The Thank You Economy

I've been reading this book, The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk, and thinking about reading and connecting with people online and off. He has many great ideas in the book, including this: "the person who posts a negative comment is a customer you can talk to." (page 71)

I recently sent a comment to a man who makes soap locally, about his new packaging. His company: Ballard Organics. His soap, my favorite: Ubermoist.

This is what I said to him:




"I am a huge fan of your soap, which I found originally at the Ballard Sunday market. I recently was very disappointed to not find it at my local store. I was shopping at the Ballard Market.

I wanted to find Uber Moist.

I looked and looked and decided to by an alternative brand, which said it was FRAGRANCE FREE, hoping that would do.

I was AT THE CHECKOUT counter before I realized it was your soap, and Uber Moist.

The new packaging had me completely lost. I can't read the Uber Moist without a serious squint or my glasses. I miss the old package,and really don't like the shiny paper. It looks like the kind of paper that is coated and not recyclable.

A fan"

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AND TO MY SHOCK, this is what he said back:  "Can't please everyone I guess."

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On his site, it had a link for feedback. I think it should say, positive feedback only.

Some Home Remodeler's Blogs to look at

Lauren and Kyle Zerbey from Seattle

Morgan Satterfield in Hemet California

Vilde in Norway

Anna and Evan Dorfman in New York's Hudson Valley

Self Portrait 2011

I have been doing self portraits each year for about 7 years now, and plan to continue. I recently heard Anne Petty speak and she says whenever she is stuck, she makes a self portrait. She jokes, "I am always available to pose". Above is my long journey to the final piece. It began as a still life, studying different yellow objects, since I had completed the blue objects still life, and wanted to see how yellow behaved in light and shadow, on metal, plastic and cloth...

Books about redesigning the interior of your home

Crafting a Meaningful Home, book, by Meg Mateo Ilasco is filled with great ideas. Her website is the link here.

Print Workshop: Hand-Printing Techniques and Truly Original Projects, book on printing. Her website (Christine Schmidt) is full of cool things and a link to her book

Home & Garden | Décor challenge: 200 square feet and room to swivel | Seattle Times Newspaper

Home & Garden | Décor challenge: 200 square feet and room to swivel | Seattle Times Newspaper

Richie Jenkin- Guitar Lessons, West Seattle

Oh My word, this guy is so cool. He teaches adults, kids, and even me ( slow learner) to play the guitar.

Here is a little video I took to remember how to do a piece of the song, "Kansas City". I put it on YouTube so I could practice from wherever I am. Sorry i's sdeways... not sure how to fix that.

Here it is: Richie

If you want to refer him to a friend, or study with him yourself, here is the info:

Richie's website

Self Portrait

I was thinking of doing a self portrait (it's that time of year) of me, refleced in the mirror, with my mom in her hospital bed behind me...

On second thought, perhaps I'll just do my face. In a mirror. On a chest of drawers:

Latest sketch/painting in progress: