New Team Blogger: Made with Hope Jewelry.

We really happy to welcome EAOC Team Member Brittany of Made With Hope to our blog team.  Brittany is from Tuscaloosa, Alabama and creates fabric button earrings and accessories.  She also has a graphic design etsy shop called Bevie.  You'll be hearing from her soon so lets welcome her.   In the mean time here's two of my favorite pieces from her etsy shops.

Celebrating Black History- Ms Octavia Butler

EAOC Team Member Robert Trujillo is an mixed media artist and illustrator living in Oakland California.  Here's a special post written and illustrated by Robert Trujillo.


To celebrate Black history month I want to praise one of the greatest storyteller's to ever put pen to paper, Ms Octavia butler

“the thing that I want to build is so damned new and so vast. I not only don’t know how to build it, but I’m not even sure what it will look like when I have built it. I’m just feeling my way. Using what ever I can do, whatever I can learn to take one more step forward”

These were words coming out of the mouth of Octavia via her character “Lauren Oya Olamina” in the story “Parable of the Talents”. I was introduced to Octavia by my mother. My mom and I both share a love for science fiction, good stories, and nerdy things all around. She would always tell me I should read her, but like most teenagers I hated reading! It wasn’t until I was in my mid twenties that I picked up “Wild Seed”. I started it and could not fathom how or why I was done with it days later. I read Parable of the Sower, Clay’s Ark, again same thing; and I’m a slow reader. I have many people to credit for teaching me how to read and Octavia is one of them. I’ve read 6 or 7 of her books and the last one is read was “Fledgling”. Her work not only weaves present day struggles and ideas into futuristic planes; it dissects society, flourishes with love, and promotes character.

I asked my mother to describe how she came across Butler’s work. Rubbing her hands together she began to describe a teacher and a library at Peltan junior high in Hunters Point San Francisco where she went to school. She had a professor who was into science fiction and led her to Butler’s work. She went on to tell me that winning the Nebula and the Hugo for a black woman at that time was unheard of. Not only were there few women who had one the award, but few people of color who had won it. Also, MacArthur awards, which Butler also won are usually reserved for people in science? Wow.

After reading a little bit on Octavia on wiki, I decided it best to leave her beginnings and finer details to you to research. I ahvent read her story “Kindred” yet so moms told me that I still had some reading to do. She also said that she was interested in Butler’s work and that of other science fiction writers because it gave a glimpse into a world outside of what we know. There’s tons of information on her, even a scholarship for writers of color set up in her name. Happy page turning.

CARNIVAL - EAOC Monthly Team Challenge

It's that time of year again when around the world celebrations of CARNIVAL take place! "Sights, Sounds and Scents" was this month's team challenge theme and our talented jewelry artists show off their visions of CARNIVAL!

Polymer Clay Snow Cone
Charm Necklace "Free Shipping"

Polymer Clay Cotton
Candy Carnival Pie Charm-A La Mode. Carnival Themed Party
Favor

Hot Pink and Neon
Orange Faceted Crystal and Dyed Jade Gold Circle Charm Dangle
Earrings

 

My Little Ackee
Earrings Red Black and Yellow Glass Seed Beads Jamaica
Fruit

Carnivale Cha Cha
Bracelet

Lovely Pink CHA CHA
Bracelet

Blog Love: Healthier Steps

Meet Michelle Blackwood of Healthier Steps.

What does Michelle have to say about herself?

My name is Michelle, I’m passionate in sharing with others how they can achieve a better lifestyle, by avoiding the pain and suffering plaguing society through disease. I give health lectures and cooking classes for the public, in between homeschooling my children and keeping home for my hubby Devon. I also enjoy organic gardening, foraging wild edible plants, baking and decorating vegan cakes. 

I'm a home school mom of 2 children. I live in the beautiful countryside of Virginia. I love nature and decided to create beautiful handmade soaps using the finest ingredients, all natural, free of chemicals, gentle enough that I use them on the delicate skin of my 2 year old.  My 13 year old home schooler leads out in design, photography, and graphic as part of home schooling . We grow all of the herbs organically that are used in the soaps. 

I will increase my product line gradually, I like to do custom orders, please contact me if you are interested. These creations are from my home to yours, we want you to enjoy that luxurious feeling we experience daily.

What can you expect to find on Michelle's blog?
Vegan Cooking

[Vegetarian Fried Rice]

[Gluten-Free Tofu Nuggets]

Natural Soaps

 

 

 and Natural Remedies

To learn more about Michelle and Healthier Steps, please visit her blog or her Etsy shop!

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If you're interested in having your blog featured, list your blog 

url on our Etsy team discussion here.

XOXO,

EAOC 2011 Holiday Catalog

The holiday season is fast approaching, so as you endeavor to check-off the names on your shopping lists, don't forget to shop at the many EAOC member stores. You're sure to find something there to meet the needs of all those on your list. Here are but a few of the stores featured in our Team Catalog.

For a complete list of EAOC member shops, please click here.

Happy Shopping and Happy Holidays.