One of my favorite things to do is go book buying for my store. A couple of weeks ago I was heading to LA to do just that when I suddenly had an idea for a charity window. Why not combine one of my favorite things with my 12 month charity idea? I’ve decided to donate 1 book for every 2 books purchased in the store. I’m not sure who I will donate to yet but I think this will give me an opportunity to see how many books will be donated and how I will then distribute them. I would ultimately love to bring new books into several different libraries in Long Beach schools.

Generally my book buying days can last up to 7 hours. I take pride in the books I sell, especially the kids books, and try to make sure they have great stories. I can’t tell you how many times I have started reading a kids book thinking it’s great and the ending ruins the whole thing. Cookbooks are certainly one of my favorites and I find I have to edit myself quite often on which one’s to buy. Pictures are everything in a cookbook. Since I am such a visual person I need my books to be too.

After many hours of ordering…

I hope my customers will take advantage of this month. I believe reading is so important for the imagination. I am constantly inspired by books and receive endless ideas for the creativity of the store.

Heather

Years ago I was interviewing someone for a job at Blue Windows and asked her the question “who do you admire most and why?”  Her response was Zana Briski, the founder of Kids With Cameras. I was immediately impressed by her answer and wanted to find out more about what she had told me. Anchal, the girl who ultimately got the job, ended up working for me for sevaral years and I find it incredible that after all these years I chose the organization she originally made me aware of.

Kids With Cameras Mission Statement:

“Kids with Cameras is a non-profit organization that teaches the art of photography to marginalized children in communities around the world. We use photography to capture the imaginations of children, to empower them, building confidence, self-esteem and hope. We share their vision and voices with the world through exhibitions, books, websites and film. By linking with local organizations, we work to strengthen the children’s education and general well-being, providing financial support through sales of their prints or by developing our own homes with a focus on leadership and the arts.”

“Kids with Cameras was founded in 2002 by photographer Zana Briski out of her work teaching photography to children in Calcutta’s red-light district. We believe that photography is an effective tool in igniting children’s imagination and building self-esteem. We believe in the power of art to transform lives, for both the artist and the viewer.”

This month 5% of Blue Windows profits will go towards this organization. I believe in these children and believe they deserve opportunites to be more than the environment they were born into. Please visit their website http://www.kids-with-cameras.org for more information. The photographs taken by the kids are for sale and the proceeds go directly to their education.

This month 10% of all children’s sales will be donated to Friends Of Colorado Lagoon. We hope to help out this wonderful organization so that they can continue to provide free nature education programs to the community, general public, and neighboring schools.

May has been a busy month and although it’s almost over I don’t want to overlook our charity choice for this month. Children Today is an organization based in Long Beach that focuses on the needs of homeless children in our community. This month 10% of our profits in jewelry sales will be donated. “The goal of Children Today is simple – to increase the safety, stability and confidence of children facing homelessness and provide quality early care and education programs absolutely free of charge.” In the process of choosing charities or organizations I have come to realize how important it is to see what is happening in our own backyard. Instead of ignoring the immediate needs in our own city that we choose to live in we need to embrace and support the people that have put their heart and soul into making these organizations come to life. I have personally visited Children Today and what they provide for children is an amazing sense of security and love. Please check out their website for further information @ www.childrentoday.org.

Thank you for your continued support in Blue Windows,

Heather

Me and Jeanine Payer

So the day finally came…Jeanine Payer came to Blue Windows.

Petra, Kazu , Jeanine & Heather

One of a kind jewelry by Jeanine Payer

Alyson, Anchal & Petra Me & Holli

Me & Petra

And then she was gone…

]]> http://bluewindows.net/2010/05/205/feed/ 0 http://bluewindows.net/2010/05/jeanine-payer-comes-this-friday/ http://bluewindows.net/2010/05/jeanine-payer-comes-this-friday/#comments Tue, 04 May 2010 03:26:40 +0000 heather http://bluewindows.net/?p=156

When I first heard Jeanine Payer was coming to the store I immediately began thinking art project. I wanted to somehow represent the 10 years we have been selling her jewelry. I rummaged through old line sheets, press, postcards of past trunk shows, photos of past displays, jewelry that I had purchased over the years and all of a sudden I knew I had to create something with all these materials. In the process of creating the collage I relived the past of everything I had kept for so long. Jeanine Payer’s jewelry has always been a line I have put my heart and soul into. I always took careful consideration on how to display her amazing jewelry properly. I often took inspiration from the jewelry itself and combined it with my own creative vision.

A Collection of Poetry

A collection of poetry…                      Line sheets from 2001-present…                                past display…

Jeanine Payer’s philosophy…

“We believe every piece of Jeanine Payer’s jewelry has two stories–the one that brought it into being (ours) and the one that brings it to life (yours).”

“We believe in naming things you make by hand after people you love.”

“We believe it’s never too late to start a tradition or create an heirloom.”

“We believe everyone needs a muse, a lucky charm, and a creative outlet.”

“We believe in good word of mouth”

“We believe in celebrating achievements, marking milestones, and immortalizing moments.”

I believe in Jeanine’s philosophy and I’m pretty sure the people who wear her jewelry do too.

Heather

There was a time when I knew every poem on every piece of Jeanine Payer’s jewelry. That was of course when her collection was quite a bit smaller. Blue Windows would not be the same without her jewelry. For the past 10 years I have been inspired by the poetry, creating displays and watching in awe of her vision. I am so excited that she will be coming to the store on May 7th during Mother’s Day weekend. Of course I am scrambling to make the store look the best it can be for this special event. My brain tends to go on overload with ideas and planning. I am creating a collage from the past 10 years and it is bringing back a ton of memories. Like when I was managing the store and couldn’t afford to buy her jewelry. I desperately wanted one and eventually bought the “stella” ring. “Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story” was the perfect poem for just graduating with a music degree. Over the years I have collected many of her pieces but always made a promise to myself that each piece I purchase would have a meaning to it. A memory built in. When I first bought Blue Windows I purchased the “Faye” to always remind me “I want to be forever the me that greets change with open arms and heart”. I was about to embark on quite a change in my life and I knew I had to greet this change with confidence. When the store celebrated it’s 10 Year Anniversary I purchased the “Dale” necklace with “Nothing is impossible to a willing heart” on the front and “Blue Windows 10 year anniversary” on the back. I do have many other pieces that signify moments, triumphs in my life or just a day when a poem spoke to me at that time in my life. Honestly that is why I am so drawn to Jeanine’s jewelry. Each piece speaks differently to everyone. Sometimes I will have read a certain poem over and over and then a customer will come in and give me a whole new perspective on what it means to them. I look forward to this event and to many more years of Jeanine Payer in my store!

“Dale”

“Wolfgang”

I am now into the fourth month of my charities and am beginning to realize that I may not be the best at keeping up with the journal aspect. April is about to become May and I haven’t even written about my April charity. This month I chose Precious Lamb, a preschool that provides “free christ-centered education and care” for children in Long Beach. Parents can also receive the help they need to get back on their feet through parent education classes sponsored by Precious Lamb at local shelters in the community. Please visit their website at www.preciouslamb.org for more information. I can’t wait to visit the school and see first hand what the volunteers provide for these children. Buy anything from our kids section and 10% of the sale will go to this amazing organization.

Heather

Music has always been such a big part of who I am. Before I started working for Blue Windows I was considering a career in classical singing. I was just supposed to take a small break before heading to graduate school…never happened. Although I never pursued a career in singing I will never regret the time spent investing in music. I started when I was in 7th grade and continued until I received my degree in music from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1999. This month I chose to donate to music programs in our local schools. More specifically, Rogers middle school and Stanford middle school (where I first began). I wonder sometimes what my life would have been like if I hadn’t had music in my life at such an early age. Music is an escape for so many young people and can contribute to building confidence in who they are. I hope that schools never take away this opportunity for young students and that’s why I am choosing to support them in any way I can. I think out of all the charities and organizations I have chosen or will choose this one is the most personal to me and my life.

“Sing in me, muse, and through me tell the story” ~Homer

Heather

I am Blessed, Heather