Sizzling Summer and Giraffes

 

Volume 19 Issue 9, September 2022

What's New in September?

Getting ready for the fall! So many days of 90+ temperatures has me thinking that Autumn will soon be here, or at least, wishing it was. The tropics have been a bit on the quiet side, so I will take that as a good thing. September is our peak month for hurricanes here in Florida, so anything is possible.

As for things that I have accomplished, those can all be counted on one hand. The hand that I had surgery on. It is still not comfortable enough for me to hold tools for long, so I have been concentrating of writing more than I am on designing jewelry, beads and canes. I think my hand needs the extra rest.

On the other side, I have done a lot of writing, and there are two finished first draft manuscripts, and a novella in the works. I count myself lucky that I am able to finish the pieces the first time, but going back seems to be a bit daunting, so I just raise more monarchs and take photos. Our last release was 13, and those were mostly girls. Hmmm.

We went to the zoo.

 

 

What’s New

New Earrings:  In addition to fractal earrings, I added some pretty flowers and other colorful beads.

Thimbles: New Christmas and great grandma thimbles, as well as faith-based thimbles with bible verses.

New Book: The Joy of Jewelry Making Create for fun. Sell for Profit is now available on Amazon in both paperback and ebook formats.

You will find all of my beads, canes and finished jewelry on my website. www.bluemorningexpressions.com

Until next month,

Julie

Here are some of the things I have been writing:

http://www.julielcleveland.com/trivia

http://www.julielcleveland.com/the-florida-life

http://www.julielcleveland.com/writers-toolbox

http://www.julielcleveland.com/e-commerce

Things to Look Forward To:

New Products:

Pushpins: I have too many themes to mention here, but from teachers to nurses to friends, I am doing designs as quickly as I can.

Statement Beads: Working on large beads for ZOOM calls and being on camera. Both earrings and pendant necklaces.

Prints and Posters: Bible verse posters and other art featuring hot rods and more are in production.

 

Summer Heat and Monarchs

 

Volume 19 Issue 8, August 2022

What's New in August?

It’s been rather hot here, but not as hot as the rest of the country, never mind Europe. We’re used to being hot, but we are no where near the heat in London or other EU countries. I pray that the heat abates.

My monarch nursery was successful the second time around, and though I thought I had six little eggs the last batch, I had somewhere in the neighborhood of 17, which taught me the lesson of taxing the environment that I wanted them to live in, so I am being more cautious for the next group.

In the meantime, I have one more butterfly that will come out this morning, and I see about six or so caterpillars on my outside milkweed. I am thinking about nursing them along, but don’t know if my plants will hold up. A dilemma. 

My hand does not fully function yet for those fine motor skills, so I have been putting off trying to hold tools with it. It was coming along and then I tripped and fell. I used that hand to catch myself on the concrete. It is just now functioning again, so creating beads and jewelry has been out of the question for a bit. I have mobility back, so I expect to get moving on new things soon! It’s almost time for Halloween and the Fall!

In the meantime, enjoy a baby from our nursery.

What’s New

New Earrings:  In addition to fractal earrings, I added some pretty flowers and other colorful beads.

Thimbles: New Christmas and great grandma thimbles, as well as faith-based thimbles with bible verses.

New Book: The Joy of Jewelry Making Create for fun. Sell for Profit is now available on Amazon in both paperback and ebook formats.

You will find all of my beads, canes and finished jewelry on my website. www.bluemorningexpressions.com

Until next month,

Julie

Things to Look Forward To:

New Products:

Pushpins: I have too many themes to mention here, but from teachers to nurses to friends, I am doing designs as quickly as I can.

Statement Beads: Working on large beads for ZOOM calls and being on camera. Both earrings and pendant necklaces.

Prints and Posters: Bible verse posters and other art featuring hot rods and more are in production.

Monarchs and Milkweed

Volume 19 Issue 7, July 2022

What's New in July?

I’ve been nurturing a butterfly nursery all month. It started several months ago, but ended up with me needing to chop down my milkweed and eradicate some nasty little pests in it before I could even think about trying to give monarch butterflies a place to lay eggs and become butterflies.

In the end, it took months, but I did manage to create a habitat that was conducive to the care of little caterpillars. It was not without some downfalls and some adjustments as I learned how quick those things were when they were on the move towards building a chrysalis. Never mind that there were weather issues like a storm that blew the top off the cage.

After seeing the caterpillars grow, chasing a few wayward ones that found the most minute hole in the screen to wriggle their 3-inch body through, we had a successful launch of three adult monarchs. In the meantime, I learned how to determine the sex of the monarch, unfortunately, it was after two had already left. My last launch was a female.

We already have four more eggs on several plants, so we’re ready to put the screen back over the plants and watch the miracle of monarchs start over again.

What’s New 

New Earrings:  In addition to fractal earrings, I added some pretty flowers and other colorful beads.

Thimbles: New Christmas and great grandma thimbles, as well as faith-based thimbles with bible verses.

New Book: The Joy of Jewelry Making Create for fun. Sell for Profit is now available on Amazon in both paperback and ebook formats.

You will find all of my beads, canes and finished jewelry on my website. www.bluemorningexpressions.com

Until next month,

Julie

 

 

 

Things to Look Forward To:

New Products:

Pushpins: I have too many themes to mention here, but from teachers to nurses to friends, I am doing designs as quickly as I can.

Statement Beads: Working on large beads for ZOOM calls and being on camera. Both earrings and pendant necklaces.

Prints and Posters: Bible verse posters and other art featuring hot rods and more are in production.

 

 

 

 

Volume 19 Issue 6, June 2022

What's New in June?

It’s almost hurricane season again, and for the seventh time in as many years, NOAA is predicting an above normal year for hurricanes and major hurricanes. I will spend my Memorial Day weekend doing my hurricane shopping since we have tax-free shopping on hurricane preparations. I don’t remember in the past dog food being tax-free, but it is this year, so Harry’s in luck. Big bag of kibble for him!

I got my carpal tunnel surgery done the end of March, and it’s still a bit stiff, but it’s getting better every day. I have not been able to bead or make jewelry because the palm of my hand is still tender, and that’s where my tools sit in my hand. Course spoons and spatulas bother it, too. No cooking and no beading!

While I wait on it to stop being so sensitive, I have been doing a lot of writing. I am over halfway done with my second novel in a series. The first book is a crazy mess that I have to unscramble before I can do any more, but I wanted to finish the second one before I went back to the first one since I am on a roll.

My local library now has my trivia book and my jewelry book on their bookshelves. I am so excited! Time to start working on finishing up my 1960s music trivia book now.

Since not much has been going on, the only photo I have to share is my blooming Christmas cactus.

 

What’s New

New Earrings:  In addition to fractal earrings, I added some pretty flowers and other colorful beads.

Thimbles: New Christmas and great grandma thimbles, as well as faith-based thimbles with bible verses.

New Book: The Joy of Jewelry Making Create for fun. Sell for Profit is now available on Amazon in both paperback and ebook formats.

You will find all of my beads, canes and finished jewelry on my website. www.bluemorningexpressions.com

Until next month,

Julie

Things to Look Forward To:

New Products:

Pushpins: I have too many themes to mention here, but from teachers to nurses to friends, I am doing designs as quickly as I can.

Statement Beads: Working on large beads for ZOOM calls and being on camera. Both earrings and pendant necklaces.

Prints and Posters: Bible verse posters and other art featuring hot rods and more are in production.

 

Crepe Myrtle and a Forgotten Post

 Volume 19 Issue 5, May 2022

 What's New in May?

For only the second time in the 18-year history of Blue Morning Expressions did I forget to write and post a newsletter. April is missing, and I am sure that part of that can be explained. :)

 I had carpal tunnel surgery at the end of March; I quit my daytime job at the newspaper; and I embarked upon new avenues of employment. The most significant was the surgery. It took me several weeks to get into the swing of things; although, I did not lose the ability to type, I did lose my stamina rather quickly.

I am happy to say that this is behind me now, and while I am still a little shaky on the creative side since my hand muscles are slow to get back into shape, my pain level is almost zero and I can use my hand again. I spent a lot of years with a numb hand that could no longer cane. I hope to get back to making flower canes again as soon as I can!

 On that note, there are not a lot of things new in my little corner of the world, but there are things coming, so stay tuned!

Here is something to enjoy while waiting for me to get back together. Lichen on crepe myrtle—an interesting study in contrasts.

 

What’s New

New Earrings:  In addition to fractal earrings, I added some pretty flowers and other colorful beads.

Thimbles: New Christmas and great grandma thimbles, as well as faith-based thimbles with bible verses.

New Book: The Joy of Jewelry Making Create for fun. Sell for Profit is now available on Amazon in both paperback and ebook formats.

You will find all of my beads, canes and finished jewelry on my website. www.bluemorningexpressions.com

Until next month,

Julie

Things to Look Forward To:

New Products:

Pushpins: I have too many themes to mention here, but from teachers to nurses to friends, I am doing designs as quickly as I can.

Statement Beads: Working on large beads for ZOOM calls and being on camera. Both earrings and pendant necklaces.

Prints and Posters: Bible verse posters and other art featuring hot rods and more are in production.

 

Mother's Day Countdown 2022 Midweek 9 Famous Mothers

 

She was born in 1939 in Bennettsville, South Carolina where her father was instrumental in encouraging her to continue her education. And she did. She went to Spelman College, as well as Yale. Her academic achievements awarded her a scholarship that took her to France, Switzerland and Russia.

As soon as Marian Wright Edelman arrived home in the 1960s, she plunged into the Civil Rights Movement. That got her arrested, which spurred her to go to Yale and study law. She took that education and became the first African American woman to be admitted to the Mississippi Bar, and she went to work with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund in Mississippi where she focused on the racial issues of the 1960s.

She was elected as the first Black woman on the board of trustees at Yale, and she was influential with Martin Luther King, Jr. and Hillary Clinton.

She met and married Peter Edelman in 1967. He was the assistant to Robert F. Kennedy.

Marian was the mother of three children, but three was not enough for her. She founded the Children’s Defense Fund in 1973, so she could be a voice for poor and disabled children. She worked to get congress to overhaul the foster care system and advocated for youth pregnancy prevention.

She is the author of numerous books and many have a focus on the importance of children’s rights.

The Edelman children have gone on to advance their mother’s cause. One is an educational administrator; one is an education advocate and founded Stand for Children, and one is an Academy Award winning documentary producer who got his award for O.J.: Made in America.

Marian’s words should ring louder today than at any other time: “We must reject any leaders who for any reason play political football with our children’s lives and our nation’s future."

Here are some great gift ideas for your Mom, Grandmom, Auntie and anyone else you honor as Mother from some very talented handmade artists. 

Hearts And Swirls Wood Wall Art Handmade From Oak Wood

Kevs Krafts

Vintage Rose Flower Gift Tags – Set of 12

Adore by Nat

Artisan Lampwork Floral Heart Pendant Necklace Onyx Glass Beads w Crystals

Magdalene Jewels

Pink Copper Bronze Heart Earrings

Victorian Style Treasures

Sacred Heart Catholic Church 8x10 or 11 x 15 watercolor print Tampa Florida Historic print

WatercolorsNmore

Crystal Heart Earrings

Lindab142

Love My Dogs Necklace, Ceramic Fluorite Amethyst Dog Handmade Jewelry

Shadow Dog Designs 

Dark Red and Pink Crystal Heart Earrings With Sterling Silver Ear Wires

The Singing Beader

Red Heart Earrings for Women Dangle with Silvertone Leverback

Blue Morning Expressions

Don't see what you're looking for?

Here are some more places to shop handmade from these artists:

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Julia Ward Howe

Irena Sendler

Marie Curie

Mother Teresa 

Candy Lightner

Josephine Baker 

Erma Bombeck

Jane Goodall

If you have something special in mind for Mom, then ask one of the artists on this page to bring your vision to life with a custom work of art just for Mom. 

I hope you enjoyed our famous mothers series. It was not easy to write because I didn't want to focus on the usual suspects like Gwyneth and Blythe or Goldie and Kate. I wanted to find women who made an impact with both fists and stomped their feet in case you weren't listening. I think I found them. 

Happy shopping,

Julie and Little Harry

Mother's Day Countdown 2022 Week 9

 

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Mother's Day Countdown 2022 Midweek 8 Famous Mothers

 

She wanted to talk to the animals like Doctor Doolittle. And she did. Once known as Baroness Jane van Lawick-Goodall, Jane Goodall has made her life mission one that included talking to animals. Primarily the wild chimpanzees of Tanzania. She spent 60 years studying their social and family interactions while fighting to preserve and conserve their habitats.

Her work put her in the middle of a chimpanzee community where instead of numbering the primates, she gave them names like Fifi and Frodo. She discovered the more she observed them, the more she recognized distinct personalities amongst the community. They also like to hug and kiss each other. She dispelled a long held belief that only humans used tools and that chimpanzees were vegetarians. 

Chimpanzees are hunters, and they have no problem fashioning tools to get what they want. They can be brutal. They would arm themselves for conflict if necessary.

Over the years, Jane found that she was considered a member of the troop, and the chimps ranked her the lowest on their social order. They did warm up to her, and she stayed until an aggressive male took over the troop and ran her out.

She was the mother of chimpanzees, and she established the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977 where they fight to preserve and protect the habitats and the lives of the troops. She endured criticism for her work, as well as had her belief in God questioned.

Jane did take time out to become a mother of a human. Grub. His real name is Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick, but she called him Grub. She was so concerned about his well-being while she was with the chimps, that she built and cage and put Grub in it.  

He grew up in the wilds of Africa, and now he lives in her old home and is an animal right’s activist. There is a 2017 documentary titled Jane that features 140 hours of film that Hugo shot of his mother.

Mother of one or mother of all chimpanzees, Jane gave us insights into mothers and children that are no different no matter how much fur they have or don't have.

Here are some great gift ideas for your Mom, Grandmom, Auntie and anyone else you honor as Mother from some very talented handmade artists. 

Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads, Black Shiny

Covergirl Beads

Gemstone Beaded Choker Necklace DragonflyToggle Clasp

Magdalene Jewels

Rustic Elephant Bohemian Earrings, Handmade Polymer Clay Jewelry

Victorian Style Treasures 

Leopard Wall Art Handmade from Birch Wood

Kevs Krafts

Monkey Party Invitations for Baby Shower and Birthday

Adore by Nat

Brown Owl Goldtone Bracelet and Earrings Set

Lindab142

Lion Head Pendant Necklace

The Singing Beader 

Elephant Earrings

Shadow Dog Designs

Giraffe family Note Card

WatercolorsNmore

Giraffe Mother and Baby Bangle Bracelets for Women with Charm

Blue Morning Expressions 

Don't see what you're looking for?

Here are some more places to shop handmade from these artists:

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Julia Ward Howe

Irena Sendler

Marie Curie

Mother Teresa 

Candy Lightner

Josephine Baker 

Erma Bombeck

If you have something special in mind for Mom, then ask one of the artists on this page to bring your vision to life with a custom work of art just for Mom. 

Happy shopping,

Julie and Little Harry