Sunday, January 29, 2012

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.)

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

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:

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!

Monday, January 2, 2012

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