Thanks for stopping by! This blog has really gone through a lot of transition in its nearly three years of existence. I started it back in July 2009 when I was a road warrior working in retail management but examining my life, the pace at which I was going at and my desire to live more simply. I was facing the reality that despite multiple degrees and careers, I was never happy and bounced around hoping to find the thing that would nurture my soul. Thing is, no job I ever had did that for me, until I took the leap and began working for myself developing a creative life. It was a risky decision considering I had a stable, well-paying job and was willing to leave it all to make eco-crafts in a horrible economy but my husband and I planned for 2 years and completely overhauled our spending habits so that in October 2009, I could do just that – LEAP!
At first, I launched my lil’ business, Green Earth Goodies, on Etsy in early 2010 and liked what I was doing (and loved being at home full-time) but it wasn’t until I took my hobby of decoupage to the next level and incorporated paint to my collages that my artistic life really started and I finally found what I had been looking for all my adult life. In September of 2010 I opened up my artwork shop (j.c.spock on Etsy) and things really took off.
I started working with a non-profit, FORCE (Facing our Risk of Cancer Empowered) and through them and through my artwork, I’ve connected to an entire community of women living with, surviving from or closely affected by cancer. I could never have imagined my artwork would have made such an incredible connection with such a wonderful community.
This blog not only explores my creative/artistic endeavors, but also allows me to share my home life (with David, my wonderful husband of 10 years and our 3 dogs), our life at 8,300′ in the Colorado mountains, nature/scenic photography of the Rockies and Southwest region, eco-friendly tips and ideas, DIY recipes and tutorials, my passion for vintage photos, ephemera/paper and shabby-chic-meets-french-farmhouse antiques, and also a dash of cooking/baking when the mood strikes.
I love coffee and chocolate, wine and cheese, and homemade goods made with love. I love gregarious laughter, hanging out in my PJ’s and spending lots of time with my fantastic hubby. I love cuddling with our dogs, wearing flowers in my hair and donning wild striped socks and mary-janes (even at the age of 37). I’m a quirky girl, who wears her heart on her sleeve and believes in karma. Though not religious, I am a huge believer in the Law of Attraction and believe an attitude of gratitude can manifest wonderful things. I’ve got big dreams but believe they are all attainable.
Life is so good, I’m a grateful girl and so appreciative of you following me along on this journey!!
♥
I love the word picture you paint of yourself, and the pictures you have posted here. The “kids” look great, and David as the tree hugger… excellent.
Much love Jenn, and my wishes for your success.
You are a beautiful inspiration. Leaving one life in favor of one that invites fulfillment, pleasure, passion and purpose. You go, girl! Your ideas are rich. I look forward to seeing what beauty and new life you breathe into your next creations.
Robert! Such a sweet comment! Thank you so much…
Love and miss you!
Hi Jennifer,
The first time I found your blog I was looking for ideas on how to paint Easter eggs….but your world has fascinated me, and I envy the support you get form your husband….Your creations are beautiful, it shows that all is done with loving care. I’m just wondering what is the advantage of selling your products in an Itsy store. I couldn’t really find any answers on the web…
Hi Andrea,
Thanks so much for taking the time to write! I am very fortunate to have such a wonderful husband – he is unbelievable!!! And thanks for the nice comment about the blog and my handmade goods…I don’t hear from people often, so it’s nice to know someone is enjoying this!
There are a lot of venues in which to sell your handmade goods, but I like Etsy because it’s online which means that if I want to “close my shop” for a day or week, I can…if I want to put a ton of hours into it, I can (which really does reap more sales!); it just allows me to schedule my life as I choose. If I was in a boutique, then I’d have to make sure to keep up on those accounts all the time, maybe need to drive out to said boutiques and I’m not ready for that commitment yet. Having my own “brick and mortar” store is out of the question for me…so much start-up costs, have to staff the store, no time to create. And online, there are a lot of different sites you can sell on, but Etsy is by far, the most well-known. You get charged only 20 cents to post an item, they take a small cut of the profits (as does Paypal) and customers can find you there (vs. if I just sold off my own website – I’d have to do a TON of marketing to get people to find me). So Etsy works for me.
If you go to Etsy.com and click on “Forums,” it takes you to the message boards and you can do a search on pros/cons of Etsy shop; anyone can post (buyers or sellers) and there is a chunk of good info there…I spent about 3-4 hours a day reading through the message boards when I first quit my job, but wasn’t quite ready to open my shop, so that I could become very well informed on policy, procedures, recommended business practices, etc.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have additional questions!
Best,
Jennifer
Thank you for all the useful information. My head is full of projects, I’m just not sure how I can find the time to do everything. Etsy sounds good, I’ll look into the message boards. By the way I haven’t been watching TV for ages, and I don’t miss it – but lately I find that the internet robs me off a lot of my time – plus I have two adorable, time-consuming little boys. (Visit my blog if you want to see them make raw walnut raisin cookies.) Thanks again Jennifer!
Andrea
Jennifer, I came across your website and art work late last night and was so intrigued and…. comforted knowing the work you do!! A lot of what you paint is how I feel, I was especially drawn to the art you painted for your sister = it completely spoke to me, I connected with it from several lifetimes.. which then led me to browse through a lot of your stuff!!!
I’m a gourmet raw food chef and greenie who is just moving back to LA from Ecuador where i spent 6 months trying to help a friend start a health retreat. It was an amazing time for me to focus, get quiet and connect under the stars. Since then opportunities are knocking. I now may have the opportunity to start packing REALLY GOOD gourmet foods, I’ll make them beautiful on the inside, you make the goddesses beautiful on the outside, deal?
I’m actually starting up my own business RAW TRips.. where I’ll travel the country doing weekend mini-retreats to teach people how to start reconnecting with their food and to assist them on their first steps to self-care. Once we get it up and running, I’ll be sure to get in touch with you. As soon as I saw some of the cute hair pins, I was “told” to buy them for gift bags. I’ve been looking for something cute, hip and green… as my journey with raw foods has EVERYTHING to do with helping people wake up and change on all aspects.
Just love what you are doing, loved your blog and the energy you are sending to the world.I’ve picked a couple of my favorites to buy!
Hi Kirsten,
Wow, thank you for your comment, so very kind. I just love it when complete strangers find me. Glad you like my blog!
I just love that you’re following your passion…so many people are afraid to take the leap, so good for you (and good for the people who will benefit from your healthy, gourmet foods!)
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment; keep us posted on your endeavors!
Love it, and the header, too. It’s refreshing to hear people do what it takes to make the most of this short time we have.
Thank you!
Hi Jennifer,
I came across your blog and really like it! Recology works with artists to make art out of “trash” and I wanted to share the link to the work they are doing. Sounds like a kindred group of people… http://blog.recology.com/?s=artist+in+residence
All the best,
Lilly
Thanks Lilly, off to check out that link!
There are a lot of venues in which to sell your handmade goods, but I like Etsy because it’s online which means that if I want to “close my shop” for a day or week, I can…if I want to put a ton of hours into it, I can (which really does reap more sales!); it just allows me to schedule my life as I choose. If I was in a boutique, then I’d have to make sure to keep up on those accounts all the time, maybe need to drive out to said boutiques and I’m not ready for that commitment yet. Having my own “brick and mortar” store is out of the question for me…so much start-up costs, have to staff the store, no time to create. And online, there are a lot of different sites you can sell on, but Etsy is by far, the most well-known. You get charged only 20 cents to post an item, they take a small cut of the profits (as does Paypal) and customers can find you there (vs. if I just sold off my own website – I’d have to do a TON of marketing to get people to find me). So Etsy works for me.
+1
Hello Jennifer,
Thank you for your gifts to the HAGS (High Altitude Gardening Society). The cards and magnets are lovely and your artwork is simply beautiful. The HAGS pleased that our work at the Pine Post Office has brightened your day as you mail your packages to the world. As you can tell, we love to garden up here in Pine. We hope your two businesses thrive in this terrible economy.
Jane, HAGS Co-Coordinator
Hi Jennifer,
I just discovered your beautiful, inspiring artwork at a FORCE event near where I live in Bethesda, MD. I struggled to limit my purchase of your greeting cards to 6 and have already given 2 away to special friends. As a rectal cancer survivor, my favorite of your artwork is survivor girl, which I have sitting on my dresser now. I also happen to love baking and it has become a hobby of mine since treatment of my cancer took away my ability to eat for over a year. I can eat again thankfully, and am no longer dependent on IV nutrition, but the baking habit stubbornly remains. (To the point where I actually submitted an entry in our Town bake-off. Twice.) And so between my love for your artwork and my love for baking I have happened upon your blog which coincidentally features both. Please keep up the good work & I will look for your blog posts in my inbox.
Best,
Jennifer S.
Hi Jennifer, thanks so much for writing! I’m so flattered that my artwork reaches out to you. Glad you’re here! ♥
Hi
It Kia! Thanks for getting in touch. I have now updated the blog to include your link. Great blog by the way 
if there is anything else i can do pls visit me at http://www.kiagarriques.com as i am no longer using those blogs as much xx
Thanks so much Kia!