Vintage for the Holidays – 20% off

Vintage for the Holidays – 20% off: "Take 20% off entire order before shipping"

No Coincidences.....

As a cancer survivor, I often find myself interpreting and internalizing things in a much more connected way than I had before my diagnosis.  I've always been very spiritual and have known in my heart that things happen for a reason.  I believe that it's our job as humans to discover the connections that are set out for us and to realize that there really are no coincidences.  This belief system was a great comfort to me while undergoing diagnosis and treatment and is even stronger now, after 4 years post diagnosis.

I love it when I run across other like-minded people who feel the need to share their stories, art, quotes in order to validate those special life connections and my 'no coincidence' theory.  For several years, I volunteered at the Arizona Cancer Center in the chemotherapy infusion room.  I originally volunteered to 'give back' but ended up getting so much more than I gave.  My job was to make the patients as comfortable as possible while undergoing chemo.  I often would run up and down the stairs to fetch food, beverages, information for the cancer patients.  I chose the stairs, instead of the elevator for a healthier me.  Many times, I passed by a plaque which simply stated, 

 “The happiest people are those who discover that what they should be doing and what they are doing are the same thing.”  

I loved the simplistic reminder of this message! One day I decided to quickly jot this quote down with the author's name, etc. on a piece of scrap paper, which promptly became lost in 'the purse' for about a year. 

During a recent bout of spring cleaning, I  unearthed my scrap paper quote and decided that it would make for good sharing. I haven't blogged for a while and have really been feeling the need to focus on creating; whether it be through the medium of jewelry, food or writing.  I googled the author's name, Janie Cohen, and was delighted to discover that she is a Tucson Artist and cancer survivor who also received treatment at the Arizona Cancer Center. While exploring Janie Cohen's website, I came across a publicity article reported by Laura Marble May on May 16, 2007  and another  insightful quote reached out and touched me .

“It doesn’t matter whether the tree is crooked, bent, verdant, or barren. It doesn’t matter if the tree blooms softly or is rigid and hard. It does matter that the tree of life speaks to us. Listen.”  

The article ends with the profound statement "Likely, some people who walk through the Arizona Cancer Center will pause and hear", which is exactly what I did.  Thank you,  Janie Cohen, for connecting with me and validating my truth that there are no coincidences.  Now, it is my turn to reach out and pass it on.

Vintage Hawaiiana at its Best!

I just have to share this fabulous barkcloth shirt that I have on auction right now.  This Kay O'Kauai Hawaii shirt has such a quality feel to it, and its bright, vibrant colors are truly masculine.   The best feature of this shirt are the goldtone Tiki buttons!  What a one of a kind find!  http://tinyurl.com/yls66du

Sweet Greens Blog

Check out this great Eco-Friendly Blog from Sweet Greens.

She is also the professional Blogger for Cascadian Farms.

Do your part in trying to reduce our Ecological Footprint and forward this blog to your friends!

Go To Great Panes » FAQs about the new Etsy GM feed

For anyone who is confused with the Etsy GM feed process, check out this Blog by fellow Etsian 'GoTo'. Easy to understand directions and tricks to help wade through the learning curve. Thanks again GoTo!

Go To Great Panes » FAQs about the new Etsy GM feed

Vera Neumann ~ A Woman Before Her Time

I love stories about strong women who have defied the odds and made their mark on the world. I think this comes in part from the fact that I come from a line of strong women with varied levels of remarkable accomplishments. For example, my maternal Grandmother earned her Masters Degree in Physiology and her sister piloted her own plane around the country. All of this took place in the early part of the 2oth century, which back then, was relatively unheard of. When I came across my first Vera item, a set of placemats, I had no idea who Vera was. I had 'that feeling' that she was special. In my unquenchable quest for information, I set out to find out more about Vera and was delighted to find out that she was a true pioneer; a renowned woman years ahead of her time.


Vera was an artist who had a true love of nature, bright colors and art and wanted to share her love with the world. She started out by silk-screening her artwork onto placemats out of her tiny New York City apartment in the 1940's. She is best known for her scarves, which are now extremely collectible. Her idea for scarves was birthed when she came across some old parachute silk in an army surplus store. Her early scarves were made from this silk, which actually makes Vera green 60 years ago! She went on to become very successful business woman duplicating her artwork onto a varied selection of textiles. She was doing what she loved best, painting, when she died in 1993 at the age of 86.

When I learned that her scarves were collectible, I made it my mission to find them. My first Vera scarf was an early Vera, due to the small signature, no copyright and no 'lucky ladybug', which became her signature mark in the mid 1960's. My first find was a gorgeous small square scarf decorated with a unique black symbol pattern screened on sheer red silk.


I've been hooked on Vera since then and have found many of her scarves, but none had made the impact on me that my first Vera did, until my find today! Same early Vera, silk scarf with a made in USA label, screened with soft, muted brown feathers and set off by a hand-rolled black hem. So gorgeous and so classic, not only for the aesthetic value of the piece, but for what the piece stands for ~ a woman who not only dreamed, but made her dreams come true during a time that most women were underrated.