Tea & Talk : Heather Smith Jones

Welcome Friends! It is that time! Pull up a cosy chair, grab a cup of your favorite tea, and sit back and enjoy the latest installment with the incredibly lovely and amazingly talented Heather Smith Jones! Take it away Heather...
Melis's questions:

1. 3 living things you treasure
> My husband, my family, & my cats.

2. 3  non-living things that you treasure
> My new studio built by my husband and the days I spend in it, the computer [since I use it so much in my business], and I really treasure my quiet time.

3. favorite time of the year and why
> I love springtime and autumn both almost equally, for the beautiful change in colors and milder temperatures they bring.  In the spring you start to see people come out of their homes from a long winter and in the fall people begin to cozy up again.

4. favorite things to wear
> I have a favorite pair of gap jeans, anything that is hand-knit by my mom including this sweater in the photo [i have a ton of scarves she's made me and wear one every day in the fall & winter], and my apron made by my friend Alicia.

5. are you a perfume wearer ? If yes, which one? / top 3 favorite smells
> No, perfume aromas really mess with my allergies and tend to give me migraines, unfortunately.  But I love the fragrances of fresh lavender, rosemary and lemon and the smell of homemade bread baking.  I also associate perfumes with women in my family, in a lovely, non-headache sort of way.  My Mom wears Shalimar, always has, and my paternal grandmother always wore Chanel No. 5.

6. favorite animal
> I really love all animals, but have always had at least one cat.  Now we have three.  That seems a little crazy at times, [like when they're all circling me like vultures as I finish my cereal] but I wouldn't give any of them up!

7. top three events in your life
Well, the big events have to do with a big change don't they?  When something just isn't going to be the same anymore, I get a little bit rattled, taken from my comfort zone.  So with that in mind, 1] moving with my family from one state to another, when I was in the middle of eighth grade.
2] moving on my own to Kansas for graduate school.  3] getting married and actually being married is quite an event! :)

8. top three favorite small pleasures
> Making french press coffee every morning, taking evening strolls with my husband, and reading my friends' blogs.

9. top 3 favorite places in the world (you have visited or would like to visit)
> I have never been out of the country so I would love to visit Australia and anyplace in Europe, specifically Belgium, Sweden and/or Italy.

10. top 3 favorite sounds
> I enjoy the sounds of birds singing in the morning, water fountains in a park, quiet whispers in an art museum.

11. top 3 favorite things to eat
> Anything my husband cooks, even if it's putting a veggie burger in the toaster oven, though usually he's very creative.  If he cooks, that means I don't have to. :)  I really like anything with a potato [baked potato, french fries, etc].  I love to eat warm homemade bread with real butter, and dark chocolate.  Broccoli, fresh raspberries, and fried okra equally come in fourth.

12. 3 favorite favorites! (from etsy or elsewhere)
> Oh my, my favorites are long!  There's more than three, way more.
1.  I regularly check on the etsy shop of Rick Beerhorst, he is a painter and printer.  We share a gallery in common, Signs of Life Gallery.  His shop is www.studiobeerhorst.etsy.com, and he is always adding something new.
2.  Megan Bogonovich's sculptural and functional ceramic work, is wonderful to me.  She and I also share a gallery, Artstream Studios.  Her etsy shop is www.melabo.etsy.com
3.Little Paper Planes is pretty awesome, I like perusing the new site.

13. 3 small ways someone has made your day lately
> My friends are so sweet sending surprise mail and offering words of encouragement when I feel blue.  The best part is they just 'see' it and are there supporting me.  They're sweet like that [you're included in this Melissa! :)]

14. 3 small habits/quirks you have that make you specifically you!
> I better ask my husband what he thinks, I'm sure he'd have a list! ...Ok I asked him, and they were a little silly.
But I always put my right sock and shoe on before my left, I don't like my magazine pages to be the least bit wrinkly or creased, and I always leave a light on at night for the kitties.

Ez's Questions:

15.-Describe your life using 6 words maximum (for each time frame): PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE.
  >  I think the words for each phase would be the same : surprising; fast; slow; content. 

16. You are truly passionate about indie and handmade goods, tell us how that interest was formed:
>I grew up with parents who were/are craftspeople; my father was a ceramist and my mother was a weaver.  Things around us were handmade and homemade, so I grew up appreciating that quality.

17. favorite books, films, and music... list 3 of your favorites in each category here:
> Books - the Bible, anything by Barbara Kingsolver, and the Moosewood Cooks at Home cookbook.
Film- We netflixed the entire series of Arrested Development and laughed non-stop. A favorite classic film is Auntie Mame with Rosalind Russell.
Music- Well, I pretty much listen to the radio, NPR, and am therefore slightly boring in that department.

18 .Name 3 words that you can't stand, and 3 that you love:
>There are words I don't like because of their meaning : bills & infection.  And I don't like the word stupid, although I do say it, tsk tsk.
I like opalescent, imagine, and honey.

19. What are a few of the goals you have for your future and how do you plan on making them a reality?
>I'm taking one day at a time.  If I were to sit down and write out some goals, which is not a bad idea for me, I think they would pertain to financial security and finishing up our building projects.  And I have to say, I would be pretty happy to be working full time as an artist.  And making them a reality?  Take it one day at a time.

20. What is the best piece of advice you've ever heard?
> This is not the best but it just popped into my head " the K.I.S.S. principle :  keep it simple sweetheart".  [I substituted the last word, it was 'stupid'.]
And on another note, I try to remember, that each day is a gift, and that I need [to try] to make the most of it.  Make it count.

21.  what is your favorite quote and why?
My mom always says "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."  It's a good reminder to me, a worrier, to not anticipate or fret over something when there is no need to do so.  Does it add anything to my life to worry?  Nope.

Thank you Melissa & Ez!  Have a great day ladies!

Thank you sweet Heather! It was our pleasure! Not to be missed is Heather's wonderful blog where she makes everyone who visits feel like an old friend and all her amazing collaborative efforts here, here and here. They are truly inspiring and I don't know how she does it all! ** Also, lovely Heather would like to offer a special discount to our readers for this Wednesday thru Friday, {9.24 - 9.26}. Readers will receive 15% off their purchase when they spend $35 or more on any original watercolor and/or mixed media drawings.  Simply type "Melissa Loves" in the 'note to seller' and the savings will be refunded to your paypal account. Yippee! Thank you Heather! :)
xo Melissa and Ez

Comments

[Teri]

You have a wonderful blog! I love reading it.

[cindy k]

i enjoyed this interview and learning more about heather. she represents calm and tranquility to me in her blog and through her beautiful work. thank you ladies!

[Marichelle]

Yay!!! It's so nice to finally put a face to a name Heather! Now I feel like we've officially "met". Melis/Ez, thanks so much for officially introducing me to another favorite.

:) Marichelle

[shanna murray]

such a wonderful interview, thank you ladies! heather is a gift! her work and the kindnesses she extends are such a wonderful addition to this community!

i'm a big fan!

[Alicia A.]

Heather truly is the hardest working artist I know. And one of the sweetest as well!

[aimee]

heather herself is such a gem, and her work extends so naturally from her serene and inquisitive personality. when i see one of her pieces, i feel like i'm having a conversation with her. wonderful interview!

[Carla Sonheim]

I really enjoyed this ... thank you. Love her work!!

[S.HOPtalk]

I LOVE Heather's work! She's such a sweetie too. What a dreamy workspace too. Great interview ladies!

[jeana]

what a great interview :)

[Design for Mankind]

Oooh, great interview, Melissa--- I just love that Heather. :)

[Jillian]

your blog layout is very beautiful, did you design it yourself?

I also love all your posts you use such beautiful photographs and you speak with a lot of honesty!

[Julie]

I adore Heather! And this interview was a nice way of getting to know her better.

[dwellings and decor]

I love her photo with the blue green bowl.

[lisa s]

it's so nice to gain some insight into heather - she is such a sweet person and a wonderful artist!

[mrs. french]

I love her...it should be illegal for a gal to be that talented. ;) That watercolor haunts my dreams.

[Pikaland]

Heather is such a wonderful artist -- I have her work on my table and it's the first thing I see everyday. Her art fills me with joy.

[TD wool design]

this was so interesting. have followed heather's work for a bit now. it's my first visit here. so much to see, i will be returning!