Pics from STIR event June 27th

Here are some pictures from the STIR event that took place last night at the Woodruff Arts Center. Bren of Flanboyant Eats, B So Chic, and C.B. Herrera came out to hang with me as well. The first few pics of are of some jewelry she brought out. The last pic is of me before I left the house. Also check out the new labels as well as the new gold quilted gift box packaging.

Visual Inspiration, Written Motivation 06/28/2009

photo from Life Archives

If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.
Michael Jackson

Playing in the Shop: Michael Jackson Mega Mix

Michael Jackson Mega Mix

Rest In Peace Michael: Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal

Rest In Peace Michael: Michael Jackson and the Jacksons - live 1979 Don't Stop Till You Get Enough

Rest In Peace Michael :The Jackson 5 - Rockin' Robin 1972 RARE

3 Piece will be at STIR this Saturday June 27th!

I will be premiering some of the new products here as well. Look forward to seeing some of you.

j

Visual and Written Inspiration 06/24/2009

photo from Life Archives

"What does music mean to me? I don't think I would really be much without it, without it coming through me. It's my means of communication, my means of growth, my means of transportation from one point in my life to another."

Erykah Badu

Playing in the Shop today: Erykah Badu

Erykah Love

I'm just living the Dream, man...

I had a wonderful conversation yesterday with Brooke of Urban Bazaar and Rockstar Jewelry regarding defining success. What started as a quick call from Brooke to check on me turned into an hour long conversation about Creatives. We as Creatives are feeling a lot of the pain in this economy however we are under an obligation because we were given a gift to continue to honor our dream. If it means buying your supplies in smaller quantities, okay. If it means doing 3 shows instead of 10, okay. But what you shouldn't do is give up. You see sometimes you have to adjust your vision but still keep the dream alive no matter what. You were given a gift for a reason I believe everybody has their something and what I create is my something. It has to be because I cannot stop it I have so many journals filled with scents, designs, plans they are everywhere. I guess what I am saying this morning is this...


Don't Quit Poem
by anonymous

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest! if you must; but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow;
You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup.
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit;
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

What I Saw (weekend edition)

Here are a few pics of what I saw over the weekend. The colors of the car are my favorites purple and turquoise. I have a kinship with trees so I like paying attention to them.

Playing in the Shop today: Monday's Mix

06/22/2009 Mix

EAOC Summer Treasure Hunt Still Going!!!!!

Today and Tommorrow are the home stretch. There are a lot of prizes available to win from very talented Artisans including 3 Piece!!! I will update at Noon with the phrase to look for today.

j

THE PHRASE FOR TODAY IS: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Visual Inspiration 06/20/2009

photo by j

Playing in the Shop today: Dance Dance Dance Videos

Dance Dance Dance

EAOC Summer Treasure Hunt Starts Today!!!!

THE PHRASE FOR JUNE 19, 2009 IS "HERE COMES THE BRIDE"

Being a proud member of EAOC Team we are having a "Summer Madness Treasure Hunt" that will take place in the Etsy Promotions Forum beginning Thursday, June 18th and ending Sunday, June 21st. Each day the "EAOC Summer Madness Treasure Hunt" will begin at 12 noon and run until 12 midnight, EDT.
Once you have located all of the letters and completed the phrase, email Vanessa - VirtuousCreations.etsy.com. Make sure in your email that you list each letter that you found and the shop that you found it in.
For more info visit: http://eaoc.blogspot.com
Good Luck and Have Fun!

Participating shops:

www.lydiasspacollections.etsy.com
www.goodenoughtoeatsoap.etsy.com
www.angelinafongdesigns.etsy.com
www.fangirlista.etsy.com
www.gloriasjewelrybox.etsy.com
www.BklynMoMos.etsy.com
www.honeychilddesigns.etsy.com
www.mct43.etsy.com
www.collectiveelements.etsy.com
www.yarncoture.etsy.com
www.amberdawnaccessories.etsy.com
www.michemozaix.etsy.com
www.misskart.etsy.com
www.melrosefields.etsy.com
www.safiyabeauty.etsy.com
www.barehandedpress.etsy.com
www.beinspireddesigns.etsy.com
www.beyondjewellery.etsy.com
www.runakodesigns.etsy.com
www.blossomingtree.etsy.com
www.eternallegacy.etsy.com
www.uzuri.etsy.com
www.osceolapottery.etsy.com
www.virtuouscreations.etsy.com
www.velvetbox.etsy.com
www.SatinDollCo.etsy.com
www.sarenzobeads.etsy.com
www.3pieceonline.etsy.com - ME!
www.claudiaolivos.etsy.com
www.ivorymagnolia.etsy.com
www.myjunkytrunk.etsy.com
www.favorsrus.etsy.com
www.wanderingmoon.etsy.com
www.mochachild.etsy.com
www.thesoapseduction.etsy.com
www.jamilajolie.etsy.com
www.wirequeen.etsy.com
www.thegifthutch.etsy.com
www.blaisedenvy.etsy.com
www.sydneyaustindesigns.etsy.com
www.jarvisgift.etsy.com
www.designbcb.etsy.com
www.greenfamilytree.etsy.com
www.kezzmit.etsy.com
www.beatriceclay.etsy.com
www.cabcomp.etsy.com
www.akuadesigns.etsy.com
www.ibeautiful.etsy.com
www.handsthatsing.etsy.com

Have fun Hunting!

Visual and Written Inspiration 06/18/2009

photo from Beuna Vista Social Club Album

“Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense”

Winston Churchill

Playing in the Shop today: Kanye West

Kanye West Favorite Video

Claudia Olivos and Sergio Olivos: Namaste

Claudia Olivos and Sergio Olivos: Namaste: "Namaste means: 'The spirit within me, recognizes/salutes the spirit within you'.
Absolute love, acceptance."

I have posted the link to this beautiful post and written inspiration and motivation today. I could not convey this message better than Claudia has written so please visit her blog to read her words. I humbly try to convey this to everyone in my circle and beyond, Namaste.

j

Visual Inspiration 06/17/2009

photos by J

These are pictures I took this past weekend of High Falls State Park here in Georgia. I took the kids there on Sunday.

Playing in the Shop today: Minnie Riperton (live)

Minnie Riperton

EAOC Summer Treasure Hunt June 18th-21st

3 Piece (along with over 40 other artists) will be participating in the upcoming EAOC Summer Treasure Hunt on Etsy. See the flyer above for more information.

Inspiration Today: Entrepreneurs can change the world

Playing in the Shop Today: Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite

Maxwells Urban Hang Suite

Inspiration: Charlie Rose - Emanuel Brothers

Motivation: Charlie Rose - Jay - Z

Playing in the Shop today: Jay-Z - American Dreamin Live (American Gangster)

New Products going in the shop today...

Above are pictures of the new throw pillows I am putting up in the shop today. I also have 3 more in production right now. More new products on the way I think I just hit my stride. Also below is an explanation of why I call the line Argent De Lait:

The First set of Argent De Lait throw pillows are going up in the Shop today. I named the throw pillow line Argent De Lait because I wanted it to convey the meaning Milk Money. One of my favorite movies is "Cinderella Man" with Russell Crowe and one of my favorite lines in the movie comes from the press conference when he is making his come back and they ask "What are you fighting for?" and his reply is classic "I'm fighting for milk money" (I think) but that really has pushed me in some very hard times to always remember what I am fighting for.




j

Visual Inspiration and Written Motivation 06/08/09

photo from Life Photo Archives


"I am going to do what I believe is right and Godly, irregardless (sic) what they say about me."

Hosea Williams

Playing in the Shop Today: I Ain't No Joke

I Aint No Joke - Eric B. & Rakim

It's Saturday Let's Celebrate!!!

Well Good Morning All!
I am finishing my products that are in various steps of development today. I have some that I think are going to really take off. After I am done with them I have to find the perfect place to take pictures of them. I was rejected by two different online exhibition sites recently so instead getting down about it, I have studied the other artisans listed and decided to change my product shots. Sometimes rejection just makes me hungrier, makes me want it just that much more so I am going for it again.

I posted the three different versions of Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood to show how one song can change depending on who is giving their interpertation. Now I know Ms. Nina Simone cannot be touched however as a hip-hop head I do appreciate Common and the Tupac/Lil Wayne remix.

I posted the Steve Jobs commencement address at the 2005 Stanford graduation because I had previously posted a quote of his from this speech and I don't think that quote adequately captured the beauty of this speech. I sometimes think that we give all of this great advice and wisdom to the youth but are they really listening? I mention this because Child Genius was inducted into the Talented Tenth for her high school (she's number two!!!) however while the chosen speaker was giving his speech 80% of the children were either text messaging or talking to each other. I mentioned to Child Genius as we were leaving that they had missed out on a very inspirational speech. She and I were very enthused and inspired as we were leaving and proceeded to have the best conversation all the way home. It is very frustrating to me at times. Anywho have a great weekend and see you on Monday.

Enjoy,

j

Inspiration and Motivation for 06/06/09: Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

I think I posted a quote from this address a while ago however here is the entire speech. This is motivation and inspiration today.

Playing in the Shop today: Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood

Dont Let Me Be Misunderstood - Nina Simone

Good Morning Sunshine....

Well I have been a very busy bee. This weekend I had the pleasure of making candles for a Diversity Training that took place yesterday. Boy Wonder started Basketball Camp on Monday, All Basketball All Day 5 days a week, Yeah!!!! Child Genius and I are trying to find her some volunteer opportunities as well as scheduling college road trips in which I have every intention of embarrassing her without fail. I have at last count 4 different products in production around La Casa 3 Piece. However there is a subject I would like to touch on Creative Theft.

I subscribe to Google Alerts as well as I tend to google my product names and ingredients to find out if there are any people around trying to pose like their Funky like me. Well Well Well there are two companies both based in Georgia both started after I started mine in 2004 who have both produced SOY CANDLES in way too close to be comfortable scents like mine with if not the exact names then the names are too damn close for comfort for me! It took everything I had not to contact them but what I did do was contact my attorney because sometimes people assume because I am a one woman show they can take my $#!t they are bat shit crazy. I am a fighter and I have worked too hard creating these products trying to be different from every other candle manufacturer who just buys fragrance oils to let some trust fund kid and spoiled rich woman take my stuff. Whoo there I said it, Child Genius didn't understand why I was so pissed but hopefully some of you will.

I posted the pics from this weekend, I am really liking the SUPER sign, as well as Beyonce because I really like that song. Singing "I got a big ego such a huge ego".

Enjoy,

j

Visual and Written Inspiration 06/03/09

photos by J


“There is a fountain of youth: It is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring in your life and the lives of people you love”
Sophia Loren

Playing in the Shop today: Beyonce

Ego - Beyoncé