| November 2008 |
Vol 2,
Issue 11
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| Dear Stacy, |
The weather has
certainly taken a turn! I think the most dramatic
changes to the world around us happen in October.
In a matter of 30 days we can move from days
filled with warm sunshine - to crisp, cool
evenings prompting beautiful color changes in the
leaves - to large storms often giving a glimpse of
the winter months that lie ahead.
The photo
above was captured on October 26 at the
beach at Grand Haven, Michigan. That day was a
smorgasbord of typical Great Lakes weather - sun,
wind, rain, lightning, thunder, hail and yes, even
a rainbow at one point! Despite being exfoliated
by blowing sand and getting pelted with hail, I
think the resulting photos were very worth
enduring the rather harsh conditions.
Congratulations to Pam
Grady, who works in the Digestive Diseases
Research Department of the Lemmen-Holton Cancer
Pavilion - she won a FREE 8x10 print for stopping
by my table at the Specialty Shop on October
22nd! Pam commented, "I am so excited that I
won the drawing for one of your prints! I have
been off work with the flu, but I was checking my
email at home and read the great news. I have been
looking at your site and I'm totally confused
because I love every single one of
them."
You could win a print
too! Either stop by one of my
sales events and fill out an entry slip - or
forward this email to a friend
who appreciates photography and the outdoors. Each
month I randomly select from the subscribers who
have forwarded the eNews. Please play fair -
however - no one likes to receive unwanted
email... |
| What Kind of
Camera? |
 This
week, I received an email from a subscriber who is
moving on from her film camera and considering
digital. Her question is a frequent one when
people visit my shows... "What camera do you
have?" or "What sort of camera should I buy?"
Well - there is not a one-size-fits all
solution to this inquiry. There are many, many
choices out there for equipment. I told her first
to consider what type of photography she enjoyed
doing. Buying a camera is quite a personal
decision, and you have to figure out what you want
out of your photos. Would you like to make slide
shows and sharing photos via email? Would you
rather get decent prints for your wall and photo
albums? Do you want to take the path towards
entering competitions and shows? Aspiring to be
the next National Geographic photographer? The
type of work you plan to do will give you a good
place to start thinking about the equipment you'll
need for the task.
Take some time to do a
thorough search. Review cameras online to educate
yourself, and visit a reputable camera store where
you can ask questions from trained staff. I am not
endorsing these sites below in any way - I just
know that if you want to learn more about camera,
they contain a great wealth of information.
visiting these links:
Photo.net: http://photo.net/equipment
Digital Photography
Review: http://dpreview.com
Imaging Resource:
http://www.imaging-resource.com
Neocamera: http://www.neocamera.com
Outdoor
Photographer: http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/gear.html
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| MichiganMoments.com |
If you haven't had an
opportunity to visit - take a moment - literally!
My new site, MichiganMoments.com launched on September
28, and has been very well-received.
 This site is a
different concept than my usual website or my
personal blog of news and events. The
site features one beautiful image from around
Michigan daily. For now, the images are ones I
have captured - but keep your eye on the site
- as other photographers jump on board!
 Looking for
something in particular? A search engine feature
allows you to type in keywords such as
"lighthouse" or "cow" or "water" - so you can find
what you are looking for. At the time of this
writing, there were 35+ images posted in the
archives. Of course, the inventory will grow
larger with each passing day - so remember to
bookmark and come back for visits. You may
subscribe via an RSS feed to be notified of new
images as well.
All of the images
are offered for purchase in a variety of sizes
(from cards to large prints!) via a secure PayPal
transaction - so you can safely use any credit
card or transfer. There will be much more to come
- check back often to enjoy some daily
moments from Michigan.
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| Upcoming
Events |
11.11.2008
Holiday
Bazaar
9am -
4pm
Spectrum
Hospital - Butterworth
100 Michigan
St NE
Rooms 1710 ABC
Grand Rapids,
MI
11.22.2008
Hearts &
Holly Show
8am - 3
pm
Our Lady
of Consolation
4865 11 Mile
Road
Rockford, MI 49341
Phone:
616.866.2427
11.22.2008
Artist
Market
10am -
Noon
Through December
29
M/T/W/F
9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Thursdays
9:00 am - 8:00 pm Saturday
10:00 am - 2:00
pm
NCCA
Artsplace
13 E. Main
Fremont, MI 49412
Phone:
231.924.4022
|
Retail
Locations
|
Frenz
Coffee
4 E. Bridge Street
Rockford, MI
49341
Phone: 616.863.8750
Robinette's Winery
and Art
Gallery
3142 4 Mile Road
NE
Grand
Rapids, MI
Phone:
616.361.7180
the
Specialty Shop
at Lemmen-Holton
Cancer
Pavilion
Mon - Fri:
8:30 am
- 5 pm
145 Michigan
NE
3rd
Floor
Grand Rapids, MI
Phone:
616.486.5910 |
It's
Magic!
|
Hosting a corporate party or
special event? Give your celebration some real
flair!
Now
booking for the upcoming Holiday Season - reserve
your performance
soon!
|
Your Moment is
Here
|
A
daily photographic journey though some scenic
locations throughout the Great Lakes State - from
backyard settings, local parks and our beautiful
lakeshores! | |
|
| Retail Therapy - Finish
Your Holiday Shopping! |
| Need some affordable and
unique holiday items? Support your local
economy by purchasing gifts created by
talented crafters and artists at some
upcoming events!
 My next
show will be at the Spectrum Butterworth
Campus on November 11th (Veteran's
Day). I will be signing prints and
calendars at the annual Holiday
Bazaar, located in Rooms 1710 ABC (located
next to the Gift Shop). Fifteen percent of the
proceeds are entirely donated help to benefit the
Helen DeVos Children's' Hospital
Hematology/Oncology Department. Just think how
good you'll feel shopping wisely - while helping
others at the same time!
On November 22nd, I
will be at Our
Lady of Consolation's Hearts & Holly Bazaar in
Rockford, Michigan. A 30-year tradition,
the annual Arts
& Crafts show at OLC is a wonderful way to
spend the day. Holiday plants for sale along with
food and games for the kids!
Stop by and
say hello at these events - and fill out an entry
slip for a chance to win a FREE 8x10 print.
Meanwhile, beginning November
22 - the Newaygo
County Council for the Arts hosts their annual
Holiday
Marketplace. The Artsplace is at 13 East Main
Street in downtown Fremont, Michigan. The gift
selections feature quality, original pieces
from over 50 artisans. Come shop through December 29,
2008. The NCCA will be offering both my
2009 Michigan Moments calendars - both in desk and
wall size. Stop by and pick up a few for friends,
family and co-workers.
NCCA Artist Market Hours
- Through December 29
M/T/W/F
9:00
am - 5:30 pm
Thursdays
9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Saturday
10:00
am - 2:00 pm
Visit Niedzwiecki Now - my new
online schedule
of events, for more information as
well. |
| Heading Out on a Big
Adventure! |
|
By now,
there's a chance you may have heard about my
biggest news of the year. I was a bit too
excited not to share this with many friends and
family members right away! However, if you haven't
heard this bit of news...
Last week I was
informed I won the Grand Prize in a National
Geographic ADVENTURE magazine contest to
receive two all-access passes to the third annual
Adventurer of the Year Celebration. I was chosen
after submitting a short statement describing a
favorite adventure destination in 150 words or
less.
This means my husband
and I will travel to Washington, D.C. to coincide
with the Adventurer of the Year Celebration in
November. It is really an amazing
coincidence. The contest was open to the general
public (this was not a
photography contest) - and they unknowingly
selected a nature photographer. I've admired the
stories and images featured in National Geographic
since I was a kid. There were just as interesting
then as the new ones published today. Apparently,
folks back then couldn't bear to part with their
back issues either...
What could be more
exciting for a photographer than being at the
National Geographic Headquarters? I'll have chance
to meet with people who have big dreams, huge
ambitions - and actually go on to achieve them.
I'm certain the entire experience will be
fascinating and inspirational.
I admit that
when I first received an email stating I had
won the prize, I was skeptical. I found the
email in my inbox in the evening, so I was awake
most of the night. I had to wait until the
National Geographic offices opened - the next
morning - to call and confirm it was real. This
will be my first trip to Washington, D.C., so
I'm looking forward to the photographic
opportunities the area will offer. My trip
includes four-day, three-night accommodations at
the Madison Hotel and entrance for two to the
event, courtesy of the National Geographic
Society.
Na tional
Geographic ADVENTURE's Adventurer of the Year
Celebration is an annual event that honors those
in the world of adventure whose extraordinary
achievements have expanded our sense of what is
humanly possible, and also salutes the best new
products on the market that have made adventure
sports safer and more fulfilling. The honorees are
selected by National Geographic ADVENTURE's editors and their
Retail Advisory Board.
The event will be
held at the National Geographic Society
headquarters in Washington, D.C. on November 20,
2008. Russ and I will meet explorers from around
the globe and ADVENTURE editors at the
high-profile event honoring the extraordinary
people, landmark achievements, and innovative gear
featured in the "Best of Adventure" year-end
issue. Presented by National Geographic Adventure
magazine and South African Tourism, the Adventurer
of the Year celebration includes video clips from
the winners' adventures in the field, as well as
music, food and entertainment. Raffle prizes
include a trip for two to South Africa, courtesy
of South African Airways and Mountain Travel
Sobek, and many items from the best gear of the
year. Additional sponsors of the event include
Crown Imports, GU, Headsweats, Intrepid Travel,
KHS Bicycles, Nature Valley, Oakley, Petzl,
Redwood Creek, Salomon, Silver Joe's Coffee,
Smartwool, South African Airways,
Yaktrax.
Special appearances at the
event will include previous Adventurer of the Year honoree
Andrew Skurka. In 2007, Skurka hiked the Great
Western Loop in 208 days-a 6,875-mile journey. If
you feel like complaining about being tired -
perhaps you'll feel a bit more motivated if you
read his story at the Andrew
Skurka website.
Stay tuned! Of COURSE
I'm going to have some stories from my
"adventures" to DC posted on my blog and next
eNews upon our return.
Read the
entire press
release...
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| Your Holiday Gift
Solution! |
The holiday
season is coming fast - and here's an
affordable gift idea. A colorful new 2009 Michigan
Moments calendar! They are offered two sizes - a
convenient desk-sized version as well as
a traditional wall-sized calendar.
The Wall
Calendars are 8.5" x 11" in size and are
spiral-bound, printed on Premium, 80 lb. card
stock with a nice, glossy finish. Online they are
$14.95
each plus shipping (unless you'd like to pick
them up from me free of charge). Michigan residents will
have add 6% sales tax to your total
purchase.
The
handy Desktop
Calendars are 8.27" x 3.74" and perfect for
that little spot in your office or home. The
desk-sized calendars are $7.95
each, plus shipping (unless you'd like to pick
them up from me free of charge). Michigan residents will
have add 6% sales tax to your total
purchase.
You may purchase your calendar
right now using the links above. Your order will
be handled via a secure online PayPal transaction.
You don't even need to have a PayPal account to
use PayPal - most credit cards are
accepted.
Of course, I also accept orders via
a check or cash, but please contact me first to make
arrangements. Calendars are also offered
at:
|
Order
Online
and
Receive a
2009 Desk
Calendar! |
Visit my new website www.MichiganMoments.com -
and make a combined total purchase of
at least $35.00 (any size print
or product). You'll receive a FREE 2009
Michigan Moments Desk Calendar with your
order!
Mention you saw this coupon when
using a secure PayPal transaction in the line
marked "Optional Note to Stacy" - or send me an
email to let me know you'd like to use your
coupon.
|
Offer Expires: Midnight on Sunday,
November 30, 2008. Coupon not valid for any other
artist featured at the www.MichiganMoments site. Order
must be for a minimum
of $35 - any combination of prints or products is
acceptable.
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| A Time of
Thanksgiving... |
 This month has been
filled with so much big news and excitement! I
started reflecting on what a wonderful time it's
been. I truly believe YOU are huge part of the
rapid success of my work in the past couple of
years.
My family (especially my husband
Russ) has always been there - supporting all of my
adventures - at times when it wasn't easy to do
so. My friends and neighbors have assisted
when schedules were difficult, and have
offered helping hands at my art shows. Many of you
have provided wonderful encouragement and support
via email and at events. There are others who have
promoted my work and put in a good word for
me where they could. I recently told a close
friend that I am "a sum of all of these parts -
the folks who have been behind me all the way."
So this Thanksgiving - I pause and give
thanks for ALL of my parts!
Happy Birthday wishes
go out to friends Melissa Mead, Jane
Bearinger, Bert DeVries and
our niece Mindy
Niedzwiecki. A special birthday wish for my
son Alex on
his 9th birthday! Condolances to
friend Steve
Hunt on his
40th birthday - so
sorry... Remember, if you'd like - remind
me of an important date so I can include your
special day in the next newsletter!
Many blessings
...Stacy |
Stacy
Niedzwiecki
Creative
Solutions
Web: www.StacyN.com
Current
News: www.StacyN.com/wordpress
Your
Daily Michigan Moment: www.MichiganMoments.com
Look around and
experience the natural beauty surrounding us each
and every day.
You'll be pleasantly surprised
by what you
find!
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