From Skilled Hands

A little over a year ago, we shared a table at a swim team function with a woman who is on the Board of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank . We started to talk, and I shared my vision of Cups of Kindness, an art show and sale which would benefit the Foodbank.  I thought of the words from from that old song,  “we take a cup o’kindness yet for Auld Lang Syne.”  We decided to, in the words of my English mother-in-law, give it a go.

Seventy -six artists donated over 150 pieces of artwork. The logo, website design and hosting, and photography was donated. Bloggers from near and far wrote about the project.  Artwork began arriving from local and national artists. An author donated 2 signed copies of her book.  The website went live.

We hung the show at our Elements Gallery, and at the Peninsula Art Academy. The opening celebration coincided with Christmas in Peninsula, and it was wonderful!

The website is back up and running, with a new look for Spring and with some new pieces. Please take a look.  And stay tuned for updates about Cups of Kindness, 2009.

Cups of Kindness is truly a testament to the Power of One. It is what we the people can do for each other.  We the people who reach out to our friends and neighbors who are in need. We the people, anonymous all, who, when we help our community, help ourselves. We who are one.

To date, we the people have raised enough money to purchase 22,022.07 meals.  That’s not half bad.

We’ve both been working hard in the studio. Steve was trimming cups and putting on handles:

I was working on these small tiles, and a larger triptych:

I’ll continue working on the triptych tomorrow and see how it evolves. There is something magical about the process. When I am quiet and attentive, the clay lets me know what I need to do.

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED

One World One Heart

I’ve written about our being connected and that living on Planet Earth, we really do live in the same town. We breathe the same air, look at the same moon and stars.

One World One Heart is an opportunity for people to share. Last year, Lisa Swifka, the originator of this event wrote:

The original idea behind this giveaway event was to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet. It closes the gap of the blog community and enables us to interact, discover new and wonderful people, and in the process possibly win a prize or many prizes along the way.

For me, it is another manifestation of the power of this medium. It is a way that we can embrace our humanity, and share it freely. It is interesting to me that it is the high tech that is providing the high touch in this high tech world. We have already demonstrated the Power of One in so many ways. This is another way for us to connect and to know that We Are One.

On Thursday, February 12, I will be doing another one of my high tech drawings—this one will probably be high tech die to the number of comments. I will be giving these to those whose names I draw. All items are crafted from fine porcelain clays, one at a time, by hand.

There will be at least 3 names drawn, and I will select which piece will be sent. The Touchstones may be given as a group or I may select some for several people.

Post a comment on this post by the deadline of 10:00 p.m.EST on February 11, and I will enter your name in the drawing. Please make sure that to add your email address when you post your comment so that I have a way to reach you .

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My Town Monday is another way to see that we all live in the same town. Travis Erwin, the man behind the curtain, is putting things back together after a devastating house fire. Chris, over at e-Cuniform scratchings, and Junosmom at Lifetime Learning are minding the store and posting links to blogs all over this fine planet. Take a look. You’ll learn a lot and have fun, too.
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And if you are so inclined, please visit Cups Of Kindness.
76 artists donated over 150 pieces of artwork. All proceeds from the sale of the artwork benefits the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank. To date, we have purchased 21,000 nutritious meals.

We the People continue to open our hearts as we show that giving is receiving. We the People show how amazing the Power of One is. We have, to date, purchased more than 14,000 meals for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. That is like feeding each of the 602 people in the Village of Peninsula more than 23 times. I’ll post the exact figures when I figure them out.

If you are so inclined, please visit the Cups of Kindness website. There are some lovely pieces that have been donated by some of the 76 artists who have participated in the benefit. There is something special about items that come from the heart through the hands.

Cups Of Kindness continues online and at Elements Gallery and the Peninsula Art Academy.

Friends and neighbors helping each other.

To date, 13,800 meals will be provided through the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. That is like purchasing 29.9 meals for each of the Village of Peninsula’s 602 people.

166 hands have raised their cups of kindness and opened their hearts.
They have been joined by a community that extends far beyond this beautiful Cuyahoga Valley. A single voice was joined by another and another and another; a symphony of voices all over this amazing planet. Please feel free to join us.

Friends and neighbors helping each other.

It’s a wee bit chilly in my town, with the temperatures hovering around 2 degrees F, and the windchill plummeting them well below zero. The warmth of community is a pretty wonderful thing. Take a look at my town, the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602, gently resisting change since 1837.

Outside and inside the Log Cabin Gallery:

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Travis Erwin is the Chief Marauder of My Town Monday. He’s taking a break until after the holidays. In his absence, Junosmom and Chris are posting the links to My Towners. Take a look at their sites; you’ll find links to people blogging all over this incredibly amazingly diverse and beautiful blue planet. You’ll learn a lot and have fun, too.

And Happy 17th Birthday to my amazing and wonderful #2 daughter.

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And if you are so inclined, please visit Cups of Kindness, our benefit for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

Each dollar raised purchased 7 nutritious meals. So far, we have raised enough money to purchase over 13,000 meals. That is 21.6 meals for each of the 602 people in Peninsula.

Friends and neighbors helping each other.

The generosity of the community continues: from artists who donated work, to those who support them and the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

There are several pieces that do not appear on the Cups of Kindness website. These beautiful pieces are available, and can be purchased by emailing me at
FromSkilledHands AT gmail DOT com. (I took the photos in the studio with available lighting.)

Remember, each dollar raised purchases 7 nutritious meals. All proceeds from the sale of the artwork will benefit the Foodbank.

“Raise a Cup of Kindness”by Marianne Hite; fused glass; 6.5″ ht x 5″;
$75.00

“Covered Jar,” by Larry McCardel; hand turned maple with ebony;
3″ x 3″; $54.00″

“Tea Cup I,” by Diane Keske Talmadge; oil on canvas; 5″ x 5″; $45.00; easel included

“Tea Cup II,” by Diane Keske Talmadge; oil on canvas; 5″ x 5″; $45.00; easel included

Antique Silver Cup donated by the Downtown Emporium, 3.5″ x 2.5″, Porcelain Tile by Debra Bures, 3 3/8″ x 2 7/8″; SOLD

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Friends and neighbors helping each other.

For the past 3 years, members of the business community have donated mini Christmas trees to be raffled off at the Peninsula Library and Historical Society. The proceeds of the raffle benefits the library’s Carol Wright Children’s Fund and the Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce.

Take a look at this year’s trees:

A young patron helped Library Director Randy Bergdorf draw the winning names.
$535 was raised to benefit the Library and the Chamber of Commerce.
It’s like that in Peninsula, Ohio, population 602.

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Cups Of Kindness continues online and at Elements Gallery and the Peninsula Art Academy. I’ll post an update later today.

Friends and neighbors helping each other.

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.