Garden Design Day 2020 SEASON

My favorite day is the 1st day digging into the garden for the the initial seeds of the season. It is about 2 months away. to prepare for the 2020 Veggie garden, I was working on the design last week. Today, we ordered some seeds of a few varieties we ran out of from last year.

Harvest 2017

Bell pepper seeds will be planted today. Our garden is planted for success.  We use a three year crop rotation to rest the soil and increase production for the Vegetable.  Hoping Mother Natures helps this years by giving a good freeze for the 6 weeks necessary to kill the pests from last year. The yo yo temperatures and wet spring increased disease last year and made it difficult for local farmers to plant crops.


PBS article about the difficulties last spring.  "For farmers, record flooding and a wet spring mean many fields can’t be planted" 2019 Wet Spring PBS Newshour

Looking forward to the seeds sprouting and the growing to begin in my plants. Several inches of snow on the ground now & below freezing temperatures outside.  Yes it is winter in Rochester, NY.

1/19/20 NOW members

Last Month I was able to attend the Womens March in Seneca Falls.  There were three fantastic days of sisterhood in this historic area. This is part of our NOW, National Organization for Women,  group on the 3rd day of the event at the First Presbyterian Church of Seneca Falls.  Yes that is me in the feminist t shirt left of center.

Relatively new style in copper per customer requests for more copper please.  Also have copper bracelets, anklets, necklaces & tiaras.
       Buy Local  from the maker.

My shops:  Panda Wear Website
                   Cabochons and Beads

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

Reflections of an Entrepreneur

I am a lady artist in this new century. What a fantastic journey it has been so far.


On this last day of 2019, New Year's Eve I was inspired by the quote below.

This is one of my favorite pieces to have created.  Seeds of Kambaba unites my love of gardening and lapidary with jewelry design.  Maybe it should be part of a series of garden inspired designs?  What to you think? 

The Sam Haskins quote is a fantastic example of what it feels like to be an artist.


As this decade comes to a close we are all reflecting on what this past decade has meant to us.  There have been so many laments and reflections that I have seen recently.  How do we turn off the outside noise aka our technology and enjoy the quality time with family?  Especially this time of year as a lady without a living father this time of year is never easy.









I have become an activist in the past decade as a feminist.  One major reason being  we are still not paid equal pay for equal work as females.  I have been a supporter of the ERA since last centruy.  No it has not passed or been fully ratified yet.  It will be that I am certain.

Want to help? Join NOW            ERA.org

NOW,  National Organization for Women in your area.  I was elected treasurer for my local chapter this year.   It is an honor to be part of this organization.





Want to support this Artist, feminist activist?
 Buy Local  from the maker.

My shops:  Panda Wear Website
                   Cabochons and Beads

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


Happy to create for you in precious metals a unique piece of your very own.

April Showers in Spring Garden

We always welcome  April showers in our garden.  It is the time when we see the garden come back to life from the ground. Almost overnight there is so much bright green everywhere. The crocus on the right were sprigs of green right before the flowers appeared.  

Well before these crocus thought of springing out of the ground, the planning began for the Vegetable Garden.  We use crop rotation to keep the group from becoming overwork.  When the snow was still falling,  back in early February, the layout began.  

The first seeds went int the garden in Much.  Thank you peas for being able to withstand the fluctuating temperatures of late March & early April.   

Shortly after the peas were planted the Mustard & Mesclun went into the garden.  These seeds were started in early March. Happy to say the first harvest will be this week for fresh greens from the garden.  Welcome to home grown in April.  The best thing when making a meal is to have fresh from your own backyard garden. 

Why would you want a garden you may ask?  

• Flavor
• Convenience
• Pride / satisfaction of success
• Control of the process
• Non-GMO crops 
• Fragrance
• Beneficial guests in the garden

We welcome input from our readers.  The best way to know exactly what people are looking for is to have them request it. We do our best to accommodate customer requests.  Copper teardrops are one answer to  -  more copper pieces please.  These are a new earring design that is proving to be popular.  Shown in all natural copper, teardrops catch the light as they move & are very lightweight.  They are available in both large and small sizes.  

Happy dance for this design and a few others recently in copper.  More on the new copper pieces in a future blog post.  

Custom cut gemstone cabochons are one of our passions. This plume agate showcases the beauty Mother Nature puts into her work.  We take pride in discovering the beauty inside each stone and showing it to you.  These gemstones are available to be set into a special piece for your gift giving pleasure.  

Another way we share the gems is to sell wholesale to other jewelry designers in the area and worldwide.  

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

Note:  Website prices are retail.  Please send PM for wholesale inquiry along with your business credentials.  

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.



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


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

Happy Inspirational Monday

Hello and Happy Monday.  As we  nearing the end of Spring, we are grateful & enjoying the bounty of the spring greens.  The vegetables & flowers are doing well this year.  Happy this spring has not been super wet &  bit more ran would be welcome.   

Always grateful for topic suggestions by my followers. 

Some of the beauty found in the garden this week.  Our hope is to have red ripe tomatoes by the end of the 1st week of July.  May you find the joy we do in a hobby of your own.  Gardening is the one pleasure we have daily.  My recent travel has taught me it is universal pleasure to enjoy nature.  As I stopped to take photos in the Phoenix Botanical Gardens earlier this year,  the beauty of the musical voices of many cultures fell upon my ears.  We were all enjoying the same landscape and language was not necessary to understand the pleasure everyone was sharing. 


 As I gardener I was inspired by this quote by Tina Martin of Huffington Post  "No matter what situation is changing, don’t get discouraged! It’s uncomfortable, but great things never come from comfort zones. Embrace and welcome change. Consider it a blessing you needed but couldn’t make happen on your own. "

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

Step outside your comfort zone and see what wonderful things develop. 

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.

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

Uncover Nature's Treasures

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” —Albert Einstein


We use our eyes as one does while on vacation.  We see the flowers and sprigs of nature in  a new way.  As we survey the yard & gardens, we uncover the treasures nature has to show us.

Join us on this adventure:   the next walk you take in a park or garden you like to visit. pretend you have not been there before and look at the space as a visitor would.   I believe you will enjoy the trip and want to bring a friend the next time. Let me know how this changes your day.  

First harvest from the herb garden was part of dinner,  fresh chives.  One fragrant pic to share today.  Headed back to be inspired by the beauty and the scents of the gardens.  Now it is your turn to Uncover Natures Treasures.



My shops:  Panda Wear Website
                   Cabochons and Beads

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

Vegetable garden pics will be here very soon.  

Spring Equinox - Garden Reborn

Good day and Happy Spring Equinox. 

Today marks the beginning of spring rebirth in the garden. Several sure signs of spring in my backyard - Robins are back and the rabbit is munching on my plants and lawn.   Yes there is snow melting here in the sunshine. 

Enjoy this small window of my garden a few years ago.  Today daffodil stems are sprouting thru the snow.  We know in no time the yard will be full of the scent of this season.

One of my grandmother favorite flowers is the zinnia.  This is from my garden several
years back.  as any who follow this blog know, we are avid backyard gardeners here in Rochester, NY.  Vegetables and flowers are plentiful in our gardens.

Yes the seeds have been panted for the vegetable garden.  Tomatoes and peppers are sprouted and growing in the warmth of the indoors.  counting the days until we can plants the peas and green outside.  

Memories of a fabulous day on our Vacation last month at the Tucson Gem Shows.
My shops:  Panda Wear Website
                   Cabochons and Beads

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

'Science is not only a disciple of reason but, also one of romance and passion,"  Stephen Hawking.

August How did this happen?

It is August and the summer is nearing the final hurrah.  Enjoy every moment.   The garden is tenacious because of all our compost it had received over the years.  We are happy to have a decent harvest at this point of the summer. Our experience and well enriched soil are why we have a successful garden.


Our harvest so far from the backyard garden:  beefsteak tomatoes, zucchini, cucumber, lettuce, tomatillo, kale, swiss chard, celery, thyme, oregano, sage, chives & fennel.  Several of them in this pic at right.  Green salsa = tomatillo salsa have been put away for later this year. One delicious way to use the salsa, is as a marinade. 

Went to the 2017 Flour City Brew Fest at the Rochester Public Market this past weekend.  It is a great way to enjoy the many unique and interesting creations by the talented brewers in my area. Certainly on the list of not to miss events for 2018.  A fantastic band, Grass is Dead was the headliner at the fest which made the event delightful.

Sterling silver or 14ktgf - which is my favorite metal to create with? This piece is Sterling & dichroic glass from a glass class from several years ago. 

My shops:  Panda Wear Website
                   Cabochons and Beads

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

Enjoy your journey creating memories with your family through this beautiful season. 

Vacation days

Often I am asked where do your designs come from? What inspire you?   Here is a peak at some of my inspiration last month.



 Long weekend, vacation days, time off, relax & rejuvenate.  Everyone has a name for it and we all need to realize the value of this.
We spent the day hiking and communing with nature. Here are pics from the wonderful day off.  Was there a better way to spend this day? He & I truly enjoyed the long weekend spent together -  hiking and enjoying nature.

The tranquil foam on the pool of water (above) made me want to be able to touch it.   

One of the walls (right) in the Grand Canyon of the East.  Beautiful layers in this rock showing the age of the wall, the mineral inside all made possible by the water moving thru this area. Being a lapidary, this is a treasure to see. 


This last photo (below) is my favorite part of the hike, after we crossed the bridge.  All you could hear was nature- zero people, cars, technology. 


Where?  Letchworth State Park on the 4th of July weekend.

 My shops:  Panda Wear Website
                   Cabochons and Beads

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


Enjoy the moment, like we did.  Take a walk down the road, go for a short drive, spend time outdoors and enjoy how you feel when you are there.