Our First Commercial!
Check out the interview that Ioni at the Diaspora Art Mart where we vend every month.
Check it out! (I'm in there too for a second)
Check it out! (I'm in there too for a second)
Ioni's Creations is at the Diaspora Art Mart in the Brooklyn YWCA
30 3rd Avenue (and Atlantic)
Every 2nd Saturday of every month
How Crafting Saved My Life
Crafting really saved my life. I know that sounds dramatic, but it did. I had the same kind of boring, ho-hum life that I think a lot of people have, the kind that makes you want to pull the covers back over your head and just stay there in bed. Right about then is when my second crafting business lifted me out of the doldrums.Now you know knitting and crocheting have a reputation for being just for little old ladies, but I don’t see it that way. I love funky stylish handmade pieces of any kind, and I love it more that I can add my creative voice to what’s out there already. It makes my juices flow to come up with something different than anything I see in fashion and to know it has my stamp on it. It makes me feel REALLY good that someone would reach in their pocket and give up their hard earned cash for something I created. And it makes me feel REALLY, REALLY good to know that other artists see me as an artist too.
So when my family business finally closed its doors after 35 years, I figured I would use my business, which was then a side hustle, to bide my time until I could get a “good job” with benefits. Suddenly a little voice spoke to me and told me that I could make a go of this full time. I was 48 years old and had about 15 years or so to go before I could retire and get social security. So I sat down right on the spot and thought about what I was willing to sacrifice to make this dream happen.
I had never had a car, but was I willing to go through life without one?
The answer was yes.
How about owning a home or a luxurious apartment? Was I willing to not have those things? Yes.
How about tropical paradise vacations and cruises? When my friends go on those things would it be ok for me not to go with them? Once again, the answer was yes.
So I began to build.
And suddenly, everything was different.
The stuff I used to take off of men – no more.
Friends that had stepped to me with thinly veiled cattiness in the past – was I willing to “be patient” with them? Nope. I just wasn’t having any of the old stuff anymore. Why? Because I was now on a mission, one all my own…and I had better things to do.
Suddenly, I was getting more respect. I couldn’t boast a whole lot of money. As a matter of fact, I had less…for now. But I was becoming accomplished even if it was late in the game. I was manifesting the talents that I always knew were in there somewhere. Now others knew it too. And I could see that my business was growing, sometimes even being a little more than I could handle.
But that’s not all.
On Facebook, I became a member of a brand new group called The Handmade Collective. This group has people of all races, nationalities, both genders etc. But the magic of the group is that they are willing to share. They share the tips of how to be successful at what we do. So now my pictures are crisper, I have a blog, several online stores, I am vending and expanding my product lines. I’ve never been a part of anything where everyone was so willing to help each other like that. It was just what I needed to take my business to the next level, and I’m beginning to enjoy the benefits of all that hard work.
So when others talk about how knitting and crocheting are so relaxing, I agree with them. Sometimes I don’t take the time to say that it’s actually exhilarating to me though, and that it has given me new life and a new lease on life.
And that it’s not just for little old ladies
PS – here is a tutorial i did on how to make fingerless mittens – Enjoy!
grown up creativity
busy life. create it. make it. write it.
grown up creativity: make it a handmade kwanzaa
Out of the 7 Principles of Kwanzaa, Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) and Kuumba (Creativity) are my favorite. One because it emphasizes keeping money within the community and supporting our businesses and the other because it focuses on the creative aspects of the season and ceases upon an opportunity to make something by hand and from the heart.
With Kwanzaa fast approaching (December 26 – January 1), I thought I would share some vintage posts of some of my favorite handmade crafters and artisans that have been previously featured on my blog, in my Black DIY series. I offer this to you as a last minute shopping guide with the hope that you will support these artists in the true spirit of Kwanzaa! And remember to make each gift special!
Merry Christmas!
Happy Hanukkah!
Happy Kwanzaa!
Happy New Year!
druChristine Couture – Fashion Designer
Business Information: druChristine Couture
Business Name: druChristine Couture
Founder/Creative Director’s Name: Drue Thompson
Location: Cleveland, Ohio (or as I like to say, WORLD WIDE….through the world wide web!!!)
Business Phone (if applicable): 216.533.5195
Website: www.druchristine.com Email: druewho1@gmail.com
Etsy Page: druChristine
MamaLei Body Essentials – Body & Skincare
Artist/Designer: Ohenewaa White-Ra
Business Name: MamaLei Body Essentials
Location: Philadelphia, PA,
Etsy Shop: etsy.com/shop/MamaLeiBodyEssential
Twitter: @MamaLeibodyEsse
Ioni’s Creations – Unique Crocheted Gifts
Business Name: Ioni’s Creations
Founder/Creative Director’s Name: Ioni Dodson and Ta Ankh
Location: Queens, New York
Business Phone (if applicable): 917 841-6040
Website/Email: piouretsy@aol.com
Etsy Page: http://www.etsy.com/shop/IonisCreations
Soulburbia – Jewelry
Founder/Creative Director’s Name: Rukiya McNair
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Business Phone (if applicable):
Website/Email: www.soulburbia.com and rukiya.mcnair@soulburbia.com
Etsy Page: http://www.etsy.com/shop/RukiyaMcNair
Nzingah Designs – Jewelry
Artist/Designer: Nzingah
Location: South Florida
Website: www.NzingahDesigns.com
Twitter: @sankofaschild
Etsy: www.sankofaschild.etsy.com
Heaven Must Be Like This – Unique Cakes
Business Name: Heaven Must Be Like This
Founder/Creative Director’s Name: Monise L. Seward
Location: Snellville, GA (metro-Atlanta)
Business Phone (if applicable): 678-658-0672
Website: www.HeavenMustBeLikeThis.com
Email: Orders@HeavenMustBeLikeThis.com
Twitter Page: @HvnMstBLikeThis
Venus Visuals – Jewelry
Business Name: Venus Visuals
Founder/Creative Director’s Name: Imani Bilal (Creative Designer) Imani & Muslimah Bilal (Founders)
Location: Washington DC/VA/MD
Business Phone (if applicable): (202) 704-2658
Website: www.venusvisualsonline.com
Email: venusvisuals@gmail.com
Thank you for following Grown Up Creativity and follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter
With Kwanzaa fast approaching (December 26 – January 1), I thought I would share some vintage posts of some of my favorite handmade crafters and artisans that have been previously featured on my blog, in my Black DIY series. I offer this to you as a last minute shopping guide with the hope that you will support these artists in the true spirit of Kwanzaa! And remember to make each gift special!
Merry Christmas!
Happy Hanukkah!
Happy Kwanzaa!
Happy New Year!
druChristine Couture – Fashion Designer
Business Information: druChristine Couture
Business Name: druChristine Couture
Founder/Creative Director’s Name: Drue Thompson
Location: Cleveland, Ohio (or as I like to say, WORLD WIDE….through the world wide web!!!)
Business Phone (if applicable): 216.533.5195
Website: www.druchristine.com Email: druewho1@gmail.com
Etsy Page: druChristine
MamaLei Body Essentials – Body & Skincare
Artist/Designer: Ohenewaa White-Ra
Business Name: MamaLei Body Essentials
Location: Philadelphia, PA,
Etsy Shop: etsy.com/shop/MamaLeiBodyEssential
Twitter: @MamaLeibodyEsse
Ioni’s Creations – Unique Crocheted Gifts
Business Name: Ioni’s Creations
Founder/Creative Director’s Name: Ioni Dodson and Ta Ankh
Location: Queens, New York
Business Phone (if applicable): 917 841-6040
Website/Email: piouretsy@aol.com
Etsy Page: http://www.etsy.com/shop/IonisCreations
Soulburbia – Jewelry
Founder/Creative Director’s Name: Rukiya McNair
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Business Phone (if applicable):
Website/Email: www.soulburbia.com and rukiya.mcnair@soulburbia.com
Etsy Page: http://www.etsy.com/shop/RukiyaMcNair
Nzingah Designs – Jewelry
Artist/Designer: Nzingah
Location: South Florida
Website: www.NzingahDesigns.com
Twitter: @sankofaschild
Etsy: www.sankofaschild.etsy.com
Heaven Must Be Like This – Unique Cakes
Business Name: Heaven Must Be Like This
Founder/Creative Director’s Name: Monise L. Seward
Location: Snellville, GA (metro-Atlanta)
Business Phone (if applicable): 678-658-0672
Website: www.HeavenMustBeLikeThis.com
Email: Orders@HeavenMustBeLikeThis.com
Twitter Page: @HvnMstBLikeThis
Venus Visuals – Jewelry
Business Name: Venus Visuals
Founder/Creative Director’s Name: Imani Bilal (Creative Designer) Imani & Muslimah Bilal (Founders)
Location: Washington DC/VA/MD
Business Phone (if applicable): (202) 704-2658
Website: www.venusvisualsonline.com
Email: venusvisuals@gmail.com
Thank you for following Grown Up Creativity and follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter
Seniors Get Crafty with Internet – St. Louis American: Local News
Seniors Get Crafty with Internet
By Rebecca S. Rivas | Posted: Thursday, April 26, 2012 12:05 am
Ioni Dodson, who lives in Queens, New York, is “so happy” to be 72 and retired from her career in word processing because now she has time to do more crafty art, she said.
One of her most prized creations is a three-dimensional, African-themed quilt using bright colors called “Celebration.”
“When I was in grammar school, I wore a uniform,” Dodson said, who worked for the Human Resources Administration in New York City for 36 years. “I thought this was the worst thing I could ever do. When I attended high school, I made and designed my clothes. I love to be different.”
In November 2009, some of her friends encouraged her to make her crafts more than just a hobby. They urged her to sell her quilts, knits and ceramic dolls on Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade goods.
“They thought that I would do well financially,” she said.
So she decided to set up an online Etsy shop called “Ionis Creations.”
Etsy was created by a painter, carpenter, and photographer named Rob Kalin in early 2005. Like many artists, Kalin felt there wasn’t a viable marketplace to exhibit and sell his creations online — other e-commerce sites having become too inundated with overstock electronics and broken appliances.
So Kalin – along with Chris Maguire and Haim Schoppik – launched Etsy on June 18, 2005 after only three months. Now Etsy has over 800,000 active shops and 14 million members.
Dodson is one of the few African-American seniors who have braved online commerce. Although she has not made her fortune yet, she is up for the challenge. So far she has found her clients by word of mouth and Etsy, she said.
“Etsy has grown by leaps and bounds, therefore, you must work harder to get your things seen,” Dodson said.
Her motto is: “No matter what you do, sometimes nothing works. Do not despair. Keep working at it, and it will happen in God’s own time.”
Pat Brown-Dixon, administrator of region 7 of the U.S. Small Business Administration (which includes St. Louis), is constantly talking with small business owners. In her experience, few seniors who are business owners are familiar with online sales tools, such as Etsy.
However, she encourages small businesses to use all available internet sources to their advantage. Etsy can be a low-cost marketing aid, she said.
“As more seasoned Americans realize the value of using the internet, it can allow them to have more control of their time, and help them be home-based while gaining extra income,” she said.
Brown-Dixon cautioned seniors to be wise in terms of receiving payments. She recommends transferring money through reliable third-party sources, such as Pay-Pal. And she strongly encouraged sellers to keep up with orders and build strong relations.
“And when fulfilling orders, sellers of products must be diligent to deliver the products quickly in order to build their reputations as good suppliers,” she said.
Dabanga dos Santos, a senior originally from Mozambique, is a microbiologist who became a jewelry artisan. She creates ethnic fusion jewelry using metals. She became an Etsy user in 2009 when her own website crashed and she needed a means to reach her retail clients.
“I maintained the site even after my website was rebuilt,” said dos Santos, who is also living in New York. “Between the two, I am busier now than I ever was.”
The income from her Etsy shop “Dabanga” supplements her wholesale business, she said. Etsy leveled out the playing ground for its thousands of merchants when it introduced “search engine optimization” relevancy, which helps her shop pop up in search results more often. Etsy offers ways to share ideas and collaborate through the Etsy forums, Etsy teams or attend an online workshop on the site.
Although social media can be overwhelming, Dabanga said it is also a necessary component for online sales. And then of course, sellers have to make time to create the products.
“People often say there aren’t enough hours in the day,” she said. “Of course there are. Time management and meeting goals are essential parts of getting the job done, since social media is very time-consuming.”
With the prolonged downturn of the economy, many people have been getting laid off who were not yet ready for retirement, said Kevin Lockett, chief operating officer for the Urban Entrepreneur Partnership, a business-coaching program of the Kauffman Foundation. These people have begun to look for ways to leverage their knowledge.
“You saw an influx of seniors trying to start their own businesses,” Lockett said. “It doesn’t surprise me that they started to use products like Etsy. When seniors are in those dire situations, many of them will reach out and use everything available to them.”
Jill of the Etsy shop jill2day spent many years in corporate design departments until the downturn left her unemployed, she stated in the Etsy blog “Quit Your Day Job.” She took her career change as a motivating opportunity to start her Etsy shop, learn more about e-commerce and begin supporting herself through her artistic voice. She’s now successfully making her living through her Etsy business, loves making her own schedule. And if she could go back in time, she said she would do it sooner.
“In losing my job I have found out that Richie Havens was right when he said, ‘Backwards is not necessarily a negative direction!’” she said.
Lockett said Etsy has given entrepreneurs of any size in any location the ability to market their products to a mass audience.
Dodson’s goal is to be able to at least send her grandchildren to college and pay for their expenses.
“You must give up a lot of time,” she said. “You must be professional. You must keep up with new products and must have fortitude – and, above all, patience.”
Rebecca Rivas wrote this
article as part of the MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellowship, a project of New America Media and the Gerontological Society of America. This is the last article in a four-part series.
Seniors Get Crafty Article
lifestyle30
lifestyle from MY 30 and over perspective
I launched Black DIY to highlight Black Crafters and Designers who create in the old school tradition of handmade wares. In recognition of Women’s History Month I will continue with my focus on Black Women Who Design! Next up
Ioni’s Creations: Crocheted, One of a Kind, Women’s Sweater
is Ioni Dodson and Ta Ankh of Ioni’s Creations our of Queens, New York. They craft beautifully crocheted African inspired clothing items, head gear, and children’s clothing. This interview was delivered with such a pleasant tone, they are so down to earth. I hope you are as inspired by this interview as I am and please remember to #SupportBlackOwnedBusiness
Interview with Iona Dodson and Ta Ankh of Ioni’s Creations
What inspired you to go into the craft business? Do you do this full-time or do you still have a day job?
Ta Ankh: Ioni was my crochet/knitting teacher and suggested that I could make a business of it. She supplied the know-how and the contacts for us to put our things in some boutiques and loc shops and to vend. She also knew of Etsy and suggested we open a shop online. We both do this full time. Ionis is retired.
What’s behind the name of your craft business? How long have you been in business?
Ioni: Behind the name of my craft business is my family. My child and grandchild and I all have this name. Since my whole family is very crafty in knitting, crocheting, sewing, painting (landscape, homes, portraits, etc), jewelry and home design, if they wanted to take over the business the name IONI would have already been established. It might be easy for them to have a subsidiary of IONI.
Describe your aesthetic/creative process when designing/making your product line. Is there a product in your line that you specialize in or are most proud of? What is your biggest seller?
Ioni: The seasons determine how my creativity will flow for that particular time. Winter is for knitting/crocheting bulky sweaters, hats, coats or pants. In summer I make cool, refreshing circular dresses, skirts and swim suits. For spring I will make light weight, airy shawls to wear indoors for when the air conditioning is too coo. And in the fall I start my heavy, soft but warmer shawls, hats, fingerless gloves and boot covers. My imagination is my biggest force for designing and making my wonderful creations. In between my fashions I am inspired to make my soft sculptured lady dolls. I use all kinds of fabric, and their faces are all different because I sculpt them with a needle and thread. I am extremely proud of all my designs. They are very carefully scrutinized by me. They have to be perfect in my eyes or they will not be shown or sold. I have no favorites because I am proud of everything I create.
Ta Ankh: I have a similar, seasonal process. I specialize in making hats. It was the easiest thing for me to do as a student (unlike Ioni who is my teacher, I began knitting and crocheting in my 40′s). I am expanding to other accessories. I’ve made earrings, but come summer I will be making fancier ones, as well as bags. but so far, my side business is all about hats, and they are my best seller.
What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst?
Ioni: The best thing about what I do is to visualize what I want to make and then create what I’ve dreamt up. The worst thing is not being able to organize my house.
Ta Ankh: Lol, same here.
What’s your opinion about the whole DIY Movement? What impact do you think this will have or has had on the Black Community? Why is knowing your DIY roots important to us?
Ta Ankh: I remember when I first met Ioni (about 5 years ago), she and some of the other crafters were saying that the skills of crocheting, knitting, sewing and just crafting in general had always been passed down from generation to generation, and what a shame it would be if those things died out. They were saying that sometimes even the most simple and basic of DIY skills were missing from the younger generation. I’m happy to say I’ve been hearing recently of younger people who are interested in handmade things, and sometimes in learning those arts themselves.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given about your business or craft practices?
Ioni: The best advice I have been given was by Brenda Brunson-Bey, owner of Tribal Truths Boutique, which was to never ever give up no matter how frustrating it gets.
Are there other crafters or businesses you follow and why?
Ioni: The business I follow is Tribal Truth which is in Brooklyn because it is so innovative. Her designs are fabulous. There is no comparison, they are just so futuristic. There are not enough words to describe her fashions. There is no design that she makes that does not look wonderful on the ladies.
Ta Ankh: I love Tribal Truths as well, and the one event I look forward to every year is her fashion show, where we vend. Plus I’ve spent a mint in her shop lol. I’m also crazy about Kiini Ibura, because I love the jewelry and other items they always have. Divine Nubian is a loc shop here in Queens that sells loc jewelry and more, and I’ve always loved the vibes there, and try to hang out even though I don’t have locs lol. But I think Moshood gets the biggest props for branding. His brand is known community wide. I don’t know anybody who has been as successful promoting their brand outside of the mainstream.
Do you currently have any specials or sales going on right now?
Ioni: Because I only make one of a kind items there usually never any fashions left over and what is left over I tend to keep them for myself or give them to my relatives. I don’t carry any of my fashions over to the next year.
Is there anything else you would like readers to know?
Ta Ankh: I’d like to let all the crafters out there know that there is a group on Facebook called the Handmade Collective that is a joy to work with. It’s a great and warm group. We can do some things together that we couldn’t do alone, so they should consider being a part of it.
Ioni: I would like to thank my clients for patronizing my fashions for giving me encouragement to do better.
Also Ioni’s Creations is on Facebook, Etsy, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and flickr. Check us out!
Black DIY: Featuring Ioni’s Creations
Business Information
Business Name: Ioni’s Creations
Founder/Creative Director’s Name: Ioni Dodson and Ta Ankh
Location: Queens, New York
Business Phone (if applicable): 917 841-6040
Website/Email: piouretsy@aol.com
Etsy Page: http://www.etsy.com/shop/IonisCreations
Thank you for reading #BlackDIY and please support and patronize #BlackOwnedBusiness
If you wish to be featured on lifestyle30 blog and in the #BlackDIY series, please leave a comment here or email me at ivywriter@live.com
Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter
Ioni’s Creations: Crocheted, One of a Kind, Women’s Sweater
is Ioni Dodson and Ta Ankh of Ioni’s Creations our of Queens, New York. They craft beautifully crocheted African inspired clothing items, head gear, and children’s clothing. This interview was delivered with such a pleasant tone, they are so down to earth. I hope you are as inspired by this interview as I am and please remember to #SupportBlackOwnedBusiness
Interview with Iona Dodson and Ta Ankh of Ioni’s Creations
What inspired you to go into the craft business? Do you do this full-time or do you still have a day job?
Ta Ankh: Ioni was my crochet/knitting teacher and suggested that I could make a business of it. She supplied the know-how and the contacts for us to put our things in some boutiques and loc shops and to vend. She also knew of Etsy and suggested we open a shop online. We both do this full time. Ionis is retired.
What’s behind the name of your craft business? How long have you been in business?
Ioni: Behind the name of my craft business is my family. My child and grandchild and I all have this name. Since my whole family is very crafty in knitting, crocheting, sewing, painting (landscape, homes, portraits, etc), jewelry and home design, if they wanted to take over the business the name IONI would have already been established. It might be easy for them to have a subsidiary of IONI.
Describe your aesthetic/creative process when designing/making your product line. Is there a product in your line that you specialize in or are most proud of? What is your biggest seller?
Ioni: The seasons determine how my creativity will flow for that particular time. Winter is for knitting/crocheting bulky sweaters, hats, coats or pants. In summer I make cool, refreshing circular dresses, skirts and swim suits. For spring I will make light weight, airy shawls to wear indoors for when the air conditioning is too coo. And in the fall I start my heavy, soft but warmer shawls, hats, fingerless gloves and boot covers. My imagination is my biggest force for designing and making my wonderful creations. In between my fashions I am inspired to make my soft sculptured lady dolls. I use all kinds of fabric, and their faces are all different because I sculpt them with a needle and thread. I am extremely proud of all my designs. They are very carefully scrutinized by me. They have to be perfect in my eyes or they will not be shown or sold. I have no favorites because I am proud of everything I create.
Ta Ankh: I have a similar, seasonal process. I specialize in making hats. It was the easiest thing for me to do as a student (unlike Ioni who is my teacher, I began knitting and crocheting in my 40′s). I am expanding to other accessories. I’ve made earrings, but come summer I will be making fancier ones, as well as bags. but so far, my side business is all about hats, and they are my best seller.
Ioni: The best thing about what I do is to visualize what I want to make and then create what I’ve dreamt up. The worst thing is not being able to organize my house.
Ta Ankh: Lol, same here.
What’s your opinion about the whole DIY Movement? What impact do you think this will have or has had on the Black Community? Why is knowing your DIY roots important to us?
Ta Ankh: I remember when I first met Ioni (about 5 years ago), she and some of the other crafters were saying that the skills of crocheting, knitting, sewing and just crafting in general had always been passed down from generation to generation, and what a shame it would be if those things died out. They were saying that sometimes even the most simple and basic of DIY skills were missing from the younger generation. I’m happy to say I’ve been hearing recently of younger people who are interested in handmade things, and sometimes in learning those arts themselves.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given about your business or craft practices?
Ioni: The best advice I have been given was by Brenda Brunson-Bey, owner of Tribal Truths Boutique, which was to never ever give up no matter how frustrating it gets.
Are there other crafters or businesses you follow and why?
Ioni: The business I follow is Tribal Truth which is in Brooklyn because it is so innovative. Her designs are fabulous. There is no comparison, they are just so futuristic. There are not enough words to describe her fashions. There is no design that she makes that does not look wonderful on the ladies.
Ta Ankh: I love Tribal Truths as well, and the one event I look forward to every year is her fashion show, where we vend. Plus I’ve spent a mint in her shop lol. I’m also crazy about Kiini Ibura, because I love the jewelry and other items they always have. Divine Nubian is a loc shop here in Queens that sells loc jewelry and more, and I’ve always loved the vibes there, and try to hang out even though I don’t have locs lol. But I think Moshood gets the biggest props for branding. His brand is known community wide. I don’t know anybody who has been as successful promoting their brand outside of the mainstream.
Do you currently have any specials or sales going on right now?
Ioni: Because I only make one of a kind items there usually never any fashions left over and what is left over I tend to keep them for myself or give them to my relatives. I don’t carry any of my fashions over to the next year.
Is there anything else you would like readers to know?
Ta Ankh: I’d like to let all the crafters out there know that there is a group on Facebook called the Handmade Collective that is a joy to work with. It’s a great and warm group. We can do some things together that we couldn’t do alone, so they should consider being a part of it.
Ioni: I would like to thank my clients for patronizing my fashions for giving me encouragement to do better.
Also Ioni’s Creations is on Facebook, Etsy, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and flickr. Check us out!
Black DIY: Featuring Ioni’s Creations
Business Information
Business Name: Ioni’s Creations
Founder/Creative Director’s Name: Ioni Dodson and Ta Ankh
Location: Queens, New York
Business Phone (if applicable): 917 841-6040
Website/Email: piouretsy@aol.com
Etsy Page: http://www.etsy.com/shop/IonisCreations
Thank you for reading #BlackDIY and please support and patronize #BlackOwnedBusiness
If you wish to be featured on lifestyle30 blog and in the #BlackDIY series, please leave a comment here or email me at ivywriter@live.com
Follow me on Twitter: @ivywriter
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