Community: The Artisan Group

I think some of my earliest and fondest memories are of the sense of community in the small rural farming community where I grew up in Alabama. In particular, I recall a get together under the old shade trees in my paternal grandparent’s yard. I was only about five years old at the time, but that is among the earliest of my true memories. I don’t know if we were celebrating a special event, or just coming together as community. But, that sense of being a part of something more has lasted throughout my life. In those early days, to stay connected, you visited with people after church on Sunday. You made homemade cards and gifts. You shared the abundance of your garden with neighbors. You took food to those in need. You visited the sick and lonely. You wrote letters to stay connected to those that lived far away. Of course, this was long before all the online communities that are available today. The underlying concept of community is the same, only the technology has changed.

At various stages of my life, I have been part of military, commuter, work, pancreatic cancer advocacy and handmade communities. Most recently, I have become a part of a growing and thriving community where artists come together to promote and support each other, this community is called The Artisan Group. I get the same sense of community with this online community that I experienced as a child. What I have realized is that when you become part of a community of creative souls, such as The Artisan Group, there are amazing experiences and endless possibilities all within your grasp. This weekend is one such example. The Artisan Group is participating in the 63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards and my business cards will be included in the bags that go to the celebrities! I am honored to be a member of this amazing and talented group.

Thank you to the founders, Valerie and Nikki, and all the incredible members of the Artisan Group for providing this wonderful and supportive community.

Remembering and Reflecting

Today, I remember and reflect on that day 10 years ago, when we all witnessed the horrible events of September 11, 2001. I realize that my niece and nephew, who are two and six respectively, will always live in a world touched by the events of 911. I am so sorry for the loss of life and the sacrifice of so many brave individuals on that day and every day since then.

On the walk from the metro to my office in DC, I remembered thinking what a beautiful day it was, the sky was so blue. In a few short minutes, our world changed forever, as the horrible events in New York, DC and Pennsylvania unfolded. 911 marked the loss of our innocence.

While watching some of the anniversary coverage today, I was struck by the resilient spirit of those who lost so much. In my own experiences of grief and loss, I have learned that the only thing that eases the pain is the passage of time. My wish is that we all find a measure of peace on this day, as we stop, remember and reflect.

Artisan Group's Latest Collection on ArtFire

The Artisan Group Collection Volume VI

Curated By: ArtisanGroup

ArtFire.com

Craft Tutorials

Acceptance into The Artisan Group

This has been an unusually busy Spring and Summer for me.  It has involved a lot of changes, travel, creating and testing new designs and visiting family.  You know, generally the busy life that we all lead.  One of the most exciting occurrences has been Kath's Elegant Accessories, LLC acceptance into The Artisan Group.  I am sure if you have watched any Red Carpet event, you have seen clips of the Stars collecting goodie or swag bags featuring a variety of different products.  The Artisan Group is an exclusive juried organization whose members gift their art/products to celebrities at major celebrity events.

My first event through this talented group of artisans is The 63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Gift Lounge taking place in Hollywood in September.  My business cards will be included in the swag bags for this event.  I'll be providing updates on experience through my ArtFire Blog and KathsElegantAccessories Blog. 

Pancreatic Cancer – not much progress in 40 years.

On June 14, 2011, I participated in the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Advocacy Day in Washington, DC.  This was my second year as an advocate.  Our message to members of Congress, co-sponsor the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act (S. 362/H.R. 733) and ensure that NCI has sufficient funding in the FY2012 budget. 

In May 2006, my Mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  She was 80 years old when she was diagnosed; she was 80 years old when she died.  This unfortunately, wasn’t my only exposure to this horrible disease.  My youngest Brother was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in February 2009 on the second anniversary of our Mother’s death.  He was 48 years old when he was diagnosed; he was 48 years old when he died.  Their deaths were devastating.    

The statistics are sobering.  There is a 75% chance you will not survive a year, as was the case for my family members.  The five year survival rate is only 6%!  This statistic basically hasn’t changed since the enactment of the National Cancer Act (1971).  With predictions of a 55% increase in the number of new cases of pancreatic cancer by 2030, we can’t afford to wait.  We have to speak for those voices silenced by pancreatic cancer.  Visit www.pancan.org to find out more information.   We can’t wait another 40 years.   

Orange Jasper Jewelry Set - Orange Crush

Finished this order and sent it off today!

Have the Terrible Twos become the Techno Twos?

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit with family and was astounded at the technology capabilities of my two year old grand niece, Lily.  If you have little ones in your life, you know what I am talking about.  We were playing outside and she said, “I want to take a picture” – so I handed her my BlackBerry.  Immediately, she started trying to use my BlackBerry like an I phone.  She kept pressing the screen (instead of the tracker ball) to take a picture.  She even turned the BlackBerry, trying to get the picture to go from portrait to landscape.  It really gave me pause.

It makes me think of all the things that my Dad has seen.  He just celebrated his 86^th birthday and still tells me stories of the oxen draw wagons that took the timber of South Alabama to the railroad cars and on to market.  There was a time, when the railroad tracks ran through his front yard!  He has seen so much in his life time.  He saw us move from oxen to horse and buggy, tractors, cars, trucks, airplanes and the space shuttle.  I just wonder, what stories my grand niece will tell when she is his age?  What will she observe during her lifetime?  I don’t see any evidence of the terrible twos, I only see a technologically advanced two year old and for her, that is the norm.

Life Sometimes Gets in the Way!

My plans for posting new items on my website have taken a slight detour.  I guess you could say that life got in the way, again.  I have been experimenting with so many new interests.  As always, there is a lot happening on the home front and I realized that My To Do List was way too long! 

When finally getting around to checking in on Facebook, I saw a post by Tina of tinadeandesigns.com about some exciting news - she is participating in the swag bags at the 63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Gift Lounge through The Artisan Group!  I was so excited for her (I love her eco-friendly tote bags) and wanted to find out more information. 

I am super excited to say, that I applied for membership in The Artisan Group and was accepted to become a part of this talented group.  It has been a warm and welcoming experience and just what I need to get focused.  Oh, and did I mention that my business cards are going to be included in the swag bags at this event??? 

Like I said, sometimes life gets in the way.  This time, it is in a really good way. 

Earrings

I bought the Czech glass daggers quite a while ago. I loved the copper, blue and gold colors. This past week, I was experimenting with a few new designs. Here is one that I will be loading on my ArtFire studio this next week.

Garden

Today, I started the seedlings for my 2011 container garden.  Last year, for the first time, I planted a container garden from seeds that I had saved.  I planted peppers in a variety of colors, butternut squash and spaghetti squash.  It was a great experience, but I started the seedlings a little late and I didn't follow the rules (didn't thin out the plants).  So while my harvest was good (25 peppers) and two squash, I had a lot of really tall plants, but they were too crowded.  I wanted to try starting seedlings from seed packs this year to compare how much of difference there is between planting from seeds you save and planting from seed packs.   

I just finished up planting:  sweet peppers, long sweet peppers, okra, winter squash, cantaloupe, burpless cucumbers, lemon cucumbers, eggplants, lettuce and onions.  Oh, and some cilantro.  I want to try one of those topsy turvy tomato planters too.  Initially, I wanted just a salad garden, but this weekend we bought a garden box, so we could add more options to our container garden.

I'll post photos of the progress as my garden grows!

Happiness

This past weekend, I started reading The Business of Happiness by Ted Leonsis.  I am only about half way through the book, but what an amazing, inspiring story.  I only knew the name Ted Leonsis as the owner of the sports teams, Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards - not that he was an Internet industry pioneer!  Ted's Life List has inspired me to revisit my own bucket list.       

Almost Feels Like Spring - Honoring my Brother's Memory

Yesterday, the temps made it to almost 40 degrees and there was sunshine.  It made me think, or hope, that Spring is really on its way.  This has been a sad and cold winter, so I am ready for warmth and light in my life.  The passing of a loved one makes me pause and reflect.  Of course, there is the sense of emptiness and loss and at times you aren't sure if you will make it through the process.  But you do, and you feel the sunshine on your face and you are grateful that they were a part of your life.  Dear brother, I will remember your dedication and loyalty to the family, but most of all, I will miss our conversations.