Maker Stories

Friday Giveaway: Rainy Showers Bring Fall Flowers

October 1, 2010

Congrats to our winner Keri Butler. Hope you all had relaxing weekends! Be sure to subscribe to the Goods via RSS, to get the heads up about our next giveaways and contests!


It’s been raining here in Brooklyn all week. I don’t know about you, but I sure need a pick-me-up!

Luckily this week we’re giving away one of artist Jenn Bell’s Pansy or Echinacea Wall Hangings— made of copper, glass, and enamel, and a sure to keep the flowers blooming year round.

I talked to Jenn for a few minutes this week about how she creates creates her handmade pieces.

“There are daily accidents that turn out to be gorgeous,” says Jenn of her creative process.

What does she mean by that?

“… As I’ve grown up I’ve realized that you have no idea where each day is going to take you and rolling with the punches makes everything better. I’m incredibly hard on myself, so I have pieces all over my shop that I have deemed unacceptable. Friends come over and just randomly point and say, “I like that one.” So I take it to a show and someone else likes it. Sometimes making art seems to be this balance of listening to your gut and ignoring it all at the same time.”

Here’s Jenn at work in her studio.

And the lesson this week is that it’s quite alright to give yourself a break every now and then.

Leave a comment below to win one of Jenn’s beautiful handmade wall hangings, and let us know what you’re doing this weekend to give yourself a break.

As always, you can leave a comment on our Facebook wall, or tweet @uncommongoods to triple your chances to win.

75 Comments

  • Reply zanvia October 1, 2010 at 2:43 pm

    These are so unique…I love them! I love how the colors she chose play off the copper. Very very nice!

  • Reply Kirsten October 1, 2010 at 2:47 pm

    Gorgeous! I am throwing a baby shower for my daughter this weekend!

  • Reply mrkaboom October 1, 2010 at 2:48 pm

    those are really nice. theyll look great on my wall.
    im going to go shopping this weekend for a break

  • Reply Cari Reynolds October 1, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    Modern dance company performance tonight, bbq chicken and doughnut fest tomorrow!

  • Reply Kathy October 1, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    I’m scrapbooking this weekend and shopping for a bedroom makeover.

  • Reply Russell October 1, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    These are beautiful; and I would love to have it on my wall! I am spending my weekend painting birdhouses, gardening, playing with the dogs & doing some home improvement projects! Enjoy your weekend too Jenn! ~Russell

  • Reply Marcie October 1, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    These are so cute I might have to buy one.

  • Reply Monica Kelley October 1, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    Those are pretty cool and would look really nice in my condo!

  • Reply Jennifer October 1, 2010 at 2:53 pm

    I will be attending Fayetteville, AR’s Bikes, Blues & BBQ this weekend. 🙂

  • Reply Julia October 1, 2010 at 2:55 pm

    Those are gorgeous!

    I’m running a 10K in Silver Spring, MD this weekend!

  • Reply Jessie October 1, 2010 at 2:55 pm

    I work a lot this weekend, but I think my new husband and I are going to go in search of hot cider and doughnuts – the most wonderful fall treat!

  • Reply Melanie Yardley October 1, 2010 at 2:56 pm

    this weekend i will be spending all my time with family ….no matter what the weather brings!! 🙂

  • Reply Ashley October 1, 2010 at 2:56 pm

    Love love love these… I have been shopping on your site most of the afternoon for holiday gifts.

  • Reply Lizabeth Simonson October 1, 2010 at 2:57 pm

    My plans for the weekend w/two boys: FIVE soccer games, TWO baseball games, one sleepover birthday party and one basketball practice. All starts at 7:15pm Fri. night. Ends at 5:30pm Sun………..I’ll be ready for Mon. to get here!!!!!!

  • Reply Laura McGregor October 1, 2010 at 3:00 pm

    Beautiful work! This weekend = apple picking and cider tasting in the gorgeous New England fall weather!

  • Reply kellie kimbrough October 1, 2010 at 3:01 pm

    oh, those are so pretty! i will be visiting dc and then unpacking from moving last weekend on sunday.

  • Reply kimmie October 1, 2010 at 3:04 pm

    These are gorgeous!!! Daisy is without a doubt the most beautiful flower in the world!!! Love the work!!!
    Tomorrow celebrating breast cancer awareness month and national card making day by making cards at a breast cancer event!!! 🙂

  • Reply Corie October 1, 2010 at 3:05 pm

    This weekend I’m babysitting my beautiful niece, Violet and my mom is coming in to town for a visit and staying with us.
    Should be loads of FUN!

  • Reply Candra October 1, 2010 at 3:05 pm

    SO beautiful! I’m going to a Reds game tomorrow!

  • Reply devi October 1, 2010 at 3:12 pm

    will be hanging out in my friend’s hospital room… waiting for a baby!

  • Reply Audra Carlson October 1, 2010 at 3:14 pm

    These are amazing! I’m in Ct and it has been a rainy drab week here as well. So this weekend I am shaking outta this lame funk by making bright art works. I think I might focus on owls, maybe some mixed media owls I have been saving scrap paper from other crafts. Again these are so pretty!

  • Reply Lena October 1, 2010 at 3:14 pm

    going to a detention center to spend some time with kids from broken families and planning to have lots of rest after this crazy week.
    nice job with those!

  • Reply Robin October 1, 2010 at 3:17 pm

    absolutely nothing! and I’m going to enjoy every second!

  • Reply Raquel October 1, 2010 at 3:20 pm

    I love it when innovative ppl contribute to the world’s beauty with their creativity. Plans for this weekend very simple house work and more unpacking. 😉

  • Reply Courtney October 1, 2010 at 3:21 pm

    Lovely artwork! This weekend my baby is staying with his favorite Aunt to give Mom and Dad a chance to roam the city streets, searching the antique shops and flea markets for the perfect new home decor.

  • Reply Kerry Feiman October 1, 2010 at 3:21 pm

    Going to The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park Co, the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining. We are taking a ghost tour and planning on having a great time.

  • Reply Melissa October 1, 2010 at 3:23 pm

    Hiking, OSU football, Altheimers memory walk, and lots of homework!!

  • Reply Sarah October 1, 2010 at 3:25 pm

    I plan on diving into a new book!

  • Reply Anne October 1, 2010 at 3:26 pm

    Love it–“Listen to your gut and ingnore it at the same time.” Words of wisdom to those of us occasionally in an artistic rut. On Saturday, I’m going to the University of Toledo Homecoming Parade, and on Sunday a soy-wax printing workshop. (To un-rut.)

  • Reply Julia Jones October 1, 2010 at 3:27 pm

    Stunning work! Going to a birthday party on Sunday. 🙂

  • Reply Karla October 1, 2010 at 3:29 pm

    these are beautiful – I would love to win one!
    This weekend I’m participating in a local art and music festival called Arts Goggle in Fort Worth, Tx – can’t wait!!

  • Reply Deanne Ross October 1, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    Heading to DC for Crafty Bastards on Saturday
    and then it’s Philadelphia Swap-O-Rama-Rama
    on Sunday. A weekend full of arts & crafting!

  • Reply Kati Passariello October 1, 2010 at 3:34 pm

    What beautiful pieces. I would feel honored to win one!

  • Reply Caron Garliepp October 1, 2010 at 3:36 pm

    Your art is BEAUTIFUL! I am recuperating from surgery this weekend.

  • Reply Shanelle October 1, 2010 at 3:38 pm

    I own a small bakery and we have market this Saturday so most of my weekend will be spent there. Sunday I plan to put on sweats and watch a movie with my hubby while snuggling my little baby!

  • Reply Christina Huber October 1, 2010 at 3:44 pm

    Don’t have much in the way of relaxing on the schedule, but maybe a movie and a glass of wine! 🙂

  • Reply Renae October 1, 2010 at 3:44 pm

    I’m not sure what I’m doing yet this weekend! And that’s the best thing about it! 🙂 Beautiful work, by the way 🙂

  • Reply Jennifer October 1, 2010 at 3:53 pm

    Love these wall hangings! I’m taking my mother to a horse show for her birthday this weekend.

  • Reply Laurie October 1, 2010 at 3:54 pm

    I’m going to hike up to a castle tomorrow near Bonn, Germany and enjoy the fall colors.

  • Reply Kimer October 1, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    These are just delightful! Seeing it made me smile.

    I am off to Atlanta for a ‘working’ intimate gathering/retreat for owners of small-women-owned businesses. Hope I packed my corkscrew!

  • Reply Jessica Wells October 1, 2010 at 4:04 pm

    Gorgeous flowers! To give myself a break, I’m taking my fiancee to see a panel discussion on “The Case for Gay Marriage.” YAY!

  • Reply Teri October 1, 2010 at 4:04 pm

    Today my husband and I are celebrating 22 years of wonderfulness together. I heart you, Dear!

  • Reply Katie October 1, 2010 at 4:09 pm

    So beautiful! Would definitely make my ghostly-white office walls much happier looking!

  • Reply Shalane Hampp October 1, 2010 at 4:13 pm

    This weekend is my Colleges Homecoming weekend! We have an “Across the Decades” theme with our Womens Basketball Team float being Avatar.”Lady Hardrocker Basketball is the future!” We also have our Football game as well as my teams first “official” practice of the season Sunday!

    Shalane dee <3

  • Reply N. Parris October 1, 2010 at 4:14 pm

    Lovely for my office!

  • Reply N. Parris October 1, 2010 at 4:15 pm

    No break for me this weekend …Busy, busy, busy!

  • Reply Andrea Treadwell October 1, 2010 at 4:26 pm

    Going apple picking…in the rain! Got to get them while they’re here!

  • Reply Stephanie October 1, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    Beautiful work! Do want!! ;0)

  • Reply Keri B October 1, 2010 at 4:36 pm

    These are beautiful! I would love one for my new house!

  • Reply Pat October 1, 2010 at 4:37 pm

    I love copper and have many things made with this metal in my home. I’d love to add these beautiful plaques!
    If the weather clears up I may go to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden’s Chili Pepper festival!

  • Reply Heidi October 1, 2010 at 4:49 pm

    These are lovely! I’ve always liked copper because it has a softer, warmer, more rustic & homey quality than most cold gray metals. Jenn Bell’s flowers really bring that out beautifully.

  • Reply Diane Stokes October 1, 2010 at 5:04 pm

    I am running in an 8k race tomorrow! (and I love the wall hangings) 🙂

  • Reply Ebony J October 1, 2010 at 5:04 pm

    Amazing creations! I am in the pacific NW and it seems that the east coast got all of our rain! I’ll be enjoying one of the last sunny weekends catching up on yard work.

  • Reply Debra P October 1, 2010 at 5:04 pm

    I love these wall hangings – as an artist I appreciate the random listening to your gut. These are gorgeous and I would love to share space with one:)

  • Reply Debra P October 1, 2010 at 5:06 pm

    Ooops forget to say we are driving out to the country to enjoy the last bit of Indian summer 😀

  • Reply Amy October 1, 2010 at 5:07 pm

    I agree with all the comments above. These would look great in my house.

  • Reply Martha Garvey October 1, 2010 at 5:08 pm

    Those are glorious, and Jenn is wise. May we all court the happy accident.

    Thanks to one of my happy accidents, I have met somebody who makes her own hula hoops, the glorious Jen Laurita, and she actually taught my awkward self how to hoop. So tomorrow she is selling them at a fundraiser for animal rescue tomorrow. Tomorrow, one of those hoops will be mine, and I will have helped animals.

    And that is how I am chilling out.

  • Reply Robin October 1, 2010 at 5:12 pm

    I know I said I was painting my floors white on the FB wall but now I am inspired to paint a matching pink petal in the middle of the floor to match just for the hell of it because that’s what I feel is missing. If it’s missing, make it happen. <3 Namaste

  • Reply Jennifer October 1, 2010 at 5:14 pm

    Traveling with the little one to see family this weekend. Will enjoy the wonderful southern weather…

    These wall hangings are beautiful!

  • Reply Kimberley October 1, 2010 at 5:15 pm

    I’m working this weekend, but not on anything as creative and wonderful as these wall hangings.

  • Reply Deirdre Woytek October 1, 2010 at 5:23 pm

    These are great! I’m trying to redecorate the house as a way of moving on after a difficult time, and would love one of these wall hangings! Not much decorating this weekend anyway. I’m taking my kids to the zoo!

  • Reply Marquita kelley October 1, 2010 at 5:42 pm

    These are stunningly beautiful!! I feel inspired so this weekend I am going to make something!!!

  • Reply Catherine October 1, 2010 at 5:55 pm

    I’m going to enjoy the autumn weather with my kids! This art is just beautiful!

  • Reply Anna October 1, 2010 at 6:19 pm

    I’m taking a break from studying for my comp exam – heading to the local farmer’s market tomorrow and then watching the Florida-Alabama game!

  • Reply Anna October 1, 2010 at 6:20 pm

    And yes, these pieces are beautiful!

  • Reply Elizabeth October 1, 2010 at 7:17 pm

    I loooove these 🙂

  • Reply Susannah October 1, 2010 at 9:10 pm

    Spending extra special Mother-Daughter time with my little 1 1/2 year old–just the two of us! We’re going for a walk if the sun shines or dance indoors together if it’s rainy. 🙂

  • Reply Jenny J October 1, 2010 at 9:37 pm

    How cute!
    I’m taking it easy this weekend. Spending time with a good friend before her baby gets here on Monday!

  • Reply larry hance October 1, 2010 at 10:57 pm

    UVA v FSU football Sat
    nursing wounds/hangover Sun+

  • Reply Sabrina October 1, 2010 at 11:10 pm

    Just hanging out with my hubby. Maybe some yard work and watching movies and KNITTING!!

  • Reply sara October 2, 2010 at 12:47 am

    Balloon fiesta! Abq, NM

  • Reply Jill October 2, 2010 at 3:12 pm

    So pretty! I’ll be spending time celebrating a friends birthday–so much fun.

  • Reply Paula October 2, 2010 at 10:19 pm

    I’m hanging out at my sister’s house tomorrow for some smoked brisket to help my dad celebrate his 72nd birthday!

  • Reply JeauxAnn October 3, 2010 at 1:02 am

    These are so Beautiful!

  • Reply lori clark October 4, 2010 at 4:00 pm

    Wow! So lovely! I love copper, and home made gifts.:)

  • Leave a Reply to Debra P

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