

You'd taught me many things

but there was more for me to know...

When I didn't believe I could do it alone

Your angel wings lifted me high

and wrapped me tight with your soul

and gave me the strength to fly...

And on this Motherless Mother's Day

I will not shed a tear

For you are forever a part of me

a part that will always stay near.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

It's My One Year Anniversary...

Irvine Lake Mud Run April 2010

Happy One Year Anniversary to me!!!

One year ago today I started running...I'm sad to say I could only run about 1 mile before I felt like I was going to die! I had never been a runner before and I only started training in preparation for my first Mud Run. I made little baby steps each week, slowly adding more distance to my running workouts. My goal was to be able to run at least 3 miles without walking by July. This gave me 2 1/2 months to reach my goal. As each week passed I started to notice that I wasn't heaving and panting at the end of a few miles. My real motivation came from my running mate, Jenny...who at 50 years old became my unofficial coach. She had the energy of a 20 year old and I could sometimes barely keep up.

As July neared a turn of unfortunate events occurred...Jenny overdid it and a foot injury ended our days of training together, and she grabbed her family and left the country! (Only for a year...to travel around the globe, she's due back in a few weeks). As she packed her bags, she made me promise her that I wouldn't quit running. So I continued on...

I completed my first Mud Run successfully, then signed up for another one, and another one, and yet another one! (July 18th @ www.irvinelakemudrun.com) . I ran the Dana Point Turkey Trot in November, and the OC Chili Trail Run in February.

So this day is significant to me in many ways...I embrace my new life filled with mud runs, trail runs, new running friends, sweaty socks, a closet full of running gear, and a healthy body.

You are never too old to start a healthy lifestyle, find a partner to motivate you, start slow, and set yourself some goals. Sign up for a 5K or if you don't mind getting dirty, a Mud Run.

One year...approximately 750 miles later...I will now pat myself on the back!

The Gift of a Random Act of Kindness

Ever had one of "those days"? A few weeks ago I was having a terrible day...personal issues, and I was at Trader Joe's picking up a few things...wine, chocolate, etc. The cashier asked me how my day was and I responded, "Not good". He said oh, ok...let's try this again. How was your weekend? I responded, "Pretty crazy". He said oh, I'm sorry. We all have days like that. I hope it gets better. I paid for my groceries and he handed me my reciept, and a bouquet of flowers.

This Random Act of Kindess (RAOK) from a stranger turned my day around. It gave me hope that there are kind people out there. I decided that he was my angel.

After tweeting about the kind gesture, I received a reply back from @UOWHO, telling me to pay it forward, and that's how I came to learn about this wonderful company that makes these bracelets.

The idea behind them is to wear one, do something nice for someone, punch out one of the 10 tabs and pass the bracelet on to the recipient. Then they do the same, and so on...and so on... and in the end it will make 10 happier people on earth!

When I received my bracelet I wore it daily for over a week. I wanted to make sure my RAOK was a heartfelt one. The bracelet made me aware of strangers around me and I kept searching for the perfect person to pass it on to.

Back at Trader Joe's again...more wine, more chocolate...and I spotted some beautiful yellow daffodils in a woman's cart. Daffodils were one of my Mom's favorite springtime flowers. She used to get so excited after a cold snowy winter in Utah to see the first sign of spring poking up from the ground. My Mom's birthday had just passed, she would've been 75 this year, and I wanted a part of her in this process. She was the most generous soul I've ever met...so Daffodils were going to be my gift to someone.

Who??? Hmmm....had to be the perfect person, who didn't expect it. Now at my car loading my groceries, Daffodils in hand...I'm scanning the parking lot. There she was. A Mom, getting out of her SUV with two little boys on a Friday afternoon. I'm a mother of two boys also, so I know how hectic your days can be. She would be the next owner of the bracelet I decided.

She was surprised, and pleased and loved the whole concept of the bracelet. I'm sure she'll pass it on, if she hasn't already. I drove away feeling happy for her...and happier myself. Daffodils are a sign of hope that brighter days are ahead.

What will be your Random Act of Kindess?

It's a Beautiful Weekend to Spend in Dana Point Harbor!

Rita and Kathleen at the Festival of the Whales
Originally uploaded by smashgirl

The weather forecast looks great, and what better way to enjoy your weekend than getting outside and strolling through the Dana Point Harbor. It's the last weekend of the Festival of the Whales and there is tons going on! Bring the kids, bring you dog and enjoy the weekend listening to music and eating some great food.
While you're there don't miss the Dana Point Fine Arts booths!
I'll be there with all of my mosaic art alongside my best friend Rita, a jewelry designer. Stop by and say Hi! Enjoy your weekend!
You'll find our booths on the corner of Dana Point Harbor Drive and Island Way. (on the grassy area before Baby Beach).
Click on link for the schedule of events!
Dana Point Festival of the Whales Schedule

Silver Bullet Designs at The Dana Point Festival of Whales

My best friend Rita and I go way back...we met in our Freshman year of High School. She was always creative and artsy even way back then. After High School she focused her art on jewelry and now designs and sells her things as Silver Bullet Designs.

This weekend March 6 and 7, and next weekend March 13 and 14, she'll have her booth at the Dana Point Festival of the Whales. Please stop by and say "Hi" to her and check out her jewelry. Be sure to tell her smashy sent you:)