I'd love for you to have a listen to my friend Jo's radio interview. She speaks about Grasa Mesak and publishing christian children's books for Timor-Leste.

{Ok. I've posted three times tonight. I think that's enough for the rest of July :) See you later!}

what I've been stitching today: dad / daughter

He hugs his daughter on her first day of school: in progress.

some little things

I thought I might show you a few of the little things I had for purchase on my table at the market last weekend.  A few hand stitched brooches made from wool, silk & linen:

Little girl hair clips (I actually started making these as a party favours...these were leftover from my youngest's birthday party). I sold more clips than anything else. Those which didn't sell have been claimed by my girls, which is nice. As far as this design goes I probably won't make them en masse again :)



And then I bound a few A6 note books using a simple pamphlet stitch and linen thread. Peter took some higher res images (collaged below) of my work which we had printed for the covers, with one image per notebook cover.

I also had the original work for sale. I'll post some of the better images of my work in non-collage form soon (soon for me can mean next week or so...).



So...

It was good to work towards a deadline, I enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment and it certainly helped keep me motivated.

I'm not sure whether making lots of small things that don't necessarily represent my work (as enjoyable as that might be at the time) was of benefit. I have so little free time as a mum of young children to do my art. I feel I should put my energy into things that make my heart sing the strongest, but I did it anyway and it's done :)

My art work / medium is fairly labour intensive...I'm not sure if a market is somewhere I can sell things at a self-respecting or medium-respecting price. I suppose it depends on the market and the day.

I loved seeing the different vendors and variety of work there.

It was a super supportive environment.

I loved that by being there I was, in a small way, helping to support Rehoboth Children's Home.

Peter was super supportive. Super, super supportive. And not just passively. He really wanted me to do this and it showed in his actions.

The kids thought it was pretty cool too (especially the shopping at other vendors part).

I've been toying with the idea of resurrecting my etsy shop. Extra funds would definitely help fund materials for the illustration work I'll be doing with Grasa Mesak. It is self-funded and not for material (pun kind of intended...) or worldly gain. Any books that are sold in Australia will go towards publishing books and distributing books for free in Timor-Leste.

As for the future of myself and markets...we will see what happens :)

It's good to keep an honest record of these thoughts. It is. What are your thoughts on selling art at markets? I'd love to hear your insight and experiences.

from the market

Some phone pics.

My table
















Three friends of mine and I (we all go to the same church) ending up sharing a space. My friends make some really lovely things.

At moments through the day I worked a bit on this piece.

Peter brought the girls in for a visit. They enjoyed shopping.

This was my first time selling at a market...over all it was a good experience - a steep learning curve (get more sleep in preceding nights!), but beneficial...and well...I'm ready to have a rest!

Love,
Jeana

(blogger has its own ideas about formatting today...ah well :)

Maia's Market

For the past few weeks I have been readying a selection of my artwork and hand stitching a few brooches and hair accessories to sell at Maia's Market in Geelong (it's on tomorrow!).  My friend Jane and I are sharing a table...I'm looking forward to sharing our space and this "first market stall" experience with her tomorrow.  Stall holder fees will benefit Rehoboth Children's Home. If you are in the area I hope you will come and say hello :)  

Good News

I am illustrating (with thread!) a children's book in collaboration with the author of the blog Grasa Mesak. The book will be based on Jesus' parable of the prodigal son found in Luke 15:11-32 and published for the people of Timor-Leste. I am so thankful, amazed, humbled and have no idea what to expect, but Lord willing I am going to go on this adventure! I am especially looking forward to learning more about the people of Timor-Leste. Please click over to Grasa Mesak to learn more.

The words of Psalm 30 are speaking to me quite strongly right now so I thought I would share them with you. The sadness from my past and recent losses still comes and goes, and though sometimes I feel the grief quite strongly I am also feeling joy in serving the Lord. Thank you for letting me share that with you.

Psalm 30

A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David.

I will exalt you, LORD,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
LORD my God, I called to you for help,
and you healed me.
You, LORD, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
you spared me from going down to the pit.

Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

When I felt secure, I said,
“I will never be shaken.”
LORD, when you favored me,
you made my royal mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.

To you, LORD, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:
“What is gained if I am silenced,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me;
LORD, be my help.”

You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
LORD my God, I will praise you forever.


{she wept until her tears turned to silk 2011}

This image is not intended for the book, I just wanted to share it with you today.

Love,
Jeana

peacefully, in her home as she wished.

Bettie Joy White 

1 October 1931 - 1 July 2011

My G'ma and Great G'ma to Eowyn and Leilani

I remember once one of my cousins told me off for writing Gima - with an "i".  I think I was ten or maybe as old as twelve.  Until that moment I had not consciously realised G'ma was short for Grandma, and was not her name...though  I always spoke of "my Gima" and I knew adults called her Joy...I remember thinking my cousin must have thought I was rather stupid, but now I think it's a little bit sweet I wrote Gima all those years. I hope she got a kick out of it anyway.

She rarely ever called me Jeana, always Jeana Marie.  I loved the way she said my name. 

I will miss her very much and wish I could be with family right now.

 I am so very grateful for the time we had with her last year.