New Ofifteen Interview is up...

So this week I interviewed Sabrina Johnson of Tackle That Task and it is quite an interesting interview here is the link:

Sabrina Johnson Interview at Ofifteen Magazine

I asked Sabrina quite a few questions this time around. For Sabrina's answers you will need to click the link above but for my answers please continue reading:

Would do your job even if you weren't paid?


I do it now and it is really a self less act to create. It doesn't resonate with everyone and sometimes noone supports you. However when you are at a show or festival and that one person comes by who really loves your product it makes it all worth while

What are the areas you most enjoy in your home?

I enjoy my kitchen, lab, and side porch. I especially love to sit on the porch in the early morning hours to think about my day

Visual and Written Inspiration 07/31/2009

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Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.
Hardy D. Jackson

Playing in the Shop: Freshlyground: Meet the Band

more of a background video about the band itself.

Ally Pat- Hosea Williams Best Friend

I was part of of the processional at Morris Brown for the Homegoing of Hosea Williams. For many years Ally Pat and Hosea Williams had a public tv show that would come on Sunday afternoons. They were men of distinction but honest in who they really were.

Visual and Written Inspiration 07/30/2009

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Men of genius are admired, men of wealth are envied, men of power are feared; but only men of character are trusted.

Playing in the Shop:Freshly Ground - Doo Be Doo ( Full Video)

At The Collective...

Soooo a small selection of Incidentals by 3 Piece soy candles will now be available At The Collective which is located at 280 Elizabeth Street Suite B103 Atlanta Georgia 30307.

Stop by and smell the candles if you will their hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday 11 am to 6 pm and Sunday 12 pm to 6 pm.

j

Visual and Written Inspiration 07/29/2009

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Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.
~African Proverb

Playing in the Shop today: South African band Freshlyground's song Nomvula

Fantasy Island: Anna Maria Island Florida 07/28/2009

If I could land anywhere in the world at this very moment, here is where I would land

ANNA MARIA ISLAND FLORIDA

What was once a best-kept secret among Florida day-trippers, Anna Maria Island, has always been known for its sugar-white coastline, emerald Gulf waters and quaint
business districts, Today, it is now known as a vacation favorite among local, national and international travelers. Unlike other popular Florida cities with their
theme parks and water slides, there are no lines on Anna Maria Island, except for the ones you draw in the sand.











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I read an article in the NY Times this past Sunday and drooled all over my keyboard. I MUST GO THERE NOW! So where would you land if you could go anywhere in the world right now?

j

Visual and Written Inspiration 07/28/2009

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The truest expression of a people is in its dance and in its music. Bodies never lie.

~Agnes de Mille

Playing in the Shop today: Freshlyground Live - Ma'Cheri

Back in Stride again...

So below are some of the new products I have added to the Shop. I am sooo thankful that I have diversified my product lines and that I have done it one at a time. This allows me to create even when I run out of one thing (essential oils). I have found that when I am creating I am most at peace, so I keep moving. Also I have another great interview coming up this week at Ofifteen so make sure you keep on the lookout for it.


My Beat goes BOOM throw pillow


2+1=3 throw pillow


Large Galvanized Tin soy candle

Visual and Written Inspiration 07/27/2009

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“Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.”
Winston Churchill

Playing in the Shop today: Freshlyground - "Pot Belly" Music Video

I was introduced to this group via Out and About Africa's blog and I cannot get enough. They will be playing all wekk.

I's Published Now Daddy...

So my first article is up over at Ofifteen Magazine, please go over check it out pretty please and leave a comment or two. Here is the link: Susie Caldwell Interview

Also I asked Suse 3 questions that I am going to answer here feel free to chip in your answers in the comment section:

What did you want to be when you grew up?

j: A choreographer like Debbie Allen. I actually was going to try out for Hammer when he was touring Hawaii but found out I was pregnant the day before.

What is your definition of success?

j: Being abundantly peaceful,loved,joyous,comfortable and free in my life. I perpetually seek these day in and day out I am almost there.

What would your last meal be?

j: Prime Rib,fetticune alfredo with grilled shrimp, grilled asparagus, tiramisu, and a wonderful cabernet sauvignon.

Enjoy,

j

Playing in the Shop today: J.K.'s Wedding Entrance

I saw this yesterday and had to repost here today:


If I were to ever say those vows again you better believe I am going to be a dancing fool!

j

1 in 8 million stories....

The New York Times has a section where they tell a different New Yorker's story every week here is one of my favorites from the series:

NY Times: May Wong Lee

I also love the word Grace.

j

Visual and Written Inspiration 07/23/2009

I am very much influenced by the written so I love to post quotes that influence and motivate me. The following quote inspires me so much I dare say it is my life’s motto: “Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else”, Judy Garland. Below are pictures of a person, place and thing that embody this for me.


Katherine Hepburn (source)

I don't think I have ever documented my love of Katherine Hepburn, I find her to be a great inspiration. I loved that she was herself her entire life. She loved unconventionally (Spencer Tracy), dressed for her comfort (pants, pants and more pants) and generally just was her own human being. I like that in a woman.


Kaena Point (source)

I was stationed on Oahu for 3 years in the early 90's and if I could change the world I probably would not have left because up until fairly recently it was the happiest place on Earth for me. Legend has it however that this part of the island is where Souls who have already passed come back to greet New Souls and help them transition. I am planning a trip to go back for Child Genius's 18th next year since that is where she was born.



Copeland Chair by Galaxy500


This Chair, This Chair, This Chair. First of all let me confess that I am a chair junkie. Whenever I am in my favorite haunts I go alone because Child Genius has to physically move me away from any of the chairs while Boy Wonder always says "She can have whatever she likes, she's Mommy." Also I get lost on Etsy (when I am not listing items) for hours at a time. It is something about a place that allows so many Creatives to converge just absolutely Lovely.

These are my picks for a person, place or thing that embody the term "First Rate" to me, what are yours?

j

Playing in the Shop:Erykah Badu I Want You live au chappelle show

This one too! Have you loved soooo hard it was almost like you were reborn? I personally believe I loved that hard because I had put up a shell for so long that I needed that kind of love to break the shell down. I thank him for that wherever he is, opening me up so wide that I could finally come out and play again.

Plus Ms. Badu is just badddddddddddddddddd!

j

Playing in the Shop today: Common - "I Want You" Music Video HQ

This video reminds me of where I was 5 years ago when I started this business. Plus Common is in the top 5 of my "List".

The Outtakes...

So here at the House that 3 Piece built there are many incarnations before a product is ready for primetime. I am going to just show you a couple that Child Genius vetoed so now they are being used by the original 3 Piece not sold by 3 Piece. Get it.




Not quite crisp enough for Child Genius



The colors they do bleed, the horror.

Also please don't forget I have a post that will be up this week over on Ofifteen Magazine covering one of my favorite shops in Atlanta.

Lush Music

Chrisette Michele’s new cd “Epiphany” has been on repeat on my ipod since the day it came out. I am absolutely entranced by her vocal nuances and her lyrical content. However it is the lushness that is contained in her videos that send my heart a flutter. She makes a woman like me want to dress like a grown up and play house except I am already dressing grown and no need to play I run the house. Here are a few stills from her "Epiphany" video:

Playing in the Shop today: Kid Cudi feat. Kanye & Common

Fantasy Island 07/20/2009

If I could go anywhere in the World at this very moment, here is where I would land:

Sapelo Island Georgia,

Sapelo Island (pronounced /'sæpəloʊ/) is a state-protected island located in McIntosh County, Georgia. The island is only reachable by boat, with the primary ferry coming from the Sapelo Island Visitors Center in McIntosh County, Georgia, a seven mile, twenty-minute trip.



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Sapelo Island is known for having one of the few remaining enclaves of direct descendants of slaves. I have tried several times to catch the ferry but always seem to miss out by an hour or so. Once the ferry leaves it doesn't return until the end of the day. So this is where I would land, where would you go?

j

Visual and Written Inspiration 07/20/2009

photo by J

This picture is of a house at the end of my street in my neighborhood. Everytime I pass by I always think "What Happened?" It is obvious someone lived there a while ago but "What Happened?" The Quote I am posting below arrived in my inbox this morning from Dana Roc Delivered. I think it matches the picture.

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that!"

Rocky Balboa

Playing in the Shop today: Fantasia At The Tonys - "I'm Here"

Big News!

I have been invited to become the LifeStyle Contributor for Ofifteen Magazine. WooHoo!!! So I will be contributing posts over there related to well... Life. I have several interviews coming up along with Home tours as well as Shop reviews. So make sure you pop over there and check me out as well. I am also on a roll in making new products I mean it just all clicked for me. I am very thankful for My Something. I am also very thankful for the community that I have found online (you know who you are) you all provide the wind in my sail and push me further to STRETCH.

Enjoy,

j

New Products in the Shop!!!

So here are a few of the new products that are in the Shop. I have added a Pair of Recycled Wine Bottle Soy Candles, Large Glass Vase Soy Candle, My Familiar: Owl Marble Coaster Set and My Familiar: Bee Marble Coaster Set. I am very excited about the new products I really am on a roll now.

Playing in the Shop: Mixed Plate Mix

Now Playing 07/20/2009

I bet you thought I was done, huh... Not!

So here are more new products that have gone up in the Shop. The throw pillows are giving me a run but I will keep plugging at it. I received an order yesterday for two custom sets of coasters (pretty geeked about that).

Since I will be riding trains for awhile so Child Genius can visit colleges I decided to post this great photo from the Life Archives. Also I think everyone now is aware that I used to be a Madonna wanna be so please enjoy the music. Of course more new products to come because I am on a roll!!!!


j

Visual and Written Inspiration 07/13/2009

photo from Life Archives

And there is the headlight, shining far down the track, glinting off the steel rails that, like all parallel lines, will meet in infinity, which is after all where this train is going.
Bruce Catton

Playing in the Shop: Madonna

The Immaculate Collection

More new products in the Shop!!!

So I have been busy whew. Here are pics of some of the new items in the shop. First up are pics of unscented soy wax tea lights I've never sold these to the public I previously only sold these to event planners and restaurants wholesale, next are my new line of upcycled wine bottle candles available in all the scents I offer but starting with my very first scent SING, last but not least is the Upcycled Wine Bottle Hurricane that also comes with 5 unscented soy wax tea lights. I have more products that will be posted by week's end. I am loving the new Chrisette Michelle album and the quote from my ancestors is always timely. Also my Uncle Prince (real name) called last week to inform me about my paternal great grandparents (both sets). Check this out my paternal grandfather's parents were a 6'5" White woman and 6'9" African with blue eyes while my paternal grandmother's parents were a 4' African Pygmy and a 5' Blind Indian. After he told me this I told Child Genius everything in my life makes perfect sense now.

Enjoy,

j

Visual and Written Inspiration 07/08/2009

Picture from Life Archives

When it comes time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.
— Chief Aupumut (1725), Mohican.

Playing in the Shop today: Chrisette Michele "Blame It On Me" On The Late Show With David Letterman 5.12.09

New Products are going in the Shop today!!!!

Here are a few pics of some of them. These are tumbled slate, tumbled stone and tumbled marble coasters with handpainted designs by moi. I will be posting pictures of additional new products all week. I have been singing Mavis since this weekend and the Lao Tzu quote speaks to me.


j

Written Inspiration 07/07/2009

If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.
Lao Tzu

Playing in the Shop today: The Staple Singers I'll Take You There