Better a Colorful Handmade Saturday (or any day) than a Black Friday!

A note one of my customers sent me inspired the title of this post, which is so appropriate for Small Business Saturday as we kick off the annual holiday gift buying frenzy!

And since I mentioned colorful, please allow me to share some of my colorful goods from several of my handmade and indie designer sites ~

Fantasy Orange Flowers t-shirt by jan4insight|TeePublic > https://t.co/GdH6Mi6qf9 Bright design on prints, mugs, cases > great gift on SALE! pic.twitter.com/o4PbXsQTVo

— Jan Burch (@jan4insight) November 25, 2016

^ Great prices on tees, mugs, prints, and more at Jan4insight TeeStore on TeePublic

~~~~~~~

Shawlette, crocheted in Spumoni color stripes bulky yarn https://t.co/dkcIQtFN9k NEW at Jan4insight #Handmade Gallery on Zibbet pic.twitter.com/f2veP5E06K

— Jan Burch (@jan4insight) November 24, 2016

^ Beautifully crafted accessories, jewelry, notebooks, artwork and more from Jan4insight Handmade Gallery on Zibbet

~~~~~~~~~~

Family fun for the holdiays! https://t.co/61vGaVClyO Holiday Love Birds Jigsaw Puzzle by jan4insight on Zazzle pic.twitter.com/2OCP7RhaBt

— Jan Burch (@jan4insight) November 23, 2016

^ Great gift ideas you can personalize from my shops on Zazzle - the king of customized Print On Demand sites!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Start a new tradition this holiday season ~ Shop Small and stay out of the mall! Want even more ideas for small and indie businesses that can fill all your holiday gifting needs? Check out the listings at Kos Katalogue - I am proud to be part of this fine group of artisans, crafters, designers, and service providers. Happy Shopping!

Today's Picture 16 > Pop Art Roadrunner No. 2

Today's picture is my first offering on stretched canvas!

Pop Art Roadrunner No. 2 original mixed-media art piece, stretched canvas 10x10 inches

Inspired by my resident roadrunners and based on one of my photos of the critter, this version shows Roadie the roadrunner in fanciful colors against an aurora-like background that I made by pouring acrylic paint on the canvas. For more details and to purchase this original artwork, see the product page HERE at my Zibbet store. 

UPDATE: This piece has been SOLD, but you can see more of my Fine Art Originals for sale on Zibbet. 

What I do, and why I do it ... part 1

"I make beautiful things that make people happy."

That's the statement that came to mind recently when I was mulling over the perennial where-am-I and where-am-I-going questions that all entrepreneurs grapple with from time to time. I like the statement - call it my new tag line, or elevator pitch, if you will - because it rolls up all of my various enterprises into one. That may not seem obvious, but consider ~

Well, okay, it's obvious (or should be) when applied to my arts and crafts and design side. For example:

The beautiful colors in these scarves I made last year, for a special customer's request, made a lot of people happy, I've been told :) And that makes me happy when I hear about it!

But ... what about the things I make that aren't things? I'm referring to the metaphysical side of what I do: intuitive readings, Feng Shui consultations, and Jin Shin Jyutsu bodywork sessions. All I can say is ...

... balanced energy is a beautiful thing! And it makes people happy, too - at least, for those who choose to seek it.

Then there's the wordy side of what I do. I don't talk about it much outside the writer's job sites I'm on, but I do some hack writing now and then:

Original Articles. Constant-Content.

See, I write for money. That's the long and short and "why" for that part of what I do ;)

Now that I've explained the three branches of what I do, I find I've run out of room for the"why." That part comes in another post or two - except for the writing, you already know that.

Until next time ... Cheers!

Friday Finds > More Back to School Delights with Zazzle!

Need some gear to equip your desk, dorm room, or locker? Check out this collection from Zazzle. Many of these cool back-to-school items can easily be customized - for that personal touch!

Pink Spirit Circle custom Dry Erase Board by jan4insight

Check out Spirit circles Dry Erase Boards online at zazzle

 

Colorful Doodle Swirls Monogram Notebook by lilanab2
Check out more Doodle Notebooks at Zazzle

 

Custom teacher rubber stamp with name + apple by splendidsummer
Browse more Teacher Wood Art Stamps at Zazzle

 

Turtle Ba-Gua Binder by TheElementalHome
Browse more Tribal style Binders at Zazzle

Friday Finds > Heading Back to School? Get Ready with Zazzle!

It won't be long before school bells start ringing! Enjoy this collection of school-themed and ready items for back to school - Many are easy to customize for that personal touch!

 

Modern Tribal Plaid monogram Mouse Pad by jan4insight
Create a custom mouse mat on zazzle.

 

To Do List for Kids Dry Erase Board by elizdesigns
Browse more Dry Erase Whiteboards

 

Modern Trendy Floral Pattern Personalized Spiral Notebook by DancingPelican
Design your own customisable notebooks online at Zazzle

 

Turtle Ba-Gua Pencil/Pen Holder by TheElementalHome
Look at other Turtle ba gua Desk Organizers at zazzle.com

Today's Picture 15 > Pop Art Roadrunner No. 1

Today's Picture was inspired by my resident roadrunners! In fact, this striking pop art portrait is based on one of my photos of the critter ~

Pop Art Roadrunner No. 1 original mixed-media art > https://t.co/i0fiC0sx3m NEW from Jan4insight #Handmade | Zibbet pic.twitter.com/WvnexaqLEb

— Jan Burch (@jan4insight) August 4, 2016

This original piece makes a wonderful addition to your art collection. It measures 8 inches wide by 10 inches tall, and looks good displayed either horizontally on vertically. The mixed media elements used include acrylics, cut paper collage, and permanent markers on heavyweight, acid-free mixed media paper. The back is signed, dated, and titled by the artist.

This original artwork is available for purchase HERE at my Zibbet store. See all of my Fine Art Originals for sale on Zibbet. 

My Favorite Summer Meal of 2016 - Quick & Easy!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am NOT a cook. I eat to live, and my favorite kitchen tool is the microwave. Consequently I do a lot of "put together" meals that can usually be fixed in 5-10 minutes, without getting my hands too dirty. Every so often, I stumble on some combination that is so quick, so cheap, and so good - I just have share it. This summer of 2016, I stumbled upon this salad dish that is so good it's become my staple meal:

This salad uses just a few simple ingredients:

• Cooked rice, brown or white
• Cooked, diced chicken or other meat - or try using nuts such as pistachios if you want a vegetarian meal
• Chopped fresh veggies
• Creamy bottled salad dressing
• Balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Here are the steps:

1. Pile the meat on top of the rice and heat in the microwave for a minute or two

2. Top with a handful of chopped raw veggies

3. Top with salad dressing and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Add salt & pepper to taste, and dig in!

And there you have it - quick and tasty. I've made this meal with all different kinds of  meat, including sausage, ham, bratwurst, Canadian bacon, and even fish (Trader Joe's Salmon burgers are perfect!). In fact, the rice, veggies, and salad dressing (TJ's Greek Feta Dressing) are all from Trader Joe's, too. It's not that I'm especially fancy, it's just that Trader Joe's is my closest place for grocery shopping! Yes, I consider myself lucky - and I also consider myself lucky to have stumbled on such a tasty way to feed myself during this long, hot summer. Not bad for someone who is NOT a cook! :)

Friday Finds > More Summer Fun from Zazzle!

There's still time to get some summer fun on! Enjoy this collection of summer-themed items from Zazzle. Many can be customized easily, for that personal touch!

 

Tropical Borders "Island Time" mug by jan4insight
Personalize coffee mugs at Zazzle

 

neon palm tree tropical summer bright colorful fun shirt by Littoral
Look at more Neon T-Shirts at zazzle

 

Aqua and White Nautical Pool Serving Tray by keyandcompass
Browse other Pool party Serving Tray

 

Summer Palm Trees T-Shirt by MindDesignGrafx
See all the dog clothes at zazzle.com

 

Frozen Waves 2 skateboard by jan4insight
Design unique custom skateboard decks at zazzle.com

Friday Finds > Summer Coolers from Zazzle!

With the hot days of summer upon us, enjoy this collection of lazy-day items from Zazzle. Cool in color, style, or function, they'll help you relax your way through a summer afternoon. Many can be easily customized for that personal touch.

WATER Element Ripple Pattern Cube Pouf by TheElementalHome

Find another Cube Pouf

 

Life at the Beach Water Bottle by reflections06
See more Summer Water Bottles at zazzle.com

 

Summer Mode Headsweats Hat by TomR1953
Examine some Headsweats Hats at Zazzle

 

Beach Please Funny Quote Tote by KnotPaperStitch
Browse other Beach Bags

Friday Finds > Sport the Red, White, and Blue with Gifts from Zazzle!

With Independence Day just around the corner, I thought you'd enjoy this collection of patriotic gifts from Zazzle! Many can be easily customized for that personal touch.

 

Flag Lady July 4th Vintage Patriotic Postcard Art Tee Shirt by PrintTiques
View 4th of july T-Shirts online at zazzle

 

Patriot Coronas bold monogram Coffee Mug by jan4insight
Find more Patriot coronas Mugs at Zazzle

 

"Ever Vigilant" Vintage Patriotic 2 Inch Square Magnet by jan4insight

 

Patriotic American Flag Bald Eagle Poster by tjustleft
 

 

Patriotic USA ping pong paddle with American flag by iprint

Friday Finds > Very Vintage Gifts from Zazzle!

 It's still Friday in my time zone - so there's still time to share with you these Vintage-inspired gifts from Zazzle! Many are easy to customize for that personal touch ~

Vintage Woman Silhouette Mouse Pad by jan4insight



Blossoming Almond Tree Vintage Floral Van Gogh Laptop Computer Sleeve by lazyrivergreetings
Browse Zazzle for a different laptop sleeve.

Vintage Moon Poster by KathiAnn
Look at Moon Posters online at Zazzle.com

Vintage Art Nouveau Mirror by KathiAnn
Look at other Mirrors for Makeup at Zazzle

  

Retro Rotary Phone Dial On Vintage Black Leather iPhone SE/5/5s Case by Second_Skin
Browse more Retro Casemate Cases

 

Vintage Union Jack flag keep calm and carry on Poster by KeepCalmOriginaStore
View other Union jack Posters

Roadrunner Report > the Roadies are Back!

I was about to write a post titled "Roadrunners flew the coop" or something to that effect, because it's been over a week since I last saw my resident roadrunners, and not much of them at the last siting. In the interim - like, yesterday - their poor, dying roosting tree was severely cut back, and I thought that would send them away for good. It was needed to avoid the hazards inherent with a huge, dead pine tree in my front yard. Here's one of my latest Roadie photos that also illustrates the problem:



Yesterday was tree-cutting day, and my sympathetic yard guy Tony figured out a way to cut the tree and save the roadrunners' roosting branch, as well as the young silver maple that's coming up beneath it. I figured I probably wouldn't get a chance to see if our scheme worked until the roadrunners returned in the fall, or maybe ever. But this afternoon I had a very pleasant surprise:

I was getting ready to go shopping and was ferrying stuff out to my car when I heard the distinctive honking call of the roadrunner! I dropped everything and went back into the house for dried mealworms and water to refill the outside critters' water bowl. As I was pouring mealworms onto the feeding rock, a roadrunner fluttered down from either the surviving pine tree or the roof of the house. He landed almost right next me and began gobbling up his mealworm snack!



Then, to make the roadrunner return perfect, at sunset I saw the familiar roadie silhouette perched in the usual spot on his roosting branch. The tree is much reduced and the few remaining needles are brown, but the roadie can still roost there :)

I am very happy to see my roadrunner(s) again, even as I recognize they may never have gone - just changed their habits and laid low for a while. But I felt a little bereft without seeing them. It's part of southwestern lore that a roadrunner visiting your yard brings good luck, and without them I'd noticed my "luck" slipping away, much to my chagrin. I am happy and grateful to have my feathered bringers of luck back again!

Friday Finds: At Zazzle, it's TURTLES all the way down!

Enjoy this collection of turtle-themed gifts from Zazzle! Many are easy to customize for that personal touch.

Turtle Ba-Gua T Shirt by TheElementalHome

Sea Turtle Watercolor Ocean Luggage Tag by Aloha_Friday
Look at Sea turtle Luggage Tags online at Zazzle.com

Tobin the baby sea turtle notebook by katiefioritoart

Baby Turtle Riding on Mother's Back Card by corbisimages

Look at more cards from Zazzle.

it's turtles all the way down coffee mug by lulasail
Check out other Philosophy Mugs at zazzle.com

Today's Picture 14 > Florem Terrae, "flower of the earth"

Today's Picture (which is becoming a more weekly or occasional feature, but still) is called Florem Terrae, which is Latin for "flower of the earth." I really put my visionary artist cap when I created this vibrant and stunning mixed media piece:

Florem Terrae
original mixed media by Jan Burch

From a seemingly barren landscape, a vibrant, multicolored flower blossoms forth with so much vitality that it bursts through the bounds of its frame. This lovely work of art depicts layers of meaning - rebirth, regeneration, life, and the home we call earth.

This original piece makes a wonderful addition to your art collection. It measures 8 inches wide by 10 inches tall, and looks good displayed either horizontally on vertically. The mixed media elements used include acrylics, cut paper collage, and permanent markers on heavyweight, acid-free mixed media paper. The back is signed, dated, and titled by the artist.

This original artwork is available for purchase HERE at my Zibbet store. See all of my Fine Art Originals for sale on Zibbet. 

Friday Finds (a little late) > Getting Comfortable - Pillows, Blankets, and more from Zazzle!

I'm running a little with this week's Friday Finds - but better late than never for this collection of comfy gear from Zazzle: pillows, throw blankets, and ottomans that you can really use for putting up the feet! Many can customized easily for that personal touch ~

 

Gothic Rose Round Pillow by jan4insight
 

 

Monogram Zebra Stripes | Pink Round Pouf by DesignsbyJovino
See here for Round Poufs

 

Vintage Rose Bouquet Afghan Throw by Sara_Valor
Look at more Rose Throw Blankets at zazzle

 

I Love You To The Moon And Back with custom Name Throw Blanket by stopshop
See other Moon Throw Blankets

 

Fire Moon Mandala Pouf by TheElementalHome
Browse other Fire moon Cube Poufs