Telling a Story

Last year I went to an emerging artist program for the Buyers Market of American Craft. One of the speakers emphasized the importance artists needed to place on telling a story. I spent a lot of time thinking about this and when given the opportunity to walk the floor I saw an artist who did it in such a way that though I did not need what he was selling, I wanted one. I wanted to be a part of his story and his vision. It was igniting and I felt like I grasped what they meant.

Since coming home, i have spent a lot of time thinking about my story. Allowing the random thoughts that jumble around in my head to be sorted into cohesive sentences and thoughts. It has really helped me to strengthen my vision and has stimulated an understanding of my collection that I had not realized previously.

After developing the story for each of my lines I couldn't contain my enthusiasm in sharing it with others. I told the story to each retail gallery and became fascinated with the changes in their facial expressions as they too became caught up in the idea behind the collection. Once I gave the collections an idea and allowed everyone to share in it's roots I was able to allow them to connect on a level usually only experienced by the artist. Previously only I was allowed to experience both the tangible and intangible merits of each piece and only I was able to enjoy the spiritual side of what I had created. By sharing the story with them I felt it truly gave meaning to the concept of art jewelry for now they could appreciate both fully.

So though they call this process, telling a story, I think it is better described as sharing the story.

Cobblestone...

There is something about coming upon a cobblestone path that excites and enchants me. A feeling of mystery steep with historic sentiment that fills my soul. When I first visited London at 21 I became positive that if there are past lives... then I must have lived in it's cold, breathless, city. A connection. I felt in awe of the city's history and enraptured with the ancient bold and beautiful amongst the modern cold and colorful, a beautiful combination.

I feel so much like the city of London. A desire for the old and ancient, a memory long and sharp, and an awakening for all the new that has not yet emerged. A twisted personal desire to stand in both time frames at once. One foot steadily held in the wisdom of the past and one looking forward to a brave new world. An oxymoron if one exists but one I delight in.

I love the idea that I have left a footprint on the world. Everywhere I have been shares a small almost untraceable stain of my energy. I feel this energy when I walk on the surfaces of the earth. Who has come before me and what did they do? Where were they going and how did they feel? I am amazed at my own imaginations ability to construct images of a time before I. Even more striking though is walking upon a cobblestone surface. Knowing that history is etched in the footprints of those long gone but still very much alive. Have my footsteps crossed the traces of historic figures I admire? Did I gain just a bit of their energy as I passed the threshold?

2009

Wow, what an amazing year 2008 was. I have high hopes for 2009 and I'm positive that it will bring many new challenges. I've already been working on so many new things to get geared up that I can hardly bare waiting.... giggles!

I thought it might be fun to share a few interesting things about my 2008 in perspective.

Most Played Songs on my IPOD
1. Society - Eddie Vedder
2. One of the Brightest Stars - James Blunt
3. Listen - Dreamgirls
4. Only the Good Die Young - Billy Joel
5. No Bravery - James Blunt
6. Foundations - Kate Nash
7. Stay On the Ride - Patty Griffin
8. Big Love - Fleetwood Mac
9. Crazy - James Michael Mix - Alanis Morissette
10. Benny and the Jets - Elton John

Top 5 Books of the Year:
1. Child 44- Tom Rob Smith
2. Factory Girls -Leslie T. Chang
3. Illusions - Richard Bach (I read this one every year).
4. Wicked- Gregory Maguire
5. The Bookseller of Kabul- Asne Seierstad

2008 New Years Resolutions
1. Approach galleries with my work
2. Build booth for shows and festivals
3. Add two new galleries
4. Spend more time with family
5. Learn to cook

Did I accomplish these things?
Yes, I did begin approaching galleries with my work and an happy to reveal I added six new galleries this year. I added a few new recipes to the short list of things I cook and started off 2008 strong but could have done much better if I had stuck with it. I failed miserably at spending more time with family. Seems there just are not enough hours in the day....

2009 New Years Resolutions
1. Cook a new meal at least 3 nights a week with my husband with the television off, computers put away, and a good bottle of pinot.
2. Spend more quality time with my husband
3. Live in the Moment!
4. Eat more fruits and vegetables
5. Budget finances and live within a budget


Interesting... Last year all of my goals revolved around my business and this year all of my goals revolve around my family. I think I am searching for balance between the two.

Taking Pause....

It's that time of year when one finds themselves thinking about the final tasks and new goals. I love New Year's only because it reminds me to take pause. Every year I choose a new word to represent what I want to embody as I move forward. I chose the word grateful to represent 2008 because I find myself often rushing through to put out fires and climb new ladders rarely remembering to find joy in the small accomplishments. My goal in using the word grateful was to encourage myself to give just as much devotion to the things in my life that are set right as those left askew. What is the point of this strange and lucid journey if we cannot remember to be grateful for the journey itself?

I have been thinking about the word I would like for the upcoming year and I keep coming back to the word balance. Now is the time to find balance within my life and to balance the wants and desires a long side the needs of my family and time required for solitude. There is a yearning in my mind now that was not always there to enjoy each moment as it unfolds and to be in the moment before it passes. It seems a simple task but as I find myself moving through my day my mind seems to wander to all the things that need to be completed next and the day ends with me now quite knowing where the time went only to start again the following morning.

Balance is what my soul desires now.

So Much To Do!

Well, I was given a great opportunity to show my work at the American Craft Retailer's Expo in Las Vegas. in May. I had planned on waiting at least a year before my first wholesale show but this was too good to pass. So I'm frantically looking at everything I need to do and thankful that I have several months to figure it all out. Of course that old demon, fear, keeps creeping up on me and I wonder if I will get even one order.... but all I can do is my best and hope that people will respond to it. Over the next few months I will be working hard to complete the Reflections Collection and filling in some of the gaps for my existing work. If you have any great tips, feel free to share!

Room for change...

I've spent a lot of time lately thinking about change. There is so much going on in the United States right now that I think we all need to take some time and think about ourselves with some reflection. I have spent the last ten years of my life with some solid views and beliefs but lately I have begun questioning some of them. It's difficult when you are faced with questioning some of your steadfast beliefs but I think it's important to keep the doorways in your mind open to new possibilities. I was listening to some music the other day and realized how I have been wrong about some of the things I one held as truths in my life. It was humbling to allow myself to question my own beliefs and I realized that it's important to think about our own inner compass from time to time and allow it to change direction.

I think a lot about the person I want to be. I find that often times people become who they are without a definite goal but allow life's circumstances to determine their course. I have always wanted to be the person who chose my own path. I've always wanted to stay on a definite course. I think it's easier to become who you want to be and to ultimately realize where you want to be if you know who and where that is. Today I realized that this needs to be fluid. Who and where can change over the years of your life. With the recent events in the United States it has made me realize that it is important to me to smile a little brighter, be a little more forgiving, and realize a stronger sense of compassion. After all, though we are individuals.... we can create enormous amounts of warmth one person at a time. So though I live in a large city where life is often rushed, I plan to take things a bit slower and see the humanity in those around me.

The Way to My heart...

Some of you may already know that I adopted three black labs this year; Kai, Maya, and Theo. They have brought me so much joy and have taught me how to laugh at life. I am forever grateful to have them as part of my family and an integral part of my life. I found Erika's shop, Blomma, a few months ago and fell in love with her Labrador greeting cards. She has a way of capturing the essence of a Labrador's playfulness and bringing it to life.

Today a special package arrived in the mail. Inside was a lovely thank you note from Erika and a beautiful Christmas ornament her father hand carved. I am so touched at the thoughtfulness of her gift. This piece will adorn my Christmas tree for many years to come. Thank you Erika and thank your father from one lab lover to another. Tomorrow I will walk the dogs extra long in your honor.

Erika owns an Etsy shop called Blomma. You can view an assortment of contemporary paper goods by clicking on her name.

Her father who hand carved the Christmas ornament can be found at Ctawoodart