The Girls


I was surprised, and delighted, to recently discover some of my girls all bundled up and tucked away in a lovely little trunk I keep in my front hallway. Really, I thought all my girls had found new homes, but apparently not! It's a treat to see them, although I don't plan to hold onto them. I like sending them off to new homes, where I know they are appreciated and loved.

Left: Aunt Evangeline - somewhat serious, quite intelligent, and very loving. Right: I do love a pair of red Mary Jane shoes ... as well as crazy stockings. 

I will try to get these girls listed at my fiber shop this weekend. I hope you like them!



Reaching to heaven, connected to earth

HODAKA HASEBE: handmade bowl
Lucky number eight, symbol of infinity, eternity, it connects heaven and earth and it is the number of the winner of the giveaway I offered in the previous post.)

Using a random number generator seemed a bit grandiose for choosing a number from one to ten, so I had my daughter pick the winner from a bowl. The winner is number eight, aka Pie Lady Pat. Pat, if you will send me a message or leave a comment here to tell me which three cards you want for your gift, I'll get in touch for your address.

By the way, the bowl was made by Hodaka Hasebe. I bought it from his Etsy store, HodakaPottery.  Every piece I've bought from him is a beautifully made and functional work of art. He is a master of his craft. I hope he achieves great fame and fortune but I hope his prices don't shoot up until after I've finished buying the pieces I want. While I'm on the subject, here is a thoughtful piece of writing about why some of us care about handmade, one of a kind objects, such as those made by Hasebe.

I thank you for your comments regarding photos and note cards. They've been quite helpful. Plus, it's just nice to have a cyber chat and receive feedback. What I take away from the comments:
  • Yes, do it!
  • Try to do both cards and prints, but cards may be easier to sell, which is exactly the opposite of what I was assuming.  
  • Do your research and EVERYTHING else that Christine Mauersberger said!
  • Put more cards with images of my textile work out there.
  • Remember to offer sets in addition to single cards.
Based on your comments, here are some images that I'm thinking of having printed:
As always, comments & opinions are very welcome.

If you want to keep track of my photos, I am selling them at my Etsy shop named MORNA. I don't have much now, but I'll be working on it. Thank you so much for your help!


Good Morning, Peeps - Please give me your opinions

MARILYN STEPHENS: hand-stitched portrait of her Mum (detail) and experiments with eco-dye.

I've just recently gotten to know the work of Marilyn Stephens, because she started a blog and also because of Facebook (of course). She does some wonderful stitchery. She also calls us (her FB Friends) Peeps and now I find I can't get Peeps out of my mind. Thus the first third of my headline ... a small shout-out to Marilyn.

As for the second third of the headline - I would very much appreciate some opinions. I've been thinking for a while about trying to sell some of my photographs on Etsy. I'm not sure if this will be a success, but maybe I can increase my chances by gathering opinions and advice from others. Where better to seek out such advice than from my bloggy friends?

I'm starting small, with greeting cards. Testing the water, so to speak. But maybe prints would be better. What do you think?

I've had six photos printed up as greeting cards so far. I'd like your opinions on which one(s) you think is/are the best choice(s). Hopefully you will like at least one of them!

Six photos I've chosen so far, for greeting cards.

I've also chosen five other photos as candidates to become greeting cards. I would love your opinion of these as well..

On to the final third of this post's headline. I would like to offer a gift in thanks for your opinions. Please share your thoughts here, in the comment section. In a few days or so, I will choose a commenter at random and I will hope that the winner will be pleased with their prize, which will be three different cards of their choosing from the greeting cards I have already had printed, plus envelopes.

These five photos are potential greeting cards. 

I look forward to reading your comments. Remember, here are the opinions I seek:
- Do you think it's a good idea to try selling my photographs on Etsy?
- Which do you think is more marketable: greeting cards or prints?
- Of the six I've already had printed, which one(s) is/are your favorite(s).
- Of the five which I'm considering, what do you think? Yes? No? Which ones, if any, are a Yes?
Your comments will be much appreciated by me. Thanks!


Trees


“For me, trees have always been the most penetrating preachers. I revere them when they live in tribes and families, in forests and groves. And even more I revere them when they stand alone. They are like lonely persons. Not like hermits who have stolen away out of some weakness, but like great, solitary men, like Beethoven and Nietzsche. In their highest boughs the world rustles, their roots rest in infinity; but they do not lose themselves there, they struggle with all the force of their lives for one thing only: to fulfil themselves according to their own laws, to build up their own form, to represent themselves."
- Hermann Hesse. Bäume, Betrachtungen und Gedichte

"The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost." 
- J.R.R. Tolkien (The Fellowship of the Ring)



“What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another.”  
- Mahatma Gandhi


“Walk in kindness toward the Earth and every living being. Without kindness and compassion for all of Mother Nature’s creatures, there can be no true joy; no internal peace, no happiness. Happiness flows from caring for all sentient beings as if they were your own family, because in essence they are. We are all connected to each other and to the Earth.”  - Sylvia Dolson (Joy of Bears)


Who is in charge?

 
amber, freshwater pearls, green turquoise, fire-polished glass, coin pearls,
dyed jade, Peruvian blue opal, sterling silver, antiqued brass

I'm very happy with this bracelet; it has been in my head for quite some time and I finally was able to make it real.  The jewelry thing still feels quite new and I am still groping and hoping to find my style.  I often hesitate to start on a piece, due to lack of confidence. So different from textile work, where I feel very much in charge.