Saturday, June 28, 2008

heat wave

Whoa! Summer is here, and then some. It's very hot here...I dare say SCORCHING hot, (100 here in Portland!) and it's hard to do anything...except go to the movies.


Please save yourself and DO NOT go and see Wanted. It's pretty awful. Yes, there was air conditioning thankfully, and James McAvoy is very easy on the eyes, but SAVE YOURSELF and go and see some other summer flick.


I'd tell you why it was so bad...but I don't want to spoil it for those of you who, despite my warning, will go and see it anyway! ;)

Thursday, June 26, 2008

make a difference thursday - the dangers of plastic bags

Plastic. It's everywhere, so please make a special note of how you can consume less of it and make sure that you are recycling the plastic you have.


For more information please visit:

http://droptheplasticbag.org/


Tuesday, June 24, 2008

tip tuesday - the art of following up

Following up or following through is one of the most important things a person can do. Not only is it best practices for business, but it's a very wise idea. I have found that follow through is where most people kind of drop the ball.

Whether you send thank you's, personal notes or just a good old fashioned email -- the most important part is that you DO IT. So if you're sitting on a stack of contacts from your last event or if a friend connected you with another friend make sure you do your part and follow up.

This is the way the world works. Get on board and follow up!

There are a ton of articles on the subject of following up, so if you're still at a loss, just Google "tips on following up"!

Monday, June 23, 2008

the spider in my machine

There's a spider in my mac. I just flipped my little baby open and a spider scurried inside -- I didn't know it was a spider at first. I saw something move and then as I looked closer it had left a web that it had been working on in the crevice where the screen and the keyboard meet.

So do I take it to a genius for spider removal? Can you just see it?

Me: Hi.

Genius: How can I help you.

Me: Uhm, there seems to be a spider in my laptop.
Can you open it up and get the little spider out?

Genius: ...

I'm afraid it's going to leap out of my laptop and attack me. I think they call that Arachnophobia...or macaracnophobia.

I definitely have a case of the heebejeebies.

GAS reflections

The first person I ran into was Steve Klein. It's funny that I just posted about mentors because he's definitely a mentor of mine.


Steve is so inspiring. He graduated from college in 1969 with a degree in Theater and then worked a "real" job for many, many years. In 1996 he went to Pilchuck, and the rest is history! I always love seeing him. He has always encouraged me to follow my heart and I love that about him!

The GAS conference was awesome. I met a lot of new people and learned a few things, got some new toys to play with and am ready to rock it!

The Klaus Moje exhibit at the Portland Art Museum was amazing. He is also a very inspirational man. If you've never seen his work, and you're in Portland, make sure you see it.

So much went on this weekend. I'll have to do a few more posts to cover it all.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

make a difference thursday - mentors


I'm a huge fan of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Have you ever thought about being a mentor?

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. They have been the leader in one-to-one youth service for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors children, ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country - including yours.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth.

Our Mentoring Programs Work
National research has shown that positive relationships between youth and their Big Brothers and Big Sisters mentors have a direct and measurable impact on children's lives. By participating in our youth mentoring programs, Little Brothers and Sisters are:

  • More confident in their schoolwork performance
  • Able to get along better with their families
  • 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
  • 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
  • 52% less likely to skip school.1
If you don't have time, then consider donating to this wonderful organization.



I also love SMART (Start Making A Reader Today), I volunteered with SMART last year and I had such a great time. I was kind of a floater, so I got to read with a lot of students. It was awesome. If you love to read, and you like kids...SMART rocks.


SMART VISION: An Oregon where every child can read and is empowered to succeed.

SMART MISSION: To engage community volunteers to read one-on-one with K-3 children who need literacy support.

Participating children also receive new books each month to keep and read with their families.

Research shows that:

  • 1 in 3 Oregon fourth graders reads below the basic level.
  • Children need to learn to read by third grade so they can read to learn.
  • Those who don’t learn to read by third grade are more likely to struggle with reading as adults, drop out of school, and be less successfully employed.
These are just two of the many, many organizations that focus on mentoring. If these don't tickle your fancy look into one that is a better fit for you.

YOU CAN make a difference.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

glass art society conference 2008


The Glass Art Society Conference kicks off today in Portland. I'm really excited to see some of my old friends that I haven't seen in awhile, learn some new tricks, get inspired and meet some awesome new people.

I'll keep you posted. So much to do, so many lectures to attend...so many vendors to visit...

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

believe it



"the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" - Eleanor Roosevelt


Time to step up to the plate and believe in you. Ya, I said it!!! Get out of your own way and go for it.

There might be obstacles, and you will definitely hit a few bumps along the way, but don't let them stop you.

Have you always wanted to _________?

Well, get going. Do one thing every day that brings you closer to getting it done!

I'm behind you 110% -- so don't put if off for one more moment...

"You can do it if you believe you can!" - Napoleon Hill

Thursday, June 12, 2008

set sale

Exciting news! Kait a dear friend of mine, gave one of my pendants to a friend of hers Elenie a birthday gift. Lucky for me, she really liked it and luckier still, it just so happens that Elenie works on the FX show Nip/Tuck and invited me down to sell my work on the set. So today was the big day and I took my pendants down and set up shop.

We had a great time. The crew and cast and everyone that came by were the most excellent people. Very supportive and interested in the kilnformed glass. Roma Maffia dropped by early and chose a few, one of which she wore immediately -- and that little beauty made it on Nip/Tuck! Yes, that's right, she got to wear it in the scene she was shooting, so one of these days you'll be seeing a Laura James Designs original adorning Dr. Liz Cruz.



Roma Maffia is totally rad! She is down to earth, funny and beautiful! Here's a picture of us featuring "the" pendant that will be on the show.


Thanks again Elenie, and everyone else on Nip/Tuck and the other wonderful people from around the Paramount stages that came by. You all made it a fun and incredible day to remember!

make a difference thursday - american red cross


All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the tornadoes and floods in the Central United States, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

tip tuesday - thank you's


I am a thank you note kind of person. My mom made my brother and I send thank you notes when we were kids. Of course back then I thought it was really dumb, but now I get it.

"The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated." (William James)

So fill that craving by sending a note. It's a great follow up opportunity. Sending an email is great, but a card in the mail is so much fun to receive.

Thank you notes have come a long way. Find some thank you notes that match your style and stamp all the envelopes and keep them handy. You can also keep some blank note cards around for those all purpose occasions.

Here are a few of my favorites:
Le Papier Studio
Glory Daze
Cecily Ink

Monday, June 9, 2008

road trip


I am on my way to Los Angeles from Portland -- ROAD TRIP!



I love driving through Oregon! So many gorgeous things to see.



And then there's Mt. Shasta. So massive and beautiful.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

make a difference thursday - evirosax


Have you heard of Enviorsax? So we all know that plastic bags are bad and that paper bags are better but...having your own bag is the best.

I am totally in love with the Envirosax because it can be rolled up into a tiny ball that you can fit in your purse. You will never again need a bag, or forget the bags you got in your trunk -- no matter if you've stopped into the local drug store, or if you are doing some grocery shopping...you've got a bag.

Just a little public service announcement!

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

tip tuesday - blogging

Ok, I know that most of you out there have heard of a blog by now, some of you have them, and some of you still don't see the point.

Blogs are a great way to stay in touch with your friends, fans or soon to be fans because it allows you to put your stuff out there where it can be consumed at the leisure of your reader.

An artist friend of mine, Martique Lorray, is moving from Ashland, OR to North Carolina. I asked her if she was going to keep us abreast of her new info on her blog and she said she didn't have a blog. Wha-wha-what? No blog?

Blogs are great, they're easy to start and fun once you get the hang of it. Diane Gilleland teaches a blogging 101 class that I attended and it opened up a whole new perspective on blogging. So I say, get out there and start a blog. If you're afraid that you're putting information out there for everyone to read, well, don't worry, just because you build it doesn't mean they will come. Start writing and get the hang of what you're doing and then send a link to your friends.

And for those of you who don't want to start a blog of your own, you can always subscribe to blogs or create a Google Reader to keep your finger on the pulse of the blogs you're interested in.