getting back to the business of blogging

well hello there! long time no see. last time i wrote a blog post i swore i would be more consistent with posting. well, that hasn't worked out too well now has it? i've renewed my vow to blog more often, and this time i mean it! besides, i've got so many thoughts and ideas rolling around my brain that i absolutely must empty it out to make room for more thoughts and ideas. i originally was going to abandon this here blog in favor of blogging on the official JMO website but decided to stick it out here for the time being. it's not a bad idea to spread JMO all around the world wide webs after all. so let the blogger blog revival begin with a tiny peek at what's been happening in my little crafty corner of the world.

 #1. my new studio is about 90% complete. i installed new flooring, painted the walls, and moved all supplies/inventory in. there's still some organizing and light carpentry to be done, but the space is now the central hub for all things JMO. here's a look at my nice, clean worktable:

#2. after a hiatus of well over a year i'm reopening my Survivor Arts Etsy shop on November 18, 2012, which just happens to be my birthday! i've changed direction with this shop and will now offer hand sculpted clay pieces of a more personal nature. they are the art of this survivor of domestic violence, and each piece will contain my thoughts, memories, fears, and triumphs during a most difficult period in my life. healing therapy if you will. take a peek at one of the prototypes for this project:

#3. i've been spending lots of quality time with my trusty camera lately as Photography Manager for the Alsip (IL) Youth Football & Cheerleading organization. both my tween son and daughter partake in football and cheer and my last nine weekends have been spent snapping pics of them and their teammates. it's more work than i could have ever imagined, but so dang fun! we've now entered post season play with only one of our levels advancing to the second round of playoffs...my son's team lost in the first round *sniff*...so my photographic managerial duties will soon be coming to a bittersweet end. i'll miss the excitement of being on the field with the teams but i'll now have much more time to create. this is just one of about 3000 pics i shot this season:

there's lots more to share, but it's late and i need my beauty sleep. heh. blogging again feels good, so expect to see more updates more often. until then, keep peace in your mind and love in your heart. ~jean

Wednesday Wishlist: Circle of Friends

It's been a while since I posted a Wednesday Wishlist...heck, it's been a while since I posted at all (shame on me!)...so today I'd like to pay tribute to some of the fine, talented folks that can be found in my Circle of friends on Etsy.  As of last count I've added about 90 artisans to my Circle and am always on the hunt for more.  I'll dedicate more Wishlists to these fabulous friends of mine but for now, I present you with a random selection of pure awesomeness.  To learn more about the featured item and the artist's shop, right click on the shop links to open up a new window. 

Handmade Coptic Bound Journal with Skeleton Key

in Pale Green by Thenibandquill

Fine Art Photo Print ~ Nesting in Numbers

by TheGinghamOwl

Magnetic Denim Pocket ~ Leopard Spots

by ItsSoSue

 Handmade Knit Hat ~ The Seed Beret in Citron Yello

by pixiebell

Brown Trout Coffee Mug Etched Glass

by bradgoodell

Hand Felted Light Green Scarf/Shawl

by avivaschwarz

Mini Men Crayons

by LilDoodlers

Light My Fire Hand-dyed Wool Yarn

by dye2spin

Dirty Bugs Cocoa Butter Cold Process Soap

by BuzzPlanet

Small Blue Ceramic Watercan

by NicePots

Wednesday Wishlist: Hearts

Hello all.  In keeping with the whole Valentine theme going on all over the place right now, I devote this week's Wishlist to all things love-ly, and made by fellow Etsyans of course.  Show them some LOVE please and right click on their name to open their shops in a new window.  My dear sellers, I love you all!

XOXO,
Jean

World Peace Alternative Apparel

by rctees

(PEACE!)

Thinking Inside the Box B&W Fine Art Photograph

by bauerart

(this really captured my heart.  bravo, bauerart!)

Zipper Bag for Yarn

by TopShelfTotes

(ok, as a knitter and crocheter, I LOVE this!)

Red Toile Fabric Stationery Gift Set

by prettypeardesigns

(fabric stationery.  awesome!)

 Untold Story Bone Earrings

by Simplish

(tell me your story, and I'll tell you mine)

 

Broken Heart Greeting Card

by thecattsuglybabies

(LOVE!  LOVE!  LOVE!)
 

Antique Oddity Major Atom the Victorian Sideshow Midget Photo

by diabolus

(love me some vintage photos!)

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

by gatelinesalsa

(can you say 'yum'?)

 

 Stoneware Pottery Plate with Hex Sign

by misspottery

(misspottery has the prettiest pottery on the planet!)

 

OverSoul Alien

by oversoul

(you can't find a more lovable alien anywhere!)

 Meraviglia Eccentric Ring

by FridaWer

(now that's amore!)

 The Maharani Collection Limited Edition Beaded Bangle

by wintergarden

(I am truly in awe.  Gorgeous!)

 Felted Crochet Handbag

by BlackDogFiberStudio

(BlackDogFiberStudio, oh how I love thee!)

 

Whimsical Cottonwood Fairy House Carving

by RiverOtterRustic

(Whee!  I want one for my garden!)

 

ACEO Dragon Watercolor

by AnikasArt

(RAWWWRRRRRR!)

Well hello Mother Nature!

Fun fact about me:  I'm a bit of a photography buff.  For as long as I can remember I've always loved taking pictures.  People shots, action shots, still shots...you name it, I'll shoot it.  A 'professional' I'm most certainly not, but I've been told that I'm quite talented with a camera.

Lately my camera and I have been venturing out to Lake Katherine in Palos Heights, Illinois.  Lake Katherine is a man-made nature preserve with waterfalls, botanical gardens, walking trails, wildflowers, and of course, a lake.  The preserve is also home to a number of birds, ducks, geese, fish and various other critters.  I always go snap happy when I'm there!  Here's a few shots from a recent trip to the lake.

Enjoy!
~Jean

Wednesday Wishlist: Fabulous Finds From Fellow Etsyans, Part III

Gah!  With everything that's been going on in my life lately, I hadn't thought about a specific theme for this week's Wishlist.  But thanks to the wonderful world of Etsy, I don't have to look far to put together a variety of items I'd love to call my own.  These beauties are in my current Favorites list, and it's easy to see why.  Aren't they all fabulous?  As always, please show their shops some love by right clicking on the shop names to open in a new window.

Croque-Monsieur - Sterling Silver and Copper Bracelet
from 3squares

Noir Wool Felt Daisy Pin from hatsofancy

Heart Flock Fine Art Photo from theeye

Enchanted Shea Butter Lotion, Sweet Fruit with White Musk

from BLSoaps

Whyyyyy Darren the Drama Hound Amigurimi Dude

from UglyGerbil

Dance Like No One (Living) Is Watching Photographic Print

from BACLORI

Handmade or Die Mini Embroidery Art
from imfromthewoods

Handmade Art Doll Miniature - Madame Butterfly

from UneekDollDesigns

Peaceful Lotus Pin Cushion from BabyNest

Day Dreaming Pig Fine Art Print

from janeheller

Discover This: "Photo Fabulous!" ~ Constellation Photography

I couldn't wait to feature this next etysian in the Discover This series: photographer Amanda Graham. Mandy has been actively persuing photography for about 5 years now and though technically considered a professional, she still loves to think of it as a hobby because, as she says, "it never seems like work." Over the past 2 years, Mandy says she's been "highly driven to create better than average photos" and boy, does it show. Located in the American Northwest, the rural area surrounding Mandy's home makes a lovely subject for many of her photos. Tending to lean more toward photographing nature, Mandy explains how she loves "to focus on the beauty" of her surroundings and that "what may just be an abandoned bridge or just another sunset, is priceless beauty when taken to another level with the angle or perspective through the lens. It becomes something more than what we see every day." I, for one, definitely see something more than abandoned bridges or typical sunsets in her photos. I see nature in all its splendor...lush, rolling hills, awe-inspiring sunsets, rushing waters, even a simple tree swing takes on new meaning when viewed through Mandy's lens.

Raspberry Sunset

Oneida

Yesterdays

Mandy also loves to photograph children, and finds "great joy in capturing the natural innocense of children in their natural surroundings." Her "Boxcar Children" photograph (below) makes me long for the simple days of childhood, where a casual stroll along the tracks takes you to some new and exciting destination. The simplicity of youth is captured perfectly in this photo.

The Boxcar Children

Mention Mandy's feature here on the JMO blog and receive 10% off any of the photos currently listed in her etsy shop through January 31, 2009. www.constellationphoto.etsy.com. All photos are professionally printed, signed, and dated on the back with an archival acid free pen. Most photos are available in a variety of sizes.

Special thanks to Mandy for allowing me to feature her beautiful photographs here on my blog. Also check out her blog at www.wheretimestandsstill.blogspot.com for details on how to win one of her photos!