Treasures, Treasuries, and Thoughts

I swore I would never do a blog! So much for swearing. I didn't think that I would have much to say or share. I was wrong! I have been so blessed with a wonderful family, loyal friends, sharing colleagues, and the support from so many that I will never run out of topics to write about.

I have opened an on-line store at a place called Etsy (rhymes with Betsy). The items on the left are available for purchase there. These will change from week to week to show you my latest creations. The link to the store is in the upper left corner of this page.

I also have items for sale listed on Art Fire. The link to my Art Fire Studio is http://www.jstinson.artfire.com/

I hope you will visit this blog, my Flickr page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jstinson/2500402289/) and my Etsy and/or Art Fire stores often. (http://www.jstinson.etsy.com/ http://www.jstinson.artfire.com


So come along on my Trail of Treasures! It will be a Spirit Journey for me and I invite you to join me on the trip.

Friday, March 26, 2010

I Am A Fairy!

My Fairy name is Tangle Rainbowwand

Tangle Rainbowwand is said to be a fortune bringer.
She lives at the bottom of tangled gardens and in hedgerows.
She is only seen when the seer holds a four-leafed clover.
She wears tangled dresses of multicoloured petals.
She has multicoloured wings like a butterfly.

Joan L, one of my Bbest Team Mates on Etsy suggested that I go to a fairy website and I would learn my “fairy name”. She then offered to do a personalized water color ACEO of me as my namesake fairy. I immediately took her up on her generous offer.

I have long been an admirer of Joan’s work. While she does like fairies, she also does wonderful paintings of birds and has a “Neighborhood Girl” series that I really enjoy.

Joan lives in Philadelphia, PA and has a store on Etsy. Joan says, “I have always been an artist ever since I can remember but not able to do it full time until recently. It is my one passion in life. I hope you enjoy what you see and remember it is made with a lot of love and care. You can view her work at http://www.sixsisters.etsy.com/

And here I am……Tangle Rainbowwand!


Now in addition to my Cherokee name, saguu gago widuyugodv, I have a Fairy name as well!

Wado, Joan for my portrait!

If you would like to learn your Fairy name, go to:
Get your free fairy name here!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Etsy Bead and Jet Team Treasury: 3/17/10


As you know, I sell my jewelry on Etsy. Etsy has a feature called "Treasuries". A member of Etsy selects 12 of their favorite items around a theme and if they time it just right, they can "snag" a treasury. They are then called the curator of the treasury.

Etsy also has teams. The number is vast. A team is made of people who share a common interest. Treasuries are often used to promote one's team and/or team members.

This morning I found out that my Mandala Earrings (third row, middle shot) were featured in this treasury curated by one of my teammates in the Etsy Bead Team. She is Debbie and owns an Etsy store called stoutdg2. Debbie also belongs to the Etsy Jet Team and used items from both of her teams in this beautiful treasury.

Debbie does amazing jewelry design and I think she must search the world over for her beads. I don't know where she locates the amazing lamp work beads that she uses in her designs. In her shop announcement she says, "I create one-of-a-kind fun, whimsical jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. I use artisan handcrafted lampwork beads in my designs as well as gemstones, sterling silver, vermeil and gold filled metals." You have to just see her work to gain full appreciation of the quality and creativity. I am showing two of my favorites here.





Now in order for you to see more of this fabulous artist's work, please visit her Etsy store at http:www.stoutdg2.etsy.com You will be glad that you did if you love gorgeous one of a kind jewelry made by a skilled artisan!

Debbie, thank you for including my earrings in your wonderful treasury! I truly am humbled and appreciative.


Friday, March 5, 2010

Wilma Pearl Mankiller





Wilma Pearl Mankiller was both the first woman deputy chief and the first woman principal chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma..

Wilma was born at Tahlequah, the capitol of the Cherokee Nation in November 1945, and lived at Mankiller Flats until she was ten years old. Her father, Charlie Mankiller, was a Cherokee, and her mother, Irene Mankiller, was of Dutch Irish decent. Mankiller grew up with four sisters and six brothers. She overcame many personal hardships and returned home to Mankiller Flats, Oklahoma, to establish herself as a political powerhouse working for the betterment of all people.

The Native community was saddened by this e-mail from Charlie Soap, Wilma’s husband:

Charlie Soap regrets to announce his wife Wilma Mankiller has been diagnosed with stage IV Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer. Mankiller is an author, lecturer and former Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Mankiller has served 12 years in elective office at the Cherokee Nation, the first two as Deputy Principal Chief followed by 10years as Principal Chief. She retired from public office in 1995. Among her many honors, Mankiller has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton. Soap requests that the public respect the family's privacy during this time.

As many of you know we have a Native American forum thread on Etsy to promote the Native American spirit and arts. When I received this news, I posted it there as well as in other team forum threads.

One of the frequent and beloved contributors to our NA thread, Taxcoandmore, was so touched that she created a wonderful treasury of Native American art on Etsy as a tribute to Wilma and those of us who grieve her condition. Here is the featured art:
Wado Taxcoandmore! Please visit her store at http://www.taxcoandmore.etsy.com/
Perhaps you could leave a "heart" for her store. It would be a nice “Wado” for her taking the time to honor this great woman.

This morning I received this e-mail written by Wilma.

"I decided to issue this statement because I want my family and friends to know that I am mentally and spiritually prepared for this journey; a journey that all human beings will take at one time or another.

I learned a long time ago that I can't control the challenges the Creator sends my way but I can control the way I think about them and deal with them.

On balance, I have been blessed with an extraordinarily rich and wonderful life, filled with incredible experiences. And I am grateful to have a support team composed of loving family and friends.

I will be spending my time with my family and close friends and engaging in activities I enjoy. It's been my privilege to meet and be touched by thousands of people in my life and I regret not being able to deliver this message personally to so many of you.”
Wilma Mankiller

Wilma served as a wonderful example of leadership and compassion during her life time. She faced issues head long and continues to do so. She demonstrated that one inspired woman can make a gigantic difference in the lives of others. She is now serving as a wonderful example for those entering the next phase of their journey. Bless you, Wilma, for all that you have done and know that your light will serve as a beacon to us for many years to come.