Create Your Own Story

I am so excited about this new line. For a long time I have been selling the poetry line on etsy which includes my secret poetry stack rings. I often get requests for rings with stones or symbols to go a long with them. I thought it might be nice to create a line of rings featuring words, stones, and symbols so each person can create a set of stack rings that tells their story.

My favorite feature of these rings is that the stones and symbols are raised just slightly so the rings truly stack up. So often I see stack rings with stones that do not and it makes me sad. I wish I had longer fingers, I would wear them all!

The picture shows the first 11 in the series but I will be working to add more.

Choosing a path.....

One of the most important things I have discovered in my life is that you must choose where you want to go in life. You must have a goal and be able to determine the steps it takes to reach it with success. I know this is often easier said than done but taking the time to write out a list of goals each year and the steps you can take to help you reach them is so helpful in life and in business.

When I was 19 I found that my life was not moving in a direction that I wanted. I wrote down a list of all the things I wanted and didn't have and decided that I would give myself a year to accomplish them all. I was able to accomplish everything on my list within three months. This became a life lesson for me and I found that the act of looking at my life, deciding what I wanted, and writing it down helped me to complete the tasks needed to gain results.

Often times we think that we have an idea of where we want to go and don't feel the need to actually write out a list. It's in your head.... but let me challenge you to write out the list and fill in the steps. I think you will be surprised at how effective the act of writing down what you want and need can be.

Every year I write out a list of annual goals. Throughout the year I keep lists of my next goal and what I need to do to get there. I push myself to look at each of these as steps and to consider only what it takes to get to the next step. It helps to propel me forward and offers me a constant vision in which to focus on.

I am getting ready to leave Tuesday to accomplish a goal I have had for two years. I will be exhibiting at my first wholesale show in Philadelphia. I am so excited to see that I have reached this goal and I know that it is yet another step in a long list but an important one.

Know where you want to go, write it down, and take the steps necessary to get there! All things are easier when you look at the simple components.

Good Luck!

Something different....

Trying to create an image for Delias Studio has been one of the hardest things I have had to work on. I've spent countless hours previewing websites, magazines, and graphics trying to determine what is my brand and what do I want to evoke.

One important component that came to mind almost immediately was that I did not want to use jury photos or basic product images for my booth and website. However, this seems to be one of those ideas that is easier thought than completed.

I had a million ideas for what I wanted my images to be but as a small company just picking up speed the cost of a professional photographer and model seemed out of my budget. I began to play with taking photos of my work in a way that does not depict the face of the model for two reasons. The first and most obvious being that I am the model for all of the photographs and the second was to tie back into my tag line, just be. I wanted "her" to be anyone. I am trying to depict the image or idea that we as individuals can be anyone and do anything. I thought the idea of not using faces keeps the image on the essence of the photo which is what I want to capture.

This is one of the images that I will be using for my large display pieces at shows. I have a few more worked up. I hope they evoke the message and idea that I planned.

Inspiration...

"You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however."
Richard Bach

The last few days I have found myself looking for inspiration. A new way of looking at things. I love to read the stories and inspiration that allowed others I admire to succeed and today I found a wonderful treasure. I have been reading Cindy Edelstein's blog for some time and today I found a link to a powerful source of inspiration. Karen Lorene, owner of Facere Gallery in Seattle has not only started a blog sharing her expertise in retailing and running a successful business but I was also directed through her blog to the first nine chapters she has written regarding her adventure through retailing. Seven of the nine chapters had links that worked and I read them all. I felt so much inspiration and my mind began to buzz. I felt as if I could almost reach out and touch the strings I needed to give life to my dream. I love that Karen started off knowing so little about her industry but through her drive, ambition, and self-motivation she was able to overcome the obstacles thrust in front of her. I think it takes a certain kind of person to keep moving forward no matter what roadblocks you see up ahead. Sometimes sheer determination will get you further than anything else. I have so much admiration and respect for Mrs. Lorene having read her story and look forward to future chapters....... we all know the story has a happy ending!

I highly recommend reading these first chapters as a tool to help inspire and motivate you. You can find them on them on them at http://www.facerejewelryart.com/newsletters.php

Anything is Possible......

I am one of those rare people who believe this to be true. I honestly believe it within myself and it is integral in who I am and how I live. I have found this to be a unique quality but one I plan to keep.

We as individuals create our own boundaries and with boundaries we create never ending limitations. Once the limitation is created; it is true. Deny the limitation and it is false. Think of how far you could go if you refused to create the limitation?

I am always surprised when I talk with other artists to find that they have already decided how far they could possibly go and what accomplishments they could achieve. They have created defined lines and in essence a box that they create within. The box is real because they believe it to be real. They have defined their path and how far they will go by defining the landscape and the palette in which they live.

The truth is anything is possible if you choose to believe it. Rarely did those who accomplished so much know that they would get there. They struggled like we did and worked themselves to the bone with hope and a dream. A dream of achieving more and of becoming more. They met with success because they first allowed the success to be a possibility in their lives. I have never met someone who is successful who honestly believed they could never succeed.

So this is my mantra and what has forced me to continue no matter how tired, frustrated, hopeless, and lost I feel. I believe that anything is possible and my belief makes this true.

believe.

Perfecting...... the booth

I've been working hard on my booth set-up for the art shows and festivals. This is the most recent booth that I used for the Virgina Highlands Summerfest show. I thought this booth looked much better in person but I still feel like something is missing.

It seems the more professional I make my booth the more it loses it's personality. I am thinking about adding some large scale photography in the background to give the booth a little more pop. Also I am contemplating changing the red fabric to the green that matches my logo. This is by far the most professional booth I have had to date and drew a nice crowd to look at my work.

I thought you might find the transition interesting to see as I work on perfecting the booth display. You can see last year's display several posts down.

Not Alone

I am so thankful for this man, my husband, Carlos. Yesterday I was so stressed and overwhelmed I felt like everything was completely out of control. I called my husband and he was there like he always is.

I am constantly amazed at the support and love he offers me. He reminds me that I am not alone and that the struggles and stresses do not have to be burdened only by me. He will help me, make me laugh and do anything he can to help me. Just knowing that he is always there makes life easier and each struggle somehow less of a struggle.

I know it's simple, but I love him..... he is my hero...