Did I get you with that title? Good. I hope you'll play along. I'm going to share 10 things about me that will leave you absolutely flabbergasted.
Or not.
Either way, feel free to share a few random things about yourself. Don't leave me out here all on my own people!
1. I hated Wuthering Heights. Is that too strong? OK, I despised it. Don't get me wrong. Catherine and Heathcliff were just perfect for each other, in that 'I'm really annoying', 'You're really annoying', 'we're meant for each other kind of way'. Acutally, more like they deserved each other. I tried and tried to finish the book, but I finally gave up 3/4 of the way through and decided to stop torturing myself.
2. I've never been West of Lakewood, Florida. I was going to say Effort, Pennsylvania, but when I looked on a map, Floria was further West. Go figure.
3. I can't whistle worth beans. Oh sure, I whistle, and I can imitate the birds and they like it, but everyone without feathers thinks it's the lamest whistle they've ever heard. Well, unless they've heard my friend Charlie whistle. Then I am redeemed.
4. I was a film major in college with a broadcasting minor. I had to write a film script for my senior thesis.
5. I was a cheerleader in high school.
6. I can't do a cartwheel. I know, I know..........a cheerleader who can't do a cartwheel? That's me. I could do an awesome split though (and boy did I work hard to be able to do that).
7. We had a cat named Dynamite growing up. I think it was a Jimmy Walker/Good Times 'dyn-O-mite' reference. He was a great cat.
8. I was a punk rock chick in college, and should have bought stock in Final Net because I was more than likely their best customer. My hair had serious height. I also had a tail for awhile. Not on my butt, on my head. You guys are crazy!
9. One of my favorite songs to sing in the car is, 'That's Life', right along with Frankie. I don't care who hears me, I belt it out and always feel better immediately.
10. I like making lists on yellow legal pads. Not on anything else. Just yellow legal pads.
Of course, you may have known some of this. I can't remember what I've told you before. Don't hate me for that.
And what about you? Gonna play along?
Beautiful day here. Brisk as all get out, but beautiful.
Yesterday was a perfectly perfect Summer day. The humidity has finally left (for now). The sun was shining. It wasn't too hot, but hot enough to get into the pool. There was a lovely breeze. The kind of day we've been waiting for and it was quite distracting while working. I just wanted to be out in it. I didn't cave. I stuck it out at the desk until the end of the day when I enjoy some serious pooltime followed by a jaunt along the field with Lucan.
Now, knowing us, we would have gone into the field, but that has been near impossible. Farmer Stuart has been late on his mowing and his hay crop was taller than me. So, we just mosied along side and that was enough for us.
Same shot, different focus.
It was just what I needed at the end of the day.
Oh yeah.............and this...................
Sunset Meadows
So lovely.
So glad I got a shot of the tall field grass, because Farmer Stuarts ears
must have been ringing. He just came and mowed it all down.
We've got another humdinger of a day on our hands again here. I will relish it when I am done at my desk. Ah, Summer.
Make it a great Wednesday in your corner of the world, and I'll do the same here.
You'd never guess it by looking at her work, but Jessica just picked up a camera three years ago! Say what?
Her husband was deployed in Iraq and she was home with their two little ones. When she got the news that her husband Jessi would be part of the biggest troop movement in history, from Iraq to Afghanastan, Jessica was watching the news every night trying to get a glimpse of him. She thought, if one picture could mean this much to me, a photograph must mean the same to others.
Jessica found me via our etsy shop, Bates Mercantile Co., and I'm so glad she did. She'd already tried a multitude of logos, but was striking out. None were truly what she wanted them to say about her business or where she wanted her business to go. She wanted a mix of Classic Americana, with a hint of Irish in the form of a shamrock, since her studio loft/home is located on N. Irish Street.
It doesn't happen often, but she loved one of the first initial drafts I presented to her. She honestly couldn't believe it. Neither could her husband. Jessica told me she'd been through too many logos to even count and was just beside herself that I was able to design something that really spoke to her on the first go round.
The only thing we really changed other minor tweaking, was the color. She'd been thinking about navy and red, but had just finished painting the studio organic gray and wanted it all to be cohesive.
This is where we ended up.
When I get messages like this from my clients - " I LOVE it. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it." - it sure does make my day.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my job and working with people like Jessica.
I am currently finalizing a logo for another young business owner in Indiana. Lo and behold, it's another design that worked out on the first go round. I'll be sharing that with you soon.
Beyond that, there is a mad gang of neighboorhoodlum marauders in the pool out back. Neighbors Sandee and Gerry just jumped in with their grandchildren. Glad somebody is swimming around in this heat!
Summer arrives tomorrow (yay) and I say bring it on. It has me thinking of what I love about the summer and how I used to spend it as a kid. There's a lot to love about summer now, but as a kid you're footloose and fancy free with time to do whatever you please.
Here are some favorite finds from etsy that remind me of summers past.
1. Peonies by Lees Whimsy: Peonies may herald Spring in full force, but they're still hanging on and still blooming. My mother has had peonies as long as I can remember. They lined the low brick wall in our side yard as well as the side of the house. My best friend Tina and I often plunked our blanket down there to laze the day away, talk until our tongues were tired and smell that heavenly scent of the peony.
2. 1950s Necklace via Eva Elena: This this necklace with all it's red, white and pink reminds me of Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream bars from our Ice Cream man, Jolly Jingles. I'd love to tell you I haven't had one in years, but that would be an outright lie. There is an ice cream truck that prowls our hood and we've been known to flag him down for a Strawberry Shortcake, a Chocolate Eclair or an Italian Ice.
4. Maxi Skirt via Haus Of Mirth: Well, if a floral, bohemian maxi skirt doesn't bring you right back 70s summers, I don't know what will. Now, where are my Dr. Scholls?
5. Beach Umbrellas by Finding Focus: I'm sure I've told you my parents owned a hardware store at our beach. We rented beach umbrellas. Our beach was and is always dotted with the most colorful array of beach umbrellas. I love that sight on a hot summer day.
6. ‘Undertow’ via Tastes Orangey: I'm a water baby. A fish in water. A girl who gets in, and doesn't get out for hours. I spent a lot of time in the ocean as a kid. This summer I'd like to do that more often because it really made me happy to take a dip when I played hooky a couple of weeks ago. There is nothing like salt water on your lips and in your hair and sand in your toes.
7. Nancy Drew via Love Muffin Vintage: I admit it. I was a voracious reader of Nancy Drew. In fact, my mother had a bunch of vintage Nancy Drew books that got me hooked. I'd lay on a blanket in the backyard, not even notice whether the sun was shining or not, and read straight through a Nancy Drew book until I was done.
Do any of these favorite finds remind you of your summers past? What are some of your favorite memories of childhood summers?
Let's say goodbye to spring and HELLO summer!
Had a great day yesterday. Very busy day for Bates Mercantile Co. Sure made me happy. Here's to today being more of the same.
Make it a good one. Get out and enjoy the last day of Spring.
I've had my own 3D business (that is - off the Internet) helping other small businesses grow for 19 years. Whether it's Public Relations, Marketing or Advertising, I do it. That includes graphic design like logos, business cards, marketing collateral, etc.
Since it's something I already do, I've been working to incorporate more of it in my etsy shop Bates Mercantile Co. It's always rewarding working with small businesses to help them establish a professional presence and brand to set them up for growth and success. Adding my graphic design work to Bates Mercantile Co., has allowed me to reach people across the world. Like knowing my illustration prints are in homes and offices worldwide, knowing I'm helping to brand businesses in every corner of the globe is something that really makes me happy.
Here's some of what I've been working on lately.
....and my very latest design.....
Are you a small business owner? Do you know small business owners? If you are or if you do, and are in need of help branding a business you can get in touch with me via Bates Mercantile Co. or email. Whether it's a premade logo or custom logo design, business card design, marketing collateral like post cards, or even etsy shop headers or facebook timelines, I'd love to work with you.
Currently, on my plate I am working with a wonderful photographer from Long Island, Steph Massey. We are updating her logo. If you're in that area, her family portrait and pet portrait work is fantastic. Also customizing a premade logo design for a lovely French woman now living in the UK, and just shipped a customized logo to Australia. See what I mean about all corners of the globe?
What are you working on today?
Hey, how was your weekend? Ours was great. We did get a campfire in on Friday night with some of the neighborhoodlums. It was a gorgeous night. Saturday we enjoyed a high school graduation party for our dear friends Ralph and Cathryn's youngest. We also watched the Bruins beat Chicago. Hell to the yeah. Yesterday I made rhubarb bread and rhubarb jelly for my Dad and spent some time with him and my Mom for Father's Day. All in all, a pretty full weekend.
The sun is out and shining today and I plan on heading out later this afternoon to do some work in the garden, if I get the work on my desk done. So, I must be on my way.
I snapped some shots of the blue birds and orioles at my sister in law's last week. She goes the extra mile for the blue birds and gives them mealy worms.
The orioles were all about the treats too.
They like her pine tree too.
Here's the Mrs.
And the oriole again.
I don't have to lure blue birds with mealy worms because we always seem to be fighting grubs in the lawn and they love them. They love 'em so much they didn't even care that it was raining.
They needed a break to talk things over.
What's happening in your world today? Ours? Some painting more than likely and yard work.
Beyond that, you will find me here:
I'm going to take my tea outside and finish my book before I get stuck into something else.
This is the second in the In Residence series, which features creative people telling us more about themselves and what they do.
I really enjoy learning more about creative people and their process.
Up today, Bev Feldman of Linkouture. If I remember correctly, I met Bev through the etsy team I captained for two years. She has a lovely spririt and a great sense of humor, and creates really wonderful chainmaille jewelry.
Meet Bev.
MM: What is the first thing you remember creating?
Bev: One of the first things I remember creating was when I was in preschool. We made candlesticks out of some foam and covered them in tinfoil. I thought they were the coolest things. My mother held on to them for many years, and kept them in a cabinet among her fancier silver ones.
MM: Where did you grow up and do you think it has an impact on your current designs. If so, how?
Bev: I grew up in New Jersey, in the suburbs of New York City. I don’t know that this had any impact on my designs, but I think perhaps our summer family trips to Cape Cod (and a love of traveling) might have had an influence on some of my jewelry. I love collecting beach items: stones, shells, sea glass. I have a newer line of necklaces and bracelets that incorporate beach stones that I have collected in my travels and set myself. They remind me both of my travels and where I have been, as well of course the beach (which is one of my favorite places to be).
MM: Was your creativity nurtured as a child?
Bev: Yes, very much so! I always had art materials at my fingertips. Our family’s basement was like my own private studio, especially since it was only partially finished for so many years. I was constantly making things and trying new mediums and doing pretend play down there. I also remember one day in fourth grade when I was home sick I decided I wanted to learn right then and there to knit, so my mom went out to buy me my first skein of yarn and knitting needles and taught me how to get started. My parents also enrolled me in several art classes at our local community arts center, which I loved! Although academics were very important to my family, they definitely nurtured my creative side as well.
MM: How do you nurture your own creativity now?
Bev: I nurture my own creativity through multiple channels. In addition to making chainmaille jewelry, I take a jewelry metalsmithing class once a week, where I have the opportunity to make things I do not have the equipment to do at home, and to learn new skills under a very talented jewelry metalsmither, Laurie Savage. I blog regularly at www.linkouture.com. For my 30th birthday last year, I received my first DSLR camera from my parents and husband. I love experimenting with photography and playing around with editing. And periodically I will take a break and try a new craft, either to enhance my jewelry or as something to do just for the sake of trying something new.
MM: What’s your favorite thing to listen to while you work?
Bev: I often have the television on in the background while I’m making jewelry, but when I’m writing I usually put on the radio or Pandora. For some reason I work really well with music that makes me want to dance. Periodically when I’m making jewelry I will listen to a podcast, either story slams from The Moth or the latest Freakonomics podcast. Although now I am also starting to enhance my Russian (my husband is originally from Russia), so I’ve been listening to the Pimsleur Russian CD’s.
MM: How did you come to be a jewelry designer/maker?
Bev: I have always dabbled in jewelry making, but it wasn’t that I discovered chainmaille about three years ago that I really started getting into it. I started with the Byzantine weave, moved onto the mobius weave, and then decided to experiment with different size rings and incorporating different weaves and other jewelry-making techniques that I had learned into my chianmaille. I just fell in love with the look of chainmaille and the process of making it.
MM: What tool can’t you live without?
Bev: I absolutely cannot live without my flat nose pliers; they are essential for making chainmaille. They have soft, cushioned handles (and it doesn’t hurt that the handles are my favorite color, purple) and make the process of opening and closing hundred of tiny rings so fluid and easy. I had been using a different pair of pliers for awhile before I got these, and I was constantly nicking the metal.
MM: What’s your favorite thing about creating?
Bev: I really enjoy watching the transformation process. Since my jewelry often starts with a pile of rings, it is amazing to see them go from just that to something that you can wear.
MM: Is there something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Bev: I think people tend to be surprised to learn that I backpacked around South America for 5 months with my husband at the beginning of 2012. I know my friends were surprised to learn I would be quitting my job to do that! Until that point, I think it was something completely out of character for me, but it has opened the doors for me to try things I wouldn’t have otherwise (including being a self-employed creative business owner!)
MM: Messy or organized?
Bev: Oh man, I am so ridiculously messy. But it’s a organized messy--organized chaos, if you will. I usually know where things are. Periodically I get to a point where I going on a cleaning binge, but usually the fruits of that labor are short-lived.
MM: Just for fun.......favorite movie genre?
Bev: I’m such a sucker for romantic comedies. I consider myself a pretty cheesy person, and many romcoms are pretty cheesy. They tend to be so predictable, but sometimes you’re just in the mood for a happy ending!
MM: Favorite place?
Bev: Right now, my favorite place is my front porch on a beautiful, sunny day. I love to have my morning cup of coffee and read out there as my day as getting started, and to do work on my computer out there. Even though I live right off of a major street, it is surprisingly calm and peaceful, especially early in the day.
MM: Can you share two pieces of advice with other creators? Yes two.
Bev:
1. Connect with other creators. The advice and support I have received from others in the handmade community has been invaluable.
2. Do what you love! If at some level you’re not creating for yourself, it is going to make the process so much more tedious and take the joy out of creating.
Since Bev is a sucker for romantic comedies, a clip from one of my handsdown favorites. I don't know why, perhaps because I love Goldie, but I could watch Overboard again and again and again. OK, I have watched Overboard again and again and again. I laugh just as hard everytime. Even Gar loves it. If you don't know the premise, Goldie plays a very rich, insufferable, horribly mannered woman who falls overboard from her yacht and ends up with amnesia. Kurt Russel plays the carpenter she jipped, and he's the only one who shows up to claim her. He brings her home in hopes that he'll at least get his money back by having her act as the 'Mom' and clean the house. It's a classic Gary Marshall flick complete with Roddy McDowell as Goldie's butler. There are just little comments throughout this film that bust my gut. Click here if you're reading by email or if you're reading on the Muse (the embedding was disabled).
And to get things going on this Friday, here's a song that just makes me feel good. For some odd reason it reminds me of the 80s. I really have no idea why. Go figure. [click here if you're reading by email].
What's hot for the weekend? It's bascially rainy and miserable and supposed to stay that way through tomorrow. Who knows, maybe we'll throw a tarp up by the campfire before the Bruins game tonight. You just never know with us. Hoping we can pull out the last win we need to cinch the series tonight. No real plans other than watching the Bs. A bonus video because the Bruins Bear makes me laugh. He does an excellent robot.
The sun is shining for now. There is supposed to be some rain coming in for the next couple of days.
A walk around the flower gardens seemed in order.
Come along, won't you?
The blue birds have been busy eating grubs. Go bluebirds! I know you see one, but can you find the second bluebird?
If I had to pick a favorite today, it would have to be that big beautiful lush peony. Did you know that ants love peonies? Apparently, they love the waxy sweetness of the buds and don't harm the blooms. Live and let live.
Have a great day in your corner of the world and I'll do the same in mine.
Ciao for now,
PS- if you heard me screaming all the way from here, it's only because were in the midst of the Stanley Cup Playoff hockey and my Bruins are rockin' it. Though last night was a nail biter against the Burgh. We won in double overtime. It was way past bedtime. Sorry to the Pittsburghians out there.
