Toys are like a drug but they are my passion!

This week I am going to talk about a lovely subject....TOYS!!! Who does not love toys? No particular kind, I enjoy them all. Not just toys but also comics, collectibles, music, art and so much more!!
I presently run business with my partner in crime and we have been at it strong for roughly 4 and a half years. We started off in a modest setting of his apartment. It initially was a trio. We then began setting up a table at The Arizona Collectors Marketplace in Phoenix. The beginnings were mainly Hot Wheels and a few Star Wars toys. As time went on we began to see how everything worked in the toy game, the collector game and of course with the consumer. We then progressed onto a booth within the Collectors Marketplace which gave us more space and the ability to expand our inventory. Monster High and Littlest Pet Shop were HUGE additions to our shop. And we began to build a reputation as having a great product with prices that did not gauge people. We also had the respect of our fellow sellers within the shop. Our knowledge grew and we developed a loyal following who began to request things and this is where the real fun began. There is nothing more satisfying than being able to provide a service based on honesty, fairness, knowledge and fun! Our trio is still strong but our third member has branched out on his own and is doing fantastic as well! We participate in many events to showcase our products. What I love most is seeing the smiles of people who really, really wanted an item but previously did not get it at the store due to finances, timing or whatever. My favorite thing is to be able to give a child who only has 1 dollar to spend and they show up at our table,then to watch their face light up when we give them a much coveted toy that they could buy all by themselves. As a collector and a Mom (they are grown now thankfully and can buy their own toys) I appreciate a good deal and honesty. We have since built our reputation as a pop up toy shop showcasing great products, knowledge, honesty, availability, fair pricing and a strong business ethic. We currently sell in person, on line and we have 2 cases at the Brass Armadillo Antique Mall in Phoenix, AZ 28th Drive and Cactus off of the I 17). Our cases are 265 and 272 and we showcase retro video games, toys, disney, music memorabilia and much more! Stop in and check it out if you are local. We also believe in giving back to our community and donate time and product to many events as well as participating in and around the valley in toy shows, conventions and parking lot sales. My partner is an artist extraordinaire and I myself am a writer so we are involved in many things not just the toy business. My partner also is beginning to have pop up art shows showcasing his artwork which includes stickers, comic book covers, music and much, much more. Be on the lookout for events coming to a parking lot or venue near you! Please feel free to follow myself on Instagram as tiannepitz or Lucky Ti. And my partner is on Instagram as siek_von_doom. I hope that you like what you see and if you do let us know! Feel free to give my blog a follow, I appreciate any and all love that I get. And I will keep new things coming frequently. Peace, Love and Toys!

Thinking Clearly Amidst Chaos

Just a thought for today in the wake of all of the insanity going on in this world at the moment. We need to get it together as a "human race" not just a nationality, a race, a creed, a gender. The "human race" is at stake. Now, some may look at that in a different way, like end of world prophecy, a global cleansing, a conspiracy. It could be one or all...none of us know for certain. What we can do at this time is band together and become strong. Practice love, not hatred. Practice empathy. Practice humility. Gain knowledge. Make yourself stronger both mentally and physically. Every day there is something horrific happening around the globe. No one takes responsibility for themselves, no one holds themselves accountable. We are in a world of "it was not me", "it was someone else's fault", society made me do it...and I could go on. Now, there are great people in this world. There are great people making a change everyday. For some reason we never see it because the numbers are too small. It is time for the numbers to grow. Let us practice human kindness. Smile, laugh, love, create. Live like there is no tomorrow and you want your soul clear.
What happened in Las Vegas was so horrific it brought tears to my eyes immediately. It was not a random act of violence, it was a planned act of terror. Call it what it is. Terror, he was a terrorist. We know this. Call it what it is, do not sugar coat it. Hold him accountable for what he did. Let us not forget what is happening all around us: Puerto Rico, Spain, Texas, Florida, Police Violence, Domestic Violence, Hatred, Evil, The Kurds, London....it is everywhere! All that we can do is change ourselves and then everything else can fall into place. Just a thought today with heavy heart...but wanted to share and vent a little. Thanks for listening. Peace, Love and Change!

Art Needs Our Love and Support to Thrive and Survive!

Art Day (which is every day) was Friday, September 15th in my lovely city. Well, you have heard of bar hopping I am sure, this was Art Hopping. I had the pleasure of attending 2 shows featuring local artists. The first stop was the opening of Growing Up Phoenix featuring the inspiring artwork of Veronica Verdugo Lomeli at the Xico Gallery 1008 E Buckeye Rd Suite 220 Phoenix 85034. Her artwork is inspiring, positive and rich with culture. Her pieces are bright, bold, warm and full of life. Shedding light on the vibrant life and culture of what it is Growing Up Phoenix. Check out the show, you will not be disappointed.
The next show moved me to downtown in the Roosevelt Art district. This was the Rise and Grind show opening at Grand ArtHaus 1501 NW Grand Ave Phoenix 85007. This showing is showcasing many talented artist which kicked off celebrating 1 year open for this lovely gallery. There were abstract pieces, pop culture pieces, street art and much more!
I have followed the arts and all of its many faces for years now, I always enjoy coming across new and exciting talent. The artists who put together and participate in these shows put 150 percent of themselves into it. It is inspiring to see so much passion being put into visuals for others to enjoy.
I love the arts, I love supporting artists and by having support the arts will stay alive for generations to come.
Do yourself a favor and check out these 2 fantastic shows. They are showing into October. Weather is great, take a breather and go show some local artists your love and respect for doing something with their passion and not letting fear drive them!

Fresh Friday- A Lesson In Inspiration

This week I want to share with you a wonderful event that ALMOST did not happen. For weeks, a group of South Phoenix residents (born and raised) and amazing artists and a wonderful support crew planned an event that was to promote PRIDE IN COMMUNITY and UNITY and FUN. On the 11th hour the whole event was almost axed due to bureaucratic red tape! But thanks to Franco with quick thinking, the power of persuasion and the ability to compromise, the event was able to go on! And thanks to a wonderful community organization ( Black Wall Street) who put up the insurance coverage for us! The event could go on after all, albeit on a smaller scale with time restrictions. But, it still happened and that my friends is the MOST important part. The community STILL came to the show and showed the support and love that we all needed. We had our friend Blockhead who hung all of the art on the walls to make the gallery look amazing. The artists came through and brought their stuff to show off. Central Car Club brought over some wicked low riders (thanks Tony for setting it up). We had great live music by The Color 8, The Drunken Indian and Angels/Aliens. Rattle Can Man and Complete The Streets brought out their framed photography which really shows us the impact of city life, graffiti and trains in the culture. Mr Gallo Arte was in the art room doing live sketches. And the gallery was a wonderful meeting place for artists to share tips and admire each others work. We had works by many talented artists including but not limited to Armondo Williams, Cierra Sol, Brian Garcia, SIEK, CAB, DUROK, Mr Mimek, Kancr, TAME, Cre8, Mr Gallo Arte, Cesar Ramirez, Rey Ramirez, Marco Acosta, Therosia Reynolds and Aline Hernandez...if I missed anyone of you my apologies. This event was a true inspiration. I pulled such a positive force out of it. I am honored to have been invited in and welcomed to join up with an amazing group of people to put common beliefs and visions into play for a wonderful event to come to fruition. I want to say how much I thank you and am truly amazed at the outpouring of support that came about during this event. Long live FRESH FRIDAY and the vision that it holds. It pays to band together and bring good things to our communities. Be on the lookout for more possibilities with this group and keep an eye and ear out there to the pavement because word on the streets is something else could come out of this! Thank you again to the community and thank you again to all who stood up for us in the time of need, thank you to the school district for giving the forum for the event. Again, if I missed anyone my apologies...information overload when I get all excited over positive things happening in a community! If you like what you read please feel free to leave a comment or a high five or feel free to give a follow to the blog. Thanks for reading!
Peace, Love and Happiness!

Fresh Friday Visual!

This is a small run of the pictures from Fresh Friday! My next post tells you the groovy details!

This weeks entry is regarding fear. I have lived in fear for a large chunk of my life.... both real and imagined. I have let fear drive me away from my passion and pursuing growth and change. Who out there can relate to this? We all at one point or another have experienced the familiar ting in the pit of our stomach that crept up and shook some of us to the core...at least for me it has.
So in regards to my fears. Until most recently (within 6 years) I wrote my heart and soul and hid it from the world...hid it from myself. I was afraid to come forward and let the transparency happen.I was so terrified that someone would read my writings and judge me, throw it in my face, use it against me, laugh at it, shrug it off as nonsense. Now, I am sure that I am not the only one who has been gripped with this. What I started to do was share it with friends, family, my children. It then led to social media outlets. It progressed to pop up art shows. I have experienced the standard outlets...all except one. My soul shattering fear of standing before my peers and reading one out loud. Takes me back to school daze when I was so uncertain of myself, uncertain of my voice. So, this week I had a lovely invitation from my friend (and supporter) Angelica who gave me an outlet on live radio to recite one of my poems. It was so amazing! What a full circle of emotions! I experienced a high like none other. Fear, excitement, giddiness and so much more! It was a great moment for me to be able to speak my prose out loud. All while being silently cheered on by my daughter, my friend and my friend Franco who without him none of this would be possible. Shout out to KDIF.org, 102.9 FM South Phoenix, Arizona! Amazing organization, amazing people. I am humbled and full of gratitude.
This now leads up to my next forum again thanks to Franco and a whole slew of other great and inspiring people who have put together a pop up community event that will feature a magnitude of talent. I am proud to say that I have been honored to be a part of helping to organize this event which will bring great positive influence to the community of South Phoenix. Featured at this event will be Live art, Live music, Dj's, BBoys, Food trucks, Car clubs, an Open Mic, vendors selling DIY goodies (no store bought stuff here) and so much more! It is a wonderful vision that has now been brought to a reality to bring a positive look into a wonderful community. Shout out to South Phoenix!! Much love to KDIF.org, Rosewax Vinyl Club and all of the amazing
ly talented people who are supporting others and giving them a forum to rise themselves up and become empowered and bring positive light to the community! Come by and let us bond together as a community and promote the positive! Thanks for reading!

P.S. The event is called Fresh Friday and will take place on Friday, September 8th 2017. It starts at 6pm through midnight. Where you ask? Here ya go:
Sierra Vista Community School
6401 S 16th Street
Phoenix, Az 85042

Thoughts for the day

In this world of "likes" we forget to "like" ourselves. We lose ourselves to the "oh, i have to check my post and see who liked it", "oh, i have to check my post and see how many people liked it". We lose our focus on what is real. We lose our focus on what is happening around us. We lose our focus on actual conversations with people. We rely on social media to provide us with love, acceptance, recognition, news, trends, food and much more. Please understand, I am NOT bashing as that would make me a hypocrite of which I am NOT. I am involved in many aspects of social media. I am simply stating an observation of mine. We get caught up in the narcissism of others. We tend to forget that there is a little narcissism in all of us and that cannot be denied, otherwise we would not buy into it. Again, I am not bashing because I AM guilty of participation. And I enjoy it. So, just making a statement since I see so much go wrong within it but I do also see so much go right within it. It is sad to see people pass judgement on others, relationships become strained, communication disappear, bickering, name calling, bashing and all around negativity. But on the other hand it is great to see diversity being embraced, people promoting their talents, people promoting community events, supporting local businesses. All of this is so much easier within the structure of social media and for those things I am proud to see and proud to partake. We should really be promoting positive and unity and community and family through it. These are my random thoughts. Thanks for hearing me out. Peace, love and happiness always!