Amy Nieto Photography + Design

The fair will be held on the 8-9 of April, 2006 (11 months after the very first Mutation, awww). We still do not have a definite table fee, but it might be somewhere around $50 for both days and $30 for just one (or perhaps slightly less).

Let me know if you're very interested in attending!!

Jane Mag: Do you have anything in the works (Franco's production company)?

James Franco: We just sold a film. The Ape, that I co-wrote and directed. We took it to some festivals last year. I was in Savannah, Georgia, for one last Halloween, and some of the students took us to a bar where they had blood wrestling.

Jane: What the hell is that?

Franco: Some girls, like, wrestling in fake blood.

Jane: Shut up. Were they in bikinis?

Franco: I guess so, kind of.

Jane: And what were you wearing?

Franco: Someone bought us a couple of masks from Woolworth's. I was Darth Vader.

Second of all, HOW THE HECK DID I MISS THIS AND WHY WASN'T I ONE OF THE WRESTLING GIRLS!!!

I know I had missed James Franco, but this?!??!

To me, what sets Mecano apart from your usual synth-pop group that sprung from the 80s is their superior songwriting skills (other than their infectious sound and lead singer, Ana's lullaby yet strong voice). Brothers Jose Maria and Ignacio (Nacho) have such a talent for storytelling within the verse-chorus structure, it feels like you are listening to a literary masterpiece performed on the radio. Very few songwriters can achieve this and still score worldwide #1 hits.

Some excellent samples of their stories-within-a-song:
01) Hijo de la Luna- from their Entre el Cielo y el Suelo album (1986). It tells the story of how the Moon, desperate to become a mother, convinced a gypsy woman to birth a son for her. When the husband saw the baby's "pale as the moon" skin and grey eyes he killed the wife and abandonded the son in the forest. The Moon is reunited with her soon, and when he cries she reaches her Crescent phase to provide him a crib. I'm unsure whether this is actual gypsy folklore, but Gosh is it beautiful.

02) Marcha en Nueva york - Funny but often true story of the disappointment foreigners feel when realizing New York does not fulfill their expectations, such as not spotting any actors on the streets or not being able to speak "Christian" Spanish with the very hispanics in the City.

03) Eungenio Salvador Dali- One of their classics, it is the most incredible ode to the surrealist artist you'll ever come across. "If you reincarnate in flesh, reincarnate in yourself". It's worth learning Spanish just so you can understand this song.

04) Heroes de la Antartida- a very tragic song about Captain Robert Scott and three other British explorers in 1912 who set out to be the first to set foot on the Antartic continent, only to find the Norwegian flag of Amundsen already waving at latitude 0. Help never came their way, and all four of them died trying to reach their base. The song freakin feels like 3-minute action/survival movie...but much better!

05) Laika- What can I say about Laika. Unfortunately, this song (and two others) were only released on the CD version of Descanso Dominical, so I was unaware of this brilliant song until today. And holy crap wow. It is a charming little song about Laika, the very first living creature to go into space, onboard Russia's Sputnik in 1957. Laika ponders what is that giant ball of color and why is she circling around it, while laughter and champagne is served down on Earth. The song has that same immediacy of impending death that Bowie's Space Oddity is so famous for. The real Laika actually died seven hours after take-off from overheating and stress. I freakin cried when I heard this song today.

That is just a sample, for they have countless of great songs. Oh and I forgot the moody and desperate La Fuerza del Destino, presumably written for Penelope Cruz who was at the time dating one of the brothers. It is my favorite Mecano song, and I was FURIOUS when the stupid untalented Fey recorded a HOOORRRIIIBBLLEE cover last year, and then had the audacity to name the album (which are only covers of MEcano, wow, Fey, great way to "relaunch your career" ugh) after that song. Furious, I tell you.

I stopped by the local bead store here in Savannah where my friend Eryka works, and came out with the loveliest coolest pair of earrings EVER!!

They're eyeglasses! HOW FREAKIN CUTE! And she made them right then and there! Total instant gratification! But get this... they also had octopi charms. Oh. Dear. God. I almost fainted. So I bought some other beads to go along with the octopus (Oh and some birdie ones for my friend Tori).

I am the happiest person in the world!!!one11!!

OMG. You have got to see this. He can shake his ass!

So here's a very simple and slightly lack-luster photo shoot at the red bathroom in Henry Hall. I love this place. Unfortunately, it was horribly overcast, thus no ethereal lighting coming from the giant glass window.

Oh and this is Jacie, from Adverse! Thank you girl! You rAwK! (more on link)

But DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN THESE DRESSES ARE TOO BEAUTIFUL!!! I really need to quit all this photography and star magnolia crap and rekindle the film flame once more so that 10 years from now Ewan McGregor gets slapped in the face (ever so softly) for not being able to keep his hands off of my Joan Rivers-approved revealing Versace dress at the 2016 Academy Awards ceremonies. Seriously. Just look at that first teal one. That is simply freakin' amazing. And for when I'm a bit older, I'll wow the masses with my sultry red Gucci frilly dress.

Oh yes. I can forsee it. *sigh*

I really love gowns and dresses. If I had ever become a fashion designer, that's precisely what my trademark would've been. But alas, the gods told me to stay behind the camera.

While searching for garment ideas for my photo shoot I came across the Christian Dior website, and quite frankly, it's the one that impressed me the most. Excellent illustrative job here, guys!

Which brings me to....

One of them turns 22 at the end of this month. She's a bird whore, so I wanna get her something birdie but handmade. I already ordered BoyGirlParty's Chickadee Card and I want to make her another bag, because she wore out the one I gave her last year!

I'd like to get her this CUUTE bird figurine at Urban Outfitters but I'd like to see my indie options first.

Sooooo any birdie ideas????

And that's the first mistake I am making. Thinking everybody else is normal and I'm some socially retarded awkward-looking creature who would rather be dead than have to face that room full of judging pretty people again (See Charlie White's Understanding Joshua photo series to see what I'm talking about). But of course, this is being unfair to myself, because in other situations, actually in the majority, I am a very confident and outspoken person. I have absolutely no trouble in speaking in front of a class. I actually own that podium! My English is actually better and more articulate when I'm up there lecturing about some stupid topic. Likewise, I am very confident when speaking to people of authority, I don't ever see them as superior to me except for their rank, and that means nothing to me.

It all crumbles when you throw me into a nightclub or a party full of people I'm not familiar with. I become a shadow of what I really am. Even less than that. This helpful article allowed me identify some safety behaviors that actually worsen the anxiety, such as, clinging to a person you know all night, gripping things tightly (like your handbag, THE CELLPHONE, a drink), escaping to the bathroom, go to safe places/corners. We anxies have these, and I'm pretty sure they're quite obvious.

I don't know why I've never been able to click or make permanent friendships with the latinos at my school. It's not like I was raised in the US and got used to the American way of thinking. No. Born and raised (till 4 years ago) on Puerto Rico. I should be able to identify and befriend them easily. Then why do I not? Why do I feel so inferior and awkward and out of place whenever I unfortunately hang out with them? A few months ago my friend had his birthday party (coincidentally 2 days after mine, but nobody knew this) at his place. I didn't have any Latino friend to go with, so I just went by myself. Oh Dear. God. That was excruciating. It took me about 45 minutes to finally engage in conversations that lasted more than 2 minutes with multiple people at a time. Before that, I would just rely on my cellphone, pretending as if I had gotten a call or a text message to busy myself, or going to the bathroom or kitchen or mini-bar to just...calm down and avoid the humiliation, I guess. It was so horrible. I just.... am more myself when I speak English. Don't know why. It's very disturbing.

Over the Holidays I realized another factor into the equation: small places with loud noise. I'm sorry, I cannot hold a conversation in which I have to constantly scream like an idiot in order for you to hear me. I rather not say anything and look awkwardly around. Or at least hope there's some decent music I can sing along with. The loud music is goot to dance to, but not to have small talk. ugh. And oh god, SMALL TALK. It is very difficult for me to engage in a conversation, to make the first move, and this of course might make some people think I'm a very off-limits sort of person, which I'M TOTALLY NOT AT ALL. I am VERY friendly, but God, I cannot make that first move for the life of me. I simpy can't, I wait for the other person to do so, and then I can absolutely have a very normal and lenghty conversation. Ugh.

I mean, don't get me wrong. People like me, I know so, because they have told me so. They like the funny way I am, shy, quirky and extremely nice but unsuspectingly goofy and oh so "Puerto Rican". I don't think I'm boring, I can be pretty funny too. But not everybody sees all that, and that's because I don't let them. I'm so caught into thinking how they might be viewing me that I haven't given them a chance to actually see who the real Amy is.

And that's Journey's Don't Stop Believing.

Really. The damn song already topped the list of my Most Hated Songs of All Time (tm) prior to the break up. But for some reason I can't understand (I think he went to a kareoke bar) he started singing it a lot while he was in NYC, randomly quoting one of its lines in the middle of a damn conversation. It would make me so mad, out all the excellent bands in the world he had to sing Journey (are they from Jersey? That would explain things).

Now, I cringe as if a million darts were mercilessly headed my way when I listen to the song. One more thing to despise him for. One more thing to be angry and sorry about.

I dreamt of him last night. Well, dreamt I was at his family's xmas party (I HAVE NO IDEA WHY I WAS THERE), which was huuuuge, like an acre full of people. There was a Mediterranean-like pool surrounded by exotic plants, and that's where he was. And I avoided him like the plague, but made sure he saw me. I guess I was there to wish a Merry Christmas to his Mom, who is actually a really nice lady.

ugh.

ENOUGH CRAP.
Yayyy I got a Flickr Pro account! Me so happy!! Finally, I can arrange more than three miserable sets!

Working on a very Spring tote bag at the moment. It is always Spring here at Star Magnolia!

Even though we still don't have a secured venue or date, we'd love to write you down in our vendor's list if you are most definitely interested in participating (with no commitment at this early stage, of course). Join the Mutation mailing list to get speedy updates of important information!

We would loooove to get more artists from outside the South East region. So think about it, it's fun and Savannah is a very lovely town. You can find more about it (including info on accomodations) here, here and here.

Also...how do you guys feel about having a two-day craft fair on Easter weekend (april 14-16)? You think some people might find this a little inappropiate? Our initial date was April 8-9, but the venue that we're most interested in is booked for that weekend. What says you?

So, I decided to just sell it dirt cheap to my blog readers! The price is $10, shipping included (even international)! whoopeee!

It is made out of burgundy corduroy, the lining is a lovely blue + brown print and of course, it features beads and sequins, because it is not a Star Magnolia bag if they're not splattered all over the design. ^_^ It measures 8.25 tall, 5.5 wide and 3.75 deep. It's very roomy!

The first person to email me (amynieto at gmail dotsy com) and send payment (only PayPal will be accepted) gets it!

Oh and did I mention you get a $10 Gift Certificate for Star Magnolia.com?!?!? Flippin' sweet! Act quick(ly?)!!

Though if any of you bling bling ladies take up the challenge of creating a pair of dangly earrings as dynamic and colorful as these, I will buy yours instead!

Still, these are only $17.99, I can afford that!

I'm really in love.

I had started this lovely vynil tote a few months ago for one of the fairs, but time didn't side with me, so I wasn't able to complete it until last weekend! And quite frankly? I love it. I wanna keep it. But I won't be selfish like that. So I am unleashing it unto the world.

Though I think I need to take some better pictures before I load it up to the store (yes, I'm nitpicky like that).

I am so hAwT. ^_^

If I actually try to think of who my favorite photographer is, I'll come out blank (this nothing to do with the fact that I suck at names). But ask me who my most adored "internet" photographers are, and I'll pull out the list. You see, I find more inspiration in the unassuming, carefree images produced and blogged by "normal" people from all around the world, from all facets of life, than from actual commercial photography. That's not to say I don't enjoy some excellent fashion, landscape, black and white photography as seen in glossy magazines, but when it comes down to it, I find more truth in these images I see with my monitor. These people carry around their Canon EOS, their 4x5s, Lomos, Leicas, Polaroids that they probably waited a long time to finally purchase, and just make images for the love of it. No creative directors, gallery directors, editors looking over their shoulders.

So I want to share with you some of my favorite photographers and recent finds, just because I'm nice like that (1-6 correspond to the images below)

01) Rebekka - Fantastic Icelandic gal!
02) Gadget girl - stunning macro flower shots
03) Orb1t - he's been my fave since almost two years
04) Sarah Sovereign - Thunder Bay hotawesomeness
05) Jinky Art - children photography from Australia. Really, there is not a more beautiful model in the world than a child.
06) John Wardell - bloody wow
07) Lomokev - i heart lomos
08) Tracy - another excellent Australian photogirl and one of my long time favorites!
09) Charmaine Noellie - quirky Blythe doll photography
10) Eye candy for the broken hearted - wow, bloody great photo styling!

What the freak is that giant hole in the ground close to the airport (I assume that was the main ATL airport)?? It looked like a diamond mine from up above. Seriously. What was that.

Also, um, do your suburban homes have like, oh i dunno, 68,476,348 sq feet of space? Sheesh I could fit an entire stadium between each house! That's great though, I saw too many beautiful, fancy, expensive homes in Vegas with less than 2 meters of space in between the next house. That does not rock my soul.

Oh yeah, I'm back in the SAV. 'Cause that's how the cool kids call it. Though I must admit I am still walking around as if on a daze. I do not compute that I'm back in school and that quarter-long projects need to be started. I've been sleeping a lot. A LOT. Oh and finished The Swarm War. Jaina still the most boring interstellar character in the history of boring interstellar characters.

Now that Star Magnolia is ready, work will be started on the products. Have some ideas here and there. But first I need to clean this pigsty, and my first step was to take down the behemoth of a monitor that was overtaking my table. Now I have a petite LCD monitor (not stolen from my brother's, I swears!) and my workspace flows a whole lot better.

Enough boring stuff.

Oh and today was Three King's Day in Puerto Rico and all throughout Latin America, but I haven't celebrated it in almost four years because you Americans aren't Catholic or lazy enough! Hello, we get at least 5-8 more days off school thanks to the valiant Three Kings. Plus gifts twice during the Season. I invite y'all to rethink your faith and convert to Catholicism. We do not look down on the drinking, and the dancing, the whoring around, the groping, the grabbing or the crusading. We're like the drunken, washed out Arnold Schwarzneggers of the Spiritual World.