So I know you, Jan, and you’ve taken thousands of shots since you picked up your first DSLR (your beloved trusty old Nikon D60) in 2008. I KNOW you have many more cool images up your sleeve. Why the limited catalog here?
Well, first off, dear follower, you’re absolutely right, I have thousands of other images. But, barely 1% of those are worth sharing. And yes, I constantly take more, every chance I get. However, yes, that leaves at least 100 worth sharing. So why don’t I show them all here yet?
Because, if someone buys a set of my cards, and then gets back in touch and says “Could I get another 4-pack of the one with the flowers and bees?” – uhm, well, I’d need help figuring out exactly WHICH flower, and WHICH bees, as I have so many! (Pro-tip: you can see lots of my most recent shots on my social media accounts, especially X and BlueSky. Links down below.)
So. To make my aging life easier, I’ve established a limited catalog here to start. BUT… I am steadily expanding it as time and energy permit. (I just added a new fourth category – SUNDRY – this weekend!) But again, this way, if anyone wants more of one or another image, they can peek on my website, and say “B1 please“. (This literally just happened the other day.) Boom! Easy! Done!
This keeps things more manageable for both of us. Enjoy! And don’t forget to leave me feedback on eBay – thank you!! xo – Jan
Don’t look now, but I just hatched a brand new bouncing baby category: SUNDRY.
You know, for all those “various and sundry” odds and ends that don’t neatly fit into any other category! You know, like birds, squirrels and fall foliage.
Proud finch
I know, I know, I could cook up more categories, but this works for me – for now. Most of what I have fits into Flowers, Bees and Scenics. But, we’ll see how this goes.
Anyway, go take a peek and see what’s cooking in my new category.
Okay, not always, but sometimes I feel just like these sweet sleeping longhorn bees, snoozing away tucked into this gorgeous Gaillardia blossom.
I’m thrilled to say all of my auctions have sold on eBay so far! I’m SO happy! I just need to crank out more. Wait for me… I’m a Sleepy Bee…! And thank you for your support – all of you! – Jan August 6, 2025
It was a hare-brained move, and a little premature, but… I realized on Monday July 28th that Portland’s traditional arts fair known as “Last Thursday” on NE Alberta Street (from 15th to 30th) was going to be happening THAT WEEK!
And, while I wasn’t entirely ready for it, I figured – what the heck? I got nothing to lose, and might even make a sale or two. I’m only selling a couple of my finer images (not shown on here yet) in person still, including Multnomah Falls and Midnight Red Hibiscus. And some odds and ends I may or may not keep selling. (Images that is.)
I trip-chained on my way, grabbing some more supplies at Office Depot to keep this business going. Then I found I was hungrier than expected on my way despiting eating lunch before, so I grabbed some fast food on the way that I knew I’d regret later. (I did, and how, ow, thanks MCAS – not.) But it is better for me to keep my blood sugar stable and my belly full than to run on empty. I’m glad I did. I also learned just how outrageous prices are getting. I won’t say what I got from where, but the price was easily DOUBLE what it was just over a year ago, gulp! Like, a small fountain drink was $3.99~! Yikes! (I rarely eat fast food – I’ve been fetching my houseless friend Larry his favorite hamburger now and then is all.)
I hadn’t been to Last Thursday in over ten years, and research showed it was still running the same as before: first come, first served (you snag your spot as early as possible), no fee to artists (THANK YOU), and clean up promptly after and let traffic back through at 9 pm. Roger that. I got there right around 5 pm. Almost too late, but not quite. (I will try to arrive even earlier next time.)
I only packed one small folding blue cart and stool, as I am disabled from EDS and had no help along, and that worked well, thankfully. (Where there’s a wheel, there’s a way I like to say.) I cannot swing the full canopies anymore – not alone, anyway. And even with help, they are a lot of work. (I’ve been there and done that, and was left stranded once by a friend who had promised to help.)
Anyway, I made it. The weather was perfect – sunny, but not too hot. Only the lightest of breezes. (I’ve done street fairs before, and wind is as big a problem as rain, trust me.) I came prepared with duct tape, wet wipes, a garbage bag, markers, clothes pins, business cards, my note-cards, a sign, and cash for change. I was even able to help my neighbor with a few things during the event. (I met the amazing Cole Reed from OpenHausPDX.com. Great resource.)
And it worked! I sold about half of what I brought, which again, was better than nothing. And, I enjoyed no less than two fun bands marching up and down the street and playing and dancing. One was called “Couch Brass”, the other “The Samba Band”.
My biggest issue was getting gassed out by the super cute but unfortunately smokey two-cycle “Curiosity Cart” that rolled by. I’ve become much more sensitive to such fumes in my dotage, and yup, I was super sick for the next two days between that and the bad foodI wolfed on the way.
I also ran out of small notecard stock – sorry guys! I realize you’re all ready to buy from me on eBay and there’s nothing for sale just now! I’ll be fixing that real soon, don’t worry. I just had to recover and tidy up some loose ends. (Including figuring out how to get a blog roll to show on this hybrid site of mine – I last set one up 13 years ago!) I’ve been blogging about EDS for 11 years now over at OhTWIST.
Here’s some more photo and hopefully videos to enjoy. I am going to TRY to make it again this month, August, 2025. But, no promises. Your best bet for the latest is to follow me on any of my socials, linked below at the bottom of every page under their respective icons. My health can and does change on a dime, so even if I think I’m going the night before, I could be bed-bound the next day for no good reason. That’s how my disabled life goes, and why I’m self-employed, sorry not sorry.
Jan’s handiwork
Alright, back to the workshop! I got customers waiting – thank you!! -Jan G, Photograbee August 5, 2025
As I slowly give birth to this bouncing baby bee-loving business, I realize that a lot of people have lost touch with the old art of writing notecards and letters and sending them via “snail mail”, or postal service. Whether in the US or around the world. Once upon a time it was de rigeur and fairly common.
We would send birthday cards, Christmas and other holiday cards, and love letters. Especially service members overseas – the mail was a life-saving connection to loved ones back home helping give them the will to keep soldiering on.
Although I dream of a post-war world, I think we could all use the pleasure of a sweet handwritten note in our mail, even more in this digital age of spam in our email inboxes, and way too much social media.
I know, it’s so much easier to just send a DM, email or comment. But how much more special is it to receive a handwritten piece of mail with a beautiful image on it, especially chosen for you?
I’ve never given up writing notes. I’ve slowed down, yes. But never given up. And never will. I think it’s even more important in this day and age of “instant” but often superficial or para-social connections.
I hope you’ll join me in giving your loved ones near and far a little boost any time you’re thinking about them, not just on their birthdays or other special occasions. I know it means a lot to me to receive a hand-written card someone chose just for me. Will you join me?
