My only goal for 2011 was to be published, and I met that goal! Other accomplishments were being a finalist in another beading contest, I opened my new Etsy store in July, one of my necklaces made the front page of Etsy France, I have created a Facebook fan page with a wonderful following, and had sales both on and off Etsy. Another high point had been receiving an email from a fan stating one of my very personal pieces had moved her & made her cry; that she identified with the feelings I was trying to express. I was elated that someone else actually understood; that my work touched another human being.
So looking ahead, more than anything in 2012 I want to improve, while retaining integrity and find a good balance between promoting and creating. To improve can mean so many things, so to be more specific I'd like to build up my store with more items - 100 or more being ideal by year end, without compromising on quality. I'd also like to improve on photography. I am going to enter contests again this year, but they will not be my main focus.
So as this year wraps up and in looking ahead, I will continue to challenge myself to learn, to break the rules & take risks, to not compromise myself or my values, and to do what makes me happy.
I also want to thank all my friends, family, and fans who have supported me. Each and every one of you has made me a better person and artist. I could not do all this without you, so THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.
May the new year bring us all health, happiness, and peace.
~Happy New Year!~
Wishing all a very Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!
No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, I'm simply taking a break until after the holidays. Contest season is soon approaching and I am planning lots of new designs for those and for my store.
I've started another blog, in which I will be moving my Meatless Monday Recipes to. So if you've been following those, please also follow my other blog, The Joy in Movement for more recipes & other fitness related items.
However, tonight I wanted to share two awesome posts on copyright that I came across recently. Great reads if you create, no matter your medium...
Somer Sherwood's post and Beki Haley's post.
If you're used to green bean casserole for the holidays, but wanting to try something else, this is an easy alternative.
Broccoli Casserole
10oz pkg frozen broccoli, thawed
2 - 10 3/4oz cans cream of mushroom soup
6oz pkg herbed stuffing mix
1/2 cup melted butter
Place broccoli & soup in a casserole dish, mix well. Toss stuffing with butter in a mixing bowl, add to casserole dish. Stir gently, bake at 350F for 40-45 minutes. Makes 4-6 servings.
*Another great sub for the same old green bean dish is to use Spiced Green Beans from your favorite Chinese restaurant and mix that dish with slivered almonds and pomegranate seeds.
Right before Thanksgiving my computer of around 9 years decided to call it quits. I was devastated since nothing was backed up. I live behind my camera. I've photographed every piece of jewelry I have ever made, sold, given as gifts. On this computer were also photos of loved ones who had passed. Contracts, emails, bookmarks, photos of my wedding, all our vacations, my feather babies, etc were also lost.
However this weekend we were able to remove my old hard drive and recover everything! ***A huge THANK YOU to Fabio & SD!***
Anyway, I thought I'd share some favorite recovered photos & memories.
Charlotte Amelie, St Thomas - US Virgin Islands...
Boerner Botanic Gardens in Winter - Hales Corners, WI...
Sunrise in Fort Lauderdale, Florida...
Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Costa Maya, Mexico...
Mount Roberts Tram in Juneau, Alaska...
Charlotte Amelie, St Thomas USVI...
Johns Hopkins Glacier in Glacier Bay NP in Alaska...
Overlooking Yosemite NP in California from Glacier Point...
Cabana we rented on our anniversary in Half Moon Cay, Bahamas...
Sitka, Alaska...
The very first necklace/piece of jewelry I ever made in 2007...
My sweet feather babies...
In store soon...
Work in progress...
Recently acquired vintage Italian & German Lucite cabs...
