New and Amusing, at least to me.

THE FARM;

If I named my chickens I'd call her "Pinky"

We have achieved chick!  I walked into the Spare Oom this morning and found  this little beauty waiting for me!





How exciting!  Now we have to go to the feed store and buy a bag of
"chick starter"  There will be sisters , and probably a brother or two.  This makes me happy!

Last night Tom and I took a stroll through the veggie garden and found these wonders!  That's our first  tomato!  

You see, this is our first successful garden in many years.  In 2000 we got our goats and then we had to adapt to the learning of curve of, "if goats can find a way out, they will." and the first place they would head was the veggie garden.  Then, in 2002 I became sick with Lyme disease and was ill for 4 years.  So there was no gardening during that time.  Last year we tried again but were not so successful.  THIS YEAR we decided that we would make a team effort, work together and see if we could really make it work this time.  Jeepers!  Such lushness!  And yet another learning curve of, "how can we make it better next year!?!"

THE BIZ;


I've been working on a new idea.  I'm developing what I call a "Cane Handle Cozy"  My first attempt was a knitted cozy that slipped over the handle.

When I asked people's opinion, the number one concern was the that the cozy would be slidey and folks would be uncomfortable, fearful of their grip slipping.  And they were slippery that way.

So next attempt is made of handmade felt, lined with rubber.  It sure doesn't slip!  I still have to tweak it, but I should have a finished product really soon.

www.leaningonthepromises.etsy.com

www.measuremecharts.etsy.com 

www.beavercreekwoodworks.etsy.com

www.JudyAGoddardArtisan.blogspot.com

Creating My Brand

This is also my entry for Inspiration Avenue's weekly challenge: WINGS

 I'm getting ready to purchase a booth banner.
       Please leave me a comment and tell me what you truly think of this banner. 

What describes my brand?

Leaning on the Promises

I hand paint walking canes and sticks and hiking sticks.

When I look at my competition I see nice products that are mostly carved or that derive their artfulness from the combination of different woods.

Mine are distinctive because I paint them.  They are finer than most.  They are “eye popping”.

What makes my canes different?

My attention to detail.

My color choices;  

(I only use 7 bottles of paint; black, white, red, blue, green, yellow, silver and gold)  All of the variations you see are a result of my own blending.

My sense of imagination and playfulness. 

My desire to provide a useful product that inspires Spiritual thoughtfulness. 

But my brand is not just my product.  It’s also my desire and ability to delight my customers.

answer these three questions?

What do people value most about your organization?

I deliver what they expect, or beyond their expectations.  What they see in my shop, or what I deliver in sketches and communications is what they receive.  I also make sure that they receive their product on or before schedule.

What makes you distinctive from your competitors?

The quality of my artwork sets me apart from my competitors.  Most of the canes I see on Etsy are beautiful in different ways.  And for those who cherish the beauty of natural woods, there are plenty to choose from.  But my canes make a different statement.  I strive for “eye popping whimsey”.  Whether a customer considers my work folk art, decorative painting, fine craft, my goal is to paint something that delights the eye.

The second part, but not the second in importance is that I include words of inspiration, cunningly incorporated, as a puzzle.  Each puzzle cane has a snippet of scripture or of a popular prayer, written in such a way that, in order to read it easily, you must know the “key”.

What is it that you do well and consistently deliver to your customers?

My number one desire is to delight my customers.  Nothing is more important than that!  I will bend over backwards to bring the exact details to my custom orders that my customers expect.

www.leaningonthepromises.etsy.com

www.measuremecharts.etsy.com 

www.beavercreekwoodworks.etsy.com

www.JudyAGoddardArtisan.blogspot.com

IA Weekly Challenge: Purple and Green

A couple of years ago I saw an interview on the CBS tv program, "Sunday Morning" of a singer named Melody Gardot.  



She's the same age as my son and lives in Philadelphia, just like my son.  Several years ago, while she was attending college, she was hit by a car while riding her bike in the city.  Her injuries were devastating.  During her long hospital stay she began undergoing music therapy, to help her deal with unremitting pain.  She discovered that while singing and performing were the only times she was pain free. She has a wonderful, sultry, bluesy quality, for me, remeniscent of Peggy Lee.


The interviewer asked her if she had any other passions and immediately she responded, "France!" She loves all things French.  And right away my mind jumped to painting a cane for her (she uses a cane) with grape vines, to symbolize French wine.

I haven't sent her one.  I think I'll get the courage up and do so!
In the meantime, I have one for sale and you or someone you know can purchase it at
Leaning on the Promises

www.leaningonthepromises.etsy.com

www.measuremecharts.etsy.com 

www.finishthis.etsy.com 

www.JudyAGoddardArtisan.blogspot.com

Self Promotion" Getting Over the Icky Part

To those of you who are new to my blog, welcome!  I hope you like what you see.  

To those of you who are followers, I have a question.

OK, newbies can respond too.

Many of you know that I paint walking canes.  I LOVE doing it!  It’s been so very satisfying and I’m selling more and more of them now.

And, here it comes..... I’m really good at it!!  

I’m proud of my work and so, so happy when folks tell me how much they love them!

Once or twice I’ve gone out with my canes and walked around, the mall, the park, the craft show.  It always makes me feel just a little dishonest because I don’t need to use a cane.

But I want as many people to see them as possible.

Is this something I should get over?  It’s OK for me take my canes for walks, right?  Shouldn’t I take one everywhere I go?

I’d appreciate some feed back.  OK, what I really want is everyone to comment and tell me that there’s nothing wrong with strutting my stuff and I’m being too sensitive.

But if you disagree, then let me have that too!

 Thanx for your consideration!

www.leaningonthepromises.etsy.com

www.measuremecharts.etsy.com 

www.finishthis.etsy.com 

www.JudyAGoddardArtisan.blogspot.com

IA Weekly Challenge: Sacred

What is sacred?  For my Godmother sacred is what she shows the world; her relationship with  her God.

Here's the cane that started it all!

Two years ago my Godmother asked me to paint her cane to take on a cruise.  She wanted it covered with symbols of her Christian faith.  I was delighted to be asked to make something special for her and poured my heart into making it as good as I could.

And this is what I ended up with!


Now I paint all my canes with the same intense desire to do my very best.

If you'd like a hand painted cane made just for you or your loved one, then contact me, or visit my shop, Leaning on the Promises

www.leaningonthepromises.etsy.com

www.measuremecharts.etsy.com 

www.finishthis.etsy.com 

www.JudyAGoddardArtisan.blogspot.com

Whimsey Wednesday

Are you mad for color?

Does brilliance send your senses reeling?

Is gazing on vibrant hues like water to a thirsty soul?

Hi! My name is Judy Goddard and I designed and painted this cane because I am mad for color!

To see more Hand Painted Walking Canes visit;

Leaning on the Promises

www.leaningonthepromises.etsy.com

www.measuremecharts.etsy.com

www.finishthis.etsy.com

www.JudyAGoddardArtisan.blogspot.com

IA Weekly Challenge: Wedding

I met a lovely lady at the Sugarloaf Craft Festival in Somerset, NJ, in March. Her son is being married this Saturday. She was using a cane as she walked around and looked at all the lovely items offered for sale.

She particularly enjoyed looking at my canes and when I learned about the upcoming wedding I offered to make her a cane to match her "mother of the groom" gown.

The gown is floor length, deep navy blue and is covered with crystal beads cascading down in garlands of flowers and vining leaves.

I knew she wanted something that reflected the design on the gown, but not as "much", something that she would be proud of on the day and be able to use afterward as well.

I mailed it to her a couple of weeks ago and, according to her, I got it

"Just right!"

And THAT is my delight!!

To see more Hand Painted Canes, visit

Leaning on the Promises

www.leaningonthepromises.etsy.com

www.measuremecharts.etsy.com

www.finishthis.etsy.com

www.JudyAGoddardArtisan.blogspot.com

The Nautical Cane

This is my second nautical themed cane. A friend from church asked me to design for his dad for Christmas. And this one was designed for a lady in town who met me at a craft show. Since I've always lived within 10 miles of the beach I guess I should have thought sooner of sea related designs. Sometimes my independant artist streak, not wanting to do what everyone else is doing, get in my way!

So, now I've listed one in my shop, Leaning on the Promises

Price; $50.00 ships anywhere in the USA

www.leaningonthepromises.etsy.com

www.measuremecharts.etsy.com

www.finishthis.etsy.com

www.JudyAGoddardArtisan.blogspot.com

IA: Self Portrait

This week's challenge over on Inspiration Avenue is "Self Portrait". I think it looks like me. Judge for yourself. Visit my facebook page and you'll see. https://www.facebook.com/judyagoddard There's also some odd photos in my Photo Album section. I'd love to have a few new friends!

Since I'm crazy busy right now

spinning dog fur

knitting a baby blanket

painting a new gorilla painting (the Easter Gorilla)

finishing up my son's portrait

painting 2 custom order canes

making and glazing pottery

eating

sleeping and

breathing,

I figured a sketch was the best solution. To see other's self portrait entries at Inspiration Avenue, click here! http://inspiration-avenue-team.blogspot.com/

If you think you'd be interested in a hand painted walking cane, canvas growth chart or if you're looking for someone to do a little hand spinning, drop me an email.

JudyAGoddard@aol.com

www.leaningonthepromises.etsy.com

www.measuremecharts.etsy.com

www.finishthis.etsy.com

www.JudyAGoddardArtisan.blogspot.com

Have You Ever Started Over?

I've been an Etsy seller, now, for almost 2 years. I've had limited success selling handmade items. In the beginning I also sold knitting and crochet supplies in my shop. Last year, at just this time, I opened "finishthis.etsy" for sole purpose of selling supplies and vintage items.

The art that I am producing now is different and I had thought that I would change my banner to relfect these changes. But the more I think about it, the more I am inclined to close the old shop and open up under a new name that better relates to my current items.

I currently have only 39 itmes listed so it would be a minimal cost to move them all over.

So, the questions are:

1. Have you ever closed a shop and opened a new one?

2. How long had your first shop been up and running when you made the change?

3. Did it hurt sales when you first did it? If so, do you feel that you have recovered?

4. What did you do about your previous buyers? How did you inform them?

5. What did you do about all your hearts? Did you inform them that you were moving? Is it even permisable to do so?

6. Over all, do you think it was worth the hassle?

Please write your responses in the comment section and then, if you don't mind, go back to the etsy forum post and let me know you've left a comment.

And thanx for participating. I truly value the opinions and suggestions that come out of these blog posts.

Very Nearly a Nightmare

My hand painted flower cane

I'm working on my computer,editing photos in preparation for listing new items in my Etsy shop. All of a sudden, one of the photos in the folder I'm using disappears! Poof!

"What the heck was that?" I say to myself. Instead of the photo there's an

empty box made up of dotted lines. I double click the dotted line box and nothing happens.

So I stare at the screen, trying to puzzle out what just happened, when all of a sudden three more photos disappear! Poof, poof, poof!

Now my heart is racing and I'm fantically trying to get the photos back and, poof! poof! two more are gone.

It is at this moment that I realize, " I am NOT

dreaming!" So I close the window, figuring that this will stop pics from going.... where?

Every time I open a folder, more and more pics are gone. And now I'm beginning to panic. I shut the program down.

Out comes the address book, open it up to A and dial the number for Apple Computer customer help.

Marvin, (I'm not kidding) helps me salvidge the remaining photos and strongly suggests that I purchase an "exterior hard drive". Obviously, he states, a flash drive will be totally inadiquate to the task

of backing up my photos.

BTW: He had no idea why my photos disappeared

and he doubts I'll ever get them back. 80(

So, here's the questions;

1. Do you back up your files and photos? Or do you always think that you'll get to it, just not right now?

2. If you do back up your files, what do you use, a flash drive? a CD, an exterior hard drive?

3. Why do you use the back up system you've chosen, rather than some other way?

My solution?

I found an empty flash drive, went into my iphoto library and copied every pic. And let me tell you, I have thousands of them! And they all fit. And if I need more space,

I'll get more flash drives!

My Morning, noon and night cane

Chi "Canary"

My Godparents are taking a vacation! They'll be traveling, by cruise ship, to Central America and through the Panama Canal!

So, in preparation for the trip, my Godmother asked me to paint a walking cane for her, covered in Scripture and images that point to Christ.

She Loves IT! Can't stop looking at it!

Now, one day after the Scripture cane was given to her, several people have inquired as to how much one would cost and could they buy one, please!

I am humbled.

And excited!

Here is a chance to use my art as a vehicle for witness!

If you or someone you know might be interested in having me paint a cane for them, please leave a comment, or email me at

JudyAGoddard@aol.com.