Why Shop Small and Support Local

 Shop Small

Three questions about shop Small and Support Local 

• What does it mean to shop small?  
• Why does it matter?
• Who does it benefit?

The term shop small means to buy from small business and not the big box stores. In my state, New York,  25% or 1 in 4 business have permanently closed in the first two years of the pandemic.  Where you spend your money matter and helps keep local business in your community.  Those local business support local causes and charities because we are close to them.  As an artist, and entrepreneur,  I know what is means to put everything into my business. 

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

BLACK LIVES MATTER

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

 Free the People ROC

March 23rd is three years since Daniel Prude was killed by police. Their graphic of events next week.  

I believe in supporting my local community. As an ally,  I know we need to listen and show up to support groups in our city.  FTP ROC is a vital part of our community.  

RSVP   bit.ly/DanielsLawWOA

Celebrate Womens History Month

 How are you celebrating the beginning Womens' History Month?  

Pink Boots Society

So inspirational to hear the founder of this organization, Teri Fahrendorf,  at the Pink Boots Collaboration BrewDay At Prison City Brewery. this is an annual event in Auburn NY and the entire weekend is a celebration. you can step up and support them on their site below.  They allow donations and sell merchandise.  

Pink Boots

 

Looking for other inspirational events which give back to the community for the month.  Feel free to send any events you were inspired by to me.  

These boots make me want to dig in the dirt.

Black Lives Matter

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

 Free the People ROC

We need to support our brothers and sisters

#bekind

#blacklivesmatter
#blm 
#standup
#listen

#nojusticenopeace

Buy Local from the Maker 

 

photographer: Tim Fusse

 My Store:  My Shop

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

Vegetable Garden for 2023

What is my favorite day of the gardening season?  My favorite day is the 1st day digging into the garden for the the initial seeds of the season. It is about four weeks away. As we prepare for the 2023 Veggie garden, I was working on the design a few weeks ago.  As we stared some seeds, our excitement builds.  

The most important element to keeping our garden happy is the homemade compost we add to the soil every year.  happy to have soaker hoses in the gardens so the water goes only where we need it.  

Shown are a few of the early sprouts of our vegetables and Morrisonite in gold statement pendant.

Black Lives Matter

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

 Free the People ROC

 

We need to support our brothers and sisters.

#bekind
#blacklivesmatter 
#blm 
#standup
#listen
#lovewins

Buy Local from the Maker 

 

 My Store:  My Shop

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

Hello 2023

 Hello 2023 and goodbye 2022.  Welcome to February 2023. Hello 2023, so Happy to be here. 

A few things to ponder: 

 

 

How as Americans can we do better than last year? 

How do you change last years routine to make this year different?

Do you set goals for the year or the month?

 

Family

As I start this second month, I fondly remember my family.  My father and his mother have birthdays in February.  Dad's birthday is today and his mom's is next Saturday.  I had the tremendous pleasure of extended time with family this fall.  It was priceless and memorable.  

This cutie is me held by my father with his father on the left of the picture.  Obviously,  is an older photograph printed on paper and aged naturally.  Sadly, we lost my father to cancer when I was a teenager.  Cancer Sucks. 

The pic was taken in my grandparents living room.  I do not remember this day.  oh the memories in that room...... Inside the doorway behind them is where the books to read were kept.  

BLACK LIVES MATTER

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

Link is their Facebook page.

I believe in supporting my local community. As an ally I know we need to listen and show up to support local groups. Stand up and join local events, organizations and / or protests and learn about what is going on in your city. 

 My heart feels broken with the senseless racism and bigotry I have seen so far this year.  We  must do better as Americans.  

Shop Small Business, Support Artists

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

 My Store:  My Shop

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Pride earrings will support The Mochas Center all year. shown here.  

   Pride Earrings

Family Traditions with Love

Family 

• What family traditions do you practice especially in Fall & Winter?  
• Have you started new ones as you have grown your family?
• What new ways are you sharing quality time with family this year?   

We started what became a tradition about 20 years ago.  Valentines Day dinner was planned ahead. We made a turkey from scratch with all the trimmings.  The dinner provided easy meals later and one in the summer on the deck with leftover turkey and stuffing with a glass of wine.  We did not know how much we would like to do this until we tried it.  no long wait and restaurant for not great food anymore for us.  

BLACK LIVES MATTER

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

 Free the People ROC

 

I believe in supporting my local community. As an ally I know we need to listen and show up to support local groups. Stand up and join local events, organizations and / or protests and learn about wheat is going on in your city. 

Buy Local & Shop Small

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

My Shop:  My Shop

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

 

This stunning statement necklace is made with a fund shell from North Carolina.  Always happy to work with found objects.

 picture by PIxel Wave

 

 

Vote Today 2022

Thank you Sarah Epperson for your wonderful post.  Text and graphic © Sarah Epperson

Nov 8 is the LAST DAY to #Vote! Questions/problems #Voting? @866OURVOTE + Report #VoterSuppression & #VoterIntimidation 

⠀

“The #GOP spent *½ a century* working to overturn Roe.

Now, their sights are set on a national #Abortion ban, ending #MarriageEquality, denying contraception access, & revoking #TransRights.

When they tell you what their goals are, believe them.” - @WomensMarch

⠀

In many states, IT’S TOO LATE TO MAIL IN BALLOTS! Drop them off or #Vote IN PERSON. 25% of rejected ballots were rejected for being too late in 2016 & 2018 - Drop off your #ballot at a drop box, polling place, or election office near you ASAP! & make sure your vote is counted!

⠀

This election could be TIGHT & we need EVERY LAST VOTE to be counted. Republicans are currently trying to get as many ballots thrown away as possible, do not let this be yours! #VoterSuppression

⠀

You can track your #VoteByMail / #AbsenteeBallot in 45 states + DC

If you mailed your ballot or dropped it off, you can check to make sure your ballot was counted & not rejected. Ballot tracking will tell you when your ballot is: Mailed, Received & Counted. * If your ballot has been flagged for rejection, it is important to call your local county election officials immediately to try & fix (‘cure’) any problems.

Get more info: VoteSaveAmerica .com

⠀

VOTER HELPLINES:

English: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)

Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA  (888-839-8682)

Arabic: 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)

Asian Languages: 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)

ASL Video: 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683)

Voters w/ disabilities: text “ACCESS” to 43367

⠀

#KnowYourRights Voting Rights Guide from @ACLU_Nationwide : bit.ly/KnowYourVotingRights

My input today:  

Yes I believe we all need to stand up and VOTE.   

We voted early in my house because NY allows this.  

please help us save democracy today.  Please help body autonomy today.  

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

 

October is domestic violence awareness month.  Saw this installation at the Pubic Market in ROC and was excited.  Education is key for our community.  Willow is here to help anyone in need.  

Willow donate

This is one of a few charities in my city I support.  The Break the Silence megaphone is in this public space where many of us go every week.  

May this help to Amplify Hope in Rochester, NY.

Black Lives Matter

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

 Free the People ROC

 

  

We need to support our brothers and sisters.

#bekind
#blacklivesmatter 
#blm 
#standup
#listen
#lovewins

Shop Small 

support local business in your community.

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.

Homemade Pies in my Kitchen

Fall is here so time to enjoy the fall fruits as pies in my kitchen.  homemade is best.  Apple pie is the best with my choice of locally grown apples.  What is your favorite to bake with?  

As for the pumpkins we grew this year, the vine did not fully ripen them so they went back where they started, compost pile.  

My state & city are so beautiful. this is from one of the four Fredrick Law Olmstead parks in Rochester, Genesee Valley Park. It was a self care day and we enjoyed the quiet tranquil park.  The water is the Genesee river.  As we listened to nature on this bridge, two kayakers paddled down the river.  

Black Lives Matter

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

 Free the People ROC

 

  

We need to support our brothers and sisters.

#bekind
#blacklivesmatter 
#blm 
#standup
#listen
#lovewins

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.

October Beauty

 

Final harvest from the two large pots on my deck from this summer.  could not go completely without tomatoes.  These will ripen over the next two weeks and be amazing in salads.  

Currently enjoying the mustard & kale from the fall plantings in the vegetable garden.  We love fall veggies as much as spring veggies.  

I will be trying to make fresh pumpkin for pie this year from our compost pile volunteer.  Happy to share pics of this project next week.  Fingers crossed it works well.

VOTE

It is that time of year.  Verify you are registered to vote and bring a friend.  Make plans and be sure to know where your candidates stand on the issues you care about.  Mean things I look for: BLM, ERA, Reproductive rights, abortion rights, women rights.

Use this League of Women voters sight to look up your ballot and where your candidates stand.  

VOTE411

Black Lives Matter

 

We need to change the way we treat others in this country  I invite everyone to be kind and support our sisters and brothers.   We need to teach history accurately all year.  

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

 Free the People ROC

 

Buy Local and Shop Small

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Twitter:  Panda Wear Gems  
Instagram: Instagram

Buy Earrings 

 

 

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

October and Fall is here

 Hello Fall. What has kept me occupied recently?

• Closed the pool
• Made Sauce from scratch twice, canned once
• Fall yard clean up
• Travel to see family
• baking 
• Looking at events for rest 2022
• Volunteer work. NOW local board member

As you know, Huge Apple in fall person here. 
The volunteers from the compost pile.  For a number of years we had told our neighbors we take old pumpkins.  Annually we add 6-8 neighbor pumpkins to our compost pile.  This years they germinated into a vine.  

Black Lives Matter

 

 

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

 

Free the People ROC

 

We need to support our brothers and sisters.   

 #BLM #blacklivesmattter 

Shop Small

My Shop:  My Shop

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

This stunning piece is beach glass from ROC combined with sterling silver to create this necklace.  Have a vacation find you want to wear?  Happy to help you create the wearable art.