More Disappointing News From Pennsylvania

I hate that I am still having to post these disappointing updates about the Arts in PA. However, there are still a few more days to make changes to the budget! Here is the latest news from the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council and Citizens for the Arts:

Proposed State Budget Includes Sales tax Expansion

The new proposed state budget agreement removes a sales tax exemption on tickets to museums, theaters, concerts, opera, ballet and other similar activities as a means of raising revenue for the state. According to an article in yesterday's Philadelphia Inquirer "Sources familiar with the final package said the deal calls for the creation of a special fund for cultural institutions and the arts."



As the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council continues to work with partners across Pennsylvania to determine a unified course of action, local arts advocates can help by calling their state legislators.



1) Let them know that you are opposed to the sales tax expansion and that this is "taxing" ordinary citizens out of the cultural experience.



2) Ask them why the arts have been singled out for this tax, when other forms of entertainment with much greater revenue generating potential, such as movies and sporting events, are exempted?



3) Demand that if Harrisburg is going to create a dedicated arts fund, then the arts need to be invited to the table to talk about it.



If you need a phone number for your legislators visit the Citizens for the Arts website. The budget will take at least 10 days to pass, so the time to act is now.



For up-to-the-minute information regarding arts funding in the state budget, follow the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.


Please forward this message to your contacts or networks who are supportive of the arts.

Art funding in PA, there's some, but not all...

For people in Pennsylvania, this is really important. Call you legislators today!
Call Your State Legislators Now!

During a press conference this morning (9/11/2009), members representing both caucuses in the Senate and the House Democratic caucus announced that an agreement had been reached on the state budget for FY 09-10. It is reported the budget includes $10 million for arts grants (down from $15.2 million) through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and $1 million (down from $1.3 million) for administration of the Council.


This increase is a huge testament to your advocacy efforts considering the ZERO offered in SB 850. However it still represents a cut of almost 30% over last year's approved appropriation. There is a brief window of time to CALL your legislators. Express your appreciation for including the funding for the PCA but urge them to fund arts grants at a level between $12.5 million - $14 million. Arts funding supports jobs, programming in schools and at senior citizens centers, and helps revitalize our downtowns. Remember to tell them why this is a priority to you and your community. Tell them the many ways that we all benefit from an investment in the arts. CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS TODAY.

You can locate phone numbers on Citizen's for the Arts in PA's e-advocacy site at http://capwiz.com/artsusa/pa .

Crafts N'At Indie Craft fair this Saturday!

Need something to do this weekend? Want to get a heads start on holiday shopping?

Come to Crafts n'At at the Union Project in Highland Park, Pittsburgh. All the new styles of Xmittens will be there!

10am-6pm this Saturday! Crafts, Music and a Benefit to the Parkinson's Foundation...Find out more here.

Inspiration came on a Tuesday

Last month, I took a jewelry course at the Society for Contemporary Craft that has gotten me addicted! I can't wait to have a little more time to put towards soldering, riveting and constructing out of metal. My favorite piece I finished is a sterling silver thumb ring inspired by the skyscrapers outside. Here are some pictures of the ring and the skyscrapers and me interacting.

New Xmittens and Xmittens coupon offer!

Let your voice be heard AND save on Xmittens! Go to this Xmittens survey, fill it out and receive a coupon of your choice!

You could save on any style of Xmittens fingerless gloves (including the new Utili-Xmittens shown in the picture) or other Xmittens accessory.

This will really help me in my endeavor to finish writing my business plan, so thanks ahead of time!

In the meantime, be well!

Xmittens get a new look, plus my new addiction

Xmittens have a new look! Check out my new logo banner (designed by the lovely Heather Mallak of DYHM design)!


In honor of my new logo and all of the crazy amount of planning I have been doing, I have revamped my pricing structure in my Xmittens shop on etsy. Most items have LOWER prices! Check out the new look and new prices at www.xmittens.etsy.com! Mention code TWOFER in the message to seller to get $3 off when you purchase 2 or more items thru Sept. 1, 2009!

Like the cool font she used? www.dafont.com has all sorts of great fonts to use for your crafts, documents, websites, wherever for free and as an open source. You can even preview a word or phrase to see how it looks: check out my preview of "Horror" fonts here. This site will help me create better looking wholesale catalogs for Xmittens and amtextiles , plus all the other promo materials I have been working on.

Have fun font hunting!

Photo Shoot Outtakes

My lovely friend and model Jenn is awesome! We work very well together at photo shoots. We shoot the breeze, catch up with each other and take some amazing photographs of both her loveliness and my amtextiles and Xmittens fashions.

Well, I also make her laugh. You know, like blow milk out your nose laugh. And, I get to catch it on film! So, here are some of the latest creations from my studio and Jenn being her funny self, plus a little one of me showing off my soon-to-be-unveiled Utili-Xmittens. Enjoy!