ByNanasHands

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Glass Artist ~Julie DeGroot~ GardenJewels on Etsy

I happened to run across Julie in the Etsy forums. Her spirit came through in her response to other Artists. I clicked through to her shop and was taken to a garden filled with fairy doors, stained glass wind chimes, garden art and whimsy. A shop that makes you take a deep, cleansing breath of fresh air and let it out slowly....all the while your stress melts away. Julie has an eclectic eye in her designs using the new and the found. She takes Vintage items and incorporates them into her designs. Color, shape and movement are things you'll find in her creations.

Each one of her designs is a one of a kind piece. Giving one as a gift you'll never have to worry about them getting the "same" thing twice! The pieces are not something that will be given away they are truly heirloom pieces.

From her Shop Bio...

"I create one of a kind stained glass art

~ Inspired by Nature

~ Bringing you reflections of color, movement & soothing sounds to your home & garden

~ All of my glass art is individually designed
& handcrafted by myself.
~ Each piece is totally unique and a one of a kind."

Julie lives in Beautiful Western New York, in the country surrounded by the woods and nature. She is a "self taught artist and have been enjoying and creating stained glass, mosaic designs, paintings, murals and my gardens for over 20 years now".

"I have a great passion for glass, for my gardens and the great outdoors, so I combined them to create my glass art for your home & garden, inspired by nature."

"A garden should be filled with not only plants & love, but little surprises throughout it. Something to catch your eye & drag you in to sit awhile to stop and smell the roses. My heart and soul goes into all of my art.
Always on the look out for vintage glass, beads, or objects to reuse. I love to upcycle pieces into my art. Taking nothing and turning it into something! Most of my inspirations come from my favorite place to be in this world, my gardens. Nature always sings to me. My name Garden Jewels comes from my passion for my Gardens & for my Husband who calls me Jewel."

Take some time and stop by Julie's shop, take a look at the beauty she has created. If your shopping for something very special this is the place to find it!

Several members of my family have been the lucky recipient's of Julie's work. They love them and cherish the meaning behind them as well as the care and love that went into each piece.

Visit GardenJewels......

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

eReaders and Magnetic Cover Closures...the truth....

Questions have come up regarding "magnets" or magnetic closures and eReaders. Will they harm your device? Simple answer is....no.

Technology has come a L-O-N-G way in the last 10 years when people were warned about keeping their electronic devices, floppy discs and the like away from magnets. You can certainly form your own opinions but by all I have read regarding the matter magnetic closures on a eReader cover will do NO harm. In fact when the first Kindle came out it actually had a MAGNET that helped "hold" it to the leather cover that was an accessory item.

Here are some of the comments I found while doing research on the issue, some more "scientific" than others, others more "humorous".

Quotes taken from Kindle Boards

"There are no magnetic drives in the Kindle that would be affected by anything that is somewhat magnetic."

"Kindle exposure to magnets waves in non-commercial usages are absolutely no problem."

"The electromagnet pulse from a nuclear bomb will destroy unshielded electronics. Therefore, I would avoid exploding a nuclear bomb within, say, a five-mile radius of your Kindle. The actual radius will vary with the strength of the bomb."

From Yahoo "Answers":

"My Amazon Kindle cover uses magnets to snap closed. I have a small room with numerous electronic devices (LCD monitors, a laptop, an external hard drive, a cell phone, a watch); also, I like to carry both my Kindle and my laptop in my bookbag. What I'm wondering is, are these magnets in the Kindle cover strong enough to damage anything, or should I quit worrying about being careful? (Obviously, they do no harm to the Kindle itself....)"

Answer:

"Your question is valid although I believe your concern is not. It's true magnets can effect digital storage and many other electronic devices. The strength of the magnet you describe is not enough to do any damage."

Google has literally pages of questions and answers regarding magnetic closures and eReaders....none of them "warn" or say they will harm an eReader. As always, you must form your own opinions on the matter, but I am convinced that they do no harm.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Giving Thanks by Indie Artisans Handmade

Indie Artisans is an ever-changing collection of the best handmade has to offer, presented on one timely page that makes shopping for gifts or yourself easy and fun.

The collection changes with the seasons or on a whim, so check back often for the finest artisan goods hand selected from the most creative, experienced group of online artisans ever assembled.

Click on anything you are interested in on the blog page and it will take you directly to that Artisans shop page. You will purchase directly from the Artisan.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Holiday Gifts for the Teacher....

Apple for the Teacher? Sometimes picking up a nice gift for a Teacher is difficult...they get plenty of candy and other things and many of those end up being "regifted". How about something that they will really be able to use? This eyeglass case would be perfect! A double case that can hold their readers and their sunglasses! Visit my ArtFire store and see ALL the different cases for women AND men.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

One Year Today...

One year ago today we were blessed with grandchild #10, Zeke Landon Olson. He came into this world with a basket full of problems and a Mother and family that loved him with a love that no one could imagine. We prayed then and we continue to pray for him and his health concerns.

Today is Zeke's birthday, "Zeker" as we so lovingly call him. The past year has been fraught with scares, tears, prayers and often thanks and smiles. Zeke has come a long, long way......every day we are reminded of his fragile condition but over time we have been able to see beyond that and have dared to dream of Zeke and his future happiness and health.

Zeke has finally gotten to some fabulous Doctors that have taken incredible care of him and have been able to keep him going and allow him to progress, to grow, to smile and to be a happy 1 year old baby. We also pray for them each night!

I have watched as his Mother has gained the strength she needs to take care of him 24/7. She has gone from a frightened Mother to a woman that has more inner strength, belief and confidence than I ever thought she would have. Not because I thought she didn't have those qualities but because of the depth of his problems and the sleep deprivation she has endured the last year. She is the strongest woman I know...to have been through so much and still smile at some things that many of us take for granted.....a baby's first smile, first time they sit up, first tooth, first time crawling and first word. She never gave up on Zeke...EVER!! I so admire her.

Happy Birthday baby Zeke, you are the bright penny in our lives, our sunshine, our happiness and our love... you'll have many, many more.

I Love You,
Your Nana

Thursday, August 19, 2010

My New Sun Visor!

Well, Mom said I could use the computer and blog about the newest addition to my wardrobe. I got a brand spanking new HOT PINK Visor and bandanna set! It is just to stinking cute! Mom was wandering around Etsy the other night and happened to come across this Etsy shop called HAPPY HOUNDS and I gotta be honest here and say that at this very moment I am one "Happy Hound".

You see, I go out on the Pontoon boat and Jet Ski a lot and the sun is always in my eyes...I mean the sun shining off the water is so bright. Mom tried those stupid doggy sun goggles (boy, were those things lame) and nothing really worked. It would be to tight, to loose, choked me, flew off into the water or just looked like (well, I'm sticking my paw down my throat right now). I am SO happy Mom found HAPPY HOUNDS!

My visor set came in today's mail and I thought "well, here we go again". Mom put my visor on and it fit just perfect! Nothing "grabbed" me anywhere and I love the color. It even came with this hot pink rose on the front...LOVE that part! Mom thought for sure that I'd have it off and ripped up in a heartbeat...but you know, I really love this visor! I mean, look at my picture, it really looks good on me doesn't it?

Anyway, Mom wanted me to add that the lady that made my set, Tammy, was just as sweet as can be. She emailed Mom right away to make sure of the size and let her pick out the material she liked. She even emailed and let Mom know when it was mailed for gosh sakes! When it came Mom was really impressed with the quality and workmanship (and Mom doesn't get impressed easily since she sews too)!

We just had to try it out so I wore it out on the lake on the Jet Ski. It worked just PERFECT, the sun stayed out of my beautiful brown eyes and Mom didn't have to drive back and pick it up out of the water because it stayed on really good....and she drove REALLY FAST to make sure (I love it when she drives fast).

So if you are having trouble with the sun in your eyes when your out walking or swimming or chasing the neighbors cat...ask your Mom to shop over at HAPPY HOUNDS and pick you up some great gear! Mom said she was going to go over there and buy some more....and some things are on sale right now too!

I give my new Visor set a "paws up"!

Friday, August 13, 2010

Each Friday the Etsy Angels will be featuring some great gift ideas. Many are brand new listings, some are on sale and others, well, they're just fabulous! Visit the Angels blog each Friday for gift ideas....you KNOW the holidays are just around the corner!

MamaJody

Cute as a button crocheted hats.