My husband Bill and I were fortunate to attend a talk given last week by the CEO of Team Oracle about the America’s Cup that is coming to San Francisco this summer. Wow! It was amazing. We met a few of the crew members from competing teams who talked about the aerodynamic designs of the catamarans. They showed this video of boats on foils literally flying out of the air. Watch it and be amazed.
It is estimated that the average woman puts over 500 toxins on her body before she leaves the house. Body lotions, soaps, shampoos, perfumes and makeup are all common products that everyone uses. Evidence suggests that what we put on our skin penetrates our internal organs within 23 seconds of application. That is very disturbing. We can avoid this problem by using products that are environmentally safe, toxin free, botanically based and inspired by nature.
Arbonne is a highly regarded full line of health and wellness products with a rich Swiss heritage. I tried these products when I was introduced to them by my friend Kim and I was hooked. I first sampled the Sea Source Botanicals, (naturally) but I have since tried almost everything in the catalog and I can’t recommend them enough. I feel rest assured that I am using products that are safe for my health and safe for the environment.
Pure. Safe. Beneficial.
Determining where to buy sustainable seafood may seem challenging and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. FishWise has taken the guess work out of the decision by developing a myriad of purchasing tools. You can choose a Seafood Watch Pocket Guide or refer to this list. There’s even an app for that. Or you can simply enter your zip code here to find a sustainable seafood retailer. To learn more about sustainable seafood, please refer to the FishWise useful links.
Ten percent of profits this month will be donated to FishWise.
Some albacore fisherman using a GoPro Topedo camera, caught this unexpected incredible underwater footage of dolphins off the coast of Santa Cruz. Delightful, enchanting and amazing. A must see.
Before I became interested in pressing seaweed I was an accomplished flower presser. Recently I’ve reimmersed myself in the hobby, inspired by my newly planted herb and wild flower garden. I pressed the botanicals –flowers and herbs, in my microwave and then glued them onto the outside of glass bottles to create a unique gift and functional art. Available for sale on Etsy.
Beth Shady, Founder of SeaweedArt with Dr. Sylvia Earle
This past week I had the good fortune to attend a lecture by legendary author, explorer and oceanographer, Dr. Sylvia Earle, who spoke on the topic, “Oceans, Life, and Survival,” as part of the sixth Fred Keeley Lecture on Environmental Policy.
Dr. Earle has earned a stellar reputation in the world of ocean discovery and conservation and to say I was in awe of her would be an understatment. Here are just a few of her honors: Named the first “Hero for the Planet” by Time magazine. National Geographic explorer-in-residence since 1998.Chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from 1990 to 1992 and has led more than 100 research expeditions involving more than 7,000 hours underwater. The New Yorker and New York Times have dubbed her “Her Deepness;” the Library of Congress calls her a “Living Legend.”
After the lecture I got to meet her, but with the throngs of people waiting to speak to her, we did not get much time to talk. The following evening my husband Bill and I attended a private reception at Fred Keeley’s house. It was a benefit for and celebration of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation that is opening an Exploration Center in Santa Cruz this summer. I was invited because I partner with them and donate 10% of my profits to their fundraising campaign. In addition, and this was a real thrill for me, my SeaweedArt cards were used for the invitations.
Fred’s house was packed to the gills (sorry, pun intended) of some pretty influential and high powered ocean advocates– a former state senator, famed photographer, Frans Lanting, the director of the California Coastal Commission, the board members of all the sanctuaries, and of course, Sylvia Earle. I thought to myself later that I should have been intimidated, but I wasn’t. Why? Because as Fred so eloquently stated in his opening remarks, “It doesn’t matter whether you are a Republican, a Democrat, a Libertarian or vegetarian, we all care for and are passionate about the ocean.” What really struck me was how everyone present had their own personal ocean story.
Later, when I spoke to Sylvia I told her how much I had enjoyed her talk the night before and what had resonated with me the most was her reminiscing of her childhood growing up in Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. That got me thinking about my own childhood with summers spent at the Jersey shore digging for clams and building sand castles with my brother and sisters. This is something we can all relate to.
Sylvia stated that there are a lot of things about the ocean that we still do not know, therefore we must continue to discover and explore. This is true, however, I think the starting point for galvanizing support for ocean clean up and preservation is to build on what we already know… summers in the sand, boogie boarding, hanging 10 and catching waves.
What is your ocean story? The first five people to comment here will receive a free set of SeaweedArt greeting cards.
Since I have received so many requests for prints, I will be adding them to my line in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for updates or sign up for my mailing list and I will let you know when they go on sale. Here is a preview of some designs. Also, original SeaweedArt pressings are available as rewards for investors who make a pledge in my Kickstarter Campaign.
The SeaweedArt greeting cards that appear on my Home page are suitable for framing and would make wonderful unique gifts for all of the ocean nature lovers on your holiday gift list. The finished size of each card is 5 x 7, and sets of two, three or four would make excellent wall groupings.
I know there are many types of frames available online and in stores, including glass and metal, but I personally prefer Wood frames for my pressed seaweed collages. I feel that they best complement the natural feel of the art work and I especially like to choose colors that enhance and bring out the vivid colors of the seaweed. Pale pinks, maroon, tarragon green and warm browns are all excellent choices.
The next step is to choose a coordinating mat color, one that will work as an accent. This a highly subjective decision because there are so many choices; whether to pick a mat that is the same color as the frame, for a monochromatic effect, or an opposite color that is more of a contrast. It is no surprise that I find the act of framing my work almost as creative as the process of creating it.
There are many resources online where you can read more about choosing the right frame and mat.
The Fresh Air Fund is still in need of host families for this summer. If you could help get the word out it would really help us place these wonderful children into a loving host family for up to two weeks of a fresh air experience they will never forget. If you would like to host a child in your home this summer that allows him or her to have an unforgettable experience you can sign up to host a child or donate to the Fresh Air Fund. To learn more about what you can do to help the Fresh Air Fund click here. Spread the word.
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