Chel in the Land of ZNE

PREVIEW AUCTION ITEMS BY CLICKING ON THE WINDOW, BELOW

Auction Begins at 12:00 a.m. October 1, 2007

Here in the Land of ZNE, we are running around like crazy getting ready for the Hope Sees a Star benefit auction which will go live at 12:00 a.m. CA time, on October 1.

Our blogs may be quiet until then, but rest assured, we are here, working hard!

PLEASE HELP US PROMOTE THE AUCTION - AND COME VISIT AND BID on OCTOBER 1!

www.HopeSeesAStar.com

(PS - Thanks Karen at LunaGirl for the fun image.  I didn't even know anyone was taking my picture that day.  Tee hee!)

Our whole life is but a greater and longer childhood.

- Benjamin Franklin

I thought I'd share a few pics I took several months ago when in Tahoe.  I thought these kitschy kids rides were so cool looking. 

I of course have ten million things I could write about today, but no time.  Migrating members over to the new ZNE Network is getting to be quite a challenge.  I am in the process of going around and cyber-holding hands one by one to get my members in there.  We have 350 members in, 700ish to go!

And the work following up on donations and formatting them for the Hope Sees a Star auction is around the clock.  Such a good cause.  So many overwhelming emotions.  And I am plumb tired.  But we are almost there.  On October 1, dozens of incredible artists will come together to offer the most extraordinary collection of art, crafts, and artist services.  Just you wait and see.  Or don't wait - and preview the listings as they go up - here:

www.ZNEStore.com

Have a great Wednesday everyone.  And enjoy the trail ride.

Oh, so many wonderful items...

Taking Flight ~

I received my bird skinny book pages from the swap that Amy Smith hosted, and they are incredible.  It is with that amazing combination of a heavy heart, and a happy heart - that i have decided to donate them to Hope Sees a Star.  The benefit auction begins on October 1 - and you can see previews of these pages, and more incredible donations - here:

www.HopeSeesaStar.com

Meanwhile - check out the auction listng

Artist at left: Martha Brown

When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and ther you will always long to return.

- Leonardo DaVinci

Details:

This is an extraordinary collection of one of kind original works of art by 17 different artists.  With pages submitted from all over the U.S. and abroad, all but one page measures 3" x 6".  (Maralena Howard's crow, at bottom, measures 3" x 9".

All of these pages were created for a bird themed skinny book collaboration coordinated by the artist Amy Smith.  Created during the summer of 2007.  They are created on heavy weight card stock and hand embellished in a wide variety of techniques.  All are decorated on both sides, and signed by the artist on the reverse.  This is a rare opportunity to own an exquisite collection of mixed media artwork created by extraordinary artists.

The pages are not bound, you may choose to bind them or leave them separate, as you wish.  The artwork is being donated from the personal collection of Chelise Stroud Hery, with the blessings of the individual artists.

Artist at bottom: Maralena Howard

Minimum Open: $50.00

Value:  Priceless

Current Bid:

Zzzzzzzzzzz

No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap.  ~Carrie Snow

Lately, I have re-learned the art of napping.  I had never been much of a napper.  Preferring to read or watch t.v. or engage in a hobby or, really, do anything.  I tend to be an insomniac.

All that being said, now that my studio has a bed in it, right behind me to be specific - whereupon my doggies sleep all day long, their warm bodies so very inviting...

Well, I've relearned the art of the nap!  I allow myself to crawl in, snuggle up, and snooze a little, during the day.  It is the most wonderful thing.  To celebrate my newfound pleasure, I bought the pillow above.  SUCH a splurgey thing for me to do, but still.  I mean really.  Look at it!

The pillow was created by Southern Sassy Pants on etsy, and it is just the most soft chenille ever.  I love it.  I really do.

Here is to hoping that all of YOU are getting good sleep too.  Are you tired?  Then take a nap.  Really, I highly recommend it.  The nap, as it turns out, is an art unto itself.

xo - Chel

My Net of Love

"Joy is a net of love, by which you can catch souls." -Mother Theresa

I took this picture last night.  I was sitting on my bed, and trying to capture a shot of my newly manicured and pedicured fingers and toes.

Butter snuck his snout in at the last minute, that little ham!

Looking at it later, I realized that this picture exemplifies a lot of what gives me joy in life.  I thought I'd reflect on some of those things, and list them here - some of them are in the picture, some of them are not:

1.  My marriage.  I love my husband so so so much. 

2. My children.

3. Glitter.  (Check out those fingernails.  Ha!)

4. My brother and his family.

5. My nephew. (See above.)

6. My sister-in-law. (See above.) Plus, she not only dragged me in to the manicurist's shop, she paid for my mani and pedi.  She's wonderful, and I adore her.

7. Cherries.

8. Rings, Toe Rings, rhinestones and diamonds, glitzy bling.  : D

9.  Doggies.  My doggies in particular.

10. And lately, not so much in this picture, but just as joyful:  the extraordinary things that are going on over at the ZNE Network:

View my profile on ZNE Network

~ AND ~

The extraordinary, touching, and incredible donations that are coming in to fund the Hope Sees a Star memorial project.

Happy Sunday everyone.  May you find yourself caught up in a net of love, as well.

xo - Chel

Hope Sees a Star Art Donations

An extraordinary auction and sale.  Please join us, and help.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE, AND HELP.

JOIN US!

HUNDREDS OF ARTISTS ~ ALL CONNECTED 

The address for the new ZNE Discussion boards is:

www.ZNEart.net

IF YOU ARE A ZNE MEMBER ~ (or want to be one) ~ PLEASE JOIN The Network.

Here are just a few unsolicited quotes that have been posted by members who have signed up for our new discussion boards, so far:

"This place is so fun! One incredible link of inspiration after another!"  - Lani Kent

"a huge success. I'm meeting people I've never seen (so to speak) before. Another act of brilliance on ZNE's part" - Laurie Blau Marshall

"what a wonderful family of artists you have brought together!" - Tammra Russell

"This Rocks!" - Dale McCain

"I love this place." - Izabella

"Woohoo! Too kewl for skewl! Thanks for finding us yet another fun place to play!! " - Deb Neerman

"This new forum is just great!!!"  - Susan Tuttle

"OMG, this site is so nice! " - Missy Trent Vale

"This site looks so awesome!" - Amber Heagerty

"WOW!  This is, for lack of a better "grown up" phrase, VERY COOL!" - Stephanie Butler

"I'm so delighted to be here and be surrounded by so many talented people. I can go to an art gallery every day and never have to leave home!" - Michele May

"I'm so happy to be a member of ZNE, and have my own little page here!" - Kathi Robinaugh

Since opening the doors 5 days ago, over 200 members have come in, and the reviews are in!

NOW WE NEED THE REST OF YOU!

So if you are a ZNE member and you have not yet signed up for The ZNE Network - the only question is:

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Stop by and come in or request an invite (free for all members!) HERE:

www.ZNEart.net

Six Years in a Blink

Women Take Wing

I am really excited about this wonderful new group:

After the charter members got it up and running, I was literally the first one in door!

Here is their mission statement:

Women Take Wing! Inc.'s mission is simple: To Inspire and Promote Women Entrepreneurs.

I have to say, works for me!

Check it out.  I am glad I did.

www.WomenTakeWing.com

Quick Peek!

Oooh!  I have something to show you!

Are you ready for a quick peek?

Hmmm.... Maybe you aren't ready.  I'm pretty sure I'm not ready.

OK OK. 

COMING SOON!  A ZNE Home Tour of the ZNE Studios.  In the meantime you can sorta, kinda, almost see a corner of it, behind me, in this picture.

And here's one more quick peek:

OK!  That's the quick peek!

What's that you say?  You want MORE?  You want to see things close up?  You are wondering - what IS that!? -

Well, STAY TUNED!

The tour is coming soon...

xo - Chel

Click on the image below to see legible details.  (!)

I am having lunch today, at Gina Gabriell's house, and Iva Wilcox is joining us.  We are going to talk about Hope Sees a Star, which is gearing up for an online benefit auction in early October.  We are going to talk about their wonderful daughters, Stevie and Brianna, for whom the memorial is named.  And we are going to play and make some art.

I feel honored and humbled beyond words, to be invited into their lives.

I feel that way, about all my artist friends.

I am counting my blessings today.  I wish the same for you, as we enter into the weekend.

xo - Chel

PS ~ If you would like to donate art, hand made goodies or art supplies to the Hope Sees a Star benefit auction - let me know!  We need all the help we can get.  And mark your calendars for October 1 - 15 when the benefit will take place.

Come on in!

At ZNE we have moved our discussion board home to a social networking environment that is much better for our incredible group of artist members.  Getting this up and ready to go is a culmination of over a year's worth of research into streamlining some of our activation processes.  I am SO excited to say:

ZNE Network is NOW OPEN!

If you are a ZNE/PCM Member, please come on over to the home page and REQUEST AN INVITE!  Your request will be accepted as soon as membership is verified.

COME ON IN!

http://www.ZNEart.net

Walk Lightly

I love this image.  I took the picture at the Oakland Zoo when I went to view the Butterfly Conservation Garden, for the Hope Sees a Star project.

This is a metal butterfly, pressed right into the ground.  You have to be paying attention, and looking down, to see it.  It makes me think of that age old (Native American, if I am not mistaken) concept of "walking lightly" on the earth.  You never know what might be beneath your feet.

I am trying to focus on how I stomp through my day.  I have this to get done, and that to do, and the list is endless and growing.  I lie in bed at night with my eyes wide open berating myself for the things that did not accomplish.

It is rare that I stop, and consider the achievements of the day.  The beauty that is all around.  A few moments listening to the laughter of my children can make up for ten thousand emails from people frustrated with my lack of response.  There is now a bed in my studio office, and my dogs and the cat like to find a spot to snuggle up.  All I have to do is turn around to see comfort, and love - right in front of me.

Are  you like me?  Then this post is for you.  Take a moment today to listen and laugh.  Turn around and away from your busywork and look for the comfort that is right in front of you, instead of the deadlines that are always looming.  Take a walk, and pay attention.  You never know what might be right beneath your feet.

:D

All gussied up.

Last night we went to dinner at our neighbor's house.  They were having a party for their 50th anniversary.  We all had a good time - it was especially fun to get all gussied up, to go - next door! 

My hair is in a pony tail in these pics, though it sort of looks like its just really short.  I like these shots because I look, well, happy.

Yup.  That's nice.

Plus, look how beautiful my kids are.  If I may say so myself!

My dress was made from a knit material, so it was more casual in person than it looks in these pics.  Oh, and I love how my husband looks like a cardboard cut out from a sears catalogue in that shot.  ROTFL!

: D

Hope you all had a great start to your weekends, as well.

: D

xo - Chel