Margaret Katherine Dempsey Some things just get inside you, and give you such intense satisfaction

-Bio artist: Margaret Katherine Dempsey
I'm Maggie!
After living on both coasts of this country and lots of cities and towns in between, I've settled down and currently live on Martha's Vineyard with my boyfriend of three years and two amazingly cute ginger kitties named Charlie and Butters.
I'm obsessed with crafting, videogames and Harry Potter... No, really! :) I love to craft and make things with my hands.
Apart from running my shop on Etsy, I'm an amateur nature photographer, I love taking photos of all the flowers and wildlife here on this island. I'm also an award-winning baker who's happiest spending an afternoon in the kitchen with a cup of tea, a friend, some good tunes and a great recipe or crochet project in front of me.

Your Shop Name
BeachPlumCottage

Your Shop Url
BeachPlumCottage.Etsy.com

 

-Where are you originally from?
I'm originally from Cleveland, Ohio but I've lived all over the country. I've lived in Boston, Seattle, Los Angeles, you name it.

-How did you choose the lovely name for your Shop?

Beach plums, or Prunus maritima, are a native plant to the island. Their signature blossoms line the toe paths to our beaches and shores. Native Americans and locals have been gathering beach plums for centuries. I love the scenic, rustic splendor of the island - and the simple, fragrant, floral beach plum was my inspiration for this shop.

Do you sell your products in many places ? tell us some of them ?

Etsy is my first shop ever! I would like to find some boutiques who like my items and sell there.

-How did you find the site who you sell and who it this (name) ? How long have you been selling on this site ?

I heard about this via the On Fire for Handmade Team on Etsy! They are wonderful, motivated, talented Etsy artisans, I love their work and when they suggested that I submit my shop here, I jumped at the chance!

-How would you describe your style? Have any other artists etc influenced your style?

My style is very soft, whimsical, feminine and floral. I draw inspiration from the beautiful place where I live - Martha's Vineyard.

- How did you first come to art and creativity? How did your journey in art and creativity begin?

I've always been an artist at heart. I was a natural musician and by the age of 15, I was able to play 8 different instruments. I loved theatre, live music and the arts. I was very much a typical geeky art kid in high school.

-How long have you been creating?

I've been learning and experimenting my whole life. My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was a little girl, and I never put that away. I started to make hemp and bamboo beaded jewelry when I was in junior high, and loved that too.
While I had to put some of these things away while I was in college and working my first few jobs, now that I have lots of free time and the peace and quiet of the island, I find its just a natural flow of creativity. It's ceaseless.

-What is it that you love so much?

Some things just get inside you, and give you such intense satisfaction upon completion that you never want to stop. With each new piece of jewelry or new headband I create, I feel such joy in thinking of who might put this to use, or who might truly love it. The act of creation, and sharing it with others is really wonderful.

-What are your main sources of inspiration?

This place is so quiet and full of life. Deer roam across the meadow in my yard each evening, and the birds sing me awake each morning. There are so many flowers, trees and plants, so many colors in the sky and sea, in the sand and in the surf, I can't help but feel moved to create.
Whether it is a sunset over the ocean, or spring flowers coming up in the fields, there is always some gorgeous, natural feat to be amazed and inspired by.

-Have you had any mentors, or are you self taught?

My grandma and the internet have a lot to do with my success. I had a hard time learning from books, but between some real life tutelage from my loving grandmother, and seeing videos of people ACTUALLY doing beadweaving and crochet - rather than attempting to interperet it from diagrams in dusty old pattern books, it just clicked for me. Thanks, YouTube! Thanks, Grandma Emma! :)

-Do you sell more at one time of year than others?

Holidays and cold weather are my best selling times. People love to buy scarves and headbands and hats for themselves and for others especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

-What is one thing about your creative process that you think most people don't know?

The pure joy and love that I put into each stroke. I never make something just to sell - everything I do is inspired and made with care.
Because this isn't my "job" - it is my hobby and my labor of love - I don't feel as though it is work. Therefore everything I create is fun, new and exciting. Some of the things I make I end up very tempted to keep for myself, because I like it so much! Sometimes I do, but most often I leave it up in my shop, so I can share this joy with others.

Have some tips and advices for new artisians ?

Patience and practice!
Make sure you are practicing the correct way, too! Practice does not make perfect - practice makes PERMANENT. Make sure you always doing your best.

Somehow, Someday, your turn will come - T Dean interview

-Bio artist: T Dean
I have a beautiful 18 year old daughter graduating from High School this June. (where does all the time go???) She will be attending college in the fall.I am a huge fan of the television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "The Vampire Diaries" and "Doctor Who"
Roses are my favorite flower and of course Purple is my favorite color.

-Where are you originally from?

I am originally from Raleigh, NC

-How did you choose the lovely name for your Shop?

Very Simple really. My last name is "Dean"....lol

Do you sell your products in many places ? tell us some of them ?

I have my Etsy shop and have just recently opened a "Zibbet" Shop. I have also had my designs at a few of the local shops. I plan on doing a few craft shows this fall if my inventory is large enough.

Her Shop Name
Dean Designs

Her  Shop Url
http://www.etsy.com/shop/deancustomdesigns

-How did you find the site who you sell and who it this (name) ? How long have you been selling on this site ?

-How would you describe your style? Have any other artists etc influenced your style?

My style is an eclectic mix of anything I can get my hands on. My favorite pieces are my beaded and charm bracelets.

- How did you first come to art and creativity? How did your journey in art and creativity begin?

Everything started 4 years ago when I wanted a charm for my cell phone. I looked around and saw all kinds of designs, yet they were mostly child like and not at all what I had in mind.
I decided to try making my own. I went to one of the local bead supply stores and fell in love with all the gemstones, beads, and thousands of charms they had.
I believe I spent too much that day, but I made one amazing cell phone charm.
From there, I wanted to add something on my purse. I had seen a simple zipper purse pull and decided why not make it a little larger and add a little "Bling". This is how my Purskey Line was created.

-How long have you been creating?

-What is it that you love so much?

I love making an original design people will love. I strive to create quality pieces each with their own personality.
I am one of those designers that the piece I am working on has to "speak to me"!

-What are your main sources of inspiration?

I find all sorts of inspiration through the many talented Artists I have become acquainted with over the years.
Sometimes, just seeing a pretty flower will help, and anything PURPLE of course.

-Have you had any mentors, or are you self taught?

I am self taught for the most part however I have asked other artists how they wrap this, where they buy that, what is the best quality wire, etc....
I also love finding tutorials and classes where I can learn new techniques I can then incorporate into my designs.

-Do you sell more at one time of year than others?

I really can not answer that question. I have not sold enough to find a pattern at this time.

-What is one thing about your creative process that you think most people don't know?

When I am stuck on a design or how to implement what I see in my head, I go to You Tube and watch "Doctor Who" video clips......hahaha

-Do you have a favorite item you have made?

I have several. I really loved my "Hummingbird Garden" Charm Bracelet, and my "Theater Night" Charm Bracelet.
You can see a picture of them in my Album on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.413616106799.204808.186060921799&type=3

-What is the best reaction you have gotten from one of your pieces?

"Absolutely Stunning"!! I will never forget that beautiful statement from one of my Customers.

 

-Your message for all of us?

Don't give up. Even when you are ready to throw in the towel and call it quits, keep going. Somehow, Someday, your turn will come.

How to Get a Stronger Immune System

One of the prerequisites of a healthy body is a strong immune system. Having a weak resistance to diseases is not very good. Getting ill regularly can make you miss a lot of important things especially if you are a working individual or are still going to school. Thankfully, there are many ways for one to strengthen his immune system. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Physical Activity

You need to move around a lot if you want your immune system to be strengthened. Regular exercise helps a lot of our bodily functions especially circulation. With cleaner and more blood in our veins, our immune system becomes stronger than ever. If you can afford, by all means, consult a trainer or dietician to help aid you in your endeavor.

Eat right

Nutrients, vitamins and minerals are very important if one wants to strengthen his immune system. These things can be easily obtain from supplements but it is better to get them from fresh food too. Some of these include fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy products and whole grains. Green leafy vegetables, in particular, serve to increase the alkaline pH of our body and also contain important minerals like calcium and magnesium. It is also advised to take in raw foods because they contain anti-oxidants that also aid the immune system.

Don’t get stressed

Stress is a key factor in tearing apart a person’s health. One of its effects is the production of toxins in the body. Toxins are harmful substances which reside and are produced in the body. Although our body has mechanisms in place to combat toxins, it is better to not produce these at all.

If you are easily stressed, it helps to take time for deep breathing. This helps relax the mind as well as the heart. Whenever possible, try to bring along something that will distract you from your stress. You can always play on your phone, chat with a friend or go shopping to take your mind of things.

Drink enough liquids

The heading mentions liquids because water is fine and all but there are also other liquids that can help. A good example is juice. Juice is processed quickly by the body and contains Vitamin C which helps strengthen the immune system. Whatever liquid you choose, it is important to drink enough of it daily so that the digestive tract is cleaned regularly. This helps flush out any toxins that may reside in our body.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

It is no use fortifying the immune system if we are just going to tear it up with our vices. Smoking and drinking are the top two problems plaguing citizens these days.

Smoking is the bigger problem among these two. It hurts us way quicker than drinking. It kills a lot of antibodies which are the first line of defense we have. It also kills our lungs which decreases the efficiency of our respiration. This can have a lasting effect on the body due to lesser amounts of clean air being taken in.

Article written by Andrew Ellis from www.steamshowersupply.co.uk online fitness and health site and steam sauna and shower retailers

5 Things to Take into Account When Buying a Heater for Your House

When buying something for the first time or buying a replacement, there are things that need to be considered. No one wants to end up with something that they can't use, or something that breaks down too soon. When buying a heater, there are different things to consider. It is essential that proper research and homework is done prior shopping. The most important thing to consider is exactly where is the heater required? Is it for one or two rooms or a whole central heating unit is required?

Once this is decided, the five things to consider are:

 

Electric or Gas Heater

Once it has been decided where the heater is needed, it is time to decide if an electric heater will be better or a gas heater. When buying a large space heater, it is best to buy an electric space heater. This is the only heater that can be operated inside a room without a vent. Gas heaters are more convenient as a central heating unit and more economical.

Heater Type

The next thing to consider is the type of heater. When buying a gas heater, it is important to consider the type of fuel that is to be used. The choices are limited between liquid propane and natural gas. Liquid propane is more useful when there is not natural gas line present. For electric heaters, there are again different types;

Space heaters

Radiative heaters or Convection heaters. Convection heaters pump hot air in the room and are grouped under Space heaters. Radiative heaters warm the objects near by and are best suited for small spaces.

Heating Capacity

Once it has been decided on what type of a heater is required, it is important to check the heating capacity of the heater. There is no general rule of thumb to decide which heater would be best suited for a room. This depends on the size of the room and the environment one lives in (below freezing or not).

Energy Efficiency

Using heaters excessively and continuously can increase electric or gas bills. To avoid a substantial increase in the bill during winters, it is best to check the efficiency and do a cost to consumption analysis. This can help determine how much heat can be used without having to pay a large bill.

Safety Features

Monitoring heaters and giving them proper maintenance is very important. Without these, the heater can start a fire. When buying a heater, make sure that it has a cool to touch surface. This will reduce the chances of burns that can be caused by heated surfaces. Besides, it will be safe if children accidently go near it. Like most electrical appliances, electric heaters also produce noise.

Try buying a non-fan based heaters for bedrooms and offices to minimize noise. Allan has been reviewing and blogging about home appliances including washine machine, electric heaters and air conditioner. Allan has published blog posts in several shopping sites.

Why Google Puts Scientific Research Tools in the Hands of Journalists?

Are you proficient at creating graphs with hand using a set of information? Or do you know how to design and develop a survey? People who have studied statistics know about information classification and several methodologies used to derive a ballpark figure. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to utilize those skills practically. Most of us cannot process the scientific information and this is the blatant truth.

However, thanks to science that has widened and simplified its toolbox so everybody can use it. Cloud computing and plenty of public information gives scholars and journalists the benefit of undertaking computer generated reporting. This not only makes information processing easier for journalists, but also for other people associated with the task. For more information on internet providers click here, and if you wish to take a story to even better heights, then you must use these tools:

1. Google Public Data

Today, student at journalism schools are taught frequently about the improvements and developments in the field of technology. They are instructed to carry out research on the rise in cell phone connections and broadband internet in developing economies and remote locations. This lets them know the investigative aspect of journalism and activates in them the urge to make the maximum use of internet technology. You can get better results for anything by entering the keyword into the advanced search option in Google. However, until now Google cannot search into databases that store exact public data. So, the questions remain that how to search for a database that would offer these numbers.

Usually, when researching on the aforementioned topic, one would come up with statistical figures collected by the United Nations Development Project and the World Bank. By searching even more into these organizations’ websites, one would come up with their spreadsheets that reveal the actual numbers you have been looking for. But, now you have an even challenging task on how to process the information to make it readable, yet comprehensible for the readers.

You should not always resort to adding tables and figures as a final solution. The best solution is to make a graph. Microsoft Excel gives excellent results with numerous possibilities. By adding your information to maps, you can make your content stronger. However, you should be familiar with software for Geographical Information Systems to add numbers to your digital map. For beginners, it can be an extremely tiring and hard-working task.

But, with the invention of Google’s latest toolset, this task is no more a laborious one. Recently, Google also launched its Public Data Analysis. It is now very simple and easy to find growth statistics for cell phone connections and broadband connections to compare with any information. You will only have to select data of the World Bank, find the cell phone subscriptions and tag all the countries.

It is also not at all a difficult task to incorporate data and maps. You have developed the graph based on the information provided by the World Bank, so just download the spreadsheet. Now, you can import the spreadsheet to the Google documents. And from here; you can incorporate data onto the Google map using tables. At last, now you will only have to import your spreadsheet in tables and select visualize options.

2. Google Forms

It is usually very easy for the journalists to write stories on different subjects; however, one needs to have real data to include as backup data. Incorporating a small-scaled survey will add a lot of substance to your story and make it more credible. Previously, this task was extremely time-consuming; however, with Google Forms, you can easily create questionnaires on the fly. In order to do this, go to Google documents, select New and instantly develop a personalized questionnaire using Google Forms. It does not take a lot of your time and you can add as much content as you want to. 

You can now mail the questionnaire and post it on your website or blog. Your results will be safe in the spreadsheet. Study the outcomes as graphs and then show the summary of all responses. All this is not at a difficult task and you only need a Gmail account to begin the task. For more information on internet providers click here.

Electronics Devices Continue to Grow, is there any Risk Inherent?

We all like convenience and quick options when it comes to business and personal life. This is one of the main reasons why technology has advanced so far, and it is still advancing. Our continuous lust for advancement has led us to a point where we cannot survive without personal electronic devices. Cable internet providers all over the world have seen a drastic rise in internet users over the past five years.

However, with such advancements there are inherent risks we tend to ignore.

What is a Personal Electronic Device?

The first few gadgets that come to mind when personal electronic devices are mentioned are mobile phones, iPhones and laptops.

These electronics have become the basic need of modern life. Without them you can’t succeed in any walk of life. Not just adults, but even children nowadays live a life dependent on electronics. They need it for homework and projects at school. They want to keep in touch with their friends throughout the day or during vacations. In fact, without access to the internet through these devices they can cause parents and guardians to go insane with their tantrums.

Adults mostly need personal electronics for business and social media. Today, even businesses rely on social media for success. Every adult walks around staying connected to the internet 24/7 for several reasons. This means that you want to have the most reliable cable internet providers to subscribe with. However, with all the access to internet, you are subjecting your kids and yourself to the following hazards:

· Monitor Position: We neglect the importance of positioning the monitor correctly. Sometimes it is either too high or too low. This affects the user’s neck and back posture. In children this leads to permanent bad posture. Besides, it must be at a particular distance from the eyes to prevent harmful electromagnetic rays from affecting vision. If the monitor is tilted or has dual screens, it can also affect the eye sight.

· Monitor Type: There are some monitors that flicker at the edges. This can weaken the muscles of the eyes because the eye keeps adjusting to the flicker.

· Keyboard and Mouse Position: If these are placed too high, too low, too far or too close, it affects the spine and back of the user. People end up experiencing backache and shoulder pain too frequently if the position is not right. Especially if your job description entails long hours of work on the computer.

· Keyboard and Mouse Type: Although we all want to look stylish with the gadgets we use, sometimes this is a bad idea. If the shape and size of the mouse is not good enough, then we work with inconvenience. This affects the posture of the arms and can also affect our fingers. For instance, if the keypad or mouse of the iPhone is too small, you will have to work with inconvenience.

· Less Physical Movement: It is known as a fact that in recent times, we move way less than people used to a hundred years ago. Now we have access to the whole world through computers and internet. We don’t even have to attend social gatherings anymore because we have virtual social gatherings online. We can place an order and receive ready-made food without going grocery shopping or cooking. This impacts general health and leads to severe health problems in kids and adults alike.

· Less Awareness with Surrounding: Personal electronic devices come with headphones. These cause reduced awareness of one’s surrounding. We often see it happen, people cross roads with plugged ears or drive while in a call. This leads to accidents and sudden deaths. The ratio of deaths due to electronic devices has also increased over the past decade.

· More Stress and Fatigue: In recent times the number of stress and fatigue cases reporting at hospitals has increased. This is because people spend endless hours in one position. They are constantly exerting their brain and body through online activities.

· Fraud and Hacking: Through personal electronic devices, crimes like identity theft, theft of sensitive business data, credit card theft and hacking have become too rampant.

Therefore, while personal electronic devices and cable internet providers have several benefits, these risks warrant their limited use.

About the Author:

The above article is written by BD, who is a freelance writer from broadband expert group. She writes articles related to technology and applications for various sites and communities. Her latest work can be checked here: the satellite TV page on Broadband Expert

Kerri Leigh O'Connor and Micheangelo, Botticelli inspiring her

Kerri Leigh O'Connor:
Kerri has been a jewelry artist in Cleveland for several years.

-Where are you originally from?

I was born near Baltimore, MD. but grew up in Northeast Ohio.

-How did you choose the lovely name for your Shop?

I wanted a shop name that was creative, fun, short and simple to make it easy to remember. So I tweaked a word that most closely represented the unique style of my art to give birth to "Diviniteez!".

Do you sell your products in many places ? tell us some of them ?

I have three on-line shops on Etsy -
* diviniteez.etsy.com, featuring natural gemstone jewelry and stones;
* lestroisfleurs.etsy.com, an on-line jewelry boutique;
* trunksale.etsy.com, a supply shop.
You can also find my work at art shows local to Cleveland, Ohio such as Wooltex and the Last Minute Markets by the Cleveland Handmade Group, the Avant-Garde Art Shows in Westlake, Ohio.

-How did you find the site who you sell and who it this (name) ? How long have you been selling on this site ?

I found Etsy.com through a jewelry supply vendor originally (Vintaj Natural Brass). I opened up my first shop in May 2009 and two more shops last year.

-How would you describe your style? Have any other artists etc influenced your style?

I have a moon in Gemini so "one style" is not natural for me... hence more than one jewelry shop. Yet the consistent theme across everything I do is energy work. At Diviniteez! you will find handcrafted, luxurious designs that are "energized" with positive qualities of consciousness making each design a true "Diviniteez!". I have been an energy worker for almost 30 years. So the creative process for me is about being divine, about being conscious with my intention for each creation. Each piece is unique either as a one-of-a-kind (OOAK) design and/or in the energy that I draw during the creative process. My grandmother (and my creative sisters) influenced me most as a young girl.

- How did you first come to art and creativity? How did your journey in art and creativity begin?

I started quite young designing Christian Dior suits, etc. for my Barbie Dolls! I wore my own handmade clothes. I was a seamstress for a while, then a porcelain doll maker, and now a jewelry artist. I will start making dolls again when I have more time at home.

-How long have you been creating?

Since I was a child.

-What is it that you love so much?

I love color, textures, mixing metals, fibers; the glint of a gemstone, the lustrous glow of silver or polished brass; watching the effects of a torch on metals and surfaces and then finally seeing a piece come together. Mostly I love the energy of spirit that I feel when I am "into my work".

-What are your main sources of inspiration?

Nature, magazines, historic or ancient architecture, antiques, the works of the masters - Micheangelo, Botticelli to name a few, Italian and Chinese silks, an inspiring book or touching story; meditation and reflection.

-Have you had any mentors, or are you self taught?

Kieu Pham Gray of Bead Q! in Chagrin Falls, Ohio has been an incredible mentor in both skill building as well as running a jewelry business. I've also received excellent training and mentoring from Sands Company Jewelers in Richmond Heights, Ohio.

-Do you sell more at one time of year than others?

Generally around the holiday season starting in October.

-What is one thing about your creative process that you think most people don't know?

The energy work I used to draw positive thought into a design.

Have some tips and advices for new artisians ?

Write at least a visualization for what your business will look like when it is fully running. This draws energy for your business.

-How has life affected your art and art affected your life?

I grew up with creative people ... art has also proven to be therapeutic for me when I am going through a stressful period in my life. I create based on my experience and then through creating I have more experience to create from.

-Do you have a favorite item you have made?

Several but my Mookaite Celebrating Change necklace is one of my favorites... both challenging and the stones were so beautiful.

-What is the best reaction you have gotten from one of your pieces?

I had a rush order from a customer to ship to her sister as a gift. I took a lot of extra time with the packaging because it was a gift. Her feedback to me was that this was the best online purchasing experience she ever had. Those kinds of comments let you know that you have really reached a customer which is a little trickier over the internet.

Something else who you want to tell us about you ?

-Your message for all of us?

Be happy, spread it like wildfire to everyone around you and watch it come back to you tenfold!