Creative Urges

I have spent the last 2 days in class trying to cramming as much Photoshop tips and tricks that I could possibly fit into my brain. Can I just say here that I love, love, love Photshop! The creative urges are bubbling up from the depths of my soul now that I have some new tools to use. I have a clear calendar this weekend and I hope to get into the studio and crank out some really cool jewelry.

Along with my photoshop classes, I have been exploring the world of healing Chakras - a new world for me. I have always love rocks, stones, crytals, etc. Now I am tying together the stones and their meaning as it relates to the 7 Healing Chakras. Additionally, I am working on learning more about the folklore and legends about stones and their healing properties.

Tiger's Eye is one of those stones that speaks to me. I love the mingling of the colors and the depth of the colors when the stones are polished. There are many legends about Tiger's Eye (which is a form of quartz) for benefitting health and spiritual well being. Legends say Tiger's Eye is a pychic protector, great for business and an aid to achieving clarity. Until next time ~ Blessings to you all

P.S. I just opened a new shop with 1000markets.com. Check it out! http://createjoy.1000markets.com/

Ice, Ice Baby!

This has been a wild, wacky week. We finally received some seasonally cold, winter weather ...but not in the form of my wishful thinking (snow) ... we received 2 inches of ICE! While I do love winter, ice storms really are not my favorite. I do not want anyone to be without power and struggling to stay warm and survive.


The ice storm started Monday evening and persisted until Wednesday morning. I worked in the office Monday and managed to get back to the office Wednesday afternoon for just a couple of hours. Thursday was better and Friday fine. Now the ice is melting and creating a crazy world of 'puddles'.



During my time at home I managed to complete my copywriting assignments and squeezed in some time on Etsy. Today I built a new shop on 1000markets.com! I am waiting for approval for my shop (personally, I like the review process). Once I receive the green light I will work my patootie off to market both the shops: http://createjoy.etsy.com/ and createjoy.1000markets.com.


In the mean time, I need to work on some valentine jewelry and promote accordingly.
Blessings to you all!

25 Random Things About Me

25 Random Things About Me ... As noted on my facebook page...

1. I love winter! Snow, sweaters, warm socks and fireplaces ...

2. I am a lonely, only child

3. My Sugar cookies totally rock

4. My biggest regret is not finishing college

5. I am a frustrated artist

6. I can tear down and rebuild a carburator

7. I used to play the accordian ... and was very good :D

8 I was in Who's Who Among American High School Students

9. I married my high school sweetheart ... even though he was in college

10. I am claustrophobic

11. I have been fingerprinted and cleared by the Secret Service

12. I love old hollywood muscials

13. I sell jewelrly on etsy (http://createjoy.etsy.com) ...shameless promo

14. I am most at home in the mountains

15. I got my first tattoo when I was in my fourties

16. I have 3 grandchildren (ok, 3.5!)

17. For each of my grandchildren I have a special song

18. I did not name my daughter

19. I have lived in five different states (some more than once)

20. I attended school in four of those states

21. I think Keith Oberman rocks!

22. I am allergic to shellfish

23. Cubs fan ... need I say more?

24. I have been married for 30 years

25. I still watch "It's A Charlie Brown Christmas" every single year!

Deafening Applause!

A few people doing good works, good ideas and just good to know stuff!

For the folks sponsoring free pet adoption this week (as noted in USA Today.com). Way cool! Supporting our animal shelters is not an option folks .... we all need to do a better job!

To the tech guys and gals that help me through the simpliest of tasks without smaking me on the back of the head, pointing & laughing or walking away shaking their heads ... I tip my hat to you all!

For Google Analytics. OMG! Awesome stuff! Thanks guys!

To the Etsy sellers that are willing to share their wisdom to this newbie. I promise to pay it forward someday.

And finally, for the 2 year olds' "Happy Dance" -- just makes me smile 8D

Ready for a change of pace

The new year has put me in the mood for change. I ended the year using up about two weeks worth of unused vacation days, so I found that I have the perfect personality to stay home and continue to receive a regular weekly paycheck. Now I just have to figure out how to make this happen !

In the mean time, I will continue to get up and go to work each day plus come home and work on jewelry in the evenings and weekends (and lunch, and pretty much any spare moment I can find!).

I am currently working on designing new pieces for Valentine's day. I hope to have them completed and listed on my shop within the next week.

In between 'the day job' and the jewelry gig, I am helping my hubby Kenny build a fund raiser for "Reel Recovery" for Arkansas. This amazing organization provide retreats for men surviving cancer at a fishing lodge. Kenny has been working so very hard to make this a great retreat for the cancer survivors. More on that later.

Blessings to you all ~ Create Joy!

I hate 70 degree days!

Mother nature is driving me nuts! I hate 70 degree days ...in January. They just make me darn grumpy. I'm a 'seasonally correct' kind of gal :0)

A strong cold front has finally hit us here in NW Arkansas. I'm snuggled up in my chair with a blanket and a cup of hot cocoa listening to the great Nat King Cole ... ahhhh, I love winter! While others complain about the cold bit of the wind, the gray skies and snow -- I am invigorated by it all! Must be the "Northern" Alabama blood in my vein ( lol!). Seriously -- I'm a southern gal longing for the long cold winters of the north ... some day maybe *sigh*

Along with everyone we have been stressed about the possibility of layoffs. This has opened the door to a bit of day dreaming -- if we could move anywhere ..... I choose Leavenworth, Washington. I think it would be like living in a snow globe ... perfect for this winter loving gal. I have to give their tourism/chamber of commerce team extra credit for providing a fabulous website. *** Gold Stars for You All ****

In between complaining about the 'unseasonable' warm weather and daydreaming about living in a snow globe, I have dug into promoting my jewelry through some very concentrated social marketing. I am seeing a good increase in the view of my etsy shop - but still waiting (impatiently) for that first sale. .... Anyone??

Blessings for a New Year!

2009 - I am so ready for the new year, new beginnings, outwith the old - in with the new! I am working on some new jewelry designs and have incorporated 'Blessings' for each piece. I have found some great resources to align desired physical and emotional attributes to the stones and metals I use in my jewelry. For example:

Turquoise - an ancient stone for health and healing. Turquoise is an excellent stone for spiritual attunement because it aligns all the chakrs bringing one into the remembrance of original cause.

For the physical body, turquoise exudes these qualities: tissue regenerator, restores original DNA patterns and assists one in seeing clearly.

For the emotional body, turquoise assists one in looking at the past with an unbiased eye and allowing for the leassons to be learned and the decisions honored. Heals the spirit and brings a calm state of mind to the user.

Silver allows one to be more receptive to the good in life. Usually chosen by those in service in life, silver is reflective and moon oriented in its energy.

For the physical body, Silver helps the body to eliminate toxins, helps to stabilize vision by assisting the body in the assimilation of vitamines A&E it assists the body in absorbing helpful trace minerals from stones that it is used with.

For the emotional body, silver assists one in showing a more reserved cultured response to one's surroundings. It enhances one's ability to articulate information concisely and clearly with a smoothness that is readily acceptable in all situations.

With this type of in-depth, valuable information - designing and crafting jewelry is so much more rewarding. I feel like I can create custom designs that relates to my customers needs and desires and not just their 'fashion sense'. Too cool!

Blessings to you all in this new day and new year ~ Create Joy!