Meet Jen! founder & owner

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...jen o'connor's...Artful Adventures & Daily Inspirations

I Love Art, Adore the Handmade and Treasure the Vintage. I am the Fun Mom, the Silly Friend and the Writer who wants to make more room for beauty in the everyday.

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Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Issue #7 is in the house!



Where Women Create's Issue #7 is here...and every page is really laden with inspiration, great photos and wonderfully creative women who lead the charge in artful living.

I am thrilled that Earth Angels' painter Stacey Bear is among those featured. Stacey is a great gal pal and her home and studio are simply among my favorite places on the planet. Bravo to Stacey for her feature...the attention for your artistry and style are well-deserved! I cannot wait to visit again soon....Here's a peek...



You can read more about Stacey on her site or the Truffle Pigs' blog...

...and how wonderful, Park Avenue Elementary's own talented art teacher is among the pages as well! Congrats to Nicole Heller. The piece on Nicole is as happy and bright as her studio AND her festive classroom; Nicole brings her wonderful outlook to all she does and puts her heart in it! Well done Nicole and congrats...



You can read more about Nicole Heller and her teaching and works on her blog...my favorite post is about the recent "Arts & Jam" fest...

Congrats as well to the many other talented gals included among the pages...

If you do not yet have your copy of Issue #7, give us a ring and we'll get one out to you...these issues are "keep forevers" and I have gone over them time and again -- each time seeing a little something different.

ciao for now...
xxoo Jen
Earth Angels

Friday, April 23, 2010

Thanks Cyndi



On Halloween in 1986, I walked through the doors of Saint Francis Prep High School in Queens dressed as Cyndi Lauper. The costume was a melange of textures from the closet, the castoff bin and the jewelry box. I had the hair, the height and the hype and my get-up was “awesome”, “wicked” or whatever meant “sweet” in the late 80s. And so, that DJ played my songs…her songs…after all... Cyndi was at the top of the charts with two albums under her multiple belts (worn over plaid hot pants and polka dotty layers of skirts, of course).

This rollicking bash was thrown in the school's cafeteria; latent lunch grease and soda machines imbued the scene with a surreal familiarity despite dimmed lighting and a "dance floor” flanked by stacks of lunch tables and lit with disco balls hung from asbestos ceiling tiles. I loved all of it; I knew it was magic and I danced and danced and sang my own songs out of tune.

Somewhere during that night I realized just how much the tattered, vintage and oh so funky peach tulle prom dress suited me. Accompanied with an army jacket, chiffon scarves tied on all limbs, pointy metallic pumps and armloads – literally armloads of bling and bangles, I felt good. Really good. This was a costume yes, but I felt right. I was liberated by the (extra) big and asymmetrical hair, the baubles, three colors of eye shadow -- which I vaguely recall were mardi gras colors -- and my rhinestoned dipped ears. I think after that my wardrobe choices, and perhaps a score of other choices, were decidedly different. I had found – somewhere on the slippery terrazzo dance floor – my “true colors”. And I was never the same.



I went to NYU less than a year later, learned a lot, and then even more about myself over that next decade of years I accumulated. Gaining confidence, learning to love myself and give it out. I took many steps down that path that keeps taking me onward toward me…

When I was almost 30 Kodak launched a campaign with the song “True Colors” and I realized, I just might be a grown up. When someone takes your mantra and starts to sell something with it on the t.v. you can resent them for it, or make it an anthem. I chose the latter, and every time I hear the song, it makes me cry.

Yes, really, cry. Just ask Laurie Meseroll -- who was the first to document this Pavlovian response -- or any of my girls who still wanna (and do) have fun.... Anyone that knows me well enough to understand, has seen me laugh hard enough to cry, has seen joy sweep me into tears, and has shared this tune -- lost in thought of the years that have collected about us with a beautiful patina of good memories.

I turned 41 last month, and the bangles are still on my arm. And yes, I find it totally acceptable to wear crinolines on the outside… if for nothing more than the fun of the twirl of my skirt.

Thanks Cyndi.
Xxoo Jen

You with the sad eyes
Don't be discouraged
Oh I realize
It's hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
And the darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small

But I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow

Show me a smile then,
Don't be unhappy, can't remember
When I last saw you laughing
If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there

And I'll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Hudson Event Featured!


Oh, totally wonderful...A BIG THANKS to "Romantic Homes" magazine. Their June issue features our upcoming Artist Showcase Event...

We'll be at the "HUDSON super MARKET" on Saturday, June 12th sharing Art and Décor in scenic downtown Hudson, NY…this fab town is a great shopping and antiquing hotspot.

Participating artists include Jennifer Lanne, Dara DiMagno, Cheryl Kuhn, Valerie Weberpal, Laurie Meseroll, and Kitty Babendreier among others...Stay tuned for more details! The event is free and open to the public and will run from 11am - 7pm.


See the events page of our site for more info and a link to directions...
Hope to see you there
xxoo Jen O'Connor
Earth Angels

Thursday, April 15, 2010

SAVE THE DATE!


SAVE THE DATE! Earth Angels' "9th Annual Spring Fling" is just a few weeks away...

We are thrilled that so many artists have agreed to attend and do hope that you can join us to meet them and browse their art in-person at the Warwick Antique Barn

There will be bountiful and beautiful paintings, jewelry, folk art, soft sculpture, mixed media, art dolls and heirloom teddies, accessories, décor and more...

In attendance:
Stacey Bear, Nicole Bowen, Diana Card, Dara DiMagno, Deirdre Friebely, Jennifer Lanne, Laurie Meseroll, Leslie McCabe, Pat Murphy, Debbie Thibault, Nicol Sayre, Jill Wiener and Letty Worley among others...

So do hope you can attend to shop for their creations amid antiques and vintage goodies at this scenic venue

Saturday, May 15 from 10am – 5pm
Sunday, May 16 from 10am – 2pm

Hosted by Earth Angels at the Warwick Antique Barn
293 State Route 94, Warwick, NY


Free and Open to the Public

…see our “Events Page” for more details and directions
call (845) 986-8720 from 9am-7pm EST
or e-mail Jen@EarthAngelsToys.com

AND IF YOU CANNOT MAKE THIS EVENT IN PERSON....
save the date for the web show on 5/23...details to follow!

xxoo Jen O'Connor
PS...you can also
Click this link for directions to the event...

Monday, April 12, 2010

Bo & a Black Sheep













You know how it goes...

Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep
And can't tell where to find them
Leave them alone, And they'll come home,
Wagging their tails behind them














But it's always the possibility that it's a black sheep that's the clincer for me...if it's not the sweet, fluffy white kind, even better.

Eevery family has one; my family has several. Actually, I rather think I like these less than typical members, those that bravely march to their own tune, their own drummer, and maybe even their own band. Indeed, I might say many of the friends I've collected are the black sheep of their respective families...

So I really adore Debbee Thibault's vision of this classic nursery rhyme character, but with the subtle whimsy and story telling prowess I adore in her work.


She has included a black sheep!










.



Thanks to Debbee Thibault for this wonderful new exclusive piece!


Yet again, she has outdone herself with a fabulous sculpt, extraordinary colors and texture in a sweet reminiscence.
Here's to Little Bo and All the Black Sheep out there!


xxoo Jen

Friday, April 9, 2010

"Prims" Arrives - ready to order!


Wonderful, wonderful...the inaugural issue of "Prims" has just arrived....

This is a fab new publication from Stampington featuring all the art we love...folk art, dolls, paper art, and more -- all from a bygone era. Earth Angels' artist Nicol Sayre has a wonderful column...congrats Nicol.

This publication is now available to order from Earth Angels. It's $14.95 + shipping...you can call or e-mail to order (mention this blog post for reduced shipping).

Thanks Stampington for a wonderful new mag loaded with artful inspirations...

xxoo Jen O'Connor
Earth Angels

Monday, April 5, 2010

Mermaids, Magic and Fairies' wings


Artists are divine; their art ads a slice of ethereal wonder to my every day. They are blessings, a wee bit of heaven on Earth....and like Debrina Pratt, their art draws our attention to the magic around us.

She captures magic in vintage bottles, concocts fairy love potions and sweet dreams serum. She shows us mermaids riding atop sea birds, fairies at tea with cupcakes, and sea sprites in party hats. She surely knows the magic that every little girl wields in her play and somehow, harnesses this realm.




I adore her fairies that peer at us from old bottles and tiny shadowboxes. They herald their stories atop petite wooden blocks, and adorn pendants and charms with a glorious style. While Debrina's creations have the lustrous patina of age, they are completely fresh in their bright interpretations.

Debrina uses old photos, altering art and adding millinery flowers, tiny beaded flourishes, Swarovski crystals and wee bits of magic to tell her tales. With a fanciful dose of imagination, her bon bon-like confections beg our appreciation for a gentle and tiny world, filled with sweet sentiments.She has captured not only fairies galore, but the age of innocence, the belief in the mystical, and the rim of magic that surrounds fantasy. Here are some of my current faves...





Email us to be notified of new arrivals from Debrina's studio....A new batch of sea-inspired creations has just arrived and includes some of the wonders pictured above...And...a heartfelt thanks to Debrina for enabling us to offer her captivating work through our gallery on such an exclusive basis.

Sending you lots of love Debrina, I miss you...

xxoo Jen
Earth Angels

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Cheers to Debbee in Romantic Homes!


How wonderful..."Romantic Homes" has taken a wonderful step and introduced a new column called "At Home With...." and Earth Angels' artist extraordinaire, Debbee Thibualt is the personality featured in the new issue!


I love this column/idea for sure...it's wonderful to take a peek into the world of the designers and artists we recognize from the pages of the magazine.

Be sure to nab the May issue if you don't already subscribe...it's loaded with images and inspiration. This magazine remains steadfast among my "go-to" publications. It's perfect with a cup of tea for a fab read and assured eye candy.

Thanks to Editor in Chief Jacqueline deMontravel and Senior Editor Jickie Torres for their efforts, their insights and for sharing their romantic style.

xxoo Jen O'Connor
Earht Angels

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