Joy Dieting While Treating Myself to Ace of Cake!

Ok my biggest Treat of the week was to meet Duff Goldman of Ace of Cakes and get him to sign his book, Ace of Cakes: Inside the World of Charm City Cakes. I was so thrilled that this made number 1 on my list of spontaneous smile sparkers. I actually treated myself to purchasing his book and on the same day found myself at the head of the line waiting for good ole' Duff to come forward and sign the book after being featured as a noon day speaker at a conference I attended.

Here are some of my other spontaneous smile sparkers this week:

1) Meeting Duff Goldman of Ace of Cakes
2) Drinking my favorite starbucks drink.
3) Completing an art doll.
4) Listening to a song by The Beatles!
5) Receiving a compliment for my work
6) Getting a nationally known doll collector to purchase my work.
7) Hearing my husband say "I love you"
8) Watching my cat "Paka" try to "talk" to me
9) Spending time in the art studio and working on my new projects.
10) Watching the Yankees and Phillies move to the World Series.

I treat myself every day to a Starbucks coffee usually a chai or mocha. It is a little thing but it means a lot to me. Also, if I see a book, a CD or something I want to have I will try to purchase it.

I don't require much for treating. Even a hug a day will do as a treat for me.

Risk with Rewards, A Lesson from Duff!

Hello All. I apologize that I was so busy last week, I did not have a chance to write about risk. So here I am.

I guess as fate puts it, risk has been associated with me all of my life. I have always taken well, uh calculated risks.

Risk is a major word in my vocabulary and I do pretty good at orchestrating it. I am a BIG Food Network fan and anyone who watches knows about Duff Goldman, Ace of Cakes, CEO of Charm City Cakes in Baltimore, MD. I was just reading a book by Food Network's Ace of Cakes star Duff Goldman, called "Ace of Cakes: Inside the World of Charm City Cakes."

One chapter or page in particular struck me when Duff describes leaving his job and starting his business Charm City Cakes for the first time,

"On March 3, 2002, I left my job and started decorating cakes full-time. In my apartment in downtown Baltimore. Health Department? Permit? Tax ID? Nope. If figured I would cross those bridges when I came to them (or, more appropriately, they came to me). There is nothing, I repeat, nothing that can yet you motivated to run a business like when I woke up on March 4 and realized I didn't have a paycheck anymore. Want to learn how to jump? Paint yourself into a corner. I won't say roll the dice, because I knew I had no choice but to succeed. Well, so far trusting my instincts had never felt so good."

I resonated so much with what Duff described because on September 1, 2006, I did the same thing. I quit a very secure, yet frustrating federal job/career to focus on my first art business full time, my interior design business, Design Scheme Interiors, LLC. I knew on September 2nd that I best get my butt moving and create demand for my business. And guess what? The reason why I could not write last week was because I had to prepare and give a big design presentation for one of four clients that I currently work with!

It gets to a point where failure is no option and you HAVE to make things work or you are just well... screwed.

Then in 2008, I went back to my love of art. I took some classes a while ago with a noted doll artist in the DC area. I loved it. However, growing Design Scheme Interiors got in the way and never went back to it. So my sister Sharon kept telling me to go back and start making dolls again. I was shy about it and did not think I had artistic skills. Finally, in late 2007, I began making a couple of dolls and showed them very reluctantly at a neighbor's holiday soiree. Man I was amazed, every last doll was snatched and sold!

I said ok. Maybe there is future in this, by the end of 2008, I had participated in one art exhibition at a gallery, wrote one article for Soft Dolls and Animals Magazine, sold several dolls at a local doll boutique and was featured in a Doll Collector's book. How is that for trusting your instincts.

Again, I had no idea. Risk is second nature for me and when I look back at my life, I noticed that I have always risked things. I made some stupid moves and some smart ones. But at the end, I always as Duff puts it- trust my instincts. I pray a lot, cry a lot but when times get tough, I always say keep moving.

I take risks everyday. Small goals. Like going to a place I never been before, talking to someone I normally do not talk to or this is the BIG one, attending an event by myself. So this chapter was easy for me.

Sankofa Studio holds Open House @ Passageways Open Studios, November 22, 2009!

Date: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Time: 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Passageway Artist Studios, 6001 - 66th Avenue #201, Riverdale, MD 20737


Join Sankofa Studio at Passageways Artist Studios for our first open studio for the holidays. Purchase doll pins, mixed media art, and of course, DOLLS! Come visit the studio where it all happens and meet the artist, Sherry Burton Ways. It is the holiday season! You will find something unusual, unique and fun!

For more information call: (301) 459-8038 or emailinfo@PassagewaysStudio.com!

Meet the Artists: Food, Fun & Friends w/Liberated Muse: A Celebration of Freedom Art Exhibit event

Saturday, November 14, 2009
Time:
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Location:
The Potter's House
Street:
1658 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC

Come to the OFFICIAL opening of the art exhibit "Celebration of Freedom" @ the Potter's House. Liberated Muse Productions presents an art exhibit showcasing the talent of DC visual artists featured in the book Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul and the arts community. Featured artists include:

Prudence Bonds
Shan'ta Monroe
Sherry Burton-Ways
James Terrell
Jade Andwele
Sharon Burton
Choke
Stephan Cox
Marshetta Davis
Keisha Carroll
Khadijah Ali-Coleman

Sharon Burton of Authentic Contemporary Art curated the exhibited.

Refreshments served and live entertainment. See you there!

Donating to A Worthy Cause: Dress for Success in Washington, DC

A friend suggested that I donate one of my Sankofa Dolls to the Dress for Success Dress for Success 7th Anniversary Luncheon on Monday October 19, 2009 at the new W Hotel Washington, DC. The event will feature a reception, luncheon, and a program where Michelle Fenty, wife of D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, will be the keynote speaker.

According to their press release:

"Dress for Success is a worldwide charitable organization providing professional attire, mentoring programs and career assistance to women who are making the transition from welfare to work. Dress for Success Washington, D.C. is one of 96 Dress for Success Affiliates operating in the United States and in several countries throughout the world. Since opening its doors in 2002, the Dress for Success Washington, D.C. Affiliate has served over 5,000 women in the D.C. Metropolitan area and will continue to meet the needs of women who desire a better life for themselves and their families.

For more information on Dress for Success Washington, DC, visit www.dressforsuccess.org/washingtondc or call 202-269-4805."

For tickets and sponsorships for the 7th Anniversary, please contact Lindsay Robbins of The Webster Group at (202) 741-1274 or lindsay@websterconsulting.com.

Creativity!

Wow Martha Beck got me on this one. As one of the other blogger's mentioned, I thought this chapter would be one that helps us explore our creativity. Quite the opposite. She wants us to explore our enemies, our failures, look at doing something completely different when we are approaching creativity.

Failure as creativity?? Wow that made me sit down! I have had my share of those and yes they were true learning experiences! The other suggestion examines your enemies (or the street term "haters"), list their traits and consider whether their traits are some I should take on? Heavy dose of medicine on that one. Somehow I do not feel comfortable lamenting on their negative energy.

So this is what I decided to do on this one. I decided that I would be creative in exploring new activities such as snow boarding for example. I decided to try something completely new and completely outside my element. Do something different each month-(I am not going to say each week) and use that as a creativity exercise to think differently about my desires and goals. Not sure what those activities will be but I am certain I will find plenty of new experiences.

The Journey: Dolls for A Soulful Purpose

Yours truly after completing my mermaid soul doll!


Here she is- my soul art doll debut!


Sights of the Tactile Textile Center in Denver where the class took place!









Joyce works to create a doll of two sides.


Carolyn is getting creative!


Chris is contemplating her Art Soul Doll.



Jessica is working on her male soul doll.



Our fearless leader and instructor, Camilla La Mer demonstrates the art of Soul Dolls!

Well what can I say, my Art Soul Doll class at the Tactile Textile Arts Center, a premier art center and gallery in the textile arts in Denver, Colorado was AWESOME. Six of us came together with one soul, one purpose to learn and be inspired by none other than doll artist, Camilla La Mer. Instantly when I arrived I first met Chris who was a wonderful lady who volunteers at the art center. Then I met Camilla- so warm, thoughtful, spiritual and lovable! We hugged when we met like kindred souls.

During the class I experienced the exhilaration of spontaneous expression! Everyone who participated left their inner critics at the door as we entered a safe, non-judgmental environment where exploration was encouraged. Soul Doll Artist Camilla La Mer made the class fun and inspirational in the art of doll making. Through this experience, I embraced the opportunity to allow my creativity to reveal itself to me. Art Soul Dolls are dolls of healing and symbolism. These are the kind of dolls that I most drawn to and plan on starting a series soon highlighting them.

Camilla began the class with a poem to contemplate on called "The Journey." She also shared her own personal experiences as well as introduced us to her own beautiful Art Soul Dolls being displayed in the Tactile Textile Arts Center.

The other students: Carolyn, highly creative and inspirational, Joyce, truly an artistic gem, Jessica, a woman budding with a future in the arts, were the warmest women I ever met with a passion for all things spiritual and creativity. We all spent Sunday afternoon learning from each other, sharing stories, creating our Art Soul Dolls under the careful instruction of Camilla.

We shared a lovely lunch together and afterward completed our work and proudly displayed our wonderful creations for the day! I was so happy and inspired with all the work. I was also pleased with my own mermaid creation which I made based on a recent personal experience. She (the mermaid) will continue to give me comfort during various trials in my life.

I truly enjoyed the class and my experience. I look forward to heading back to Denver and meeting with these women again soon!

Peace & Blessings, Namaste, Ashe' Sherry

Denver Miniatures, Dolls and Toys Museum

This past Saturday, I visited the Denver Museum of Minatures, Dolls and Toys. The mission of the Museum is to provide educational and cultural services to the greater Rocky Mountain region through the preservation, exhibition, collection and interpretation of the visual arts using miniatures, dolls and toys.

I spent a few hours touring the miniature doll houses, the doll collections including antique Japanese dolls acquired through the 1927 Friendship Doll exchange between Japan and the United States, Native American dolls, and an impressive Barbie Doll collection.

In addition, the miniature doll houses made by different artists and enthusiasts were a wonder to see! There is so much to see there and the museum offers workshops for children and educates those who visit the importance and sacredness of doll collecting.

Check out the museum the next time you are in Denver.

For more information contact:
Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys
1880 Gaylord Street
Denver, CO 80206
Telephone: 303-322-1053

Joy Diet: Thoughts on Desire

I am writing from Denver, Colorado this morning. Of course I am up way early because it is east coast time. I am writing to share with you the chapter of the week on Desire from our journey through the Joy Diet.

On my way out to Denver on the plane- I read The Rolling Stones Magazine's Tribute to Michael Jackson. I was surprised to learn that after Jacko's Off the Wall LP, Michael had a strong desire to get a Grammy award because he felt that the work on the album was superb. He did not get but one Grammy and he was extremely disappointed. So he set out to do an album of all albums. The next album he thought will win everything and be the best album of all time. Well it turns out Thriller did just that. But what was next? Did he ever get to the now what?


After reading this chapter, I began to think about my life and my true desires. I found that I have already in some cases found my true desires. I am now working part time as a doll and mixed media artist and full time as an interior decorator. So obviously I am in two creative fields. This came about through acting upon my strong desires about 6 years ago and developing a plan of action to get there.

So after thinking about that, I paused again and started thinking- "now that I have accomplished what I want to do, what is my desire NOW?" So after some meditation I began to think about what is coming up as my strongest desire.

Here it is: one of the things as a doll artist I encounter most often is the feeling that dolls are somehow considered voodoo. People in particular look at my art dolls, the ones with the wild hair that in my opinion really speak to an artistic statement, and say "are your dolls voodoo dolls?" Then I want to shake them and give them a history of what art dolls are and what they are all about.

This led me to think about putting together some sort of education program in my community. I am considering a video, forum, book or some other venue to educate the public about what art dolls are and what they are not. This desire keeps coming up in me and I feel like I have to in some way act on it.

This may seem trite and maybe not too deep for some folks, but the desire to act and to educate the public about the importance of art dolls as a true art form is very important to me.

I am writing notes and getting inspiration from various sources on this subject. I am also looking for any thoughts my blogg readers may have in getting this information.

As I read through the chapter I have decided to put together an outline or plan of action based on the recommendations. I am hoping to see some results shortly.

New Work!

Hi I just wanted to share with you my "Queen" mixed media doll art series on canvas and blocks. These I just completed in within the last week. I really love the bright red background on some of these, really makes the images pop! I will have artwork similar to these and others at my open house on November 22nd. Stay tuned!

Italia Vogue Features Black Barbie in her 50th Anniversary

I thought this was simply gorgeous. It is very rare that I have seen Black Barbie featured in the way Italian Vogue had featured her over the summer. My friend Lisa Glover on Facebook sent this out and I just had to share it with my blogger friends. Check out the Black Barbie supplement that appeared in their July issue and information here!

Creating A Dream Box!

My sister Sharon suggested that I take Jennifer Lee's Dream Box workshop that took place at Kim Wilson of Tranquil Space's home this past friday evening. I truly enjoyed myself.

The purpose was to create a box collage of your dreams. Words and encouraging messages to help you pursue your future goals. Kim Wilson was a wonderful host offering some of the best apple cider that I ever tasted!

Jennifer, a creative coach, came in from California and was in town for a Creative Entrepreneur conference. She was lovely.

We all sat on the floor of Kim's condo in Dupont Circle with lots of magazines, modge podge glue, our boxes and great conversation!

However, the big hit was Kim's cat (see pics)- he was all over the place and dared anyone to try to pet him LOL!

I created my dream box to focus on improving who I am mentally, spiritually and physically. See my box above.

The other creative people there were fabulous and it was a true growth experience for me.

Thank you Jennifer, Sharon, Kim and all the others for a creatively good time!

The Truth: The Supremes, The Beatles, and Other Self Revelations!

Okay, I read the Truth chapter of the Joy Diet. Boy this was very complex for me.

I love celebrities, in particular, musicians and music groups. Many years ago, I read a book by Mary Wilson one of the famous Supremes of Motown called "Where Did Our Love Go?". The book chronicles the life of being one of the Supremes during the 60's and the truth of the behind the scenes frolicking of Diana Ross and their mentor, producer, director, and Founder of Motown Mr. Berry Gordy. This book was written right after the famous Motown 25 show in the early 80's where the late Michael Jackson fascinated us with his gliding moonwalk across the floor.

Mary recounts in her book that Diana Ross played ugly during rehearsals for their number and acted like a complete you know what towards her and Florence Ballard between takes of the show. It appears that Mary finally faced her music and was fed up with the whole scene and previous scenes played out in her life with Diana and the Supremes and finally opened up to write an account, her truth, which set her free in this very revealing book.

A few months ago, I put together a collage that chronicled this- called Truth. My older blogger followers recognize this piece but I wanted to share this with my newer readers because of the name and how it describes the freedom Mary must have felt when she was finally able to reveal her true feelings about her experience. She was no longer in her mind protecting herself or Diana Ross. Mary took the criticisms and the consequences that went along with that.

Also, I was reminded again of who else? The Beatles... John Lennon in 1968 upon the Beatles return from the pilgrimage to India to see the Maharishi wrote a song called "Sexy Sadie" which appeared on their White Album. I was very intrigued by this song so I did some research. Turns out it was really a song about the John Lennon's truth about the Maharishi. How while they were in India things went a different direction and there was talk that the Maharishi may have tried to make sexual advances towards one of the participants. Instead of calling the song Sexy Marharishi the lyrics were changed so to protect the "innocent".

Why do I bring this up? I think the chapter on truth was one of major revelation. I think at times we know the truth about ourselves yet, we change the words of the songs of our own lives to protect ourselves- the innocent. I have found this to be true for myself and others I know. We can keep ignoring things and lie to ourselves.

For me the truth is that my body is talking to me constantly, trying to show me the evidence of my life practices.

Pain talks to us about how we treat and have treated our bodies. Our faces and hands evidence our life successes and challenges. Our hearts open or close based on how we treat ourselves and others. Do I listen? Do I know how to listen?

It's time we all became more conversant with our bodies and souls. They draw our attention to the hopes and dreams that we had forgotten. They help us create new dreams for our future! This is my truth.

Who will listen to the truth if I don't?