Posted on by Jessica Dofflemyer

Note Card of the Week- Sea Urchin

A literal fish-out-of-water, this sea urchin shell took on new vulnerability once outside of its original, watery environs. Delicate to the touch, my fingertips could trace its Braille-like surface, light as a feather, sun-dried and intricate. I took it home from the beach, though eventually it crumbled. But not before I was gifted this image as it sat atop a plate in the kitchen.

It’s the featured Note Card of the Week at the Etsy shop, available to share in ever-lasting, letter form.

4x6_2013-03-21sea urchin

Creating these cards makes me smile. Sharing them with you brings me happiness. Knowing that you may pass them on to someone you love, well, that’s just a beautiful thing.

All cards are hand-made, with care, on recycled paper.

Posted on by Jessica Dofflemyer · 1 Comment

Happy Planting

This morning I’m making note cards before sunrise. On Saturday (the Summer Solstice) I’ll bring them to an event called the “Happiness Planting Festival.” It’s taking place on the grounds of what was once known as the “Immaculate Conception School.” Today, it’s occupied by those that study “Happy Science.”

And it’s the Happy Scientists that are hosting this event, highlighting the art and culture of Japan, with an intention to “nurture the wellspring of happiness we each carry in our hearts.”

I’m not too familiar with the teachings of Happy Science, but somehow, I thought my note cards and I could fit into the mix. Share some art of the ordinary, and plant some proverbial happiness. I can take notes on another venture into vendoring. Possibly craft another story.

My note card creation process draws on accoutrements of old, utilizing my dad’s grade school ruler to fold the card stock.

record book ruler

 

Happy planting with paper, stamps and photographs…

 

 

 

recycle stamp

 

LLP lid

 

Posted on by Jessica Dofflemyer · 1 Comment

Note Card of the Week- Bubble Shell

 

I found this shell because I was looking. As in, slowing down long enough to inhale the oxygenated ions of salt air that swirled about my downturned head. I was sitting. Not moving. At the beach, just sifting. Me, and the endless grains of sand.

I was settled down in a heap of it. Mounds of what had once been reef and rock, now broken down and rounded to minutiae. Specks by the gajillions, piled layer upon layer, making ‘land’ beneath my body.

As many granules as there are stars in the sky, I’ve heard it said. Really?

I don’t know the scientific facts. I only know that I sifted upon this small bubble shell. No more than half a centimeter, it was intact, adorning pink stripes highlighted in delicate lines of gold.

I had to peer closely to see this. So close, I guess, that when back at home with the camera, the sunlight played with my zoom. Reflections off the plate, upon which the shell is sitting, turned watery, like golden pools.

The image has become part of my Hawaii Shells note card series and is the featured note card this week.

Summer is in the air, and there will be more beach days ahead. Plenty of chances to slow down and see.

2014-03-21_spiral shell

Creating these cards makes me smile. Sharing them with you brings me happiness. Knowing that you may pass them on to someone you love, well, that’s just a beautiful thing.

All cards are hand-made, with care, on recycled paper.