[Photo taken at the boutique of my lovely and talented friend Mari Robeson, December 2008]

It is the end of another year and as is typical for most, the past many weeks have been spent evaluating many things, contemplating where I want to go in 2009 with my work and getting my priorities in place.  After much thought and consideration, I have decided to wrap up Sparkletopia right here and now and sign off.  I have had a great time this year sharing all kinds of creative, inspiring, sparkling finds, but I am looking to 2009 as a year where the majority of my time is spent writing and continuing to promote Ordinary Sparkling Moments.  Sparkletopia will stay intact, so you can always come here if you're looking for something to get your creative juices flowing.  Consider it an online scrapbook of resources, inspiration and light. 

Many thanks for your support this year.  I wish you an abundant 2009!

Camilla Engman's 2009 are available - get yours today right here just in the nick of time!!

“In my end is my beginning.”  -T.S. Eliot

I could go on and on about how extraordinary Letha Sandison is, but I'll let the interview do the talking. I apologize for the lack of photos in this interview, but go here for a beautiful gallery about her work in Kampala, Uganda with Wrap Up Africa.

[December 7, 2008]

Hello Letha...I am so excited to interview you for Sparkletopia! Let's get going...

OK, I want to know EVERYTHING. Let's start here: Tell everyone about Wrap Up Africa.
Wrap Up Africa (WUA) is a hybrid organization that mixes elements of non-profit and for-profit organizations based at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) in Kampala, Uganda. WUA was founded in response to the growing and largely unrecognized needs of African cancer patients and is designed to provide Ugandans with skills training and sustainable employment while supporting a variety of clinical care and educational programs at the UCI.

The principles of collective gain and environmental protection are at the foundation of Wrap Up Africa’s mission. It is our goal to help reduce economic disparities, increase opportunities for the disadvantaged, help to promote healthy communities, and increase the interpersonal and intercultural understanding that is the foundation for a more peaceful world.

We believe that creating jobs through local partnerships is a more sustainable approach to poverty eradication and health program support than a blanket provision of aid. Rather than become dependent on handouts, the Wrap Up Africa tailors build their skills and long-term capacities through meaningful creative work. And the profits from their work are funneled back to the programs at the UCI, helping them and their children to have a better quality of life and to improve the health outcomes of future cancer patients in Uganda. We believe that Wrap Up Africa can help to mitigate the poverty and suffering experienced by Uganda’s cancer patients through education, employment, gender equity and, ultimately, empowerment.

How did you make your way to Uganda and what inspired you to start Wrap Up Africa?
My husband is an infectious disease/public health physician. We had been discussing moving to the developing world for several years, as we wanted to find work that was both meaningful and helpful. He began looking into developing a project in Africa working with malaria and HIV. I had always wanted to do something that was meaningful and would help others and I knew this was the perfect opportunity to develop a project of my own. We looked at several countries and decided on Uganda about a year prior to our move. Once we selected Uganda I began to research the country, read about its challenges and came out on a planning trip about seven months prior to our move over. I had the idea for the micro-enterprise tailoring program pretty well formed in my mind and was primarily looking for a cause to support. On that trip I went to the Uganda Cancer Institute with my husband and was immediately struck by the huge challenges facing these families. I knew I had found my cause.

If your wildest dreams were to come true for WUA, what would that look like?
I have big dreams for WUA; I don’t know where to begin or how to keep this short! I would love to see our products take off be carried in major retailers and boutiques in both the US and abroad. Our web presence and sales would also increase and more people would learn about the challenges faced by African cancer patients and the resulting sales would provide us with the necessary funds to expand our reach.

I hope to continue to build the tailors skills and opportunities and that they are better able to meet the challenges they face as a result of working with us. Our new premises will serve as a place of healing, learning and community where our tailors can come together, earn funds, learn new skills, find a community of people facing similar challenges, receive a home grown healthy meal, and work to help meet their challenges. Enabling them to feel empowered instead of helpless. We would have tailors come out from the US and Europe to provide additional training which will allow us to increase design complexity and quality.

I would love for the core programs (chemotherapy, therapeutic art, food, basic needs, scholarships) to be funded completely through the tailoring program, making them self-sustaining and providing for their long-term sustainability.

Ultimately we envision rolling out the program featuring different products in other interested underfunded clinics throughout East Africa.

Tell us what Uganda is like in five words.
Lush, fragrant, chaotic, hot, friendly.

What do you love most about living there?
That is a tough one as there are so many amazing things about being here. I love the people. Ugandan’s are friendly, warm, caring and very easy going. The expatriate community here is diverse, fascinating, fun and so incredibly inspiring. We have met so many amazing people doing incredible work.

I also love the fact that we live such a green lifestyle. I find it is much easier to do here than it is at home. We have a huge garden and grow most of our fruits and vegetables; we compost and have about 8 chickens for eggs. We don’t have heating or air-conditioning, we use energy efficient bulbs (and our power is out altogether frequently)
and collect rainwater.

Have you been able to travel to other parts of Africa?
Yes, we went to Egypt last year, which was amazing! It was a dream come true for me. Egypt is a fascinating place and obviously so full of history. The people were very friendly and extremely interested in us, my son in particular. It was interesting being in an Islamic country, especially as Americans we are being programmed to be fearful of Islam. I found the culture vibrant and their artistry beautiful. I didn’t feel any negativity directed our way at all. It was also a great illustration of how diverse and different the cultures of Africa are.

We also went to Mombasa, Kenya, which has the most beautiful white sand beaches you have ever seen! The Indian Ocean is just in a class by itself. We are going to South Africa this April and hope to take trips to Botswana, Tanzania, and Rwanda to visit friends next year. I think Africa is an amazing place; everyone should come at least once!

How has your view of the world changed since you moved to Uganda?
I don’t know if my world-view has changed so much as my understanding of certain things has perhaps deepened. I feel like the one lesson that has been made alarmingly clear is that there are no simple answers to many of the challenges we face. Particularly here is Africa. I think that once you arrive you see many of the cultural and political customs that contribute to the problems faced here and the road out becomes much more complex and less straightforward.

I would also say that I think traveling other countries is so important, especially in this age of globalization where each year our world becomes increasingly smaller and more connected. Many American’s view certain locations as scary or risky. I think that traveling to most places is much more feasible and worthwhile than is typically realized. Travel helps increase our understanding and appreciation of each other and gives us a view into other cultures.

I watch my son and his peers at the International School of Uganda and I think they have such a special opportunity. They are growing up with friends from many different countries who all go home to their home cultures. It creates an understanding of and exposure to people from different religious backgrounds and cultures that does not exist in many other settings. They celebrate UN Day and multi-national holidays and customs. I often think about how much more peaceful the world would be if all children had opportunities to interact in this way. I love international schools for this reason and hope that these kids help to build bridges as they grow up.

What are some of the ways we can support the mission and goals of WUA?
The best way to support us is to buy our products and if you own a store carry our goods and ask your friends to do the same. The selling of our products validates our tailors, providing funds that will allow us to continue to help the families at the cancer institute and extend our reach.

For someone sitting at home believing they are too far removed from someone in a faraway country to make a difference, what advice would you give them about getting involved in humanitarian work?
I am so glad that you asked me this question as I think about this quite a lot. I believe that there are many people looking to add depth to their lives through service to others. I am sure there are those that want get involved in some way but don’t know how or have great ideas but may feel intimidated to implement them.

So often when I am reading about people who start projects I find that they have access to either tremendous resources, contacts and/or funds. It can be discouraging to those of us from more typical backgrounds. It is much simpler to start a program with those benefits, if we all had Bono or Oprah’s contacts and resources we could move mountains in a hurry.

That said I would like to say that if I can do it so can anyone passionate enough to try. I started WUA with a 20K loan from my family. So, in essence my own funds are on the line. I choose to start small and think big, beginning as simply as possible and building in complexity as I gained resources.

I really believe that if you are passionate and patient enough and are willing to put in a lot of hard work, you can do anything! I would love to hear that someone out there was inspired by my story to start a program of his or her own or get involved!

There are so many ways to help. Purchasing our products and telling friends about us is an easy and very direct way to help. There are a lot of great ethically and socially responsible products out there now that are directly helping the populations that produce them. It is a great trend in shopping!

Share a snippet of everyday life in Uganda.
Well this first thing I would say is that there is no “everyday life” in Uganda. You can never count on things to go as planned and you CAN count on the unexpected to rear its head everyday. There are so many good stories I could share! It is difficult to know how to choose between the comedic, the profound, and the sad stories. OK, here are a few snippets!

Some of the challenges that can occur without warning are power outages, water supply being cut off, cell service down, Internet down, and roads closed.

The driving is shocking! If you want proof go to You Tube and do a search for the Kampala taxi park.

The kids here are so adorable! I was asking a Ugandan friend the other day if “mzungu” (it technically means “foreigner” but more commonly refers to a white person) is the first word most children learn, as even the tiniest little child will call out, “mzungu, how are you?” when they see you.

The fruit is amazing so sweet and fresh. It is great as organic is the only option.

Uganda is the most fragrant place I have ever been. You can smell the sweet scent of tropical flowers and the musky smell of fires burning and then there are the less than desirable smells, which I will leave to the imagination.

Thank you so much for inviting me to do this interview Christine!

Xoxoxo Letha

I know I was far behind in the stampede of people reading The Kite Runner, but sometimes it takes me a while to warm up to something.  Just in case you are like me, and haven't yet picked this one up, let me tell you - I read it a few weeks ago and can't stop thinking about it.  Read The Kite Runner.  Today.

I bought one of Heidi Kenney's tiny creations a while back and it is one of my favorite pieces.  Her My Paper Crane site always makes me smile.  Go to her site and see if you can hold back a smile.  Go on, try it.

"Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable."  -George Bernard Shaw

Love her work, love her philosophy:

"I like to explore the tiny things that have a big impact. Nature is filled with tiny: tiny creatures digging in the dirt, tiny moments in time that can change your life, a tiny gesture that stays in your heart forever. Nature is always right in front of us—telling us secrets, asking us questions, and giving us answers. Nature tells us a story, but science gives us the ability to tell it."  -Aqua Rabbit website

Amy DiGregorio and I met way back when in Santa Barbara.  We have kept in touch over the years, supporting one another's endeavors and sharing our stories.  I always smile when I put on one of her creations, not only because her creations add that extra special sparkle but also because I think she's fabulously amazing!

[October 27, 2008]

What is your main project these days?
To keep my jewelry line as eco-friendly as possible. All of my jewelry pieces are handmade in the USA (by my two hands!), made from recycled or fair trade metals, recycled glass or untreated fair trade beads and semi-precious gemstones. I also adhere to values that contribute to a stronger and healthier global community whenever possible.

What is a project you haven't started yet - or maybe only started a little - that you are dying to sink your teeth into?
I'm ridiculously excited about the possibilities for my 2009 Spring Collection. I'm creating sketches that will incorporate thick, rich materials - wool rope, linen swatches, silk ribbon – collaborated with the fine-wire and faceted gemstones I've used for my previous collections. I'm projecting to launch these bold/feminine intricacies by January!

I know you are a travel nut like I am - how do your journeys and adventures influence your jewelry designs?
Travel is actually what inspired my very first jewelry line! I always find myself blazing with creativity while shopping the exotic street markets in foreign lands. While abroad, you taste new tastes, see new sights, hear new sounds… You're broken free from your normal routines and thoughts, and new ideas are born.

Share one of your favorite travel snippets.
The day before my 30th birthday I had missed a train in Bangkok only by seconds. Though I couldn't understand their words, I could see that several employees seemed very concerned that I had missed the daily 500-mile ride to the mountains. Before I was sure of exactly what was happening, a cop had me on his motorcycle, speeding through the traffic-crazed streets of the city, with the weight of three people if you include my massive backpack. We teetered back and forth through the rain on a bike that was no bigger than a Vespa until we finally caught up to the train. Thanks to the cop's kindred spirit (and his demand for a very large tip), I arrived in Chiang Mai on time and my birthday plans were kept the following day… Spa treatments, rich food, and the most incredible night market shopping I've ever experienced.

If money were no object and your safety were guaranteed, where would you love to go?
Israel. I'm intrigued to learn more about the culture and history, as well as take in the wondrous sites. I've read that Ein Avdat National Park is a freak of nature - a pool of icy water in the hot expanse of desert.

Who would you love to create a custom piece of jewelry for?
My Grandma. She passed away a few days after her birthday in 2001, just a few months before I launched my jewelry business. I would've loved to learn what kind of ingredients she'd have me whip up to match her innate sense of style and elegance.

Thank you Amy!!

When I grow up, I want to keep a blog just like An Indian Summer.  It just goes on and on, people.  Love love love.  Love.  Will you look at these images?

"An artist is a dreamer consenting to dream of the actual world."  -George Santayana

She had me at her profile:

"I'm a professional photographer, a New Zealander based in Belgium, available throughout Europe and including Turkey. My experience covers people portraiture, with a particular love in the area of the photographic essay; essays that tell the story of you, your family or the group. I also have a wide portfolio of experience in event coverage, from weddings and international commemorations through to political receptions and pony camps."  -Woman Wandering blog

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures."  -Henry Ward Beecher

Check out Nikki Russo's beautiful creations at Story Box Shrines and her lovely photography site.  Gorgeous!!

Jenny Bird's creations are peculiar in that particular way I like peculiar...

"Let your imagination release your imprisoned possibilities."  -Robert H. Schuller

Love her art.  Love her blog.

I am just beginning to learn about Outsider Art.  My interest was piqued when I discovered Henry Darger a few weeks ago, and I now have a great resource for when I want to dive further into this fascinating creative world.  The Beverly Kaye Gallery has quite a collection and a blog to boot!

[Photo by Judy Sidonie Tillinger, shown on My Marrakech]

I love My Marrakech - a lovely design blog with photos and stories that feed my passion for travel.

"The artist must create a spark before he can make a fire and before art is born, the artist must be ready to be consumed by the fire of his own creation."  -Auguste Rodin