In keeping with my attempt to post more often...

...here I am.

I've been trying to find time to just sit down & work on jewelry as my Etsy shop is pretty bare-bones at the moment. It's tough to find more than about two minutes at a stretch to sit down & concentrate on anything with a toddler in the house, and some days with TWO toddlers in the house. Add to this the fact, as many who may know me or follow this blog are aware, that I'm a procrastinator....and well, it can get ugly. Lol. I hate the fact that I'm a procrastinator. I really do. And I try really hard most days to overcome that thing about myself that drives me batty. It's a constant struggle for me, that's for certain.

I did actually manage this morning to get my torch out...and some brass pieces that I need to work on. Now just to wait for the toddlers to take their nap so I can sneak out back to work for a bit before they wake up. LOL.

Now on to cheerier news....Lol. I hate the USPS. I really think I do. I mean, I realize full-well that they handle billions of pieces of mail on a daily basis. But WHY, oh WHY, does it always have to be MY mail that they lose? Sigggggghhhhhhh..... I mailed a set of VERY one-of-a-kind earrings that I created to a client mid-January, I just adored these earrings, so did she... You guessed it. They STILL haven't arrived. These were created from vintage (as in 1920's-1930's era) glass gems & brass filigree & were quite lovely. Sigggggghhhhh. When will I learn to listen to my gut? I haven't insured much of anything going through the mail for quite awhile now, unless it is something that is more than about $50, as I'd actually been having really good luck & no missing packages for a long stretch now. But as I stood in line that day, a little voice kept telling me I'd better insure that package...but I didn't. Grrrrrr. While insurance wouldn't have actually insured that they ARRIVED, it would have at least paid for the costs for my materials.

Well, I suppose I should go get the munchkins down for their morning nap so I can get outside & get to work.

Stay tuned...and thanks to those who actually come out here to read my random & often, I'm sure, incoherent ramblings. Lol.

I feel as if a veil has been lifted...

As those of you who occasionally peek in on my blog may remember, I posted a picture that I mentioned has haunted me from the very first time I laid eyes on it...I had no idea where the picture was taken, the caption simply said Scotland, although I felt like it looked more like Ireland.

Well, I feel like a veil has been lifted & I absolutely got goosebumps this morning to find out that the picture is of the Cliff of Maher on the west coast of Ireland. The cliffs are in County Clare just north of River Shannon.

There have been many things moving in my life ever since I had my reading done, and this is just one more piece to the puzzle it feels. Especially since I am of Irish heritage, though much of my family history has been lost I fear. I've tried off & on for several years to find information regarding my grandfather & his parents, but always come up with dead ends.

So... I finally broke down & did it...

I had a past life reading done.

Now, there are those who will think I'm nuts...and that's fine. Won't be the first time, certainly won't be the last, I'm sure. There are those who believe in this kind of thing wholeheartedly, and those who believe it's nothing but utter hogwash. All I can say is that I was floored at the clarity this gave me. The way it explained a lot of things about me, and a lot of my fears, & deep-rooted feelings I have about a lot of things.

I typed up an email for a friend who asked me about it, and I've just copied and pasted it here since I'm too lazy to retype it all. Lol.

So, here goes.



I have a very firm belief in past lives. I always have, even being raised in a Christian home I always believed that we go round way more than once. I'm just very open to other possibilities than what mainstream religion teaches, I guess.

For as long as I can remember, I have absolutely KNOWN that I will die, alone, by being impaled in some fashion, and that I won't live to be old. I have felt this in every fiber of my being ever since I can remember. It has terrified me all my life. I am not afraid to die, I do not fear what's on the other side, I only fear HOW I will die. I've never shared any of this with anyone other than my husband.

Well, I have a friend who is clairvoyant. She does readings for people, both psychic & tarot. For awhile I've wanted her to do a past life reading for me, but have never asked her to. I don't really know why, I just have felt odd approaching her about it. I've had a recurring dream for YEARS that has recently really started coming to me quite often, so I finally asked J to read for me.

Keep in mind, she is adamant about you being completely vague about what you are after when you come to her for a reading. She wants no details at all so that it doesn't hinder the reading.

There were a few things I was curious about & I really wanted to see where this would go...and to see if any of these overwhelmingly strong feelings I have about certain facets of myself had any grounding in previous existences I may have lived....

1) Obviously, the death by being impaled & not living to be old was first and foremost... was this residual memory from a traumatic experience in a previous life?

2) I have always felt deep inside that I am a very strong - warrior like, if you will - woman. Where does this come from? I've always felt very feminine, but very strong...and have absolutely no doubt in my mind that should my life or the life of a loved one be in danger I could kill without a second's hesitation.

3) I have always felt pulled towards homeopathic healing, herbs,and all things mystical & magickal...etc.

4) I am absolutely fascinated with anything medieval, knights, heavy war horses, castles, etc. I also feel a VERY inordinate pull towards Scotland & Ireland...I am also fascinated with Friesian horses, extremely so...along with all of the other baroque breeds.

5) My father died when I was 12 & I was curious to see if he's around me at all.

6) I feel a very strong pull to the horse cultures of the Saromations & Sauromations, they fascinate me. Along with the Mongols & the people of the Asian steppes.

Well, again, I told J NONE of this, not even any hints at anything. She used a ring I wear all the time as a means to 'find' me.

The first thing that came to her was that my spirit guide & my guardians were insistent that I do not listen to them....that I am in a constant buzz & flurry of activity...to the point of it being unhealthy & me being overwhelmed & feeling like I am about to have a nervous breakdown. She was dead on. She said they were showing her me, with a collar around my neck & all these chains running out & attached to my house...which is dead on. I feel tied down & unable to take care of MYSELF because I'm always taking care of my home, those who occupy it, & all of those around me with no time for myself. She said I was surrounded by ravens, which was no surprise to me as they are absoluteyly everywhere I go. Sometimes to the point that I feel like they are right in my face. I've always felt drawn to them, a kinship I suppose. She said that they were trying to tell me that I could have some of the same freedom that they do if I would just take it. Just slow down, take care of myself, and let myself fly. They say it is time to break the chains that I allow to keep me tied down and to soar. Again, none of this is anything I've ever shared with her before. Any of it.

She said my spirit guide is with me all the time. According to her, this is kind of uncommon. She says that spirit guides usually have many, many people that they take care of, that they are there when you need them most. She said mine is a woman, quite tall, way taller than me even, with long hair. She is my constant companion & constantly tries to get me to slow down & take care of myself, but that I don't listen.

The next thing she saw was a woman in a long robe, she said she got a very druidic vibe, but she wasn't positive exactly what the path was. And a long very ornate dagger in a very ornate sheath. Not a sword, but a long dagger...then she paused & said she saw someone tied to a tree. There were others there, but she couldn't see them. I asked if I was the one tied to the tree...and she said yes. Then she TOLD ME I had been having frequent chest pains for about the last year (she was absolutely correct), but maybe not as frequently in recent months. Again, dead on. She then told me that she was getting a very vibrant green glow off of me, particularly my hands...she said I had been a healer. That I had the 'touch'. My hands were tied behind my back & I was tied to a tree. The others were there to do me harm...and one of them stabbed me in the chest. I was killed for my beliefs by those who were doing the bidding of the early church. Then they left me there tied to this tree still alive, to bleed out, alone. Then she told me that the fear I have of being alone (which I've never told her before) stems from that...from dying there alone. It is residual trauma carried over & over & over into subsequent lives that the soul has trouble letting go of.

She said the frequent chest pains this past year were because I died at this age in my previous life. So, basically, I died by being impaled, and I did not live to be an old woman. That absolutely made me feel like, for once, that my fears weren't unfounded. But that they weren't fears I should hold for this life. She told me that there is a Crone who stays with me. She was a teacher or mentor for me in that life. And when I feel those pains in my chest she always pats at them & tells me that it will be alright. Once again, J was dead on as I always get this very faint fluttering sensastion over my chest whenever I've had these pains in the past. J said the Crone is quite old, wears a green mantle & has a gnarled walking stick...very high cheekbones, crinkled eyes, and a long straight nose. She said she is very old, but is very beautiful.

Then she saw me covered in deep blue tattoos or body paint...even my face. Beautiful, swirling, almost celtic in design. Long curly red hair, tied back. I am a fighter, and a good one. Very tall, slender, but muscular, quite agile. My favorite weapon is the staff...I love the feel of the wood shaft in my hands. I am a runner. I can run for miles & miles without stopping. She told me I liked to wear very little, or nothing, when I fought.

When J saw all the beautiful blue tatoos.... she had her eyes closed & her head down & she said... "In particular...you have this gorgeous one on your back, in between your shoulder blades."

The crazy thing about that is that I've been contemplating a tatoo for a very, very long time. Most recently I've decided that I want to get one, of all places....on the back of my neck & possibly spreading down across the tops of my shoulders...most likely in a very ornate tribal/celtic design, but something small & feminine. I haven't told ANYONE this. NO ONE.

I learned today that the blue woad that was believed to have been used for body paint & tattos by the Picts originated in the Asian steppes... just another tiny piece in the puzzle.

Then she told me that she saw great rolling green landscape, with trees on the fringes. She saw a knight....and as she said, "but a knight wearing one of those 'stupid' helmets...lol...the kind that look like a bucket turned upside down on their heads with slits for eyes." LOL. He is a jouster, and quite good. A very large man, light brown hair, blue eyes, and a moustache....once he finally lifts the "stupid" helmet (LOL) where she can see him. He pursued me, but I had no interest in him & tried to evade his attempts to court me. She sees him on his horse, tipping his lance down at me with a kerchief attached to the end, offering it to me, but I refuse it. I am a strong-willed woman who wants nothing to do with a man. Lol. He finally wins my heart, we have a child together...a daughter. This was a very happy life...we were quite wealthy. She sees me on a large, baroque black horse, very long mane & tail, forelock past the tip of his nose. I am riding sidesaddle, galloping out across the rolling green fields. My horse is decked out in all this very ornate finery. It is MY horse, not my husband's, which is rather a big deal during that time period. Long flowing saddle blanket that drapes out across his hindquarters. She says I fuss over him all the time, he is my prize possession. We live in a castle & had a long wonderful life together.

Again, let me reiterate that J knows none of these things about me. Most people don't. She said she gets a very strong medieval vibe off of me. This is definitely the time period in our history that fascinates me the most & I have always felt very strongly drawn to it....that & very ancient civilization.

Also, she said that in every incarnation of me that she saw, I was always tall, slim, & had long curly red hair. And up until about three months ago, I had long, curly red(dish) hair in this life too.

I have this recurring dream...

...I've had it numerous times over the past few years. It started about five years ago. Actually, about the same time that I stumbled onto the picture I mentioned in my last post.

I remember vividly the first time I had the dream. I woke up sobbing, it felt as if my heart were absolutely breaking, and I had this overwhelming feeling of complete, absolute despair. I immediately got up & went to write the dream down. But it didn't come out in journal form with me explaining the dream, it came out, rather, in first person account of exactly what happened in my dream...the sounds, sights, smells, everything I felt. The name mentioned came to me without me even having to think about it, it came right out of the end of my pen with no hesitation as I wrote.


I dreamed of you tonight.

You were reaching out to me from the tangled sheets of our bed at the window. The curtains stirred in the salty sea breeze, the scent of heather heavy in the air, and the waves caressed the rocky crags below, whispering to the moon above.

Your face, raised in relief beneath the silver kiss of the moon, shined like a beacon. Green eyes glowing, your lips moving but no words escape. Still, I hear you whispering, not from your lips, but your eyes. They tell me all I need to know. I’m captured, held prisoner by your gaze.

I dare not move from this place I am rooted to, for I fear you shall disappear with the sea mist if move but an inch, draw but one breath to move toward you. The sheepskin rug beneath my feet is soft, my toes curl into the wool & I’m taken with the memory of us lying on this very rug together. The night that Patrick was conceived. The thought stings my eyes with fiery tears, clogging my throat with an unbearable ache.

And then I always wake up, sobbing, my heart pounding in my chest & feeling as if it's absolutely breaking in two.

The tax man cometh...

...and I teareth outeth my hair.... or something like that. Lol.

Yes, I realize I still have plenty of time before April 15th, but am really trying to get everything in as early as possible this year in order to avoid any further undue stress than is absolutely necessary. Is that even possible? Lol.

Now, can someone please tell me why this picture haunts me? When I look at it it's like someone has sucked the air from my lungs & I'm overcome with a feeling of deep sadness...it's like I KNOW this place for some reason. And whatever the reason is, I fear it wasn't a happy one....

Hmmmmm..... the part of me that believes in past lives & reincarnation has to wonder if this particular place played an important role for me in a previous existence.

Just makes me wonder.

And none of this has anything to do with my jewelry. Other than strong emotions like this are quite often very inspiring to me in my creative process.

Stay tuned.

As I promised myself...

...I've managed to make it two days in a row posting. That may be a new personal record for me. LOL.

I am still scrambling to get caught up and to replenish my shop with lots of new creations after a very busy holiday season. I have all kinds of wonderful vintage stones and brass filigree just waiting for me on my workbench.

Now, to find the time to actually sit down & do something about that.

Which brings me to my next thought.

In the interview with Michelle Rudland of About You Designs, one of the questions she asked was if there were any other artistic pursuits I'd like to dive into. Yes, oh yes. MANY. Which got me to thinking about all the different things I'm interested in, all the different creative avenues that are out there & just how many intrigue me. Which makes me think about just how much of a procrastinator I am. I think that it doesn't help that there are SO MANY different things I'd love to dabble in that it overwhelms me & I don't know where to begin. So I just don't begin anything new. Lol.

I do love to write, have loved to write my entire life. It is still a dream of mine, albeit possibly nothing more than a pipe dream, to be a published author. I have numerous pieces in various stages of completion that have been hanging around for, in many cases, years. I've won or placed well in a few writing contests. But just can't seem to sit down and actually finish my full-length novel. And oh, how I love my characters. They are very near & dear to my heart. I really do want to get their story out and finished. Maybe then they'll leave me alone. Lol.

I would also really love to learn lampworking. And no, for those of you who may not know, that doesn't involve in any way, shape, or form lamps....lol...but creating gorgeous artistic glass beads using a torch, cane glass, & a kiln to explain it simply. There are MANY awesome examples of this fine talent to be found in the Etsy shop, Flamekeeper. This particular bead, Cobbler, happens to be one of my favorites in Flamekeeper's shop. Along with this one, Petrified. It absolutely amazes me the wide-array of designs that can be achieved, as is well-evidenced within this amazing shop.

I'd also love to work on the potter's wheel again.

And work with leaded glass again.

Basketry, again.

Silver art clay.

Silversmithing.

And this is just the short list. Lol.

Most likely my next adventure will be diving into the silver art clay. Unless I can get my hands on a potter's wheel first. But a potter's wheel also means a kiln. And, alas, I don't have that much money saved up just yet.

Wow....

Well, as my last few posts have indicated, yes, I am a procrastinator. And a very BUSY procrastinator. Hence the procrastination. Lol.

I have promised myself that I'm going to get myself into the habit of sitting down and finding something to share here at least a couple of times a week. This was supposed to be cathartic for me, and a way to help fuel my creativity and to keep me motivated.

So. Here I am. And I do have something lovely to share today! I was very flattered to have Michelle Rudland from About You Designs request an interview and the use of some of my photos in order to do a write-up on one of her blogs about my jewelry. She paid me many kind compliments of which I'm very appreciative, though not certain I'm fully deserving of. Lol.

If you'd like to check out the interview, visit About You Designs.

Michelle is a very talented photographer and designer, so be sure to check out all she has to offer! About You Photography.

Wow... Can't believe it's been two months....

...since I last posted!

I had tremendous success at a couple of recent craft shows/expos that I set up at, which is great news!

I decided it was time to revamp my Etsy shop a bit, so I went on a search to find someone to create a new banner. I ended up not being able to choose just one, so I purchased two from two different designers who put in a bid for me. I tend to get bored easily, so I decided that it would at least enable me to swap them out on occasion! LOL!

I have to give a big shout-out to WinchesterLambourne on Etsy. She did a phenomenal job pegging one of the many ideas I had floating about in my head when she created this banner -

And a big thanks to BannerChild for this stunning creation as well -

I think it's easy to see why I couldn't choose just one! WinchesterLambourne hit on that rich, classical look I was after, and BannerChild really hit the nail on the head with the whole eclectic, funky, Gypsy feel.

If you need any kind of banner, avatar, or business card design created, I highly recommend that you visit either one of these ladies. You won't be disappointed that you did!

Also, a big thanks to BannerChild for featuring one of my rings on her blog, you can view it here. She featured my 'Queen of The Marsh' dragonfly ring. How cool is that of her???

Come Visit Us!

I just wanted to invite everyone who is able to come visit us at our booth at the Spring Festival in Powell, WY on May 3rd! For any of those of you who may be local to us, or who happen to be traveling into our area that weekend, we will have a booth set up at the festival from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. It will be at the Park County Fairgrounds.

This is my first show, and I am as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof! I'm afraid I won't have enough product on hand, I'm afraid I'll have too much product on hand, I'm afraid I'll sell completely out, I'm afraid I won't sell anything at all.... did I mention I'm nervous? Lol.

I signed up for ProPay so that I will be able to take credit cards during the festival, so I'm hoping that will help boost sales... it should, as I hear time and again from those who say offering to accept credit cards has increased sales exponentially for them.

Wish us luck!

A BIG Thank You, Thank You, THANK YOU!

I'd like to say a big THANK YOU to all of my customers who've helped me kick off my new line at Midnight Gypsy with a BANG!

Whether you've purchased from my shop at Etsy or directly from my studio, I sincerely appreciate the fact that you've chosen my work to adorn yourself with. There is no greater compliment!

I have to admit that I'm finding so much satisfaction working with the antique brass & filigree that I've begun to neglect my other line just a tad... for whatever reason I find working with the brass much more rewarding and inspiring. And if sales are any indication, the same is true with my clients. Perhaps I've finally found my niche...

What is an artist, after all?

I'm not sure what made me think I could become a jewelry designer. And yet here I sit, I've just created a blog to outline my daily attempts - sometimes hits, sometimes misses - at creating something that another person would want to wear. It seems somehow odd to me that I, of seeminly no artistic talent, could accomplish such. And yet it happens. Over & over again.

I don't remember when, why, or even HOW I became interested in doing what I do now. I love what I do, but it's been an interesting evolution in a manner of speaking I suppose. I think somewhere deep down I've always had a love for this kind of thing, but never in a million years dreamed that I'd be able to do it myself. Look, drool, and pine over gorgeous works that I've seen others create? Sure! But create myself? Are you kidding?!?

I think the roots of it may very well go back to an amazing art teacher I had in high school... Mrs. G. Well, actually, probably further back than that to start. With my wonderful Mom. She encouraged me when I was a youngster.... reading, writing, drawing, painting. The whole gamut. Any wild-hair I got about wanting to try something crafty or artistic, I was encouraged to pursue. I'm 35 years old & I'm quite sure my mom still has every last little scrap of any form of 'art' that I created for her stashed away in her hope chest... which I think just happens to be my old pink wooden toy box that my granny had made for me. My mom is a very crafty, artistic, gifted person. I, on the other hand, never felt that way. I think I felt relatively intelligent, and I enjoyed reading & writing... and I enjoyed creating my little works of 'art', I just didn't feel like I was talented. Seems like my Mom was always working on something crafty. The woman can make the most adorable holiday snowmen out of tube socks, lentils, some buttons, and hair clippings from a Great Pyrenees dog. No, I'm not joking. At all. LOL. So that is where it all started. But, I've digressed a bit....

I am not a talented drawer, painter, or sculptor. But in order to graduate high school it was required that we complete two credits in Art. Oy. What was I going to do? Sheesh. "Studies In Still Life".... "Advanced Charcoal Techniques" .... "Painting With Oils - Intermediate to Advanced Students" ... these were the kinds of choices outlined in the art class listings. Where in the world were "Play Dough For Dummies" or "Paper & Paste - Beyond Kindergarten: They Aren't Just For Snacking"? Those were more my speed. I was mortified at the thought of having to take an art class, surrounded by a bunch of 'arty' kids who were waaaaay more talented than me, working in their handy dandy little sketch pads on pencil or charcoal renditions of fruit in bowls. I was horrified. Oh, the agony. What would be the least embarrassing? To display how terrifically untalented I was at pencil, at charcoal, or in oils?

Ah...... but then Mrs. G, sweeeeet Mrs. G, came to the rescue of those of us who are artistically challenged & created a class called 'Crafts & Design'. Basically an art class for those of us who weren't what would be considered 'artistic' in the traditional sense. When I first saw an overview of what the class entailed I was still skeptical. And still scared to death. Didn't I have to have SOME KIND of artistic ability to set foot in an art classroom? Leaded glass, coiled pots, basket making, using the potters wheel... these were just a few of the subjects mentioned in the course synopsis. I was fully prepared to be the laughing stock of an art class, but thought maybe this type of class would harbor a few others like myself. Hopefully I'd be in like-minded, or 'talent-lacking', company.

Well, interestingly enough, that class piqued my interest in a wide-array of 'arty' areas. I was even able to take an advanced version of the class that was offered the following year in order to complete my second art credit. I received awards at our school art fairs for my works on the potters wheel as well as my leaded glass work. It was refreshing. Encouraging. Exciting.

Thanks Mrs. G, wherever you are. You opened my eyes to a whole new world of 'art'. And thanks, most of all, to my Mom. She encouraged me to pursue those things even when I didn't feel like I had the talent.

Ultimately, I think what I've finally come to learn over the years is simply this: Art can take many forms. It's not simply pencil and ink, charcoal, or even oils on canvas. It's not just Michelangelo's work in the Cistine Chapel, or Monet, or Picasso, or any number of other great artists out there. It is so much more than that. To me, art is at it's very core, simply an expression of oneself, and that expression comes out in many, many different ways. An infinite amount of ways.

So, this cowgirl's hat's off to all of the 'artists' out there. The next time you look at something another person has created & you're secretly wishing that you were that talented, know that you are. Just remember that we're ALL artists in our own way. So find YOUR passion. Find what makes you happy. And just pursue it. Even if the rest of the world never ever sees it. Do it for yourself. You just might be amazed at the satisfaction it can bring you.

Creative Settings with Brass....

I have recently fallen head over heels for the vintage inspired filigree jewelry. I use to be a die-hard silver fan, and while silver remains one of my favorites, I can't deny there is just something about these vintage-inspired pieces.

I've started slowly, and simply, working with 'creative settings' constructed from brass filigree and I'm really enjoying myself. I can definitely see this becoming a new passion of mine. I have my budding line set up in its own Etsy shop, Midnight Gypsy, and so far I've had nothing but positive responses. I'm really excited at the new possibilities this opens up for me and my business.

We have a Spring Festival coming up May 3rd that a friend and I are sharing a booth at. It will be my first ever show, and while I'm excited I'm also scared to death. I'm hoping my newest creations will sell well for me.

You can see a few items from my new line in the photos on the right, or come visit me at Midnight Gypsy!

I do have to say that discovering Etsy was one of the greatest boosts I could've given my jewelry business. I love the Etsy community!

And yet again..... procrastinating!

Sigggggghhhhhh......

I've tried to be better, but procrastination always seems to get the best of me.

I guess since I've joined the Etsy Sellers Who Blog webring I'd darn well better be blogging if I want people to visit me, huh?

Of course, I do have a bit of an excuse... well, for at least the last week or so (but not the 3-4 prior to that since I last blogged!). We've all been sick, sick, SICK! Hubby has been home all week after going to the doctor on Monday, he's got a bad case of bronchitis. Finally took the munchkin & myself into the Express Care clinic on Tuesday because we've both been quite sick as well. We've all spent the entire week laying in bed watching old movies & just being miserable together.

Hubby went back to work today, and I'm feeling a bit better as well. I'm hoping we don't have a relapse for the third time. This is getting old.

Here I am again.... procrastinating!

Gosh, talk about procrastination. I'm at it again.

Can't believe that it's been since the 16th that I've sat down here to write something. This was supposed to be a place for me to come, put my thoughts out here in cyberspace & hopefully glean some inspiration from it. Hmmmmmm......

I have made a few new pieces in the past few days, but I've GOT to get busy & get more work done. I have a show coming up in May that I am NOT ready for! I need to get at least a couple of dozen necklace & earring sets done to keep on hand, plus more earring & bracelet designs....

The biggest problem is that I keep selling everything I make up to stock a booth... well, I guess that really isn't a problem, per se. LOL! Just makes it tough to get my inventory built up enough to stock a booth! The hardest part is having a toddler running around & trying to find the time to take care of my business, chase after the munchkin, take care of the hubby, house, laundry, breakfast, lunch, dinner.... etc.

Geesh. Guess I should just quit whining & get busy!

Check out the pictures of some new items there on the right... and be sure to visit my Etsy shop by clicking on the link on the top right!

Hope everyone has a great day! Wish me luck....

Such a procrastinator...

I am suuuuch a procrastinator.

I had planned on starting this blog in order to help keep me FOCUSED on my work. Thinking maybe a little early morning jumpstart to my day by logging in here & sharing some thoughts might jumpstart my creative process.

Do you think it's worked? Well, obviously not. Considering this is only my fourth post since I began this whole thing.

I'm such a procrastinator. And a Barrel Horse World addict.... any of you BB's peeking in over here on occasion know just what I'm talking about. Sometimes I swear I need someone to just say..... "X OFF OF BARREL HORSE WORLD & BACK AWAY SLOWLY....." lol.

On a better note, I did get several packages mailed this morning. Part of my problem the past couple of days has been a sick munchkin running a high fever who wants nothing but to be held by her mommy 24/7. That meant that mommy got very little work done the past couple of days. But she's feeling better today so we got into town & got some orders mailed off for folks. My plan was to come home, put her down for a nap, & then GET BUSY on some work I need to get done.

So what did I do? You guessed it... checked on Barrel Horse World. Just to make sure it was still there and all, ya know.

Oh well. At least I did get a necklace finished up a couple of nights ago. That's a shot of it over there to the right. If you'd like to see more pictures, be sure to click on the link above & to the right to visit my Etsy shop.

For now I better get off of here & get some work done while the munchkin is still napping.

Toodleoo.

Holy Cow!

Wow.... that's all I can say. Just wow. Ever heard the old expression "When it rains, it pours."? Well, usually in my case, after the pouring part, the flood gates open. As in Hoover Dam scale floodgates. And normally, in my little corner of the world, that's not a good thing. BUT - in this case the raining, pouring, and flooding are in referece to orders & jewelry inquiries. It got just a little bit insane here in my tiny little studio yesterday afternoon. I was still answering emails at 11:30 last night! Am I complaining? Not one teeny little bit! Keep it comin' folks!

It started with a mad dash for 'the pink stuff'. And I'm not talking about the Pepto. Lol. Jackie sent out an email letting folks know what we've been up to with her fundraising & they came out IN FORCE.

Then it started spilling over into my regular line items. I have numerous custom order requests sitting on my desk right now, and several pieces pulled aside to be packed and shipped out.

If someone would've told me even five years ago that I'd be doing what I'm doing today I'd have told them they were crazy. But stranger things have happened I suppose.

I love what I do, so thanks to all of you who keep reaffirming to me that maybe I'm onto something here...

Something near & dear to my heart...

I have to admit, breast cancer used to be something that was not at the forefront of my daily concerns. I really never gave it a second thought, even though my grandmother had to have a radical mastectomy at a relatively young age. Recently, however, that has changed. A good friend of mine has become involved in breast cancer fundraising, and it has encouraged me to educate myself a little more... and most importantly, to open my eyes.

Breast cancer is something that affects us ALL. Husbands, wives, grandmothers, grandfathers, children, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, friends. It seems like there are NONE of us who haven't been affected by this disease in one way or another. Whether you're a survivor, have lost a loved one or friend, or you know someone fighting this disease right now, we've all been touched by it in some way.

My friend Jackie will be participating in the Rocky Mountain 2008 Avon Breast Cancer Walk. That's her with the pretty smile above.

I am currently working on a line of jewelry that 100% of the proceeds will be donated to her fundraising efforts. I'm happy to say that the pieces are selling! If you'd like to help and be stylin' some unique pink jewelry, you can view some of these items in my Etsy shop under a special catergory called "The Pink Pages". Pink not your thing? Be sure to view the other designs in my shop, as I've also pledged to donate a portion of my regular sales to her fundraising efforts.

If you'd like to simply make a donation to help support her efforts please visit her Avon Breast Cancer Walk 2008 official fundraising page here.

If nothing else, please take the time to educate yourself about this devastating disease. Even if you have no family history, ladies, please take the time to make sure you have your yearly well-woman physical, and those of you over 40 need a mammogram.

Together we CAN make a difference!

What's an artist?

I'm not sure what made me think I could become a jewelry designer. And yet here I sit, I've just created a blog to outline my daily attempts - sometimes hits, sometimes misses - at creating something that another person would want to wear. It seems somehow odd to me that I, of seeminly no artistic talent, could accomplish such. And yet it happens. Over & over again.

I don't remember when, why, or even HOW I became interested in doing what I do now. I love what I do, but it's been an interesting evolution in a manner of speaking I suppose. I think somewhere deep down I've always had a love for this kind of thing, but never in a million years dreamed that I'd be able to do it myself. Look, drool, and pine over gorgeous works that I've seen others create? Sure! But create myself? Are you kidding?!?

I think the roots of it may very well go back to an amazing art teacher I had in high school... Mrs. G. Well, actually, probably further back than that to start. With my wonderful Mom. She encouraged me when I was a youngster.... reading, writing, drawing, painting. The whole gamut. Any wild-hair I got about wanting to try something crafty or artistic, I was encouraged to pursue. I'm 35 years old & I'm quite sure my mom still has every last little scrap of any form of 'art' that I created for her stashed away in her hope chest... which I think just happens to be my old pink wooden toy box that my granny had made for me. My mom is a very crafty, artistic, gifted person. I, on the other hand, never felt that way. I think I felt relatively intelligent, and I enjoyed reading & writing... and I enjoyed creating my little works of 'art', I just didn't feel like I was talented. Seems like my Mom was always working on something crafty. The woman can make the most adorable holiday snowmen out of tube socks, lentils, some buttons, and hair clippings from a Great Pyrenees dog. No, I'm not joking. At all. LOL. So that is where it all started. But, I've digressed a bit....

I am not a talented drawer, painter, or sculptor. But in order to graduate high school it was required that we complete two credits in Art. Oy. What was I going to do? Sheesh. "Studies In Still Life".... "Advanced Charcoal Techniques" .... "Painting With Oils - Intermediate to Advanced Students" ... these were the kinds of choices outlined in the art class listings. Where in the world were "Play Dough For Dummies" or "Paper & Paste - Beyond Kindergarten: They Aren't Just For Snacking"? Those were more my speed. I was mortified at the thought of having to take an art class, surrounded by a bunch of 'arty' kids who were waaaaay more talented than me, working in their handy dandy little sketch pads on pencil or charcoal renditions of fruit in bowls. I was horrified. Oh, the agony. What would be the least embarrassing? To display how terrifically untalented I was at pencil, at charcoal, or in oils?

Ah...... but then Mrs. G, sweeeeet Mrs. G, came to the rescue of those of us who are artistically challenged & created a class called 'Crafts & Design'. Basically an art class for those of us who weren't what would be considered 'artistic' in the traditional sense. When I first saw an overview of what the class entailed I was still skeptical. And still scared to death. Didn't I have to have SOME KIND of artistic ability to set foot in an art classroom? Leaded glass, coiled pots, basket making, using the potters wheel... these were just a few of the subjects mentioned in the course synopsis. I was fully prepared to be the laughing stock of an art class, but thought maybe this type of class would harbor a few others like myself. Hopefully I'd be in like-minded, or 'talent-lacking', company.

Well, interestingly enough, that class piqued my interest in a wide-array of 'arty' areas. I was even able to take an advanced version of the class that was offered the following year in order to complete my second art credit. I received awards at our school art fairs for my works on the potters wheel as well as my leaded glass work. It was refreshing. Encouraging. Exciting.

Thanks Mrs. G, wherever you are. You opened my eyes to a whole new world of 'art'. And thanks, most of all, to my Mom. She encouraged me to pursue those things even when I didn't feel like I had the talent.

Ultimately, I think what I've finally come to learn over the years is simply this: Art can take many forms. It's not simply pencil and ink, charcoal, or even oils on canvas. It's not just Michelangelo's work in the Cistine Chapel, or Monet, or Picasso, or any number of other great artists out there. It is so much more than that. To me, art is at it's very core, simply an expression of oneself, and that expression comes out in many, many different ways. An infinite amount of ways.

So, this cowgirl's hat's off to all of the 'artists' out there. The next time you look at something another person has created & you're secretly wishing that you were that talented, know that you are. Just remember that we're ALL artists in our own way. So find YOUR passion. Find what makes you happy. And just pursue it. Even if the rest of the world never ever sees it. Do it for yourself. You just might be amazed at the satisfaction it can bring you.