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I am very excited about this year's Green With Indie show. I'll be teaming up with my husband, Sherwood Linders, who makes luminaries out of upcycled coffee cans.

The St. Louis Craft Mafia is proud to announce that plans are underway for Green with Indie (GWI) 2015!!! The event will be held on Saturday, March 14,2015 from 10a.m. to 5p.m. We are also proud to announce that GWI will be held again at Grant’s Gym on the Webster U Campus.

Once again, GWI will showcase indie handmade artists who have an eco-friendly focus. We can’t wait to see all of the new and exciting ways the craft community has found to create while Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling!

When: Saturday, March 14,2015 from 10am to 5pm

At: Webster University's Grant Gym, (175 Edgar Rd, Webster Groves 63119)

Green With Indie is an eco-friendly indie craft show created by the STL Craft Mafia...we showcase the most creative and earth-friendly independent art and design in the Midwest.

Find loads of earth-friendly, salvaged, upcycled, recycled, home grown, home made, revamped, refurbished, and 100% unique goods!

Thanks to The ReFind Room for sponsoring the event and providing a cozy "lounge" to rest your weary bones after a day of shopping local.

I love a good project you can make utilizing items you would normally throw away. It's not only a great way to recycle and be green but an excellent source for free crafting supplies.

My husband makes luminaries out of discarded coffee cans. They are up cycled and solar lit for a double environmental win. His luminaries strike a perfect balance of industrial design and zen aesthetics. The soft glow creates enchanting shadows that enhance any room.

A bucket of ice cold beer, BBQ and friends sprawled out in deck chairs while the kids catch fireflies. Seems like a perfect summer evening and you can make it last longer by adding lighting to your deck or patio. Sherwood's luminaries will add warmth and charm to patio and deck dining. these torch cut , one of a kind luminaries are made from up-cycled coffee cans and caste enchanting patterns of light. They look best when grouped together for a dramatic effect. Whether lit by candle or top lit with solar lights (lights not included) these environmentally friendly luminaries will add a touch of mystery to your space.

All luminaries are clear coated with enamel to extend outdoor use.

http://www.sherwoodlinders.webs.com

I am honored to have won 1st place in View Bug's Seduction In Black and White photo contest. Thanks to everyone at Resource Magazine, a quarterly publication filled with photographic inspiration, techniques, product reviews and photo essay.

I captured the winning image in the studio of Stan Trampe. He is THE quintessential infrared nude photographer in the St. Louis area. He was kind enough to invite me into his studio to teach me about studio lighting. Thanks Stan! ~Smooch~

Note: Nudity! Not suitable for work.

Seduction In B&W Photo Contest Winners! Blog - ViewBug.com

Join the World's Best Photo Contests

http://www.viewbug.com/blog/seduction-in-bw-photo-contest-winners

Shop Local!

Make the Holidays POP with gifts crafted by local St. Louis artisans.

When : December 13, 2014 from 11am to4pm
Where: Concrete Ocean Gallery
1157 S. Jefferson
St. Louis, MO

I'll be selling a new line of Feng Shui photos. There will be music, booze, fiber art, paintings, ceramics, and more.

Soft and durable polyester fabric gets the whimsical rustic treatment in these cheeky original pillows from award winning photographer, Jane Linders. You can create an environment that reflects your unique style and transform your hang out room into a hip gallery, that's comfortable too.

Curl up with Jane Linders' cozy decorative throw pillows today.

http://www.houzz.com/projects/824540/throw-pillows

St. Louis has taken a beating lately, and in the wake of recent riots and vandalism , I would like to share this story of hope.

Local St. Louis Craft Mafia member, Autumn Wiggins opened a store called The UpCycle Exchange in St. Louis. The UpCycle exchange offers St. Louis' creative community craft and art supplies at a Pay-as-you-wish pricing. After the Michael Brown ruling in Ferguson, a peaceful demonstration near The UpCycle Exchange went awry and the windows of her building were broken out.

The next morning , an online "kickstarter-type" campaign was started to help The Upcycle Exchange pay for new windows. Within 4 fours over $2,000 was raised to help this small, independent business replace her broken windows. Artists stick together!

St. Louis has gotten a lot of bad press lately, but having lived in this community for over 50 years, I can tell you that this city and residents are an amazing group of people. I feel honored to be part of this city.

I joined Photo Flood St. Louis in the fall of 2014. This organization strives to improve the perception of St. Louis by spending weekends photographing specific neighborhoods and events in the St. Louis area. The members of this group are both amateur and professional photographers and are organized by the intrepid Jason Gray. Before each flood of photographers hit an area, a map is drawn and the photographers are confined to capture images within the map area. After each event, jurors select the best images and the winners are posted online.

My first photo flood was of The Trestle in North St. Louis. The Trestle is an old train trestle which spans highway 70 and will eventually be converted to an urban park. You may recall that New York City converted a train trestle to a park with much success. Hopefully St. Louis' trestle will be just as grand! The Great Rivers Greenway will connect The Trestle with the bike trail that runs along the Mississippi River from the Chain of Rocks bridge to the Arch. I decided to break out my infrared camera for this adventure. And although I didn't have the dramatic puffy cloud skies that make infrared images so interesting, I did manage to squeeze off a few good shots. It was so interesting to see St. Louis from this elevated level.

Looking forward to many more Photo Floods in this amazing city-St. Louis.

I am delighted to be invited to participate in the third annual Holiday Show at SOHA. I dropped off a bunch of St. Louis themed infrared photos and was amazed at the quality of art that will be for sale at this charming gallery.

SOHA
4915 Macklind Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63109

Opening reception is November 22, 2014 from 5 to 10pm.

November 22 - January 3
Special Hours:
This salon-style, cash and carry event showcases over 40 St. Louis local, professional artists and creatives. All work is available for sale and we guarantee you will find something very special for everyone on your list!

Support local and buy local this year!
Artists: (random order)
Howard Jones, Mark Regester, Cbabi Bayoc, Jeff Kapfer, Carmelita Nunez, Daniel Shown, Julie Malone, Tony Cray, Tim Meehan, Jen Bradford, Travis Lawrence, A Tiny Moth, Amy VanDonsel, Basil Kincaid, Rachelle Lutes, Megan Rieke, Shana Norton, Kelly Robinson, Joe Neaf, Hap Phillips, Nita Turnage. Patricia Vinyard, Benji Rowan, Gaucha Berlin, Maxine Beach, Kat Kissick, Peter Manion, John Cooper, Tom Dykas, Dionna Raedeke, Andy Holman, Jeff Miller, Tiffany Cade, Heidi Kuehn, Jane Linders, Deanna Chafin, Brian Lathan, Jay Loafman, Teresa Wise, Theresa Hopkins, Brian Pease, Evelyn Astegno, Erin Taylor, Christine IIeweski, Joe Dooling, Andy Leicht, Jeff Brawn, Erica Popp, Ellen Schaeffer, Tom Lampe, Jim Horne, Terri Willits, Peat Wolleager, Jared Gastrich, Stephen Davis, Julie Heller, Lisa Payne, Jane Barrow, Tony Renner, Peat Wolleager, Stephen Ingram, Gary Passanise ----- and more still coming in!

HoliDIY! Join the St.Louis Craft Mafia for the first handmade market of the holiday season! Delight your senses with the sights and sounds of your local indie scene. Complete with handmade goodness, local music, craft beer, smoked meats, and holiday photo-ops. Come to Mad Art Gallery on November 8, from 10 am to 5pm. . Warning: you just may leave with a full belly and an empty wallet, but your holiday shopping list will be complete!


The St. Louis Craft Mafia's HoliDIY event is November 8 , 2014 from 10 am to 5pm

Mad Art Gallery
2727 S. 12th Street
St. Louis, MO 63118

This local aritsan holiday market will feataure over 40 artisans plus live bands, beer and BBQ.

I am delighted to be chosen for honorary chair for Choice Art 2014 at The Contemporary ART Museum St. Louis. This annual fundraising event offers up amazing pieces of art for auction. There will be art by local and nationally renowned artist up for auction as well as hors d' oeuvres, signature drinks, great conversation and a chance to meet like minded people. It's good art for a good cause. Join us!

This year I donated a piece titled simply "Out".

When: November 8,2014from 7 to 11:00
Where: Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis
3750 Washington
St. Louis, MO

It is an evening of cocktails and conversation, but most importantly, is an art show and auction that supports the crucial work that Planned
Parenthood does in our community supporting reproductive health care and education programs.

Planned Parenthood's mission is to provide, protect, and support reproductive rights and services. Friendsbychoice brings together young, professional Planned Parenthood supporters and engages them in the mission through annual fundraising events, bar parties, outreach and community service events.