April Showers Bring Spring Flowers

Welcome Spring plants

Certainly have had rain this spring.  Rochester is 1.5 inches above normal for rain since March 1st.  For my backyard garden, that means standing water or mud everywhere & no planting until it dries out. Wet in spring is an annual thing but have not had to wait 3 weeks to plant my peas in quite a few years. 

Hello bicolor crocus in my front yard bed from 2 weeks ago.  Happy to see you as we enter and exit our property.  beauty to greet the dogs as they walk by in the morning and their owners with them.  It is fantastic to have my garden to talk to my neighbors about thought the year.  they stop me and ask questions.

Hello to my tatsoi mustard thriving in my garden. always one of the first seeds I plant outside.  will be thinning and enjoying them in breakfast next week.  Homegrown is best.  Love my backyard garden.   patiently waiting  for the snow peas to pop out of the ground, ( well actually to sprout). 

The other greens in the dirt are mesclun and black Simpson lettuce.  We will be transplanting the kale and collard in a few weeks.  I started the seed later this year.  It was so wet, afraid to not be able to plant them when they were ready.

Nothing make it fell like spring arrives until I can dig in the dirt in my garden.  Happy gardener here and happy plants.  

Earth day today and glad to have edibles in my yard to enjoy for the growing season.

Black Lives Matter

Free the People ROC is the group in Rochester, NY.  FB page  Free the People ROC

I invite everyone to stand up, listen to others, be kind and support our sisters and brothers.  

 

#bekind

#blacklivesmatter 

#standup

#listen

#lovewins

Buy Local from the Maker

Why shop small?  For every $100 you spend at a local business,  

$68 stay in the community

#shoplocal

#buylocal

#artist

Action of Pride

 What is one this we entrepreneurs do not do regularly? Practice Self Care & take Vacation or Time Off. As a small business owner one thing we forget its to take care of ourselves.  I am using the time off to rejuvenate myself.  It is good to take time off and take personal me time.  Join me and put down time on you calendar every month. I put everything on my calendar so I am not double booked. This helps to not miss the special party by a friend if it is on your business calendar as down time. Please let me know how scheduling your time helps your business.  your feedback is always welcome. 

 

 

 BLACK LIVES MATTER

Free the People ROC is the group in Rochester, NY. 

 Free the People ROC

 The chaos has been difficult to watch recently.  We have to stand up and vote for what we need.  Call your representatives at all levels; local, state, federal.  Send letters and vote out those who do not represent positive change. Search these topics:
I Can't Breathe
Black Lives Matter
and read from fact checked news sources. 

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These are part of the Copper Geometry line. 

Copper Twist 

 

Why shop small?  For every $100 you spend at a local business,  $68 stay in the community

Valentine Sale Success

 

Last week, I had my 3rd online event for my business as a sale for customers.  It was a digital sale on zoom and was a success.  As with any new endeavor there were great parts I will use as a model for my next digital event.  Being new to this idea I took feedback from attendees as I have from the prior two events in December. Shown at left is one of the free gifts for those who attended.  

 Happy to have the opportunity to show what I do to people worldwide.  Thanks to the pandemic, I have been networking on zoom and met people from at least 6 different countries.  What you learn with such a diverse group is there are many universal dreams and desires.  

 

 

Black History Month

 

What an inspirational lady she is and so happy to have seen the great things she did while in the white house.  Starting for me with the way she changed the gardens there and brought back vegetables.  She is an incredible lady and doing many things including her inspiring Girls Opportunity Alliance.   Becoming

The Girls Opportunity Alliance, a program of the Obama Foundation, seeks to empower adolescent girls around the world through education, allowing them to achieve their full potential and transform their families, communities, and countries. We engage people around the world to take action to help adolescent girls and the grassroots leaders working to educate them.

 Girls Opportunity Alliance

 

 Black Lives Matter

Free the People ROC is the group in Rochester, NY.  FB page  Free the People ROC

 I invite everyone to stand up, listen to others, be kind and be ready to support our sisters and brothers. 

#bekind

#blacklivesmatter 

#stopasianhate

#standup

#listen

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Local & Shop Small

 

My shop:  Panda Wear
Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Instagram: Instagram

Why shop small? 

For every $100 you spend at a local business,  $68 stay in the community!

 

 

 

Summer Fruits and Mother Nature

 

It has been a hard summer here so far in the garden.  The alternating heat & extreme wet is stressing the plants.  We are doing our best to care for them in this dichotomy of conditions.  We had several bouts of 90's by the end of June.  When you add to that the 9+ inches of rain from 7/09 - 7/23( two weeks time) in my yard, it has been hard on the plants  We have lost peppers & beans to pests, kale and lettuce to rotting, and the berries stopped fruiting in the wet spell. 

 These are the 1st 2021 TOMATOES! These are along side today's harvest of fennel, wax beans and cucumber on the bottom. 

 

 I am reminded to enjoy the moment often this year.  Mother Nature had this so show us a few nights ago.   

Last week I had the privilege of seeing a one women show on RIT campus that was invitation only. It was incredible.  As we left the theater and headed to our cars, another attendee pointed to the moon. When I arrived home it was still peaking through the clouds.  This is phone pic without filters.  Wishing I had a long lens on campus for the great shot there. 
      

 

Black Lives Matter

Free the People ROC is the group in Rochester, NY.  FB page  Free the People ROC

I invite everyone to Join me: 

stand up, listen to others, be kind and to support our sisters and brothers.  

#bekind

#blacklivesmatter 

#stopasianhate

#standup

#listen

 

 

Buy Local from the Maker

 My shop:  Panda Wear Website

Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Instagram: Instagram

 

Why shop small?  For every $100 you spend at a local business,  $68 stay in the community.

 

Women Build 2021

 We are happy for some rain for my flowers and vegetables for the spring season. we are below normal for rainfall.  newest transplant to the veggie garden is the broccoli yesterday.  Kale, collards and mustard doing well. had my second large harvest of about a quart of small tatsoi mustard as shown here full size. 

the flowers and perennials seems to be doing well this year.  We had several rabbits overwinter in my yard so we were not sure what spring would look like.  My blue fescue seem to be happy for the trim on their dead leaves by the bunnies.  

Working on some new pieces and a few commissions this month.  Hope to be able to showcase a new line for summer.  my copper pieces we well received.  Working on some for the Women Build project as part of my team, Calico Hammers.    this brooch was a special fundraising piece for Women Build several years ago.  For the rest of the month only they are available is Sterling and copper for $49   Perfect Mother's Day gift.  Please mention this promotion Limited Edition Mom Brooch when ordering your brooch. 

My Page for the Women Build 2021

Kim Habitat Women Build

Black Lives Matter

Free the People ROC is the group in my area.

 FB page  Free the People ROC

I invite everyone to stand up, listen to others, be kind and speak up.  

#bekind

#blacklivesmatter 

#stopasianhate

#standup

#speakup

#listen

Buy Local from the Maker

 
My shop:  Panda Wear Website
Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Instagram: Instagram

 

Why shop small?  For every $100 you spend at a local business,  $68 stay in the community.

Happy Birthday

 February is the Birthday month for two very important people in my life my Father & his Mother, my grandmother.  I think of my family and the fantastic gardens at Grandma & Grandpa's house when I was a child.. The cottage, their summer place my Grandfather built is where the fishing happened.  A good day is shown on the table below where many fishes were prepared for family meals over the years. The sound of the water takes me back to the cottage in the 1000 islands and long summer weekends with my father when I was a child.

This is a great photo I have of my grandmother, Clara from when my father was a child.  I always remember her with white hair.  Seeing younger grandma is inspiring to me.  I appreciate her enthusiasm for gardening even more with these younger pics of her.  Seeing the joy she has with her children show below,. 

Happy Birthday Dad. We miss you and know you are with us in spirit. You taught us by your example every day.
 He spent many hours with me showing and teaching me how to change the oil in the car or replace the brake pads.  I cherish those memories and getting dirty for hours with him.  As the kids from my neighborhood can tell you my father was the first to lend a hand when one of the bicycles needed to be repaired. He had a big heart and was always the one to step up and offer assistance.  It is one of the core values I have that he taught me. 

Older pic of my Dad,  his senior year I believe. #happybirthday #father #grandma #lovewins
#memories #young #bicycle #neighborhood

The results from a good day on the boat at the cottage.  This table has been part of preparation of many family meals for many children whom have enjoy their time at the cottage in the 1000 Islands. 

Grandma with two of her sons, My uncle Russell and my father.  The same day as seen in the above pic with the happy fishermen in the pic.  I am certain my grandfather caught a few of these also. as a rule all fishing people were taught how to bait their own hook.  We had help if needed in reeling in our catch.  

 Black Lives Matter

We are in this together. Wear a Mask, Stay home, Stay safe, Flatten the curve, Facts Matter.

We need to listen and be ready to stand with them.We have a local Black Lives Matter group in our city.  Free the People ROC.

 FB page  Free the People ROC

 

 

I invite everyone to stand up, listen to others, be kind and speak up. 

#blacklivesmatter

#standup

#speakup

#listen 

      Buy Local from the Maker 

My shop:  Panda Wear Website
Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Instagram: Instagram

Why should we all shop small?  For every $100 you spend at a local business,  $68 stay in the community.  

 My Mother's Day brooch from a few years ago in copper to show the beauty of this material.

 

Dog Days of Summer

The dog days of summer are here.  As we near the end of August,  there are a few activities we look forward to each year they are   making tomato sauce from the bounty of the veggie garden,  the NY State Fair, enjoying the end of August dinner dishes from the garden harvest. Two of these are possible this year.  The fair will wait for 2021. 

As a small bushiness in Rochester, NY I am thankful to those whom have come before me to secure my right to vote.

Happy to have this month with such focus on the Centennial of the 19th amendment.  Working with one group this Friday  to put together our video for the Susan B virtual parade this year.  You can join the celebration here:
 Susan B Parade 2020

Remember, stay safe, wear a mask, social distance in public, flatten the curve, stay home and use compassion. For every $100 you spend at a local business,  $68 stays in the community. Black Lives Matter

    Buy Local from the Maker 

My shop:  Panda Wear Website

Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems 
Instagram: Instagram

For Education  Search 
 I Can't Breathe
Black Lives Matter
and read from fact checked news sources.  As a supporter I need to speak up.  Please join me.

Hand made Copper or Sterling silver earring with part of the proceeds to benefit Flower City Habitat for Humanity.I am part of the Women build project again this year. 

 Earring are $49 per pair.

If you would prefer to give directly, you may donate here:


 Kim's Page

Calico Hammers Women Build

I miss my time with my Women build team helping Habitat for Humanity build homes.  This pic is a few years old and is at the end of the day.  The group is a fun bunch of ladies to work with.   I am in the red shirt & purple hard hat on the right side of this pic. 

Flower City Habitat for Humanity (FCHH) is our local Habatat.

Want to know how easy it is to help build with us?  A little goes a long way.  

You can donate to help here:

Kim's Page

Calico Hammer will be back as a team in 2021.  We are helping in many ways this year as individuals.  

      Buy Local from the Maker 

My shop:  Panda Wear Website

Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Pinterest: Pinterest 
Instagram: Instagram

For Education  Search 
 I Can't Breathe
Black Lives Matter
and read from fact checked news sources.  As a supporter I need to speak up.  Please join me. 

 Black Lives Matter!  Flatten the curve. Wear A Mask. Stay Safe. Practice social distancing.

Jewelry Safety and Precious Metals

Since February 2009 the Federal government in the USA has required manufactures to have their products for sale to children tested for lead. 

I am often asked why I use gemstones and precious metals in my work.  Why not go the the local craft store and by the cheap stuff on sale?  I use precious metals gemstones in the creations of the jewelry because I make a quality product.  I want my work to last, not be disposable & throw out after wearing once or twice.   Precious metals do not need certification at this point.  The materials used to create them are known.  For complete safety I do not sell or market my work as children's jewelry. 

For more information about safety in Jewelry and there hazards in our home. Made Safe. 

their blog on jewelry jewelry blog

I have often written about my process and the materials I use.  My precious metals blog Metals 101

Honesty and discourse of what someone is buying is a integral part of my business.  the earring have have surgical steel earwires; as the copper patinas(turns green), your ears do not. I always tell people jewelry is a body decoration and do not swim or sleep in it.  

For Education  Search 
 I Can't Breathe
Black Lives Matter
and read from fact checked news sources.  As a supporter I need to speak up.  Please join me. 

Just finished reading this last week &  I am humbled.

when they call you a terrorist

a black lives matter memoir

Black Lives Still Matter!

Seeds of Kambaba in Sterling silver below.  One of my gavotte gemstones to cut.  

  Buy Local from the Maker 

My shop:  Panda Wear Website
Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Instagram: Instagram

For every $100 you spend at a local business,  $68 stay in the community.  

We are in this together. Wear a Mask, Stay home, Stay safe, Flatten the curve, Fasts Matter.  

Celebration of Fruits

Happy Garden 

Celebration of Fruits in this happy garden.  The red & black raspberries are doing well.  Watering  them frequently helps.  Most years the first tomatoes are early July.  the wait on them had been LONG this year.  The darkness on the top of the fruit belongs.  these are Indigo Blue tomatoes from Harris Seed.  Surprised they are the first ripe fruits of 2020 on my tomatoes. We are growing 7 varieties of tomatoes this year. 

Add caption

My cucumber vines are extremely happy this years. They climb a trellis which is over four feet tall and they have completely overgrown.  This is necessary here in my Rochester, NY garden to keep mildew away and to keep slugs off my fruits.  Hope to have some to harvest in the next 10 days.  The two recent rains have helped with over 2 inches each in the past two weeks.  We use soaker hoses to keep the vegetable garden alts watered which keeps our water use to a minimum.  It gives a deep soaking on the roots of the plants and helps prevent issues from wet foliage. One of the smartest changes int he garden for us.  in under 2 hours we have the 12" by 35' garden watered.  during the heat wave we do this every other day. 

For every $100 you spend at a local business,  $68 stays in the community. Black Lives Matter!  Flatten the curve. Wear A Mask. Stay Safe.

Sterling Silver Pendant 

       Buy Local from the Maker 

My shop:  Panda Wear Website

Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Pinterest: Pinterest 
Instagram: Instagram

For Education  Search 
 I Can't Breathe
Black Lives Matter
and read from fact checked news sources.  As a supporter I need to speak up.  Please join me.

2020 Events Artisit's Life

Any other year, this would be a time of year when I would share the success of the season so far.  This year was off to a fantastic start with my goal of participating in more events then ever before in a calendar year. 

 My success ratio was the best in several years and I had many new projects / designs in process.  the Winter was working well to develop the ideas & prototypes.  

Thanks to corona virus no live events / shows from March forward for the rest of 2020.  The beginning of this I spent two months unable to create.  60 days unable to do what I love.  that was HARD!

On the upside:  have a roof over my head,  food to eat, & great friends to talk to during this pandemic.   

I wish I could say I understand how the African Americans feel.  It is time we listen. Let our sisters & brothers take the  lead & show us what we can do to help them. 

I know we can fix this and become one nation again.  It will be a process and it will take time.  Be patient and show your LOVE of others now more than ever. 

DISCRIMINATION,
POLICE BRUTALITY
& RACISM are  WRONG. 

How do you help you ask?  >>>>>>>>>>>>

this is a problem we had had for generations and we need fix it NOW!

             Buy Local from the Maker 

My shop:  Panda Wear Website
Facebook:  PandaWire Facebook
Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Instagram: Instagram

For every $100 you spend at a local business,  $68 stay in the community.  

We are in this together. Wear a Mask, Stay home, Stay safe, Flatten the curve, Fasts Matter.   

Please join on on the 100 anniversary of the 19th amendment. Seneca Falls Revisited conference 2020.   We are doing a virtual party in 2020   It is an amazing collection of of topics & speakers. 

Register here 2020 Conference

Conference teaser

Join your sisters and Celebrate this Centennial !

Juneteenth 2020 from my garden

Juneteenth

Definition WIKIpedia

Celebrated Friday 6/19 this year. It is the oldest known celebration honoring the end of slavery in the United States. Twitter & square made it a company holiday.  My city, Rochester, NY  has an event every year.  Take time and see what is offered where you live and step up to help the celebrations.As always there are many great sources for information please fact check before you share stories.  Truth Matters! 

Garden

It has been a week of firsts in the veggie garden.  First snowpeas of 2020 harvested & first Gigantic woodchuck.We hope he was passing thru and it not still around.  Happy to have all the vegetable planted.  The Cucumbers & Bush Beans went into the ground and that feels wonderful.   Prolific harvest of the greens & lettuces because of  good care of them.  Water is vital in the unusual heat we have had this Spring.

Yes it is still spring.  The first day of summer is June 20th.  Two of the wonderful & happy Kale in my backyard garden



.

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Want to be educated?  Search 
 I Can't Breathe
Black Lives Matter
and read for fact checked news sources.  As a supporter I need to speak up.  Please join me.

Black Lives Still Matter - Almost Summer 2020

A fantastic article about the racism problem.  Posted by Ben & Jerry's.thank you to them for making this visible.

Silence is Not an Option


Want ot learn more?  Search I Can't Breathe and read for fact checked news sources.  As an ally I need to speak up.  Please join me.

Garden 2020

Here is some watercress I planted in my pond in 2019.  I was surprised to see it growing this spring and it seems to like my water feature.  The goldfish in my pond are eating it & there are several floating plants from the original one.

Yes the first green tomato of 2020.  Happy to see my garden doing well amid all the turmoil  in the world right now.  I find peace in my backyard garden. 

 For ways to help my post from last week

No justice No Peace




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Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
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No Justice No Peace

BLACK LIVES MATTER

It has been difficult recently.  Hard to see such rampant racism in the USA. It has been encouraged from many places and it must STOP!

No Justice

No Peace

I wish I could say I Understand how the African Americans feel.  I empathize and I am an avid supporter.  It is time we listen. Let our brothers take the  lead & show us what we can do to help them.. I know we can fix this and become one nation again.   It will be a process and it will take time.  be patient and show your love of others now more then ever.

Being the second generation of an immigrant family I empathize with what many are going through right now.
DISCRIMINATION,
POLICE BRUTALITY
& RACISM are  WRONG.

Support & Help links below

https://blacklivesmatter.com/arts-culture/ 

Defund the Police Petition 

 Many more in the image on the right.  

In NY OMH Emotional Support Helpline: 1-844-863-9314

more help:https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/covid-19-resources.html