From Skilled Hands

photo of Dream, by Tammy Jo Fuller, by Kari Radney

My friend Kari Radney sent me some photos that she took at the Cups of Kindness opening celebration.This is a collection of photos of pieces that were donated to the benefit as well as pieces by artists we represent at our Gallery.

I asked her if she would be my guest blogger for My Town Monday. Here are her impressions of My Town, the Village of Peninsula, population 602.

Welcome to Peninsula! Come and stay a while,
the places you see are sure to make you smile.

As the train comes in (and it’s hard not to hear it)
it shakes the ground of those who are near it.

Elements Gallery is a place filled with art,
pottery and paintings and work from the heart.

Fishers Pub, is a fun place to eat,
their food is delicious and such a great treat!

The Emporium has lots of antiques
each one has a story and is very unique.

The Winking lizard is a popular spot,
every dish that they serve is fresh, tasty & hot.

Yellow Creek Trading is colorful and fun,
with cute things to buy for everyone.

Kilted Yak, the snow gear shop,
is a place that you should stop

The Towpath is where everyone hikes,
walking or running or riding on bikes.

The Art Academy is another must see,
This place is just filled with creativity.

The Peninsula Library, with tons of books,
all waiting inside, for you to come look.

Century Cycles, the local bike store,
has monthly night rides and bicycles galore.

Love and Love, by Gwen Waight, photo by Kari Radney

These pieces were donated by students and faculty of the Kent State University Ceramics Department, photo by Kari Radney

The Giving Cup, by Nicki Lanzi, photo by Kari Radney

Suncatcher, by Merrily Sprague, photo by Kari Radney

Fused Glass by David Norton, photo by Kari Radney

Fused Glass by David Norton, photo by Kari Radney

Blown Glass Calla Lily by Sue Berry, photo by Kari Radney

Looking up at Blown Glass Plant Rooters by Michael Mikula, photo by Kari Radney

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I am so grateful to many hands and hearts that have participated in our show and sale to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. If you are so inclined, please visit our website.

Friends and neighbors helping each other.

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My Town Monday, the brainchild of Travis Erwin, is a wonderful way to explore the world through other bloggers’ eyes.
Travis is taking a break for until January. Junosmom, over at Lifetime Learning, and Chris, at e-Cuniform Scratchings, are the keepers of the Marauders in his stead. Follow the links posted at their blogs and you’ll find stories of places all over this fine blue planet.

Many hands have worked to help Cups of Kindness. There is still incredibly beautiful art available: luminous paintings, sensitive photography, glass and pottery that “sing,” lovely jewelry, fiber, wood and other media that will make your spirit soar.

Last year, my friend, artist, writer and blogger Cat Bennett and I asked, Why Buy Art

-To lift your spirit

-To expand your spirit

-To meet your spirit

-To brighten your day

-To brighten your home

-To brighten your life

-To honor an artist

-To declare your value

-To have fun

-To know yourself

-To inspire yourself

-To inspire others

-To share your wealth

-To laugh

So many reasons.

Art feeds the spirit and soul; it brings light and life to being. Art can make your heart sing and your spirit soar. Something that comes from the heart through the hands. It is no accident that there is art in heART.

When you support an artist, you affirm the creative spirit. You have the opportunity to see the world in a different way, as the artist’s vision is manifested in the piece he or she has made.

This year, we can add, to help our friends and neighbors in a time of need.
Please remember that every dollar that we raise for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank will purchase 7 nutritious meals.

These are some of the amazing pieces that the hearts and hands of some of Northeast Ohio’s talented and generous artists have donated. These pieces and many others, are available on the Cups of Kindness website, and at the Peninsula Art Academy and Elements Gallery in the Village of Peninsula.

Necklace by Carol James

Earrings by Elena Juodisius

Loving Kindness by Dottie Goebel

Batiked Napkins by Wendy Mahon


Soli Deo Gloria by Shannon Casey

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Friends and neighbors helping each other.

My English mother-in-law is ready. A month or so ago, we took a trip to Holmes County, where there are plenty of Amish bulk food stores. She bought the candied fruit she loves to use in her fruitcakes. Soon she will begin the process of making the cupcake sized fruitcakes she makes for my husband, his brother and my father-in-law. Last year, she make 102.

The large stainless steel mixing bowl will come down from the top shelf, muffin tins will emerge from the cupboards, including mine, which will be taken over the stream and through the woods. The well-used recipe, now housed in a plastic sleeve, will appear on the sink shelf. Little bags of the cakes will be doled out to my eager husband; it is the one thing that will be his alone, as no one else covets that particular Christmas treat.
Over the past 25 or so years, I have tried these little cakes. On many occasions. With coffee. With tea. Even with a glass of wine. If they are an acquired taste, I have not yet done so, and it is unlikely that I will.

But there is no doubting the love that those hands put into them. One little cake at a time.

We have, to date, purchased 11,833.5 meals for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
The Power of One. We continue to do it, to share what we have, to pass it forward. Pretty cool stuff.

Friends and neighbors helping each other.

“Light One Candle.” Olive, boxwood, bloodwood. Hand turned by George Raeder.

“It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” Chinese Proverb

I have always had faith in the goodness and generosity of us all. Cups of Kindness has been a testament to this; a testament to the Power if One.

So far, we the people have raised almost $1300 for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. That means that we have purchased almost 9100 meals. Many hands and hearts are working together to make this happen.

Please join us as we raise a Cup of Kindness. Remember that each dollar raised provides 7 nutritious meals. When you purchase an item from the website or from our galleries as a gift, you are giving many times.

And if you’re in our neck of the woods, stop by the Village of Peninsula, have a cup of coffee (you can even purchase your own cup), and explore our beautiful Cuyahoga Valley. Ride the train, see Santa and the lights as the Polar Express rolls into town. We’d love to visit with you.

Friends and neighbors helping each other.

Friends and neighbors helping each other.

I am no longer terrified. The opening for Cups of Kindness was a wonderful testament to the Power of One. So far, we the people have raised over $1200 to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. That’s 8400 nutritious meals.

The benefit continues through January 11, 2009. Items donated by 76 artists will be available for purchase, at 8:00 am,(EST) Monday, December 8th. Please visit our website http://www.CupsOfKindness.net to purchase a piece or to make a donation. All proceeds from the sale of the artwork will benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. Each dollar donated purchases 7 nutritious meals.

My town was a busy place this weekend. The benefit opening was well attended; folks were riding on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, some to visit the Cuyahoga Valley, some to get their Santa, some to go to Heritage Farms to choose their Christmas tree, still others for Christmas in Peninsula. I fully intended to take photos of the benefit but I first I ran out of time; then I ran out of energy.
Ronda’s store

Later, as the snows began to fly, folks came into the Village for the Polar Express, and to see the lights.

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The Chief Marauder of My Town Monday is Travis Erwin. Travis is taking a break until January. Junosmom and Chris are keeping things rolling. Check out their blogs and you’ll find links to bloggers hither and yon.

Friends and neighbors helping each other.

10 individuals and businesses sponsored our effort.
76 artists donated
165 pieces of artwork.
We have raised $1097 for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
We have provided 7,679 nutritious meals.
The Power of One.

I had fully intended to write about Cups of Kindness and Christmas in Peninsula. And my Wordless Wednesday was just that: wordless.

We’ve been working hard preparing for Cups of Kindness. I am very excited about it—-when I’m not terrified. I have envisioned this for a very long time, and seeing it to fruition when the need is so great is an amazing thing. Kindness is all around us—we just need to take the time to open our hearts to receive it.

The generosity of our community is a wonderful thing. The cyber-community has opened its hearts and spread the word. Amy at Knit Think sent a lovely donation of a cup, some hot chocolate and 2 beautiful cloths with a cup in the middle of each that she knitted. (I apologize for the quality of the photo.)

Judy Merrill Larsen emailed me and offered to send a a couple of signed copies of her beautiful book, All the Numbers. My incredible community of bloggers has helped spread the word. I was trying to list everyone and link to their blogs, but I am too tired—-you know who you are and you have my gratitude and my love.

We now have 74 artists who have donated 164 pieces of artwork to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

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Yesterday, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad ran a special train of their popular Polar Express. Their passengers were kids with a variety of special needs. Volunteers elves and others came to greet the train and wave to the children as they entered the North Pole.

We constantly prove the Power of One. Keep your eyes open. You’ll see it all around you. And you can pass it forward.

Remember: every dollar raised provides 7 nutritious meals.


Friends and neighbors helping each other.

Five days until the opening of Cups of Kindness. Most of the work has been photographed, and I am working on getting it on the site. More work is still coming in.

I am donating these 3 little pieces, part of a series of wee tiles I have called Sage Trios. They are porcelain tiles, that have been hand carved, bisqued, inlaid with colorants, and the glaze applied over them. Carolyn Birchenall has donated the framing.

Sage Trio III

Sage Trio IV

Sage Trio V

Visit our website: http://www.CupsOfKindness.net to see more work that fellow artists have donated to help our community. It is a great way to celebrate the generosity of 60 artists, purchase artwork for gifts, or for yourself, and to support the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

And if you’re in our neck of the woods, stop by for a visit. You’ll enjoy the Village of Peninsula (population 602), and help an important agency do its fine work

Remember—-each dollar donated provides 7 nutritious meals.

Friends and neighbors helping each other.