Derby Blooms arrive for Spring!

It's a pretty thing to watch a flower bloom. The same is true of a friend; watching a friend grow and blossom as an artist...well maybe that's even prettier...

Marie Pendley started her journey making "Derby Blooms" last June when she brought a few to our "Artists' Showcase" at Rose Petal Porch in Lafayette, NJ. There they were gobbled at this event up and we knew she was on to something...we worked on a name for her studio creations on the ride home and she has been at the needle since.

Each bloom is a happy and colorful wearable work of art. Laden with texture, they are almost fragrant in their festive combinations of vintage textiles and trims.

Since the word "derby" is among Marie's favorite words, it leant itself t her moniker. As a nod to old time Hollywood glamour and her studio's location in LA, each bloom sports the title of an old movie...love that!

I'm thrilled to welcome her to Earth Angels as an artist and hope you enjoy a peek at the latest "bouquet"...we'll be posting them to a page on our site soon. In the meantime, we're emailing images and details...

Each is about 5" in diameter and they are $38 each -- I know you might be wondering so I am noting the price here. They can be worn (thanks to clip and pin both on reverse) on lapel, at your waist, on a boot, on a bag, in your hair...everywhere. I actually have two on lampshades in my bedroom...I like my house to play dress up too!

Thanks to Marie for sharing her talent...it's a treat to work with her and an honor to present her creations.

You can catch Marie in person at our next event in Sanford, FL at the Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery...she'll be there with bells -- and blooms -- on.

xxoo Jen O'Connor

Earth Angels

Insta Friday - I am a Virgin

Ok, so I am ALL NEW to this INSTA FRIDAY thing...but I am linking up with Jeannett at Life Rarranged to share my week...I am hoping to connect more, and share more -- all through a few cell phone pics that capture my week...

It was a really good but scattered week...a little of this a little of that...some fun kiddo things...and some really BIG BUSINESS stuff ...and lots of great inspirations that have kept me going...

I drove to CT with my gal pal Kathy and just look at these piles of loot we found...old wall paper and fabrics in my pal Jennifer Paganelli's Sis-Boom studio...I wanted to stay and play all day...

...big doings with Boy Scouts...two sons and high stakes in the Pinewood Derby...Rory and "Captai Midnight" placed 2nd ina few heats but we loved cheering on all the racers...

I saw my friend George...he likes my iPhone and he likes me...gotta love a big fuzzy dog...
We skiied...we try to get to the slopes once each weekend...no excuse not to...it;s 2 miles from the house and we have season passes...my fave thing is to have the kids but their ski gear on over their pjs -- it gets us on the slopes early and well, it's a time saver mommy thing ...
I have been a very good girl and been on the treadmill most days...that used to be a somedays things so I like being able to say most days...have rewarded myself with a "cake" see below...

Oh see this cartload of stuff...that would indicate that I actually went food shopping. You mean you do this every week???!! Logically someone who loves to eat - me -- would love to shop for food -- but alas, I do not. See those flowers on the top of the cart - they are my treat...the kids get a box of frozen mini pizza bagels and all is right with the world...

...the latest issue of Where Women Create arrived and I was tickled to see me and us and Jo in her "From the Kitchen Table" Editor's letter...I admire my talented friends!!

I realized I have quite a lot of tea...and as a matter of fact, I am drinking some now!

I learned that I absolutely loathe peeling chick peas -- did you even know you could actually peel a chick pea...yeah, well maybe I knew but I didn't think I would ever...ok, so I did because that wonderful recipe for gluten-free chocolate chip cake requires "2 cans peeled chick peas". Good thing I loved said cake...

...and I am making it again, but I am not peeling the chick peas and we will just see about that!

Allie -- one of my fab kid helpers for Earth Angels -- was here late one night to get the mailing done for our next event in FL on 3/2 and 3/2...oh my March will be here soon...where does the time run away to???

so that was my week...some new food, some old friends and some of this and that...how was your week...do anything new and exciting...

Well...go check out the insta-friday posts and see what we were all up to...

xxoo Jen

Earth Angels

one inspires the other

...if you have the current edition of Where Women Create, you have a magazine that is very special to me...

...here it is above...

My dear friend Jo Packham is the creative force behind it -- one of her most wonderful ideas ever -- to share the stories and spaces of inspiring women and in doing so, to inspire others.

I remember meeting Jo...she called and introduced herself to me in 2007 after seeing me and my biz in Country Living mag...then she got on a plane and came all the way to Warwick, NY to attend one of my events and asked me to be in issue #1 of this new magazine she was creating...

So much has happened since that first issue in November 2008...And as the years -- and with them many issues of this now well-known magazine -- have accumulated, my friendship with Jo has deepened. I am forever grateful she picked up the phone and reached out to me.

I was very touched by her editor's letter this issue and have to tell you, I write her right away saying it is she who inspires me -- she who inspired so many of us...I love working with Jo on each edition...and this mag she has created, it's such a gift to the many artful spirits who read it cover to cover each edition...

And good news -- once again Jo will be our special guest at our upcoming annual "Spring Soiree" in Saratoga, NY on May 19 & 20...hope you can mark your calendars and attend to meet Jo...

xxoo Jen and if you need the current edition...just call or email me...

...hope is the thing with feathers....

It's the little things we do in habit that stand sentinel to an accumulation of memories...

In the evening I pull off my baubles and put them on a shelf of my kitchen hutch...I cannot bear to put pretty little things away...and I know I may put them on again come morning. (I took this shot in the thin light of a late night...)

For some reason I often think back across my day at this moment and reflect about what came in and out of it...I am grateful for the day, and hopeful for the morrow. (...here's a morning shot of my new fave necklace as I went to grab it and put it on...)This is my new favorite little thing that has been hosting the memories of my days as I wear it...

It's a sweet handmade necklace with my fave Dickinson quite (Cheryl Kuhn...I know you know this poem in your heart the way I do!).

"Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune without the words,

And never stops at all,..."

This necklace was made by jewelry designer Lisa Leonard...and you can see it and a bevy of other sweet baubles -- on her site...

Many can be personalized to hold special dates, memories and names...

I bought my other fave necklace that Lisa creates for my niece Hayley for Christmas... it reads simply.... "loved".

Lisa is a talented artist and a wonderful business woman who takes the time to share herself via her blog...and if you like what she creates, she offers 15% off if you join her mailing list...so do pop over to her site and take a peek....it's a delight...and please tell her I sent you.

And newsflash...Lisa has just announced that she is launching a new line that will be available with partner retailers....ohhh ahhh...hoping Earth Angels will be among them!

xxoo Jen

Earth Angels

...hot off the press...heading south again SOON!!!

Had to share the news and do save the date...

the Earth Angels are rolling south soon...we'll be headed to the

Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery

in hostoric downtown Sanford for a two day event --

Friday, 3/2 & Saturday, 3/3....

Read Gallery Manager, Mary Shaw's press release below and hope the see you there!!

xxoo Jen

Earth Angels

For immediate release

Contact: Mary Shaw, Gallery Manager mary@jtfolkart.com 407-323-2774

6th Annual "heART of Winter" - SOUTH comes to Florida

Two powerhouse folk art dealers partner to bring the best to savvy art collectors at this winter's end

Friday, March 2 from 3-7 p.m.

Saturday, March 3 from 10-4 p.m.

Free and open to the public

Jeanine Taylor Folk Art

211 East First Street, Sanford, FL 32771

www.jtfolkart.com

Expect a packed house for the second visit from Jen O’Connor’s Earth Angels as they travel from all corners of the country to set up a “pop up” show at Jeanine Taylor Folk Art in historic downtown Sanford. This merry band of artists specializes in one of a kind handmade art, jewelry, accessories, soft sculptures, and more. You’ve seen them in national magazines like Where Women Create, now you can meet them in person.

O’Connor holds a masters degree in city planning which led her to organizing urban markets. Her love of early American folk art led her to marketing and organizing a group of more than 20 contemporary folk artists (each successful in their own right). Her group of Earth Angels have developed a national following and have been featured in such publications as Where Women Create, Country Living, and Romantic Homes. www.earthangelstoys.com

Over 500 items including paintings, pottery, home decor, sculpture, wearable art and jewelry will be featured in this two day showcase.

"Jen and her Earth Angel artists will take over my gallery for two days and present a show that has historically brought in over 500 visitors a day," remarks Jeanine Taylor. "I am thrilled to host the heArt of Winter-South show in Florida and bring art collectors to Sanford from all over the southeast."

Jeanine Taylor Folk Art

211 East First Street

Sanford, FL 32771

407-323-2774

www.jtfolkart.com

MORE INFO SOON!!

I HEART Jody's "FunTown"...

If you know me well, you know I love Jody's work (and yes, I love Jody too!). Her heirloom toys touch that happy childhood part of me that won't be still when polka dots meet smiling faces.

Never twee, yet always sweet, Jody Battaglia's heirloom toys personify cute...along with a passel of characters that live in her FunTown...

Here's a peek...

Meet "Willy Be Mine" on his love boat...

and here's "Sugar Lump...
...and this chap is "Boom Boom"...

Thanks to Jody for the new batch of happy creations that have arrived to celebrate Valentine's...

xxoo Jen O'Connor -- Earth Angels

PS if you'd like details like sizes and prices, just email me at Jen@EarthAngelsToys.com

back in the house - WWC my fave book!

Some things never go out of style...a great black dress, pearls, a good wool scarf,

and a favorite book...

So how happy am I that I finally have this tome back in stock, VERY!!!

Jo's publication started a revolution in creativity and work space style -- and yes, it lead to the publication of her quarterly magazine. If you don't already own the book that started it all, you need it. Can you tell I am smitten with it's every page???

Just peek at these pages...

You need this on your shelf...I go to it again and again for inspiration and a dose of happy...

Order this now and I'll pay the shipping...

I love you Jo!

xxoo Jen O'Connor

Earth Angels

thanks Blooming Rose Musings....

...it's always a treat to see one of our Earth Angels artists profiled on another blog

...visit Blooming Rose Musings and read more about Jennifer Lanne

thanks to Susan for the post!

xxxooo to Syngehilde!

Jen O'Connor

Earth Angels

ohhh...ahhhh...Debbee's Spring Designs are revealed...

...sweet wonderfulness...Debbee Thibault has just announced her new SPRING 2012 DESIGNS...

Here's a peek below...details like sizes and prices are posted to her page:

...mention this BLOG and we'll ship your order free...just order before 1/31/12.

...layaways included!

THANKS to Debbee for the wonderful new work...a few will be on my wish list for my birthday later this spring..

xxoo Jen

Earth Angels

look at Lanne!

I love this lady...I love her artistry...I love her fab sense of style...and I love that she and her work are among the pages of the current issue of "Romantic Country"!

Woo hoo and congrats to Jennifer Lanne on the lovely two page spread featuring her floral paintings...

Grab this issue...it's a delight...

And watch the upcoming issues for featurettes on Earth Angels' artists Marie Pendley of Derby Blooms and Cheryl Kuhn of "small stories studios"...

And thanks to Mary Forsell, Editor of "Romantic Country" for recognizing these talented gals and their wonderful creations.

xxoo Jen O'Connor

Earth Angels

yes, the winner is in 1st BLOG contest

....totally wonderful so many of you took the time to enter our FIRST BLOG GIVEAWAY of 2012...

Soo many of you responded to my question:

"Where we should host our Earth Angels events in 2012..."

You have given me a lot to think about with all your fab suggestions.

OUR WINNER OF $50 in TOKYO MILK PRODUCTS...

LizlovesVintage!!

Woo Hoo to Liz

Please email me your shipping address (send an email to me at jen@earthangelstoys.com)

and I will get your box o' loot off to you and thanks again to all of you for entering!!!

xoxoxoxox Jen

...PRIMS is in...woo hoo to Krys!

YES! The new issue is in...and shipping for $2.

...and YES! It is better than ever...congrats to all the talented folks who have put this new issue together...it sings with style and savvy tips on all that is great to see and make in the realm of folk art and primitive art.

A special nod to my gal pal, Krys Kirkpatrick...her work is featured among the pages...

Here is a peek at her pages, but you'll need a copy of the mag to catch all the images and text...

It's a treat to see Krys in print once again...bravo and love your art Krys! It's my honor to have worked with this talented lady since 1999 when we first met -- that's when I opened my very first wholesale account as Earth Angels with Bunnies by the Bay.

Read more about Krys on her fab blog...

xxoo Jen O'Connor

Earth Angels

PS -- we have about 20 copies of the mag still in stock -- $15 and just $2 domestic shipping for BLOG readers...mention PromoCode "KrysShip2" when you order...

xxoo