The Beauty of Spring!

Grow your own vegetables…this past year I started a vegetable garden…it has been long in coming. I’ve been wanting to do this for the past 12 years and finally got to it over spring of 2009(that sounds so long ago!)

For so many years, I would imagine this glorious setting ~ my yard would become this lush area giving me the feeling I was in the county somewhere growing my vegetables and picking my flowers….
On the contrary, it was nothing like that! I do love where I live, but my yard does not come even close to a country setting….i’m still waiting for grass!

Needless to say, I did plant my garden…with the help of my wonderful DAD. My kids did not partake in the process as I had once invisioned but atleast they do know it exists!
I need to share of photo of my dad gardening as he has been a HUGE inspiration for us in all aspects of our lives!

Since doing this, the excitement to go outside, take care of my garden, water my plants and harvest my vegetables…(some good, some not so good) has been the biggest treat for me!

I know my kids notice and see the change…when we eat, they’ll ask at times, “is this from our garden”….Oh JOY!

I am certainly not a garden expert, or a Martha Stewart…but the wonderful news is...Loni Brown, Horticulturist will be teaching a couple garden classes beginning mid April in our charming patio to all us gardener's in the making. She will share great information and also touch on composting. LOOK OUT FOR A POSTING OF HER CLASSES IN THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS.
My only suggestion would be to start small to not overwhelm yourself, try to get your kids involved with some part of the process….even if it’s just the watering! They will never forget!!!

I can't wait to tackle my garden this year...If you have any tips to share, any planting ideas...we'd love to hear about it!

About the Artist!

Something new for our blog....aside from our monthly featured artist, we are interviewing an artisan from our shop every month so you can really get to know who you are buying from. One of a kind and hand made is such a treat...these items usually become your keepsakes and most cherished treasures; it's nice to know something about the creator!

Artist...Sylvia of 3 Good Things
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I am a Graphic Design alumna from the Art Center College of Design. I worked for Wipf & Stock Publishers in Eugene, Oregon, designing high-end book covers and taught typography to the Design Team. Since moving back to South Pasadena, I freelance at my studio, designing bespoke fine stationery, logos, invitations, and announcements. I teach private classes, parties, and retreats (complete w/spa treatments, champagne, and cheesecake!) and hold seasonal Open Houses. If you’d like more info and to book a reservation, please contact: goodthings.3@gmail.com

What do you make and what is the process?
Whether it’s graphic design or greeting cards, my process is to LISTEN (to the client), THINK, and then DESIGN. I am uber-organized in all my work (a professional organizer on the side). I enjoy making “Green” greeting cards using recyclable materials such as cereal boxes, foraged materials like twigs & leaves, and quality card stock. This process involves tons of drawing, cutting, & pasting!

What inspires you to create?
Nature & music provide the beauty and that challenges me to interpret something new. The world is every creative’s oyster.

How do you see your craft evolving over the next year or two?
Through the evolution of my craft, I hope to get published and interviewed.

What is your favorite aspect of being an artist?
Observing. Analyzing. Instructing others how to make beautiful things. Seeing their amazement. I like demystifying techniques and making something out of nothing.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not creating?
Being with family and friends, enjoying great food. NEVER compromising quantity over quality. EVER. Going on retreats, photography, reading, interior decorating, gardening, organizing. Yep, organizing.

Are there any tips you would like to share for someone who wants to turn their "hobby" into a business?
Don’t do it at the expense of your family. Be judicious about how your hobby could “fit in” to your lives.
Any tips or suggestions on marketing yourself?
Put yourself into social situations (volunteering or working out at a gym) where you can meet people and develop friendships. Friends tell other friends, and word-of-mouth will help you move forward. Discipline yourself by tracking your time and expenses. Consult someone with marketing savvy. Use Etsy, Twitter, and establish a blog.

Anything you would like to share of interest?
Someday soon, I’d like to retire my husband for investing in my art school education (smile). My greeting cards are sold here at Belle’s Nest, at Lula Mae (Old Town Pasadena), Holy Family Church Bookstore, and soon in South Pasadena at Marz and Fair Oaks Pharmacy. I will be teaching a class here at Belle’s Nest on Sunday, April 25th from noon-2pm!

Ways to reach me or see my work and studio:
Goodthings.3@gmail.com
Twitter.com/GoodThingsx3
Flickr.com/photos/november23
Etsy.com/sho/3goodthings
[310] 251-9817

Please join us on Friday, March 26th from 6-8pm for a reception featuring the very talented and lovely Elyse Paek. We are delighted to have her beautiful work on display for the Month of March.
Wine and cheese will be served, hope to see you!

Artist Profile

Elyse Whittaker-Paek is an Australian born artist who spent her childhood in the
suburbs of Sydney. She moved to southern California with her family when she was in her senior year of high school.

During her education in the U.S. she became particularly interested in classical art and the human form. She then enrolled in the fine art and illustration program at California State University at Long Beach where she graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Art Illustration in 1994.

Soon after graduation and wanting to draw for a living, she was hired by Warner Brothers Animation Studio in the production of the feature length film, “Space Jam” which combined the Looney Toons cast with the althelete Michael Jordon. She continued her animation career with Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, California in the production of the television
series “Oswald the Octopus”, “Cat Dog” “Dora the Explorer,” and “Hey, Arnold.”

You can see within her work, glimpses of the world-renowned artist, Norman Lindsey. Like
Lindsey, you find within her work the female form in all its neo-classical natural beauty. But unlike Lindsey, she has been inspired by the fashion world of the mid 20th century and has now once again been inspired by the energy and independence of the punk-pop fashions of the 1980's.

Elyse currently resides in Sierra Madre with her husband and her two young boys. Who
inspired her to capture the beauty of Children in Portraits.

Hometown Pasadenahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

We are so delighted and thrilled to have been featured on Hometown Pasadena! Please check out this informative website, it's a must read for locals who live in the San Gabriel Valley.
http://hometown-pasadena.com/shops/belles-nest/

Patio in Bloom

Wisteria Festival is coming!! It's on March 14th and thousands of people are expected to view the amazing Wisteria Vine which is in full bloom. I've lived in Sierra Madre 7 years and still haven't seen it! Sierra Madre is only about 10 square miles...really, I have no excuse.

Meanwhile, we are working on our patio...if I say so myself, it is sooo charming. I take absolutely no credit, Brenda is doing an amazing job! Scroll down and you'll read a bit about her.
We are transforming the store a bit to create space for the expected crowds, making room for new merchandise and having a good time remerchandising.
We hope to see you!

Jewelry!

When I think of jewelry, I usually think of the traditional...an artist at the Nest by the name of Gaea has some very untraditional jewelry she makes out of clay...it is so sweet and fun! Check her out on her site or come in and give it a look.