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A Most Interesting Character

Punky Jane: A Most Interesting Character

January 6, 2010

in A Most Interesting Character

Punky Jane on Etsy AvatarGetting to know PunkyJane is like winning the Daily Double.  You quickly learn that she has an extensive eraser collection and has written and self-published a children’s book called Sally the Sheep and the Very Cloudy Day.  First, the eraser collection…

 
Eraser Collection
Eraser Collection

You started collecting erasers in the 5th grade; how did you happen to start? And why erasers?

I don’t honestly remember WHY we started, but my friend, Nora and I began together. We are still friends today and occasionally exchange erasers as gifts.  I do remember that she and I even climbed up on the roof of our school to get the erasers that other kids threw up there. (I can’t believe we did that! I think we snagged a bunch of tennis balls, too. Crazy!)

What kind of erasers do you collect? Are they vintage or recently manufactured?

I collect all kinds – from pencil toppers to novelty erasers to the old fashioned pink and gum styles. Nowadays, I am not longer interested in the cutesy ones so much anymore; I go for the more ‘grown up’ variety!

Henry the Dog Eraser

Henry the Dog Eraser

Where do you keep these little treasures?

I’ve had them stored in a large tackle box-style plastic sewing case until recently when I discovered a strange chemical reaction going on.  Some erasers actually melted the plastic in the case! I now have over 400 in a small drawer organizer and another 30 or so in a clear jar in my office just to make me smile.

Colorful Erasers

Erasers-Colorful!

Do you have a favorite or favorites?

One of my newest faves is an off-white color about 2.5″ long, shaped like a rounded bar of soap with #*?@! printed on the top. As far as vintage is concerned, the ones that I collected as a kid now qualify; the Sanrio ones are the best!

What makes the Sanrio erasers the best?

I have such fond memories of shopping for Hello Kitty erasers! You can see in the pictures that so many of them came in their own little cases decorated with Hello Kitty and other fun Sanrio characters. I haven’t purchased any Sanrio erasers for quite some time, but I consider the ones I have my favorites. And I’ve shared a picture of my all-time favorite, the one that started it all!

Hello Kitty Sanio Eraser

The One That Started It All

 Now, onto the book…

What was the catalyst for Sally the Sheep and the Very Cloudy Day?

Sally the Sheep and the Very Cloudy Day

The best way to explain how Sally was born is to share a conversation I had with Hannah, my then 5-year-old daughter, one night when she had trouble going to sleep:

Hannah: “Mommy, will you draw me a sheep?”

Me: “Sure, Honey. You get some sleep and I’ll have it ready for you when you wake up.”

Hannah: “Okay, Mommy. Is it done yet?”

Me: “No, Sweetie. I will work on it tonight and have it for you in the morning.”

Hannah: “Okay, Mommy. I love you!”

Me: “I love you, too, Baby. Sweet dreams.”

[10 minutes pass]

Hannah: “Mommy, is it done?”

Me: “No, Sweetheart. I can’t work on it until I finish the dishes, but I’ll start as soon as I can. You get some sleep. Count sheep.”

Hannah: “Okay, Mommy. Love you! Oh, Mommy?”

Me: “Yes?”

Hannah: “Can I help you? I’m really good at drawing sheep!”

Me: “No, Sweetie. You get some sleep and maybe I’ll even write you a story. Love you.”

Hannah: “Okay, good night, Mommy!”

After Hannah finally went to sleep, and I was washing the dishes, the little story developed in my head. I sat down at the computer and starting typing and drawing. In a couple of hours, I had something I wanted to share with my girls in the morning.

A few weeks later, I shared it with some kindergarteners and preschoolers, and Sally was a hit! I decided to go ahead and publish it, even if it was just for my girls.

I still remember the excitement I felt the day I found out that Sally the Sheep and the Very Cloudy Day was eligible for ‘Free Super Saver Shipping” on Amazon! Now that’s big time, right??

Right on, Punky Jane!

FOLLOW ME with Twitter Handle and Hashtag Necklace

FOLLOW ME with Twitter Handle and Hashtag Necklace

Etsy Shop: http://punkyjane.etsy.com

Web: http://www.PunkyJane.com

Blog: http://PunkyJane.blogspot.com/

Become a fan on facebook: http://facebook.com/PunkyJaneJewlery

Follow PunkyJane on twitter: http://twitter.com/PunkyJane

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Char Anderson- A Character of Olympian Proportion

December 28, 2009

in A Most Interesting Character,Monday Morning Musings

Brown Orbital Earrings by Char

Char is a woman for all seasons. To date, she has or still swims, scuba dives, rock climbs, snow skis, water skis, rides horses, plays tennis, cycles, lifts weights, and has studied karate and gymnastics.  Char grew up in Hemet, California, on a Thoroughbred horse ranch.  She raised pigs, sheep, cattle and horses for Future Farmers of America while in high school. Char majored in Animal Science in college. It will be far more interesting if she tells you herself…

I was into gymnastics in high school, but was too tall to be any good. (I am 5’8” and was that height at 12 years old!) At the time I was in high school, gymnastics was the only sport in which a girl could letter, and I wanted a letter. So, I joined the gymnastics team, worked hard, got my letter, and it currently resides on the wall in my office.  I was a really, really good swimmer, but somehow lacked the commitment it took to get to the Olympic level.

I think I had the potential to be an Olympic swimmer, and am lucky to have many friends who are quite famous Olympians. I met Mary Lou Retton on a cruise in 1999. There was “Olympic” competition among the guests, and with Mary Lou Retton and her husband, Shannon, participating, you can imagine that the competition was especially fierce. I beat Mary Lou for the gold in the three events in which we competed against each other.  After the final tennis match was over, she said to me with that great smile, “Boy, you are competitive!” What a compliment from one of the best athletes America has ever produced!

Char and Mary Lou

In September 2000, I met many more Olympians. One of the major sponsors had chartered the ship as their headquarters in Sydney during the Olympics, so the cruise line made an Olympic-themed cruise to get the ship from San Francisco to Sydney. As part of the onboard activities, there were competitions in many events, including tennis, triathlon, running, cycling on stationary bikes, swimming, and basketball free throw.

Olympians on Ship

The Olympians on board were kind enough to make me an “honorary Olympian” (as swimmer John Naber wrote in a book he gave me) and we hung out and got to know each other over the three-week trip to Sydney. Two days before we arrived, I was asked, “If we can get you a free hotel and free tickets, do you want to stay for the Olympics?” (I had no intention of staying in Sydney and had an airline ticket home for the day after the ship arrived!)  But twist my arm!

I spent six glorious weeks at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney with the likes of Nadia Comaneci, John Naber, Bart Conner, Dwight Stones and Louis Zamperini (a 1936 Olympian!). It all happened on the spur of the moment, and I am so thankful that I trusted my gut and went for it!  I met so many of my heroes at that Olympics (including a 15 year old Michael Phelps and his lovely mother, who gave me a handmade button to wear in support of her son) that I can honestly say it was the best six weeks of my life.

Japanese Weave Bracelet by Char

Now, it’s my turn again with a non sequitur: After growing up in California, Char spent twenty years living in Hawaii (sea level) before moving back to the mainland in Jackson Hole, Wyoming (6237 feet above sea level – oxygen tank optional). She lives at the base of a mountain with her British import husband, Ron, and her Hungarian Vizsla, Arazi the Wonder Dog.

Char’s website: http://charanderson.com

Follow Char on twitter: http://twitter.com/char_anderson

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/charleneanderson

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Monday Morning Musings: A Most Interesting Character

October 12, 2009

Londi Mathieu - Jewelry Designer, Mushroom Hunter, Philanthropist In a word, Londi is an experience.  You can feel her presence long before she arrives.  And when she does finally arrive, you are immediately caught up in her charm, energy, passion and creativity.  There are absolutely not enough hours in the day for this jewelry designer-artist-philanthropist. First [...]

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Monday Morning Musings: A Most Interesting Character

October 5, 2009

Meet Megan Lewis – Firespinner and Juggler Megan has been juggling and firespinning for about two years now.  She joined the Purple Mermaid Circus Society as a “fresher” at the University of Birmingham. The Society is made up of students and residents of Birmingham, UK who have an interest in learning, practicing and performing circus [...]

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Monday Morning Musings: A Most Interesting Character

September 28, 2009

Meet Sandy “Pants” – Purveyor of Pearls and Poker Player What role does poker play in your life?  How are poker skills “relevant in so many aspects of life?” Poker is a hobby that I enjoy a lot. I would actually like for it to be more than a hobby, but that’s not where I’m [...]

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