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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Monday, December 28, 2015

YES...we're Inspired! Welcome to LUCY!

I am totally thrilled to be bringing more sparkle to my world thanks to the talents and style of  
  A welcome to the newest "Earth Angel"...
 
I have to say it was truly a wonderful series of events that transpired to bring Lucy and I together...
and thanks to the Country Living Fair and Laura Putnam of Finding Home Farms
for helping it all along on this sweet and serendipitous journey...

You can see what we have in the shop from Lucy
...I love them all...
My fave is the black diamond pendant...
totally swoon worthy

You can see more of her fresh and funky designs at


And stay tuned to her page on our site 
for more fresh arrivals...

...and how fab...
Lucy will be sharing more of her designs at the Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery when we visit Sanford, FL for our annual "heART of Winter" appearance on February 26th and 27th.

I think everything that comes 
from her hands is wonderful...
 ...thanks Lucy for this wonderful opportunity to celebrate your style and share all that you make.
xxoo Jen

Friday, December 25, 2015

wishing you a very merry



 There's something distinctly peaceful and beautiful about Christmas...

I hope this festive feeling surrounds you and that you can savor to spirit of the season.

I always want to put aside the crush of "to dos" and slow it all down...
and this year -- somehow -- I have just a bit...
I love that ee gift and play Santa to show our appreciation for those we love...
...Christmas reminds me in its festiveness just how much there is in my world treasure and celebrate ...
 Most of all my family...
 ...and my wonderful friends.

I hope the Christmas season brings you joy and the peace to enjoy it...
 ...from my home to yours... Merry Christmas
xxoo Jen




Monday, December 21, 2015

sending wishes...and the year that's coming to a close...


How do I ever manage to think that I can condense a full and busy year into one photo-filled 
Christmas card?

The actual mechanical task of addressing and sending the card is minimal compared to the amount of time I allow to indulge myself in pouring through all those images and memoires...
So many days to savor and be grateful for... 
so many days with things to learn... 
so many changes...so much love.

From the start of our year with the Eises in Disney...
this is the image that sums up the year

~~~fast but fun~~~
...and yes, there's me in the back gripping on for sanity's-sake trying to keep up!

 (...thanks to our German friends for the wonderful adventure in FL that started our year!!)

 So after looking through all those pictures and finally ordering a card, it's time for me to send merry wishes to your home from mine...

 ...some of my fave days are among these images...
...and some more that just could not fit...





...here's hoping your holiday and your new year are filled with good things and great love...

xxoo Jen

Monday, December 14, 2015

looking ahead at this time of year

I cannot help but look ahead...
there's so much to do RIGHT NOW, but I cannot help myself.

I am the optimist, the planner, the seeker and the doer...

Besides, I learned a long time ago, it's not the things you do in life that you regret most, it's the things you don't do... 
...my Dad, Jim told me that. And I think he's right.

So I am going to jam as much good into 2016 as I can...good days, great events, wonderful plans...are all in the works and I would love to include you...

Here's a peek at what's ahead for the first few months of the year...
Stay tuned for more

AND CLICK THIS LINK to see all the events of 2016

1 in FL in Feb
1 in TN in April 
1 in NY in June
1 in CT in December
1 in OH in September
...and are you ready for this...
4...YES 4 event in NJ in May, July, August and November!!!

and let's not miss the opportunity to share 
in the artful spirit of the season we're in right now...

A very merry holiday to you and yours...
 

xo Jen




Monday, December 7, 2015

....a classic tale can be re-written...The Little Match Girl...so much the better!


The Little Match Girl.

You know...I never really liked the ending of this story...
It's the first story that I can remember reading that actually made me cry.  

The world was bitter and lonely for her...
and I just could not reckon with her death.


I am forever thankful to Annette Petersen, founding artist of Wee Forest Folk, for revisiting the story and making it her own with a much better... 
and happier ending.

The "Little Match Girl" is Annette's most recent sculpt...at 96 this talented artist has exercised her wisdom and artist's prerogative to rewrite the story...


 ...and to share her fresh interpretation with her hands...

 ...we are sharing it here:

The Little Match Girl
as retold by Annette Petersen

Our Little Match Girl has appeared from the past, and perhaps we can reintroduce her with a more merciful ending?

On a very bitter Christmas Eve she was sent to the streets to sell matches so that her desperately poor family could have some food and fuel. The poor child was forced to burn those very matches in order to keep from freezing, those none were sold - alas!

The reformed Mr. Scrooge upon finding our Match Girl, brought her to his warm home for both nourishing broth and comfort.  Intending to prove his change of heart and make amendments, Scrooge provided her family with a truly wonderful Christmas dinner with all the delicious trimmings.

We hope you and your family also enjoy the comforts of Christmas...
 You can see more pictures of this sweetie on our site where 
she is available to order for $94...
FREE shipping on her and all Wee Forest Folk 
with code MouseExpress at checkout.

 Thank you Annette for all the joy you bring...you are an inspiration...
I adore you and your style! And respect your talent and many contributions to the handmade community.

WATCH FOR A ANNETTE'S FULL STORY IN AN UPCOMING ISSUE OF WHERE WOMEN CREATE MAGZINE!!!
xxoo Jen

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