Candy Tree

This tree decorated with larger than life sized candy tickled my fancy.



I had some basswood kicking around, so I wood burned this version of the Candy Tree, then added some color with pencils.







Candy Tree
Small Art by JL Boynton
Basswood and colored pencil
2.5 inches by 3.5 inches
6.4 centimeters by 8.9 centimeters
Copyright ©2010 Sojourn Quilts

Cheers!--Janyce

Upcoming Women, Work and Community Workshops

If you are in the Bangor, Maine area and thinking of starting a business, I recommend these two workshops through Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community.

Introduction to Self-Employment

Date: February 2, 2010
Center: Bangor
Category: Business Assistance
Location: University College of Bangor, Bangor Hall, 1 University Drive, Bangor
Days of the week: Tuesday

Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
This introductory workshop will walk you through the pros and cons of owning your own business, the major elements of a business plan, the many resources available, and will help you decide whether self-employment is the right choice for you!

To register, contact Jane Searles: 262-7843 or email: searles@maine.edu


Basics of Business

Date: February 9, 16, 23
Center: Bangor
Category: Business Assistance
Location: University College of Bangor, Bangor Hall, 1 University Drive, Bangor
Days of the week: Tuesday
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

If you are thinking of starting a business, this 3 session training will answer questions, discuss pros and cons of being an entrepreneur, and help you take the first steps. The class covers the basics of a business plan, marketing, cash planning and is suitable for those thinking about or in the early start-up phase of a new business.

Pre-registration is required and attendance at all sessions is highly encouraged. There is no fee for attending.

The Basics curriculum was developed in partnership with the Women's Business Center at CEI.

To register, please call Jane Searles: 262-7843 or email: searles@maine.edu

Haiti

Information About Haiti and Ways to Help

Teaching My Left Foot To Sew

It is the strangest thing! I sew a lot and, like many people who sit for long periods, have developed a kink in my back: a twist in the muscles to be exact. My talented and kind physical therapist taught me better ways to sit and some very effective exercises to strengthen my core. (They work when I do them!).

So, I thought, as a way to give my kinked up back a break, I would teach myself to sew left-footed. Easy? Yes? No!

I positioned myself in front of the sewing machine, got the fabric and thread ready and stepped on the pedal with my non-dominant foot. It was not shy. In fact, Lefty stepped so hard on the pedal, the fabric went flying—needle pumping, feed dogs racing—and Righty, reflexively tried to get the pedal to slow down, pace itself and stop (to no avail).

I found myself having to say the words “Left foot, stop” in my head and then wait a few seconds for the signal to make itself down, through all the electrical wiring in my body, to my foot. Something was definitely lost in translation. And, so it went until my left foot built an experiential, electrical and physical memory of what it was like to sew. "Left foot, step on the pedal." "Left foot, press slowly--slowly--downward." "Left foot lift up slightly" "Left foot prepare to stop."

Teaching my left foot to sew is and was a great reminder at the awesome complexity of seemingly simple tasks. How amazing our bodies can learn to do what they do!

Thanks for the lesson, Lefty!

Cheers!--Janyce

Earthquake In Haiti

Today, we in the United States woke to news of a devastating earthquake in Haiti. As currently being reported, the quake was a magnitude of 7.0 and death tolls are expected to be high. Here is the AP Report, updated 1 minute ago as I write this: Thousands Feared Dead in Haiti Quake; Many Trapped. What an utterly helpless feeling. My heart goes out to all those affected by this tragedy.

The Lure

The first in a series of fabric art pieces I am doing based on my Maine "neighborhood" (basically anywhere in Maine). These fishing lures were hanging in a friend's barn.



I will probably do a few more versions of these lures before I am done, but wanted to put this up for your feedback and insights.





Lures
Original Stitched Art by JL Boynton
Made from repurposed fabrics, thread and watercolor paper
3.5 inches by 2.5 inches
8.9 centimeters by 6.4 centimeters
Copyright ©2010 Sojourn Quilts

Cheers!--Janyce

New Directions

It is that time of year--an introspective kind of season--when the cold forces a Mainer like me inside most of the time and, in lieu of twiddling my thumbs all day, I start sorting through my junk (physical and emotional). It is both an exhilarating and exhausting process. I try keeping what is good and chucking the rest. And, depending on how much energy I end up having for the process, I look forward to the rest of the year with a deeper understanding of where I have been and what I want to accomplish.

In my introspective moods, I wonder about this blog. Frankly, it seems to me to be suffering an identity crisis. I started the blog to telling other people's stories, focusing on how they use creativity to understand and rise above life's big and small challenges. I loved working with other artisans and I do not want to close the blog and lose all those wonderful stories. It seems, though, the interviews have run their course. A temporary lull? Maybe. Maybe not.

In any event, I decided to change directions a bit. I am still interested in creativity and how it informs our decisions and understanding of the world. I am, however, taking a step closer to home this year. I am making it more about my experiences of the world...as a fabric artist, business owner, resident of Maine, woman, partner, friend. I still may do an interview now and again and reserve the right to change gears if this path does not pan out, but for now...I am heading off in a new direction...

I hope you will come along!

Cheers!--Janyce