Art @ Your Fingertips

There’s a new app in town that showcases Tampa Bay artists, a digital “coffee table book” of sorts, developed by the super cool team at HD Interactive.

I didn’t even know until a few days before the launch party that they were the geniuses behind it. (I’ve done some creative copywriting work on a few projects for HDI CEO Sean Carey, so I know firsthand these guys turn out fantastic products.)

Artbook Tampa Bay will be available in the iTunes store for the iPad. The free “lite” version available now gives you a great overview, about a hundred stunning sneak peeks of featured artists’ work. I flipped through the app at the launch party and was amazed at the quality of the beautiful high def images. Also included are artist bios and contact and website info. 

The most brilliant thing about Artbook Tampa Bay for art lovers is the accessibility--it’s a virtual gallery that welcomes anyone in the world to see what we have to offer. The huge bonus for the artists is the exposure. It doesn’t cost anything to submit work, although not all will be published. (A panel of art professionals help decide who will be included.)

Art is where you make it...and Artbook Tampa Bay is proof positive that it’s definitely being made here.

Go here for more about Artbook Tampa Bay:

http://artbookarchive.com/

D.I.Y. Crowns & Tiaras! March 8, 6-9 p.m.

You're awesome and the world needs to know it!

Gypsy Queen? Birthday Queen? Queen of EVERYTHING?
Let them know who they're dealing with!

Join us Thurs., March 8, 6-9 p.m. at It's Just Beachy Studio & Gifts and create your own fabulous Royal Accessory! Gypsy Camp provides EVERYTHING you'll need to make your own stunning fashion statement AND you can bet there will be a pitcher of Tipsy Gypsy Sangria on hand to help get the creative ideas flowing!

The cost is $35 per person and includes ALL supplies. Complimentary light refreshments will be served. PLEASE reserve your spot by Wednesday, March 7 so we can plan supplies & refreshments accordingly! 
Gypsy Camp will be held at It's Just Beachy Studio & Gifts, 111 107th Ave., Treasure Island. Call (727) 360-3938 or stop by to sign up! "Like" It's Just Beachy on Facebook to receive the latest updates about shop events and fantastic new goodies!

Sophie the Wonder Dog's not too sure about her "Sea Queen" tiara!

Stay CRAFTY, my friends!
Ciao for now...
~ The Tipsy Gypsy

Improve Your Love Life!

Join us at the next Gypsy Camp Craft Lounge on Thurs., Feb. 9, for a Valentine's Extravaganza! We'll provide everything you need! The cost is $35 per person. Gypsy Camp will be held at It's Just Beachy Studio & Gifts, 111 107th Ave., Treasure Island. Call (727) 360-3938 or stop by to sign up!

Make beautiful embellished greeting cards & wow your sweetheart with show stopping treat packages filled with goodies!

Sample EASY TO MAKE Shortbread, Cappuccino Almonds and  Decadent Truffles--and take home the recipes so you can make your own!

And of course, our signature Tipsy Gypsy Sangria will be there to help you get the creative ideas flowing!

A Toast to Creativity

We had a great time gussying up glasses at Thursday night’s Gypsy Camp! Everyone left with creatively decorated projects and will be able to say “I MADE THAT!” whenever they enjoy their favorite beverages.

It was fun to watch each distinct design develop.

 

BIG THANKS to It's Just Beachy in Treasure Island for hosting Gypsy Camp! ("Like" It's Just Beachy on Facebook for the latest updates about new shop goodies and events!)


NEXT UP: Get your hearts on! There’s gonna be a Valentine craft blowout Thursday, Feb. 9, 6-9 p.m. We’re pulling out all the stops with glitter, ribbon, buttons, glitter, cool ephemera and design paper, a big assortment of fun doo-dads (and did I mention glitter?) to make the most extravagantly embellished greeting cards and treat packages known to man! The cost is $35 per person. ALL supplies are provided. And you can bet that a pitcher of complimentary Tipsy Gypsy Sangria will be there to help get those creative juices flowing!

Call It’s Just Beachy at (727) 360-3938 for more information and to sign up. You can also stop by: It’s Just Beachy is located at 111 107th Avenue, Treasure Island. (107th Ave is also St. Petersburg’s Central Avenue when you’re on the mainland--if you follow it west over the bridges to the beach, you’ll see It’s Just Beachy on your left as you approach the Gulf Blvd intersection.)

Using the Past as a Creative Tool

You don't have to look far to realize that inspiration is everywhere--and it doesn't even need to be from this time period!

Skimming through my e-mails last week, something in Ruth Eckerd Hall's e-newsletter got the wheels turning. A show at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Clearwater would feature the live music of the Voxare String Quartet, set to a 1929 Russian silent documentary playing in the background.

Interesting timing, I thought, since the new Golden Globe Award-winning movie, "The Artist," uses the silent film genre to tell its story of star-crossed lovers and their missed connections as their respective careers rise and fall. 

Here in the 21st century, we are assaulted on all sides with various forms of media from the moment we wake up. Yet here are two contemporary artistic endeavors that reach back through the decades to revive one of the earliest forms of cinematic expression.

What follows is my take on the two shows, written for Creative Loafing Tampa's blog, The Daily Loaf:

the-artist-and-voxare-show-us-talkies-are-overrated

BY THE WAY:

There's still time to sign up for Gypsy Camp Craft Lounge taking place THIS THURSDAY, 6-9 p.m., at It's Just Beachy in treasure Island. We're looking forward to a fun night of bubbly Gypsy Sangria and creativity as we customize and embellish wine and martini glasses, perfect for toasting the NEW YEAR! (Especially if YOUR resolution, like mine, is to DRINK MORE CHAMPY!) See the post below for more details and CALL to reserve your spot!

Toast the New Year with the Tipsy Gypsy!

Happy New Year! 

Let's all resolve to explore our creativity more in 2012! Many of us seem to lose our sense of creative adventure when we "grow up" and take on the drudgery and responsibilities of adulthood. We think we don't have time to indulge in creative pursuits because we have so many "serious" tasks staring us in the face every morning when we wake up. 

To that, I say: NONSENSE! Make it happen!

When you allow yourself time to be creative, you may find that it improves other areas of your life too. You look at problems from a different perspective. You might feel mentally refreshed. If anything, you've got a colorful bit of instant gratification that comes from making something with your own hands!

There are many ways to explore your creativity. We'll look at some of them in upcoming posts. But for now, you can get in on the action with another Gypsy Camp Craft Lounge event at It's Just Beachy! Here's the scoop:

Get Tipsy with the Gypsy on 
Thurs., Jan. 19, 6-9 p.m.!!

Jazz up a pair of wine or martini glasses with fun custom designs, while enjoying complimentary Tipsy Gypsy Sangria and other refreshments.

The cost is $35 per person, which includes all supplies. 

For more information, please call It’s Just Beachy at (727) 360-3938. It’s Just Beachy is located at  111 107th Ave, Treasure Island, across from the Thunderbird and Bilmar beach resorts. “Like” It’s Just Beachy on Facebook for the latest news!

And remember: "Creativity is contagious. Pass it on." --Einstein

See you at Gypsy Camp!

Ciao for now!
~ Carol

Gypsy Camp Hits the Beach!

Welcome to Gypsy Camp Craft Lounge’s blog spot! (In addition to GCCL event dates, I’ll also be sharing random bits and other interesting info here.)

Everyone needs a place to be creative and Gypsy Camp brings that place to YOU!

Gypsy Camp was inspired by my annual “Girls’ Night In” events, when my friends would come over for a few hours of throwin’ down the glitter while enjoying signature cocktails and other treats, and leave relaxed and SO HAPPY with their creations... 

Let’s face it, few people have a stash like mine--boxes and baskets of ribbon, vintage ephemera, colorful design paper, seashells, old buttons, and more--so much more--but everyone DOES seem to have jam-packed lives that leave little time to explore their creativity--something that I think is as crucial to human existence as breathing! 

So...while I can’t do anything about your daily chaos, if you can just give me a few hours, I can provide the glitter and the inspiration! 

Join us Thursday, December 8, 6-9 p.m. at It’s Just Beachy Studio & Gifts in beautiful Treasure Island, a stone’s throw from the iconic Thunderbird and Bilmar beach resorts. We’ll be making embellished holiday ornaments and keepsake mementoes using vintage photographs. Participants are invited to bring COPIES of their own special photos (the “Miami Beach Beauty” is my Gramma!) or select one from Gypsy Camp’s collection! 

The cost is $35 and all supplies will be provided. You’ll also enjoy complimentary refreshments to keep you hydrated and nourished while you create. Call It’s Just Beachy at (727) 360-3938 for more information and to sign up. You can also stop by (in fact, I highly recommend it! Lots of fun stuff to check out!): It’s Just Beachy is located at 111 107th Avenue, Treasure Island. (107th Ave is also St. Petersburg’s Central Avenue when you’re on the mainland--if you follow it west over the bridges to the beach, you’ll see It’s Just Beachy on your left as you approach the Gulf Blvd intersection.)


See you at Gypsy Camp!
And remember...Inspiration is EVERYWHERE!


Ciao for now.
~ Carol