Earth Day Give-Away: Awesome Tote Bag for You!

I hope you will join me in celebrating Earth Day on Monday, April 22nd! In looking around my studio, I realized I could continue on the path of operating an environmentally savvy art studio by donating some of the fabric overflow I've stashed for years. It seems to me that kids learning to sew in the after-school program in our community could better use that fabric: it will save them money and it breathe new life into that fabric stash!

How are you going to celebrate Earth Day? The first Earth Day happened on April 22, 1970, and over 20 million Americans from all walks of life  participated, which is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. "Earth Day Network (EDN) works with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world."

I would like to announce the first EARTH DAY GIVE AWAY here at Nestle and Soar! Most of us like to use canvas tote bags instead of plastic or paper bags, and I always keep my eyes open for fun, washable totes to use! Tell me in a comment to this blog post how you plan to celebrate Earth Day, and you will be entered into a drawing to receive a sturdy Nestle And Soar Tote Bag of your very own! From the posted comments, I will randomly draw one winner on May 1st. You will be notified of your awesome winner status and this great tote bag will be mailed to you with my compliments.

I hope you will all enter to win, and it would be great to have your friends enter, too! Let's make a nice long list of ways Earth Day will be celebrated in 2013! We will learn from each other and be part of a hugely successful worldwide movement to honor mother Earth.

Thanks for stopping by,
Georgianne

Studio Scene -- Nestle and Soar Supports the Arbor Day Foundation

Fantastical Wool Tree Folk Art Pillow, ©2010, Georgianne Holland

The love of trees is a huge motivator for my work here at Nestle and Soar. Do you see this time of year large oak trees that stand over 40-feet with their intricate, leafless canopy, which looks like lace to me, against the blue sky? I love happening upon old trees like this in winter, and they take my breath away! Because of my love of trees, and my love of needle felt pillows, I sought out the work of the Arbor Day Foundation and their Plant a Tree Program. 

When folks purchase one of my tree pillows at www.nestleandsoar.com, I arrange for a tree to be planted in their honor in an American national forest. These trees are young saplings that will add to the health of the national forests that we all love and can visit. The life cycle of forests along with diseases that kill trees make human intervention through planting an important part of forest management. I like to think that this contribution on behalf of my customers adds to the new relationship we share: as they enjoy their tree pillow they will remember that the planted tree will forever connect us as it grows to create shade, give a home to songbirds, creates oxygen, and marks the change of seasons. There are so many benefits to planting trees!

The Beauty of Trees

• Trees keep our water clean, reduce soil erosion, clean the air we breathe, and fight global warming.

•  Planting trees is something we can do to beautify our community and help the environment.

• It is important to know the type of tree we are caring for; this enables us to plant the right kind of tree in the right place.

• Trees are one of nature’s great wonders!

•  Trees are touchstones…do you remember climbing a tree as a child and feeling powerful and free?

•  Tree pillows are a family heirloom: they can signify special events like weddings and the birth of a baby.

• Fiber art tree pillows are handmade in limited editions in Colorado. Natural beauty surrounds the Nestle and Soar studio, and this natural beauty informs these tree pillow designs.

• You can support the Arbor Day Foundation at Nestle and Soar…it is easy and satisfying. They not only plant trees in forests but also provide environmental education and support tree programs throughout the United States.

I would love to hear about your favorite kind of tree or memory of trees in childhood! Comment to this post and I will be sending out a tree-lover's thanks to you!

Thanks for stopping by,

Georgianne

Top 10 Tuesday

I have a wonderful list of my Top-10 to share with you today! I'm very excited to think that even some of these wonderful handmade items, organizations, books, or artists could become part of my day-to-day life! I would love for you to take a look and see what you think...post a comment and enter yourself into a drawing for a Nestle and Soar magnet set! I do love to hear what you think...

#1 KnittingShop on Etsy

I would love to make or buy this soft gold neck warmer. It is very stylish and can be buttoned-up in numerous ways. I've never had the guts to try cable knitting...this is going on my wish list. Thanks KnittingShop! You can find it here.

#2 Proteales on Etsy

This lovely Mood Necklace caught my eye, and I think it will catch the eye of others when you wear it! It's design is simple and the mood stone changes color, so it is as versatile as you are! You can find it here.

#3 Free Flying Boutique on Etsy

I have never learned how to crochet, but Jessie Bender of Free Flying Boutique has it mastered. Her Blue and Green Beaded Wire Crochet would work well with my wardrobe and sense of style. I have so many outfits that would work with this! I own two of her necklaces and feel special every time I wear them. Thanks, Jessie! You can find her here.

#4 Elizabeth Frank Artworks on Etsy

Isn't this Deer Song sculpture charming? It has been carved from aspen wood and the base is made from reclaimed vintage wood. Elizabeth's clever use of materials is one huge reason why I love her! She has many more pieces to choose from here.

#5 Lookout Studios and artist Patty Baker on Etsy

Patty's work inspires me because she does such a wonderful job capturing the spirit of nature using acrylics. The fluidity of this piece, Another Blustery Day, makes me feel like I am there, feeling the wind! You can find Patty here.

#6 Small Work in Wool and artist Susan M. Hinckley on Etsy

I have admired Susan's work at Colorado's revered gallery, Show of Hands, and each time I see a new piece, I'm thrilled! Beyond her charming work with wool and embroidery is her sense of humor, which she adds with words and sly expressions! You can find Susan here.

#7 American Art Therapy Association

This week I ran across a video by way of the Art Therapy website. Have you ever wondered how the artistic part of your life could impact others? Do you express your artistic side as a "medicinal" experience for yourself?

#8 Arbor Day Foundation

I remain steadfast in my support of this group and their efforts to keep trees healthy and plentiful in America. I found this great book this week and enjoy reading it with my evening tea. In the spring, we are planning to plant a Red Maple in our backyard! I'm very excited! Please support the Arbor Day Foundation here.

#9 Wool Felt Central

As a fiber artist, it is important that the sheet wool felt I use comes in the best colors, quality, and at a fair price. Here is my go-to supplier for wool sheet felt. I recommend them highly! Their customer service is top-notch, too!

#10 What Makes Me Smile this Week

I believe the world needs super heroes, and this one gets my vote today!

Thanks for stopping by,
Georgianne

Please remember to comment and I'll enter you into a drawing for a Nestle and Soar Magnet Set. Please watch the comment thread to see if you're the winner!

Watch for 100th Nestle and Soar Order on Etsy and You Could Receive a Present!!

Spring Tree Pillow

The Nestle and Soar Studio on Etsy has approached a milestone that I plan to celebrate--will you join me? The next order that comes to me via that shop will be my 100th Etsy Order! Isn't that fun?! I have very much enjoyed getting to know my customers by way of this fun-to-use virtual boutique and I am very grateful for all the support and encouragement I receive there.

Fantastical Tree Pillow

The fiber folk art item that is most often bought via Nestle and Soar on Etsy is...drum roll...custom work. That's right, most of my sales comes from private commissions. It is exciting that this is so, as it means to me that people find it easy to work with me in fulfilling their desire for a one-of-a-kind fiber art item. Out of the 99 orders I've fulfilled from my Etsy shop, 22 of them have been custom work. I hope you'll contact me if that is something you are interested in! You can read more about my commission work here.

Fantastical Tree Pillow

The next most popular item is one of my pillow designs that involves a tree. The Spring Tree Pillow and the Fantastical Tree Pillow are both big winners here at Nestle and Soar. It seems that everywhere I go, I find other tree lovers. In Colorado, trees may not be as old or as plentiful as they are in the eastern states, but folks from Colorado certainly love their trees! That is one of the benefits of operating a global retail shop: tree lovers from around the world tell me that they, too, have this "thing" for trees. I am very pleased to be able to continue my support of the Arbor Day Foundation through all of my different websites. If you love trees, your qualifying order from Nestle and Soar causes a tree to be planted in your honor in our National Forest system. I think that's exciting!

I am planning a special thank you for the person who submits the 100th order on my Etsy shop! I have a few special items in my cache that I haven't ever promoted, and based on what is ordered from me, I will select a special item to pass along. I think this free gift with order needs to find a new home where it can be appreciated by new eyes. Don't you think that would be a wonderful way to celebrate? In fact, on the day that my 100th order comes in, I will open a week of time where my blog readers can contact me via an email on my website, www.nestleandsoar.com. If you send me a note from there, I'll find a little something in my cache to pass along to you, too, just for saying hello! Remember, the one-week time frame for that offer begins on the day that the 100th order is placed, so you may want to keep an eye on my Etsy shop,  Nestle and Soar on Etsy. I hope you can help me celebrate!

Thanks for stopping by,
Georgianne

Grow like a tree -- Think like a tree

Coexist by Georgianne Holland, 2011

"Think of a tree, or any living event that emerges from within itself. It is the degree to which it obeys its inner commitment to unfold a certain pattern that enables it to overcome all of the resistance and the obstacles in the environment, and to demonstrate itself as a vast and vital manifestation of the energy of Life."

Swami Chetanananda

I have to admit that I do think about trees, if not like them, almost daily. Today, my favorite tree thought is the red maple tree in our front yard, as its leaves have just now begun to turn a coppery-pink color. Soon the entire tree canopy will be bright red and it will be brilliant. I am hopeful we do not get an early Fall snow storm, as that will shorten the fall foliage season considerably. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

My latest fiber art construction titled Coexist is another tree that has kept my mind busy. There are 12 birds of different colors nestled in the branches of this wool tree, and the leaves are appliqued wool, which cause them to protrude, or have that 3D-effect. The entire piece is made of wool, and is mounted on ivory linen in a wooden frame. It is my hope that this Coexist design will come to signify the unity that I believe exists between all people, for even as we have unique characteristics, we are all members of the human family. Chetanananda speaks of this as the vital manifestation of the energy of Life, and that energy can provide worldwide harmony. That is my prayer.

The Arbor Day Foundation is supported by my artwork and the success of my Nestle and Soar Studio. I received recently their journal where I read a vitally interesting article about how trees can tame storm water problems in communities everywhere. Most cities and towns in the United States have water systems that were constructed generations ago, and because they are underground and out of sight, their overwhelmed condition can be "out of mind" to most of us. Abundant trees can help curb costly storm water runoff, which is another benefit to trees that may not be top-of-mind. If you'd like to learn more about how you, your business, or your community can participate in water-system health through green landscapes, see the nice folks at www.arborday.org/stormwater.

Thanks for stopping by,
Georgianne

Let me plant a tree in your honor!

Georgianne Holland's Robin Bird Peace Pillow

Nestle and Soar is the name I've given to my folk art studio near the mountains of Colorado. Like the area in which I live, there are plenty of tree and bird images taking center stage here. I see them in my art, in my home, and in my mind. For instance, my new inventory of Tree Coupons from the Arbor Day Foundation arrived, and I am having so much fun sending them out to my Nestle and Soar customers and friends! When I arrange for a tree to be planted in a national forest in honor of a customer, it feels like I do more than admire trees--I actually add to the greening of our planet.

I'll admit that my own forest experiences are limited; Colorado of course, a few days in Georgia and California, but never (yet) to a tropical forest or the giant Redwood forest, or dozens of others. In the meantime, my radar is always searching for a better understanding of the natural forests around the world...here's what I've learned this week.

REDD- what it is, or perhaps, what it hopes to be.
70 developing forest countries could be eligible for REDD, or specified funds provided mostly by wealthy nations, to help those mostly poor countries succeed financially without cutting down their forests. REDD's ambition is to halve global deforestation by 2020. This unprecedented plan was one obvious success of last year's Copenhagen summit on climate change, I have learned. It happened in Oslo in May of 2009, and there met 58 nations, known as the REDD Partnership, and they negotiated to pledge $4.5 billion by 2012 to those eligible developing forest countries measured in "forest-carbon credits". Global climate change summits continue and this ambitious plan continues in development. For those poor countries who need to fell forests to create funds, the REDD plan gives them an alternative to the fund-supply that keeps these important forests growing and doing their environmentally crucial work.

"...if REDD is unprecedented, it is because so is the threatened climate calamity, and forests have a lead part in that. (Forests) are the cheapest large-scale carbon-sequestration option available: they actually consume the stuff. This presents a big opportunity. ...by one estimate, carbon dioxide equivalent to 40 parts per million could be extracted from the atmosphere by 2050. That would roughly match global emissions over the past three decades." What can we do, I ask? "Natural forests must be conserved...Above all, with the human population set to increase by half over the next 40 years, the world needs to work out where its food is going to be produced."
The Economist, Something Stirs, September 25, 2010.

I am a simple folk artist living and working in the great state of Colorado. As I continue to feel the overwhelm of how our planet, our leaders, and our fellow humans around the globe will react to the real threat of climate change and deforestation, I will continue to make art that captures the beauty of nature. I will also continue to gladly make arrangements to have planted many, many trees in our national forests. [Visit my Etsy shop to learn more.] On my bucket list is to visit all of America's National Forests. On my daydream list is to also visit forests around the world. I would love to hear about your forest experiences as well as your thoughts on climate change.

Peace and Health to All,
Georgianne

The World's Forests

Autumn Meadow Folk Art, Georgianne Holland, 2010

I have had a fascination with trees for as long as I can remember. I even bought a mediocre house because the trees on the property were magnificent! Not my best financial idea, but certainly one that proves I can go nuts over trees.

I have teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation (ADF) to include my passion for trees as part of my folk art enterprise. When anyone orders one of my original folk art designs from my Etsy shop, I arrange with the ADF to have planted, in their honor, a tree in a U.S. national forest. I am very excited that such a program exists to make my work as an artist a small part of keeping trees healthy in this country.

I started to think about forests around the world, and know that national forests in America, while close at hand, are not the only forests in a suffering ecology. I want to learn more about the world's forests and the ecological miracle they demonstrate. I will be posting my findings as I come across them, along with beautiful tree images I find along the way!

"Across the world, forests and the soil beneath them absorb about a quarter of all carbon emissions. This is an indispensable contribution to life as we know it, and forests offer many others, too. They house more than half the word's species of animals, birds and insects...Forests are also the source of most staple foods and many modern medicines. They provide livelihoods, wholly or partly, for about 400 million of the world's poorest people." The Economist, September 25, 2010.

My fascination with forests and trees is personal as I feel a connection to the earth whenever I look at a tree. Beyond the personal, forests and trees are a vital part of the earth, and I would love to hear about your feelings about, and experiences in, the forest.

Thanks for stopping by,
Georgianne