Sooo...I just auditioned for a Television Show.

Wow. I just did that. Wait, really? Yep, I did.

So, remember how I asked you guys to cross your fingers at the end of this post? Well, it was because I was anxiously awaiting the day I would try out for Lifetime's newest Project Runway spin-off called Project Accessory. Yep, Project-flipping-Runway for my jewelry creations!? Adie, on TV? Adie, driving to Los Angeles on a whim to audition for TELEVISION, of all things? Whaaa? EEeeee!

Let me begin. 
I had my birthday on June 11th, and not even three days later I came home and saw a message from my friend from College, Rich. He said he thought of me for an email he'd recieved from the casting crew of a new Lifetime show called Project Accessory. The email was sent to people at my school asking for alumni or current students that were passionate about accessory design and would be good on TV. Commence freaking out...right..HERE.

First thing I did was write back thanking him one million times for even thinking about me (it was an open call, but had he not messaged me, I never would have known about it...), and then I texted Danielle saying I thought I was going to just do it. Why not, right?  This was all before I'd even really thought it out, but from the get-go I had no qualms...all I envisioned was one big, fat, huge, ginormous OPEN DOOR so I jumped on. Of course, since I'd already told Danielle (let's not forget she's one of the biggest supporters in my life, and one of the most passionate go-getters I know) and I was already stoked, I knew of no other way to turn but in the direction of this casting call. So I began. I called my boyfriend, my best friend, my Dad, sent it out to the twitter-verse (because once it's out there on Twitter and all, you KNOW there ain't no turnin back! haha!), and immediately got the weekend off of work.

riiiiggghhtt as I left the door for the casting call

Now the tough stuff starts in. 
My portfolio was in shambles, I had a website, but I had grown out of it in the past year since graduation, and I had way too many ideas that I'd yet to create. But I didn't let it bog me down. I was filled with forward momentum, a positive outlook and an attitude that didn't allow me to turn back, even for a second. My friends dropped everything to do photo shoots for me (Thanks Becky and Danielle!), my co-workers gathered around and gave me hugs, open ears and took my shifts, my sister gave me awesome legal advice (totally on my level and everything!?), and my Dad encouraged me while also giving me bits of Dad-logic (where would I be without that, anyway?). And you know what? The biggest thing that helped me through was picturing my Mom smiling...oh, that smile...

So, I fixed my website(check it out hereeeee: www.adiemade.com). I made two new pieces, I created a portfolio that for the first time ever in my life I was actually happy with, continued to work, and was the busiest that I'd been since I was killing myself with all-nighters back in art school. Let's just say that, even if something catastrophic happened and I couldn't make it to said casting call, I was completely proud and content with all of the work I'd put in to get me to that point alone.

Wooo! Screen shot of my brand-new homepage.

Now, the fun part begins.
After getting off work early on Friday the 24th, and having to turn back several times after departing because my scatter brain forgot many many things (one of which being the entire outfit I had planned out for the next day's casting call...uh, kind of big) I was finally on my way! I arrived in LA at about 3AM, groggy and in disbelief. I slept at my old house in Venice so that I would feel at least some of the comforts of home as I embarked on the craziest thing I'd ever done.

"what's in my bag" -TV audition edition :)

The morning of the casting rolled around and after telling myself I would be in line at the Sofitel no later than 8:30 (the casting started at 9), I decided I would be kind to myself and wake up when my body damn well pleased. That ended up being around 9:30 and I figured that wasn't too bad, especially after driving 6+ hours across the desert that morning. I dusted myself off, fixed my bed-head, put on my Bruce Springsteen shirt, my favorite jewels (with one of my Mom's turquoise bracelets and all of my family rings for good luck) and my best Jeffrey Campbell heels. I tried to do a really awesome job of documenting myself pre-audition, but we all know how that went :)

Sassy Adie

 Outfit deets

Jacket: Urban Outfitters

Necklace: adiemade

Shirt: Thrifted, fave since I was 15

Shorts: H&M

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell, LF warehouse sale

I stepped out of my car at the Beverly Center with shaky legs and a strong will, and as I walked passed the mall I spied a lady bug at my feet. Lady bugs are my spirit bug(squirrels are my spirit animal, for the record) and I've been in love with them since I was little. My Mom and my oldest friends used to call me "Adie Bug", so as I bent down to pet the little guy while I balanced my portfolio and my overstuffed bag, I felt all of that power pushing me. That little lady bug told me I'd be alright, and not only alright, but that I'd do great things. Thanks, lady bug. You're the coolest!

 When I arrived in the big ol room with all of the other hopefuls, I couldn't help but be overcome with how much talent was right there surrounding me. I sat down next to the most amazing gal, Molly (peep her jewels here!) and said "Woah. This is pretty amazing, huh?" and she agreed as we both took out our cameras to document. This was really happening.

We just might be watching some of these people on TV come August :)

 After 5 hours of waiting and much more bonding with Molly and some of the other awesome designers in the room, it was finally my time to talk with the judges. It was set up so that groups of five or so were taken from that big ol room where we started to a table to meet with the first judge and her assistant. Once "passing" that table, it was on to the interview in front of the panel of judges and a camera. I kept telling people that I'd already fufilled my expectations for the day and in fact, I'd exceeded them, and that even if I got turned away at that first table it would still be win-win. Well, I did make it passed that first table and in front of the panel (and the camera...whaaaa?). Let's just say those few minutes were a blurr. I don't really remember what I said, how I looked or how well I did. I do remember there being like 12 people in that little room, and all of them with eyes on me. Now, I'm sure that's an over-statement, but good god...it was something else. The judges seemed to like me, and said that my work is a good mix between commercial and artistic and they did seem to respond when I used words like "passion" and "fantasy", so that's a good thing, right? Haha!


And, just like that, it was all over.
Molly and I went downstairs to get drinks.
Mojitos, to be precise. At a VIP party. For B.E.T. week. 

There was good music, amazing people and an infectious spirit. My new pal Molly made some connections and spread the word about our audition and we soaked it all in, pausing the whole time to say to each other "we really just did that". We did, and we did awesome. 

As we left the party after making plans for visits to San Fransisco and the Tucson Gem show, we walked the red carpet that was set up for the B.E.T. event. Why the hell not, right? As we walked in front of the camera guys, Molly said "hey, you guys want to take our pictures? We're ABOUT to be famous..." and two guys we don't know paused to get in the frame with us. The photographers were visibly confused. I mean, seriously, who are these two ladies with portfolios and huge bags on their shoulders? Well, guys, just like Molly said, we're about to be famous. They finally snapped a photograph and we were on our merry ways with hugs and affirmations that we were amazing and no matter what, we felt like we'd already won.


You guys, I know that was a grueling post. I thank you for sticking through that! This was honestly the craziest, most amazing thing I've done in my life. I am proud of myself, and completely inspired. I know that from now on, I will live my life a lot like I did this passed weekend because nothing (and I mean nothing) is too big for little old Adie. And nothing, I mean nothing, is too big for any of you! So, if you see me on T.V. be sure to smile for me and send good vibes my way, and if you don't, be smiling anyway because I know I will be! Yayayay!


I now leave you with a few pictures from the rest of my weekend, which I spent with all of my ladies from art school. I stayed with one of my best friends, Alex, in Long Beach. More photos of that to come, but here are a few to wet your palette! hehe!

Love. Her.

On Alex's bathroom mirror. Sing it, sister. Sing it loud!

Coolest dooood ever! Hope he found some treasure

 Goodnight, everyone! xoxo

20 Years of Friendship

Dear Becky Rae McLemore (AKA: Beh, Berky, Bucky, Beckorator, etc),

You have been my Best of all buds, greatest of all pals, friendliest of all friends for 20 years. That's right...TWENTY years. Last week we celebrated turning a quarter of a century old together, and I feel like there is no better time to tell you how much you mean to me.

You know how when someone special walks into your life and you just know they're not going anywhere? Well, when you walked into Ms. Blackley's Kindergarten class wearing your pink Minnie Mouse sweater, with your cute pony tail and your Oklahoma accent, let's just say I knew (in my 5 year old heart) that you were gonna be BIG in my life. I know you didn't talk much, and you were a shy little booger until recess, but. Girl. I knew. I'm telling you. I knew.


Remember how we used to sneak out at night in high school and go to our special spot on Mosher and Prescott Hights to stare at the stars (wait..Sandra (Becky's Mom), and my Dad, if you're reading this, you know we love you and nothing bad ever happened! haha)? When we were each other's only reaaaall friends? When we would turn up Rancid and AFI on the speakers I stole from my Brother when he moved out? When we would jump on my two twin beds that we pushed together? When we would tell eachother goodnight in our "devil voices" and freak ourselves out and beg eachother to stop? When you would giggle incessantly in your sleep and finally, at 4AM, I would say "BECKY! Shuuutt uppppp!" and you would scoff and walk into the bathroom? When we made videos while you pushed me around in a K-Mart cart pumping punk tunes into the camera with headphones? Straight up not giving a fuck? Remember that? Remember when we would eat Slim-Jims on the swing sets in the Safeway shopping center and talk about moving in together when we turned 18....


(uuhhmmkk, here I get a lil more serious)
Remember how, when we were about to graduate High School and we weren't always good friends to eachother? How we totally broke down when you were cutting my hair one day that Summer and we apologized and vowed to love each other forever? Becky, I knew after that that you aren't just my best friend...you are my sister...and we had to do that in order to part ways and embark on our next adventure without the one friend that knew us the best. Remember when my Mom passed just three years ago, and while we lived in two different (very distant) cities, I knew it was you that could help me through despite the distance in your own special way? How I would call you and we would talk for hours as if no time had passed and you would give me reassurance that I was going about everything right and that I could still graduate College and make my Mom proud? Remember how much I love your family just as much as my own, and how many times your Mom gave me guidance and hugs right when I needed them? How your sister would drive us around and you guys would sing Jewel and a few other embarrassing artists?


Becky, remember how you have always been patient with me? Remember how you bring out the best in me even when I'm being an insane butthole? How I've never told you this, but I see so much in you that makes me want to do better, to be better, and how I know that you love me even if I don't do all that? Well, you do. And you are. Seriously, if we were ever going to be lesbians, I think we'd do that together (don't you?).


I love you, Becky Rae McLemore. So I put it on the internet, on my little blog so you can always read this and know I'm always here. 

Love you big time,
Adiebug (because you're one of the few friends that knows me well enough and long enough to call me that)


Below are pictures of Becky and me celebrating our 25th birthdays together (we were born a day apart), and I will cherish them forever and ever and ever. I can't wait to add our 40th birthday party to this, our 62nd, our 70th, our 80th....

Goodnight, everyone. I'll be back soon with some incredible news and a request for each and every one of you to cross your fingers:) eeee! 

I'm almost 25

a June afternoon from DH on Vimeo.

Can I just say that this Summer is shaping up to be incredible? Yesterday one of my bestest gal pals, Danielle  and I went out on the town with her adorable babe Henry.  Right up there is a video we took throughout our day.

Growing up here in Prescott, my pals and I would do little else other than go downtown, walk, talk, lay in the grass, stare at the trees, drive around eating Chex-mix and Jelly Bellies, and wrap it up with a radical sleepover (with ice cream, playing in the sprinklers, watching movies..all the good stuff). Then, we'd rinse and repeat, over and over, almost every day for those three beautiful months. 

I'm about to turn 25, so (naturally) for the past few weeks I've been really missing those days. You know, the ones where you feel like the sun will never set on your day with your friends, when you meet a new boy and your heart skips a beat (Hi, Addison, I'm talking about you here!) and each day seems full of endless possibility. 

Well, yesterday I felt that again! Let's just say that yesterday reminded my quarter of a century old-self of life's cycles. It reminded me that, while I may miss being 15 and meeting the love of my life while playing Gameboy on the square with my best friend, I am now a woman. That's right...A WOMAN...(yikes!) and not only did I meet the love of my life, I fostered an almost 10 year long relationship with him, and we are now living together talking about what's to come. 

Same thing with other aspects of my life. I may miss having endless nights and no responsibility when meeting new friends, but now I can call those pals up, hang out at their houses talk about graduating College, Grad School, their babies new milestones, new careers, engagements, and all of us blossoming into the most beautiful women I know. Honestly, it doesn't get more beautiful than that. 

Anyway, I really, really think Summer 2011 is going to be something special! I hope you all are having a beautiful start to the season as well. This video is something I'm going to cherish for so long! When I'm about to turn 40, I just know I'm going to miss this being 25 business and being on the cusp of adulthood. But at least I'll have this lil video to remind me again...each new page in life is just as beautiful as the last one :)

Art Crush: Rosmarie Fiore

OK. It's time to come clean. Rosemarie Fiore, I have the BIGGEST art-crush on you! It's been growing and growing for something like 3 years. It's about time I told you how I feel!

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I first fell in love with your "Pyrotechnics" Firework Drawings. I happened upon your website while searching for inspiration in one of my studio classes, and... girlfriend, inspire you did. When I saw this picture of your process, I think my mind was perma-blown. 

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I mean...you actually draw..with FIREWORKS!? My heart started beating faster, my thoughts started racing, my hands were eager to MAKE! Then, I googled your name and explored your website more, and found this video of your   "Good-Time Mix Machine: Scrambler Drawings". OK, really? As if I couldn't art-crush on you any harder...

 

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This amazing drawing got even more amazing when I found out it was made by a machine you built with a gas generator, an air compressor and buckets of paint secured to seats taken from a Scrambler amusement park ride. Be still my art-heart!

Ok, ok...You were once told your work is like "Hunter S. Thompson meets Kandinsky" and I'd say that is a pretty apt comparison. It seems you have an insatiable need to just DO art, maybe it's because the frenetic lines in your work start singing to me...or maybe it's because the colors you let manifest have me drunk. But, I gotta say that if I ever have an idea as good as drawing with fireworks, making a monster sized Spirograph, or painting with my waffle maker, I'm just going to take a cue from you, and get off my ass and do it. Rosemarie Fiore, your spirit is infectious, and for me, that is the most amazing gift you could have ever given me...am I coming on too strong?...I'm just sayin.

I think everyone needs to start crushin' on this gal. She is worthy.

All of the above images are from here

Also, be sure to watch this YouTube video where she talks about her process as well artists that inspire her like Wolfgang Paalen, Dali, and Christine Tarkowski. 

Welp, I'm off to bed inspired. Gonna dream some beautiful stuff, I have the feeling!