Women's Educational Pheasant Hunt 1/16/11

Registrations are being accepted for the next Educational Pheasant Hunt sponsored by the New Jersey Quail Project. While female and younger hunters are encouraged -- all hunters who are looking to learn about hunting over pointer dogs are welcome to apply. The hunt is limited to 20 hunters. This is truly an educational experience and not meant for hunters who regularly hunt for upland birds whether over dogs or not.

The day may start early but is full of activities, education and great food! Here's the informal agenda for the day:

• Gathering and breakfast @ 7:30 AM
• Welcome, Safety Talk and Overview of the Day
• Off to the traphouse for some practice
• Hunting in the field with a mentor, guide and dog
• Lunch at the Club house
• Back out in the field for afternoon hunt
• Meet at the Clubhouse for tagging and cleaning the birds
• Departure about 4:30 PM

Attached you will find a registration form with additional information. All hunters must have a 2011 NJ Hunting License, require amount of safety orange, and their own eye and ear protection. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. However, I am smack dab in the middle of about a dozen projects; so, please be patient with me. I promise I will get back to you.

Sponsorship and donations in support of these educational programs are accepted. Friends or family attending with young hunters will be asked for a donation to cover their meals. Pola Galie and Mike Mazzucco, co-chairs. Reservations/Registrations are REQUIRED.

Special Thanks to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Environmental Projects/NJ Quail Project, English Setter Club Directors and Members and our volunteers - mentors, dogs and our Camp Cook, Ed Gerber!

Additional details, photos and registration form are available online at http://www.njquailproject.org

Where's my website traffic? You have to work for it!

A few new Internet clients have voiced concern over their disappointment that creating and launching a website did not bring them the results they were hoping for. They are not getting significant numbers of what they consider good qualified leads or sales.

Some people feel that if information is placed on the Internet and available over the web that the world will come marching to their door, everyone clutching credit cards and cash! In fact, some new website enabled businesses are actually afraid that there might be too much business and they will be overwhelmed the very minute their site goes live.

Well, I hate to always be the one that sometimes crushes someone’s website dreams but I have to tell people a very disappointing – “Well, that usually only happens with gambling or pornography websites or websites that are giving away really good prizes for free.” I try to never say it just like that but, unfortunately, that statement is honest. Of course, there are always the terrible embarrassing photos of a celebrity that make the rounds of the email world and drive people to go look at the photos. Seriously, we do not even allow those types of businesses on our servers so . . . .

For the rest of us, a website is a tool that still has to be taken out, used and maintained from time to time. Websites are wonderful tools that expand our communication capabilities – they are there, 24 X7, in full color (and sound), giving a lot more information and photos than we could ever afford to put into magazine or newspaper advertising – How many of us can afford radio or TV? Not many, I am afraid. Websites give businesses the ability to collect information and receive questions, quotes and/or orders at any time.

It takes a while to build traffic to a business or personal website and that takes time and good old-fashioned hard work and diligent communication -- Communication of all kind – face-to-face, telephone, email, forums, advertising, etc.

However, it is not all bad news. There are many things that you can easily do to help build traffic to your website as well as hone the information that you intend for your target audience.

Here are some easy, economical things that people can do to drive traffic to their site and over time, communicate with potential members or buyers.

1. A website needs to be updated regularly with fresh and timely content. Make people want to come back to your website again and again – try to get them to leave something behind . . . email address, money – it’s up to you.
2. A banner exchange with websites whose constituency is similar or complementary.
3. A link exchange (similar to above) – you can ask everyone you know who has a website to link back to your website but you should offer them a reciprocal link if they have a business.
4. Make sure your content tells the story you want it too and use photos to help explain and clarify your message.
5. Use your domain based email – It just drives me crazy when someone has a website. Visit me at www.MyBusiness.com and then their email is MyBusiness@my internetprovider.com -- It should be MyName@mybusiness.com -- there are a million things you can do with email if you have your own domain.
6. Make it easy for people to find and/or communicate with you. Nothing drives me crazier than not being able to find out where people are and how to contact them. If there is no email address or contact form, I often pass businesses buy. If you are too busy to answer my email, then you definitely do not need my business.
7. Do not be afraid to list your website on search engine websites. Do everything you can to help people find their way to you. (Just remember to make the trip worthwhile.)
8. Use the forums that let you talk about your business website. Sometimes forums will not let you have a link if you are not paying for advertising but you can talk about what it is you do and why others should join you to do it. You could also ask your friends and family to do this but this should be more than a once in six-month activity but something that you do and participate in on a regular basis.
9. Email lists and/or groups – search them out and you may find one that you can put an ad on a regular basis. I belong to a weaving group that allows any sales notices or ads to be placed on Friday. I actually pay more attention to the email chatter on Friday because I am always looking for a bargain.
10. Ahhhh, the social media bug-a-boo. It’s important to be active (within reason and do not throw away your personal privacy). You can meet a lot of potential customers by using Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, CamoSpace and others. Seems like there are more social media sites that are specific to an audience or a networking site popping up every day. Most are FREE! Use them. Even purchasing an ad on Facebook is rather inexpensive and you can control the content and budget!

But once you start, you want to keep up with it – get in the habit of posting something on a regular basis on a schedule that you are comfortable keeping or get someone in your organization that is more comfortable with the web community to do this. Even if you put it in your schedule to do something 1-3 times a week, it helps to promote your business.

These are just a few ideas for people to use to promote their websites and try to get more traffic to them. However, make sure there is something for those visitors to see or do when they get there or they will not necessarily come back.

I hope this helps as this is just a little synopsis of what I have seen since starting to host and design websites when we were still using DOS Trees as menus and a GUI was still a dream.

Bees are working hard

Checked on the hives yesterday and it's a really satisfying feeling when you remove the frames for inspection and their weight is full of honey and larvae. Since my bees arrived in May and we have had such a hot, dry summer, that the original weight of the frames is what I have often felt when I inspected the hives as they bees drew out the comb and the colony continues to grow.

Looking closely at the frames full of future bees at various stages of growth, the beautiful colors of the pollen and the crystal diamond-like shine of the nectar brings me a lot of happiness and satisfaction . . . .almost maternal because after all, they are living creatures like the cats, dogs and bunnies, that I am responsible for.

No honey will be taken from them this year. All their hard work will remain to help them get through their first winter. I think that the location is really a good one for them and hope that the fall and winter will prove true.

My interest continues to grow as I watch the bee "civilization" at work and sometimes, I think, at play.

The last time I inspected the hives, I thought they were more aggressive and unhappy. Yesterday, I delivered their syrup first in the feeder and could almost hear the collective "ahhhh" from the hive as many bees made their way over to that sweet smell that they have come to know in their new home.

PhillyBurbs.com: Homegrown talent

Check out this great article about Abbie and the Handmade Faire.

PhillyBurbs.com:  Homegrown talent

Selfish Streak continued WebmavenNJ discovers pancakeandlulu

I have been consumed by thinking about the upcoming fiber events: The Crafters' Retreat Weekend and the 1st Annual Bayside Fiber Bash. All I am thinking about is 2 days of weaving and spinning with friends and getting to play with alpacas and angoras. Sounds almost like heaven to me.

This morning I decided to take a short trip through the EtsyNJ websites and see if I could find some more fiber addicts. I discovered pancakeandlulu! Wow. I can almost feel how these fibers would feel against my cheek by looking at them. The beautiful colors leap out of the computer and I want to touch them and spin them.

Of course, if I don't have the patience to wait to spin my own beautiful spun, hand-dyed roving, I could just buy one of her exquisite yarns. A true feast for the eyes.

Also, I could not help but noticing the eco-friendly dyes that are in pancakeandlulu's shop. If I wanted to make sure that I had sufficient amounts of yarn for a project that are consistent in color, this would be a great choice to make.

So you see, each Team Tuesday, I think about my EtsyNJ Team members and how they can help improve the quality of my life! I am so blessed to have so many kind and talented folks that I can depend on for gifts, supplies, workshop leaders, and just plain ole' fun.

Shop local. Support local artists and yes, as AbbieRoad says on her T-shirt, "Save the World."

Greco's Woodcrafting has the Webmaven's Attention

I love wood! I absolutely can get as excited about a beautiful piece of wood with nice grain and color as I can some nice fiber or weaving a basket. Recently, I made the decision to give myself a present. I ordered a matching spindle and nostepinne from Greco Woodcrafting. I will get it in a day or so. I wonder if it will look like the one in this photo.

One can almost imagine the smooth feel of the finished wood as well as the weight of the spindle spinning the wool that will be made into a nice pull ball on the nostepinne which eventually will make its way into a special project of some kind.

With the relationship of the shop to Arbor Day Foundation, I would encourage sales so that for every five, a tree will be planted.

So, whether you are looking for a weaving tool that will be in your hands for many years and projects to come or an heirloom toy that will be as much fun for the next generation as it is for the lucky child it is purchased for.

Give yourself a treat for your eyes by checking out his shop and give yourself a real treat by buying a toy or a tool.

Nature Dyeing Workshop

DSC05240
Originally uploaded by webmavennj

Well, we finally got together to do some dyeing using nature's materials. What a great workshop. I'm sure that I'll be adding photos to the Flickr album as I receive them from others or download a few more from my new iPhone.

We learned so much and the discussion during the work and play was absolutely the best conversations I know that I've had in a long time. I cam away with a new appreciation of my friends and family. We are definitely not "talkers" but are "doers."

Duffy Barrow, Naturalist at the Lighthouse Center, and I have about 3 more projects on our list that we are looking forward to completing.

We'll keep you posted but, before I start any more projects, I have to put my bee hives together and get them painted. Pictures, as always, will follow.

IT'S TRUE - The right mug or glass does make things taste better

As some of you may know, I won an online fan contest from Creative Genius in Historic Medford Village. Yesterday, during the time that Abbie had to put up with me, while I waited for my truck to be repaired and before we headed on over to the auction, we went to pick it up.

I love visiting Julie's shop. It's a very special place where you can find the perfect gift for anyone -- even yourself. Artistically and visually, a visit to the store is a real treat and Julie's great personality makes everything an added bonus. {Abbie is one of the artists whose work is available there too!)

Well, I digress. Of course, we chatted about my new mug and how I was not sure about changing mugs this morning. After all, I have been using my Jersey Devil mug by J. Gruber and had to choose between them. Of course, my new happy, pretty mug even holds MORE coffee, always a good thing first thing in the morning. Then, the additional bonus of it made me smile, a pretty large feat at 0545!


Picture this early in the morning, approaching your face with steaming hot, dark, liquid. I am a huge supporter and fan of the Jersey Devil and truly feel that he (or she) is totally misunderstood. I can still hear my friend, Dwain Wilder, asking me at Music By the Bay: "What manner of creature is that upon your mug?" He is from Connecticut and did not know the history of good ole' JD. Thanks to Julie and Teri, I now have a fun, colorful, artsy mug to consider.

I pondered this dilemma before the pot even finished brewing. What to do? What to do? I put them by the window in the dawn's light. Lifted them to feel their weight, their balance in my hand. . . . . this was a momentous occasion. After all, I've used that same mug for over 2 years now. In the light, I knew what I must do.

You might just say the idea developed its own legs! I chose my new mug, filled it with fresh brew and enjoyed my java and the big smile that I got just thinking about the artist, Teri Cody and the imagination that goes into every piece of pottery. I also thought about the relationship of pottery and basketry.

So you see, the correct drinking vessel does help everything seem to fall into place. I hope you all have a great day.

On a warm day WebmavenNJ has Wool Mountain on her mind

I do not know this artist personally but I love her passion for FIBER and excitement for color and freeform composition. I just know she is a lot of fun and very creative.

You may know that I have Angora bunnies and have been learning to spin on my drop spindle and spinning wheel. Wool Mountain's items look like what fun fiber and warm, cuddly hats should look like. You just want to touch them and wear them. Give one for a gift. I especially like this little bonnet.



Of course, on a day like today, when it's over 70 degrees in the shade, one may not actually be wearing one of these beauties but you should certainly be thinking about owning one or two.

It's this kind of spirit that we would like to see participate either as a vendor or workshop leader in the 1st Annual Bayside Fiber Bash and Crafters Retreat Weekend in May. The freedom to let your creative muse take you mind and hands off to a wonderful flight of fance -- come on, Look at her store. I'll bet you are smiling as you look at these great hats and other items.

One of the special things I tell people when I encourage them to BUY HANDMADE is that you can get just what you want, not what some buyer somewhere thinks you will buy because your choices are limited. Indulge yourself - get something you really wants, that you won't see on someone else next winter and will fit!

Clear Communicator - Laser Cut

I pride myself on being a clear communicator. What I say is what I mean, nothing hidden, no booby traps for people to fall in and I look for that quality in people around me.

How does this fit in with Team Tuesday? Easy. Ed Maloney and Laser Cut & Engraving. His products go from from the very creative to the simply useful. . . a wide range. All of the products that I have seen help to make communication of ideas and way-finding easier and clear.

Also, ordering is simple and straight forward which is a bonus for people who are busy and/or maybe unable to describe the final product. I appreciate the EtsyNJ folks whose products I can incorporate into both my personal and business life. Laser Cut has become a vendor that I can depend on to be affordable, just want I want, timely and dependable. I'll bet you will find the same thing -- the photo is of numbers on a dormitory door. May not seem like a big deal to some, but if there were ever an emergency and I had to find someone, it would be a huge help to me or any other responder.

All right, I'm making my list of signs that I will need for the summer season here at the Center. It just feels good that I can reach out to Ed and my EtsyNJ friends and get quality products, at affordable prices right here in New Jersey.

So, let your imagination free flow and I'll bet you will think of something for your festival set up that you have been printing over and over, that would translate nicely into something Laser Cut could produce -- in a variety of colors, styles and graphics.

Talk about the concept of BEST VALUE!

Creations by Robin ~ serenity jewelry

Since I live by Barnegat Bay, I find that that water and tides are a major life force in my life. The good and the bad since we have had to deal with all the Nor' Easters this year. However, since I've been involved with Etsy and EtsyNJ I have met a bunch of very nice and creative people.

When AbbieRoad first started the Handmade Faire, I met so many fine artisans that I seldom have to go outside of my circle of friends to shop for gifts.

However, I was especially taken by the beautiful pieces made by Creations by Robin inspired by the glass she collected from the ocean. The colors and themes fit my overall life. The fact that Robin, Kevin and the family is so nice is a huge, happy bonus.

Robin is a very talented artist and fun to be with at a show or other places. I think that is what shines through in her work.

I love wearing the jewelry that I have purchased from Robin and feel that she puts something of herself in each piece. That's what I try to do when I weave baskets.

So my Tuesday shop is Creations by Robin.

This post is a bit short because I am getting ready for an event this Saturday and Robin will be here. She even makes life easier for an event planner.

We hope to see you on Saturday too!

Art & Craft Shows in the Central Jersey Region

TEAM Tuesday

I had sold products on eBay for years. Antigues, junk, internet services but when I started wanted to sell my weaving, I found it was not the venue for me - Too crowded with bargain seekers who were looking to buy cheap so they could re-sell it and hopefully make more than I did when they bought the item from me.

Around that time, Etsy.com was born. Some of my artist and crafty friends were using it so I jumped in too. Then came the Etsy Teams -- I thought that this would be one more marketing ploy to drive traffic to the main website. Boy, was I wrong.

The folks on the EtsyNJ Street Team are true team mates. They give good solid advice based on what they've learned and what they've experienced. They give honest feedback and that's not always easy. Kind of like when I asked Abbie, "Do I look fat in this skirt?" some years ago. Our EtsyNJ team members will tell you if you are going off the edge or are being unrealistic . . . . both on and off list. The support among people who came together as strangers but who have built on a common bond is not found in any other groups that I am involved with. That's is not to say we are all BFFs or will be but that there's a lot of information, support and experience here that we are all willing to share.

My shout out this week is for the people who give of themselves and support one another's events. We attend as vendors, shoppers, champion marketers and just keep on going and the last time I checked, there were no millionaires in our midst. . . . yet. Gosh, what a great group of folks!

My special EtsyNJ folks are the shops that are coming out to the Lighthouse Center's All About Waterfowling and Family Fun Day.

• Abbie Road Art
  
• Alonia Creations
  
• Crafty Dragon
  
• Creations by Robin
  
• Pinelands Basketry
  
• Seahorse Designs

Thank you for supporting the Natural Resource Education Foundation in its conservation and environmental programs.

You can download that spiffy EtsyNJ Street Team flyer HERE!

You can post your upcoming events and articles at the EtsyNJ.com website too!

Leafpile . . . the rooted tree takes off

For years, I "sort of" knew Holly Doyle from Leafpile and Jersey Made. It was only after AbbieRoad organized a couple of Handmade Faires and participated in outdoor festivals that I really got to know Holly.

What a magnificent journey in a very short time. Holly made a decision to do something different and with Abbie's mantra of "Dare to be Different," a more dynamic duo could not have evolved.

Holly is very creative and fun. I also find her to be very ecologically friendly because of her penchant for recycling and upcycling that I often used her art as examples of conservation and how to make something beautiful and useful out of an object or objects that would wind up in the landfill or just stuffed in a corner, forgotten for years until it could no longer be useful.

Jersey Made is a great shop that showcases many EtsyNJ sellers and gives them a chance to be in a "bricks and mortar" store -- HAVE A REAL LAND ADDRESS that they can direct people to. She provides a variety of services to the juried artists who have been accepted and continues to provide workshops, do her own art and be a good friend all along the way.

So, that's my etsyNJ special person of the day - Holly Doyle. If you are in the area, Mt. Holly Village, do stop in to Jersey Made and while you are there stop in next store to Pinelands Folk Music and Basketry Center to meet another etsyNJ artist, Mary Carty. She's my partner for a lot of projects both musical and crafty but then. . . that's a blog for another day.

Here's my "Best Occupational Category"

Okay, taking this link from Abbie's blog, I thought I would give it a try too.

It's interesting. If you know me, what do you think?

Pola

here's the scoop:

You're a CREATOR
Keywords

Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional

These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.

CREATOR OCCUPATIONS
Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.

CREATOR WORKPLACES
Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.

Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.


2nd Best Occupational Category
You're an ORGANIZER
Keywords:

Self-Control, Practical, Self-Contained, Orderly, Systematic, Precise, and Accurate

These conservative appearing, plotting-types enjoy organizing, data systems, accounting, detail, and accuracy. They often enjoy mathematics and data management activities such as accounting and investment management. Persistence and patience allows them to do detailed paperwork, operate office machines, write business reports, and make charts and graphs.

* Section I: You and Your Team
This personality overview section highlights your natural workplace talents—the tasks you pursue with passion. You'll learn how your natural strengths complement those of your coworkers and how, joining forces, you can resolve on-the-job dilemmas.
* Section II: Your Key To Success
Here you discover your capacity for dispelling disruption and maximizing profitability. Use this proven, beyond-self-perception advice to create a more positive career path free of detours.
* Section III: Managing Strengths and Weaknesses
Your evaluation's highest and lowest scores result in this section's recommendations for staying on-track in your career and reversing wrong turns. In focusing on your talents and missteps, you'll re-stoke your energy and enthusiasm for managing costly mistakes.
* Section IV: Leadership Power Moves
This final section identifies your "street sense," those power moves that turn obstacles into insignificant details. Here suggestions based on your color-ranked evaluations will guide you towards making the most of an interview or harnessing your fast-paced workday.

Crafting 2010

My New Year's Resolution was to be more selfish - that is to craft more, make more music and have more fun. I am happy to report that while off to a slow start, I am doing much better.

I crafted a supported spindle to use for spinning the beautiful Angora wool that AbbieRoad and I have been collecting from out bunnies and during the great blizzard of 09-10, I was able to get my beautiful antique spinning wheel to work and take up the wool that I was spinning. Polished off my knitting needles and started a project or two that are almost finished. So I am off to a great start (even if it took me till February to get my craft mojo going).


Thursday, Abbie and I will go to the breeder's to pick up her bunny and this weekend, I'll be doing a basketry demonstration at Meadowedge Park and am looking forward to making Neil's Easter Basket.

Oh wait, I forgot another important craft event this week - Craft Meet Up at my place on Friday. We were not able to get together the last time we tried to schedule it but I took the time to put on some music and work on projects, looking forward to Friday afternoon, March 5th when we are going to try to get together at the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education in Waretown once more.

Let me know if you can make it.