Moving from Winter Months to Spring Time

"I make things," I said.

After an eye opening interview that gave me an idea of what it feels like to speak about something you truly love and believe in while knowingly being judged for it, I had no nerves when asked what it is I do, in front of 100 plus people at a scholarship dinner.

With a smile on my face, and my Kai by my side, I said, "I make things! Accessories, creatures, jewelry, you name it, I'll make it."

It is incredible what happens when you put the energy out there, and wait for the opportunities to arise. When they surface, you have to jump. You have to go for it. Leave behind the "stuff" you've been carrying around, and just leap with a big ol' smile painted across your face.

After my interview on Friday, I went home and squealed about it, over and over, it was like a tide coming in. Swell after swell of joy, reassurance, stability, excitement, pride, ease, calmness, all at the same time.

I created things all Saturday, and today, Sunday, I have been going through my closet. After looking into that dark, tangled mess of matted clothes, I started a basic google search for apartments. I know, I am not quite there yet, but I can feel it coming, and I can't wait. I think I will like having the pressure to buy what I need, not what I want. That box will keep me in line. I will have to get creative with what I have and I like that. I need that. I am prepared for the challenge and welcome it openly.

The weather, despite it being accompanied with the eery humming of climate change, has allowed me to ride my bike the 1.5 miles to school every day this week (except Friday to prevent showing up sweaty for an interview). This was an empowering, enlightening, challenging and deeply needed experience. I have slept deeper, felt better, grown muscles and feel better connected to my daily life.

I would love to get a speedier bike to cruise around in, like the real cyclists do, but I have to say, I love my bike, and I love the challenge that it gives me. I appreciate what I have and I want to keep that feeling going.

Namaste & Happy Spring,

E.B.

NEW Feather Earrings for Spring 2012

Why, hello there,

FEATHER EARRINGS!

Have you been looking for new and beautiful things to adorn your ears? With out the generic look? Something more "you," which carries more meaning??

Well, perhaps....

1. These earrings are all lovingly handmade by me and my reimagining mind. 

2. The feathers come from a humane farm unless noted. Terra Cantata (http://www.etsy.com/shop/TerraCantata)

3. Leather pieces are recycled/upcycled scrap pieces.

4. Many of the beads have their own story and history, which I try to include but sometimes can't remember them all, which means I will have to remember soon when I write all the descriptions!! =]

ALL THESE WILL BE POSTED TO ETSY SOON! 

www.etsy.com/shop/grundyluks

These were so fun, I got a leather hole-punch and some salvage pieces of leather and I have  been playing with my new toys as seen here!! I'm going to paint on them as well... we shall see! 

Detail of the turquoise bear.

Detail of the clay beads and leather shapes.

I can also hole punch through some tough stuff!! I hole punched this display piece to better suit my needs! =] It was tough! Thanks Q.E.! =]

These are my personal favorites from this series, the dangle is elegant, the amethyst is gentle, and the feathers colors are so naturally perfect. 

Close up.

They just play in the sunlight!! 

Ok these are funky! I may have gone hole-punch crazy, but I love the end result. These are a stepped dangle with two levels of feathers, one dangling from the leather piece, and the one above. BEAUTIFUL. I love the color of the top feathers; I call the color clay-bath. =]

Fun shooting with my display, from Q.E. =] Thanks!! 

You can really see the leopard jasper here on the bottom, there, the orange and speckled stones. The glass work beads (from santa fe!!) are just glistening too.. Shells from Hawaii! So many little stories are nestled in each of my pieces.

These are ostrich feathers! The first in the series, they have super long elegant dangle pieces, on of garnet and the other  a metal filigree type bead. I love the balance you get from having long, long earrings and the light, airy feathers.

Here you can see the filigree beads details.

Splash of orange.

I like the look of these distressed beads, a loved & summery look.

This is my new display unit! Totally shabby chic! I found this stick while walking the dog and picked it up, examining its perfect shape, knowing exactly what it was for the moment I held it. It lives in an antique mason jar, which is attached to a wooden base. Better full shot to come. I added the giant key for fun. 

Last but certainly not least is this! THIS is a hair clip! The gold piece is, believe it or not,  a  button cover. A vintage button cover. "What?" Well! If you had a rather dull sweater with rather dull buttons, you could slip this ingenious cover (of course you would have multiple), over your buttons and vualá! Fancy buttons!! These were given to me by my grandmother, as was most of my jewelry. Some I keep for the love of it, some I share for the love of it! I can't help but keep on RE-IMAGINING.

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU.....THANK YOU.WORDS THAT ARE POWERFUL IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW:WRITE. PEACE. LOVE. REIMAGINE. DREAM. FOCUS.
MEDITATE. EAT HEALTHY. LISTEN. MEET. FEATHERS. GIVE.
OPEN. YOGA. TEA. DREAM. CREATION. REFLECTION. READ. EARTH. EAARTH. 

Thinking about Sustainability...

When the semester starts, it seems like my entire life become engulfed in a tsunami of reading and writing,  going between classes and chores, here there and everywhere, all the while trying to maintain my sense of self and peace.

Often I put yoga to the side, consider my cup of tea as a break but forget to enjoy it while reading some article on climate change, and the only outside time I get is my walks with Gorda. I have been taking her on a longer, more leisurely walk through some reserve area near by. We both love the deep breath we can take while out with no agenda besides to be blissful.

I love to look around at the life I am dreaming up and IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL. I think GrundyLüks will continue to be a source of freedom for me, a source of creative flow and energy movement. A SOURCE OF LIGHT AND LOVE. Thats why I love to share these things with you! I wan't to change the way we see our surroundings; not brainwash, not being egotistical, I want to share the happiness and love and peace and joy and ease that I have found in allowing life to be and truly feeling.  I thank every day for that moment when I was flipping through the book of majors offered at S.S.U. and found "Geography; Environmental Sustainability Concentration" there in the middle of the book. I had just sat down, had my coat and bag still on my shoulder, and was simply flipping through the book! I knew immediately that was for me. Ease. Trust. Feel.

I can't deny the need to keep my drive for creating in sync with my drive to change this world. When I thought of creating a sustainability plan for GrundyLüks the other day it shocked me I hand't done it yet! Well, here it is:

Its a start, a working idea, always subject to new information and changes that happen within me and within my world; our world.

-Erin 

What a weekend..

New Hampshire Weekend

Leaving my creations and sewing home, I hopped into the car, took a deep breath, and allowed whatever was to be, to be.  Being able to let go of things that feel like they "need to get done" does feel good, although it may feel challenging. I usually think of every moment as an opportunity, and thats not untrue. It is very true that every moment has opportunity, but every moment does not need to contain so much juice of life that you're dry by noon.

I took some time to just sit, read a magazine, take a cat nap in the sun that shines in through the frost covered windows, glistening on my face. I know when the wind blows because I feel the shadows move from my eye past my ear, and down my neck.  I know when the wind abides, for the branches cast the shadow that bounces back to my eye. I appreciate these simple moments for all the beauty and opportunity they give. However simple, however complex, its not what is in the moment, it is in how you are being in the moment. That is why "new" and "change" are so important. We feel comfortable and accustomed to things we do everyday, and we know "how those actions are supposed to feel." If we are never present in the moments of our lives that seem to feel normal, we never experience the true opportunities that reside in those moments. For the truth is, we are the variable. The actions do remain the same, but every time we approach that familiar action, the "we" has changed. We bring the new thing. We are the change.

Snowshoeing with the Pup, and taking some time to walk in the woods. Smelling the clean air and watching paw prints from rabbits who hopped into the brush. I feel so at home here in nature and just being, just breathing. Leaving things behind to be done another day feels good. Yoga by the porch feels good. Laying with my feet up the wall, reversing the normal flow of blood feels refreshing. And staying in bed till 11:30 feels even better. =]

Keep searching for that.

-Peace

E.B.

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Always room to grow,


Erin

Business cards have arrived!!

Lets start with these beauties. I am really happy with my business cards!! They say all that I want briefly, give a visual idea of my work, and convey the feeling that my actual work does. Got a great deal on them from zazzle. I would use their service again. 

These amazing shoes for my guy who is ALWAYS somehow getting holes in his shoes. I am not sure how he manages to accomplish this feat BUT none the less I found these $6 shoes for him. They just oozed his style and high quality. When I looked up this exact shoe,  I discovered that the origonal price (converted from Lbs to U.S. dollars) is about $340!! yeah... he's been diggin' em thats for sure. He reports that they have great traction especially on the .25 inches of snow that we got last night....

Just a message from my between class hummus snack...

and a message from the cyber world. 

This life just keeps getting better. 

COMMON THREADS PLEDGE

Ok, ok so this is from two summers ago, while in Austin, TX. I'm dreaming of nice weather and then, lo and behold! we get a nice day, and so, WE RIDE! 

Today, I rode my bike to class. I ate breakfast at home. I made tea twice, I am writing by the light of my two lamps and four are on in this room. Because I rode by bike to school, I bought tea with lunch and got a paper cup. I am using electricity and heat and my cell phone take energy too. We live in a highly ENERGY dependent world. And, just a few minuets ago,

I just took the common threads pledge. No, I did not join a cult, no I did not sign away my clothing to others, all I did was say that I will not buy what I do not need. Patagonia's "Common Threads Initiative" ran an add on black friday saying "DO NOT BUY THIS JACKET." An anomaly among the plethora of "70% OFF" and "ONE DAY ONLY" eye catching adds.

Well, Isn't this what most people say they strive to do? Don't buy what you don't need, kind of basic house hold management, Money 101, type deal. However, Patagonia as a company has also pledged to abide by the 5 R's

REDUCE
REUSE
REPAIR
RECYCLE 
REIMAGINE


Not only are these guides that I try to live by, but I believe that our ways of life need fundamental changes starting from here. We, humans, on this ONE planet, are using 1 and half planets worth of resources according to Paul L. Knox and Sallie A. Marston in Human Geography (5th edition). Sounds a bit backwards right? Many things in our world right now are indeed backward sounding. For example, "A poll in 2004 found, for example, that most Americans believe that the United States spends more than 20 percent of its budget on aid to poor countries; the actual figure has consistently been less than 0.2 percent of the country's gross national income, putting it last among rich industrial nations." (Knox and Marston)

These are only two of the MANY examples I've been hearing today. The more these stats and readings get into my ear, the deeper the become ingrained in my identity. I am an individual who makes choices that affect not only myself but all those in this world, on however marginal a scale, and as these choices add up, so do the consequences. Think of every individual that makes up the whole of this Earth's population, of 7 BILLION. The number of last year. The number that we all heard about. Another issue thats come to my attention is "3 million plastic bags are used EVERY DAY by the residents of MASSACHUSETTS. " This I've heard from a MassPIRG Rep. (3 times now) in my geography classes. (I am a geography major with an environmental sustainability concentration at S.S.U.) and they are starting work on a bill that will ban the use of plastic bags in massachusetts. I SUPPORT THIS CAUSE, and want to volunteer to help out. MassPIRG is a nonprofit group funded by students and run by students, and the group also has lobbyist in congress that lobby on the groups behalf. They are also working on updating the bottle bill. Its amazing to see the progress and support that they are gaining. Even so, these groups have forces working against them, for example the chemical companies that produce plastic bags, obviously do not want their money maker banned. One solution, such as in Ireland, is to impose a tax of .40 cents per bag which a customer would pay for. However, this to me would not be enough. Banning is the way to go. There is simply no need for something so destructive when there are MANY alternatives.

The effects of humans on the Earth has not been a thing of just the 2000's, its not a new topic. Reading a book, called "The Greening of America," I noticed a few things; 1) We have made progress in the environmental revolution, 2) We have "missed the boat" on a lot of  opportunities, and 3) we can't possibly just throw up our hands and say, "well, its too late now." This book by Charles Reich was published in 1971, and many of the topics discussed are totally relevant, and with new light shed upon them, actually give me hope in the fight for environmental stabilization. It is not that we are trying to "fight global climate change." We simply can not do that. We as humans do not have the power to change the Earths normal cyclical nature. HOWEVER, we do have the power to change the staggering impacts and ignorant use of this planet. Rather than take fuel and energy for granted, we can put energy back into a higher commodity. Change is not something humans naturally accept and embrace. We should be skeptical; skeptical of science, skeptical of change. But, that time is over and the evidence is pointing to the truth of climate change and human impact.

Change is inevitable, and not always good, but the power of humans is that change can be good and it can be done well. It is not a matter of creating more to change, it is about reducing, reimagining, reusing, sharing, cultivating good practice, and trying new things that may seem simplistic or rustic, if you will. But the aesthetics of life change, and that is a good thing.

How does all of this apply to my art?

Well, that is exactly the point to my art. It may be believed by some that as a product gets further and further recycled, it degrades in value. This is simply not a true statement for all things. Some items have the potential to upgrade and become better. In my art, I try to take things that people no longer see value in and make it into something useful, fun and creative. Something functional, something new from the old. I have been using the term, "100% Reimagined Wool" or "100% Upcycled" which are both reflective of the betterment of the materials.

This concept of maintaining a sense of fun and pleasure in what we have will help to add value to the items that we own. We take many things for granted, but if we have thought hard about what we are buying, where it has come from, how much "consequence" came out of its production, and where it is going to end up, this world will change. How much love is inherent in something? How much care and how much respect? These are things that we need to think about. And this is spreading. And this is good. One reason I liked joining Etsy is the sense of community. Between China to Poland to the U.S. to Canada, I can send a message asking a seller about their product. I can read their personal story, and the story of the product that I am pondering. I can see what materials and get a sense of the values inherent in the items. I love this because it allows me to choose between a careless seller and one who's values relatively match my own. Those who support the positive change or those who are un aware. I do not just let the unaware pass me by, I may also send messages to them asking about their product, making them more aware, spreading the knowledge, the idea of questioning.

I believe that people are doing this more and more. If a product looks pretty identical to another, what makes them different? Perhaps their origin, their materials or their quality? Perhaps machine made or hand made? But I believe if someone had to choose something, they would choose quality of materials used, usefulness, ethical qualities for the best price. If an item has inherent "goodness" in these 5 R areas, then my hope would be that consumers would chose that item. I make those choices in my art and hope that others can embrace this as well.

Three Luvies from my Valentines Day collection (available now) and
a pairof my SUPER WARM arm warmers (also available.)
:)

It is not enough to put out your recycle bins any more. Life is changing. And the future will look good with a new face.

TO SIGN THE COMMON THREADS PLEDGE OR READ ABOUT IT GO HERE

TO SEE MY ETSY SHOP GO HERE

TO SEE MY WEBSITE GO HERE

Peace & Love & Positive Change

Quote:

"I'm planting kisses on you so kissing trees will grow."


I hope that this works with love.. plant love where you want it and it will surely grow. water it with care, handle it gently and love will surely prosper.

I have been feeling like I see many people looking for items made with that extra bit of care and attention and I believe that is a great change in the world. Thinking about broadening our eyes and our views. Where are our materials coming from and what inherent value do they have? Do they come instilled with goodness and love? Do they come with positive intent? Do they need to be here at all?

I've found a few things that I have really enjoyed these past few days:

Yoga Journal's suggested Bed time routine

1. Shower yourself with love.
2. breathe. deep.
3. stretch out. breathe deep into ever cell of your body.
4. cover yourself in a blanket of love.
5. sleep. drift into dreams.

I've got that paraphrased now, but I just love that concept.

I've also found a really cool site for a new business card design!! what do you think???

Isnt it great?!?! 

Im really happy with the design, and its much more me... maybe because its got my own work on it. 

Making progress.

Its not about "Squeezing in"

"When you fuse your intention with the spirit of service, you learn to believe in yourself. When you show up with focus and integrity, especially in life's everyday moments, you uncover the essential trustworthiness within yourself."

Elena Brower for Yoga Journal Feb. 2012

How can we bring this to the way we interact with our environment, our comfort levels, our standard of living and ourselves?

I was checking my etsy shop stats and making some changes to recent items, and found this article, the featured etsy seller of the day. Here is what she had to say:

"While I am producing my designs, I always have to be thinking about new ones for the following season. Sometimes this comes easily, and sometimes it doesn’t. I can’t force new ideas, so I find if I just keep producing and experimenting they will eventually come. One season I felt drained from production and I didn’t design any new prints for the following season, which actually freed up time to build creative energy.  It’s important to notice when you are in a rut and to accept it. You never know when and where new ideas may spark, and you have to allow yourself the freedom of time to let them come."

I thought that this was just a really great way to take time to realize what is on your plate, and to allow yourself that. View the whole article here:
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/featured-seller-jenna-rose-handmade/?ref=fp_featured

TREE OF LIFE

OK. This I could not resist. Just gorgeous!! Totally out of my price range,  but  it just had to be shared.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62651974/dresses-sale-nuno-felted-eco-dress-tree

Ok, so this is Nuno Felting which combines silk, wool and other fibers, and you get amazing textures and colors. This is a success! The dies are all eco friendly dyes made from plats which is great. Just another amazing feature of Etsy.com its all about communication! No restrictions by little tiny tags here!! 

Luvie the Grundylük

Well, there is a new member of the Grundylüks family and the names Luvie! There is also his side kick, Little Luvie!

Luvies with a Little Luvie! 

This is the perfect, not too much-not too little Valentines Day gift. With his adorable eyes, love note (or chocolate kiss or anything else you can think of) pocket, lavender or rose scented sachet, and snuggly, cuddly warm body, you can't go wrong! 

Luvie's $14.00 and Little Luvie $10.00

(save one dollar by opting out of the scented feature)

*WHILE SUPPLIES LAST! LIMITED QUANTITY AVAILABLE SO LET ME KNOW EARLY WHICH LOVE WILL BE YOURS. Send an email to: erinmb_Salem@comcast.net

100% Re-imagined Wool
100% Eco Friendly
100% Made with Love
100% Support of a Local Artist

Also, keep in mind each Luvie is different, most have a beautiful dark grey, cashmere back, and are stuffed with recycled sweater bits and alpaca fluff.  I will send a confirmation photo upon request.



To get the full story go to:

http://www.ne-where.info/ne-where/Art/Entries/2012/1/14_The_newest_member_of_the_fam..html

Looking Out a Window

Waking up this morning, I look to the window that has been mine for the past three or four days, I can't keep track. It may have been the most beautiful window I've ever seen, for not only what is on the outside, the inside or the window itself, but the wind, making the trees blow. The branches outside the window, swaying here and there like a dance, the shadows of the window panes creating their stage, made me feel like in a dream, a perfectly staged scene, almost unreal. The curtain, drawn, is a glistening, shimmering drape, golden white, with a texture like that of sparkling water. This scene, i could stare at for hours, as it still glistens now, dancing on these keys. But every moment must have its own song, and not take the whole of eternity. 

I read an amazing interview this morning about a young girl who is in college and selling her handmade things on ETSY. The biggest thing about this is not that she said anything I'd never heard, but the fact that she is accomplishing and she is doing. The fact that there are other out there who are partaking in the handmade-love movement is  great for my ears to hear. With all that goes on in my life, I feel like I have no time to create, but that is simply just my imagination playing time-warp trick on me. I know that I have time to make valuable and beautiful things, and then have time left over, its a matter of giving my self that chance. I am so afraid of failure that I don't take chances. This realization is one that I have been avoiding for years now, and even now I am not allowing it to sink into my conscienceness. Today, I affirm that I will not let myself get in my own way of creating and being the best that I can be, for the sake of my own dreams. I will follow every path or resistance, and keep creating things that follow why my heart and head resonate with; nature, love, the earth, family, friends, and art. 

To the new year.

-Heron

Beginning Anew

Every impression that we make on this earth begins something. Be it a new creation or the finalization of a project, with every step that we take we are creating something. I believe it is important in life to remember that fact. Ever moment we have a moment to remember that this is the creation, this is the life, this is the choice, this is the love, this is the beauty, this is the soul purpose in me. To find that, to discover that every moment is just a step in the right direction is to create something beautiful; life. That soul purpose depends on breathing into your heart, stretching out with some yoga, and sitting down to write, paint, draw, drink a cup of tea, read a book, make that call, watch that person, listen to that friend, be that human you truly feel you are. 

With this new year I am looking back at the “sticky note” that I wrote last year, and it has been there, on my computer, reminding me, every once in a while, that yet, I am still on that path, still aiming for those goals. Yes that statement still rings true to my heart. Those aspirations where:

New Years Resolutions

1. read and write everyday     (did somewhat. On the way.)

2. save save save save             (hmm... im what i like to call “self employed”)

3. make make make            (YES YES YES =] )

4. sell sell sell                        (I  have been building, did sell more!)

5. love love love                    (      YES.     )

1. live now live now live now         (        YES.     )

YES.  what an empowering word.... 

That list, three out of six, 1/2, glass half full, half way there, has three items checked off. That just makes me feel so good! Makes me feel as though I am living what I want to live. 

This year, I am going to add:

1. Meditate Every Day
2. Sell Leg Warmers At YesOuiSi
3. Connect deeper with recently made friends; stay connected
4. Configure Studying abroad in Germany
5. Get job? Look into ENVIRONMENTALLY FASHION FOCUSED JOBS
6. Continue to build on Environmental Fashion & Creating

That is why I am here! To deepen my focus on environmental fashion, I am going to be writing and sharing here about accessories that I create and fashion that I find that is environmentally friendly and people conscience. This blog is going to be my building block to creating a life and career on environmental awareness, and specifically friendly fashion!

Welcome to the journey, I can’t give you an itinerary, however, I can give you a warning, this, the year of the dragon, is going to be filled with bumps, bruises, moments to brush off the dirt, and hiking up our skirts, we will be flexing our muscles, and bringing all things that come to pass into our open arms and open hearts, taking what we need and allowing to pass, all that does not serve our individual goals. Good luck and peace. 

-Heron.