Category Archives: Bits+Pieces

The Shelby Rose Collection

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The Shelby Rose Collection began with a mom of two looking at her makeup pouch and wishing it was something that she loved. Shelby loves dance and over 26 years she has led, choreographed and performed countless times with the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets dance team. Even today as an elementary school teacher in Houston, Texas Shelby hosts a dance club for the students that she teaches physical education to.

Only close friends and family knew of another talent that Shelby would soon explore again. Shelby’s grandmother, Rose Marion Pullum was born in 1905 and gave Shelby the first sewing machine she ever owned. Rose taught her how to sew and creating and crafting has been apart of Shelby’s life ever since. At a friends request, Shelby sewed a few throw pillows and it was then that she realized that if she made her own makeup pouch, should would love it much more the the ones she currently owned. Shelby dusted off her sewing machine and explored her creativity in new ways.

Shelby went out and got fabrics that she loved for the pouches that she planned to make. While shopping for fabric she realized that she didn’t love her pouches because the INSIDE was boring! She resolved to fix that problem by using playful sophisticated prints on the outside and eclectic linings on the inside. It was then, that The Shelby Rose Collection was born.

Her handmade pouches come in 3 different sizes and are customizable. They can be used as a pouch as well as a clutch when you’re going out. You can check out The Shelby Rose Collection on:

Instagram: shelby _rose1905

Facebook: Shelby Rose

Pinterest: The Shelby Rose Collection

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February’s Kaleidoscope Mixer

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Kaleidoscope Houston hosted its first creatives mixer at The Flat this past Thurdsday. I hadn’t been around so many creatives since the Kaleidoscope Houston 3-day extravaganza in January! I can’t lie, it felt like going home to be in the midst of some many positive vibes and cool people.

DJ FXBOX kept the jams coming back to back while host Chris Thomas kept the laughs coming. We even got to see a bilingual spoken word performance by Kaleidoscope Houston performer Christopher Polanco. If you missed out this time be sure to make it out in March. Creatives will meet at The Flat on the last Thursday of every month. Put it your calendar for March and come connect with other creatives. Enjoy!

Advice From An Artist• Joonbug!

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Lenworth McIntosh. His mom calls him Junior, his friends call him Joonbug, his fans call him anything from Mr. McIntosh to Mr.Kaufee. He is the CEO and founder of a unique clothing company called Fresh Kaufee and is the head graphic designer at Bugs87 Art and Design. When you order a Fresh Kaufee shirt you get a complete experience. It comes fashioned in a coffee bag with the robust aroma of freshly ground coffee. His unique packing and style completely sets him apart from other brands. I would describe his style as perfected imperfection. An obvious appreciation for culture, history, and old world quality is written all over the Fresh Kaufee brand.

Joonbug’s Jamaican roots tie together his top 5 sources of inspiration seamlessly. Generations of artists in his family, music, nature, books, and social media feeds his artistic spirit.

Joonbug and I first met in college at McMurry University in Abilene, Tx. From the moment I met him, his passion for art was very apparent. Towards the end of his undergrad career, he nearly fell into “cubicle life” as a graphic designer for a larger firm. Life’s pressures have a way of making you feel like you have to follow a certain path because we naturally fear the unknown. Joonbug didn’t like the idea of eventually being burned and at the same time, uncertainty didn’t sound so bad if it meant being his own boss and always having creative freedom.

Joonbug still frequents Dallas, Texas for family,friends and business but has moved to Oakland, California to be among other artists and avoid being boxed in artistically. Junior’s feelings are that “When it comes to careers, most people aren’t doing what comes naturally to them. We are all born with gifts and and we often ignore them and pay more attention to the rules society has set for us.” Joonbug being a full time artist was much more than a career choice. It is a life choice! He chose his continued happiness and daily satisfaction over everything.

What used to be most difficult for this artist was time management. When you’re your own boss you work when you want to. Joonbug took what used to be procrastination and turned it into time to truly conceptualize his plans, then he takes the pressure and produces amazing results.

I asked Joonbug what advice he would give to new and emerging artist and he said, “Respect yourself and your art. You can’t look to the outside world for confidence in what you do. Prove all you need to prove to yourself, validate yourself,then share things with the world that you are already confident in. Meditate, organize your thoughts, and keep your goals in front of you.”

See more of Joonbug on social media @thebugs87 and @freshkaufee

Check back in March for a new creative mind, Enjoy!

Kaleidoscope Houston 2016 | Jet Set

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The phrase Jet Set can be described as an international social group of affluent people who travel the world to participate in social activities sometimes unavailable to ordinary people. Pamela Andino of Ubertina Productions pulled this theme off without a hitch.

Jet Set was the theme for Night 2 of Kaleidoscope Houston 2016. Guests arrived at La Mansion to the tunes of GenerAsian Radio. Hosts for the evening Chyna Wheatly and John Newinn only added to the international vibes. The eclectic attire worn by guests was pleasing to the eye and helped bring the Jet Set feel to life.

The nontraditional runway definitely peaked everyone’s attention and made us all feel like we were going on a adventure and having a unique experience. The runway was blazed by the classic designs of Steven Guthrie , the very sexy swim wear designed by Jessica Lombana, and the couture Meru Merus collection by Umair Khan.

The bilingual spoken word poetry by Christopher Polanco, dance performances by Culturally Yours & Son Kiss’d Dance company, as well as the flaming special performance by Saturn Hoops gave us all an authentic jet set experience. The opportunity to see such extraordinary culturally diverse performances and designs left me feeling so appreciative that I live in such a big melting pot. Take the journey with us through the photos and feel free to leave a comment 🙂 Enjoy!

Kaleidoscope Houston 2016 | Urbanity

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Kaleidoscope Houston 2016 kicked of its first night with Urbanity. I know there were things slated to happen but what actually happen was so much more than I could have imagined. I will start by saying that the energy in the mansion was one you had to experience. DJ Nando kept our bodies moving with the best hip hop tunes. So many creatives in one space supporting one another was just the tip of the iceberg. Every time I turned my head there was something amazing happening.

Host of the evening Omar Castillo was comedic and kept the evening flowing. For starters The Traveling Live Art Canvas was a real treat. I watched it change constantly through out the evening as many of the event guests put their stamp on it. Jammie of Jammie’ Art also live etched Houston’s own Bun B through out the evening. The Urban Movement team looked like super heroes as they performed parkour.

Each of the performing artists were so full of energy. The MadMen Crew took the floor to perform a few songs including a new Houston anthem. Raj the Rapper, who is also the founder of Houston Diaper Bank, performed a mix of inspirational and feel good songs. Tobe Nwigwe of Team GINI performed both spoken word as well as inspiring rap songs that are meant to keep us conscience.

Everyone was astounded with the dance performances of the evening. Brenden Winkfield tap danced with a live drummer for an impromptu jam session. Bgirls Femme Fatale Cru showed off their Bgirl skills as they stormed the runway for Swinn. As the runway show continued, beautifully designed pieces created by Art Institute of Houston emerging artists Wilbert, Keosha, and Kim stunned onlookers. The consensus in the room was “there’s no way these are student designs! They are so amazing!” Shayne Salinas of Kooth Brand made us all remember that you can and should look good while your working hard. If you missed Kaleidoscope Houston 2016, make sure you’re in the house next year!

Urbanity was the best way to start Kaleidoscope Houston 2016! Check back soon for Jet Set and Imaginarium! Enjoy!