Getting to know you/ BusyBee aka Jeannie

To start, please tell us a bit about yourself. What's your story?
A bit about myself is hard to cover in 60+ years of 'story'. I'll try be brief, I promise. I was born in 1947 is Salem OR as a twin (NOT identical, she had red hair). After 7 years of marriage to my husband, Paul, we moved to Maine. We were there for about 25 years. We are now in Chattanooga TN. Ya' all ought to come to visit, beautiful place with much to do and see. We have 2 children, a boy and a girl, and 8 granchildren, 4 boys, 4 girls. I am a teacher by trade and a crafter by interest, and partially by trade. I expect to be both til the day I leave this world. Who knows, I may be that in heaven one day, also. Which is to say I'm a Christian, but you already know that. The loves of my life are the Lord, my hubby, children, grandchildren, teaching others, and learning and doing new things (especially as it relates to arts and crafts). So there you go, that's the 'bit' about my life. Not too long was it!?!

OH, and a couple of big accomplishments, not including delivering and rearing my wonderful children: I developed, and wrote a cutticulem guide for a vocational child development program which was put in place in Oregon and Washington public schools. My master's thesis, done in the state of Maine, was presented at a Northeast Area conference by my advising professor. That was a really nice surprise!!!

What is your favorite quote?
My favorite quote is "This too shall pass". Whenever I go through a hard time, I realize the the Lord is there with me and has promised never to give me a trial too difficult for me to without a way out. AND, through living as a Christian, I have learned to know that "This too shall pass".

What is your favorite movie?
Rigoletto is my all time favoite. The description states that it is a musical fantasy ringing of truth and filled with mystery and love. You should all see it, it's absolutely wonderful!!!

What is your favorite TV show?
That's a toughy, not sure I have one. Don't like much of what is on TV. I do enjoy watching Joyce Meyer, she really hits us where we should be living.

Do you have a hero, if so, who? why?
When younger, I thought DaVinci was fascinating. He was so very talented and a genius. Then I realized he was an ungodly man. Today my hero would be Jesus Christ. I can't imagine anyone doing what He did for a world that did not love Him and still have perfect love in His heart. I would cherish having perfect love in my heart. Where would I be without Him?


What is your favorite song at the moment?
"It Is Well". I love the story behind that song and IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!
I guess if I had to choose a secular song, I would say "Wind Beneath My Wings". It's a wonderful song of love and friendship.

What kinds of music do you listen to?
Christin, celtic, some country

How long have you been creating?
Since grade school, so over 50 years

What inspires you?
Nature inspires me in my paintings / the need to learn new things, to design and create inspires me in the other areas of arts and crafts.
In my life, in general, the Lord / my husband / and my other family members are the force behind my inspiration to be the best I can.

Is there any kind of music you listen to when you create?
It is dead silence when I create. I guess the years of teaching with listening to others talk to me constantly, just made me want peace and quiet. Besides the Bible says "Be still and know that I am God". It is those still times that I can really hear God. In fact, speaking of hearing God and music, about 20 years ago, God gave me a song about my life with Paul as I was thinking how special he is to me. I am not a song writer and could never have written it had it not been given to me. 2 days after writing the words, God also gave me the melody. It goes like this (great anniversary song): 1) Maybe as we walk / We can still walk hand in hand / And, maybe as we talk / We can work to understand / This love the good Lord gave us / To have, to hold, to keep / To work at and to cherish / For all the world to see // 2) The Lord helped us to grow / and gave us second birth / And through His love we'll show / That we believe this truth / This love the good Lord gave us / He sanctioned not to end / His love must show through us / Though trials enter in // This love the good Lord gave us / To have, to hold, to keep / To work at and to cherish / FOR - ALL - THE - WORLD - TO - SEE

What's your biggest artistic disaster to date?
I was doing a HUGE wedding cake for our pastor's daughter. I baked and decorated it and placed it in the churches freezers. I had done many than way without problem. However, before the wedding, there was a huge storm and the electricity went out at the church. The day of the wedding, I was putting the cakes together, all 8 of them, on their tiers and almost every one of them had the icing fall off about 1/2 of each cake. I ended up redoing icing and decorations the WHOLE day. I even left a small section on the back side of the cake blank. No one even noticed.
In all these years, I've acutally had a lot of artistic disaster, most of which could be remedied.

What's your favorite piece that you've done?
I guess I would have to say my Croison Pony as it has family history behind it. Check it out: http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=11923721

What's the best advice you were given when starting out?
You can do anything you put your mind to do, if you just try. In reality, that isn't always true. But, we do need to have confidence in our abilities. Others won't if we don't.

Do you have any advice to give others?
Be an optimist. Life is so much more fun if you look for the good in EVERYTHING, and not the bad. Set yourself some goals. If you don't have something to work towards, you will never do anything with your life. And, most of all, Love the Lord. It assures you security and joy now and a great eternity later.

What's coming up for you; any big plans artistically?
My goal is to start a new etsy store with my paintings and etchings. I want to have at least 10 items to display before I set it up. Right now, I don't have the time, but it is somehting I want to do.

Where can we find you? Both online and in stores.
Etsy: http://www.busybeeworker.etsy.com
Twitter and soon on facebook

PICTURES: Paul and I / 4 generations (Paul's Mom, Paul and I, both children, granchildren missing the last 2) / Tasha our German shepherd and newest child

Getting to know you/ Peekaboo aka Alycia

To start, please tell us a bit about yourself. What's your story?
I am very happily married to my dear hubby of going on 11 years...Mr. Victor. We have four wonderful children, four boys, one girl, and his oldest son, Zachary, is graduating high school this year! Zachary is not mine, but I still claim him as if he were! :) We are currently living in Alabama, but we hail from Upstate NY. We're here for my husband's job, which we're very thankful for in today's economy! I am working from home right now, until God opens up a full-time job in the workforce for me. (I'd really rather keep working from home, though!)

What is your favorite quote?
"To love another person is to see the face of God." ~ Victor Hugo (from "Les Miserable")

What is your favorite movie?
One Night With The King

What is your favorite TV show?
CSI: Miami

Do you have a hero, if so, who? why?
Everyone should have a hero! :) My hero is my husband...he puts up with me when I'm miserable, loves me when I'm unlovable to all others, and tenderly wipes away my tears when I can't take it any more. He makes me laugh. He knows too much about me. And he lays down his life for me and our children.

What is your favorite song at the moment?
Hmmm... Wow! I just went to find the exact title of it, and I came across this one! It's perfect for Mother's Day...so, new favorite song of the moment:
http://www.plumbinfo.com/ (This should load as Plumb's official website and play a song entitled "Always" ~ fantastic! Every mother's deepest thoughts...) (In My Arms was the one I was originally going after! LOL)

What kinds of music do you listen to?

Christian all the way! Plumb, Casting Crowns, TobyMac, Rita Springer

How long have you been creating?
I have been creating for a very long time now...countless years...I've been taking pictures since I was four. I've been writing since I was pre-teen. I've been scrapbooking for over 15 years. I've been stamping and making other paper crafts for at least 5 years, now! :) I love creating new things! I love using the talents and gifts that God has blessed me with, hopefully and intentionally for HIS glory!



What inspires you?
Ooh! All sorts of things. I can be driving and see a sunset and be inspired. I love wildflowers, how God took all these pretty little "nothing" flowers and put them into a field to grow together in really pretty colors and look incredibly beautiful together. Their perfect blend inspires me. I can see something that someone else has created, and it can inspire me to design something completely different. God created the earth, and He has made us in His likeness and image. That means that every one of us, regardless of how small or how great it is, has some sort of creative gene in us. :)

Is there any kind of music you listen to when you create?
My children...


What's your biggest artistic disaster to date?
Um...I don't think I have had one, but that doesn't mean I won't?

What's your favorite piece that you've done?
My heritage scrapbooks. Each Christmas I make a scrapbook for my Grandparents from their lifetime of photographs. It is an incredibly satisfying joy to watch my Grandfather's eyes well up with tears as he flips through pages of his life story. They're the last of their siblings to still be alive, and they both came from fairly good-sized families, so I cherish every moment that I have left with them!

What's the best advice you were given when starting out?
Don't give up.

Do you have any advice to give others?
Use the gifts that God has given you. Don't be like the foolish steward and bury them in the sand. Perceive that your merchandise is good. Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established. The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty. In all labor there is profit (even if it's something learned, rather than earned). Do your work with excellence. You shall stand before kings.

What's coming up for you; any big plans artistically?
I want to write a Christian fiction novel. I would love to see my photographs out in the world. I would love to start selling wholesale/consignment via Peek-A-Boo Productions.

Where can we find you? Both online and in stores.
www.peekabooproductions.etsy.com
www.godsgloryphotography.etsy.com
www.peekabooproductions.blogspot.com

A Woman that Inspires Me written by HaloHatz

There aren’t a lot of people in my life that I would consider a role model or someone that I would like to be like. I have met many great women, but none have inspired me or encouraged me like my friend Claudia. Claudia is the mother of my best friend, Gia. I met her not long after I met Gia; they are a very close family and they are in each other’s lives daily. So to know Gia is to know her parents.

When I first met Claudia I was not a believer, but she was kind and sweet, always giving hugs and being completely genuine, even if she didn’t know you well. We became closer as the years went by and she and her husband, Ron, were very instrumental in my search for the Lord. Claudia had a bible study with me and was so encouraging and wise. She would pray with me and call to check on me often. I would sit with her and the whole family at church and I really felt loved by them all. When I did become a believer, it was Ron who baptized me.

Claudia is a wonder woman, truly. She takes care of her husband, her mother, her home and still makes time to be part of her five grandchildren’s lives almost daily. She never forgets a special day, a birthday or a holiday. She treats my husband and my children as if we were part of the family and she reminds me that we are just that, family.

Claudia is such a godly woman. She has been through some big trials in her life, but she trusts the Lord with everything. She takes everything to the cross and prays continually for God to guide her life. When I need advice or help with any situation I turn to Claudia. She directs me to the Lord, first and foremost. She is gentle and kind and is sure to tell me when my thinking may not be in line with God’s.

So, when I think of someone I would most want to be like, it is Claudia. She is not perfect; but in my book, she’s as close to perfect as a woman can be. I am so blessed to have her in my life. She is my friend, my mentor, my sister in Christ.

Getting to Know You!! InspiredByMarie

To start, please tell us a bit about yourself. What's your story? I am a mom of 4 amazing children, Zach 24 , Jade 22 , Cheyenne 17 , and Lucas 11, . And a wonderful man in my life, Mike. I was raised in the south, and now live in the beautiful state of Oregon.

I have loved wood crafts since I was a child. I am always looking for wood I see as beautiful or unique. To me wood is like snowflakes, no 2 pieces are ever alike, and it is like Christmas to me every time I sand down a piece and see the beautiful natural designs and colors.
What is your favorite quote?
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." Erma Bombeck

What is your favorite movie?
It's A Wonderful Life
What is your favorite TV show?
NCIS
Do you have a hero, if so, who? why?
Mike. He took on dating a woman with 4 kids, and never looked back. He is an excellent role model for my kids.
What is your favorite song at the moment?
The Old Rugged Cross always has been and always will be.
What kinds of music do you listen to?
A little of everything. Country, Soft rock, oldies, jazz, and the blues.
How long have you been creating?
Since I was a kid. I loved to make things out of sticks in the yard.
What inspires you?
I have been lucky in so many ways to have traveled around this country and see such beauty. My shops name is after my Mother who has inspired me all of my life. My wonderful children, and amazing people I have met in my life. Also living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, with the beauty of the ocean, forests, mountains, and high desert, will inspire anyone.
Is there any kind of music you listen to when you create?
No.

What's your biggest artistic disaster to date?
I couldn't really say disasters, but if I don't like the way something turns out I try to use it as firewood unless someone rescues it.
What's your favorite piece that you've done?
Each time I create a new piece it somehow becomes my favorite. Someone told me that is a sign of a true artist. Right now my favorite piece is "The Old Rugged Cross"
What's the best advice you were given when starting out?
Believe in what I am creating, and do it to the best of my ability. That there is a reason we make what we do, and though not all might appreciate it, there is someone out there that will be touched by it.
Do you have any advice to give others?
What I said above, and NEVER give up nor compromise your standards.




What's coming up for you; any big plans artistically?
I haven't done rustic furniture and lamps in a long time, and would really like to start back doing that as soon as I can find a place to take it.
Where can we find you? Both online and in stores.
Right now on my Etsy shop
www.inspiredbymarie.etsy.com
and I will be doing several shows around Oregon.

I don't take let many photos of me get taken. But this is the most recent. It is my family at my sons wedding.

Shalom

The Hebrew word SHALOM is understood around the world to mean peace. But peace is only one small part of the meaning of the word SHALOM.

Strong's Concordance 7965 - Hebrew Shalom ..... A word study in the New King James version for SHALOM says: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.

Shalom comes from the root verb Shalom meaning to be complete, perfect and full. In modern Hebrew the obviously related word Shelem means to pay for, and Shulam means to be fully paid.

Sar SHALOM (Prince of Peace) is one of the descriptive names the Bible uses to indicate the ministry and personality of the Messiah: Isaiah 9:6 - The Son of God is completely perfect in all things.

So in essence, when you speak out the word SHALOM - you are not only proclaiming peace, but all the above meanings of the word over that person - that's a mighty blessing!!!

Remember what the word of God says - "there is life or death in the power of the tongue".

We recently heard someone on a Christian TV program say: "No wonder the Jewish people are so blessed, because every time they say Shalom to one another, they are also allowing the full meaning (see above) of SHALOM to be pronounced over them. He humorously proceeded to say that this greeting word would be much more beneficial to the American people if they greeted each other with SHALOM instead of their usual "Hi" or "Howdy" greeting. As Josie and I adapted to life in Israel, we adapted to the SHALOM habit over the "Hi" habit....As Messianic Jews, we are called to bless you and we take that very seriously, by praying for you and by greeting you with SHALOM. Therefore, from now on, when we or someone says SHALOM to you, you should receive it as a tremendous blessing. And bless them back with a hearty SHALOM!"

Numbers 6:24-26: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His face upon you and give you SHALOM. In the name of SAR SHALOM - the Prince of Peace.


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(The above was borrowed from OUT of ZION Ministries.)

Just a thought for the moment!

If I let fear get ahold of me, I will never get to where God has me going!

Featured Team CAC Seller

Sorry about not having a featured seller for awhile there, but now that I’m back up and running, I’m hoping this won’t be an issue again. So without further ado, here’s this week’s featured seller, Glen of Sneath.

To start, please tell us a bit about yourself. What's your story?
My name is Glen and I'm an unmotivated community college student from the San Francisco Bay Area. I got my Associates degree in Electronics > PC Technical Support. My only source of income right now is what I make from chainmaille. But I would much rather be working again, but when I tried to 6 months ago, I came up pretty much dry. I'm a computer geek who used to work as a merchandiser for the late CompUSA *sniff*, and I'm a musician who works with my church's high school youth group as a staff member and as one of the worship leaders. Either as the drummer, guitar, or singing (in that order).

While I am currently going to school as a mechanical engineering major with a manufacturing focus, I've been recently pulling away from that and looking for work in logistics. I started down the engineering path because my schools manufacturing program shut down for budget reasons, and at the time there weren't many other options to continue learning the subject. But, since then I've found options aside from spending another 4 years of college getting a bachelor's to learn manufacturing processes. All I really wanted to do is work with my hands, and/or make things.

The current life path I'm pursuing is a career in logistics (shipping/receiving and inventory is SO fun!). But, if that doesn't pan out in the next year, I'm considering joining the Coast Guard for the resume boost, and the on-the-job training. And heck, I'm too comfortable where I am. I don't like traveling and I've lived in the same spot all my life, but I think it would be a good stretch for me. After all that, if nothing works out (or maybe sooner, who knows), I've been toying with the idea of the mission's field. Preferably somewhere cold. I hear theres a lot of work to be done in Poland for the Roma people.
O ya, and I'm an Eagle Scout of Troop 71, 2006.

What is your favorite quote?
Proverbs 4:7
“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.”
and the wisdom I've gathered seems to say that I should “... seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness...” (Matt. 6:33), so that's what I'll do.

What is your favorite movie?
Don't really have one.

What is your favorite TV show?
An anime called One Piece. Currently about 400 episodes long and counting!
Oh, and I guess Smallville since its the only “TV show” that I keep up with.

What is your favorite song at the moment?
I Need You by Relient K

What kinds of music do you listen to?
Worship. I love listening to people who are passionate about praising God. Sometimes its praise music like Chris Tomlin, Shane & Shane and Jars of Clay, or Christian rock like Kutless, Skillet and Relient K. But, a lot of times it's the hard-rock/screamo stuff that really gets me, when I can find a good screaming worship band. Not too common, but things like Dead Poetic, Thrice, Underoath, and Spoken have really hit home.

How long have you been creating?
Since I was a little kid when I would play with K'Nex. I used to build forts, and other relatively large structures out of the stuff. I started doing chainmaille a couple summers ago after our worship team watched a Lord of The Rings marathon. I decided to look it up online and soon after bought 100 bright aluminum 16awg 1/4” rings. The first thing I made with those rings was a pouch/holster for my cell-phone, which has since been decommissioned... It will be missed.

What inspires you?
Seeing other people doing what they love doing, or watching them discover something that they love doing. More specifically, people who have found their niche in the body of Christ, and totally all-out about it. Even the lowest janitor is a great inspiration if he finds a way to bring glory to God doing what he does.

Please describe your creative process (the how, the when, materials, etc.).
I bring my rings with me wherever I go, so I sometimes maille when I'm out and about, but usually its at my desk between classes. If its a weave and color pattern I'm familiar with it goes pretty quickly. But many times its a custom order in a color pattern, ring type, or weave that I'm not very comfortable with. With those I start with one combination of colors, or ring types, and see if what I make turns out looking nice. About an inch or two into the weave I make the decision either to keep going with it, or to scrap it, and take it apart so I can use the rings for another attempt at the current project, or for a future one. Sometimes it comes together right away with no hassle, while other times I have to take it apart many times because I can't get it quite right.

Is there any kind of music you listen to when you create?
I either let my computer shuffle through everything I have, or I listen to an online Christian radio station. Every once in a while I'll listen to a theological CD. Greg Koukl from Stand To Reason has been what I've listened to most in that category recently.

What's your biggest artistic disaster to date? How did it help you progress?
My armor! It turned out fine in its own way, but the design was completely off the top of my head. No drawings, blueprints, or exact measurements. I made it in a blacksmithing class I took, and I did the majority of the shell with a swage block and any oxy-acetylene torch, for the most part all free-form. The biggest problem with it is that its held together with 4 bolts... 2 of which are on the back, meaning I need help to get into it. I did learn quite a bit about shaping metal though... because the hoops under the arms are doubled over and then channeled, and then bent... which is all kinds of stupid, and very difficult to make well with a hammer...

What's your favorite piece that you've done?
My favorites come and go, so for now I'd have to go with something I made very recently. It's a trackball from an old mouse I found, wrapped in chainmaille (go figure). I'm particularly proud of this one because it marks a landmark in discovering what I can wrap. I figured out a new way to cinch the sides up with rubber rings that allow for ANY size of ball. Granted, it might not work too well on anything but spheres, but I'll figure that out later.

What's the best advice you were given when starting out?
Hmmm... The best one I can think is from a bunch of fellow Etsy members. Something along the lines of “Don't panic because you're not getting many sales at first. Be patient.”

Do you have any advice to give others?
Seek God constantly and make glorifying Him the focus of your business (and your whole life for that matter). If your shop is just for getting bank, then you're wasting an awesome opportunity to be a light to the world.

What's coming up for you; any big plans artistically?
I'm selling at my first convention at the end of May, so I need to stock up on more marbles and findings, as well as mass producing all sorts of bracelets and key chains. Very excited about that... But as far as what I'm making, I've been swamped enough with finishing off the semester, working with the youth group, ordering supplies, and running my Etsy to have thought seriously about any big plans right now. Although, a while ago I was making candles by melting the excess, throw-out candles from my church's candle-light service (so much wasted wax). I made a chainmaille hanging thing for the candles, but never made the stand to hold it up. I guess I could work on that next.

Where can we find you? Both online and in stores.
www.Sneath.etsy.com
GESlagle [!at] gmail.com
www.myspace.com/holygorge Very old screen name which I converted into a big ad banner for my Etsy...
I'm also on facebook: Glen Slagle