Holly Hocks are not Weeds! Eye Candy in the Garden!

I'm learning! My guru gardening sister NoraDora sent me holly hock seeds when I purchased her amazing Angel Trumpet seeds a couple years ago. While she explained they would not bloom (or was it even grow) the first year . . . I forgot about them. This year something began growing right outside my sewing window and while I was weeding, I called over my neighbor to ask if they were weeds or not. She informed me that she thought they were "holly hocks" and that she had accidentally pulled all hers one year too.

NOTE: My neighbor did show me weeds I was growing (ha a hahahaha), tall ones too!

Within a short time these gorgeous Holly Hocks grew. . . they are over six feet tall!! No kidding! I'm learning. . . and loving it!

Cleveland Handmade on FOX 8 - Friday!

A treasury made in celebration of Cleveland Handmade being featured on Fox8 this coming Friday, June 26th on the 8:00-9:00 news show.
petitelibellule & virtuallori will represent the team!
Go team!

In celebration, a number of Cleveland Handmade artists will be offering specials in their Etsy shops. We invite you to check out this promotions thread at Etsy.com to see the offers.

Tune in for the 8:00 hour on Friday to see some fresh new items from Cleveland Handmade!

What are you up to?

This is what I've been up to this weekend. I'm having the most fun painting with material. That's what I like to call it. I so adore the talent of many artists and when I can create (even remotely) something that feels like painting, I'm enjoying the energy.

I have also been catching up on orders, and am finding the "What's Your Word" pouch/wristlets to be so unique and one of a kind. I'm also becoming quite the aficionado on what letters are not in abundance on tShirts and which are! Here's what the beginnings look like when I'm putting together requests.

Quick blogging and sharing...enjoy~ Thanks for stopping by.

Perfect Advice from an Imperfect Mother

EVER come across a book that you just love to pick up anywhere and read from it? I know, you must be answering yes to that very question but what about this one.

Ever come across a book you want to give to everyone you love because you hope it will make them laugh, cry and "get it" like you did? Well, that's what I want to do with this book:

"Do As I Say, Not As I Did" by author Wendy Reid Crisp
(out of print but available used)

I am pretty sure I picked this book up at a -withdrawn- library sale...thought I'd probably use some of the font in my art... then picked it up and began reading it and KNEW it was meant to make a difference for me. I'm big on things making a difference!

Only 173 pages, small in a 5" x 6" stature, packed with humor and wisdom.

Tell you what ("you" meaning anyone who reads this and asks) I'll type out the short titles here and if one strikes your fancy, just ASK and I will happily type out the little story.

Worth the request, I promise.

• Reconsider piercing your face.
• Master the mundane.
• Choose embarrassment over death.
• Four reasons to stop the wedding.
• Establish credit when you don't need it.
• Learn how to buy money.
• A good man is not hard to find if you know what you're looking for.
• Abandon hope of getting enough rest.
• Network with unimportant people.
• If you love him, lie.
• Net worth does not equal self-worth.
• Fight the compulsion to be perfect.
• Avoid married men-and single men with an untanned circle around the third finger of their left hand.
• There are no big breaks.
• Test that yellow paint.
• Stress is not caused by overwork.
• Of course you want to have a baby. You're 27.
• Clout goes with the position, not the person.
• Stop smoking, dammit.
• Share.
• Forgive your friends.
• The call is not always for us.
• It takes a tough woman to cook a tender chicken.
• I don't want to know everything that I demand you tell me.
• Never hesitate to employ the airhead defense.
• Revisit decisions.
• When someone dies, cook.
• Know the difference between power and control.
• Relax; other people are not obsessed with your problems.
• Shop in old classified ads.
• Fail fearlessly.
• Expect an occasional punishment to ridiculously outweigh the crime.
• Make it through the night.
• Temper your ambitious urgency.
• Develop bifocal vision.
• Laugh loudly and the hell with it.
• A good man is hard to find. Part II.
• Hair: the front line of mental health.
• Envy is not knowing the whole story.
• Balance your checkbook, not your life.
• Let the creek meander.
• Enjoy anonymity while you can.
• A good man . . . part III.
• Insomnia is compulsory education.
• A good man . . . part IV.
• Score no unnecessary points.
• Restrain yourself from looking underneath anything.
• As soon as you learn the game, the rules will change.
• You will never regret NOT sleeping with someone.
• Don't look back: learning a lot from Lot's wife.
• Keep your eye on the ball.
• Fast.
• A good man . . . part V.
• Exorcize the demons of common sense.
• A good man . . . part VI.
• The longer the story, the bigger the lie.
• Life is a journey?
• Do the right thing, eve if it's for the wrong reasons.
• Offices are villages, not families.
• A good man . . . part VII.
• Your twenties are a Magic Slate.
• Write letters to the living.
• The horse may talk.
• Don't anthropomorphize machines.
• Don't edit your life story.
• A good man . . . part VIII.
• Play the hand you've been dealt.
• Just say yes.
• Break hearts as you've been taught to break eggs: with one sharp tap on the side of the bowl.
• It's a rough life, but somebody's got to live it.
• Escape is a valid option.
• As the classics teach us, hubris angers the gods.
• Become a psalm reader.
• Now, put away childish things.
• Have courage.
  
  

MAY Flowers

The latest Cleveland Handmade challenge is May Flowers!

Check it out and vote for your favorite!


VOTE HERE!

Junk2Funk Fundraiser

An upcoming event is The JUNK2FUNK Auction put on by Local Girl Gallery, GreenSmart Gifts, EcoLakewood and business and artists advocates, Lakewood is Art, will benefit North Coast Health Ministry while touting the four R's of life: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Respect during the City's month long Earth Day celebration in April.

Date: April 25th Gala Evening "green" cocktail reception w/wine provided by French Rabbit in eco-friendly packaging.

More info can be found in the Lakewood SunPost (April 16, 2009)

Quoted from Ruthie Koenigsmark

President, Lakewood is Art

"Jane Pierce is one of the contributing artists for this Fundraiser, and a picture of the bag she created and will be submitting filled with her products says it all....
"ART SAVES LIVES" and isn't it à propos to the very fabric of this Fundraiser? Get the word out -- the time is NOW to help our neighbors- auction benefits neighbors without health benefits!"

Vote for your Favorite

Five days left to vote and frankly I'm in the running and would love your vote! I hear the winner will be featured on Etsy's blog. That's a good thing!

All you have to do is click here to view the Eco-Friendly Items for a Better World. All the listings are wonderful and mine, zJayne, is the "What's Your Word" wristlet/pouch, made from 100% recycled pieces, letters, parts from tShirts. Place a dot in the listing to vote and then remember to "cast your vote" at the bottom of the page (submit).

Thanks!! Thanks! Thank you~
Jane aka zJayne

One for You and One for Me

Recently I have become obsessed with adorable creatures of the bunny, doll and cat kind on Etsy and I am beside myself with desires for these adorable works of art. I find it appropriate to use the word "beside myself" because I'm learning more and more about myself through the process of 'wanting'.

I suppose it began with Marjji's tabby cat, all cute and just pick me up and set me where I'll smile each time I see you cat. And Marjji's story about cats her grandmother would sew adds to their meaning. Then I cross paths with snollygosters' Babushka dolls and I find myself calling a sister, yes, yes, just like I'm going to win a million dollars, and asking if I can buy this doll. Not that I need to ask, but learning that I wanted permission...what's that about! snollygosters and Babushka are words that make me smile. My daughter and I loved the Babushka stories while she was growing up and the story this shop owner shares about the awake and sleeping side of each doll is memorable and draws me to them even more.

Well, here comes peter cottontail and wouldn't you know I'd accidentally (or was it on purpose) cross paths with the most adorable bunnies on the planet, ChenilleTreasures, and found myself making another phone call to encourage these be considered for friends. So can you imagine my panic when I noticed the two I favorited were sold... did that phone call make the sale? Did someone else grab them? These bunnies right now are helping out the shop owners for a good cause too!

Breathe in, breathe out... luckily these shops are here to stay with their amazing quality and talent. Don't tell anyone, but I am going to do what I have to do!