YLANG23: joanne's eye: SUMMER 2013, CHAPTER 3: It's All About Our Designers...

YLANG23: joanne's eye: SUMMER 2013, CHAPTER 3: It's All About Our Designers...

How Great Thou Art!

My favorite gospel singer is Mahalia Jackson.  Her voice can roll like thunder or lull so sweet to make a small child fall asleep.  This morning while listening to Music Choice On-Demand, she was there and her voice touched my heart.  So today I want to give testimony as to how great God is and how he has touched my heart.

On Friday, June 28, 2013, I discovered that a friend had suffered a seizure that left him in a coma for nearly two weeks.  He was hospitalized in Columbia, SC, a few hours away from his hometown of Greenville, SC.  His mother by his side on a daily basis, was informed by the doctors that he was being kept alive by machines and they saw no sign of brain activity.  Ms. Marie decided on that Friday to pull the plug on her beloved son based on the information provided to her by the doctors.

My sister called to tell me of the unfortunate news about Tony late Friday morning.  We talked for about an hour about Tony's condition.  Later on during the day, she called me back to tell me some miraculous news.  Ms. Marie pulled the plug on her son based on his condition.  And do you know that while the plug was being pulled, Tony opened his eyes and called out his mother's name.  Baffling the entire medical staff, today Tony is talking, breathing on his own and is being transferred to a hospital in Greenville to be closer to his family while he undergoes rehabilitation.

Now there is no better acknowledgment of the fact that God is the only one that can make a way out of no way.  To be considered dead at 11am, and alive and talking at 1:30pm, only God Almighty can make it happen.

Thank You Jesus!  Be Humble.  Keep The Faith.  Praise Him.  Put God First.  Obey The Father.

Purple Iris, 2'x2', Photography, $45.00

Purple Iris

We Are Going On The Family Feud

Portia, Latrice, Vicki, Micah, Valeta, Karen
LET'S GO BUSSEY!

My sister Portia had the ingenius idea to send out an email blast to all of us to see if anyone would be interested in auditioning for the "Family Feud."  She is an avid viewer of this game-show as were our parents when we were growing up.  To her surprise, "Everyone replied with a resounding 'Yes,' and where do we need to be?"  So on May 5, 2013, right before Mother's Day, 11 am, at the Atlanta Civic Center, conference room E, we tried out for the Family Feud.  

People from all over the southeast came out, filling several conference rooms to play a fun-filled game of Family Feud.  Families attending were from Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Louisiana.  The Bussey family played against the Ruiz family.  The game was intense and we answered mock questions such as "Name a way a person could acquire a large sum of money."  Trying not to get a strike, I was fortunate enough to answer correctly with the answer of "Inheritance."  During the round of play, we were being video taped and from this audition tape, the decision makers would review it and inform us via postcard within 3-6 weeks if we would gain a true appearance on the Family Feud.

After several telephone calls, text messages, and emails from all of us asking if she received the postcard in the mail, on June 17th the postcard finally arrived.  When Portia called me to let me know that she had received the postcard, I could hear an echo in my head of us chanting with large cheesy smiles on our faces, "We're going on THE FEUD!"

Following our audition, we all enjoyed brunch at Mary Mac's Tea Room.  All of us are children and grandchildren of siblings, and we know and appreciate true southern cuisine.  Mary Mac's Tea Room was established in 1945 by Mrs. Mary MacKenzie.  Following World War II, Mrs. MacKenzie was an enterprising woman in search of a living.  Now owned by hand-picked successor John Ferrell, Mary Mac's Tea Room offers a quaint, southern atmosphere with food preparation still done like when their doors first opened.  The establishment offers the crispiest, juiciest fried chicken, pork chops done right, ribs dripping with savory, tangy sauce, fish, shrimp, oysters and more than 30 fresh vegetables including fried okra and true macaroni-and-cheese.  It was a nice time for all of us to get together, break bread, have good conversation, and catch up with one another face-to-face.  Like a true Sunday go-to-meeting dinner.  

So look for The Bussey Family on the Family Feud and wish us luck!

Etsy Craft Party At Cacao-Atlanta

Cacao-Atlanta

What a great combination?  Chocolate, handcrafting and a great get-together.  On June 20, 2013, Etsy launched a community craft day. The Etsy Craft Party brings together handcrafters in Atlanta to express why art is important for our community and indulge in some of the world's finest chocolate.  Cacao-Atlanta creates some of the finest chocolate in the world and we definitely indulged.  Noting my love for cooking, creating, and eating, it was an honor for owner Kristen Hard to allow us to gather at Cacao on Peachtree Road and craft together.  As a formally trained chef, Hard discovered her niche as a chocolatiere after watching Carribbean women crush the cacao bean with their bare hands, and discovering the many aspects of chocolate.

Our organizer for the Etsy Craft Party was Stella Tompkins and she did a great job of bringing us together.  It was nice to meet other crafters who had talents including theatre arts, fashion design, collage art and mixed media, metalsmithing, glass beads, and hand bags.  If you get a chance, check out their work.  These talents include Neci Harmon, Valeta Goode, Makeila Wardlaw, Paula Guerin, Marcy Lamberson, and Marnie Wardlaw.  Everyone's style is unique and different.  In addition, we had the greatest service person at Cacao-Atlanta by the name of Tricia whose first love is theatre acting.

It was a pleasure ladies to meet you all.  

Hope we all get together again.  

Have fun doing what you love.

Stella Tompkins-Etsy Craft Party Organizer

Cacao-Atlanta owner- Kristen Hard

And The Winners Are...

Best In Show:  Kevin Horvath, 'One To Many,' ceramics

Best Faculty:  Sharon Weiss, 'Pomegranate Pair,' pastel

Best Student:  Janis Patterson, 'Tiny Tea,' ceramics

Peoples' Choice:  Sherry Robinson, 'Peacock,' oil on canvas

Honorable Mentions:

Sam Alexander, 'Intersection,' watercolor

Jenny Baughman, 'Lirael,' necklace

Terry J. England, 'Architect Crow,' mixed media

Here are the winners of the Spruill Arts Student & Faculty Juried Exhibition.  

Thanks to all that came out to the opening reception.  

We were blown away by the flood of support.  

Stay tuned for information on upcoming events.  These artisans love their craft and it shows.  

The exhibit lasts from June 14 through August 17, 2013.

Great Community Support For The Spruill Arts Student & Faculty Juried Exhibition

Thank you to all that attended the Spruill Arts Student & Faculty Juried Exhibition's Opening Reception and for making it a success. We had hundreds of people there to show support for local artists. As informed by instructor Kristen Wilder, the event was the largest for the gallery.  Ninety one artists displayed their talents and the love of their craft in this show.  Sculpture, paintings, pottery and jewelry were among the different pieces on exhibit.  All selections were made by juror Michael Rooks of The High Museum of Art-Atlanta.  This display will be available for viewing and purchases from June 14 -August 17, 2013.  The Spruill Gallery & Gift Shop is located at 4681 Ashford-Dunwood Rd., Atlanta, GA 30338, 770-394-4019.  The pieces that I have available are called "Sphere" and" Simplicity."

Artist - Valeta Goode

Featured Artist - Norm Citron

Tim and Me

Featured Artists

Instructors/Artists Joanne Hernandez & Kristen Wilder

Sign of Hope @ The Spruill Gallery

And What Is The Jury's Verdict?

The Jury has decided to accept my jewelry designs into the Spruill Arts Student Faculty Juried Exhibition, June 14 - August 17, 2013. When Jennifer called to let me know that two of my pieces were selected for the exhibit, I was tickled pink.  It was hard enough to complete my pieces by the deadline of May 23, 2013 by 5 p.m. with all the finishing touches, but waiting to hear the selections from juror Michael Rooks is a totally different ball game.

Mr. Michael Rooks is the Wieland Family Curator Of Modern & Contemporary Art at The High Museum Of Art Atlanta.  Need I say anything more?  This is the boost my ego needed.  Every now and again, inspiration and creativity do not come so easily.  The news today definitely makes me feel better.

To stir the pot a little more, the exhibit will award prizes to its participants.   This exhibition will also showcase all mediums currently being produced at the Spruill Center For The Arts.  Prizes include:  

Best In Show

Best Faculty

Best Student

2 Honorable Mentions

People's Choice

Prizes will be awarded at the Opening Reception, Thursday, June 13, 2013, 6-9 p.m. at the Spruill Gallery, located at 4681 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA  30338, 770-394-4019.

Last but not least, I'd like to tip my hat off to the Spruill Center's Educational Center.  The administrators and instructors are like family.  It's a great place to learn, fellowship, and test the waters with your creativity.    Kristen, Terri, Mindy, Jennifer, Susan, Tom, Bob and the list goes on, are great people to work with and are great community craftivists that keep the arts active, vibrant and alive in the Atlanta community.  

Support the arts at the Spruill Center!  We hope to see you at the Opening Reception.  

Earn Some Extra Cash

Money has been a little tight for me every now and again.  I've been out of Corporate America for a little while now and needed to make sure my mortgage and bills were paid.  I had to also make sure food was on the table and other basic necessities were taken care of while working on my jewelry designs as well.  It's amazing how your mind will spin into a tizzy when your ends don't quite meet.   I have a suggestion about making things balance a little better.  Take a look at signing up for www.instantpaydaynetwork.com/vjg30 as a means of making some extra money, there are no out of pocket expenses, and it's an honest day's work from the comfort of your own home.  I think it'll help.

p.s. For the U.S. & Canada

A Note To Mommy...

Mrs. Annie Willie Bussey Goode

Happy Mother's Day Mommy.  You are all that a child could wish for.  God so truly blessed me to have you as my Mother.  Not all women are fit or designed to hold the title of Mother, but you have bestowed all the best of this honor upon me.  All my life I have tried to emulate you as best I could but I am still working to make myself better.  By protecting, nurturing, loving, teaching, demonstrating, supporting, advising, counseling, and praying with and for me: these are just a few of the words used to describe how you taught me to be a woman.  These lessons learned still come to mind while trying to carve out my place in this world and become a better person.  I miss and love you so much.  I know you and God guide my footsteps.  I can feel it.  Thank you for talking with me in my dreams.  I cannot wait to see, touch, and talk with you again.  
Oh, what a glorious day it will be.    

I Love You Mommy!

Happy Mother's Day  

Vote for Jawan Mathis

Back in November 2012, I posted an article with videos about talented vocalist Jawan Mathis from Savannah, GA.  He is now in a talent contest for best male vocalist on Savannah Industry Night.  This is the talent search organization's second anniversary of showcasing Savannah area talent.  Vote for him at www.industrynightsav.wix.com/vote.
The deadline to cast your vote is April 20, 2013.

Good Luck Jawan

Can You Sit A Spell?

Just wanted to let you know that I have added more designs to my online website www.cmeicuoriginals.etsy.com.  Please drop to the bottom of this page to see the new designs and buy.  If you have a commission request for a design, I would love to hear about it.  Please provide feedback on what you think about my jewelry designs or any of the articles from the blog.

I have been blessed, so far, to live the dream I have always wanted; creating beautiful jewelry and photographs.  Over the last few months, I have met a lot of people with similar interests and we seem to feed off of one another to empower, support and encourage each other.  Thanks to you all.  

Everyday I always take a deep breath, give thanks to God, set forth a plan of action, and tweak or fine tune my objectives along the way.  Social media, studio time, freelance writing and Photoshop are taking up a great deal of my time as of late.  I have had some great obstacles placed in front of me and hopefully with the grace of God, I will overcome them without being ruffed up too much. This is a daunting task when you want to make your own way, be self sufficient and punch your own clock.  I would love to hear your pearls of wisdom as I don't know it all but would definitely appreciate hearing and learning from you.  

Love always,

V     

www.cmeicuoriginals.etsy.com

I wanted to invite you to take a look at my new jewelry designs at www.cmeicuoriginals.etsy.com.  Let me know if you like them or not.  Thanks to all of my family, friends, and customers for your cheers of support.

                                                                    I hope you like.

Spring Is In The Air...

"Amaryllis"

"Teal & White Crystals"
Necklace & Earrings in
Sterling Silver

"Daffodil"

"Tea Time"
Green Jade Earrings in
Sterling Silver

Here are a few new photographs and jewelry designs.  For any inquiries, please send me an email.  All pieces are original, handcrafted, one of a kind creations by c.me.i.c.u. originals.  Flower photographs come in postcards as well as posters.  Thanks for your support at the Spruill Gallery.  We all had a great time!

Rated ART - For Everyone

"Ilithyia"
Copper & Red Jade Necklace

The Spruill Center for the Arts is celebrating the New Year with new works from students and instructors in the Spruill Center Hallway Gallery.  This exhibit is Rated ART - For Everyone.  The event lasts from February 7 - April 11, 2013 and a Reception will be held Wednesday, February 20, 2013, 6-8 pm.  I have 3 pieces in this exhibit.  Please show your support for the arts through the purchase of an artist's contribution to support the Spruill Center.  "Ilithyia" is one of my exhibited pieces.  Others include "Naevia" and "A Little Tybee."
Please show your support of the arts with a purchase.  Thank you.