What is Wormy Maple?

Tuesday night, we attended the annual picnic at Maple Tree Glass Studio for our chapter of TACA (Tennessee Association of Craft Artists). Upon overhearing conversation among Michael and some of the other woodworkers, I was confused. I always understood "wormy" maple to be maple wood with markings left from some worm... I knew it was also sometimes called ambrosia maple. What was curious to me, is that last night I found out that is isn't worms at all that cause these markings, it is the ambrosia beetle. ( <--Warning: I don't like pictures of bugs, if you don't either, don't check this Wikipedia link)

Worm holes left from a beetle??? Even more confused, I began searching the web this morning. I found this from a site www.justthedoors.com "wormy maple aka ambrosia maple, this comes from regular soft maple trees that have been infested by the ambrosia beetle. The small beetle bores a network of tunnels and short galleries called cradles. A fungus is responsible for the black and gray streaks that accompany each tunnel and adjacent wood. The streaks add a unique look to this hardwood without affecting its structural integrity. This wood is mostly found in the central part of Eastern United States."

Still scouring the web to find more information, lastly, I found this: http://www.appalachianwood.org/species/species.htm which says NOTHING about ambrosia maple, but I like how it broke up the native Appalachian hardwoods, and it is a very informative site! Stay tuned... As I find more interesting information, I will pass it on. To check out our newest ambrosia maple cutting board, go to our Etsy shop, http://ripperarts.etsy.com

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Jeffrey Stoner

My photography feature this week is a photographer that will be showing/selling his work in the gallery. He is a very talented artist! Visit his web site to see slide shows of his work. Visit his blog to hear the story behind the picture. Jeff is also on facebook and Twitter.

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Touched by Kari

On Sundays I blog about things I am grateful for. This week I was touched by the short-lived life of Kari. She was the daughter of a local cardiologist who works for the same health system that I do. Please visit Kari's site http://www.karisheartfoundation.org/

Here are some recent pictures of my family, which I am ALWAYS grateful for!

On Easter:

Celebrating Michael's 40th birthday:

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Another Favorite Picture

Candid shots are my favorite. Gosh, I haven't paid for a portrait photo/professional shoot since 2005! Anyway, this is an old photo. 2006 maybe? I'd have to find the original photo to be sure of the date. This photo was cropped square. What I CAN tell you for sure is that this was taken at sunset on Flat Rock, off of the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC. We hiked it last weekend, as a matter of fact, me, Michael, Aaron, Jacob, and Quinn in his backpack riding upon Michael's back. This location has special meaning to us. It is Michael's favorite hiking spot. He used to do a lot of trail running here. It was where Michael proposed to me. We have many fond and profound memories upon Flat Rock, hiking with the boys, hiking with Guinness (our dog who has passed), celebrating our anniversary, hiking and contemplating life's mysteries in difficult times. It is a gorgeous, short hike. Perfect for the boys. Okay, back to the photo... I just love the sweetness seen in Aaron and Jacob; the brotherly love this photo exhibits (rarely seen these days, let alone captured on film, lol); the warm dusk sunlight reflecting in their eyes...

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Promised Pictures

Well, still no good news about inspection or permanent power hook up, so as far as opening, we don't know when that will happen. Yesterday, we did a lot of cleaning. More cleaning still needs to be done! Where does all of the dust come from? Today, we are running to Lowes to check out some additional wood equipment. We'll probably come back to the studio/gallery to work some more, or at least Michael will. I have to work 3-11 as a nurse today. So goes another day in the life of the Rippers, and the adventure of living our art!

These pictures are of us yesterday: in front of the gallery, Quinn in pack-n-play, Cindy's studio, which we did most of the cleaning in...

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Today is THE Day!

Michael and I are here! Working in the studio/gallery. It's not like we are making art as of yet. Heck, we are still operating on temporary power and waiting for final inspection to get our occupancy permit. But, we are both off today, and officially made it our first day working together in the studio/gallery. Granted, we are just sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, mopping, organizing, but we are working, HERE! It's official! It is SO exciting! I will post more pictures later today, so stay tuned.

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In Awe

I first met Krystyna81 in the forums. I visited her Etsy shop, started a convo, and have since become a customer. I am in awe of her talent. What impresses me the most is her figurative art. I just love the style, the colors, and even the textures. She has an impressive blog as well. I know we all have God given talents and should be grateful for what we've been given, but I can't help to be envious! Oh, if I could sketch/draw/paint like that!!! She not only does portraits, nudes, but also has some other beautiful nature pieces. If you cannot afford an original, I highly recommend her prints. Gorgeous and affordable. My recent acquisitions were Time of Passage and They Come Before and After.

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Blog Organization

I pride myself in being very detail oriented. I am a planner. My husband says I am obsessive. But he loves me anyway! We are opposites, complimenting each other. So, it is time to ORGANIZE this blog. Now, in organizing, I will allow for flexibility. I will blog about whatever I am inspired to blog about. I mean, that is what blogging is all about, right? But to help with blogging ideas and maybe to work ahead a bit, I will attempt to follow this schedule:

Monday: Weekly update studio/gallery/loft

Tuesday: personal/family post

Wednesday: Etsy feature

Thursday: Photography feature

Friday: New product info

Saturday: Something I learned this week...

Sunday: Something I am grateful for...

So, being that it is Sunday, I am grateful for... A hard working husband. My husband has MANY very admirable traits. But with my grateful posts, I want to be VERY specific. Today, he, Seth (I am thankful for him too, but that is another post), and our neighbor friend, Patrick, spent the day moving equipment to its final destination, well, almost its final destination. But if I get too far into that, I will be getting into tomorrow's post. :) Michael is very hard working, and even when he is "off" of work, he is active. I love it. I love him. I appreciate all he does for me and our family.

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Help with Packaging

We had an order that we shipped out on Saturday. Usually, Michael takes the cutting boards to work to package and ships via UPS. Well, this time he brought packaging material home to ship out via USPS on Saturday. We recycle packaging material whenever possible, and Michael has easy access to boxes and bubble wrap from the gallery where he currently works in Banner Elk, NC.

Sometimes, I wonder why we, as parents, even spend money on toys :) when a roll of packing tape, old box, and used bubble wrap will more than suffice and entertain. Oh, and excuse the dirty face and floppy socks, just downtime at the house. Real life with the Rippers. Living our art!

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Zachary Michael Cruz

Not sure if my readers have heard about this, so I wanted to do my part to get the word out. As a mother of four boys, I cannot imagine (nor do I want to try to imagine) what it would be like to lose a son. This story touched my heart.

Zachary Michael Cruz
March 12, 2003 - February 27, 2009

Read about Zachary at his web site.

The family needs help with funeral costs (which I believe were this weekend). Etsians are coming together to help. Check out the thread in the forum here. Oh, and I just found this blog, keeping a current list of shops donating a portion of their sales to Zachary's fund.

A special thanks to Lori at The Dirty Lowdown. I first read about Zachary there.

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Don't You Just LOVE Puppies?!?

I have a coworker/friend, Becky, who on occasion helps me by babysitting Quinn if his regular sitter is unavailable. Becky is genuinely sweet and helpful. I am grateful to have her as a friend. Lately when she's been babysitting, she has brought her puppy Doc along with her. He is going to be a big dog! A mix of breeds including Mastiff. He has an amazingly mellow temperament and is very smart.

Becky arrived early one day to keep Quinn with Doc in tow. She went out to walk him while I was washing some bottles before going to work. My phone rings. It is Becky. A little confused, I answer, "Hello?" She says, "I wish you'd bring your camera out here and take some pictures of him." And so I did. If these don't make you feel all warm inside, I don't know what will. :)

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Commonness

Common is defined by www.dictionary.com as "belonging equally to, or shared alike by, two or more or all in question: common property; common interests." I have recently met an amazing Etsian. Of course, our "meeting" was only online, through Etsy convos, but I am truly inspired. It is a great feeling, indescribable really, to meed someone who has achieve success doing what you, one day, hope to do yourself. I should say that in first person. Kate has achieved success doing what I hope one day to do myself. Live our art!

She, in her shop's announcement says, "Welcome to the Radical Thread Co where art is our full time income and way of life. Where family and career meet, where the kids are underfoot and learning is unstructured and free!" I was immediately intrigued! Kate is where I so want to be!

Michael and I, living together, working together, creating together, loving together, inspiring together, teaching together, making our art our way of life. Raising the boys in a respectful, loving, creative environment. I wish it could happen overnight. I know it is a choice, but it is also a process. As someone (another Etsian) said, be patient little one... And although she was speaking in reference to something totally unrelated... Her words still echo in my head. Thanks Anhoki. :)

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Inspired to List

Yesterday we sold a cutting board! It was our first cutting board sale on Etsy since before Christmas. This sale inspired me to list two new items. Michael created new cutting boards last week for a custom request/sale from a repeat customer. She only wanted one cutting board, but he made three. We intended to list the other two, but hadn't gotten around to it.

When this sale came through, Michael got the email notification on his Blackberry Storm first, and texted me. I looked it up online from home on the laptop. That inspired me to pull out the poster board, camera, and new cutting boards. While Quinn was napping I photographed and listed these two new boards. I am very pleased with the photographs! One board is cherry with an ambrosia maple handle. The other board is cherry, with a beautiful knot and a mineral stained {by nature} curly maple handle. I think they are beautiful, but then again, I think ALL of my husband's work is beautiful!

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Less Than One Week Old

I stumbled across this Etsy shop on Wednesday night! I am so VERY impressed. The Clay Press has established a beautiful shop in less than a week! Actually, based on the listing dates and shop opening date--in two days! All of the basic requirements are there: An eye-catching banner and avatar, a shop full of listings (18 items!), concise item descriptions, nice photography of her pendants, shop policies, and most importantly, BEAUTIFUL work! I'd like to see more in her profile, but in her shop announcement she explains that all of her pendants are handmade and patterns are from pressings of vintage glass and silver patterns. Such a cool idea! Preserving the past on wearable clay art! In each individual listing, she includes in the last picture the pendant with the item she used to press the pattern in the clay! Ingenious! The item pictured here is the Green Burst Pottery Pendant. I'd like to thank The Clay Press for the inspiration to share the Etsy love!

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Meeting New Artists

I just love Etsy! Not only can I get lost browsing other artists' shops, but I can also get lost in the forums. While reading and posting in the forums last night, I met a young artist, Elizabeth, from Antioch, near Nashville, TN. She is a self taught glass artist. I love self taught artists, as I am one myself! Elizabeth also shares the birthdate of my second son, Aaron (September 13). How cool is that?

Elizabeth and I sent each other several "convos" which are like emails within Etsy last night. Elizabeth loves to create, and is very accommodating as far as custom requests. Her shop contains pendants, earrings, cuff links, hair accessories, and home decor. She also showed me some beautiful barrettes last night.

Unfamiliar with glass art, I had to do some research myself about fused glass and dichroic glass. Follow those links and learn more yourself. Please, take the time to visit Elizabeth's Etsy shop, Moon of Glass, and make a purchase to support this up-and-coming, self taught glass artist! She has several pieces under $10. Give the gift of handmade!

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He Who Loves to Create

He is my son, Jacob. I showed both him and his brother how to crochet. Jacob just loves it! He is making something all of the time. I think Michael has four necklaces. I have two bracelets. We wear them, too, showing him how proud we are of his creation and thoughtfulness.

Yesterday, Jacob was home sick from school. Working 3-11, I almost always nap with Quinn in the morning. So, I'm in bed and awakened by Jacob holding this (I'm not able to focus in on it yet, so I am not sure what IT is) in my face asking, "Mom, will you put this on your web site?" When I was a little more awake, I also noticed that he had my camera around his neck. He was ready to take pictures and put it up for sale.

And that is exactly what we did. I took some pictures. He decided to list the necklace at $1.25. I made the listing, and now it is for sale in our Etsy shop. Anyone care to make a little boy VERY happy and buy this necklace?

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Colorful Etsians! Part II

I had a fabulous response in the Etsy forums for colorful items. These are the last 17 who replied. I threw in a few personal faves to make the even 20 Colorful Etsians featured here:

Items show top to bottom, left to right:

• ManicMuffinTotes see item here
• simplesweetcakes see item here
• sherrisscentsandsoys see item here
• debralinker see item here
• FABRINICO see item here
• DoodleStar see item here
• greenbead see item here
• HuayruroPeru see item here
• matthewhyatt see item here
• worksofwhimsy see item here
• lindab142 see item here
• EvergreenCreations see item here
• FayeHubele see item here
• Glitzer see item here
• MadeWithLovingHands see item here
• robynsart see item here
• Elizabear see item here
• TheSilverDog see item here
• shelialk see item here
• Ilovehellokitty see item here

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Colorful Etsians!

I posted a thread on the Etsy Forums on Friday asking Fellow Etsians to show off their colorful handmade items for sale! Listing from top-bottom/left-right:

• IslaLunaGifts see item here
• WanderingWhimsies see item here
• MillieDogDesigns see item here
• arizonadreams see item here
• juliejongleuse see item here
• lacravatteduchien see item here
• eastcoastkitsch see item here
• craftylittlekitten see item here
• TheTaffyBox see item here
• bikimiki see item here
• MyMilkMoney see item here
• byChristine see item here
• michelemaule see item here
• FloradoraInc see item here
• Art2ArtColorado see item here
• amorevivo see item here
  

And that's just the FIRST 16!!! Look for more to follow.

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Thinking About Today

As our country prepares to welcome a new President on this inaugural day, I am thinking about how this affects me and my family. One of my resolutions for this new year is to be a smarter consumer. How might this relate to the events of today?

Our economy is the hot topic in the news. Everyone is looking to President Obama to solve our country's economic woes. As I step onto my soapbox, fellow Americans, it is not the President's sole responsibility nor is he/his policies the answer. It is OUR responsibility as consumers to turn this country's economy around!

What is your family's economic policy? Where do you shop? What do you buy? Do you purchase handmade? Is it made in the United States of America? Do you support the arts? Do you shop/buy locally? Do you support your local small businesses therefore supporting your local economy which then supports our statewide to nationwide economy? It isn't "trickle down" people!!! Let's start local and see that effect trickle up!!!

Please stop shopping at Wal-Mart. Please stop buying CHEAP. Spend the extra money. Buy local. Buy quality. Buy handmade. It has to start with me. It has to start with you. NOT with the government. NOT with the President. It is time for AMERICANS to take responsibility for AMERICA!!!

I was inspired to write this post not only by today's events, but by fellow blogger Denise at The Seasonal Cottage and by conversations with fellow Etsian Theresa at Milo Creative Studios. Stepping off of my soapbox now...

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