Tomatoes Time Arrives

The long awaited day has arrived in my Rochester, NY garden.  We took last year off to treat the garden for a tomato problem.   We are planting tomatoes this week.  Happy dance over here.  Their harvest will be the next BIG celebration.  

The current harvest or happy plants include leaf lettuce, mustard, and collards. Our  snow peas are vining but not producing yet. Lettuce in the picture at right. 

Happy for the normal temperatures to return so the spring growing season can produce the food we enjoy.   The climate emergency has shown types of plants we choose will need to change.  With strong fluctuations as wet and dry as well as hot and cold this spring we need to prepare.

Black Lives Matter

We need to change the way we treat others in this country. #blm #blacklivesmatter #ally #bekind #lovewins 

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

 Free the People ROC

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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

Copper Geometry Line Lanuch

  We have a Winner

 

Gods N Gladiators founder Alexandros Hatzigiannidis won the jewelry giveaway from the launch of the Copper Geometry jewelry line.  So happy to be able to pick a winner.  Congratulations to Alexandros!   

His shop :Gods N Gladiators

 

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Hello Sping 2022

Welcome to Spring 2022 in my corner of the world.  We have snow in the forecast for this week and my garden is fighting with all it has to show off in spite of the forecast.  The Spring Equinox arrived Sunday morning here in Rochester, NY.  I was so happy to see it arrive.  I had a countdown this month on social media.

This is one of the crocus clusters in my backyard garden.  I am enjoying the shape of the blossoms this year. I find myself looking at this differently after dealing with the pandemic for the past two years. 

 How has you view changed?

 As you may know, I am an avid gardener.  Both flowers and vegetables.  Most of my flowers are perennials because they show off without much outside assistance.  I prefer to spend the worm months enjoying all of what outside has to offer.   

The seedlings are doing well.  Happy to say some will be planted the end of this month. My first plants in the dirt are peas and lettuce.  They are the most hardy of my vegetables.   This is 2021 Celery that wanted to see 2022. Sometimes the prior growing season continues under the snow and peaks out after the thaw.   

Black Lives Matter

I invite everyone to be kind and support our sisters and brothers.We need to teach history
accurately all year, not just in February. 

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

 Free the People ROC

#blacklivesmatter 

#standup

#speakup

#listen  

We are in this together. Wear a Mask,  Stay safe,  Facts Matter, Science is REAL.

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May Day 2020

The Calendar say it is May Day 2020.  Definition form Wikipedia for those unfamiliar with the celebration of spring on May Day:  May Day is a public holiday usually celebrated on May 1 or the first Monday of may.  It is an ancient festival of Spring and  current traditional spring holiday in many European cultures.  Dances, singing & cake are usually part of the festivities.You can read more here:  May Day details

This is temporary art I found in Taughannock Falls State Park in 2018.  It feels perfect for May Day today.

 The weeping cherry tree in my front yard.  As an avid gardener, I feel the change to spring strongly.  Especially this year with all the changes we have had to endure. It is painful to have to offer condolences from a distance.  Staying safe is vital to our recovery form this pandemic.

What we are dealing with is not forever.  We will get through this together and be wiser.  Please remember to be kind as you practice social distance and wear your PPE to go for a walk or go grocery shopping.  Stay strong and know there are people if you need to talk.  in NY OMH Emotional Support Helpline: 1-844-863-9314 more here:https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/covid-19-resources.html

Time seems to move at a difference speed.  My last public event was Dance Flurry in Saratoga Springs Valentine's Day weekend, 2 months ago.  Banner over the stage in the room the vendors were in at right.  The BIG thing I will remember is the LOVE & TOGETHERNESS & ACCEPTANCE I felt at the event.  It was a phenomenal event to be part of and I hope t be able to attend next year.  Some of the participants only see each other at this event once a year.

Remember Mother's Day is one week away. As a small business owner I know how difficult it is at this time.  As a women owner business it is challenging to generate the income necessary to keep the business afloat.  We are counting our community to support all local business. 

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

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Special orders welcome.

Yes it is Spring

As an avid gardener my spring plants for the veggie garden do not wait for the frost to go away.  They are large enough for transplant but my muddy garden is not ready for them.  There are both plus and minus to  homegrown plants.   My tomatoes are six inches tall right now & they smell fantastic.   We may try to remove & dry some of the soil to help them.


My giveback at this time is hosting an artist chat once a week.  Started last week.  Sure feels good to connect with like minded creatives right now.  Hard to be in isolation as an artist. Making a few new wearable works of wire art.

Working on adding more of my gemstones & finished jewelry to the website.  Time consuming to edit all the pics need to show the detail in the pieces.  Please take a look and let me know what you like.  Have some quarts points on FB and a few pewter beads for you to do your own DIY jewelry.  There are kits from $10 each for earrings.

Find memories of sisterhood from the trip to DC & our Womens' March on Washington 1/21/17.  Met some great ladies and felt a sense of sisterhood and love from the gathering.

Womens' March on Washington 2017

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Please remember to be kind.  We will get through this difficult time as long as we are together.  PM if interested in the Artist chats.Stay safe & show your love to others via face time, zoom or other social distancing choices.

February Family Memories

I welcome the end of this month because spring is in March.  As many of you know, I am an avid gardener.  Another annual event is remembering my Father & his Mother both of whom have birthdays the end of the month.  They both showed me strong family, love & tolerance for all. This year the month adds another family memory, the passing of my father's middle brother, Russell.  My Uncle Russell passed away & his service was Saturday, 2/22.

My Grandmother loved gardening and her flowers were a show of her dedication to nature.  This was obvious at her home in the NE area is the city of Rochester & the summer home her husband build in the 1000 Islands in St Lawrence county. One of my favorite flowers in her garden was the Peonies.  She had both the pink & the white flowering plants.This is the pink flowering type in my backyard garden.  When they first bloomed here my only thought when I inhaled the intoxicating aroma was of Grandma.



As I enjoy the sprouts of my tomatoes & bell peppers, I think of my family and the fantastic gardens at Grandma & Grandpa's house when I was a child. The Blackberries & Red Raspberries were always harvested by my sister & I.  Amazing that any of the fruits made it into the house by the color of our hands from the harvest of the super juicy berries.This is the view from the dock at the summer place several years ago.  The water lilies are wild there and helped me to have my own backyard pond.  the sound of the water takes me back to the cottage in the 1000 islands and many summer weekends with my father when I was a child.

Habitat for Humanity Women Build 2013

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Almost Summer - Rain Dance

Welcome to the end of Spring and anticipation of a great Summer here in Western NY.  Thursday is the Summer Solstice and it marks the official beginning of summer.  Try something new, find an event celebrating it and attend.

We would like some rain here in the garden it is dry here and nature give the best soaking water to the flowers and vegetables.  The snow peas are doing well,  even with the extra warmth this month.  Unseasonable 90's for the early part of June so far.




The Snow peas on the over 4 foot tall vines.  Our harvest in the past few days has been enough to know we can freeze some this year.

Happy to say the tomatoes are on track for the early July harvest.  We can hardly wait to enjoy the first salad with fresh homegrown tomatoes.  We grow all our vegetables from seeds.  With the dry here we are hoping for some rain good soaking rain.  Even made plans to dance in the rain when it arrives.  

What is growing in you gardens?  What are you pans for the summer? Are you ready to enjoy the sand between your toes?  We are and making some travel plans. 

Beach glass ring in Sterling Silver from Lake Ontario.  I only use natural glass created by the years and the water washing it over.  Inspired by the beauty and working on new designs.



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Albert Einstein  "The difference between Stupidity and Genius is that genius has it limits."

2018 Vegetable Inspiration

Good day and welcome to mid-spring in Western NY.  Inspired by my vegetables each year.   Veggie garden layout was finished over a moth ago when we still had freezing temperatures.  The   Snow Peas, Mustard, Kale, Collards, Broccoli, Romain lettuce are all in the dirt. 

One of the best things about this season, is investigating the changes the winter has brought to my garden.  Last year my Oregano survived but it was not growing quickly until a new oregano was planted. Still investigating how the perennials and annuals are doing.

 

It is the first of May today and happy to have one third of the vegetables in the ground and growing. As an organic designer, I am inspired by the way the leaves curl in the garden.  Also the angles of the light & shadows around the plants and ornamentation in the gardens.  

Above is the finished Flower I made several years ago in a glass class in Corning, NY at the CMOG.  It was a hot glass class and the surprise part was the actual color of the finished piece.  Inspiration to try another media is a great way to grow as an artist.  I have tried to work in galss several times but my passion is as a lapidary working in wire.

This Sterling silver piece is Seeds of Kambaba, a stunning custom cut Cabochon for this Statement Piece.

Reminder Mother's Day is 12 days from today.    May you be inspired by your passion the way I am.  Take the other turn toady and see when it takes you.   Buy Local, shop small & support the  Artists / Artisans  where you live.

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Happy Saint Patrick's Day

 

 Happy St. Patrick's Day. everyone  The countdown to the start of the spring season continues as I tick off the days on the calendar.
I am so happy to be enjoying the day today -  the sun is shinning & the calendar is right on target for the new season.  The weather forecast is for some snow in the next few days. which is very typical March in Rochester, NY.

Above and below are crocus and to the right are Hyacinth peaking up.  They seem a little confused that it is only March here but fingers crossed they still bloom this year.  Hyacinths smell divine and,  for me when their soft perfume fills the air it is always a sign Spring has arrived.

My vegetable garden design is done, the seeds have sprouted & a few are larger enough to be transplanted.  I am just waiting for the earth to warm up to put them into the ground.  My peas will be planted in the next few weeks starting my outdoor garden.   

May your garden be happy and your seeds grow well.  

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First Snowfall of the Season

With the Indian summer here it has not felt like fall until recently. Officially it arrived 9/23/15.  Fall has arrived in Rochester, NY.  The leaves have blanketed the ground recently.  This is one of the roses in my garden trying to show off after the first snowfall of this season.   Fall is my favorite season.  It may be the end of the growing season but it shows the beauty in so many plants.  Just think about the first bite of an apple in September or the first taste of toasted pumpkin seeds in October. 

Happy to take order for delivery in December until 11/30.   Show schedule on my website. 

 This is fountain grass ( not positive on the variety) shows off at the end of the season.  It was pretty throughout the summer and into early fall.  To really  appreciate the plant, you need to see it this way.  The look of the seeds at the top with this light dusting of the first snowfall of the season.  I tried to capture the inspiration I get from my garden this time of year.  What do you think?  are you feeling inspired to take a walk outside and admire nature where you are?  When you see the gentle twist of my wire or the spirals I use, they came from something beautiful I have seen in nature.

For those that read this blog regularly, you know this is my backyard pond.  We hand dug this over 15 years ago when were were re-landscaping the property.  This is my pond in fall.  Taken for  the perspective of the the side where the waterfall is on the brick path.  You have seen the pond with the waterfall in summer and the beautiful pink water lilies in full bloom. 

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Labor Day and Taking 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 worked wonders on Memorial Day weekend.  It is good to take time off and take personal me time.  I have started putting it on my calendar.  I always tell my entrepreneur  friends to do this, I need to practice what I preach.

How you spend the time is going to be your decision.  It will be different for you and me.  What relaxes me may not be your cup of tea.  Even a nice relaxing soak in a hot tub may be all you need.  think about a special  weekend with you significant other and both unplug and enjoy each others company.  The get away does not need to be a million dollar getaway and cross the ocean for it to be time off(down time).  Just relax and enjoy it. 

Enjoying the three day weekend.  The heat wave, over 90 today,  means we are spending much time in the pool.  Will be harvesting more from my garden this week.  Have made tomatoes into sauce twice this year. here is my harvest from last week.  guess what these are?  At right as the full plant and below as a close of of the edible part of the plant. 

Amazed it is Labor Day weekend all ready.  It seems like it was just the forth of July.  This summer seemed to zoom by for me.  would not know it is the unofficial end of summer by the 90's outside now.  As for me and fall it is way past time to start working on my show schedule for the end of year holidays.  Also to make some fall and winter items.  Hard to think of the fall items when it is so nice to just swim in my backyard.  Will have some new jewelry photos of my new items soon.  

Below is a piece of Owyhee Sunset Jasper.
more here   Rock slabs

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Summer, Are you enjoying the party?

August is here and it is hard to believe summer is half over.  Time really seems to have zinged by this year. I am enjoying the season and making the most of it.  We are finishing redoing the brick paver walkway by the pond in the backyard.  The vegetable garden is happy and still producing tomatoes.  Cucumbers are there so salads are frequent with my meals. 

 I have decided to join one of the local farmer's markets for the rest of the summer.  I will be at the Genesee Valley Regional Market in Henrietta.  The hours and address are here:  http://bit.ly/1gP5b2S


One of the recent harvests with carrot man. Below pic shows the full harvest with snow peas, kale, cucumbers, beans and tomatoes. 

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Enjoy the rest of this beautiful season.  

Guess What....garden bounty?

My new shopping cart is working well for the website.  Very happy to have new traffic and from so many different places.  Visitors from over 25 countries and the majority from about 10 different countries. Surprised to see visitors from so many countries. 

and drum roll please......

The long wait is over.  My Vegetable garden has produced the first ripe tomatoes.  I harvested them this morning. these are the first two cherry tomatoes form the 2015 garden.  Behind them are kale and leaf lettuce, all going into a great salad for dinner tonight.    Prior years tomatoes were ripe by about the 10th or 12th of July.

This second pic shows the greens better.  I enjoy gardening.  Wish my father and his Mom were here to show them what I have in my yard.  Many thanks to both of them;  my love of tools and growing things is due to they love and teaching me when I was younger.

This is Genny From Charlotte, a stunning Sterling silver pendant. I collected the beach glass myself in Charlotte on Lake Ontario. To see this & many more of my creations, website link is below.

Have a happy summer day.

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New Shopping and Site Improvements

The Panda Wear website has just been updated.  We recently added a shopping cart to make the customer experience more enjoyable.  Fell free to to take a look around and let me know if you like it.  I was surprised it took about 2.5 months from start to finish to add the shopping cart.  It only went live after extensive testing.  Link at the bottom of this post. 

Here is one new section for gifts for the stone lover in you life.  It features gem trees and polished geodes.

http://bit.ly/1LaAHEI 

I am working on more gifts for the men besides there items.  looked at belt buckles but did not like my choices for setting.  working on tie chains and rings.  I have a few unisex necklaces. 
always happy to make a custom piece for the special person in your life.   

The jewelry designers will like the Cabochons section.  Also great for the bead embroidery people.  Many of my stone are natural on the back which makes it much easier to glue them for bead embroidery.  The stone at the left is turtilla agate.

http://bit.ly/1Gzbyfe 

New items are being added daily to all areas of the site.   There are several hundred to be added.  if there was a fast and easy way to snap my fingers and have in all done in a day I would go that route.  

Working on some new earring designs and a few rings and pendants.  my next show is local in the city of Rochester, NY. The Festival is August 16th.   It is the annual Susan  B. Anthony festival. this year we celebrate the 95th anniversary of the 19th Amendment! It is always fun way to spend the day.  I admire Ms.Anthony and all she accomplished for women.  More details closer to the event. 

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