Walking + Snow = :) Happy Sarah and Pup!

Today the walk had an added perk, SNOW!! My Norwegian bones loves the snow so it was not hard to get out and move. Pup feels equally about it so she was eager to go as well.

There is no longer a need to stop half way up this hill anymore but a short break after is in order as I FEEL THE BURN!

Dirt Crystals

This is the view from my back deck, love the sun, love the snow and love the way the two interact!

Day 5 - Creative energy always rules over physical energy...gotta go with the flow

10:13 - All you creative peeps will understand this. When creativity calls you gotta take it, even if you end up surrounded by words, paints or materials all day and never get off your rear! Motivation came in a different form for me today and I have to hop on it. If I don't this book will never get written ;)

I will walk, just not right now...

12:11 pm - I feel like I got some good thoughts on paper and that I am one chapter closer to being finished with the book. Pat is busy cleaning the garage but I think he is going to take a time out to enjoy a family walk.These walks are not exactly calorie burners but are good for the soul!

I foresee tomorrow as being a real challenge. Although it is a holiday, it is also a work day and a cooking day. Will I be able to get away from the desk and kitchen to take a walk? I guess only tomorrow will tell but for now, I be walking!

August/September Creative Corner - Jill's Curiosities

I met Jill Hill a few months ago and I am sure glad our paths have crossed. Jill and I have many things in common. Can you guess one of the things we have in common? Yep, we are both crafty and operate with an entrepreneurial spirit sharing our creations with the world! Since we share this passion, I chose her for Creative Corner. Jill specializes in “Jilly Bags” and multipurpose clips.

Her “Jilly Bags” are multi functional pouches that are big enough to carry most anything you need and small enough to be handheld; making it perfect for hikes, shopping and any other activity you partake in. You could carry your camera, smokes and lighter (yuck, but you can), make-up, cell phone, money and any combination of items you choose! They are handcrafted with quality in mind and love through out.

Jill’s multipurpose clips are just as functional. They are creatively designed and make a really cool gift. You could wear them in your hair, hang them from your rear view mirror, attach them to your purse or come up with your own creative way of using them. After all, they are multi functional. Please tell me, which other functions might these wonderful clips serve?

You can find all of Jill’s Curiosities on her Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/JillsCuriosities.

Much love to you Jill!

August/September Creative Corner - Gary Swenor Photography

One thing you may not know about me is that I am a sucker for photography. I love all images in all forms and of all subjects. One of the things I love about photography is that the art captures a person’s perspective at a certain time and place that inspires them. Which is why Gary Swenor grabbed my attention.

Gary has been a loyal customer of my husband’s for a few years now and when I found out Gary was a photographer I knew that I could reciprocate the support by featuring him for my Creative Corner. Upon visiting his website, it was immediately clear that he knew photography and loved it. After reading Gary’s bio, my assumptions were correct; photography has been a rather large part of his life.

Gary began his love of photography back when cameras were loaded with film. Remember that? I do! He earned his master of Arts degree at San Jose State University and his undergraduate degree from CSU Chico. He has also attained both a single and multiple subject teaching credentials AND administrative credentials. On top of his wedding photography business , he teaches English at Yuba City High School where he is an adviser to the photography club.

Gary’s work has been featured in many different local publications and is an active member of the creative community here in Nevada County. When Gary does a photo shoot he teams up with his wife, Sue, who brings a feminine perspective and a knack for detail.

In his bio it states that, “throughout his distinguished teaching career, a camera has always been close by.” Now that is true passion!

Check out Gary and Sue’s work at http://www.garyswenor.com/. You will be pleasantly amazed!

August/September Business Worth the Buzz - Eco Tot

My friend, Leah, is passionate about Charlie Banana Diapers. Leah feels so good about this brand that she decided to open up her own shop, Eco Tot, featuring just the Charlie Banana collection. I can see why, the international company is dedicated to designing products that anyone would feel confident using on themselves and on their babies, and that they would recommend to their friends.

The corporation is based in Hong Kong, yet supplies markets all around the world. Their team is an eclectic mix of Canadians, Americans, French, British, Argentinian, Nepalese and Chinese and they are proud of the global diversity in their workforce.

The story of how Gaëlle Wizenberg, President of this company, came up the name for this eco-friendly line suggests a little about the kindness and passion that goes behind this brand. On their site they explain how ”Gaëlle drew inspiration from her own two children: her son, Zachary, and her daughter, Charlie – or ‘Charlie Banana’ as Zachary calls her “ and how “it’s with great joy that Charlie Banana® comes to life.” Too cute!

At Eco Tot, you will find not only Charlie Banana Diapers, but the entire potty system. You will find…
•    Training pants
•    The diaper inserts
•    Organic cotton wipes
•    Nursing pads
•    Leg warmers
•    The new hanging pails
•    The waterproof tote to keep all your Charlie Banana goods

For more information about Eco Tot, check it out at http://stores.ebay.com/Eco-Tot/_i.html?rt=nc&_sid=225265660&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1581&_pgn=3.

I have known Leah for many, many years now and I can tell you that she is trust worthy and passionate about life. I have never used Charlie Banana products (although if the Universe gifts us with another child I will) but because Leah believes in them, I do too. Best of luck to you, Eco Tots!

May/June 2012 Creative Corner - Rocksntwigs by Judy Daly

Reduse, Reuse, Recycle

As I mentioned in a previous blog post that I joined Nevada County Makes. I joined to not only have an outlet for my hobbies but I joined because I wanted to be part of a creative community. What I did not know when I joined was that this community of extremely supportive of each other and extremely talented. 

This community also creates with passion. They create what makes them happy, not what people want. The energy of the item they have created then becomes nothing less than pure.

That is why I chose this month’s Creative Corner, Rocksntwigs by Judy Daly. What first caught my eye was the Toad Houses that she makes. The idea is very unique and creative. As I read more about the things she makes I was elated to see that Judy reuses items that would have normally gone to the dump. Wood, PVC pipe, plastic, Styrofoam moss, sticks and stones are all on Judy’s supply list. I admire and try to stick by the reduce, reuse and recycle way of living so this really resonated with me.  

Judy also creates candles and birdhouses, among other things. You can click on the image below to visit her store on Nevada County Makes. 

Thank you Judy for sharing your passion and your creations with us! 

May/June 2012 Business Worth the Buzz: Creative Kids Preschool and Daycare

Finding a daycare is easy, but you can only find a phenomenal daycare once in a lifetime!

When Alyssa was 18 months old we had to find a place for her to spend her days while my husband and I were at work. This was the most terrifying experience that I have yet to deal with as a mom; it even tops some of the unbelievable moments my daughter has blessed us with. Really!

A colleague kept telling me about the daycare she had her boys in but because I am stubborn and a free spirit I had to find one for myself. I visited just about all the daycares that I had not already heard of. Wow, was I shocked to see what crap “providers” were providing for children. The last daycare I visited was an in-home daycare. I really like the idea of having in a smaller, more intimate setting. The woman had the kids crammed into a little room with a TV (and sheets on the windows), while the rest of her house was immaculately filled with glass and other breakables. Not the best environment for my little “bull in a China shop”, LOL! 

That was not the worst part though, to get to the outside play area you had to walk through a cluttered garage with all the usual garage dangers. The play area had all the expected toys and structures; except shade. The woman told me that she sprayed them with the hose to keep them cool and reassured me that trees were on the way. OK. Although the woman was really nice, I walked out of there and never wanted to go back. I had it in my mind that I was going to become a stay at home mom. I was over the whole “finding a daycare” idea.

Until, I decided to listen to my colleague. The day we showed up at Creative Kids was the day my opinion changed on daycares and preschools. It was perfect and exactly what I was looking for; structured yet intimate. It was obvious that all the teachers there were there because they wanted to be, not just because they needed an income. Luckily, Alyssa fit right in and was there until  she started Kindergarten (4 years).

Creative Kids is clean. Creative Kids is positive. Creative Kids is about making friends and growing. It is a preschool and daycare center that has the feel of a home day care center because it is filled with love and passion. They teach the kids respect; for both yourself and your friends.  They help your child meet the standards to get into Kindergarten; academically and socially. Overall, our four years of being at Creative Kids was phenomenal. We are truly blessed to have started Alyssa’s school years here.

More so, Alyssa’s Kindergarten teacher noticed and mentioned how “whoever was with her before she started Kindergarten prepared her for both learning and playing with new friends.” This really made me feel more compassion towards these ladies than I already had. Another professional noticed their mad child rearing skills which set it in stone for me; Creative Kids rocks!

Although Alyssa is now too big to go back we are so happy that she started school with Miss Cindy and Miss Sara, not only because we created a strong bond with them and others but also because they prepared her for the next step in her journey! I have said it before and I will say it again, lifelong friendships start at Creative Kids!

I joined Nevada County Makes!

I just can not shake this need to make earrings and create. I try to keep it as just a hobby but honestly, I make more pairs than I can wear! That is why I was excited to join Nevada County Makes. It is a online store for crafty people who live in Nevada County. It allows the artisans of this cosmically creative community have a presence on the web at a very low cost. As you know, websites are expensive to launch and maintain so this concept is huge!

There is something for everyone at NCM! You can find seamstresses, jewelry, woodwork, metal work, creative one of a kind gifts, walking sticks, handmade soap...the list really does go on.

Here is the URL for the home page:
www.nevadacountymakes.com

Here is the URL to my shop on NCM:
http://www.nevadacountymakes.com/maker_store/crandalls-creations

Y'all stop on by now, ya hear!

Business Worth the Buzz: Nevada County Makes--What is it that attracts so many creative people to the Sierra Nevada?

There is a book titled, Sierra Songs and Descants, Poetry and Pose of the Sierra, which was edited by Gail Rudd Entrekin and Kathryn Napier Stull. It is a collection of poetry and short stories that were inspired by the Sierra Mountains. When I read the Foreward by Sands Hall, it hit me; I live in one of the most creative, abundant and exceptional places in the world. Sands Hall shares a tea time story which was experienced with a new friend she had acquired upon moving to Nevada County. Her company asked if she knew why so many artists and healers were “attracted to this area”. It was explained to her (and did not take her much time to see) that, “Gold attracts those searching for wealth. It’s an element with magical properties. It’s monetary pull is merely one aspect of its mystical qualities.” It does make sense. Gold is known to also be associated with perfection and balance. Doesn’t every creative person seek both of those things to some extent? 

Those of us who reside in the Sierra Nevada Foothills are quiet an imaginative bunch. Some of us pursue our talent as a career and some of us leave it as a hobby. Either way, the spectrum of talent is broad and ranges from music to art to dance to theatre to design to healing to all the above and more. Generally, people in this area are passionate and are not afraid to express self. We are all different in our own little way and that is how we prefer it. You can see the imagination of which our community radiates at any of our local street fairs.  There is no shortage of performers or vendors distributing their handmade bags, soaps, clothes, accessories, jewelry, spoons, walking sticks, yard art, home décor, fine arts, foods, wines and other creative expressions. You can see it hung and taste it in each winery tasting room, coffee house and most restaurants throughout Nevada County. You can hear it pouring out of local bars and restaurants any given Friday or Saturday night. It is everywhere and at times overwhelming. 

That is what inspires me to share my local finds with you. This Business Worth the Buzz is  Nevada County Makes (NCM). NCM is an online store that has embraced our creative community and provided us with a platform to sell our goods. Jerri Glover, founder of NCM states that, “We are surrounded by creativity in Nevada County. It is one of many things we love about living here. We wanted to provide people access to these amazingly talented people 24/7, year-round. That is why Bill and I created Nevada County Makes.” Thank goodness they did because now we have one place to find hundreds of local handmade goods; clothes, lamps, walking sticks, jewelry, metalwork, pottery, woodwork, paper craft, bags, toys, wellness items, etc. If you are looking for it, you are probably going to find it here. If it is handmade and you need to sell it, you can probably sell it here. Did anyone see their booth at Cornish Christmas this year? I think we are going to start seeing a lot more of Nevada County Makes around, let’s hope anyway! For more information on NCM, please visit www.nevadacountymakes.com.

Resources:

Rudd Entrekin, Gail and Napier Stull, Kathryn. Sierra Songs and Descants, Poetry and Prose of the Sierra. Nevada City: Hip Pocket Press, 2002.

For more information on this book please visit http://hippocketpress.com/sierrasongs.php.