Another Try at Great Destinations
By Kitty | July 28, 2008
Thank you to everyone who has voted for me already!! My photos are seeing success so far, so hopefully that will continue for the next couple of months while the voting continues… Contributors have until the end of August to submit photos, and then September will be the big voting rush, during which photos can no longer be submitted or edited. I’m not sure what I’m going to do then other than cross my fingers and hope that everyone who comes across my photos votes “Dig It” (especially the ones I REALLY like, such as Dainty Mushroom Village and the Heart in the rocks… and Nature’s Diamonds. I’m partial to those :)).
Anyway, the little photo link I posted in my previous post is a little wonky, so here’s another try. It’s the single large version, so hopefully it will be clearer and easier to use. The Great Destinations site is configured in a way that makes it quite difficult to vote for all of the photos by one particular artist (which is probably good), but I’ve discovered that once you vote on a photo, if you click the name of the artist above the photo, instead of bringing you to a random new photo, it will bring you to the artist’s profile. Then, you can vote again on a photo by the same artist. It takes a quick hand and a focused mind, but I’m SURE all of you who love my work will figure it out and will be able to vote “DIG IT” for any of my photos that you particularly love and think should be published in a lovely coffee table style book of gorgeous places in New Jersey.
Rock on, and here goes….
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Great Destinations NJ - Please Vote for Me!!
By Kitty | July 24, 2008
My Dainty Mushroom Village photo was commented on in flickr by one of the editors of Great Destinations NJ, which is going to be a coffee-table style book of the greatest spots of NJ, care of NJ residents and published by the Star Ledger. The editor said he thought my photos would be a great match, so I’ve signed up!! I’ve submitted five of my photos so far into the running, and they need votes from YOU in order to be chosen for the book!! I’d really like to be featured in the book, since a) I think New Jersey is gorgeous and isn’t given enough credit; b) I love to take pictures and to be published would be most excellent; c) it would be great marketing for my HeartofNature Etsy shop since they will include my name and website in the book… and; d) well, it would be super awesome to have my photography published!!
It’s free to sign up to vote, so if you could please register and vote “Dig It” for my photos, I would be much obliged. Of course, only vote “dig it” if you really dig it….. no lying just for the sake of humoring me (well, unless you want to)….. Check it out, and help create a wonderful showcase of New Jersey beauty!
I think this is a link to one of the photos…
Or, you can register by visiting the site here. http://www.greatdestinationsnj.com/ You can vote to help shape the book. I’ll work on the technicalities of getting a link to my photos up here when my loving tech-savvy husband gets home from work. Til then, click click and vote for me!!
Topics: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Wowza! All Over Etsy!!
By Kitty | June 21, 2008
This morning I was pleasantly and excitedly surprised to see that an EcoEtsy Treasury created by miltonandmargies, which included my Paradise Lost print was on the front page of Etsy!! What a wonderful way to start a day!! Here’s a screenshot, which was captured by both ShutterKate and Cloud9Design and posted in the Etsy Flickr pool:
I have actually found myself in quite a few treasuries lately, so I figure now is a good time to post screenshots as well as many many thanks to those who composed each one. Treasury Fame is one of the best marketing tools I have right now on Etsy, since I’m only just getting started. Being featured in a Treasury is a great honor for me. I am especially honored when the curator of the Treasury puts together a wonderfully aesthetically pleasing collection, with one of my items as an integral piece. I’m amazed and happy and so very thankful!!
The first one I found was on June 18th, an EcoEtsy collection created by inkyspider and entitled Lovely As a Tree:
I am so incredibly flattered to have been featured in so many different Treasuries lately, and I’m looking forward to discovering more. It’s always such a thrill to see that yellow/gold star next to the Treasury that indicates you’re featured. The highlight indeed was when miltonandmargie’s hit the front page, but the others are exciting, too. So thank you, everyone who has included me in a Treasury.
Since school’s been out, I was actually able to “snag” a Treasury West, too. Treasury West is a smaller, less accessible version of the Etsy Treasury, but it’s a good practice locale. Also, Treasury West collections make it to the Front Page, too!! In fact, I think miltonandmargie’s was a Treasury West. It’s one of my first collections, so stay tuned as I fine tune my Treasury-making skills! I would LOVE for a Treasury that I put together to make it to the Front Page…. one day… one day. For now, here’s the treasury I created… a mix of EcoEtsy and POE, and of course, Laura, my good friend who recently opened a shop at ElbeesCreations on Etsy. Enjoy, and thanks again!!!!
Topics: Eco Etsy, Etsy Fame, Heart of Nature on Etsy | 1 Comment »
EcoEtsy Eco Tips
By Kitty | June 18, 2008
Every Sunday, a different Eco-tip is posted on the EcoEtsy Team blog. All of the tips are submitted by EcoEtsy team members, and range from simple “anyone can do it” to “change your life”… and ALL of them are about improving the way we take care of our Earth. This past week, EcoKate submitted a great tip about reducing your greenhouse gas emissions. AND, my Heart of the Palm print was used as well!! Check it out here:
Read more by visiting the EcoEtsy Team blog HERE. And thank you to EcoEtsy for choosing my photograph for the blog post!! I love EcoEtsy!! 
Topics: Eco Etsy, Etsy Fame | No Comments »
Etsy Fun and Fame
By Kitty | June 2, 2008
I was featured in a Treasury a while back, and I just found a screenshot taken by Pouch Designs! I really need to figure out how to take screenshots of Treasuries. On Etsy, where I sell my photography and handmade greeting cards, and an occasional (so far) original painting or other nature inspired creation, they have things called Treasuries that people can put together to promote items. The description of The Treasury as provided by the Etsy head honchos is:
The Treasury is a member-curated gallery of short-lived lists of 12 hand-picked items each (plus four alternates). It functions as a high-demand (and pretty!) promotional tool that many devoted Etsians fight to get. Members can feature their favorite items, items selected on a theme, or just however they like. The Treasury is not intended for self-promotion, but instead to acknowledge and share the many cool things for sale on Etsy. Admin often choose an exceptional Treasury list to promote on the home page and occasionally make them to tie into Storque articles or special events and occasions.
While this Treasury didn’t make front page, it still provides an invaluable mode of promotion. Thanks so much to Pouch for including me, and hopefully I will soon learn how to take my own screenshots so that I can post them here with ample thank you’s to the creators!! And if I’m ever so lucky as to “snag” a treasury of my own, I will certainly post it here as well (Treasuries are difficult to grab because only a certain number are allowed at a time, and once the number drops below that threshold, you have to be there ready and waiting or else the opportunity disappears again.) So, without further ado, “it’s easy being green”, featuring my Heart of the Palm print!
Topics: Eco Etsy, Etsy Fame, Heart of Nature on Etsy | No Comments »
2 Weeks In
By Kitty | May 31, 2008
I a little over 2 weeks into my 10 pills 3 times a day regiment of Wobenzym N. The first few days of the 10, 3 times a day, I felt like the ringing in my ears was even louder than usual. This is a good sign, since it means that the Wob is affecting my hearing/ringing in some way. Now of course it could have been psychosomatic, but I’m keeping my mind in a positive “this will work” direction, so I am going with “it was louder.”
Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is a hard thing to explain to people who don’t experience it. For me, I associate my ringing with the sound of crickets and cicadas on a hot summer night. Occasionally there’s the chirping of a bird or the hollaring of a monkey. To help others try to understand what it’s like, I typically say, “Think of a loud summer night with the crickets chirping and the cicadas chattering. Now, imagine hearing that all the time. Inside, outside, summer, winter. All the time. That’s what it’s like for me.” During the first few weeks of the 10 Wob regiment, I thought my ringing sounded more like being in the middle of the jungle in the middle of the day… no longer the soothing, regular hum of the crickets and cicadas, but now hooting of monkeys and chirping of loud birds. It’s pretty much back to normal now, but it certainly was interesting.
There have also been a few exhilarating experiences where it seems my hearing is improving. I have heard Garrett say something from another room a couple of times, and after yoga Thursday night, I could hear what Sharon was saying even though the room was completely dark. Little by little, I’m (fingers crossed that it’s not all psychosymatic halucinations) regaining my hearing. It’s an interesting and exciting journey.
Topics: Daily Update | No Comments »
Blooming Hope - Check out what’s new at Heart of Nature!
By Kitty | May 17, 2008
I just posted a lovely photo matted with an inspirational quote beneath, perfect for spring!!
I don’t know about you, but I’m into positive thinking and quotes that inspire. I subscribe to the Sierra Club’s Daily Ray of Hope, which sends a new inspiring quote and photo to your email every day. I love songs with great lyrics (even though I have to read the lyrics separately since I’m too hard of hearing to hear them by listening to the song). I am into those inspirational posters, too. Some people may think all the positive quotes are sappy or corny, but it keeps me aware of how much there is to appreciate in life. Also, a lot of the quotes help me solidify my feelings about how much nature inspires. With all of this in mind, I’ve created the “Inspirations Series”, which are nature photographs of mine, professionally matted, and then with a fitting inspirational quote artfully lettered on the mat.
So, without further ado… Bloom Hope, my newest in the Inspirations Series. Check it out at Heart of Nature on Etsy.
Topics: Heart of Nature on Etsy, Inspirations | No Comments »
Last Child In the Woods
By Kitty | May 17, 2008
After just reading a blog post entitled “Let’s Read This Book” by BackwoodSophisticate, a fellow EcoEtsian, I am newly motivated to finish reading Last Child in the Woods, by Richard Louv. While I’m quite familiar with Last Child in the Woods, and have owned it for over a year now, I haven’t quite finished reading it. Now that the school year is winding down, I definitely think it’s time for me to pick it up again for another read.
As BackwoodSophisticate mentioned, Richard Louv’s website is jammed packed full of wonderful links and resources. The overview of the book from the website says, “Last Child in the Woods is the first book to bring together a new and growing body of research indicating that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development and for the physical and emotional health of children and adults. More than just raising an alarm, Louv offers practical solutions and simple ways to heal the broken bond—and many are right in our own backyard.”
I’m so excited to get to reading it again. If you haven’t heard of this book, or even if you have and just haven’t found the time to read it yet, the time is now! If you’re concerned with the state of our environment, or if you work closely with children, the time is now. Get a copy today and read it with us…. and let me know if you’re going to read it! We can have an online book club discussion!!
Now get outside; it’s a gorgeous day!
Topics: Education, Loving the Earth | 1 Comment »
Spring Rain - Etsy Favorites
By Kitty | May 16, 2008
In honor of this rainy spring day, I decided it’s high time I wrote another blog post!! I love rainy spring days because it means that the flowers and trees are getting the water they need to grow big and strong! Plus, one of my favorite smells is the smell of fresh dirt when it rains. Mmmm!
A quick etsy search for “teamecoetsy rain” found me quite a few lovely, rainy, eco-friendly items. Here are a few of my favorites:
Oceano is one of my favorite fellow EcoEtsians… I absolutely love her stuff. I am very partial to sea glass jewelry, and her combinations and sea glass history incorporated into each piece makes them truly one of a kind! This pendant gives me the tranquil, peaceful feeling of a rainy spring day–perfect for today!
Here’s a gorgeous textile wall-hanging created by LizPlummer, another great EcoEtsian. She writes, “I love the sight of streets after rain and just before a thunderstorm - the quality of the light and the way the street lamps and car headlights shimmer and are reflected in the wet streets. The colours of the sky and houses …. I tried to depict this in fabric using acrylic paint layered with transparent sheer fabrics and appliqued houses on top.” Personally, I think she did an excellent job depicting a rainy day… yet also kept the brightness of spring! Lovely!
These earrings certainly remind me of raindrops!! Not only that, but they are my favorite color! A great find by RoxyJewelry.
Topics: Etsy Favorites | 3 Comments »
Focus with Photographs; Content with Silence
By Kitty | May 2, 2008
Today’s Daily Ray of Hope Gem, paired with one of my photographs:
When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.
– Ansel Adams
Topics: Inspirations | 1 Comment »
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