Win this Jypsea Distressed Leather Clutch!

Distressed grey leather clutch with silver studded strap. Grasp this bag by sliding your four fingers under the studded strap to show off a fresh manicure! The leather is super soft and the pyramid studs give it a bit of attitude. Hand whipped suede details and recycled denim lining are very special touches. Features a zippered interior pocket. Big enough to carry as a day bag. 7" high, 11" wide, 3" deep. $90 retail.

Click for details.
http://sankofaschild.blogspot.com/2011/08/week-3-jypsea-clutch-giveaway.html

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! Win FABULOUS Prizes!!

(Click image for close-up)

Let's all celebrate the 1 Year Anniversary of The Lifestyles of the Authentic & Creative, a blog created solely to highlight what NEW, FRESH & INNOVATIVE in the world of art & design. To give thanks to its readers, I'm giving away FABULOUSLY STUNNING PRIZES DAILY starting today until 8/16! To win, LIKE the Facebook fan page AND be a member of the blog. 
Someone will be inboxed every evening from the fan page. 
Tell me what your member name is here on the blog and you will be the winner! To become a member, click JOIN THIS SITE, on the right side of the blog.

Prizes:
Makeover application DVDs from Jane B., The Beauty Educator
www.TheBeautyEducator.com, www.Restorationbyjb.com, www.TheJaneBShow.com

The debut album from Gata Negra
www.thagatanegrra.net

An autographed copy of my book for aspiring designers
www.Jypsea.com

Professional photo shoot with fashion photographer Kia Chenelle
www.kiachenelle.com

HEART Fingerless Gloves from my line Jypsea Eclectic Handcrafted Leathergoods
www.Jypsea.com

Leather Clutch from my line Jypsea Eclectic Handcrafted Leathergoods
www.Jypsea.com

Project Accessory casting

Last Saturday I headed to NYC for the casting of the new spin-off of Project Runway. I completely anticipated a line around the block but to my surprise, there were only about 6 people ahead of me and I was the last person in line for about an hour! I met some super talented accessory designers that design everything from ties to jewelry to spats. Although the line was short, we stood in it for over 2 hrs. I had on heels. Uggggh!
Once we were in the ultra-modern Yotel New York, where the casting took place, we traveled as a group up to the casting director. She looked thru the work of my new friends, turning them away left and right, which  jolted me with a case of the jitters. Up until this time, I wasn't the least bit nervous. The tie-maker had a book full of celebrities sporting his handcrafted work and had traveled from Hollywood for the casting. Yikes!
But she liked ME. And she sent me to get miked and ready for taping with the panel of big wigs in the industry.
Once in the back, I met 3-4 designers who were there prior to me, waiting to see the panelists and one by one, they went in and in a blink of an eye, came out disgruntled or confused. Double Yikes!
But I went in and fielded the questions coming in a mile a minute. Was pleasantly surprised that one of the panelist was Emily Blumenthal of HandbagDesigner101. She knew my work and had written about my line a few years back.
But ultimately, I didn't make the cut. I was encouraged to come back next season and told I would likely be a shoe-in and I shouldn't be discouraged that I'm not in for this season yet because they still have to "deliberate" but I took that as a rejection. Que sera sera...
I'm very glad that I went. It was exhilarating and even cooler, one of my friends DID make the cut and will be on this premier season. I can't wait to watch. He's brilliant!

‘Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it you will land among the stars.’

Here are some of the images of the day....

Me in a red dress I chopped that morning.

4 Design Contests/Competitions that You Should Know

Design a tee based on the concept of travel for a chance to win a trip to LONDON and so much more...
More details

 Spin-off of Project Runway is now casting for accessory designers. More details

The American Batik Design Competition is an open competition intended to draw from among American citizens diverse talents in fabric, graphic art and fashion design. More details




Enter DailyCandy’s Start Small, Go Big Contest, and you could win a trip to New York City, the opportunity to mix and mingle with industry bigwigs at our Academy, and a solo write-up in a DailyCandy email. More details
Now GO FORTH! :)

And the WINNERS for our debut GIVEAWAY!!

IeshaC, Hair and Skin JUNC and Sewing Stardom will all be the recipients of FUNKYFRESH hotness from this month's sponsors: Jypsea~Eclectic Handcrafted Leathergoods, Nic*Fish and Dr. Miracles Hair Care.