Spotted At the Bash: Bradley Whitford

This is an article I wrote for the Etsy Dallas/Handmade Bash blog. Enjoy! Holy Toledo, Batman! Several vendors - Silla Soup, Hip Hazel Hoops, and Wrap Couture - got a glimpse (and even talked with) super actor, Bradley Whitford at Saturday's insanely fun Spring Bash - our 7th show to date. Best known for his roles in The West Wing and Studio 60 (and lesser known role of a smarmy Fed in A Perfect World), Whitford is in Dallas filming his upcoming TV show The Good Guys. The [ahem, good-lookin'] actor took time out of his busy filming schedule to stop by the Bash in support local artists. Incredible! We are truly humbled and star-struck with his visit. Hey Bradley - did you buy anything? Email us! We are dying to know... More about The Good Guys (from Wikipedia): The series is being filmed primarily in Dallas, Texas and is making use of the Fair Park area as much as possible for its diverse shooting locations and so as not to disturb the residents. The show was originally planned to be set in Los Angeles until Dallas city officials convinced creator Matt Nix to set the show in Dallas. Nix said of Dallas, "It’s a great city to jump on the hood of a car." Production work on the series began in January 2010 and principal photography of the pilot wrapped in early February 2010. Cast members spent time shadowing their real-life Dallas counterparts to prepare for their roles.

Tefi Loves: (Certain) Musicals

Technically, I do not love musicals, as a genre. For the most part, they get on my nerves, really get on my nerves. [Example: 2007's Wicked should receive public censure and a week in the stockades for ruining what I consider to be one of the best works of modern fiction.] But there are a few musicals that I hold near and dear, mostly because I grew up with them. The following Etsy items are inspired by my warm fuzzy memories of certain musicals that left an indelible mark on my childhood. Enjoy! (but don't go singin' about it):
Xanadu Roller Skate Earrings: $15 Shop: Deb Star Designs Location: Sydney, Australia
Hedwig & the Angry Inch Gummi Bear soap: $2.75 Shop: Jessica Edwardss Location: Idaho

The Sound of Music Kissing Cousins Print: $12 Shop: Made with Love by Hannah Location: Los Angeles, CA
A Chorus Line Tiny Dancer necklace: $19 Shop: Cocoa Chu Chu Location: Toronto, Canada
Grease! John Travolta Cross-Stitch Pattern: $4 Shop: All Stitches Location: somewhere in the U.S.
Grease! 2 Motorcycles photograph: $18 Shop: Eva Vaughan Location: Louisville, KY
Annie She wants to live with grandma Doll: $12 Shop: pocomedio Location: Port Clinton, OH
Little Shop of Horrors Venus Fly Trap Skinny Tie: $30 Shop: Jes Switaj Location: Brooklyn, NY

The Gentle Giant Falls

America has lost its mind. I speak of the highly important current event known as So You Think You Can Dance. Don't get me started on why the cute-but-miniature Evan is still in the running. But why oh why did Ade get voted off? It's complete insanity. He is one of the best dancers the show has ever had in its 5-year history. He's phenomenal, he's funny, and he wears a pick in his hair. He's sort of like a Nubian god. I mean, just look at him fly: One of my childhood fantasies (other than wanting to be Olivia Newton John) was to be a dancer...a Solid Gold dancer. I even put my fantasy to paper back in 4th grade (circa 1984): Needless to say, SYTYCD is the best contestant show ever, and now its best dancer is out of the race. Like I said, America has seriously lost its mind.

Poor Dirk

Here in Dallas we love Dirk, and we take our basketball very seriously. That's why, during the second round of the basketball championships, it's really hard to see our gentle giant go through such a personal tragedy. Chin up, Nowitski! Dallas is behind you 100%. [Psssssst: If you click on the link above to read about Dirk's drama, check out the supercool banner ad at the top of the Dallas Observer site. Awww yeah!]

Fatso

Before the obesity epidemic swept across the nation, there was Fatso, a surprisingly sweet movie starring the recently deceased Dom DeLuise (d. May 4th) and Anne Bancroft (hellooooh Mrs. Robinson). From imdb.com: "Dominick has always been a big kid who loved eating. It was his favourite thing. Then his cousin dies from health complications due to a lack of exercise and improper diet. Antoinette, Dominick's sister, makes him promise to see a diet doctor and lose some weight. This is very hard for Dominick, but he tries. He also finds motivation when he meets Lydia, and he discovers a love that is more intense than his love of food. He spends so much time kissing and walking around with Lydia that he no longer eats as many unhealthy things, and he loses weight without even trying."

When I watched this movie years ago, I had no idea I would love it so much. I even cried at the end - happy tears. Here's to you Dom! Hope you're enjoying a hot dog in heaven.

Swagland

It's a strange world when celebrities get all sorts of free goods, and us hoi polloi get to toil away and pay for the honor of them getting freebies. Funnily enough tho, I'm not even complaining! No, I'm actually pretty stoked. See, I've been selected to shuck up $100 bucks and 75 promo items to go into swag bags at the next MTV Gift Lounge. Now, I don't even know what the MTV Gift Lounge is yet - I will research, I promise! - but I do know that it's a place where 60 celebs, 10 press people, 3 charities, and 2 displays get these swag bags, which will include Tefi's needlefelted Shaken, Not Stirred olive hairsticks. Whoa nelly! the adorable Anne Heche wearing handmade swag at the 2006 MTV Style Lounge So thanks to Allison at The Sampler for selecting me, and pre-thanks to my mom and Jen who have enlisted themselves to help me package these little guys! Oh, and they're due in a couple weeks.... Do these celebs know what we crafters suffer? Why, hello there Detective Sandoval...

Me & Ro (& Dirk, & Avery, oh & Jason)

Mavs Foundation 4th Annual Tux & Tennies Gala! Rolando Blackman - one of the nicest celebs I've ever met Whoa. Now that's tall. Yup. That's me with the head coach...and a beer Aw. Thanks to Brian Cuban for snapping this. (Yeah, I'm droppin' names. And without apology!) Stay tuned for photos of my superfly decorated tennies. I glues little dollies on them in homage to the hyperactive, hypersexy, put-some-clothes-on Mavs Dancers.

It's a gnome, baby.

Yesterday was a very full day. It started off sort of slow, like most Thursdays do, but it picked up by late afternoon. Let me start from the bottom up. Last night I met some friends for beers at Lee Harvey's. We sat outside in the cool Dallas night and talked about all sorts of things. The most interesting was that my girl Laura is starting her own law firm. How cool is that? We celebrated with a round of Shiners and talked about the possibilities. I can't wait for her to get the chance to quote Pacino: "I'm out of order?! You're out of order! This whole court is out of order!" Earlier that night I went by Shambhala to get my quarterly spoils and some price tags for my second round of jewelry pieces. I was amazed at how well my stuff sold and how empty my jewelry cases are. Yikes! But this is good news. I'll be pulling together oodles more to take over there tonite. Also on the horizon: I was invited by the guys at Shambhala to be the Featured Artist for Bishop Arts District's First Thursday shebang in July. More details to come... Even earlier that night I went to my second kung fu class of the week. I've been going since March and only tonite did I officially meet some of my kung fu brothers. It's not a very conducive place for socializing as we are all respectful of the academy (read: minimal chit chat) and serious about studying the art. But for some reason three brothers introduced themselves to me last night and I was pleased as punch to meet them. In fact, one of them told me about his sister who is learning to be a metalsmith and jeweler, and another brother joined us for beers at Lee Harvey's last night. Keeee-yah! Yesterday afternoon, a short film got the ball rolling on what turned out to be a great Thursday. Reminiscent of Raymond Carver's writing, the film is called Gnome. It stars my uber favorite woman-I-don't-personally-know, Lauren Graham and a travelling garden gnome. I could give you a synopsis or a critical take on it, but I think it's best that you watch it for yourself. The film runs about 12 minutes (the end credits run a good 3 minutes) and it's worth every second. Here's what I told some friends I showed it to: "When I was in college this was the sort of story/film I aspired to write. I like to think I came close a time or two. Whatever happens to our dreams?"