We Shall Remain

Have you heard about the upcoming PBS series on Native Americans? It is series to be aired during April. This is what the PBS promo has to say about it:

"At the heart of the project is a five-part television series that shows how Native peoples valiantly resisted expulsion from their lands and fought the extinction of their culture -- from the Wampanoags of New England in the 1600s who used their alliance with the English to weaken rival tribes, to the bold new leaders of the 1970s who harnessed the momentum of the civil rights movement to forge a pan-Indian identity. We Shall Remain represents an unprecedented collaboration between Native and non-Native filmmakers and involves Native advisors and scholars at all levels of the project."

If you have interest in learning more about the project or signing up for e-mail reminders of airing dates, you can go to this web site:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/the_films/about

You can also order a pre-publication copy of the DVD if you are unable to watch the series or prefer to watch it on your own schedule.

I am excited and can hardly wait for the first episode.

Found On Found Handmade!

Found Handmade is a fun web site for promoting handmade, vintage, and supply items.

They select sellers for a "Freeblock" on their blog. They had notified me that I had an item on Freeblock but I wasn’t able to find it as I’m technically challenged. I received an e-mail from them that the Freeblocks are on the blog portion of the sight. Then I found it. The last item in the photo above is of my Feather Duster Earrings.

Found Handmade helps shoppers who are looking for Handmade, Vintage or supplies. They sell space to sellers who wish to promote their shops by advertising on the site. They also have a fun game called Play and Win. You can win great prizes that are donated by their members.

The blog has gorgeous items that are added daily. If you would like to visit, go to:
www.foundhandmade.com

Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) Found Handmade for promoting my Earrings and doing a feature on American Indian inspired items.

Here's To New Friends

I am blessed with a new friend who is making new friends! As some of you may know, Kokopelli is one of my favorite Native American characters. I don't think it has much to do with the various legends and I'm certainly way past the need or desire for fertility symbols, it is the simple design of this little whimsical muscian that has always intrigued me.

I was surfing around on Etsy and found this shirt. I thought it would ideal to wear while vending at Pow Wows. The only problem is that most of Pow Wows are in the summer months and I would die in long sleeved black clothing! I contacted Toni. She and her husband, Mark, are new to Etsy. Their store is named RCTees.

I have learned that Mark does the art work and screen printing while Toni attends to the business side of life. They live in Decatur, Alabama and collaborate on ideas.

After a few convo's, they have agreed to make this shirt for me in "Earth Moss" and with short sleeves. As often happens in the Etsy community, we have become fast friends.

This morning, Toni made a treasury as a tribute to her new friends on Etsy and included the print "Native American Painted Ponies" by Donel Keeler, a member of my collective. You can see it here. It is the first item in the third row.

The title is Here's To New Friends. Toni added....and you can't have too many of them! I agree and wish Toni and Mark great success on Etsy. I can't wait to get my RCTee! There may be just the one you need in their shop. Check it out at http://www.rctee.etsy.com/

I Am Elinor Dashwood. Who Are You?

Take the Quiz here!

This morning I was notified that the designer of my new banner, avatar, letterhead and business card had featured me on her blog. If you would like to see the feature, please go to: http://swiekysiggies.blogspot.com/

While viewing her blog, I noticed this fun quiz. If you are fan of Jane Austen, you may like to see how you relate to one of her wonderful characters. Take the quiz and leave your character's name in the comments. We will be curious to see who you are!

My Store's New Look!

My New Banner

My New Avatar

My Beautiful Cousin



For months I went without a banner in my Etsy store and used a photo of myself as an avatar. Then my Bbest Etsy friend, Brett, took pity on me and developed the banner I have used and loved for the past year. I have kept it on file and will continue to use it again in the future. Mvto and Wa-do (Thank you in Creek and Cherokee) Brett.

While surfing on the net, I saw a banner and avatar in a shop on Etsy owned by Erin. One look and I knew that with minor alterations that I had to have it! You see, I was almost certain that my wonderful cousin, pictured above, could have posed for it back in the days of our youth.

I will not use her name as she is a private person and I wouldn't identify her without her permission. She has been undergoing rigorous chemo for the past year. Just this week she had a wonderful report from her oncologist. I found this artwork about the same time that I received this good news. I knew it was more than coincidence! I had to act on it!

Erin was wonderful to work with and I am so very pleased with her graphic designs. She made the changes requested and went the extra mile to be sure I was pleased. Should you need a new look for your store as well, I highly recommend her. Here is her site: www.swiekysiggies.etsy.com

Also check out Brett's wonderful art at www.vanfleetstreetdesign.etsy.com. She does wonderful nicho's, ACEO's, and great artwork with a Southwest flair.

I do hope you like the "New Look" as well as I do! And to you, dear cousin, may the news continue to be so glorius! I HAVE FAITH!

A Fancy Shawl For The First Lady

First Lady Michelle Obama models a handmade shawl she received from Director of Public Affairs for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Nedra Darling. (Photo: Lawrence Jackson/Associated Press) First Lady Michelle Obama continued her getting-to-know Washington tour on Monday with a visit to the Department of the Interior where she announced that President Obama would soon appoint a White House policy adviser dedicated to tribal issues such as sovereignty, health care and education.

Mrs. Obama said the new policy adviser - whose name is expected be announced in a few weeks - would focus on "the well-being of Native American families and the prosperity of tribes all across this country."

"For those of you focused on meeting the federal governments obligations to the Native Americans, understand that you have a wonderful partner in the White House right now," she said.

This was Mrs. Obama's third speech before a crowd of federal employees. Mrs. Obama has promised to visit all of the cabinet-level agencies to thank employees for their service and to listen to their concerns. Last week, she visited the Departments of Housing and Education.

On Monday, she again pitched the president's economic stimulus plan as she did during her agency visits last week.

"At a time when so many Americans are out of work, sound energy and environmental policies are going to help create thousands of jobs through the economic recovery and reinvestment plan that Barack is out there promoting today,'' Mrs. Obama said.
The first lady was greeted by hundreds of workers, celebrated with a traditional Native American "Honor Song" and wrapped in a bright lavender shawl.

Nedra Darling, a spokeswoman for the office of the assistant secretary for Indian Affairs and a member of the Pottawatomie tribe, draped the shawl over Mrs. Obama's shoulders.

"It's a hard place to live and work," Ms. Darling said of Washington. The song and shawl "will provide her strength and courage and duration through her tenure and beyond," Ms. Darling said.

Article sent to me by Sheila Rocha.

Bloggers Unite CPSIA Project

Wednesday January 28 is the date selected for all individuals who blog and are concerned about the impact of the new CPSIA laws to add a blog on the topic. I have blogged, written letters, and made phone calls previously.

I don't usually use "boiler plate" in my blogs but this was provided by the organizers and says it all. I saw no reason to re-invent the wheel.

CPSIA
As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

As a Native American, I believe one's culture should be preserved, protected, and perpetuated through both our arts and our crafts. Shame on our Congress and Senators! By passing CPSIA, they have shown no knowledge or respect for either!