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Stella Jane
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stellajane@gardener.com
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Life
Skills Resume and Tools Inventory |
Animal
Care & Breeding
Animal Training
Beadwork
Book Production
Building Design
Building Construction
Canning
Child care, education
Child care, experience
Cooking, Commercial
Cooking, Gourmet to Survival
Consulting
Dehydrating
Drum & Rattle
Making
Fencing,
Design/Construction
Freezing
Gardening
Greenhouse Construction
Homemaking
Inventions, Patented/Disclosed |
Leather Work
Medical/Nutritional Intuitive
Mothering, Foster Care
Mothering, Nutritional
Office, Organize/Account
People Skills, Interviewing
People Skills, Team Building
Repairs, Clothing
Repairs,
Tools & Equipment
Rug Making
Sewing, Clothing
Sewing, Commercial
Sewing, Tents
Sewing, Harness/Equipment
Staging land/building development
Tanning & Hide
Uses
Teaching
Writing, Professional
Writing, Children's Books |
Some spiritual aspects.....
Spiritual studies
include but are not limited to : Animal languages, Art, Beadwork, Child
care, Community Living, Face Painting (1966 era) Intuitive Readings,
Midwifery, Mothering, Sundances, Sweat Lodges, Tepee Meetings,
Visionary Storytelling and Zen Meditation/Observation.
The material listings are expanded in the following pages, and also
contain some expressions of opinions/ attitudes/ consciousness regarding
the subjects.
Please contact me if you have enhanced information or wish to express
yourself.
New thought/information is always a good topic for an interesting
conversation.
© 2001 |
This
Lifeskills Resume was originally written as a presentation for who
I am and what benefits I could bring to community life. Consultations
are available to any person or group asking.
Animal
Care & Breeding
Raised
animals since age of 5 starting with a pet goat, then a pony
age 7. Rode daily and taught beginner riding at a stable by
age 13. Extensive care of many horses, trail riding, tack & harness care/repair.
Animal midwifery with cows, goats, from age 14. Past 22 years, worked
mainly with rabbits, sheep and poultry, including turkeys, ducks, geese,
egg &
meat chickens. All aspects of care including the incubation of eggs
and successful raising of years of young stock. Dogs were used for
farm predator control: dog care and training, whelping & raising
stock for service purposes.Rabbit stock available, Satin meat type rabbits only.
Tools: Incubator
(40 egg), rabbit cages, transporters, automatic watering systems.
top
Animal Training
Pulling animals, such as ponies, donkeys, small horses, can be outfitted
and trained. A pony with an acre of grass costs less to feed per year
than a housecat, and could be used daily for cart work, plus being
used for children's balancing and educational work.
Dogs can be kept on runs for specific garden management, ie border
patrol on 50 foot runs. Taught many dogs to hunt and kill rodents on
command, rout raccoons and possum, deer, all the while not disturbing
the rabbits or poultry at all. Breed selection is of major importance
here. top
Beadworking
While not a supportive
skill, beadworking is good for supplemental income especially during
winter months. Have taught hundreds of people
"Beading Basics" and six other formal classes. References
available for Native American Restoration work, and also antique repairs
of all kinds, especially purses and clothing. Present output is mainly
barrettes. These classes could be marketed locally.
Tools: All types needed, including personal supplies
of size 11 seed beads.
top
Book Publishing
Adept at presentation of words and pictures to serve a function, whether
it be a Garage Sale flyer or a serious book. Worked in a print shop
that published government pamphlets before living on The Farm, and
spent nearly ten years at Book Publishing Company as office manager
during the conception and publication of many books.
top
Building Design/Construction
First experiences
with animal housing. Later, my family restored a 130 year old home
with 18 rooms, located one hour from New York City. While living
in community in upstate NY, more restoration and interior improvement
work. Living in a large community, married to a builder, many designs
of multi-family homes were built, including "fast" housing
with tents, most using my leak proof tent windows. Can design an efficient
small home to fit any terrain and accommodate the inhabitants needs.
Using 16 Army tents and 2 months of volunteer labor, I engineered and
executed the covering of a large frame, which was used for a community
building. Recent work includes a practical design from a dream, for
a very efficient multi-family community home.
Basic
knowledge includes framing, insulation, sheet rock, texturing
ceilings, window repair and glass cutting, painting & estimation,
table saw, skill saw, chain saw use. Experienced in instruction
and guidance of unskilled young people. Supervised a woman's
daily labor work crew.
Tools: Mostly
basic household, plus skill saw, small electric chain saw.
top
Canning
Working with my Mom canning peaches is one of my first work memories.
All types of canning experience, over thirty years, including personal
recipes for pickles, relishes and specialty jams.
Latest work is very low sugar canning of fruit, which tastes more
like eating the fruit fresh than like eating jam. Experience with canning
on wood and coal burning cook stoves -- really hot! Not recommended.
Tools: Pressure
canner, several waterbathers, all small tools. Hundreds of quarts
and pints in good condition. Recipe books. Enthusiasm!!
top
Child care, education
In June 2002, I
completed 15.5 units in Early Childhood Education at Santa Rosa Junior
College. All additional requirements have already been met, so I
have an Associate Teacher Certification in Early Childhood Education
from the State of California. top
Child care, experience
Eldest of eight
children, extensive child care and foster care experience. At age
37, fertility surgery allowed the birth of two daughters, presently
age 25 and 22. Two years experience in Headstart and state-run daycare
as a substitute in numerous facilities in Sonoma County, California.
Have worked in daycare facilities, ages 3-5 yrs. Also some experience
cooking for children in these same facilities.
top |
Cooking, Commercial
Cooking in commercial
quantities was done especially in the large community where only
a few people supervised the boiler and steam kettles. My personal
work involved production of masa for corn tortillas and tamales,
as well as helping with vegetable and fruit canning. Planning and
successful feeding of up to 100 people at a time, sometimes in extremely
primitive settings.
top
Cooking, Gourmet to Survival
Superior
skills in nourishing the sick, young or aged. Vegan cooking
available, fifteen years experience and pioneer work in soybean
and tofu cookery. Current work in production of ecologically
sound protein from animal sources. Interested in fish farming.
Have constructed kitchens that resisted animal s and weather
and remained serviceable for six months, using a sheet of plastic,
string, wire and a hatchet to cut saplings. Currently, I'd
prefer an industrial kitchen in community, where I could teach
canning and cooking….see canning section.
top
Consulting
If
you have a group, a business or non-profit organization that
would benefit from any of these lifeskills that are offered
here, I can consult with you about how you would like it presented,
or teach you how to offer it to others. For example, a solar
panel company might like to have fabric building skills, and
offer people fabric storage units that use the solar panels
for a roof. Someone who does vision quests might like to learn
how to make feather fans for blessing with sage, or how to
make rattles and drums, and teach that to the vision quest
groups. Certainly this is a more complex understanding than
just the "how
to" of the material explanation, which is all you can do in a
one-time drum making class. A person running a daycare might want to
learn "foods kids love" and how to let children learn
cooking. I offer phone consultation for determining the parameters
of the job, and there is no charge for the first 30 minutes,
during which time we establish what is needed and the length
of time for the work, and the terms of payment. So don't hesitate
to call and talk, sometimes making the connection and talking
about the need makes the solution become much more obvious.
top
Dehydrating
Dehydrating and
its subsequent storage of dried foods is a complex and subtle study.
I have built dehydrators, and visited large drying sheds. My most
successful products came from the small commercially made one I still
use. Good storage can create great value with food that would otherwise
go to waste.
top
Drum & Rattle
Making
Made and sold drums
and rattles at powwows and to individuals for over ten years in northern
California. Taught many people the "tricks
of the trade" which is quite a list of skills and pointers. The
following is excerpted from a care paper that I give with each item:
Drums & stitched rattles are made of
rawhide, which is usually deer, elk or cattle hide which has not be
cured. ....That means it dries hard and will stay hard if no water
or high humidity gets on the item. Some drums have a "sweet spot" which
sounds better than any other place on the drum surface! .... Rattles
are very individual, and may sound loud with one kind of shaking and
very soft with others. Some rattles are "trancing" rattles
and only sound as soft whispers, while others can accompany drums
with a clear hard sound.
© 2001 About Drums & Rattles
Box 833, Sebastopol, CA 95473
Tools: All
small tools needed to do hide work. Wooden frames would need to be
produced by other community members with woodshop skills, from specifications.
top
Fencing,
Design and Construction
Fencing among the
most important skills of the farmer. It creates vertical space, windbreaks,
protected growth sectors and more, plus serves as control measures
for humans as well as animals. Properly placed fencing can enrich
land from animal manure and it can protect settlements from wildlife
encroachment, all the while serving the above purposes. Gate design,
construction and placement is another important factor.
top
Freezing
Freezers are very
useful if properly used, especially for storing meats, finished pie
fillings and freezer jams, which are mainly fresh fruit, uncooked
and high in food value. Like dehydrating, the skills involved are
subtle and take years to determine without guidance.
top
Gardening /Greenhouse Construction
Thirty years continuous
gardening, from private one family to huge fields in the larger community
setting, and recently over a dozen years of high production container
gardening using rabbit manure. A complex system which combines water
collection, solar panels, drip irrigation and more is the subject
of an invention disclosure made to my patent attorney and a potential
development project for any community once my residence became established.
top
Homemaking
The
layout, sanitation and management of one's home is often simply
considered a person's private business in today's dominant
culture and supplanted by shopping. This neglected skill can
determine much of a person's ability to participate in their
job or community. At a minimum, it can put a severe crimp in
the social and emotional health of the individual and the family.
My family of origin had eight children and time/skills/sanitation
were important aspects of life, taught by a mother with a degree
in Home Economics. Our high schools in the US need to be upgraded
to teach life management skills, and especially when persons
are new to rural living, or "off the grid" living,
a short course in skills could ease the adjustment for many people
who are living in community for the first time.
top |
Inventions, Patented/Disclosed
As I hold a patent
from the United States Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) I can officially
call myself an inventor. However, I usually wish this information
to be kept confidential, as it can cause disruption in my personal
life. There are many smaller inventions which I am quite interested
in getting to the marketplace, and several major and minor ones which
pertain to Permaculture, gardening, greenhouses, drip irrigation,
and animal management. These last could possibly be contracted for
development to another organization or to specific individuals in order
to work in unison with myself, obtain patents, and establish lucrative
ventures. One major invention, which specifically relates to agricultural/ecological
inventions mentioned above has already been documented and disclosed
to a patent attorney in California.
top
Leather Work
Although there certainly is value in using plant-based products, there
are also good reasons to use various items of quality leather. Most
personal items of clothing, including shoes, hats and handbags become
landfill after a very short period. The community could develop skills
to produce quality items which would be serviceable and reduce costs,
as these would last far longer.
Although I do not have a free arm or walking foot machine, a shoemaking
setup would be a very economical move, and these same machines would
improve on the bags and harness I can make at present.
Tools: Many small tools, including heavy shears, hand-stitching
awls and punches.
CONSEW straight-stitch industrial table machine, with continuous bobbin
filling and knee-lift.
top
Medical/Nutritional Intuitive
Until
the term "medical
intuitive" came into being, I called
my particular skill "skin reading" as apparently I see something
of what a person's body could use or needs, and then I prepare that
food for the person, teaching them how to and why for their own personal
well-being. When living in groups of people, I find my cooking is guided
by the specific physical needs of the group, whether or not any formal
consultation happens. General translation of this "social skill" is
that everyone loves my cooking.
top
Mothering, Foster Care, Nutritional
Mothering, foster
care, daycare, child development and nutrition are aspects of human
life whose importance cannot be underestimated in the world or in
our small world of community life. When the community fails to value
these aspects, it should be aware that the effects are somewhat like
those of a credit card. These items will be paid, and the interest
rates will add a considerable amount to the debt. That said, most
aspects of community life should prepare to have children in or near
the workplace. Certainly community centers should include a child
care area. Homes built would be wise to consider their future inhabitants
instead of only the present ones, especially in terms of safety issues.
These safety issues apply both to the children and to the aging members
of the community. A simple example would be that of making narrow
steep stairs when easy stairs or ramped walkways would make the use
of the home more universal.
top
Office, Organize/Account
Previous to and
during living in community, I have held office positions where management,
organization and inventory/production accountability were major aspects
of my responsibility. Systems design and the development of forms
to enhance the efficiency of the flow of information help improve
almost any job site. When it is a publishing concern, which is where
most of my work was centered, these aspects are truly essential.
In the Farm Community Book Publishing Company, the job that I started
in when the company was small was being done by 23 people when I left.
Balancing the checkbooks and issuing monthly reports such as income/
expense, paying sales tax and doing inventory control were other tasks.
I'm willing to do this type of work as a part of a community, not as
an employee working for a corporation.
top
People Skills, Interviewing/ Team Building
The
job skills listed under "office" also extended to
hiring and training help for all aspects of the work. While
in community, often the tasks of organization and inspiration
were searching for focus. At worst, I was often appointed for
tasks that no one else took on, and at best, I provided a standard
for quality and stamina. As nature provided me with abundant
physical energy, so time and aging have taught me organization
and improved my team building skills. Hopefully, these will
all be utilized for the benefit of any future community efforts.
top
Repairs, Clothing/ Tools/ Equipment
Dry cleaning establishments
have sent clothing repairs to me, paid by the specific task. Friends
have shipped me their mending from out of town! Free estimates, quick
and sturdy work have been the basis for my sewing repair services.
Some specialties are replacement of zippers in jackets, blue jeans,
and motorcycle leathers and bags. Tools and equipment repairs have
mostly been random items such as tractor seats, RV window cover replacements,
tool belt repairs, knife sheaths, arrow quivers, belts, harness,
saddle and blanket repairs for horses or other stock, etc.
top
Rug Making
Rug making, done
by crocheting with a very large hook, has produced some very practical
and beautiful rugs. These rugs are made of heavy polyester fabrics,
sometimes used polyester suits, and this gives an excellent product
from recycled material. Some rugs made in 1976 - 1979 retain their
original color, appearance and use over twenty-five years later.
Heavy shears, a large crochet hook and time are all that is needed.
top
Sewing, Clothing/ Commercial
Using the industrial
serger, a tee shirt can be constructed in less than ten minutes.
A hemp clothing/ items business could be developed for local or mail
order distribution. All clothing with the exception of blue jeans
and denim jackets can be made with the machines I have. Quilts, pillows,
blankets and upholstery, curtains, potholders and aprons, seat covers,
tablecloths, wall hangings... this list could fill up pages with
items that are useful in any community. Cleverly done specific items
can be made for sale in the area, creating a cottage industry. An
additional aspect is the commercial side: making a shop to take in
sewing work for cash. Even though there is much export of jobs in
this industry, the south is still the center of fabric production
in the USA and some clothing manufacturers take pride in manufacturing
in this country. Especially with the hemp clothing business, work of
this kind could be found by use of the Internet.
top
Sewing, Tents/ Tarps/ Awnings
An excellent method
for getting a roof over the head of each member of a community is
using Army tents. Whole ones sized 16x32 and designed to stand with
a floor can be opened up to make a 32x24 peak roof over loosely framed
walls. Partial tents or any type of siding can be used for the walls,
and held in place with slab from a sawmill. This housing can be laid
out to have four bedrooms and a large open common space. Army tents
come with a stovepipe hole in each end, near the peak. Even small
pieces of canvas can be used to add a "mud room" to
store damp jackets, boots and keep firewood dry. Tents are not buildings,
no permits required. However, one cannot install plumbing and kitchens,
but fabric building works great with a community kitchen and bathhouse.
White polyester is much more expensive but lasts longer than Army tents.
Tools: The CONSEW Industrial can hem, join or create
any type of canvas item, including yurts and tepees. Adding Barge Cement
to some seams makes them hold better.
Inserting
rope in the edges makes joining much stronger than "grommet"
work.
top
Staging land / building development
Failing
to have solid agreements about beginning a building or a community
can have some unintended consequences. Example: Someone parks
a large vehicle near the site of the "soon to be" community center.
Then someone else shows up with a load of large beams….well,
got to unload them now, so the beams go in the flat land "over
there" which turns out to be the site of the Spring garden. The
community center gets moved to second place behind the more needed
community bathhouse and laundry center, and it's years before the best
garden spot gets uncovered again. Often times the strong voices prevail,
and yes we need those with the drive to do, but an overview from a "non
resident" can be helpful in preventing "energy knots".
Once the majority are on the same page, it's easier. Even if your community
is starting with "owners" or "leaders" or a core
group" it can benefit from an independent consultation.
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Tanning & Hide
Uses
A child 1 - 18 yrs. may grow through dozens of lightweight nylon or
polyester blend jackets and vests, and often these are stained or ripped
and are not reused, so end up as landfill. Rabbit fur jackets will
last through several children, and later can be patched onto felt to
make bedroom rugs. When finally worn out, either the dogs will eat
them or they will biodegrade while serving the purpose of protecting
fruit trees. Line the hole with the fur turned out. Moles and gophers
do not like to chew through fur of any kind.
There are dozens
of uses for large pieces of leather, especially covering couches
or any communal furniture. Leather can be wiped clean and does not
harbor dirt, parasites or germs, unlike fabric. Simple leather aprons
protect the main part of the body when doing woodwork or using any
kind of wood treatment chemicals, unlike fabric, leather does not
absorb fluids if conditioned properly, and it allows the skin to breathe
and cool, which rubber and plastic aprons do not.
top
Teaching
As eldest of eight
children, I got started early in teaching others important life skills
and creative crafts. As an adult, I have hired and trained crews
for office work, taught sewing, leather work, hide tanning, drum
and rattle making, canning and freezing and numerous other homemaking
skills, rug making, care and training of a variety of animals, and
an established set of seven classes in seed beadwork.
top
Writing, Professional
When there is a
large group beginning together in a community, a personnel department
is not a bad idea. Often those who practice a profession know so
much about it that they cannot see how to present the information
to others. An interviewer with a comprehensive form sheet can get lots
of information and a good technical writer can explain the current
condition, needs and potential production of each area/workplace or
industry of the corporation or community, and compile quarterly or
semi-annual reports. This keeps the community connected and its outside
supporters in good touch with each other. Writing, which can be done
without emotional content, can also assist with internal communication
as well, giving a logical progression without the interpersonal challenges
that happens from social /emotional feelings.
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Writing, Children's Books
As of this writing,
I have six children's books written and one of this group is the
first in a series of books giving a story setting with an explanation
of an aspect of nutrition. After the story, recipes and nutritional
information are presented to help the parent give the child the food
in a more appealing style. I hope to publish all of these books in
both English and Spanish, with a little CD inside the cover so that
the story can be "read" to the child even if
parents don't have hands free. In California, over 50% in grade school
are native Spanish speakers, projected at 70% by 2010. If desired,
with all the connections from Permaculture, translations could be made
into other languages.
The importance of both nutrition and reading to children cannot be
overestimated. Early Childhood Development stresses that the information
processing channels of the brain do not develop without repeated stimulation
and well-balanced nutrition. The truth is that humans are born with
potential, but it must be developed. This needs to be communicated,
taught in our communities and accurately portrayed to as wide an audience
as possible.
No part of this
Life Skills Resume may be reproduced for private or commercial use
without specific permission in writing from the author.
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© 2002
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