Showing posts with label walking sticks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label walking sticks. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Wednesday Blog

The Farm
About half of my garden has now now gone to seed.  But that's a good thing!  Having only purchased Heirloom Seeds this past winter, it's exactly what I've been waiting for!  We've had a wonderful bounty of lettuce, peas and beans.  The broccoli, not so much. 80(   I started out with 12 healthy seedlings.  Most were gobbled up by some yucky looking caterpillars.  But 4 remained to grow into lush plants.  But of those 4, only one developed a head!  So, I carefully watched it and saved it and let go to seed.  The only problem was, when the flowers dried up and fell off I couldn't find any seeds!   I think I waited too long to harvest them.  By the time I went to do so the pods had already fallen off.  Next year I need to look for things that look like they might be unopened flowers that have turned brown.  Apparently they are the seed pods.  So, I live and I learn.

Tom Thumb Lettuce
pole beans, Kentucky Wonder

snap peas
  
 Ah!  Next years harvest, safely put away!  Next February, when my mind turns to the growing of things green, I can gaze at my seeds and smile.

The Cabin
Last fall, while wandering through Lowes, we stumbled upon a display of outdoor braziers and indoor wood stoves.  I fell in love with this funky little cast iron number, and since it was relatively inexpensive, we decided to buy it for the cabin.  Since I live in the woods and we need to cut fire wood anyway, we figured it would be a great solution to the "electric space heater problem".




Tom priced stove piping and discovered that it's (to us) astronomically expensive.  So, being the mason that he is, he is building me a chimney!  And, right beside the steps on the deck is the beginning of a respectable wood pile.  It's up on blocks because every once in a blue moon the creek floods and we wouldn't want our hard earned firewood to float down to the sea!

The Cane Cozies
I'm working away on the concept of the Cane Handle Cozies.  I'd figured out a way of attaching buckram to one side and then using velcro as a closure.  I wasn't happy with it.  It was still bulky and I didn't like the way it looked when it was fastened.  So, on I go, looking for the perfect solution.

The Biz
11 days and counting down to my next craft show.  It'll be at the JCC of LBI, in Surf City, at the Fire House.  I always feel like I won't be ready.  I'll be ready!


Monday, August 8, 2011

My Leap of Faith, Leap of Faith.

The Biz

How exciting is this!  I've been included in a list of entrepreneurs who have taken a "Leap of Faith"   I'd love it if you go and take a peek at the article.  (I'm # 54)  It's my first time participating in something like this.  Makes me feel kinda proud!  Here's hoping it's good for business!
Just click on this link;
http://blog.drshannonreece.com/2011/08/08/how-64-entrepreneurs-have-taken-leaps-of-faith/
http://blog.drshannonreece.com/2011/08/08/how-64-entrepreneurs-have-taken-leaps-of-faith/
Dr. Shannon Reece


The Farm


And... Poof!  One chick becomes five!





The Art

I spent yesterday afternoon trying to sew cane handle cozies on my sewing machine.  Of course, the tension on the bottom, inside the workings went all wonky and I ended up spending a frustrated afternoon!  So, one of today's tasks it to solve this and get on with sewing my cozies.


I pulled a muscle in my left shoulder over the weekend.  I don't know what I did, but it's a darn nuisance!  As it's early morning, I'm hoping it loosens up as I move around.

Friday, August 5, 2011

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.










Tuesday, August 2, 2011

What's New.

THE FARM


19 days ago I began putting eggs into the incubator that I borrowed from a kindergarten teacher friend of mine.  I was soooo careful to set it up right and follow all the directions.  I marked on the calendar when I was supposed to take the first egg out of the turner and place it gently on the screening on the bottom the incubator.  This morning, I stretched and rolled and thought, today I move the first egg!  And in a terrible blast of cognition, I realized I had NEVER put the water in the reservoir at the very bottom!  I have probably cooked all my chicks. (no exclamtion point.  It's too sad for an exclamation point.)

Well,  I'll move the egg anyway, AFTER I put water in the reservoir.  And I'll begin putting new eggs in the incubator today.  Maybe in another 21 days I'll have chicks.  Who knows, maybe I'll have a new chick in 3 days.  It's been very humid here.  Only God knows.  We'll see.





THE BIZ


I visited festivalnet.com on Saturday and found a craft show listed in Surf City on Long Beach Island.  It's being put on by the JCC of LBI on Sunday, August 21.  Just for ha has I emailed them asking there were any open spaces, and, Shazam!  There were two spaces left!  At $55 I felt it was worth the gamble and I bought one.  Now I have 3 weeks to prepare.  Eek!

THE ART


L'Chaim, To life!

Acutally, I had been thinking about painting so Jewish themed canes for quite a while now.  So, Saturday afternoon I drew up 3 new designs and I've been diligently working away at them.  I personally love them.  But, I personally love all of my canes.



Tuesday, July 19, 2011

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.

Monday, May 23, 2011

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
















Monday, May 16, 2011

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!










Monday, May 9, 2011

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

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

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;



Tuesday, April 26, 2011

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



Monday, April 25, 2011

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

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Meet My Godmother

This is my Godmother. She's not the one I was given when I was christened as a baby. That was Aunt Louise, who was a lovely person, I'm sure, although I don't really know because I never really knew her.
Joan Santomenna is the mother God gave me when I was 14 years old. My dearly loved Mommy was sick all of my life and really incapable of taking proper care of me as I entered adolescence.

I came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in Joan and Rol's livingroom. She guided me around, and sometimes through, the pitfalls of teenage life. And at the center of every conversation was Jesus. The answer to every question was the Lord. Every situation, every dilemma was brought before the throne of God. That's not to say that I was always prepared, or that life always flowed and there were never any waves. But she always reminded me to turn to the Lord with any problem.

Two years ago Joan treated her husband, my beloved Rol, to a cruise through the Panama Canal. Having been through a difficult health situation, she asked me to paint a cane for her to use on the voyage.

Everyone who saw it commented and before I knew it friends were asking me to make canes for them! Thus was born;

Leaning On The Promises, hand painted puzzle canes.

If you would like to own a hand painted cane you can find them at


You can view weekly entries for the Inspiration Avenue challenge at





LIFE IS JUST SO FULL OF COOL STUFF!

My photo
Manchester Township, New Jersey, United States
My nane is Judy and I've been a christian for more than 3/4 of my life. I believe in redemption through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, that God, the Spirit lives in me and gives me the power to do His will and to live a joyful life. I have a Godly husband, a grown son and daughter. I live on a farm with 3 goats, 2 chickens, 2 horses, a cat, a dog and a python. I am an artist and a singer. I was a full time stay at home mom, the hardest job you'll ever love! I have two handmade shops on Etsy. Leaning on the Promises www.leaningonthepromises.etsy.com (Hand Painted Walking Canes) and Beaver Creek Pottery www.beavercreekpottery.etsy.com and an Etsy shop for selling Vintage and Antiques. Jersey Pine Pickers www.jerseypinepickers.etsy.com I post about my relationship with God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, about the things He teaches me, delights me with and how He uses me.