DetroitFashionPages.com

I withheld talking about it b/c I was afraid it wouldn't happen but.....HERE IT IS!!! My interview with Detroit Fashion Pages. GASP!!

If you are visiting because you read my article WELCOME! Please check out my other postings, become a fan on facebook, or view my etsy account. To make things consistent I will now be updating my etsy site and blog every Sunday and Wednesday.

You can sign up to receive updates when I blog and hear more adventures from Detroit. I have a new one...Being Chased by Wild Dogs in the City.

But thats to come tonight. No time now, I need to get back to work.

Thanks again Detroit!!!

Artists...The Tranformation of the Hood???

This morning on my daily walk with Ace (who is pictured to the right, awwww so cute. He loves walks so much, you can't even say walk in a sentence or he freaks out, we have to spell. Its like having a toddler.) Anyhoo, this morning on my walk, I ran into a gentleman who asked if my dog would like a play mate. I'm always a little skeptical of older men who talk to me on my walks. They are usually slimy and I think they find me attractive only b/c my whiteness makes me different.
For some background info, I live in the Northend Neighborhood of Detroit. Some consider it a rougher neighborhood, it used to be, I consider it transitional with a big mixture of incomes, education, and family structures.
So back to the story. We started talking and he said he was an artist from COLORADO and had moved here to rehab a building and open up an artist community. I LOVE IT!! I told him about the community garden and that it was on a lot owned by another artist who was also trying to set up his studio in the neighborhood.
So by the end of the walk, I had a new friend, a new doggy playmate for Ace, a potential volunteer for the community garden, and the Northend has one more person wanting to make a difference here. What a divine meeting, I usually don't go out as early as a I did and we just happened to run into each other.

It reminded me of a piece I made: Bird's Eye View
When you look at the Bird's Eye View of the Northend, you see its potential; the empty lots and buildings that can be developed, the houses and yards people are maintaining. Living in the midst of empty and burned out homes can make me think there's little hope left. The negative issues and drama can drain and suck out all the efforts made by myself and my husband, our neighbors, the churches. This fortuitous meeting with the artist reminded me to keep the bird's eye view of the Northend in mind, to focus on the potential. Things are happening here and we will reap the benefits of people's investment into the neighborhood.

Bird's Eye View

Looks like Richard Florida's thesis is happening in the Northend. THE ARTISTS ARE COMING! WATCH OUT!

It makes me think about what needs to happen to make sure that our neighbors are pulled up with the neighborhood not just relocated to another hood. One time a cop was questioning why Billy was in the neighborhood. When Billy showed him his license to prove he lived here, the cop said, "There goes the neighborhood." I don't want to be the force that pushes people out. Improve the environment yes but not push out. The fabric of this community is amazing. Old and young, low, middle upper middle class families all living next to each other. How do you do this? Its not something that just will happen.

Revitalization!

I just got back from a camping trip up north and feel more refreshed then ever to start the new year! With scenery like this how can you not relax!!!

A quick inventory of my pictures reveals that the dog is the center of attention but with a boxer as cute as ours how could he not be??? Here's just one of many pictures of him chasing sticks. This one just happens to be the rope swing at the campsite.

Here is a glimpse at whats instore at the etsy shop!!

Ribbon Candy...Bracelet
Sardonyx encased in silver with carnelian and Botswana agate.

Fire...Water
Carnelian, Turquiose, and Silver Swirled