Bereavement

Good morning all,
Last week I was challenged to create several commemorative pieces from a clients mothers wedding dress. (I also created a custom TV cover, but that is another blog) Greta was kind enough to give me free reign and I went to work. These are my favorite tasks as the creative juices really flow. I once again tried to use all the elements from the original gown and veil in each frame. Her idea was to put her wedding photo in the frames for her children until the time came when they got married and would then be replaced with their own. I love it! Enjoy these beautiful days and have a happy, happy week!

Good Gourds Alive!

Good morning all,
Got a late start today, but mass is in and so is grocery shopping. Now the rest of the day will be spent cooking and spending time outside. About mid May my grand daughter and I planted in four areas of our yard, the seeds from the pictured gourd. I dug the hole and she placed three seeds in each. Four months later we have three plants. One is quite small only about 3' x 3'. The other two are very large, one reaching approximately 10'! It is truly amazing how those little seeds can produce such vast plants in such a short amount of time. I should get a good three dozen or so gourds if the flowers are any indication. My plan is to dry, stain and finish them to create bird houses, vases and baskets. I used shoe polish as stain and polycrylic for a finish. Looks like I need to find a better method as the finish is peeling. I think I'll try bees wax. If all turns out well you should see them in spring and as always, your suggestions and thoughts are appreciated and welcome. Enjoy this gorgeous day and happy, happy week!

Follow Up

Good morning all,
Today I'd like to follow up on two previous posts. Consigner beware! I approached a Do It Yourself shop in Green Bay in May and upon their request made a few dozen items for consignment. I signed their contract, they signed mine. I began to suspect something was awry when they weren't answering my emails. Eventually I suppose they had to and let me know all but one of the 21 plants had died. We went back and forth about what to do and another month passed and only one item sold, they desired to end the relationship and in formed me I could retrieve my inventory. I was to let them know what they owed me for the plants and they would have them ready at the end of July. I decided it was fair to use item 8 of their contract - items stolen or damaged would be 30% of the retail price, a whopping $72. They scoffed and several emails later I decided it would be better to let them keep the moss balls and call it a day. They were to return the remaining inventory as promised. I received a box a few days later and upon recycling the shipping materials to my surprise, found an envelope with a check for $72. When I thanked them for taking responsibility for their part and honoring their contract, they made it clear they did not feel culpable, but sent the money under duress. As much as I desired to respond, I felt it best to just leave things as they were. What is the lesson then? Consigner beware! If I hadn't a contract of my own I could not have recouped any loses and I think they may be looking at revamping their agreement as well.

I also blogged about the menopause supplement Amberen. Although I do believe it has helped lessen my symptoms, they have not disappeared. I've got another month or so before stopping for 90 days. If desired, I can begin again then if symptoms return. I'll keep you posted.

Don't forget I'll be at the Farmers and Artisans Market in Elkhart August 20th. Hope to see you there!
Happy, happy week!

Nothing New

Good morning all,
Things are slowing down for me at the farmers market downtown. Not sure if I've saturated that market or not, but am looking forward to the Elkhart Lake market on August 20th. It being an artisan market as well as farmers, I'll be able to bring my other wares.
A good client and friend lost a wire earring purchased at the JMKAC art festival and could not find the vendor to get a replacement. I suggested we make a necklace from it an she liked the idea. She also commented that she thought I could make something like it, I commented that I thought she was right. I have all sorts of wire around so I dug it up and went to work. Here are a few pieces that resulted from my experiment. Lots more to come so stay tuned! Hope to see you at the market on the 20th and wish you a happy, happy week!

Saving the Earth One Plastic Bag at a Time

Good morning all,
Every time I see something I like at a craft fair I say to myself (not to the vendor, I hate that!) "How could I make something similar?" I think about it and think about it and usually come up with my own version. I'm also always trying to come up with new ways to use those pesky plastic bags. Well Watson, I've done it again! Garden Mushrooms. They are colorful and fun and won't break like the ceramic ones I copied from. I'll be at the farmers market six more times this summer or until my products sell out. Mark your calendars for August 20th to visit the Elkhart Lake market. Happy, happy week!

BIG

Good morning all,
I often answer queries for HARO and enjoy sharing my experiences with fellow entrepreneurs. Stephanie Chandler of BusinessInfoGuide.com (BIG) shares my story. I hope you will take a couple minutes to read it and consider submitting your own. Until Sunday then! Happy, happy weekend!

The Pause

Good morning all,
I did not blog last week as I was taking a few day sabbatical. Anyone going through menopause can certainly relate to me. It's been a very long four years and everything natural I've tried to this point has not been effective. Soy, black cohash, vitamin E, bee pollen, aloe vera juice and sage. Perhaps in the beginning they seemed to be helping but ultimately my nasty symptoms returned. Hot flashes, those awful draining hot flashes! Night sweats, sleeping hands, mood swings, hair loss, bloating, weight gain... You get the picture. My husband heard a commercial on the radio for Amberen, a natural menopausal remedy. I needed to try a different plan and honestly was willing to do just about anything. I'm on my 9th day and I do believe they are benefiting. I still have symptoms but they are less severe. (I know what your thinking, it's all in my head! I don't care if it's in my head, toes, or tush at this point, as long as I''m getting relief!) I'll post more results after my 90 day treatment.
Very busy week getting some plants ready for another go at the farmers market and a moss ball making class at the Generations facility in Plymouth on Friday the 22nd. Please contact Jessica Dalske at pacc@plymouthgov.com to sign up. It's only $5 and will be lots of fun for all ages. Happy, happy week!