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| Lilac and Mint: Memories of Spring by Tessa of TessasAssets |
Lilac and Mint -- What a perfect way to dream of spring during these last, gray and dreary vestiges of Winter.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Lilac and Mint (or for this year: Violet Tulip and Hemlock)
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Timeless Tourmaline
Tourmaline, with its wide variety of colors is always amazing, and always in style. Truly it's one of my favorite stones to work with. I was so happy to see that someone else loves it as much as me, when I woke up to this fabulous Artfire collection today. Check it out below:
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
A Few Valentine's Day Ideas
So, I admit, while I am not a shopper in the "I have to go to the mall and get some retail therapy" variety -- I do like to peruse other ideas for home decor, candles, and to generally see what other Artisans are creating.
I found a few things that I think would be just adorable for Valentines Day so I thought I would make a list:
Lovely, no?
I found a few things that I think would be just adorable for Valentines Day so I thought I would make a list:
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| Valentine's Day Candle by Unique Candle Boutique |
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| Pink Cabochon Ring by The Singing Beader |
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Happy Valentine's Day Conversation Hearts Handmade Card by Cards by Li Be |
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| Spring Wall Hanging with Heart and Flowers by Putman Lake Designs |
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| Heart Earrings with Swirls by ShanghaiTai |
Sunday, February 2, 2014
A Dirty Little Secret... And A DIY Video!
A dirty little secret in my life that not many actually believe: I am not a creative person. Yes, I run a creative business filled with lovely things -- but I am honestly not creative myself.
I often see my daughter doing her arts and crafts -- she does both -- and I am amazed. For while yes, I often make very pretty things with my hands, it is not creative. (In my case).
I recently began shooting and editing videos teaching how to make the products I sell in my Etsy Shop. My son and I are doing it together -- it's something I enjoy from way back before he was born and something he is learning just now, as an elective in High School.
Back to creativity.
The reason I say I am not creative is not so that everyone comes running out and says "Oh, but Maggie you are so creative..." It's really not about that at all. Because when I look at my products, and now look at "how" my products are made from an analytical "videographer" standpoint I realize just one thing:
The beauty in my so-called creativity lies in mathematical proportions of balance.
So -- now comes the time that I show you my first video (in a very long time -- and certainly my first DIY/how to). My son and I worked on this together, and it was honestly difficult for me to give up the reigns for him to film it. But, as he couldn't be the one making the product on the video -- we have to go with what we have, poor voicing and all. Give my kiddo credit though, he just finished his first semester of Video Production -- so look at the below as a "first try". We will be doing much better in the future, but I wanted this out there in time for Valentine's Day -- and frankly Spring Weddings.
I often see my daughter doing her arts and crafts -- she does both -- and I am amazed. For while yes, I often make very pretty things with my hands, it is not creative. (In my case).
I recently began shooting and editing videos teaching how to make the products I sell in my Etsy Shop. My son and I are doing it together -- it's something I enjoy from way back before he was born and something he is learning just now, as an elective in High School.
Back to creativity.
The reason I say I am not creative is not so that everyone comes running out and says "Oh, but Maggie you are so creative..." It's really not about that at all. Because when I look at my products, and now look at "how" my products are made from an analytical "videographer" standpoint I realize just one thing:
The beauty in my so-called creativity lies in mathematical proportions of balance.
So -- now comes the time that I show you my first video (in a very long time -- and certainly my first DIY/how to). My son and I worked on this together, and it was honestly difficult for me to give up the reigns for him to film it. But, as he couldn't be the one making the product on the video -- we have to go with what we have, poor voicing and all. Give my kiddo credit though, he just finished his first semester of Video Production -- so look at the below as a "first try". We will be doing much better in the future, but I wanted this out there in time for Valentine's Day -- and frankly Spring Weddings.
Here is the Photo of what I am teaching you to make:
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| Heart Drop Earrings -- Sapphire Blue |
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Calling in Sick
It's an odd thing, running a business from home. In some ways -- I work all the time on the shop, much like I did when I worked in an office all the time. It's one of those things a work-a-holic is saddled with: a constant drive to improve with the inability to ever really 'turn-off'. I did it in the office, and now I seem to have that same obsession in the "studio".
It's rather sad really, when I think about it. For while one could certainly say that the time spent in my "studio" or my "shop" are for me anyhow -- is it really?
Last night I was packing up some last minute orders -- just before dinner, and just before my writing class I take through my Local Vet Center where I live. Dinner had finished, and I had not. I still had writing to complete / perfect for the class and I was still packing up what needed to get mailed.
My daughter walked in as I was stressing about what to complete first -- I went with the shop stuff before focusing more on the 'me' centric writing -- and asked if she could just make the sides to go with the meatloaf I had made. While this is a wonderful thing my daughter asked me -- and I let her do it of course -- I wonder, how much time when the kids are home am I too focused on the shop?
It's an important question when the lines are more thoroughly blurred like this in a "home shop" -- sometimes I wonder where the shop ends and where "home" really begins. Indeed, I often have to make a formal decision to stop with the shop (as I have stopped shipping 7 days a week, since the Post Office now locks its doors and I am constrained by dropping off during certain hours) and 'start' with the family.
For while working with the metals and gemstones is a healing thing for me - it's calming to my very tactile nature to be sure - there is always a time that becomes less healing, and more hiding. Hiding behind my drive focuses my attention from what I should be doing, what I need to be doing and stops the actual healing process at some point. I know this intellectually, but when one has dueling priorities it's tough to choose: Build the Business into a successful endeavor, or focus on what I started this with, calming my weary nerves.
So, today I called in sick to the shop. My shop. I was angry with myself, and thought for certain I was faking.
And lets be honest, even when I called in sick from work in the office, I still checked as much as I could at home -- so I will probably check on the shop once in a while. But, for now, my 'to-do' list is put to the side, my 'must create' and 'must photo' lists can wait for tomorrow. Even my mid-day chores around the house (which I use to break up the long days in the studio and working on the shop) will get done when they get done today.
I am calling in sick -- and probably watching many, many hours of cooking on television. This is for one reason only: For me.
It's rather sad really, when I think about it. For while one could certainly say that the time spent in my "studio" or my "shop" are for me anyhow -- is it really?
Last night I was packing up some last minute orders -- just before dinner, and just before my writing class I take through my Local Vet Center where I live. Dinner had finished, and I had not. I still had writing to complete / perfect for the class and I was still packing up what needed to get mailed.
My daughter walked in as I was stressing about what to complete first -- I went with the shop stuff before focusing more on the 'me' centric writing -- and asked if she could just make the sides to go with the meatloaf I had made. While this is a wonderful thing my daughter asked me -- and I let her do it of course -- I wonder, how much time when the kids are home am I too focused on the shop?
It's an important question when the lines are more thoroughly blurred like this in a "home shop" -- sometimes I wonder where the shop ends and where "home" really begins. Indeed, I often have to make a formal decision to stop with the shop (as I have stopped shipping 7 days a week, since the Post Office now locks its doors and I am constrained by dropping off during certain hours) and 'start' with the family.
For while working with the metals and gemstones is a healing thing for me - it's calming to my very tactile nature to be sure - there is always a time that becomes less healing, and more hiding. Hiding behind my drive focuses my attention from what I should be doing, what I need to be doing and stops the actual healing process at some point. I know this intellectually, but when one has dueling priorities it's tough to choose: Build the Business into a successful endeavor, or focus on what I started this with, calming my weary nerves.
So, today I called in sick to the shop. My shop. I was angry with myself, and thought for certain I was faking.
And lets be honest, even when I called in sick from work in the office, I still checked as much as I could at home -- so I will probably check on the shop once in a while. But, for now, my 'to-do' list is put to the side, my 'must create' and 'must photo' lists can wait for tomorrow. Even my mid-day chores around the house (which I use to break up the long days in the studio and working on the shop) will get done when they get done today.
I am calling in sick -- and probably watching many, many hours of cooking on television. This is for one reason only: For me.
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| Spring Green Glass Earrings |
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Green Valentine
I love green -- I always have and I always will. So incredibly happy when I woke up in the middle of night and found this fabulous "Green Valentine" treasury featuring a pair of my earrings.
On a personal note -- I am not to Valentine's Day Oriented, generally. This year is different though. Normally -- I say normally because there have not been very many Valentine's Days that hubby and I have spent together over the course of our Marriage -- I am celebrating it alone.
This year however, is different. This year hubby is home -- and while he was home last year also, we were still in the honeymoon-he-just-moved-home from a two year stint in a location I couldn't be with him at. So this year it's for real. I know it's probably a bit early, but I already have ideas floating through my head on making Valentine's super romantic this year. I am actually excited for a non-major-historical holiday.
So excited in fact that I have been laying with hearts in the shop -- from Swarovski Crystal to hand created ear wires. You can See a few below -- and hopefully in the next few days I will be posting a few videos on how to make these for yourself.
On a personal note -- I am not to Valentine's Day Oriented, generally. This year is different though. Normally -- I say normally because there have not been very many Valentine's Days that hubby and I have spent together over the course of our Marriage -- I am celebrating it alone.
This year however, is different. This year hubby is home -- and while he was home last year also, we were still in the honeymoon-he-just-moved-home from a two year stint in a location I couldn't be with him at. So this year it's for real. I know it's probably a bit early, but I already have ideas floating through my head on making Valentine's super romantic this year. I am actually excited for a non-major-historical holiday.
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| Swarovski Crystal Wild Heart Necklace -- Aquamarine |
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| Heart Drop Earrings- Swarovski Crystal "Garnet" |
Monday, January 13, 2014
Hubba Bubba - Radiant Orchid
I am not going to lie -- when Emerald was chosen as the color of the year last year, I did an insane happy dance. No really - imagine being a red-head who's hair color runs so deep there really is no way to hide it.
No matter what industrial hair coloring you want to mention -- trust me, I've tried it. I even went platinum once -- and my hair turned out the color of the year for 2012, Tangerine Tango.
In fact -- the last time there was a color my skin and hair could truly pull off was 2010 -- and I just wasn't a big fan of turquoise.
So along comes Emerald Green -- plays off my hair perfectly, plus adds a little sparkle to my already green eyes. Trust me I needed that "coolness" for a year.
But, 2013 is over and now we have a new "color of the year" and judging by my mother's love of it and how well she pulls it off (having red hair also), I just may grow to love Radiant Orchid. Certainly I can get away with a little pop, right?
See, here's the thing about Orchid -- it's not just one color, which makes it fabulous for me. Just look -- you can you choose a million colors that all fit into the umbrella. Nice, right?
See -- they're all a form of radiant orchid.
Want to add some color, but not commit to jewelry? Check out Sparrow and Joy -- she makes the most darling clutches, wallets and handbags. She also made me a key-holder when my car key broke. Genius.
Here is an example of her work -- in another hot spring color: Sand.
Check out the entire Spring Color line here:
No matter what industrial hair coloring you want to mention -- trust me, I've tried it. I even went platinum once -- and my hair turned out the color of the year for 2012, Tangerine Tango.
In fact -- the last time there was a color my skin and hair could truly pull off was 2010 -- and I just wasn't a big fan of turquoise.
So along comes Emerald Green -- plays off my hair perfectly, plus adds a little sparkle to my already green eyes. Trust me I needed that "coolness" for a year.
But, 2013 is over and now we have a new "color of the year" and judging by my mother's love of it and how well she pulls it off (having red hair also), I just may grow to love Radiant Orchid. Certainly I can get away with a little pop, right?
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| Photo Credit: http://www.thebrideseyeview.com/ |
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Amethyst Pendant Necklace, Butterfly Necklace, Swarovski Crystal, February Birthstone |
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Amethyst Necklace, February Birthstone, Orchid, Minimalist, |
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Lilac Swarovski Crystal Heart Pendant Necklace, 14k Golf Filled, Orchid, Lavendar, Purple, Valantines Day |
See -- they're all a form of radiant orchid.
Want to add some color, but not commit to jewelry? Check out Sparrow and Joy -- she makes the most darling clutches, wallets and handbags. She also made me a key-holder when my car key broke. Genius.
Here is an example of her work -- in another hot spring color: Sand.
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Padded Zipper Pouch or Gadget Case - Butterfly Study |
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| Pantone Spring Fashion Colors, 2014 |
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Water Sign
It is again a bit dreary here outside Seattle -- but that doesn't mean I am not longing for ocean waves. Plus, Who doesn't love a little teal to start their day?
Some great ideas here for Spring -- am I right?
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