It’s an EntwinedLife

 

Jayme’s first memory is in her grandmother’s garden on the south side of Chicago – a Polish neighborhood where aunt’s, uncle’s and cousins lived in a three-block area.  At a time when immigrants were living the American Dream  and practicing sustainable urban agriculture. Children were allowed to play out side, exploring nature, pristine prairies & using their imagination. We walked to school, crossing railroad tracks and busy streets.

 In the background the sounds – the constant thundering boom – quiet – quiet – boom – of pounding, metal on metal – a steel forge, until the 4:30 pm whistle blew and the men began walking home, silver lunch boxes in hand.  Perhaps with a stop at the corner tap.   Industry still flourished – Pullman cars, farm equipment, automobile parts, refrigerators, washer machines, bomb casings were all in the product mix.  From time to time the scent of the giant unregulated smoke stacks from paint manufacturing and other industry filling the air.

 

Ten years later a moving further south to the charming village of Flossmoor – all around, farm fields were freshly tilled into growing suburbia. 

 When entering Homewood – Flossmoor High School, her award winning high school advisor, Miss Duboir, asked her what she would like to do, Jayme said, “I’d like to be an Architect.”  Miss Dubois, bun pulled tightly on top of head, coolly advised,  “Woman can’t be Architects, anything else?”

 Passionately Jayme shyly offered, “I am interested in Archeology.”  With visions of Egypt, mummies & pyramids, swirling in her head.

 Without missing a beat, Miss Dubois lips tight in a lecturing tone, “There is nothing in High School related to Archeology.  Do you have any hobbies?”  

 Another dream dashed, Jayme respectfully said, “ I have been sewing since I was ten.”

 Miss Dubois, glancing at her watch said, “So we’ll put you in Home Ec!”  Jayme and her Mom were shown the door… deal sealed.

 

In an interview years later, Jayme recounted the story adding, “This was the late ‘60’s for goodness sake! If only the Internet had been invented!  Or had I known about Gloria Steinem, but Ms. Magazine wouldn’t debut for another 2 years.  My sister Susan & I had been Vogue & Seventeen magazine subscribers for several years. My Mom always encouraged us by saying, “You can be anything you want to be!”   We both had dreams that were dashed by “Professionals.”

 

At the University of Dayton – Jayme was directed to a “new” Inter-disciplinary Degree – BGS – Bachelor of General Studies… Which meant ‘testing out’ of lower courses and getting to the meat of three ‘disciplines’ or majors – she chose – Business Marketing, Fine Art and Textiles.

 

Moving to New York City, she quickly landed a position as a Marketing assistant in the Headquarters of a North Carolina Textile Company and traveled the US giving fashion shows as well as TV and radio interviews.  She went on to work at several large textile corporations over a decade as a fashion merchandising stylist and fashion director – earning a living shopping the Market, directing color lines and fabrications.   Traveling internationally presenting trends at client meetings & textile shows.

 

At the birth of the North Carolina Film Industry, Jayme was recruited to move to Wilmington, N. C. where friends were building a Motion Picture Studio – North Carolina Film Studios, (later called DEG Film Studios. Today the studios, now owned by Screen Gems, are busier than ever.)

 In order to learn the business from behind the scenes, Jayme work on several films as an assistant costume designer & wardrobe supervisor – working with master technicians and craftsmen from Europe & L.A.   She then became the Associate Studio Manager acting as an ombudsman with state & local officials, negotiating contracts with production companies, and as the media point person. A much sought after speaker on the Film Industry in North Carolina.  Setting up a ‘Paid” Internship program through several colleges – several of the interns went on to be directors and producers.  In the first few years the Studios were home to 50 plus productions and listed at the #3 in production in the US.

 During her Wilmington years, Jayme was honored to serve:

–         On the first NC Legislative Committee.

–         Cape Fear Coast Convention & Tourism Bureau (county appointment)

–         St. John’s Museum of Art – (now Cameron Art Museum) Board of Directors

–         Historic Wilmington Foundation – Board of Directors

o       Chaired the First two Azalea Festival Historic Homes Tours

–         North Carolina Azalea Festival – Publicity chair – 2 years

 

Bitten by the Bug –

 While visiting Monet’s garden at Giverny, France, Jayme was bitten by the gardening bug. 

In a lifelong quest for knowledge, Jayme has expanded her EntwinedLife and love of gardening & nature by becoming

–         A NC Certified Environmental Educator

–         Spent a decade as a Wake County Master Gardener Volunteer – creating Blue Ribbon winning demonstration gardens, and the Water – Wise Gardens at the State Fair Grounds and Lake Crabtree Park. An active member of the Speakers Bureau, giving lectures to garden clubs on numerous topics. She also served on and chaired the advisory committee.

–         Since 2000 has volunteered with the Border Babes – maintaining the Mixed Border at the JC Raulston Arboretum & learning about plants & propagation from this rich botanical community.

–         Entwined Gardens was selected to be on the 2009 Garden Conservancy ‘Open Days’ Tour

–    Currently serves as the Garden Conservancy Regional Representative

Jayme has created gardens in Paris, France; Senglia, Malta; Cape Cod, Mass; Lancaster, Ohio; and Wilmington, Raleigh, Wake Forest, North Carolina.

 

Currently Jayme gardens with butterflies & hummingbirds, deer, 1 dogs, 2 cats and her husband – Renaissance man – Phil – on 6 acres – Entwined Gardens – in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

Together they have built their home and Entwined Life

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