Joanne's Blog

Sharing our Dreams

Hi Everyone,

Every year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I try to listen to the famous “I have a Dream” speech Dr. King gave in 1963– the year before he won the Nobel Peace Prize. I have always admired Dr. King’s commitment to equality, freedom and justice. One of.

Live Creatively.

Hi Everyone,
I’m attending the Craft & Hobby Show in Anaheim, California, and have spent the past few days delightedly reconnecting with old friends, signing books, teaching workshops, doing demonstrations and giving ‘make-n-takes’. The photo below was taken at Sakura’s booth during the make-n-take I gave Monday afternoon.

Beginning Again

Hi Everyone,

I was deeply moved by the comments that were left in response to the CROSSROADS piece I posted last week… thank you to everyone who shared from your heart… especially those who shared the lessons they learned on their 2014 journey… STILLNESS… GRATITUDE… STAYING GROUNDED… KNOWING GOD CARES….

Crossroads 2015

Hi Everyone,
Life hands each of us challenges that we’d rather not face… and yet it is these very challenges which often cause the greatest spiritual growth. I wrote the piece below for the many people I care about who have been facing serious challenges this past year, in the.

Christmas Spirit

Hi Everyone,

The holiday season is a magical time of year… it is a time when we try to be our best selves– kind, caring, generous, patient and compassionate. A time when our hearts are open to miracles… when we believe that PEACE is a possibility, that LOVE can light.

Believe in Miracles

Hi Everyone,

Since the holiday of Hanukkah begins at sundown tonight, I created this week’s Zenspirations(R) as a way of sharing the meaningful message of the Hanukkah story– Miracles do come true!

For those who are not familiar with the story, Hanukkah, also known.

The Song I Sing

Hi Everyone,

I had a delightful surprise this weekend when an old friend came to visit and brought me a special, hand-made gift which she calls ‘Rooted in Love’. 

It’s crafted from an actual root that my friend found washed up on the beach..

Memories are a Blessing

Hi Everyone,
As the holiday season gets into full swing, I find myself thinking about people I love, and wondering what I can do to let them know how much they mean to me. I’ve always believed that the best gifts are those that come from the heart… and this.

Blessing Books

Hi Everyone,
Creating a handmade gift is a tangible way to show appreciation for someone you care about. And since the overwhelming majority of those who voted on what I should blog about this week wanted a new technique, I thought I’d share what I call my ‘Blessing Books’. I.

A Journey of Discovery

Hi Everyone,

For many years I have made a practice of looking for the blessing in every situation, especially difficult ones. This practice helps me stay grounded in gratitude, and when I am grounded in gratitude it is easier to reach out in love to everyone I encounter. And for.

The Roots of Inspiration

Hi Everyone,

I was amazed and delighted with all the wonderfully creative names you suggested when I asked for help naming the new technique I’ve been working on. There were so many ‘Zenspired’ options that it was hard to narrow down to a few favorites! But here are the ‘contenders’;.

Rooted in Love

Hi Everyone,
As a lettering artist I always look for unique ways to incorporate inspiring words into my art. Recently I’ve been working on a series of flowers and trees that ‘grow’ from a word. I’m not sure what to call them, and was hoping for suggestions… Here are three.