Who Are We?

This is my Family.

This is my Heart.

This is why I work so hard and this is why I started this blog....

Because I know there are other's like me out there in our little community - who create amazing unique things, have special skills and talents and who are struggling to make it in this crumbling economy.

Without advertising - we are invisible to our neighbors. How do we find each other? How do we shop locally if we don't know the talent that lies within the homes surrounding us?

Did you know that your neighbor across the street makes Post Apocalyptic Zombie Slaying armor , costumes and props? Did you know that the lady you saw playing Superhero Ninjas with her three small children has her own Photography business? How about the old Veteran that sits outside on his front porch whittling wood all day...did you know he has breathtakingly gorgeous hand made wooden furniture he is creating in his garage? Do you have any idea that your favorite purple haired, pierced pizza delivery boy is actually an amazing Cellist who loves Bach and just made his first "Real CD?"

I bet you have no idea how much talent is walking past you every day.

I am starting this blog because we need this.

We need to support each other.

We need to shop local.

We need to tell the rest of the 99% what they are missing out on when they go to the mall instead of visiting our local shops, browsing our websites, checking out our etsy stores and noticing our little houses and apartments filled with hand made AWESOME.

I am Jen Owen.

I am your neighbor.

I am a mother of three and wife.

I am a friend and an advocate for our Veterans and Deployed Soldiers.

I walk to raise money for Cancer research.

I dress up like zombie slayers and run around old mental hospitals with my family and laugh with them - just for fun and memory sake.

I am a professional photographer and I love my job.

If you have a small business, offer services that you want people to know about... create art, music, jewelry, armor...anything...please email me at jenmartinstudios@comcast.net

Lets talk.

Let's tell the neighbors about you.

We are here.

We are Bellingham.

Buy Local - Jen's "Ear Candy"

This beautiful local Momma of two blue eyed boys, just happens to make gorgeous earrings right out of her own home and makes me wish I wasn't allergic to everything I try to put into those pierced ear lobes I suffered for when I was 10 years old!

She brought along a few of her favorites for me to photograph for her Etsy Store and her Facebook Page and I thought I would share some of them with you here on this blog so you can see some samples of her work and her knack for putting just the right colors and shapes together to really make these pieces pop!

Please remember her when you start shopping around for gifts this Holiday Season!

JensEarCandy.etsy.com

jensearcandy@gmail.com

Jennifer Gibson (360.393.4139)

La Luna • Massage & Doula • Buy Local Bellingham

Meet Lisa.

She not only gives fabulous massages (and knows how to get those kinks out!) but she also offers Doula services and infant massage classes. She is such a gentle soul and every time I walk into her office, my stress is reduced to half - just by her presence and before she even gets me on the massage table!

She has gift certificates and classes and if you give her a call or visit her website, she can give you more information about all of the wonderful services she provides for individuals and families here in Whatcom County!

Website

Nico Lund • Artist & Musician • Buy Local Bellingham

Meet Nico and her amazing family (with husband Justin, daughter Vega and adorable pup Spiral) - and take a look at her gorgeous paintings and then head over to her Myspace page to listen to her musical talents solo or with her husband as a duo of pure awesome!

I met this crazy artsy family when our daughters were both attending preschool together and we were sad when they announced they had to head down to live in Seattle and move away from their home here in Bellingham and leave behind all of those of us Bellingham people that adore them so much - but they come back to visit once in a while and I want to make sure to include Nico in this Buy Local blog because she may live in Seattle now...but she IS BELLINGHAM.

Here are some samples of her work.

You can see more on her website.

(Lund Family...please let us know when you visit Bellingham. We miss you!)

JplusMdesign - Buy Local Bellingham

Meet Morgan and JJ. They are two very creative and artistic people living here in our little community who have a few business adventures they are embarking on and this is one of them!

If you send them a photo of your cute little baby, your puppy, your favorite hot rod, your Grandparent's wedding day, your favorite flowers...well...just about anything - they will turn it into some fun hand painted pop art for you!

You can find their shop on Etsy HERE - where you can have them make a custom order from your own photograph or you can browse through their "Still life" paintings and see if anything catches your eye or gives you inspiration!

Check out their shop and remember them when you start searching for the perfect gift for birthdays and holidays!

Here are a few samples of their work.

Fruitloopgirl • Shari Gapp • Buy Local Bellingham

This busy Mom makes some pretty cool stuff! Ranging from hats and cup cozies to photo cards and more! Take a look at her Etsy Shop and see if anything catches your eye!

If you have something specific you are interested in but its not in the color you want - please contact her and she will do her best to create something that fits your personal tastes!

Here are a few samples of her creations!

CozyWozyBaby • Buy Local Bellingham

Local Mom and small business owner Jessica - makes beautiful "Cozy Wozy" baby blankets and fun items for baby showers! If you are expecting or know someone that is - please make sure to check out her local business and online shop before running to the mall to find that perfect snuggly blankie that will no doubt be loved well into adulthood (secretly of course.)

Shop and contact information:

Email: askaboutcozy@gmail.com

Online Shop

Find her on Facebook

A Little Knitty • Jen Reeves • Buy Local Bellingham

This awesome Momma makes beautiful and adorable knitted hats and other knitted things on top of being super FUN and she also looks pretty darn amazing with a mustache!

Jen Reeves loves to knit in her "Me" time when the kids are sleeping and she creates some wonderful items that you might be interested in. Take a look at her Etsy store and check out her Facebook page to see her newest items and browse her stock of merchandise for sale.

I bet if you ask...she will even make you something specific with colors of your choosing!

Here are a few samples of her craft:

Sea And Cake • Jewelry • Buy Local Bellingham

Another talented local Momma who makes jewelry! Stephanie has a cute little Etsy shop named "Sea and Cake" and this is what she says about her creations:

"Whimsical, pretty, unfussy hand crafted jewelry made with beautifully colored semi precious stones and pretty 14K gold or sterling silver chain"

Take a look at her Etsy Shop

Check her out on Facebook

Farmer Bens • Buy Local Bellingham

We are a 6th generation farm in Whatcom County, Washington focused on pasture raised beef, pork and chicken products that are antibiotic-free, chemical-free and grass fed.

Please visit their website

Find them on Facebook

Natural Mystik Mama • Buy Local Bellingham

Locally upcycled products with a bit of whimsy, fun and lots of great colors to make sure you keep smiling even in the dark dreary Pacific Northwest winter weather!

Check out her Etsy Shop

Doula David • Birth, Foster & Adoption Support • Buy Local Bellingham

This past summer one of my clients had her second baby boy and invited her birth support team to join us for his newborn photos and I finally got to meet the amazing "David" she had been boasting about!

David not only works with women giving birth, but he also supports those who are fostering or adopting children who may need a little help and guidance as they embark on a journey such as this.

If you are also interested in learning about placenta encapsulation and preparation, give David a call! He has helped many Momma's out there to find what works best for them!

Check out his website and give him a call!

Kelly's Homemade Goodies • Buy Local Bellingham

Custom made cloth wipes, mei tais, momma cloth and more!

Please check out her facebook page for more information!

Organics Lawn & Garden • Buy Local Bellingham

Organics Lawn and Garden. Holiday Special!
Give the mower and your back a break come Spring!
10 comprehensive Mows! up to 3/4 Acre for $165.00 if purchased in the month of December.

Thats $16.50 a visit, more than 50% off!
Includes presentation gift certificate.

Organics Lawn and Garden
360-325-2240
www.organicslg.com