28th Annual Firearms Engravers and Gunmakers Exhibition

Firearms Engravers and Gunmakers Guild Exhibition

Reno, NV.

Our booth and one of our gunstocks at the exhibition.

The Gun Guild is of the finest and prestigious gunmakers and engravers in the industry.

This is our 2nd year and to have the opportunity to exhibit at this show is an honor and great exposure to our business. The guns are art and the artist who engrave and make these guns are some of the best artist in the world. These guns will make your jaw drop. 

Guns sell here anywhere from $10,000 - $1.5 million dollars.

The workmanship is something to see to appreciate.

I have a lot of ideas I will be taking advantage of this year for this industry and can not wait to execute them!

The view from our room.


Custom Rifles with our wood

Custom knives with our wood.

This engraver made the spurs and buckle...she does amazing work. This belt buckle is pretty awesome especially for the fact 2 years ago I designed a shirt with a woman bronc rider.

This gun is one to admire. The photos do not do this gun justice. 100% gold and silver this guns price tag is in the millions.

These were some of my favorite things here.  They are castings...examples of what the engraver can do on guns. I had a hard time deciding between the naked woman and the woman on the buffalo but I bought the woman on the buffalo...I think I am going to make a necklace out of it.

Our drive home was treacherous. We drove 30-40 mph for about 4 hours when it really only takes 2 going over the pass. It was snowing very hard. I couldn't wait to get home to see my dogs and family.

More to come from reno!

I have my column interview today.

XOXO

Love ya!

"I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich. " 

Dan Wilcox

Column #10 - Mary Smith

Mary Smith

By Amy Witt

All of you know my love for books, so when my now dear friend, Kathleen from Books off Main asked me to read Growing Up The First Time… I was soo excited! Kathleen gave me a little insight on this book but words could not describe how amazing this book really is and our local author who wrote it.

            Growing Up The First Time is an amazingly, beautifully, extraordinary, biography about Mary Smith and her 3 other sibling’s childhood. Growing up in Shanghai with irresponsible parents, living with grandparents that reeked of money which came along with a crazy out-of-control grandmother who thought she was queen of the world and a wonderful understanding grandfather. Her compelling story creates a picture of a young girl in 1943, at 15 years old spent 7 months in a Japanese prison camp in Shanghai, China. This book describes the emotional, fun and good memories, as well as, all the struggles she faced that helped her become the strong inspiring woman she is today!

            I was so honored when I had the opportunity to sit down and visit with Mary. At 83 years young, she is beautiful, healthy, hilarious, and has a personality that is soo intoxicating you can’t help but want to hear more. Mary was born in New York City in 1928; an educated woman with a Bachelors Degree in English from the Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles. It took Mary about 6 months to complete Growing Up The First Time and it was mainly written for her family. In 2011, her dear friend Marilyn Lyons sold Growing Up The First Time to Heritage Books. Marilyn was the drive to publish this book even though Mary refused the idea many times.  Not only is it sold at Books Off Main, it is also for sale at Amazon.com. Mary describes herself as a compulsive scribbler but I see her as an inspiration, an artist, and an out-of- this world talented author.  Being with Mary not only educated me but I felt happy, motivated, and inspired to become a better writer. 

            Besides writing, Mary is dedicated to exercising with her trainer, Sharon Hall, who is also the owner of Olympic Gym…and let me tell you at 83, she has muscles and a body of a 40 year old! Currently she is written the completion of her story which I will be waiting impatiently for.      

Today Mary will be having a book signing for Growing Up The First Time from 1:00-3:00 P.M. at Books Off Main at 27 E. Oak Ave. I encourage everyone in Porterville to support our local author and read this impeccably written, page-turning, biography that will not leave you disappointed!

My interview actually included not only the interview but Mary taking me to lunch and then I had the opportunity to go to her home. She showed me the original book which as you can see is above.
It is very thick and it's appearance is beautiful...especially inside the way the papers are, the font, and the way the pictures are set-up...also the title Blood is Thicker Than Water, was actually a joke poking fun of her racist grandma who didn't want the children to play with the other children.
This opportunity was grand and I know Mary and I will remain dear friends!

I am off to Reeennooooo!!

XOXO

Love ya!

"What I like in a good author is not what he says, but what he whispers."  Logan Pearsall Smith-1931

Sweet dreams.

Lamb Sweater: Forever21

Jeans: Seven for All Mankind
Purse: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Shoes: Steve Madden
Short Pearl necklace: Forever21
Broach: Vintage
Longer Pearl necklace: My Auntie Dana gave me!

I know I have slacked a little on my blogging! I have been super swamped and am trying to finish a book for my column on Thursday. Today, this is what I wore to interview the author...she is very delightful! Check out my blog Thursday!
Anyways...I love this outfit...this sweater I wana sleep in and wake up in everyday...it makes me sooo happy and I always smile when I look at it. I showed lambs growing up...I love them and hope to raise some soon!
My jeans I received for Christmas and I LOVE THEM! My purse is very special to me...It's my number one purse and I have yet to show on my blog...I don't know why not! Marc Jacobs is my favorite designer in the world! I have had this purse for 4 years and it is great..I will never part with it!
I leave to Reno on Thursday for a business trip for our family company...an international gun show to showcase our wood...we have been inducted to the guild show section which is the most prestigious gunsmiths, guns, and wood in the world...a very proud thing!

Anyways...have a great Tuesday! I am off to read!

XOXO
Love ya!

"All days are nights to see till I see thee,
And nights bright days when dreams do show thee to me."
William Shakespeare, "Sonnet XLIII"

Column #9 - Not Just Shoes.

Not Just Shoes.

By Amy Witt

My next purchases!

Walking by the down town streets of Santa Fe, New Mexico three years back, searching for old turquoise and vintage cowboy boots, I stumbled upon a decadent boutique that sold nothing but incense, peace signs, nature inspired art, and my now favorite go to shoes…TOMS. As I searched for my first perfect pair of TOMS, the aroma of incense floating through the store, and the sales woman in my ear rambling on about these shoes, all I could think about was how excited I was to go home to California rocking my first pair of classic natural canvas TOMS hoping I was the first girl in Porterville sporting them!

Excited about my first purchase and my TOMS flag that’s included, I couldn’t wait to send a picture to my mom because only she could understand and appreciate my want and obsession with TOMS. Being distracted, I hadn’t realized the sales woman was attempting to educate me that not only was I buying one pair but TWO and the other pair would be given to a child in need of shoes not only in the United States but around the world. Knowing this made me feel so grateful and satisfied inside.

TOMS was founded by Blake Mycoskie in 2006. As of 2010, because of me and millions of customers around the world, TOMS has given one million brand new pairs of TOMS to child in need. The best part about TOMS is that it involves you. This isn’t a charity, it isn’t just a shoe company and it most certainly isn’t a fad. TOMS is a movement, a One for One movement to be specific.

TOMS are some of the most comfortable and cute pairs of shoes you will ever wear. They sell both men and woman any age, many styles and colors, including wedges, boots, corduroy, sequins, and even a bridal collection for both bride and groom.
Not everyone can afford a pair of TOMS, which range from $40 to $65
but remind yourself for that price you get two pairs of TOMS.

 In November 2011, TOMS featured me on their website wearing my TOMS; they emailed me saying I had the most likes on a picture they’ve ever seen with someone wearing TOMS.

            Unfortunately, TOMS are not sold in Porterville, however, I do plan on hosting a TOMS “Style Your Sole” party for the town of Porterville allowing Porterville as a community to come together and get involved. For $44.00, you will receive a blank canvas of TOMS that you can paint, draw, and design yourself.  If you’d like to get involve please email me or check out: http://www.toms.com/style-your-sole.

Sporting my first TOMS downtown Santa Fe.

http://www.toms.com/flag?upost=1&post=13667&t=uphoto

             

I took this on the airplane ride home.

The pics below I found on my adventure in Santa Fe. They have amazing stuff!

I took this trip 3 years back to visit Derek on the set of Cowboys and Aliens. I spent most my days by myself running around downtown Santa Fe shopping! Downtown is fabulous shopping but you do run into alot of the same things.
I bought alloooottt of things on my trip from Indian baskets to turquoise to fur pelts to my TOMS. They also have amazing cowboy vintage stores full of cowboy boots, belts, and vintage shirts. There is actually a store called "Cowboys" which was filled with hundreds of vintage cowboy boots and western shirts.
I hope someday soon to visit Santa Fe again!


XOXO
Love ya!

"It is better to give than receive- especially advice"
Mark Twain

I

Zumba Marathon!

WEELLL...Larissa and I had a fantastic time at the Zumba Marathon in Fresno.
The Zumba was intense and the instructors were awesome!

We only took one little break and that was to grab a cheese filled bread from one of the vendors and snap a few pics.
Afterwards we were starving so we grabbed a bite to eat from the Cheesecake Factory.
Larissa had the peach salad while I had the cheddar broccoli soup we both drank water with our meals.
You can not go to the Cheesecake Factory and NOT have a CHEESCAKE.
So I turned Larissa on to one of Derek and I's fave...Adams Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake...
And we shared it like good work out girls!

We had such a fun and fabulous time and it always feels soo great to do your body good!
Best part of all I am not even sore today! :D

XOXO

Love ya!

"I really don't think I need buns of steel. 
I'd be happy with buns of cinnamon." 
Ellen DeGeneres

So Long 2011...Hellooo 2012

http://www.horsesandheels.com/?s=amy+witt

Blogger Melissa from Melissagoodtaste.com CHECK HER OUT!!






I know it's 7 days into 2012...but it's okay.

2011 was a year full of many accomplishments...I am so grateful.
I also had a few moments where I hit rock bottom but it only made me stronger.
I live such a beautiful life with beautiful family and friends...it's amazing and I am soo lucky!
I also have only been blogging since November 2011 and
I have had soo much support and readers...THANK YOU!!!!
2012 I have big plans for...but the most important is to be happy and healthy!
Thank you soo much for everyone who reads me and all the support! Love you all!!

XOXO
Love ya!


"Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me."
Seymour Miller & Jill Jackson, "Let There Be Peace on Earth," 1955